Ashton Kutcher suing California DMV

Alex Gallardo / Reuters

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By Tim Molloy, The Wrap

Frustrated with the DMV? So is Ashton Kutcher.

The actor-producer is suing the California Department of Motor Vehicles for at least $1.44 million, saying it backed out of a planned reality series about the day-to-day drama and comedy at DMV offices.

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Kutcher's Katalyst Productions and a Soda and Pop, Inc., sued the department Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. In their complaint, they allege that the DMV committed to a "docu-series" in 2010. It was to "capture the variously humorous, emotional, dramatic, moving, humanizing and entertaining situations that arise on a daily basis at DMV's more than 170 offices across the state of California," the lawsuit said.

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DMV agreed to open up its offices for filming at least four half-hour episodes, and its agreement with Katalyst left open the possibility of up to six seasons, according to the plaintiffs. Katalyst made a deal to produce at least the first four half-hour episodes of the show for TruTV.?

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But DMV backed out, according to the suit, saying it no longer considered the project to be in its "best interest." Although Katalyst has offered to change the initial agreement, the lawsuit says, the DMV remain uninterested.

Katalyst says it has spent "hundreds of thousands of dollars" developing the series, and is seeking at least $1.44 million in damages.

The DMV told TheWrap it does not comment on pending litigation.

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