LOS ANGELES

The producer of the hit reality series "Survivor" and "The Apprentice" has been sued in Los Angeles by his former business partner.

Conrad Riggs filed the lawsuit against Mark Burnett on Monday. Riggs claims he is owed more than $70 million for his contributions to their joint efforts.

The two met in the 1990s when Burnett was trying to pitch the "Survivor" concept and Riggs worked for Walt Disney Co.

The lawsuit alleges that the pair produced more than a dozen television projects, and that Burnett broke a long-standing agreement to pay Riggs 10 percent of Burnett's profits.

"While Burnett deserves much of the creative credit, Riggs played a crucial role in the financial success of the enterprise," the lawsuit says.

According to the lawsuit, Burnett stopped paying his partner in February 2007 after Riggs refused to sign a contract formalizing their long-standing verbal agreement. Riggs contends the terms in the contract differed from their "agreements and practices."

Burnett evicted Riggs from their offices this year, although the lawsuit says the two continued to work on projects together.

Messages left before business hours Tuesday at Burnett's production company and with his attorney, Steven Marenberg, were not immediately returned.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press