Michael Trigg — the wealthy owner of a line of “personal lubricants” called Wet — says he got screwed in a Charitybuzz auction where he paid $100,000 for a few lines in a major movie.
Trigg, 55, says he forked out the dough in Charitybuzz’s “Do Good, Dream Big” program of 2012, designed to fulfill the “dreams” of buyers/donors in exchange for charity donations.
Trigg’s dream was a few lines in a big film, and following his winning bid, it was decided that movie would be “Scary Movie 5,” starring Lindsay Lohan.
But the cameo in the “Scary Movie” sequel didn’t materialize, and despite being offered a role in a different film, Trigg has decided to sue.
The Wet co-founder alleges Charitybuzz took a fee, and the rest went to charity, “but then I was stonewalled. ‘Scary Movie’s production schedule got pushed back, so the Weinstein Company offered me the movie ‘Demonic,’ with Maria Bello. But I got to the set and the director just asked me to nod and not say anything.”
Trigg added, “I insisted I was supposed to get some lines, I was dressed as a policeman, and given the line, ‘Hey, detective.’ I don’t even know if that line will make it into the movie. I tried to negotiate something else, but they were extremely hard to negotiate with. I paid for a few lines in a movie…I do a lot for charity, and this has left a bad taste in my mouth.”
Trigg’s attorney Daniel Kolodziej, who filed the suit in LA County Superior Court for breach of contract against Charitybuzz, the Weinstein Company and the La Jolla Playhouse [the charity to which Trigg’s money went], said, “It’s a consumer protection claim…There are others who have complained about Charitybuzz, the deal changes after the fact, and it becomes a travesty.”
Weinstein attorney Charlie Prince said, “This is a meritless lawsuit. Charitybuzz complied with its agreement with Mr. Trigg. He has a walk-on speaking role in an upcoming [film].
He is clearly trying to build notoriety through the press for his unfounded claims…TWC looks forward to having this matter resolved in court, where it is confident Mr. Trigg’s claims will be dismissed.”
Charitybuzz said it doesn’t comment on “pending litigation.”