I imagine Hugh Hefner is shifting uncomfortably in his silk pyjamas right about now.
The creator of Playboy Enterprises and sometime star of E!’s The Girls Next Door has been sued by his own company.
According to a class-action lawsuit obtained by TMZ.com, a Playboy shareholder claims that Hef is driving the company into the ground – on purpose.
The shareholder says the 83-year-old magazine publisher sabotaged two possible deals in the last six months that were meant to sell the company at a decent price.
"We think the wildcard here is Hugh Hefner," said a note in the lawsuit written by an investment company that analyzed Playboy's business.
"If you were Hugh Hefner, 81 (sic), would you give up the parade of busty blonds, the fancy mansion and the reality TV show for a payout?"
All valid arguments, to be sure. Hefner has been perennially surrounded by girlfriends over the years, including the former stars of The Girls Next Door, Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt, and Kendra Wilkinson.
He broke up with 20-year-old identical twin models Kristina and Karissa Shannon last month, and is currently seeing 22-year-old Crystal Harris.
Says the lawsuit, "Hefner has continued to live the good life and make sure everyone knows it. Hefner remains in the limelight, showing up at media events and at the Playboy mansion ... with his girlfriends by his side."
It adds, “Today, the price of a Playboy magazine is far higher than the price of Playboy common stock." To wit, the stock sold for $36 a share in 1999, but yesterday Playboy closed at $3.14. Meanwhile the magazine sells for $5.99 (all prices U.S. currency).
In return, the plaintiffs are asking for unspecified damages.
Last September, Hefner filed for divorce from estranged wife of 11 years, Kimberley Conrad, the mother of two of Hefner's four children.
The sixth season of The Girls Next Door debuted Oct. 11, 2009.
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