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Convicted lawyer files suit claiming TV news slandered him

By TIMES STAFF WRITER
Published June 16, 2006

TAMPA - A veteran Tampa lawyer serving prison time for having sex with a 14-year-old girl has filed a lawsuit accusing a local television news station of slandering him during its coverage of his trial.

David Russell Stahl claims that on June 14, 2004, FOX 13 News told its viewers that he was associated with or the leader of an Internet child prostitution ring and that he offered a girl for prostitution online.

"All statements in this regard ... were false," the lawsuit states, "and Defendants knew that these statements were false and/or acted with reckless disregard for the truth when publishing these false statements."

Bob Linger, general manager for the news station, could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.

Stahl states in his lawsuit that one or more members of his jury heard, or heard of, the news report while the trial was in session.

And, the lawsuit says, "to this date, many persons, including many members of the Tampa bar, believe" the allegations made in FOX 13's report.

Stahl, 63, is incarcerated at Holmes Correctional Institute, after being convicted and sentenced to six years for sexual battery on a minor. He was found not guilty of two charges of having oral sex with the victim.

At the time, he also faced a separate charge of committing a lewd and lascivious act on a 13-year-old girl. The state allowed him to plead guilty to a lesser charge of felony battery in that case, and he was sentenced to one year and one day, to run concurrently with the six-year prison term.

Stahl's conviction came more than three years after the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and State Attorney's Office first began charging local professionals in connection with a sex ring, alleging that the older men were preying on wayward young girls with promises of shopping trips and restaurant meals.

Stahl's lawsuit states that as a result of FOX 13's report, his professional reputation was damaged, he was subjected to ridicule, hatred and contempt and has been subjected to an improper conviction, wrongful imprisonment, loss of earnings, mental anguish and suspension of his law practice.

[Last modified June 16, 2006, 06:05:56]