Posted on 12/09/2005 5:09:38 AM PST by Abathar
FAIRFAX, Va. - A judge issued sanction Thursday against the owner of Ringling Bros. circus for filing late and incomplete documents in a lawsuit that claims that the owner had established a spy operation against animal-rights groups.
The judge also ordered Kenneth Feld, chief executive and president of privately held Feld Entertainment Inc., to disclose his net worth and his most recent tax returns to PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
PETA sued Feld Entertainment more than four years ago, claiming that he ran an extensive corporate espionage campaign against it and other animal-rights groups. According to PETA, Feld - which produces the Ringling circus, Disney on Ice and other shows - went so far as to pay a former CIA operative to help run its spy operation.
The lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in February.
PETA attorney Philip Hirschkop said one of the documents was mostly blacked out before it was turned over.
Based on the portions of the 30-page document revealed during Thursday's hearing, it appears to spell out the company's plan for dealing with circus protests by animal-rights groups. The plan calls for efforts to discredit PETA and other animal-rights groups and to seek ways to undermine PETA's status as a nonprofit organization.
Circuit Judge David Stitt said Feld should have turned over the documents long ago. He ordered Feld to turn over an unredacted copy of the documents by Monday and to turn over any other documents related to the company's Animal Issues Department.
"Obtaining discovery (evidence) in this case has been like pulling teeth," the judge said Thursday. "It appears the defendant is resisting discovery by all available means."
The company, based in Vienna, Va., declined comment Thursday.
In August, Feld's lawyers were ordered to pay more than $50,000 in fines for what PETA says were obstructionist tactics Feld's lawyers had employed throughout the case.
Why is gathering intelligence on an enemy a problem?
I don't know. Ask the CIA.
on this issue, we think alike. why is someone precluded from getting information about a clearly militant group? once again, the jackals in black robes distory reality.
here's the problem: "filing late and incomplete documents in a lawsuit".
No judgment has been entered.
This is what I have a problem with, let them find it out for themselves, why does he have to give this information out willingly to these idiots?
Its not public, which means that they can't get it for themselves. Its also not privileged from discovery, which means he can't refuse to produce them.
PETA errrrr
you seem to understand basic common sense, therefor, YOU WOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO SERVE ON A JURY, lol. seriously, its obvious to me that lawyers and judges generally have already decided the outcome of certain types of lawsuits before they are even filed. peta is a favorite of the leftys, along with any anti christian group or gay agenda. these three among others win before they walk into the courtroom usually.
well, here ar ethe accusations against one of the guys. All this false?:
Washington — In a major break in PETA’s lawsuits against Kenneth Feld, the CEO and president of Feld Entertainment, Inc., the parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and coconspirators, the Circuit Court of Fairfax County (Virginia) has entered a judgment against Steven Kendall, a top Feld operative. The lawsuits filed by PETA seek to uncover the depth and details of Feld’s alleged long-running conspiracy—codirected by former CIA Covert Operations Director Clair George—to infiltrate PETA in an attempt to halt opposition to Ringling’s abusive elephant training methods, use of the metal bullhook, separation of mother elephants from their babies, and other acts of cruelty to animals used by the circus. Kendall, of Pittsburgh, has admitted in public documents to PETA’s allegations against both himself and Feld, including theft and an extensive conspiracy to discredit the animal rights group.
As a result of the judgment, Kendall is deemed to have admitted the following:
* Feld operatives were aided in the conspiracy by George, who was paid several million dollars for his services to the circus.
* Kendall stole a PETA computer and its files. Feld operatives also stole information and confidential documents from PETA, including a list of nationwide contacts, in order to interfere with protests against the circus’s physical abuse and chronic mistreatment of elephants, tigers, and other animals.
* Kendall and circus operatives used illegal means—including extortion, burglaries, theft, and surveillance—to accomplish their tasks.
* Kendall has attempted to blackmail Feld in exchange for his silence about his illegal activities by demanding that Feld pay him $6 million.
PETA in not paranoid. People are really out to get them. :-0
Same as KKK? Who is PETA trying to kill? Unless, that's not the worst crime in your book.
And, amazingly, no criminal charges.
Its a civil case.
kendall attempting to blackmail feld for six million dollars is now defined as a civil matter? so yes, the earth really is flat too.
He's not being charged by the Government for it, so, yes.
That was my point. All of those criminal actions alleged to by PETA and there is only this civil case.
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