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So-Called Cypress Hill "Backup Singer" Sues Rockstar
In frivolous lawsuit news, a man named Michael "Shagg" Washington is suing Rockstar Games, claiming he is the real-life Carl "CJ" Johnson, the protagonist of the company's blockbuster Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
In suit, filed Monday in a Los Angeles court, Washington claims to have spoken to Rockstar staff extensively about the "troubled life" he led as a youth in L.A. He said he gave them many details about his exploits, including the fact that his teenage gang rode bicycles – a fact that also could have been gleaned by, for example, watching almost any gang movie or L.A. rap video that was made in the 1990s. There is no word on whether Washington told Rockstar about the phenomenon of wearing black L.A. Raiders hats, white t-shirts, and jeans.
Washington said he spoke to Rockstar for two hours, then never heard from them again. He claims to have only recently been informed of the game (by his nephew), but his lawyer says that it's clear CJ is based on Washington.
"Upon examination of images of CJ and comparison to his photos from that year and other evidence, it became clear that Rockstar had stolen his image and never paid him."
Washington also claims to be a "backup singer" for the group Cypress Hill. However, according to the site allmusic.com, he is not credited on any of the group's albums. Washington is demanding 25 percent of San Andreas's profits, a cool $250 million.
Rockstar denies his claims and released a statement saying the company will "vigorously defend" itself against the lawsuit.
The company is known for doing extensive interviewing and cultural research to make its games, so it is possible that someone on the San Andreas team did speak to Washington.
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