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Yahoo!Roberts Claims News-Press Leaked Arbitration Info
Former News-Press editor Jerry Roberts has accused lawyers representing Wendy McCaw, the Santa Barbara News-Press, and its parent company Ampersand of leaking the fact that McCaw filed a $500,000 claim against Roberts that will be handled through arbitration, rather than the court system.
News of the $500,000 claim has long been rumored, but was first reported in a short article that appeared in last Friday’s Los Angeles Times. The article attributed the source of the information to the News-Press itself. Shortly thereafter, McCaw’s spokesperson Agnes Huff issued a release expressing disappointment that the story had been leaked and suggested that Roberts himself had been responsible for doing the leaking.
This past Monday, Roberts issued a demand for a retraction. In his letter, he denied yet again having any hand in leaking the story, noted the lack of any evidence that tied him to the leak, and then provided an elaborate account accusing McCaw attorney David Millstein of leaking the story to News-Press reporter Vladimir Kogan. As of this writing, Kogan declined to comment, and Huff has not responded to written queries.
But according to Roberts’ account, Kogan called him on the phone August 17, and left a message stating he’d been assigned to write an article about the arbitrated conflict. Because the conflict will be settled through arbitration rather than litigation, there are no documents publicly available at the Santa Barbara courthouse to which Kogan or any reporter would have had access. According to a press statement issued by Roberts’ attorneys, Kogan told Roberts during their phone conversation that he had obtained a copy of the arbitration from Millstein after he informed Millstein that one could not be found at the county courthouse.
In the past, Roberts had declined to discuss his arbitration dispute with McCaw, saying he did not want to screw up the process or risk further legal entanglements. His attorneys explained they went public with their version of events only after Huff and Millstein had failed to issue a retraction. The L.A. Times broke the story the same day Roberts and columnist Barney Brantingham—along with the rest of the News-Press employees who resigned over ethical conflicts with N-P owner and publisher McCaw—received an ethics award from the Society of Professional Journalists (SJP) at a their annual conference in Chicago. Both Brantingham and Roberts received standing ovations while at the SPJ conference. Roberts’ attorneys vowed that they would file a detailed a vigorous counter-claim against McCaw in response to the $500,000 complaint she filed against him.
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The pipes may be singing, but that link in the blog posting is not me as a HOGAN. I am working too late researching where the County Administration Building is to have the time for such bodybuilding.
I am also too busy figuring out all the errors in my article about Granada Garage today.
Oh Vladdy-boy....
August 31, 2006 at 1:41 p.m.
Oops! My bad on the Vlad link. I fixed it.
Indy Web Man
August 31, 2006 at 2:04 p.m.
The Plot Thickens: Let's see, the Guard was orderd to remove 'ban-the-bias' posters on Public Property, but missed a day or two, Now a BIGGER, BEEFER more Expenside 24 hour Security Force has been called in to Guard the Fortress, mainly the Ivory Tower from whence the walking Orders are given. Not some Local Security Company - But some Top 10 Provider, probably in 'Men-In-Black' Uniforms. At almost twice the cost too!
The MaCaw Clan will not be reckoned with on their own terms, so they'll make their own terms. The Good Seeds of Truth have left the building and it looks as if the Good Clan will have nothing to further do with them.
From the inside looking out, there is not communication of future direction for fellow NPer's. The changing of the Guards is only beginning; eventually all will be Razed and Replaced with 'Yes-Mam' zombie-eyed yeah-sayers.
The Loyalists to the Clan are tight-lipped and All-Seeing.
Meaning: Only will things be divulged on 'A-Need-To-Know-Basis'.
The Clan has Spoken: "You Don't Need To Know", "We Do As We Want","You Remain A Replaceable Liability".
People: I've Got To Get Out Of This Place! Like Damn Fast Too!
Last One Standing - Not I
August 31, 2006 at 2:08 p.m.
Well, I guess his name is Kogan. So I fixed the misspellings and left the links.
Indy Web Man
August 31, 2006 at 2:09 p.m.
wendy von wiesenberger owns the store; what is her comment or explanation? wouldn't it be good journalism to ask her?
Give the boss a chance!
August 31, 2006 at 2:36 p.m.
The Mrs. is not available. Hiding behind a locked door, guarded by new big and beefies.
Howard Hughes in Drag?
August 31, 2006 at 2:39 p.m.
sounds like millstein should be asked for comment. sounds like he has some 'splaining to do, to wnedy and von weisenberger. i guess he'll get his chance as a witness.
First thing we do...
August 31, 2006 at 2:43 p.m.
I hope Robert's counsel can bring a slap motion against Millstein and McCaw. Such a motion can cut off litigation directed at preventing another's speech, and allows for attorney's fees against the party bringing the action chilling free speech rights. And yes, I do see Millstein and McCaw and deserving of a nice slap in their faces.
Dave
August 31, 2006 at 3:34 p.m.
As a tyrant, the Wendynator is about as competent as GW Bushwanker. Yeah, she's managed to kill a whole bunch of innocents in her war on terror in the newsroom, but every her move only manages to come back and bite her in her jiggly ass.
Now it looks like her lawyer-bitch Millstein is the lastest to f-up by giving the Vlad-meister the arbitration documents. Nice move, Dave! Too bad you didn't notice that Vlad is as dumb as a 'possum. If I were you I wouldn't answer any calls with a N-P caller ID number. You're next, pal. Probably that harpy Huff, too.
Curious how those who're willing to prostitute themselves to evil swine like McCaw seem to have a death wish ...
your pal in the newsroom
August 31, 2006 at 4:25 p.m.
McCaw,
I went to drugtore.com and ordered a bottle of Suave conditioner be delivered to you at the Newspress. It is only $2.89 a bottle, so it's not about the money. I'm just someone who likes to extend help when I see need. (It's Tropical Coconut - I thought that was fitting.)
Songs about Wendy and Travis:
http://www.esnips.com/web/guildedtruthsO...
Jimmy Johnny
September 2, 2006 at 9:09 a.m.
The Teamsters lawyer goes on the offensive, too. See this apparently exclusive article from Santa Maria Times today, Sept. 2nd.
Now we know who is the top and who is the bottom there among News-Press management.
http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/...
First District Streetfighter
September 2, 2006 at 10 a.m.
Very couth that their suspensions are to be taken at a time convienent to the News-Press' discretion and scheduling.
Your Suspended - We'll tell you when.
Last One Standing - Not I
September 2, 2006 at 10:08 p.m.
Would any politician ever suspend and punish voters just before an important secret election? Now is when management needs the employees and their votes...what happens when that's no longer true.
Backwards?
September 3, 2006 at 9:22 a.m.
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