Fair use: New York Newsday

Comic files suit against 'Air America Radio' over pay

BY KAREN FREIFELD
STAFF WRITER

May 23, 2005, 7:14 PM EDT

Comic Lizz Winstead doesn't think Air America Radio was very liberal with
her severance and other pay.

Winstead, who helped create Comedy Central's "Daily Show" and went on to
develop Air America Radio, filed suit in State Supreme Court in Manhattan
Monday against owners of the liberal network, which is a counteroffensive to
conservative talk radio.

She claimed that Air America and Piquant LCLC, the latest owner of the
year-old network, did not pay her for work as an on-air announcer. She said
she also was not given the severance due her as an executive after she was
fired in March.

"It's the sad old story of someone devoting 16 hour days to build an
exciting, new venture -- and she's out the door without ... what she's
promised," said Winstead's attorney, Edward Hernstadt.

Air America did not return calls for comment.

Winstead, who had a base salary of $250,000, claimed in her lawsuit that she
didn't receive four months' severance pay of $83,333, unused vacation time
of $14,423 and $200,000 for her on-air work.

Winstead hosted a show called "Unfiltered," with Chuck D. It was part of a
network line-up that includes Al Franken created to combat the likes of
conservative talk show hosts Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity.

In addition, Winstead claimed she never received money due for her on-air
promotional work for the Vermont Teddy Bear Co.

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I would think Air America would be a really poor employment choice.

73,

Steve

Steve Lawrence
Burnsville, Minnesota

Every moment of a human life is an act of worship.

Coincidence is God's way of being anonymous.