'CSI' producer facing defamation lawsuit

LOS ANGELES, May 23 (UPI) -- Two real estate agents allege in a Los Angeles County lawsuit a "CSI" producer named two morally challenged characters on the TV series after them.

Real estate agents Scott and Melinda Tamkin allege in a Los Angeles County Superior Court defamation and invasion of privacy lawsuit that "CSI" producer Sarah Goldfinger created corrupt characters using their names, the Los Angeles Times said Saturday.

The agents allege in the suit that Goldfinger cost them potential business and embarrassed them "by creating from whole cloth characters engaged in a reckless lifestyle of sexual bondage, pornography, drunkenness, marital discord, depression, financial straits and possibly even murder."

The characters from the "CSI" episode, "Deep Fried and Minty Fresh," were named Scott and Melinda Tamkin, but were portrayed as conniving real estate agents who engaged in sadomasochism, the report said.

The Reporter said the Tamkins previously dealt with Goldfinger on an unsuccessful house sale four years ago.

The $6 million suit also names CBS, Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Goldman, Sachs Capital Partners as co-defendants.