A Wisconsin state judge this week is expected to issue a formal order prohibiting lawyers in the state’s lawsuit against Publishers Clearing House from making disparaging remarks about the case and each other.
Columbia County Circuit Judge Richard L. Rehm could file a written order formalizing his oral muzzling of Attorney General Jim Doyle and PCH lawyers Jon Axelrod and Don Bach at a September 22 pre-trial hearing on the state’s suit against PCH for alleged false advertising in connection with its sweepstakes promotions.
At that hearing, according to the Associated Press, Axelrod asked the court to impose sanctions against Doyle for his description of the stamp-sheet sweepstakes promoter as “burglars” and that there was a “special place in hell” for sweepstakes.
Doyle, who previously announced plans to run for governor in 2002, defended his comments, published in Newsday, a Long Island, NY-based tabloid and aired on the NBC newsmagazine, Dateline” in August, said he intended continue doing his job “and warn people about problems I see out in the state.”
The judge, citing his “responsibility to supervise this litigation in a way that’s fair to all parties,” said he found Doyle’s statements “troubling” because of the impact they might have on the public despite the fact he intends to conduct the trial without a jury.
Doyle’s office is suing PCH for allegedly using its direct mail sweepstakes promotions of defrauding consumers and illegally targeting the elderly.
Earlier this year the stamp-sheet mailer settled a series of federal state lawsuits over its sweepstakes advertising and marketing practices for more than $30 million, agreeing to make refunds to consumers who believed that taking out magazine subscriptions enhanced their chances of winning its multi-million dollar sweepstakes.
The company is working with the court to develop a system for payment of those refunds.
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