WKMG-TV, channel 6, the CBS network affiliate serving the Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne, Fla., area, has been told it cannot air news broadcasts regarding 80 boxes of documents belonging to political consultant Doug Guetzloe that were recently sold at a self-storage auction. Orange Circuit Judge Rom Powell ruled on Friday that the broadcasts, scheduled to air today, should be barred until he can decide if the files were obtained properly.
The boxes were stored in a unit at a local facility where Guetzloe apparently failed to pay rent. The unit's contents were sold at auction for $10 to a man who brought them to WKMG.
Guetzloe is facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly violating campaign-disclosure laws in relation to an advertising attack on a local mayoral candidate. Judge Powell says the TV station's news broadcasts will destroy any privacy rights Guetzloe might have in relation to the scandal. Guetzloe and his attorney, Fred O'Neal, claim the boxes containing medical records and protected corresondence with attorneys were sold in error and are still legally Guetzloe's.
WKMG's vice president and general manager, Henry Moldonado, said the station's attorneys expect the bar to be lifted in time for the scheduled airing.