Yuuuup! Storage Wars Is Rigged, Star Claims

Storage Wars' producers plant items in the lockers contestants buy to increase the drama, ex-star Dave Hester claims in a new lawsuit. Hester's suit alleges that he was wrongfully terminated for complaining that the series is rigged, according to the Hollywood Reporter. "A&E has committed a fraud on the public and its television audience," reads the complaint, which was filed in LA Superior Court yesterday.

Among the items producers allegedly planted: a pile of newspapers announcing the death of Elvis Presley, and a BMW Mini. He says he was fired after alerting producers that doing that kind of thing could be illegal—according to the lawsuit, the Communications Act of 1934 forbids rigging "a contest of intellectual skill with the intent to deceive the viewing public." Hester also says that many cast "interviews" are scripted, and that some scenes were shot when no actual auction was taking place. (More Storage Wars stories.)