NEW YORK, May 2 (UPI) -- U.S. shock jock Don Imus, fired for making racist remarks, reportedly may try to recoup about $40 million left on his contract with CBS Radio.
While CBS attorneys said Imus was fired April 12 for cause and is not owed money, a lawsuit could turn on interpretation of contract language that purportedly encouraged his irreverent and sometimes incendiary discussions, a person who read the contract told Fortune magazine. The language was part of a five-year contract, effective last year, which paid Imus nearly $10 million a year. A clause said Imus was to be given a warning before being fired, Fortune reported on its Web site Wednesday.
One observer said Imus' attorney, a First Amendment expert, might have difficulty arguing free speech because Imus' remark -- calling the Rutgers University women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos" -- was made over public airwaves regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. "In my mind there is a big difference between someone who is under contract and is under FCC regulations and someone who speaks out in town hall," said Washington attorney Lynne Bernabei. NEW YORK, May 2 (UPI) -- Avril Lavigne's "The Best Damn Thing" stayed atop the Billboard 200 album chart for the second straight week, with 122,000 copies sold in the United States.
R B singer Joe's "Ain't Nothing Like Me" debuted at No. 2, bumping Nine Inch Nails' "Year Zero" down one spot to No. 3.
The "NOW 24" hits compilation slipped from No. 3 to No. 4, while Daughtry's self-titled album climbed from No.
7 to No. 5. Debuting at No.
7 was "Favourite Worst Nightmare" by British group Arctic Monkeys. Carrie Underwood's "Some Hearts," in its 76th week on the chart, moved up one from No. 9 to No.
8, followed by Martina McBride's "Waking up Laughing," which fell from No. 5 to No. 9.
In the 10th position, down from No. 8, was "Let It Go" by Tim McGraw. LOS ANGELES, May 2 (UPI) -- Testimony has been delayed until next week in the Los Angeles trial of music producer Phil Spector in the death of actress Lana Clarkson.
Spector's attorney, Bruce Cutler -- whose health issues resulted in Monday's court session being canceled -- said he was having problems with his diabetes medication, The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday. The iconic music producer has pleaded not guilty in the 2003 death of Clarkson, who was found shot to death in Spector's Alhambra, Calif., home.
If convicted, he could face a prison sentence of up to 15 years to life. While testimony was postponed, lawyers Wednesday were preparing to argue a prosecutor's motion that accused the defense of submitting forensics evidence late. In a response filed Tuesday with the court, the defense denied it intentionally delayed giving prosecutors blood-spatter test results that suggest Spector was at least six feet from Clarkson -- who was shot in the mouth -- when she was killed.
The evidence could be crucial to determine whether Spector shot Clarkson, as the prosecution claims, or whether the actress pulled the trigger in an "accidental suicide," as the defense maintains. NEW YORK, May 2 (UPI) -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has signed an anti-piracy measure that increases penalties and fines for illegally taping and selling black-market videos. The mayor urged the movie-watching public to support the industry by buying legitimate videos or watching a movie in the theater, Variety reported Wednesday.
Under the new law, violators can face up to $5,000 in fines and six months in jail. "This is not a victimless crime. Not only does piracy drive up the costs of videos and movie tickets and harm our economy," Bloomberg said, "but every New York consumer is being cheated by poor-quality goods.
" Bloomberg unveiled a public service announcement campaign designed to combat bootlegged films in New York. The campaign plays off the movie ratings system, using "RO" for Ripped-Off, "PS" for Poor Sound, "SP" for Stupid Purchase, "OV" for Obstructed View and "F" for Fake. "(The) New York economy has much to gain by fighting movie piracy at its source, and changing behavior regarding movie piracy among New Yorkers," said Motion Picture Association of America Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dan Glickman in a statement.
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