Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Radio Talker Loses Defamation Lawsuit

An Orange County, FL jury has determined Doug Guetzloe defamed a Winter Garden man and awarded $1.61 million in damages against the well known political consultant for several civil counts related to the case.

The Orlando Sentinel reports Guetzloe walked out of the courtroom defiant and promised to appeal, despite the jury's finding that he had defamed Richard Mask on his radio show five years ago by saying he was "trolling" and "cruising" Trailer City for children and young boys.

Asked if he had anything to say to Mask, Guetzloe responded, "No, not really. Nothing will change as far as my radio show is concerned. Nothing will change about my involvement in public policy issues…It's the first lawsuit I've ever had in 14 years. And, yeah, obviously I'm disappointed, but quite frankly I'm really not surprised."

Guetzloe added, "I'm confident that the award and the verdict will be stricken."

An emotional Mask emerged from the courtroom with tears of joy, hugging his attorneys and expressing gratitude that his name had been cleared through the multiple verdicts today. He acknowledged he may never see a dime any time soon -- or at all -- but maintained the case was about upholding his reputation in his hometown.

Read more here.
Tom's Take:  The station airing Guetzloe's show on 2006 was not named in the lawsuit.  His show no longer airs on terrestrial radio.

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