05/05/2010 // West Palm Beach, Florida, USA // Nicole Howley // Nicole Howley

Toms River, NJ– The television producers of MTV’s fist pumping, hair gel and spray tan induced reality TV show, the “Jersey Shore,” are now facing a racketeering lawsuit. The plaintiffs claim that the producers engaged in a “criminal enterprise” by provoking fights in which the show profited from, as reported by NBC Bay Area.

The lawsuit, which was filed in March, claims that “Jersey Shore” cast member Ronnie Margo purposely started fights while taping the reality show. In one episode in particular, Margo starts to “howl” at the camera after fighting and knocking out Stephen Izzo Jr., who is one of the plaintiffs in the suit. Another plaintiff, Joshua Thomas, claims Margo started an altercation between him and his wife, Kristin Porrenod. As a result of the show airing, which featured the fight, Thomas subsequently lost his job with the Monmouth Beach police force.

On Friday, April 30, 2010, Superior Court Judge Joseph L. Foster denied a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, allowing the racketeering complaint to proceed.

The lawsuit is seeking unspecified monetary damages for the three plaintiffs.

The “Jersey Shore” is about eight housemates who spend their summer together on the New Jersey Shore. The show, which premiered in 2009, follows the drama-filled housemates as they live, work and party in Seaside Heights. This isn’t the first time the show has come under scrutiny, after the show’s début, immense amount controversy started over the terms Guido/Guidette and their portrayal of Italian-Americans.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for New Jersey entertainment lawyers.

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