Mob Wives star Karen Gravano has filed a $40 million lawsuit against Rockstar Games, claiming the company’s critically-acclaimed Grand Theft Auto V effectively ripped off her life and likeness.
According to the NY Daily News (via EG), Gravano, who is the daughter of the former gangster Sammy Gravano, is seeking $20 million compensation and $20 million in punitive damages.
Gravano argues that Rockstar used her as inspiration for GTA V’s Antonia Bottino, a random character the player can encounter and subsequently team up with in the mission ‘Burial.’ The mission sees Bottino tied up and on the verge of being buried alive.
Players can then decide to help her out, prompting her to reveal she is the daughter of Sammy Battino, a retired gangster who became a government witness as part of a plea bargain.
The lawsuit reads: "Notwithstanding the fact that plaintiff has the utmost respect for the writers and creators of the Grand Theft Auto 5 video game, her story is unique and is hers to tell.”
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