"Pawn Stars"
"Pawn Stars"

The stars of the History Channel's hit reality-television show “Pawn Stars” are being sued by their ex-manager Wayne Jefferies for alleged breach of contract, according to TMZ.

Jefferies claims he “discovered” Las Vegas’ Gold & Silver Pawn shop along with its owners and employees -- Rick "The Spotter" Harrison, Richard "The Old Man" Harrison, Corey "Big Hoss" Harrison, and Austin "Chumlee" Russell in 2007 -- and then helped them develop their modestly successful pawn shop into a widely known television brand.

According to Jefferies, the shop’s owners, Rick Harrison and father Richard Harrison, had previously tried to launch a reality-TV show based at their pawn shop and failed. With Jefferies’ help, he claims, the pair secured a deal with the History Channel and its parent A&E Television Networks to launch the show in 2009.

“Pawn Stars” quickly became the highest-rated show on the network and the second-highest rated reality-TV show behind "Jersey Shore."

After the show premiered, however, Jefferies claims he was increasingly cut out of the loop of the show and ultimately fired after a leaked story was published by TMZ about the “Pawn Stars” cast being baffled by and unaware of the History Channel's launch of the cloned series “Cajun Pawn Stars.”

Jefferies is now suing the “Pawn Stars” cast members for breach of contract. He is also suing the History Channel, A&E, and several network executives.

Currently in its sixth season, “Pawn Stars” follows the Gold & Silver Pawn shop fellows, who attempt to buy and sell rare and often historical items.