The popular "S-Town" podcast is now the subject of a lawsuit claiming the makers exploited the life and death of its Bibb County subject for financial gain.

The suit was filed Thursday in Bibb County by Craig Cargile, acting as the administrator for the estate of John B. McLemore. It names S-Town narrator and creator Brian Reed, Serial Productions, This American Life, Chicago Public Media and others as defendants.

"S-Town," which debuted last March, tells the story of McLemore, a clock restorer who lived in Woodstock until he killed himself in 2015. In 2012, McLemore contacted Reed, a producer for "This American Life," about a suspected murder. Reed traveled to Alabama, investigated the case, and carried on a correspondence with McLemore until his death.

Reed then assembled the "S-Town" podcast, telling the story of McLemore's life and death and the reactions of his friends, relatives and associates. The podcast takes its name from McLemore's colorful epithet for Woodstock.

The podcast, which won a Peabody Award, was downloaded more than 10 million times within the first four days of its release. The story has been optioned for a film.

The lawsuit, which seeks punitive damages and profits from the podcast, alleges that the makers of "S-Town," "used McLemore's indicia of identity in a commercial manner."

"I am simply doing my duty as administrator of the estate of Mr. McLemore," Cargile said in a statement. "I have a duty to protect and preserve the assets of the estate for the benefit of the estate's creditors and other beneficiaries, including Mr. McLemore's mother, who is still living."

The 15-page lawsuit cites "S-Town" promotional material that calls the podcast an "unearthing of the mysteries of one man's life."

"None of these 'mysteries' are matters of legitimate public concern, nor were these matters that McLemore contacted Reed to investigate or write about," the suit states. "The podcast itself acknowledges that McLemore did not wish certain information conveyed to Reed be publicly known, particularly with respect to McLemore's sexual orientation."

It also claims that McLemore never gave consent to Reed or anyone for the use of the details of his personal life, including "the intimate details of his sexual orientation and experiences, depressed thoughts, suicidal ideations, financial affairs, physical and mental health issues, and his interpersonal relationships with friends, family members, and sexual partners."

It goes on to say that Reed recorded McLemore's admission that he was considering suicide, but that Reed never told a healthcare provider, law enforcement authority or relative.

Rich Raleigh, an attorney for the estate's administrator, said the suit stems from the state's Right of Publicity Act, which prevents use of voice, name or other characteristics of a person without their permission.

"Apparently they did not obtain any sort of written release or assignment from Mr. McLemore before airing this podcast, which I find very surprising especially considering the sensitive nature of some of the subjects covered in it," Raleigh said.

This post was revised at 3:42 p.m. July 14 to add additional quotes.