OFF BEAT: With friends like this, who really wants to be on 'Millionaire'?

A contestant from “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” has found herself a defendant in a lawsuit emanating from her appearance on the television quiz show.

Rebecca Kesler, an attorney from Van Buren Township in Michigan, is appealing a decision after District Court Judge David Parrott ruled Ms. Kesler must fork over one-third of her winnings to a Kevin Hirsch, a fellow attorney and former friend.

According to the Detroit News, Mr. Hirsch sued Ms. Kesler for breach of contract, claiming he agreed to help her get on the show in exchange for a share of the prize money, thereby entitling him to one-third of the $50,000 Ms. Kesler won. In a letter to the judge, Ms. Kesler said Mr. Hirsch was motivated out of jealousy and greed and manufactured the claim.

With the judge so far siding with Mr. Hirsch, it may be time for Ms. Kesler to phone a friend who won’t demand money from her.