Amazon Mgm Studios Executive Solicited Kickbacks For Postproduction Contracts, Lawsuit Alleges

An Amazon MGM Studios executive allegedly solicited kickbacks from an aspiring vendor successful speech for post-production statement awards connected shows, according to a precocious revenge lawsuit.

Joe Eckardt, proprietor and president of Hollywood-based postproduction services patient Unbreakable Post, alleged that nan studio’s caput of postproduction, Frank Salinas, told him during a business luncheon successful 2023 that Salinas could “ensure” Unbreakable Post would beryllium included arsenic an approved vendor to bid connected Amazon-affiliated projects.

Salinas would springiness Eckardt nan target fund number for his company’s bid and “effectively guarantee that Unbreakable would beryllium awarded nan work,” nan suit states.

After nan statement was awarded, Eckardt would past salary Salinas a percent of nan task worth arsenic a kickback, nan suit says.

After Eckardt refused, he alleges that his statement opportunities pinch Amazon dried up.

He states successful nan suit that though he had done “substantial” work, served arsenic a postproduction advisor aliases selected vendor connected shows specified arsenic nan Mexico, Brazil and Argentina productions of nan reality bid “Temptation Island” and nan 3rd play of documentary bid “Coach Prime,” he was not selected by Amazon for a statement pinch those projects.

In 2025, Eckardt alleges that he reported Salinas’ behaviour to Amazon and aft six months of accusation gathering, nan institution told him that “its investigation had concluded and that nan allegations were ‘not substantiated.’”

Amazon MGM Studios did not respond to a petition for comment. Salinas declined to comment.

Eckardt’s suit was revenge Wednesday successful Los Angeles County Superior Court. He alleges that he mislaid much than $1 cardinal successful contracts, income and early business opportunities. He is seeking a assemblage trial.