Celebrity Justice
'CSI' Writer Accused of Televised Revenge Plot

This is one of the best lawsuits we've seen in a while -- a writer for "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" is accused of naming some seriously perverted characters on his show after a real-life couple who allegedly screwed her in a real estate deal gone bad.

According to the suit, filed moments ago in L.A. County Superior Court, Scott and Melinda Tamkin claim "CSI" writer Sarah Goldfinger sought revenge against them by allegedly using their names and likenesses to craft a recent episode of "CSI."

Here's the rub -- the Tamkins claim their fictional counterparts "engaged in a reckless lifestyle of sexual bondage, pornography, drunkeness, marital discord, depression, financial straights and possibly even murder."

The Tamkins claim CBS acknowledged the problem and changed the names "at the eleventh hour," but because the first names matched, and the original last names had already made it to the Internet -- the damage was already done.

Now the Tamkins claim their good names have been sullied -- and are suing CBS, Goldfinger and the production company behind the show for at least $6 mil.



Tags: csi

Reader Comments

(Page 2 of 3) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

16. I hope they win and the writer gets fired. What a cow.

Posted at 12:19AM on May 23rd 2009 by Meli

17. I am a family friend of the Tamkins. It was a terrible thing that was done to them. They are great people and did not screw her over in a real estate deal gone bad. TMZ should get their facts straight!!!

Posted at 2:14AM on May 23rd 2009 by Friend of the Tamkins

18. I wonder what episode it was. does anyone have an idea?

Posted at 2:38AM on May 23rd 2009 by Spoiledbabie

19. Doubt they will ever get a day in court, if they did by chance, winning would be a long shot. If the episode never aired with their names...first and last, then there is nothing to sue for. THey are causing all the bad publicity on themselves.
Should teach them to be better people.

Posted at 2:52AM on May 23rd 2009 by MelB

20. I used to walk the Tamkin's dog and it is not true that they have a huge meth lab in their basement.

Posted at 3:06AM on May 23rd 2009 by fossil26

21. Joho it was the very first episode this season with Bobby and Eames...I love Law and Order go Bobby!!!!!!!

Posted at 7:08AM on May 23rd 2009 by Elvis

22. Sarah HAS ALWAYS USED REAL NAMES in many, many, many, of her CSI Scripts!!!!. How do I know? Because I KNOW some of those characters PERSONALLY!

We never had a problem with it though. Sarah is cool.

Tmz, keep it coming!

Posted at 8:36AM on May 23rd 2009 by Ha the CUE girl!

23. Adding that SARAH has gone public naming her real characters to the ones in CSI Scripts shows, on a LIVE Radio interview in (2008) with millions listening!

She never kept anything a secret!

Sarah is cool & I do know some of her characters on a personal bases! It's an honor I think!

Tmz, keep it coming!

Posted at 8:44AM on May 23rd 2009 by Ha the CUE!

24. Sarah Goldfinger came through helping a little girl suffering from Cancer! Sarah's Script donation really helped to raise money for that precious little one! Sarah, never forgot her roots!

THANK you SARAH!.

Tmz, keep it coming!

Posted at 9:03AM on May 23rd 2009 by Ha the CUE!

25. Making it CLEAR that, the people mentioned Tamkin, was at NO time were ever mentioned & WHO are they???? Biz seekers for stardom??

Sarah, ALWAYS got permission from the Real Persons! So, I really doubt their claims! Sarah, has much better characters to use right back here! She's a talented writer that can create far reaching characters than the Tamkins!

Tmz, keep it coming!

Posted at 9:36AM on May 23rd 2009 by Ha the CUE!

26. Sorry I missed it, but I stopped watching CSI.

Posted at 12:42PM on May 23rd 2009 by Hoagie Honker

27. Please email me, TMZ .... I am not afraid to come forward!!

Posted at 4:01AM on May 24th 2009 by me again

28. What the heck, guys??? How come you wouldn't publish my last comment?

I will reiterate this again. I have dirt on the Tamkin family that Sarah could make use of. I need either Harvey to email me back or to pass along my email to Sarah or her reps. Reason being is that it seems like many members of the Tamkin family are into such shady real estate deals that a few of them belong behind bars, like Scott's brother. He recently sold a property that had non-disclosed stuff left off the title. When I read this article, I just about fell out of me desk chair!! Good for Sarah for having the courage to out the Tamkins. My info may help to out them a little further, but I will not go into a lengthy discussion here. It is 100% dire that you either contact me yourself or pass on my info to her. In either case, put something in the subject heading so that I know what it is in regards to so that I don't just delete it. I am glad to see her boldy watch this scumbag get flushed down the toilet and I would be happy to provide her further info regarding Scott's shady real estate brother. I am so glad to know I am not alone in being screwed up the ass by the Tamkin family, but by the same token, I would love nothing more than to watch both of them go down!! Please email me so that we can discuss this further, in private, or at least pass on my email to Sarah.

Thanks guys!!

Posted at 4:12AM on May 24th 2009 by me again

29. I know the Tamkins personally - nicest people.
Saw the episode - what a crappy writing!

Goldfinger is screwed...

Posted at 4:33AM on May 24th 2009 by Brian

30. Is anyone moderating these comments?? Harvey, et al, I have very good dirt on the Tamkin family regarding their shady real estate deals. Please email me or pass on my info to Sarah. This is like the 3rd or 4th message I've sent you and you've only published one. Can't someone there confirm???

Posted at 4:46AM on May 24th 2009 by me again

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