Some Storage Wars Cast Members Told Execs To Keep Faking The Show
May 28 2018, Updated 10:07 a.m. ET
By David Perel - Executive Vice President/Managing Editor Breaking Celebrity News
At least two Storage Wars cast members told executives that they wanted the network and production company to keep faking the show, sources with inside knowledge of the situation told Breaking Celebrity News exclusively.
Breaking Celebrity News was first to report that Dave Hester filed a five-count multi-million dollar lawsuit against A&E and the show's production company, charging that items are planted for the cast to find in storage lockers. Hester claims he was fired after confronting execs about the practice and asking to be indemnified against claims that could arise from the practice.
While A&E has been silent on the lawsuit, the network has never backed off its previous statements that the show is real and not staged. But evidence is mounting to back Hester's claims of rigged episodes.
"In one meeting with executives Brandi (Passante) and Jarrod (Schulz) stood up and said they wanted the show to keep salting their lockers," one source told Breaking Celebrity News. (Salting is the practice of planting interesting and valuable items in lockers to add dramatic effect and increase ratings.)
EXCLUSIVE: Dave Hester Sues Storage Wars, Cast Confronted Execs Over Show Being Faked
In the meeting, which took place earlier this year, the subject of faking scenes came up and Hester voiced his objection.
"But Brandi and Jarrod were all for it," the source said. "They said they were even in favor of more salting!" (Schulz did not return Breaking Celebrity News’s request for comment.)
As Breaking Celebrity News reported exclusively, producers were so brazen about faking scenes that they left a trail of emails, receipts and reimbursement checks all connected to items that were planted in lockers. And during the first season, filming was sometimes stopped in front of many witnesses while an item was planted.
"Brandi and Jarrod have benefited greatly from the salting," says a source. "The execs have provided many of the items for them. Some of the other cast members provided their own items and then were paid a 'rental' fee for the show using them."
Hester's lawsuit describes two meetings between show executives and some cast members in 2012 where faking scenes was discussed. The first meeting was Sept. 6 with Neil Cohen, A&E vice president, talent and production. "Hester complained that he belie