Media & Communications Law
Judge Throws Out Half of Dan Rather Suit Against CBS
Posted Apr 10, 2008, 02:42 pm CDT
By Martha Neil
Updated: A state court judge in Manhattan today dismissed four of seven counts brought by former 60 Minutes reporter and newscasting star Dan Rather against CBS.
Surviving claims in the New York lawsuit contend that the television network and executives there breached Rather's contract and their fiduciary duty to him, damaging his reputation. However, Judicial Hearing Officer Ira Gammerman dismissed claims that the defendants committed fraud and damaged Rather's future prospects, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Lawyers for both sides proclaimed victory afterwards:
"We're obviously very pleased," says James Quinn, a lawyer representing the network. "We've said from the beginning that CBS did everything appropriately and paid Mr. Rather every nickel he was owed. It's kind of like a grudge match he couldn't let go."
However, Rather's lead lawyer, Martin Gold, says the ruling "leaves in place the entire essence of Mr. Rather's lawsuit." The case will now proceed to discovery and trial, he points out, at which Rather is seeking $70 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
More details about the lawsuit are provided in an earlier ABAJournal.com post.
Additional coverage:
New York Times: "Parts of Rather’s Suit Against CBS Dismissed"
Broadcasting & Cable: "Judge Dismisses Bulk of Dan Rather's Suit vs. CBS"
Updated at 6:15 p.m., central time, to include additional coverage.
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