THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 1, 1995 TAG: 9506010422
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WINSTON-SALEM LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
An attorney for religious broadcaster Pat Robertson says a lawsuit filed by a Forsyth County couple is ``spiked with half-truths and innuendo.''
Glen Huff, an attorney in Virginia Beach, and Gene Kapp, a spokesman for Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network Inc., said Tuesday that a lawsuit filed by Mark A. Peterson and his wife, Andrea, was motivated by greed.
They denied all the lawsuit's allegations, the Winston-Salem Journal reported.
``It's clear that Mr. Peterson's motivation is headed in one direction, and that's to seek publicity for himself and to benefit financially,'' Kapp said.
Huff said Peterson had demanded more than $1 million from Robertson and his network in exchange for not filing the lawsuit.
David Puryear, the Petersons' attorney, declined to respond to the comments. The Petersons, who live in Clemmons, have referred all questions to Puryear.
Mark Peterson is a former president of American Benefits Plus, a company founded by Robertson that sold discount coupon books and personal care products.
Peterson began as president in late 1991 and Robertson fired him just before Christmas 1992.
The Petersons say in their lawsuit that Robertson and his supporters spread lies about Peterson after his firing and that Robertson threatened to physically harm Peterson.
The lawsuit alleges slander and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress. It also alleges that Andrea Peterson suffered the loss of a normal marital relationship.
The lawsuit names Robertson, CBN, five members of CBN's board of directors, and Ralph Reed, the director of the Christian Coalition, founded by Robertson, as defendants.
The Petersons are asking for a jury trial and damages in excess of $70,000, plus punitive damages and attorneys' fees.
Huff said he does not know yet whether Robertson said any of the words that the Petersons quoted as threats to harm or kill Mark Peterson, but he said he is certain that the quotes are ``false and mischaracterized.''
Among other statements, the Petersons say in the lawsuit that Robertson said Mark Peterson was like a ``wild stallion'' that needed to be ``shot.''
American Benefits Plus lost $4 million in its first two years. CBN had invested $2.8 million in the company; Kapp said Robertson personally repaid all of CBN's investment.
After Peterson's firing, Robertson issued a statement blaming Peterson for the company's financial woes. Peterson countered that Robertson was involved directly in all of decisions.
KEYWORDS: LAWSUIT PAT ROBERTSON by CNB