Amazon MGM Studios Executive Accused of Soliciting Kickbacks in Lawsuit
A lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleges that the head of postproduction at Amazon MGM Studios solicited kickback payments from a vendor in exchange for post-production contracts. The plaintiff, owner of Unbreakable Post, claims he lost more than $1 million in business after refusing the arrangement.
Los Angeles TimesA lawsuit filed Wednesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleges that an Amazon MGM Studios executive solicited kickback payments from a post-production vendor. The suit was brought by Joe Eckardt, owner and president of the Hollywood-based firm Unbreakable Post.
It names the studio's head of postproduction, Frank Salinas, and states that during a business lunch in 2023 Salinas told Eckardt he could ensure Unbreakable Post would be included as an approved vendor to bid on Amazon-affiliated projects.
According to the lawsuit, Salinas would provide Eckardt with a target budget number for bids and effectively guarantee that Unbreakable Post would be awarded the work. In return, Eckardt would then pay Salinas a percentage of the project value as a kickback after the contract was awarded. The suit states that after Eckardt refused the arrangement, his contract opportunities with Amazon dried up.
Eckardt alleges that although he had done substantial work and served as a postproduction consultant or selected vendor on shows including the Mexico, Brazil and Argentina productions of the reality series "Temptation Island" and the third season of the documentary series "Coach Prime," he was not selected by Amazon for contracts with those projects.
In 2025 Eckardt reported the alleged conduct to Amazon. The company told him six months later that its investigation had concluded and that the allegations were not substantiated, the lawsuit says.
Eckardt alleges he lost more than $1 million in contracts, income and future business opportunities. He is seeking a jury trial. Amazon MGM Studios did not respond to a request for comment. Salinas declined to comment.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- 2023
Frank Salinas allegedly solicited kickbacks from Joe Eckardt during a business lunch.
1 sourceLos Angeles Times - 2025
Eckardt reported the alleged conduct to Amazon, which later said allegations were not substantiated.
1 sourceLos Angeles Times - 2026-05-07
Eckardt filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
1 sourceLos Angeles Times
Potential Impact
- 01
A jury trial could produce public testimony about post-production contracting procedures.
- 02
The lawsuit may lead to further internal reviews of vendor selection at Amazon MGM Studios.
- 03
Unbreakable Post could recover lost revenue if the court awards damages exceeding $1 million.
- 04
The case may prompt other vendors to examine past bidding practices with the studio.
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