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A producer has filed a lawsuit against Amazon MGM Studios, alleging that a company executive demanded bribes in exchange for post-production work and blocked the companies from servicing projects if they refused.
In a lawsuit filed in California state court, producer Joe Eckhardt says he was recruited to participate in an alleged scheme in which he was provided with an approved production budget in order to deliver a winning show. After the contract is awarded, Frank Salinas’ uncredited post-production head will be paid a percentage of the project value as reimbursement.
The matter has been reported to Amazon MGM Studios, which declined to comment. An investigation last year ultimately concluded that the allegations “were not substantiated,” according to the complaint.
The lawsuit alleges that Salinas met in 2023 with Eckardt, the executive producer of Sunset sale And yet a producer for Sell OC and Tampa sale. At the meeting, Salinas said he could use his authority to select vendors, approve bids and post-production hiring decisions to ensure Eckhardt’s company, Unbreakable Post, received lucrative contracts for Amazon’s unscripted shows, the lawsuit says.
Eckhardt claims he was told that Amazon’s production companies required three bids for post-production work, but that Salinas controlled the vendors involved in the process. Under the alleged scheme, Eckhardt would use confidential information to submit a bid designed to be slightly under budget, effectively securing him the contract, according to the complaint.
The producer says he turned down the offer. Salinas then responded by blocking Eckardt from servicing Amazon’s addresses, the lawsuit alleges. This includes many international Temptation Island Production although they do significant consulting, budgeting and post-production planning. Later that year in 2024, Eckhardt confirmed that Salinas had refused to award him contracts Prime coach and Good sport.
“These removals were not isolated incidents, but part of an ongoing pattern in which Salinas used his power over Amazon’s post-production approval process to redirect work to preferred sellers and disqualify plaintiffs after they refused to participate in the kickback scheme,” James Bryant, an attorney for the producer, wrote in the complaint filed last week.
According to the complaint, Salinas asserted that he was indeed receiving kickbacks from other vendors. The payments were allegedly made to his company All Star Media.
Eckardt makes allegations of civil conspiracy and aiding and abetting, among others. He is seeking at least $1 million.
