Judge Judy Sheindlin, the star of the syndicated long-running daytime television show “Judge Judy” is suing a talent agency in Los Angeles County Superior Court for $22 million in fees she alleges the agency wrongly received.

According to news reports, Sheindlin was "discovered" by two producers following a "60 Minutes" profile in 1993 that showcased her quick-witted style in the courtroom. At that time, the producers were represented by Richard Lawrence and his talent agency, Rebel Entertainment Partners, but, according to Sheindlin, that only lasted a very short time. Nonetheless, Richard Lawrence has allegedly collected $22 million over the last 24 years in syndication fees. Sheindlin calls him "an unethical and self-dealing talent agent, and one of the luckiest men in the world." Sheindlin says Lawrence and his agency were not entitled to collect "one penny of fees" because the agency did not represent a package deal and that the agency was "effectively stealing from the series’ bona fide profit participants, including Sheindlin."

Earlier this month, Rebel Entertainment sued CBS Studios, Sheindlin and others claiming it would be owed money if any "Judge Judy" episodes were sold.

Should the gavel come down in her favor, Sheindlin says she will donate any net proceeds she receives to the charity Stand Up To Cancer.

—Source: Courthousenews.com