Pauly Shore sues brother over control of Comedy Store

By Matthew Belloni

A family feud over the future of Los Angeles' venerable Comedy Store spilled into court today. Actor/comedian Pauly Shore sued brother Peter Shore alleging Pauly was improperly removed from the family company's board of directors and suggesting possible elder abuse of their ill mother, Mitzi Shore.

According to the complaint, Pauly, Peter and Mitzi Shore together run the corporation that operates the Comedy Store, a Sunset Blvd institution and an early launching pad for comedians from Johnny Carson to John Belushi to Roseanne Barr. Peter is allegedly CEO of the company and controls its operations. With their mother in declining health, Pauly claims Peter "took unfair advantage of his filial relationship with Mrs. Shore and her mental capacity to coerce Mrs. Shore into removing (Pauly) from the company's board of directors."

"Over the course of the past few years, (Pauly) became concerned as to (Peter's) care and treatment of Mrs. Shore, who suffers from Parkinson's disease and other neurological maladies," the complaint says. "Mrs. Shore's condition has rendered her susceptible to unscrupulous behavior and undue influence."

Pauly says he tried to inquire about the operation of the company but Peter's attorneys refused. Pauly is now asking the court to require Peter to hand over the requested company documents and nullify Pauly's removal from the board.

The Los Angeles Superior Court complaint alleges causes of action for failure to comply with a director's right of inspection and undue influence in the removal of Pauly as a director of the company.

Pauly Shore is repped by Neil Erickson and William Capps at LA's Jeffer Mangels Butler & Marmaro. 

A call to Peter Shore's attorneys at Holland & Knight was not immediately returned.