Firm Says Steve Harvey Backed Out of Plane Deal

NASHVILLE (CN) - Funnyman Steve Harvey backed out of an airplane lease agreement after assuring a leasing business that he was "a man of his word," the company claims in court.

Business Aircraft Leasing Inc. says Harvey, the current host of "Family Feud," reached an agreement with the company in April of this year to lease a Gulfstream G-IVSP S/N 1289.

Harvey signed a term sheet and said he was "a man of his word" and that the parties "had a deal to lease the Gulfstream," the leasing company claims. Part of the deal allegedly involved custom interior modifications requested by the game show host.

Business Aircraft Leasing says Harvey paid $201,000 for custom interior work before backing out of the lease agreement.

The company sued the comedian and TV host in Federal Court on Wednesday for breach of contract. One World Aviation LLC, a Delaware company purportedly owned by Harvey, is also named as a defendant.

"During late May or early June, contrary to his earlier promises, Mr. Harvey decided that he would not go forward with the execution of a definitive lease agreement," the complaint states.

Nonparty Private Sky finished the requested interior work and billed Business Aircraft Leasing for $454,000, which it was required to pay to take back possession of the Gulfstream, according to the lawsuit.

Harvey's requested modifications included a custom carpet, reconfiguration of the cabin from 16 to 14 seats, custom seat design, and new cabin sidewalls, the complaint states.

The leasing company says Harvey and One World still owe $205,000 for the aircraft's interior modifications, claiming they breached a "side letter agreement" that was executed on April 28.

Business Aircraft Leasing is represented by J. Anne Tipps of Stites & Harbison in Nashville.

A request for comment emailed to The Steve Harvey Show was not immediately returned Friday.

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