Amazon MGM Studios executive solicited kickbacks for postproduction contracts, lawsuit alleges

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A lawsuit claims an executive at Amazon MGM Studios asked a potential vendor for kickbacks in return for securing post-production work on TV shows.

Joe Eckardt, who runs the postproduction company Unbreakable Post in Hollywood, claims that Frank Salinas, the head of postproduction at Amazon, told him during a lunch in 2023 he could guarantee Unbreakable Post would be considered for Amazon projects if they submitted bids.

According to the lawsuit, Salinas would share the desired budget amount with Eckardt, practically ensuring Unbreakable would win the contract.

According to the lawsuit, once the contract was approved, Eckardt would give Salinas a percentage of the project’s cost as an illegal payment.

After Eckardt refused, he alleges that his contract opportunities with Amazon dried up.

In the lawsuit, he claims that despite doing significant work – including consulting or choosing vendors – on shows like the “Temptation Island” seasons filmed in Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, and the third season of “Coach Prime,” Amazon didn’t offer him a contract for those projects.

Eckardt claims he reported Salinas’ behavior to Amazon in 2025. After a six-month investigation, Amazon informed him that they couldn’t confirm his claims were true.

Amazon MGM Studios did not respond to a request for comment. Salinas declined to comment.

On Wednesday, Eckardt filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claiming he lost over $1 million due to lost contracts, earnings, and potential future business. He is requesting a jury to hear his case.

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2026-05-09 01:01