“Storage Wars” has become a phenomenon in reality television, finding success among those who love a good find in dusty old antique stores and garage sales. The show is done on an even bigger scale, with people bidding on storage units full of stuff sight unseen, hoping one of them will yield a vast treasure. Sometimes, it’s amazing what can be found in those units. So amazing, according to one cast member, because the producers of the show plant those items in order to draw in ratings.

David Hester says he’s seen them plant a mini BMW, among other things, and filed a lawsuit last December against the show for wrongful termination after they fired him for going public with the story. Now, cast members Darrell Sheets and Dan and Laura Dotson are being dropped from several episodes in the upcoming season, reportedly because the show is trying to save money while they deal with the lawsuit.

“They lived up to Darrell’s contract, but then shot more episodes that weren’t covered by his contract and kept him out of those,” a source said. “He was not happy to say the least. It seems as if they are going after some of the higher paid cast members. And meanwhile they are expanding the franchise. “

Hester claims that all the cast members knew about the show planting items and is allegedly furious that he’s the only one to speak up and get the boot. As of now, Sheets has been cut out of six episodes, and the husband-and-wife couple are reportedly out of at least that many.