Save-A-Life Foundation v. Baratz

NOTE: The information and commentary contained in this database entry are based on court filings and other informational sources that may contain unproven allegations made by the parties. The truthfulness and accuracy of such information is likely to be in dispute. Information contained in this entry is current as of the last event mentioned in the "Description" section below; additional proceedings might have taken place in this matter since this event.

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Parties

Party Issuing Legal Threat: 

Save-A-Life Foundation

Party Receiving Legal Threat: 

Robert Baratz; Jason Haap; Peter Heimlich; WLS-TV; American Broadcasting Co.; Chuck Goudie

Type of Party: 

Organization

Type of Party: 

Individual
Media Company

Location of Party: 

  • Illinois

Location of Party: 

  • Ohio

Legal Counsel: 

Ancel Glink Diamond Bush

Legal Counsel: 

Stitt Klein & Daday (for Baratz, Haap, and Heimlich), Jenner & Block (for WLS-TV, American Broadcasting Co., Chuck Goudie)

Comments

Miami Mayor's office & The Save-A-Life Foundation

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From page 7 of Second Amended Complaint (3/14/2008) linked above: http://tinyurl.com/5td2e5

Save-A-Life had been working with the City of Miami, had a branch in the Miami Mayor's office, and had been providing LFSA training in Miami-Dade schools. Defendants transmitted the defamatory ABC-7 report to the Mayor's office, followed with questions and allegations about the report, and demanded responses. As a proximate result of defendants' actions, the City of Miami has terminated its relationship with Save-A-Life.

IL Senate President Emil Jones Jr. & The Save-A-Life Foundation

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From page 6 of Second Amended Complaint (3/14/2008) linked above: http://tinyurl.com/5td2e5

C. Save-A-Life had a positive relationship with Emil Jones, Jr., the President of the Illinois State Senate, who at the time of the defamatory ABC-7 report served as a Save-A-Life spokesman. Defendants transmitted the defamatory ABC-7 report to Senator Jones' office, called Senator Jones' office repeatedly, followed with questions and allegations about the report, and demanded responses. As a proximate result of defendants' actions, Senator Jones severed his ties with Save-A-Life.

Putnam County, NY & the Save-A-Life Foundation

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From page 8 of Second Amended Complaint (3/14/2008) linked above: http://tinyurl.com/5td2e5

J. Save-A-Life had developed an agreement to pilot Save-A-Life's LFSA programs in Putnam County, New York. Defendants transmitted the defamatory ABC-7 report to Putnam County EMS officials, followed with questions and allegations about the report, and demanded responses. As a proximate result of defendants' actions, the pilot was canceled.

State of Vermont & the Save-A-Life Foundation

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From page 7 of Second Amended Complaint (3/14/2008) linked above: http://tinyurl.com/5td2e5

E. Save-A-Life presented a pilot training program to the State of Vermont to provide LFSA programs in Vermont schools. Defendants transmitted the defamatory ABC-7 report to State of Vermont officials, followed with questions and allegations about the report, demanded responses, and demanded that a Manchester, Vermont newspaper that had published complimentary observations about the Save-A-Life program retract those comments. As a result of defendants' actions, the State of Vermont review process for the Save-A-Life pilot program was delayed, and Save-A-Life expended significant amounts of time and funds to repair the damage to its relationship with the State of Vermont caused by defendants.

10/14/08 NY Journal News article re: Save A Life lawsuit

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From "Health Chief Denies Troubled Foundation Link" by Marcela Rojas, The Journal News (NY), December 14, 2008: http://tinyurl.com/82wu62

SALF's lawsuit contends that 11 organizations have severed their relationship with the foundation as a result of the three defendants' interference, including a pilot program with Putnam County's Emergency Medical Services.

But Robert Cuomo, director of EMS in Putnam County since 2000, said his agency never considered participating in a pilot with SALF.

"I can tell you with all confidence that there are no plans in the works or never an agreement made," Cuomo said. "I think I remember having a conversation about Save A Life in general, that it was available to us, but we didn't do anything about it."

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