SAN FRANCISCO – A Nevada couple is accusing a popular radio host of defamation after comments made on a show.
Arthur William Bell III and Airyn Ruiz Bell filed a complaint on Nov. 30 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Michael Alan Weiner, also known as Michael Savage, Westwood One Inc. and Cumulus Broadcasting Inc. alleging defamation, false light invasion of privacy and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that on Sept. 25, 2016, they were a topic of defamatory and slanderous statements on Weiner's radio program "The Savage Nation." They allege Weiner implied Airyn Ruiz Bell was a 10-year-old prostitute at the time of the plaintiffs' marriage and that Arthur William Bell III's discussions of UFOs on his own radio program or his marriage were reasons why the plaintiff is no longer on the radio. They allege the defendants ignored their demand for retraction of the statement.
The plaintiffs hold Weiner, Westwood One Inc. and Cumulus Broadcasting Inc. responsible because the defendants allegedly permitted Weiner to broadcast the statement with reckless disregard for the truth and with cognition that such broadcast would defame and disparage plaintiffs, and caused harm to Arthur William Bell III's radio and journalism businesses.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment against defendants; compensatory, general, special, exemplary and punitive damages; interest; attorneys' fees; costs; and other relief as the court deems just. They are represented by Gerard P. Fox and Belinda Vega of Gerard Fox Law PC in Los Angeles.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California Case number 3:16-cv-06879