Appeals court overturns $5 million judgment against author Clive Cussler over ‘Sahara’ film

$5 million judgment against Clive Cussler reversed

LOS ANGELES — A California appeals court has overturned a $5 million judgment against author Clive Cussler in a long-running lawsuit over the film “Sahara.”

The ruling Wednesday by the California Second District Court of Appeal could restart the legal feud between Cussler and Crusader Entertainment that started in 2004.

In 2007, the best-selling author was ordered to pay the $5 million to Crusader, owned by billionaire Philip Anschutz, as the result of a contract dispute involving the film adaptation of “Sahara.”

The movie, based on a book by Cussler, was a flop.

Crusader is now known as Bristol Bay Productions.

A pending determination by a Superior Court judge about who actually won the lengthy case will determine if either side can recoup its legal costs.

Cussler was ordered to pay $13.9 million in legal fees to Bristol Bay after the 2007 trial.

Attorney Bert Fields, who represents Cussler, said the appeals court ruling vindicated his client and cleared the way for him to recapture millions of dollars from the film company.

Lawyer Malcolm S. Putnam, who represents Bristol Bay, countered that the ruling actually benefited his client by rejecting an attempt by Cussler to get $8.5 million in damages and challenge elements of the trial.

Fields said his client could still be awarded damages, but Putnam said he thinks it’s highly unlikely.