Clear Channel Vs. Tribune

The Chicago-based Tribune Co., which has recently hired at least four one-time Clear Channel Communications employees, can not put its latest hire to work for at least 10 days from the granting of a May 27th temporary restraining order.

U.S. District Court Judge Joan Gottschall granted the radio giant a temporary restraining order against Tribune, preventing Andrew Friedman from starting his new job as VP of the Trib’s interactive division – although it appears he may have already started.

Clear Channel filed suit in the federal court’s Northern Illinois division on May 19th, claiming that Friedman, who is also named as a defendant, breached his contract and fiduciary duty with the company, and threatened to disclose trade secrets.

The complaint also seeks relief from the Tribune Co. for "tortious interference" with Clear Channel’s contract with Friedman, which runs through December 31st.

In issuing the TRO, Gottschall ordered that Friedman may not hire, or assist in hiring, any Clear Channel employees, perform any duties that would expose confidential information, and must immediately return documents and any portable devices or computer equipment used to transfer Clear Channel information.

Clear Channel said it analyzed the company laptop provided to Friedman and found that thousands of files and e-mails were deleted and proprietary information transferred, according to Crain’s Chicago Business.

The Tribune Co. has hired away several former Clear Channel execs, most notably when former shock jock Randy Michaels made the leap to join Zell in 2002. Michaels recently was named COO, effectively making him the second in command on the Tribune food chain.

Clear Channel is in the process of being taken private by a consortium of private equity firms headed by Thomas H. Lee Partners and Bain Capital.