Death threats, 24-hour security and alleged extortion in Hollywood lawsuit

Paramount Skydance president Jeff Shell has countersued Las Vegas and Hollywood fixer RJ Cipriani in a lawsuit filed the day after the Oscars, alleging Cipriani overstated his association with Shell and sought payment by threatening exposure. Cipriani is already suing Shell for $150 million.

Shell's 181-page complaint lays out what it calls a "playbook": use a trusted mutual connection to cozy up to a high-profile target, leech to the fringes of the target's world, falsely claim behind-the-scenes help, then demand compensation and, if unpaid, weaponize those fabrications and the threat of public exposure to extract a payday.

The suit also says Shell received death threats during contentious negotiations over "South Park," required a 24/7 security detail and asked Cipriani for guidance; Paramount declined comment on the alleged threats that preceded its $1.5 billion streaming deal for the series.

United States, Las Vegas; Hollywood

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