Judge Orders Inquirer Owners' Dispute To Be Heard In Philadelphila
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - After squaring off in the boardroom, slinging lawsuits back and forth, and making an offer to buy the other guys out, the dispute between the owners of the Inquirer will remain in Philadelphia.
Common Pleas Court Judge Patricia McInerney, who heard oral arguments on venue, has decided the case should be heard in Philadelphia, where the Inquirer and Daily News are headquartered.
A group of owners led by George Norcross sought to have the case heard in Delaware, where the parent company is incorporated.
The judge has set a hearing for November 13th on a preliminary injunction sought by a rival owners' faction to reinstate Inquirer editor Bill Marimow, whose firing by publisher Bob Hall early last month touched off the owners' feud.
Owners Lewis Katz and Gerry Lenfest, who back Marimow, want Hall removed.
Marimow's lawyer released daily circulation figures - on Marimow's watch - that reflect a nearly 9% increase in the last 26-week reporting period, with Sunday readership holding steady.
The Norcross faction this week offered to buy out fellow co-owners with whom they are bickering.
