Legendary hard rockers Motley Crue yesterday filed a $20 million (USD) lawsuit in Los Angeles against one of its managers.

The suit alleges that Carl Stubner, who also represents Crue drummer Tommy Lee, breached fiduciary duties by “devising and implementing a self-serving scheme” that promoted Lee’s solo activities to the detriment of the band.

The four founding members of the band ( Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil, Mick Mars and Tommy Lee) through Motley Crue Inc. claim that Stubner, who serves as CEO of Sanctuary Artist Management, mismanaged Lee’s career, which ultimately diminished the value of the Motley Brand, along with the drummer’s reputation as a musician and band member. The lawsuit cites specific examples, including several “bad career” reality TV projects Lee appeared in, and limited availability for high-grossing Motley Crue tours.

Specifically, the suit calls the low-rated NBC show Tommy Lee Goes to College a “critical disappointment and a ratings disaster,” adding it painted Lee as “incoherent, lazy and incompetent” and made him “look like a laughing stock who could not carry a drum beat.” The suit also claims Lee’s participation on Rock Star: Supernova “diminished the public’s interest in Lee and their overall perception of his musical talents.”

Furthermore, because Lee was so busy doing reality TV, the band says he was unavailable to tour with the Crue, thus causing the cancellation of several key concert dates. The band claims that they lost $8 million in ticket and merchandise revenue because of Lee’s scheduling conflicts.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages of more than $20 million for lost earnings, lost profits and diminished brand value resulting from Stubner’s actions.