"Abrams" wrote back that Mr. Hotton had spoken highly of the producer.
"I received your invitation and Mr. Hotton and my assistant have been working all morning to switch our safari to next week so we can attend the event," the e-mail said, according to the complaint.
The producers learned in August from a purported assistant of "Abrams" that he had suddenly died.
Sendroff said that dangling a larger-than-usual share of any profits would help entice new investors to the show.
"They could be offering tremendously generous terms," he said.
Sprecher said he's searching for new money.
"Do you know of anyone who wants to invest?" he asked a reporter.
The case is U.S. v. Hotton, 12-2686, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).
Muse highlights include Jeffrey Burke on books, Craig Seligman on movies.