Ice-T, A&E Sued For Allegedly Stealing Idea For Docudrama Gang Series

by Slava Kuperstein

Ice-T faces legal action for allegedly using an idea for a documentary drama series.

A&E Networks and Ice-T have been named in a suit by Roy Colbert of Los Angeles.
Deadline.com reports that Colbert alleges Ice-T and A&E used his idea for a TV docudrama about gangs.
The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that Ice-T and A&E breached an implied contract under which Colbert provided the network's director of nonfiction and alternative programming Colleen Conway an idea about the series on August 7, 2008.
The idea was for a documentary drama focused on combating gang violence in Los Angeles County and making peace between rival gangs. Colbert states the the idea was based on his own experience documenting efforts to stop gang violence in 2004.
In the suit, Colbert states that he presented his idea to Ice-T's manager Chris Smith, and that it was "fully and clearly understood" that the idea for the series, originally titled by Colbert "Banging Peace," was to only be used if Colbert was involved and fully compensated.
Instead, says Colbert, Ice-T and A&E took his idea and made an identical docudrama titled "The Peacemaker," which aired in 2010.
The lawsuit is available here.