It appears that the local CBS affiliate, Channel 2, and its General Manager, may have engaged in illegal activity involving advertising rebates to political campaigns. A recently-terminated employee has issued a ‘nasty lawsuit’ against the CBS affiliate and its GM.
Case # INC-071909
Posted 11/2/2007 3:21 PM
If it turns out to be true, and it sounds like there could be a paper trail that can prove the allegations, the station could be in big trouble with the FCC, the CBS network, local advertisers and who knows who else. And, I wonder how many other media enterprises are similarly engaged in illegal activities in other parts of the State.
The Udcoff vs. Desert Television complaint states “Desert Television wrongfully terminated Mr. Udcoff shortly after he objected to and reported ‘reasonably based suspicions’ of illegal activity.” The allegations of illegal activity involve advertising rebates owed to political candidates, political advertising revenue, revenue reported to CBS Corporate, and redirecting the KPSP main signal.
It’s pretty dicey industry stuff and, if the allegations are found to be true, it could mean big problems for the GM, not to mention the station itself and the station owners, beloved local philanthropists Jim and Jackie Lee Houston, who will have to deal with the fallout of their GM’s actions.
Jim and Jackie Lee Houston are known in the Palm Springs area for the Houston Gala at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. I checked with the Huffington Post Fundrace 2008 and could not find political donations given by either a James Houston with a Palm Springs-area address. However, Jacqueline Lee Houston, Homemaker, Self-employed, residing 345 N Via Las Palmas, Palm Springs, CA gave a $12,501 contribution to the RNC in Q1 2004. She is also listed for another $2,500 contribution to the RNC in also Q1 2004.
The lawsuit is online at www.riverside.courts.ca.gov Click on Online Services to Search Court Records to Civil cases to Indio Civil Court & Small Claims Court and enter “guest” and log on and click on case number and type in the case #071909, then look for Udcoff vs Desert Television and click on the case number. There you have it. Click on “images” and then click on the camera symbols to read the complaint filed.