NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- New York Attorney Bruce Baron has put NBC on notice: he's threatening to sue the network and its popular "To Catch a Predator" series.
He is representing the family of Louis J. "Bill" Conradt, a prosecutor in Texas who shot and killed himself when police came to arrest him. The Texas DA later dropped all charges against 23 suspects in the Texas series.
Baron wants all documents, videos, etc. frozen.
"Dateline" works with an activist group called Perverted Justice which supplies adults who frequent Internet chat rooms, posing as underage boys and girls, and try to collect incriminating sex talk. They then lure the suspected "predators" to a meeting place, and videotape their confrontations with reporter Chris Hansen.
In the letter addressed to Jeff Zucker, President and CEO of NBC Universal, Baron stated the following: Following our review and investigation regarding the facts and circumstances surrounding the above, it is our contention and belief that Ms. Conradt, as Administratrix of the decedent’s estate, can successfully pursue, against your organization and other defendants, several causes of action, including without limitation wrongful death, as well as violation of the decedent’s civil and constitutional rights, extreme emotional distress, conscious pain and suffering, and pecuniary loss to the decedent’s estate, in compensatory and punitive damages exceeding $100 million.
NBC issued the following response: There has been no lawsuit filed on behalf of Mr. Conradt's estate. If a suit is filed, we will defend ourselves vigorously, as we believe the claims are completely without merit.
Attorney Bruce Baron's Letter to Jeff Zucker, President and CEO, NBC
Dear Mr Zucker:
Please be advised that this office has been retained by Ms. Patricia A. Conradt to institute legal action against NBC Universal and other entities regarding claims based upon, inter alia, unlawful and negligent practices in the formulation and production of an episode of the Dateline series, 'To Catch a Predator' involving the decedent, wherein as the direct result of the intentional and/or negligent, ensuing intervention, the decedent died as the result of a self inflicted gunshot wound on the above date.
Following our review and investigation regarding the facts and circumstances surrounding the above, it is our contention and belief that Ms. Conradt, as Administratrix of the decedent’s estate, can successfully pursue, against your organization and other defendants, several causes of action, including without limitation wrongful death, as well as violation of the decedent’s civil and constitutional rights, extreme emotional distress, conscious pain and suffering, and pecuniary loss to the decedent’s estate, in compensatory and punitive damages exceeding $100 Million Dollars.
It is inconceivable that an organization such as yours would wish to jeopardize its operations by continuing to subject itself to legal action arising out of the continued broadcasting of the 'To Catch a Predator Series', particularly so in light of the recent revelation that all charges were recently dropped against twenty-three (23) alleged so-called 'predators' in Collin County, Texas.
Needless to say, Ms. Conradt has been devastated by the loss of her brother. As a career Criminal Prosecutor, Bill Conradt took geat pains to insure preservation of the constitutional rights of the very criminals he prosecuted. It is thus of no little irony that he should have had his own constitutional rights violated by the thoughtless acts and omissions of your organization and others, resulting in his death.
Therefore, in order to avoid further injury to Ms. Conradt and her family attendant to the litigation process, we have recommended to her that we explore the possibility of a 'pre-suit' resolution. However if meaningful settlement negotiations do not ensue within five (5) days, we will be forced to commence an action against you and all other responsible entities and or individuals for any and all legal remedies available to Ms. Conradt and the estate of Louis J. ("Bill") Conradt under the law.
"For reasons set forth above, we will reasonably expect that you will carefully consider the contents of this letter and the potential legal consequences of your failure to address and resolve this situation. In the end, we believe that a mutually satisfactory and expeditious resolution of this situation short of litigation, is desirable for all concerned.
Thank you in advance for your careful consideration of this letter. If you or your legal representative wishes to discuss this matter and a possible resolution please contact the undersigned on or before July 22, 2007
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that you must safeguard any and all evidence in your possession that will be the potential subject of, and or evidence in litigation; including but not limited to any and all relevant employee files, all electronic transmissions, e-mails, memos; minutes of meetings, photographs, video tapes and or digital recordings (including outtakes and non-broadcasted recordings) as well as computer hard drives, editorial notes financial records, and all other written and/or electronically recorded documents and/or other information concerning either the 'Dateline' series, and in particular all “To Catch A Predator” episodes hosted by Chris Hansen, as well as all contracts, agreements, correspondence, and/or other records concerning any and all communications with third-parties, particularly including but not limited to, 'Perverted Justice' and or its principals.
Your immediate attention is expected, and appreciated.
