A Federal judge keeps the
Wednesday, October 13, 1999 , 12:00 p.m. Star-Bulletin staff
Star-Bulletin alive, until the
lawsuit is heardA federal judge today granted a preliminary injunction that prevents the closing of the Star-Bulletin as planned Oct. 30. The ruling does not include a time limit; instead, it applies until the full case can be heard.
Judge Alan Kay's ruling prevents Gannett Corp., the partner in a joint operating agreement with Liberty Newspapers Limited Partnership, owner of the Star-Bulletin, from taking any steps to materially effect the Star-Bulletin's business.
The state Friday had filed a request for a temporary restraining order to preserve the newspaper's operations and prevent further erosion until the court can consider the merits of the case.
The request followed the filing of separate lawsuits by the state attorney general and seven private citizens challenging the termination agreement reached between Liberty and Gannett Pacific Corp., which owns the Honolulu Advertiser.
The ruling forces Gannett to preserve the status quo, make no payment to Liberty, take no steps contrary to the JOA to produce the Star-Bulletin and refrain from taking any action to materially affect the business, such as switching subscribers from the Star-Bulletin to the Advertiser.
Gannett's attorneys asked the court to provide a $10 million bond to cover what they said were expected losses in the continuing of the Star-Bulletin's operation. Kay gave Gannett $10,000, but he may reconsider that amount later.
Star-Bulletin closing Oct. 30, 1999
