The Sopranos star being sued by his publicist over artwork fee - report
The Sopranos actor Federico Castelluccio is reportedly being sued by his publicist over unpaid fees.
In 2014 art expert and visual artist Castelluccio, who played hitman Furio Giunta in the HBO series, discovered a forgotten painting by artist Guercino, aka Giovanni Francesco Barbieri
The artwork is a 1630s piece by the Italian master reported to be worth millions.
Castelluccio discovered and authenticated the lost painting, and paid $140,000 with a business partner to acquire it. However, art experts estimate the work could fetch $10 million , reports Pagesix.com.
The actor’s publicist James Sliman is reportedly suing him, after alleging in court documents that Castelluccio has refused offers to the sell the painting, and has failed to pay his representative a fee, which is dependent on the sale of the artwork.
According to editors at Page Six, in papers filed in August Sliman alleged in New York's Kings County Supreme Court that the Italian-American actor promised him a $35,000 fee after the work sold, but then told him “on three or four occasions that the painting was about to be sold, when he apparently had no real idea if the painting would ever be sold".
He further alleges the actor turned down a $950,000 offer to buy the painting.
Castelluccio's attorney Mark Shirian denied the claims and told the outlet: “This case has absolutely no merit and will be vigorously defended and challenged.”
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