Radio Station in Santa Clarita Sues Co-Owner, Seeks $150,000
The Santa Clarita Valley’s first radio station, which went on the air last week, has filed suit against its former manager, accusing him of gross negligence that postponed the station’s debut for seven months.
The lawsuit by Canyon Broadcasters, parent company of KBET, also accuses Larry Bloomfield of breach of oral contract and seeks at least $150,000 in damages.
The suit, filed June 22 in Los Angeles Superior Court, does not detail the accusations. But company attorney Lloyd S. Mann said Thursday that the suit would be amended with specifics later.
The Santa Clarita Valley has notoriously poor radio reception because mountains separate it from Los Angeles and Antelope Valley stations. Bloomfield, a Canyon Country resident, had worked for years to launch a Santa Clarita Valley station. Until he was fired in April, he was a driving force behind KBET and worked as chief engineer and station manager.
Bloomfield, who owns 35% of Canyon Broadcasters, called the lawsuit groundless. His attorney, Joseph J. Sheehan, said Canyon Broadcasters has failed to repay Bloomfield $100,000 that Bloomfield lent the company in December when it ran into financial trouble. Sheehan said the lawsuit was an attempt to block Bloomfield from recovering his loan.
KBET went on the air June 28 at 1220 on the AM dial.
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