Bell sues over job termination

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Joe Bell, former reporter at WKBN and WYFX television stations, has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against the former and current parent companies of the television stations for terminating his employment last December.

Bell, of Monaca, Pa., filed the suit Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court against Piedmont Television, LLC of Charlotte, N.C., and New Vision Television Youngstown, LLC of Columbus. The suit said NTV is the successor company to Piedmont.

The suit said Bell and Piedmont entered into a contract Sept. 5, 2001, that provided for automatic renewal on Sept. 1 of each year through August 2008 unless the employer gives Bell notice 30 days before Sept. 1 of each year.

Otherwise, the employer may terminate the contract only for “incompetence, inefficiency, or for any conduct on the part of the employee which has a tendency to injure the employer’s business,” the suit said.

The television station lacked cause to terminate the contract because he performed his obligations under the contract, the suit said.

The suit seeks damages against the company in the amount of lost wages and benefits, plus attorneys fees.

David Coy, general manager of the two stations, said he had not seen the lawsuit and had no comment.

The suit was filed by attorney Dennis Haines of Youngstown.