Arbitrator Orders Santa Barbara News-Press to Pay Former Editor

The Wendy McCaw saga continues, AP reports:

An arbitrator has rejected the Santa Barbara News-Press’ $25 million claim against its former editor and ordered the newspaper’s owner to pay more than $900,000 in fees stemming from their dispute.

Arbitrator Deborah Rothman said Ampersand Publishing, parent company of the News-Press, believed it “lost prestige and credibility in the Santa Barbara community” from comments former editor Jerry Roberts made, and it went after the journalist in a “scorched-earth, take-no-prisoners, go-for-broke fashion.” She said the company spent about $2.4 million litigating the claim against Roberts.

Rothman decided that Ampersand should pay nearly $750,000 in legal fees Roberts incurred and about $167,000 in arbitration fees and expenses. Her 68-page decision was made available Friday; a judge will have to decide whether to confirm or vacate the judgment.

And:

“The award is a decisive victory for ethical journalism,” Roberts said in a statement. “Ethics, not money, was always the issue for me.”

Now we just have to wait if a judge confirms the amount. Wow, even their media brawls up there are PRICEY. Yeesh.

Previously on FBLA:

Citizen McCaw Screened Despite Cease and Desist

‘Citizen McCaw’ To Hit Public Television This Weekend

Wendy McCaw(ful) Destroys Yet Another Publication

Wendy McCaw(ful) is the Ted Haggard of the Newspaper Biz

NLRB Files More Complaints Against Wendy McCaw(ful)

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