Sopranos Star Sues Atlantic City Hilton

Tony Sirico of the popular HBO mafia series, The Sopranos, has sued the Atlantic City Hilton. The actor, who plays the character Paulie Walnuts, is suing over the unauthorized use of his image for the promotion of the hotel casino.

Attorney Richard D. Emery said in papers filed last week in a federal court in Brooklyn, the actor is seeking damages in the claims that the Atlantic City Hilton took an unauthorized photo of the actor playing roulette. The photo was taken after a Sopranos appearance on March 25 for 50 high rollers.

The shot was placed in a billboard appearing on the Atlantic City Expressway with the line: "Where else can you gamble with the family?" The billboard has since been taken down.

"I don't think they have any conceivable right to use his likeness," Emery said in an interview.

Hilton spokesman Marc DeLeo said the Atlantic City Hilton "paid handsomely" for the right to use the Sopranos stars' images - Sirico plus James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli, Lorraine Bracco, Steven Van Zandt and Steven R. Schirripa.

"We were well within our contract to use his likeness. He posed for the photo," he added.

According to the lawsuit, the meet-and-greet's price tag was worth $260,000.