Bernie Ward says he was fired at year end...

[TedL]

Details in this SFgate.com item from the Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/flat/archive/2008/01/22/chronicle/archive/2008/01/22/BA43UK479.html?tsp=1

Ted

 

[oaktree]

As I can imagine this thread blooming to dozens of pages, this query:

Is "contract terminated" the same as being "fired?"

I understand that was was pulled off the air "with pay" for a time. Someone, somewhere, be it KGO legal, Mickey Luckoff, Jack Swanson and/or Citadel legal decided to end the "pay on leave" part of the contract by removing him from the payroll until after the court decision(s.)

It would seem this to be possible from the "tone" of the story ... in that a corporation doesn't want to keep paying out while paying replacements for something that may or may not turn out favorably for Ward in a court of law.

The same thing is possible for medical leave ... after awhile, a corporation has to decide if it can keep a job open with pay for someone before deciding that it can't do both ... pay and keep the slot open for an indefinite period of time.

KGO has come up with what appears to be a "temporary" patchwork of fill-in hosts at this time and has not "replaced" Ward on a permanent basis. In fact, it was, through last week, still being referred on air as "The Bernie Ward Show." This may have changed, now.

The fact that no statement has been issued by KGO to affirm that Ward was "fired" leaves, according to his attorney/agent, the door open, depending on the outcome.

I'm not sure that "fan lobbying" has anything, at this point, to do with it. Might it just be a financial and business decision based on how long and dragged out things may get?

 

[RBA]

Email posted by a DU member
http://www.democraticunderground.co...w_mesg&forum=141&topic_id=29253&mesg_id=29253

he Latest email. I've already called

To all those who have expressed support for me and wish to see me back on the air on KGO:
KGO wants to put me back on the air, but the hold up is the suits in New York. They are arguing with Mickey Luckoff, and resisting putting me back on the air for a couple of reasons: they say the feds rarely lose, so if they are prosecuting me the case must be airtight, and why put me back on the air just to take me off again?
I need every one of you to send a fax and/or call New York and - in the most respectful way possible – express your support of Mickey’s decision to return me to the airwaves. They need to hear that the feds don’t always win, that I’m innocent until proven guilty, and that it’s imperative for me to be back on the air now as the primaries are at a crucial stage, and my voice is something you miss and want to hear.
Citadel Broadcasting Company
Phone (212) 887-1670
Fax (212) 887-1668
This is an “all hands on deck” call or “battle stations”. I need you to help convince the corporate bosses that our San Francisco/west coast community really wants me back on the air and deserves the factual information I can provide.
Can you do it? Will you do it? Will you light up their phones and fill up their faxes and voicemail? This is the last shot we have to get me back on the air, and I need your help. Please help me fight so I may be heard again.

 

[mred]

He never wrote a book before. The only thing he wrote were a few opinion pieces for KGO's website/newsletter. Sounds like the dog ate my homework excuse. Savage is right..he has a stupid lawyer. Why should the company take a risk...

 

[oaktree]

Trial date: June 9.

Ward stated yesterday on KGO that he would not be surprised of a fed effort to keep him off the air during the political season.

http://www.nbc11.com/news/15132096/detail.html

 

[fandango]

He never wrote a book before. The only thing he wrote were a few opinion pieces for KGO's website/newsletter. Sounds like the dog ate my homework excuse. Savage is right..he has a stupid lawyer. Why should the company take a risk...

He won journalism awards for his pieces on Diocese corruption and pediphilia. He was encouraged (and then approached) to write a book, and agreed to begin research. Mred, you didn't do even the most basic 'count to ten' research before you posted this. I think your FreeRepublic underwear is showing.

fan

 

[newsperson]

Newsperson responds:

I read the subjects of the pre-trial motions that Bernie's attorney intends to make. This first about a newsperson's right to work on a story may get the judge to listen, except an ouright dismissal is unlikely.

The second proposed motion is whether the laws are unfair sounds like it has even less of a chance of a sucess.

If Bernie has kept all his documentation from what he was working on three years ago that will be his best defense. Part of that should include something from others that were aware of what he was working on. Anyone who can testify in reagrd to the intentions of his research would also be helpful.

I do not beleive that the goverment has an airtight case, however it does appear that this will go through a full trial.

It also appears that innocent until found guilty has been thrown out the window in America. At this time in our country we could really use Bernie's news analysis and hurmor as to what's happening now.

I have never met Bernie in person although I worked with him a few times while doing fill-in from the other building. His banter with Jeannie Lynch was entertaining and even though he would give her a hard time I heard that they are friends.

Any thoughts on the above?

Newsperson

 

[DeadAudicy]

It also appears that innocent until found guilty has been thrown out the window in America.

That has been an almost playfully rant-ish notion for some years, but I think it's time to realize that it has become somewhat of an absolute (sorry, is that a self crippling phrase?).

"Innocent until proven guilty" is simply too nebulous and apologetic to apply in this decade, and so doesn't. May it rest in peace and in better history books.