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Jim Belushi Accused of Unloading a Lemon

Thu., Oct. 25, 2007 10:27 PM PDT by Natalie Finn

According to Jim, the sport utility vehicle was okay.

But the vehicle's disgruntled new owner is still suing James Belushi, claiming that the sitcom star knowingly sold him a car that was in need of a major overhaul and that he should pay for the repairs.

Ted Lewandowski, who worked as Belushi's driver when the actor was in Providence, Rhode Island, last year shooting the recent Disney film Underdog, claims in his lawsuit that, when he mentioned he was looking for a car for his 78-year-old father, Jan, Belushi steered him toward eBay, where he had put his 2001 Land Rover up for auction.

Steve VanderPyl, a private investigator hired by Lewandowski, told the Associated Press that his client flew all the way to California to pick up the SUV after sending Belushi's reps $11,500.

Then, the suit contends, the Land Rover broke down in Arizona and Lewandowski had to replace the fuel pump. The SUV still needs, among other things, a new water pump and a new radiator, all of which will cost about $5,000—a tab that Belushi should pick up.

"He told him it was in perfect mechanical condition," VanderPyl said. "He thought, being a movie star, the guy's not going to lie to me about it."

Belushi's camp, however, denies that there's any liability on Mr. Destiny's part.

"The claim is false and frivolous," attorney Brian Wolf said Thursday, adding that a small claims court already ruled in February that Belushi doesn't owe Lewandowski any money. "The exact claim for the same repairs to the same vehicle has already been adjudicated."

This new action constitutes harassment, Wolf said.

Meanwhile, According to Jim received an 11th-hour reprieve in June and an 18-episode seventh season was ordered up to begin in early 2008.

In Underdog, which grossed about $50 million at the box office this summer, Belushi plays a security guard and family man who brings home a stray dog that actually turns out to be a canine superhero with the voice of Jason Lee.