Shop owner countersues Dr. Laura

Greg Risling

SANTA ANA -- Responding to a $1 million lawsuit filed by a nationally

syndicated radio talk show host, a Costa Mesa shop owner fired back

Friday with a suit of his own.

Beach Access owner Thomas Moore countered with a cross-complaint against

Premier Radio Network and Dr. Laura Schlessinger, who called upon her

listeners to boycott his store over the summer. Moore claims his life and

business have been hurt by the backlash from Schlessinger’s supporters.

‘The Moores have really struggled through this,’ said the store owner’s

attorney Paul Rafferty. ‘They have had damage to their reputation and

lost business because of Dr. Laura’s statements. They have received

hundreds of irate callers and even friends have questioned the Moores

about what happened.’

Schlessigner and her son were visiting the South Coast Plaza store and

saw a copy of Big Brother, a skateboarding magazine produced by

publishing mogul Larry Flynt, who also publishes Hustler Magazine.

Schlessinger said the magazine shouldn’t be displayed at the store

because it was pornographic and unsuitable for children.

Moore demanded a retraction from the talk show host, but was instead hit

with a lawsuit last month. That lawsuit alleges Moore made defamatory

statements against Schlessinger.

Allan Mayer, a spokesman for Schlessinger, said the dispute could still

be resolved if Moore issued an apology and took responsibility. However,

it doesn’t appear the verbal volleys will end any time soon.

‘It looks like any relief we get from Dr. Laura in the future will likely

be in the court,’ said Rafferty. ‘This was completely unnecessary and

could have been easily avoided. There has been a wrong committed that

needs to be made right.’

Moore may get some help in his effort by Flynt, who last month pledged to

pay for the store owner’s legal fees if he sued Schlesinger.