'Devious' Donny Osmond faces court fight

With his clean-cut image and treacly songbook, Donny Osmond has been embraced as one of America's most trusty performers with a career that spans five decades.

But a former producer has now challenged the former teen idol's reputation, alleging that he stooped to "devious" means to fund a flamboyant lifestyle.

In a lawsuit filed in Las Vegas, Chip Lightman accuses the 52-year-old performer of being "underhanded, devious, fraudulent and greedy", complaining that he and his sister Marie, 50, pushed him aside after he resurrected their careers.

The impresario teamed up with the pair in 2008 to bring them to Las Vegas's legendary Flamingo Hotel in their own variety show. But he claims that when it came to renewing the contract for a further two years, they schemed to reduce his profits and, ultimately, ousted him .He and his company, Chip Lightman Entertainment, are suing the singing siblings for unspecified damages for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, fraud and contractual interference. Mr Osmond is additionally accused of defamation.

"Contrary to the wholesome, all-American, good-natured image that he presents to the public, defendant Donny's conduct, at least as it relates to Lightman and CLE, has been anything but," the writ alleges.

"He has conducted himself in a manner that is underhanded, devious, fraudulent and greedy. The clear goal of his actions has been to line his own pockets with ill-gotten gains to fund his lavish lifestyle of exotic cars, luxury hotel suites and private jets - all off the backs and hard work of those who worked tirelessly to support his career," the writ adds.

Mr Osmond began his career in the 1960s, when he and his brothers Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay and Jimmy performed as The Osmond Brothers, and he partnered with his sister in 1976 for the Donny & Marie television variety show. Their Mormon faith instilled a strict moral code that helped shape their clean-cut image and endeared them to millions of fans.

They came together again in 2008 for their first joint performance on the Las Vegas Strip in 30 years after striking a deal with Mr Lightman, who has worked with entertainers including Tina Turner and Gladys Knight.

The pair enjoyed salaries of $1.6 million and a 40 per cent share each in box office receipts that topped $250,000. Mr Osmond got a two-room hotel suite and a limousine service, and Ms Osmond a $10,000 monthly housing allowance.

The parties agreed last summer that in October 2010, the contract with the Flamingo would be extended by two more years to October 2012, it is alleged. But final papers were never signed and Mr Osmond later "concocted a scheme" to restructure the deal to Mr Lightman's detriment, the writ claims. When he refused to agree to it, he was dropped altogether, it adds..