A-E-B Radio: WAEB-AM Sued By Local D-A

Bobby Gunther Walsh

Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin is suing Allentown, PA blogger Bill Villa, claiming Villa tarnished the district attorney's reputation online and on WAEB 790 AM by calling Martin "crooked" and "corrupt," and saying his office "fixes" criminal cases.

The Morning Call reports, Villa, who lost his daughter in a 2006 drunken-driving crash and has been vocally unhappy over the prosecution of the driver, said the lawsuit will not stop him from criticizing Martin.

In the suit, filed last week in Lehigh County Court, Martin said Villa "has held a personal animus towards Martin" since 2006 and has knowingly lied about the way he prosecutes criminals.

"Villa falsely and maliciously accused Martin of unethical and criminal conduct, including, among other things 'fixing' criminal cases in Lehigh County, concealing evidence, lying to judges, lying to victims and victims' families, playing 'favorites,' and 'colluding to conceal the truth.' He has also falsely and maliciously accused Martin of being 'crooked' and 'corrupt'," the lawsuit states.

Villa said he has the right to speak his mind.

Also named in the suit is iHeartMedia and Bobby Gunther Walsh, morning host WAEB 790 AM. Martin alleges in the suit that Villa made false statements about him while a guest on Walsh's show at least 11 times from Feb. 20 to Aug. 4, 2014.