Former Judge v. ‘Sopranos’ Creator

A former prosecutor and judge is squaring off in federal court with the creator of the Sopranos television series, contending that he is entitled to compensation for coming up with the idea of the show.

Jury selection was to begin today in Trenton, N.J., in the culmination of a five-year legal battle by former municipal judge Robert Baer against David Chase, reports the Associated Press.

Baer, who is seeking both creative credit and cash, says he came up with the idea for the show. Plus, over three days, he gave Chase an intensive course in the state's organized crime situation, introducing him to numerous experts, according to Baer's attorney, Harley Breite.

Chase calls Baer's claims "grossly distorted, petulant and self-aggrandizing," saying that Baer provided a "modest service" by introducing him to individuals who knew about organized crime.