In the very first episode of the MTV produced reality series T.I.'s Road To Redemption, an image of a dead body appeared on the screen and trouble soon followed. Viacom (the mass media company that heads MTV and several other networks) found themselves paying millions of dollars for it. Now, Viacom has filed a lawsuit against their insurer AXIS to payback the money.

The 2009 series focused on T.I. awaiting sentencing for weapon possession. The "Mediocre" rapper also used the series and influence on the community to mentor young children about staying on a straight and narrow path. The controversial premiere episode showed T.I. in a funeral home, where he viewed the body of Joseph Williams.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Williams family sued Viacom for "The claims were invasion of privacy, negligent misrepresentations about the decedent, violation of likeness (even though Williams' face was reportedly shown out of focus) and, perhaps most worthy of a morbid bar exam question, interference with the family's contract with the funeral home. (The funeral home reportedly paid to have the body cremated.)"

Viacom filed a lawsuit against AXIS on June 29 to earn back the money. Viacom is looking to be reimbursed anywhere between $3 million to $5 million for the distinct losses connected to the decedent's claim.

[The Hollywood Reporter]

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