DEA AGENTS SUE UNIVERSAL OVER 'AMERICAN GANGSTER': Studio accused of misrepresenting events surrounding two main characters.

*Three former Drug Enforcement Administration agents have filed a $55 million defamation lawsuit against the movie studio that produced "American Gangster," claiming it has ruined the reputations of hundreds of people.


Former DEA agents Louis Diaz, Gregory Korniloff and Jack Toal took legal action Wednesday against NBC Universal, saying it falsely claims that the cinematic account of real life Harlem drug kingpin Frank Lucas was based on a true story, reports the Associated Press.


"American Gangster" chronicles the rise and fall of Lucas, played by Denzel Washington, and how his empire undercut the price and quality of heroin sold by the Mafia. Once he was taken down in an effort led by New Jersey Detective Richard Roberts, depicted in the film by Russell Crowe, Lucas turned informant.


According to the suit filed Wednesday, the movie hurt the agents' reputations by falsely claiming in text at the end that a collaboration between Lucas and Roberts "led to the convictions of three-quarters of New York City's Drug Enforcement Agency" agents between 1973 and 1985."

"With this utterly false and defamatory statement, the defendant has ruined and impugned the reputations of these honest and courageous public servants in the eyes of millions of people," said the suit, which seeks class action status.

NBC Universal, owned by General Electric, denied the allegations, saying: "American Gangster does not defame these, or any, federal agents. The end legend specifically refers to members of 'New York City's Drug Enforcement Agency' -- not the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, where the plaintiffs formerly worked. We believe the lawsuit is entirely without merit."

EDDIE AND TRACEY'S 'MARRIAGE' ALREADY OVER: Couple decides not to legalize union Stateside following Bora Bora ceremony.

*Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds have decided not to move forward with a legal wedding ceremony to follow their "symbolic" exchange of vows in Bora Bora because the couple has called it quits.


In a statement released through his rep, Murphy said: "After much consideration and discussion, we have jointly decided that we will forego having a legal ceremony as it is not necessary to define our relationship further.


"While the recent symbolic union in Bora Bora was representative of our deep love, friendship and respect that we have for one another on a spiritual level, we have decided to remain friends."


The breakup comes nearly two weeks after the couple went through the motions in a lavish New Year's ceremony on the French Polynesian island. Reps for the couple had acknowledged that the ceremony, having taken place outside the country, was not legally binding, but that the couple would be making it official upon their return to the States.