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Hollywood Make-Up Artist Sues Producer For Alleged Nipple-Pinching

LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) — In another classic Hollywood twist, it looks like the producer behind "American Pie" may have used his own real-life antics as inspiration for the popular film franchise.

Makeup artist Robert Maverick is suing Warren Zide over what he says was a hostile work environment that included nipple-pinching and sexually explicit comments during the filming in Michigan of "Demoted."

Maverick claims in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit that he endured numerous acts of unwelcome physical contact and verbal sexual abuse during the filming of the 2009 comedy.

The seven-count lawsuit seeking lost wages, benefits and damages names Parallel the Zone LLC, Parallel Media LLC and several producers and employees.

Zide, the producer behind the 1999 hit "Pie" as well as the successful "Final Destination" franchise filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Los Angeles in August 2010 citing total debts of up to $10 million.

Zide asked a federal judge to dismiss the case or transfer it to California.

The Detroit News said Zide and Parallel Media officials could not be reached for comment Monday.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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