Schlessinger, Shop Owner Settle

A Costa Mesa beach shop owner has accepted an out-of-court settlement from controversial radio talk-show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger, ending a legal skirmish that began with her on-air condemnation of the store.

Terms of the agreement, reached last month, are confidential, said Andrew Guilford, attorney for Tom Moore, who owns Beach Access at South Coast Plaza, and store manager Ryan Schieber.

Guilford described Moore as satisfied with the settlement.

The case began last July when Schlessinger walked into Beach Access with her son and browsed through a copy of Big Brother Skateboarding magazine. The next day, she told her nationwide audience that Beach Access had put out pornography for children to see.

Schlessinger then accused Moore of calling her a liar when reporters asked him to respond to her allegations. Schlessinger sued for slander. After protests ensued and business at the shop dropped off, Moore countersued.

Schlessinger’s lawsuit was dismissed in December.

“The episode with Dr. Laura and Beach Access is now concluded,” Guilford said. “My clients can get on with their lives, and Dr. Schlessinger can get on with hers.”

Schlessinger’s attorney could not be reached.