MANHATTAN (CN) - A man demands $175,000 from "This Old House" celebrity Bob Vila, claiming Vila hired to him revive Vila's "stagnant brand" after CBS canceled his show, then refused to pay him the agreed-upon severance payment, plus 15 percent of any deals he arranged.
David Kaufthal says Vila and his son, Chris Vila, hired him for $175,000 a year, plus commissions, after CBS killed the "Bob Vila" show in April 2007, and fired him 14 months later. They hired him with promise of a year's salary as severance if he were fired without cause, Kaufthal says, and now they refuse to pay it, and refuse his 15 percent interest as well.
Kaufthal demands an accounting and damages for breach of contract and unjust enrichment. He is represented by Jay Auslander with Siller & Wilk.
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