Former Co-Host of Religious Show Files Lawsuit

Gilbert Alexander-Moegerle, who was co-host with Dr. James Dobson on the popular Christian radio broadcast “Focus on the Family” for seven years, has sued Dobson and the ministry, claiming that he was forced out in 1987 partly because he divorced his wife and wanted to remarry.

The Pomona-based Christian ministry, which broadcasts over 1,300 radio stations in 17 countries, issued a brief statement Tuesday denying any wrongdoing against Alexander-Moegerle and his current wife, Carolyn Alexander, who has filed a related suit. Alexander was Alexander-Moegerle’s secretary while he worked on the show, according to the ministry.

Alexander-Moegerle’s lawsuit, filed in Superior Court in Pomona on Nov. 1, accuses Dobson and “Focus on the Family” of breach of contract, bad faith, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress and causing the cancellation of other business contracts. It demands compensatory and punitive damages.

The suit contends that Dobson interfered in Alexander-Moegerle’s marriage and divorce; acted as “agent” for his ex-wife, Ruth, and hired her after Alexander-Moegerle remarried.

In a brief statement, “Focus on the Family” said both Alexander-Moegerle and his current wife submitted a “voluntary resignation letter” April 27, 1987.

“Frankly, we are somewhat perplexed by this action,” Dobson is quoted as saying in the statement. “The relationship between Focus and the Alexander-Moegerles was amiable at the time of separation.”

However, Alexander-Moegerle contends in his suit that he was not only terminated but that Dobson had removed his name from a television product he had worked on and deliberately soured other business contracts.