A former Frito-Lay employee has filed a defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming himself to be the inventor of “Flamin” Hot Cheetos.

Richard Montanez claims he invented the spicy snack more than 30 years ago while he was a factory janitor at Frito-Lay.

However, the company -- a subsidiary of PepsiCo -- denies that claim.

Montanez suit accuses the company of lying. He says executives gave false information to the LA Times, which published the article titled: "The man who didn't invent Flamin' Hot Cheetos."

Officials from Purchase-based PepsiCo have not yet commented on the suit.