‘GRAND THEFT’ BRAVADO
Sammy Bull kid sues
The makers of “Grand Theft Auto” better hope they don’t wake up next to a horse head.
The daughter of murderous mobster Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano is suing Rockstar Games for using her life story in their topselling video game without her permission, according to a $40million lawsuit.
Karen Gravano, 41, a former star of the reality show “Mob Wives,” does not protest the handling of her fictionalized character in “Grand Theft Auto V,” which tells the story of Antonia Bottino, who is rescued after being nearly buried alive by enemies of her dad. But the Staten Island Mafia princess insists she has sole authority to profit from her past.
Gravano “has the utmost respect for the writers and creators of the ‘Grand Theft Auto V’ video game, but her story is unique and is hers to tell, not that of the writer in the video game,” she says in her Manhattan civil suit, filed Tuesday. “This is impermissible and is a direct mis appropriation and destruction of [Gravano’s] name, likeness, personal life story and image.
“This has damaged plaintiff because the plaintiff is releasing a second book containing the parts of the notsoknown aspects of the story used by ‘Grand Theft Auto V.’
“The time line for which this information was released is against [Gravano’s] wishes,” warns the Mafia daughter, who did three years’ probation for her part in her dad’s ecstasy ring.
Her attorney refused to pinpoint the new details about his client’s life.
The latest edition of the game was released in September. It is one of the bestselling game series of all time and also one of the most controversial for its graphic violence.
Gravano’s first book, “Mob Daughter: The Mafia, Sammy ‘The Bull’ Gravano, and Me!” was published in 2012. Her dad was the underboss of the Gambino Crime Family before turning FBI rat. She left the VH1 reality show at the end of last season.
Representatives for Rockstar Games did not return messages seeking comment.