Wolf of Wall Street triggers $25m legal action

The film has been nominated for five Oscars including best picture and best actor for Leonardo DiCaprio

The producers of Oscar-nominated film Wolf of Wall Street are being sued for $25m (£15m) by a former stockbroker who claims he has been depicted as a "depraved" drug-fuelled criminal.

Andrew Greene has filed court papers in New York claiming the character Nicky "Rugrat" Koskoff is based on him.

Mr Greene worked at Stratton Oakmont, the brokerage house founded by Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio.

Paramount and Red Granite Pictures have not commented on the case.

Mr Greene said his name was used in Belfort's memoir, on which the film is based.

In the movie, Rugrat Koskoff - nicknamed for the toupee he wears - assumes significant control at Stratton Oakmont following Belfort's resignation.

The role is played by actor PJ Byrne in the motion picture.

In the claim, Mr Greene said he worked at Stratton Oakmont between 1993 and 1996 as the head of the firm's corporate finance department and a member of the board of directors.

He alleges the film-makers - including director Martin Scorsese - changed the character's name from "Wigwam" to "Rugrat".

Rugrat Koskoff (pictured directly above Leonardo DiCaprio) is one of the corrupt traders at Stratton Oakmont

The papers, printed in The Hollywood Reporter, said: "The motion picture contains various scenes wherein Mr Greene's character is portrayed as a criminal, drug user, degenerate, depraved, and/or devoid of any morality or ethics."

Mr Greene has said he did not consent to his image, likeness and characterisation being used in Wolf of Wall Street.

He has also claimed the movie contains libellous statements that have "permanently damaged" him by portraying him as a "criminal and drug user with misogynistic tendencies.

In one scene, the claim states, "investigators ask whether his hair is real. Characters are also seen attempting to grab the toupee."

"Mr. Greene's character is shown doing cocaine on company premises during business hours in another scene," it adds.

The film has been a major box office hit and has been nominated for five Oscars, including best picture and best actor for Leonardo DiCaprio.