Man says TV station wrongly fired him

WHEELING - An Ohio County man says he was wrongly fired from a Wheeling television station.

Tim Bishop filed a suit Feb. 22 in Ohio Circuit Court against WTOV-TV after he says he was released from his two-year contract early and after the station had him fired from his next job at WZTX-TV.

Bishop was hired by WTOV in December 2002 as a videographer. In July 2003, he was offered a news producer position and offered a written contract, which included a section of "Restrictions on Competition." The terms of the contract stated it would run until July 31, 2005.

On Jan. 14, 2005, WTOV fired Bishop, which breached the written contract and cost him about $13,500 in wages and lost benefits. On Feb. 28, 2005, Bishop took a position as news director for WVTX-TV in Wheeling.

"Two weeks later, WTOV, by and through its agent Tim McCoy, threatened to sue said company if (Bishop) was not terminated immediately," the complaint says.

On March 21, 2005, Bishop was fired from WVTX after the owner was threatened with a lawsuit is Bishop was kept on the payroll, the suit says.

The suit says WTOV knew about the contractual obligations Bishop has with WVTX and intentionally interfered with his relationship with WVTX despite the fact WTOV rescinded its contract with Bishop.

As a result of WTOV's interference at WVTZ, Bishop says he lost two years compensation in the amount of $38,000 and suffered other loss.

Bishop seeks to have his contract with WTOV, particularly the "Restriction on Competition," declared unreasonable. He also seeks compensatory damages in the amount of $70,000.

Patrick S. Cassidy of the law firm Cassidy, Myers, Cogan and Voegelin, represents Bishop.

Ohio Circuit Court case number 07-C-71