'Storage Wars' Lawsuit Recap: Judge Rules In Favor Of A&E On Former Star Dave Hester's Claim That The Reality Show Rigged Competition

A Los Angeles judge ruled in favor of "Storage Wars" network A&E Wednesday, after former star of the reality show, Dave Hester, brought a lawsuit claiming the show's producers rigged the contest.

Judge Michael Johnson of the Los Angeles Superior Court tossed out the unfair business practice portion of the lawsuit, TheWrap reported Wednesday and ruled that any injunction against A&E would hinder the network's First Amendment rights.

"It is well settled that television broadcast involves free speech, as well as production activities that advance or assist in the creation of a television program," Johnson wrote in his ruling.

Hester claimed that A&E producers were "salting" the storage lockers and distorting the "reality" of the show. He alleged that items were being added to the lockers that are bid on in eposides of the popular reality show.

A&E lawyers argued that the network's producers have the right to tell the story however they see fit.

"Storage Wars" follows professional buyers who purchase the contents of abandoned storage spaces based on a five-minute inspection of what they can see from the door when it is opened. The goal is to turn a profit on the merchandise.

A&E has issued press releases denying that the show was fabricated.

Johnson will still rule on breach of contract and breach of implied covenant of good faith suits and fair dealing in the ongoing saga of Dave Hester v. A&E.