By PHATLAW Staff

PHATLAW has learned that Dan Rather has sued CBS, Viacom, Inc. and three of his former bosses for tarnishing his reputation and making him be the fall guy for the discredited report of President Bush’s National Guard Services.  The Complaint alleges: 1) breach of contract; 2) breach of fiduciary duty; 3) fraud; 4) breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; 5) tortious interference with contract; 6) tortious interference with prospective business relations; and 7) prima facie tort.

The former anchorman is seeking $70 million in damages.  Assuming the terms of Rather’s contract says that he can only be fired for just cause, he might have a legitimate and winnable beef against his former employer.  Rather likely only reports the news.  It is doubtful that the former CBS front man is in the trenches and conducts research himself.  Thus, to make him the scapegoat for bad research is likely not “just cause” to fire him.  Look for CBS and the other defendants to settle this matter quickly. 

PhatThought: For $70 Million, someone can discredit this PHATLAW staffer any time. 

PHATLAW will continue to post the latest developments in this case.