Resorter publisher ordered to pay $3 million in libel damages

Ray Pryke, the publisher of the Hesperia Resorter and other Valleywide Newspapers, has been ordered to pay $3 million dollars to the wife of San Bernardino County Sheriff Gary Penrod:

Citing “malicious and salacious” journalism, a Superior Court judge awarded more than $3 million in damages Friday in a libel lawsuit against newspaper publisher Raymond Pryke, owner of the Hesperia Resorter and Valleywide Newspapers.

Superior Court Judge Christopher J. Warner awarded psychologist Nancy K. Bohl $750,000 in actual damages and $750,000 in emotional damages for libelous articles. The judge awarded Bohl’s company, The Counseling Team, $500,000 in damages for past and future lost earnings. He also awarded Bohl $1 million in punitive damages plus $10,839.60 in costs, according to the judge’s written decision.

Bohl and The Counseling Team sued the Hesperia Resorter and Pryke for libel in connection with newspaper articles written by reporter Mark Gutglueck. The judge ruled that Gutglueck’s articles “demonstrate ‘malice’ and are capable of causing ‘severe emotional distress.’ ”

The newspaper articles accused Bohl, who is the wife of San Bernardino County Sheriff Gary Penrod, and her company of violating confidentiality in psycho-therapeutic relationships for the purpose of personal and financial gain.

“The accusations were bold print front page headlines,” wrote Warner in his decision. “Particularly malicious and salacious was ‘Sleeping with Penrod Pays Off.’ Mr. Pryke personally selected this headline, according to his deposition testimony.”

The lawsuit against Gutglueck was dismissed early in the case.

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