Publicist Sues Kevin Sorbo

LOS ANGELES (CN) - A publicist claims in court that actor Kevin Sorbo broke a promise to pay her for promoting his career in Russia.

Sophia Bardo sued Sorbo in Superior Court, alleging breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation and fraud.

Sorbo, 55, is known for his lead roles in "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys," "Andromeda" and "Kull the Conqueror."

Bardo does not appear among a list of the Sorbo's representatives on his profile page on industry website IMDbPro.

Bardo, who claims to have worked for Sorbo for five years, claims that in 2013 she entered into an agreement with the actor to promote his movie and television projects to investors in Russia and to raise the actor's profile in the country.

The publicist says she traveled to Russia and arranged interviews, media appearances and other events, with the understanding that she would be paid for her work. A documentary featuring the actor was also made in Russia, she adds.

"Despite Bardo's performance, Sorbo failed to comply with the terms of their agreement and failed to compensate Bardo for the time that she spent working for Sorbo and refused to reimburse Bardo for substantial expenses that she incurred to promote and publicize Sorbo and his image in Russia," the 10-page lawsuit states.

Bardo claims that she spent "substantial sums" of her own money traveling to Russia and working on the actor's behalf.

"Bardo would not have engaged in such conduct had she known that Sorbo did not intend to pay her as he had promised," the complaint states.

She seeks general, special and punitive damages and costs and is represented by Shawn Dargahi of Encino.

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