Air America Radio

Controversies

Gloria Wise Loan Case

:For main article, please see Air America-Gloria Wise loan controversy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In July 2005, the Bronx News http://www.gothamgazette.com/community/12/news reported Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club of Co-op City $480,000 was loaned to Progress Media, then owner of Air America Radio. The Gloria Wise group claims to be a non-profit organization providing services for children and seniors in the Bronx. The amount was later determined to actually be $875,000. As the organization received substantial funding from the City of New York at that time, the legality of the transfer is under criminal investigation by NY State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nypost/20050908/lo_nypost/airamericaadjusts36tatic The city has suspended further funding of the agency, and has revoked the group's right to use their name, likeness or logo. At the time the funds were alleged to have been transferred, Evan Cohen, former chairman of the now-defunct Progress Media, was also Director of Development for Gloria Wise.http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nypost/20050921/lo_nypost/charitybootskids39cluboverairamericascandal

Related Topics:
2005 - Co-op City - Bronx - City of New York - Eliot Spitzer - Evan Cohen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Shooting spoiled child" skit

In April of 2005 one pre-recorded comedy routine broadcast during The Randi Rhodes Show sparked a minor controversy. The United States Secret Service reviewed and set-aside further investigation or action regarding an April 24, 2005 radio feature broadcast from New York City during the show—Rhodes was in a Florida studio. The skit featured an announcer staying: "A spoiled child is telling us our Social Security isn't safe anymore, so he is going to fix it for us. Well, here's your answer, you ungrateful whelp: (sound effect of 4 gunshots being fired). Just try it, you little bastard. . The implication, according to Matt Drudge, is that the spoiled child is George W. Bush. Randi Rhodes apologized for that skit on Wednesday, April 27, 2005, admitting it was "an attempt at humor ... bad joke." Rhodes further stated "It was a bit. It was bad. I apologize a thousand times." Rhodes also said the incident should be seen as a call for major networks to pay more attention to what she considers the questionable journalism habits of her right-wing counterparts.

Related Topics:
April - 2005 - The Randi Rhodes Show - United States Secret Service - April 24 - Florida - Sound effect - Matt Drudge - George W. Bush - April 27 - Journalism - Right-wing

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jon Sinton, Air America's president of programming said "We are not under investigation from the Secret Service. We regret that a produced comedy bit that was in bad taste slipped through our normal vetting process. We do acknowledge that it was an internal error and internal discipline will be enforced."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

UPI reported the Secret Service initially looked into the broadcast to see if it constituted a threat to Bush but later issued a statement saying they would take no action.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

References:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Randi Rhodes broadcast in question may be heard here
• Report by the Drudge Report
• Rhodes's response to Drudge Report allegations (audio)
• Applicable case law — U.S. Supreme Court Watts v. United States, 394 U.S. 705 (1969)

Liz Winstead contract

A former on-air personality and executive with Air America, Lizz Winstead, is also suing Air America for breach of contract and unjust enrichment. http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/51519.htm

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~