David Chase to appear in N.J. court

TRENTON, N.J., Dec. 12 (UPI) -- David Chase, creator of the hit U.S. mob drama "The Sopranos," is to appear in a New Jersey court to present his side of a breach-of-contract lawsuit.

Chase is expected to testify in Trenton against a former North Jersey municipal judge who maintains he helped invent the series and should be compensated for his efforts, the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger reported Wednesday.

Plaintiff Robert Baer has offered to introduce jurors to the man he insists was the inspiration for the character of mob boss Tony Soprano, during a trial that begins Wednesday in federal court, the newspaper said.

Baer, a former New Jersey prosecutor, first filed his lawsuit five years ago.

U.S. District Judge Joel Pisano has twice dismissed the case, citing the statute of limitations, however, an appeals court overturned Pisano's decision both times.

While Chase conceded he sought Baer's help during his research, he described as "egocentric fantasies" the ex-judge's claims that the series was his idea.