19 Action News Lawsuit - Kevin Flanigan v WOIO et al

According to Wikipedia, WOIO, virtual channel 19 is a commercial television station licensed to Shaker Heights, Ohio, serving Greater Cleveland and much of surrounding Northeast Ohio. Owned by Raycom Media, WOIO broadcasts 19.1.  The WOIO studios are located in Downtown Cleveland, while the station transmitter resides in the Cleveland suburb of Parma.

Kevin Flanigan II of Avon, Ohio, an employee at 19 Action News, is the plaintiff and WOIO, Raycom Media, William Applegate, Deborah Pando are the defendants in a complaint filed in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.

The complaint alleges that Deborah Pando (Ms. Pando) and other WOIO employees have provided sexual favors to clients in furtherance of attempting to secure their advertizement commitment with WOIO.

The complaint alleges that Deborah Pando (Ms. Pando) and others purchase, and consume cocaine during work hours, on the business premises and/or at corporate events.

The complaint by submitted by Andrew Kabat and Daniel Connell of Haber Polk, Kabat, LLP of Cleveland.  

A copy of the complaint is available, for viewing and download, via an article by Eric Sandy of Cleveland Scene at http://www.scribd.com/doc/199425066/Lawsuit-Against-WOIO

Rachel Dissell of The Plain Dealer quotes William Applegate as saying that,
"the numerous offensive and erroneous allegations contained in this suit compels us to strongly deny them on behalf of the station and particularly our employees, viewers and clients.  And yes, we certainly do intend to defend ourselves vigorously,"

The charges contained in the complaint are merely an accusation, and the defendants (WOIO, Raycom Media, Deborah Pando, William Applegate etc. are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.