Subject: “NEWS: FLORIDA COURT ORDERS RAUCH INDUSTRIES, INC. TO PAY
UP TO $150,000 OF CHRISTOPHER RADKO’S LEGAL BILLS
Date: Mon, 9 Jun 2008
Christopher Radko
Media Contact: Kim Lucchese
kiml@markhamnovell.com
212-687-1765
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FLORIDA COURT ORDERS RAUCH INDUSTRIES, INC. TO PAY UP TO $150,000 OF CHRISTOPHER RADKO’S LEGAL BILLS
NEW YORK CITY (June 9, 2008) The Broward County Circuit Court in Florida has ordered Rauch Industries, Inc. to pay legal bills of up to $150,000 incurred by famed Christmas keepsake, gift and home décor designer Christopher Radko to defend himself in two court cases filed against Rauch.
Circuit Court Judge Richard D. Eade said in a final default judgment order this week that it will monitor payments it ordered Rauch to make and could grant supplemental relief, including awarding additional damages against Rauch in the event Rauch continues to fail to comply with its responsibility to pay the legal bills.
The cases considered by Judge Eade involved suits against Rauch by Rudolph & Me, Inc. and Kevin D. Fisher. Although he was not directly involved in the legal claims against Rauch, Mr. Radko was named in both suits because of his former status as an officer and director of Rauch, the company to which he had sold his ornament business in 2005. To date Mr. Radko has incurred nearly $21,000 in legal bills in the two cases and Rauch has not paid these expenses as required under its contract with him.
In April 2008 two lawyers for Rauch filed a motion to withdraw from defending the company in the Rudolph & Me case before a U.S. District Court in Florida because their fees had not been paid. Mr. Radko said at that time that the non-payment of fees demonstrates that Rauch, a maker of Christmas tree ornaments, is in dire financial straits.
Mr. Radko said today: “The decision by Judge Eade further confirms that Rauch has been acting in an unethical way by trying to wiggle out of its legal obligation to pay my legal fees. I was not involved in the conduct that led to the suits to begin with. The newest ruling reaffirms my position that if I had known the true financial status and condition of Rauch, I would not have sold my company to them and then invested in excess of $2.5 million in cash in the company, an investment that subsequently proved to be worthless. I hope the complicated legal issues involving Rauch and me can be brought to a close very soon.”
About Christopher Radko: Christopher Radko is an iconic name in American home décor. He began designing and producing keepsake holiday ornaments, gifts and home décor items in 1986. Today he focuses on design and consulting services. For further information please contact kiml@markhamnovell.com.