TicketNetwork Sues Venue CEO

A lawsuit filed by TicketNetwork against a venue exec in April appears to still be active.

The ticket broker accused David Fay, president of the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, Conn., of making defamatory remarks against the company during a legislative hearing that would set new rules on ticketing.

Don Vacarro, CEO of TicketNetwork, claimed Fay made “multiple, false statements about TicketNetwork and tried to mislead Connecticut legislators on a bill that is designed to protect the rights of ticket buying consumers.”

Fay is accused of making similar statements to a newspaper, including suggesting TicketNetwork uses computers to put tickets on hold to resell at inflated prices.

Fay declined to comment, referring Pollstar to his attorney, who did not return a call at press time. However, Fay told the Hartford Courant in April, “We think it is very unfortunate that Mr. Vaccaro and TicketNetwork are seeking to quash our discussion of the ticket scalping/broker business. …. We believe this is in the intent of this lawsuit.”

First Amendment lawyer Daniel Klau told the paper the lawsuit had an uphill fight.

“The general rule is that statements made during testimony in a legislative proceedings are privileged, absolutely privileged.”

Several state officials told the paper they did not know whether people testifying before lawmakers have immunity from lawsuits.