Former Ion Storm COO sues publisher on Ferrago (thanks Mike Martinez) reports that Mike Wilson, who was actually CEO, not COO, during his stint at ION Storm, is suing publisher Random House over statements made in Masters of Doom, the recent book about the history of id Software. According the report, Wilson says he is being libeled:

In the book, its is alleged that Wilson employed shady business tactics in order to buy a BMW with company money, a suggestion Wilson denies, and says his reputation has been tarnished as a result. The former Ion Storm COO is currently moving onto pastures new after Eidos dissolved Ion Storm, and is trying to setup a new publisher called Gamecock Media Group.

"There's nothing they could have possibly said that could be more damaging," states Wilson. "This is an industry publication read almost exclusively by my peers in the industry."

Wilson believes the allegations made against him "were made with actual malice knowing that such statements were false, or with reckless disregard for the truth." He also claims that his reputation has been damaged, and that he "has suffered shame, humiliation and mental anguish."