'Survivor' Lawsuit Update: Trial Begins for Consultant's Claim of Millions of Unpaid Fees

Consultant Layne Leslie Britton, who is suing former business partner from the show "Survivor" Carlton Riggs, is set to go on trial for the lawsuit he filed against the latter over millions of unpaid fees.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the lawsuit was filed by Britton back in 2012. He argues that he helped in the "innovative and lucrative financial agreement" that "Survivor" creator Mark Burnett presented to CBS as per the sharing of advertising risk and revenue. Riggs, however, allegedly cheated Britton out of his share from the profits.

Britton and Riggs reportedly agreed to the former being entitled with 35 percent of the latter's share of revenue from "Survivor" Season 2 and forward. Britton was also set to have 40 percent of Riggs' share for the other shows that he worked on with Burnett. These shares were in exchange for Britton's advice and consultation regarding business matters in relation to "Survivor."

The trial began with opening statements form Britton's representative, Jeffrey D. McFarland, My News LA reported. He told the jury, which was composed of five men and seven women, that sometimes people "steal with a gun and a knife" but other times "they steal from you by lying to you."

McFarland said that his client and Riggs made the agreement back in 2000 but the payments did not start until 2002 and stopped coming in 2006. At that time, Riggs said in an email that he is having problems with his employment status with Burnett and even promised Britton that he will pay the amount agreed upon.

However, a video was played to the jury showing Riggs saying he will not be paying Britton anymore as he felt like he was paid enough for the work he has done. Riggs added that he has not decided yet "whether to keep paying him anymore or not."

The defense, Eric M. George representing Riggs, said that Britton did little amount of work and they were more done by Riggs and Burnett. Riggs reportedly hired Britton and paid him $1.8 million for part-time work but he found out that the latter "parroted" the legal information he gave to the two other men.

In line with this, Riggs countersued Britton in 2013 saying that the latter was acting as an attorney and should be held liable for his actions. However, a judge granted partial summary judgment in favor of Britton as he did not act as an attorney for Riggs.

This is not the first time that Riggs was part of a lawsuit. In 2008, he sued Burnett for $70 million regarding profits from the show. He claimed that the creator did not properly pay him. The case was settled in March 2012. 

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consultant, Survivor, Survivor lawsuit, Layne Leslie Britton, Mark Burnett, Conrad Riggs

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