Seagal files lawsuit in fraud case

Attorneys for actor Steven Seagal have filed a fraud and breach of contract lawsuit against the producers of two films starring the internationally known action star, claiming Seagal is owed $835,000 for starring in an independent picture called “Mercenary.�

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, comes days after Nu Image, Inc., and Kill Master Productions sued Seagal for $14 million, claiming the actor caused production delays on the set of “Mercenary� and a second film, “Today You Die,� by routinely arriving late on the set, rewriting the script and allowing members of his entourage to interfere with the work of crew members.

Seagal’s suit, which was filed by attorney Martin Singer, claims producer Avi Lerner and his company, Nu Image, fabricated their claims against Seagal in an attempt to avoid paying the actor. In addition, the suit states, Seagal had the right to approve the screenplay, consult on major rewrites and had to be consulted on the budget for the picture.

Attorney Charles M. Coate, who filed the suit against Seagal earlier in the week, said the allegations in his complaint speak for themselves and it is up to a jury to decide, if it reaches that point.

Robert Welkos