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“Pawn Stars” stars Rick Harrison, his father Richardson Harrison, his son Corey Harrison and Corey’s best friend Austin “Chumlee” Russell (wearing the backwards cap).
By Dave Toplikar (contact) 
Monday, Oct. 8, 2012 | 2:32 p.m.
A Las Vegas entertainment consultant and promoter who helped put together the History Channel’s popular “Pawn Stars” show claims in a lawsuit he was fired over comments he issued about the spin-off “Cajun Pawn Stars.”
Wayne F. Jeffries, who operates the Jefferies Co. promotional services business, has filed a lawsuit in Clark County District Court seeking damages from the reality show’s stars Rick Harrison, Corey Harrison, Richard Benjamin “The Old Man” Harrison and Austin “Chumlee” Russell.
Also named as defendants are the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop on Las Vegas Boulevard, the History Channel, A&E Networks and History Channel executives Mary Donahue and Nancy Dubuc.
Jefferies said that in December 2011, the Harrisons and Russell found out through a press release that the History Channel was spinning off a series called “Cajun Pawn Stars.”
Jefferies said that, at the request of Rick Harrison, he told the celebrity news website TMZ.com that “the cast of Pawn Stars was blind sided” by the spin-off.
After that, Dubuc and Donahue “were furious over the released story and blamed” Jefferies rather than Rick Harrison, the lawsuit says.
Jefferies is seeking general damages in excess of $10,000, punitive and exemplary damages in excess of $10,000, accounting fees, penalties and interest in excess of $10,000, and attorneys fees and interest.
He is being represented by Richard A. Schonfeld, of Chesnoff & Schonfeld.
The lawsuit explains Jefferies’ role in helping land the show and managing the store operators’ entertainment deals.
It says Rick Harrison, co-owner of the pawn shop, was unsuccessful in his efforts during 2007 to pitch a TV series based on the pawn business in Las Vegas.
Jefferies says he then entered into an oral contract with Harrison and the other store operators to serve as their manager. The lawsuit says Jefferies was instrumental in helping them land them their cable TV network show in 2008.
The show is in its sixth season and receives the highest ratings in the reality TV division, the lawsuit says. Jefferies said the success of the show revitalized the History Channel and put executives Donahue and Dubuc “into a class of saviors.”
The lawsuit says that around May 2009, Jefferies entered into an oral agreement with the Harrisons to provide management services for the following:
• A $4,000 per monthly fee;
• 5 percent of eBay merchandise sales;
• 5 percent of Rick Harrison’s License to Pawn book;
• 10 percent of Pawn Stars’ slot machine deal;
• 5 percent of Pawn Stars’ coin deal;
• 5 percent of Pawn Stars’ credit card deal;
• 5 percent of Pawn Stars’ merchandise deals;
• 5 percent of the pawn store’s in-store merchandise sales;
• 10 to 15 percent of all paid personal appearances;
• 10 percent of proceeds related to the production and management of the Pawn Stars’ road show;
• 5 percent of an energy drink deal.
Jefferies said he also had an oral agreement with Russell for 10 percent of his gross revenue and 10 percent of merchandise deals.
LOL, they all forget where they come from!!
who cares? who still watches this show?
Why is this even news!?!?
Never seen the show and could give a rats azz whatthese jokers do or don't do
It's a very popular show that is based on a business here in Vegas, filmed in Vegas, why wouldn't it be news? Bertsos, would you prefer that the Sun only carry stories about DUI car accidents?
eBay commission? Book commission? Credit card Commission?
And this guy has NO written agreement/contract?
Good luck
You know, I really liked this show when it first came out, but it did seem that after awhile in my view the guys went Hollywood....too bad
They bring business and tourist dollars to Vegas. They highlighted other Vegas businesses and personalities, like Mark Patton. You guys are just jealous.
So in May 2009 when the oral contract was made, Jefferies didn't think about getting any of this in writing? I mean in all his years in entertainment he never thought 'mmmm better get this in writing, you never know when these deals turn sour'.
I mean I never let a pool guy clean my pool without a contract so both sides don't have to deal with this crap.
Why the Heck is he suin' Chumlee??? LOLOLOLOL
In all seriousness, Chum is a fan favorite and it seems like he's a few steps down on the totem pole so all his dealings go through the Harrisons.
It's entirely possible that they sold out and this guy Jeffries is gettin' screwed. But that's the hazards of not spelling out your deal on paper, especially dealing with the entertainment biz, one of the more litigious fields of American business.
Personally, I love this show. It's a great homage to "hometown Vegas" that most people don't get to see. It's excellent to put on in the background while you're working on a project and can look up periodically to say "No! don't sell it for that price! You're crazy!". Some of these out-of-towners like gettin' ripped off I guess, LOL.
Also, Counting Cars is a nice tour of the West Side to watch while workin' on a project or doin' homework. Danny Coker's stock is on the rise...
He is being represented by Richard A. Schonfeld, of Chesnoff & Schonfeld - This says it all.
The fact Jefferies was even able retain this law firm, I believe he's going to win. This law firm is probably the best in the country and its next to impossible to be represented by them. Not having a contact in writing surely makes it more difficult, except he has the best representation around. I bet he wins at least a nice settlement.
top rated show, watched all over the world we live in a world where all the reality stars are phonies
Oral contract? I have no idea how anyone would watch this group of nit wits and be entertained, I they are all jokes.
These people have become tiresome.
I cannot believe this show has any viewers. Yet hundreds gather in front of the store in their baggy tourist shorts, flip flops and bellies hanging out from under the catsup covered shirts they use to cover their trailer windows when they get back home. The reality of reality TV is what is so destructive. You can drive by the store on LV blvd any day of the week and pick up a sidewalk burrito and snap pictures of the lemmings waiting in the sun to see the inside of a pawn shop.
I think the show is great. As far as reality TV goes its actually quite educational, seeing so many historical items coming through that shop gives you a background on some of our history.
I'm sure the Harrisons will be well represented as that show is a goldmine. I hear Chumlee makes $20,000 an episode so there is money to be had. But if its not in writing its gonna be hard to get those percentages 5 percent of everything is a lot of money.
In this day and age -- why would a person enter into an "oral" agreement -- if reality television is Mr. Jefferies forte -- he should have spent more time watching The People's Court or Judge Judy -- sounds like a case of sour grapes to me! I would suggest Mr. Jefferies stop by the pawn shop and purchase a nice fountain pen -- I'm sure the owners would give him a deal.