COLUMBUS, Ohio (CN) - Alfred Battle and Golden Voice Media sued the man who went from holding a sign on a street corner to worldwide fame after his radio voice was broadcast on YouTube, claiming he breached a management agreement.
     Ted Williams, 54, was the "golden voice" of radio before he ended up homeless, addicted to alcohol and drugs.
     In January 2011, he gained almost instantaneous fame when a YouTube video featuring him holding a sign and speaking in his radio voice went viral. He has since received numerous job offers and wrote a book, "A Golden Voice: How Faith, Hard Work, and Humility Brought me from the Streets to Salvation."
     Alfred Battle says in Franklin County Court that he signed two contracts to represent Williams, but attorney Bret Adams of Adams Babner appeared on the scene and took full control of Williams' career, his contracts and earnings.
     Adams even attempted to bribe Battle into giving up representing Williams, Battle claims.
     "In a meeting at the restaurant on the 'cap' on North High Street in Columbus, Ohio, defendant Bret Adams and/or defendant Adams Babner LLC, then known 'Adams, Babner & Gitlitz LLC,' stated he wanted plaintiff Battle to admit he was ineffectual and/or incompetent in his representation of defendant Williams and if he did so, that he, defendant Bret Adams and/or defendant Adams Babner LLC ... would ensure the plaintiff was compensated," the complaint states.
     Battle says he refused the deal, and claims the contracts between himself and Williams were never terminated.
     He continued to find voice-over work for Williams, but says Williams never paid him.
     In addition, Battle says he has no idea how much money Williams has made and that Adams has attempted to hide that information.
     Adams stands to gain substantially by "frustrating" Battle's claim to a percentage of Williams' earnings, the complaint states.
     Adams has "been able to take the actions described herein because: (i) defendant Bret Adams and/or defendant Adams Babner LLC have complete control over the monies earned by the activities of defendant Williams; and (ii) defendant Bret Adams and/or defendant Adams Babner LLC have a contract to obtain a percentage of the income earned by defendant Williams."
     Battle sued for interference, breach of contract and unjust enrichment, and asked the court to confirm his rights under the contract. He also wants the court to order an accounting of Williams' earnings in order to determine his percentage.
     Rick Brunner, Patrick Quinn, Jennifer Brunner, Peter Contreras and Elizabeth Mote of Brunner Quinn in Columbus, Ohio are representing Battle.