Trouble in Riverdale, Archie's Hometown

[The Straight Story]

Trouble in Riverdale, Archie's Hometown

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CN) - A co-CEO of Archie Comics claims her co-CEO plotted to take over the company by defaming her, falsely telling a New York Post reporter that she "had pointed at several Archie employees and shouted 'penis, penis, penis,' ... shouted that 'you penises think you can run me out,'" and told a worker to "stand up and pull down your pants."

Nancy Silberkleit sued Archie Comic Publications and Jonathan Goldwater in Westchester County Court, seeking $50 million for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

One of the longest-lasting of all comics, Archie and his friends Jughead, Veronica and Betty made their first appearance in December 1941, in the town of Riverdale. Its original publisher, MLJ Magazines, was founded by Maurice Coyne, Louis Silberkleit and John Goldwater.

This lawsuit involves their descendants. Silberkleit's late husband was the son of one of Louis Silberkleit; Goldwater is the grandson of another of co-founder John Goldwater.

"As for the first cause of action for defamation of character," the complaint states: "That since plaintiff Silberkleit's ascendancy to the role of co-CEO of Archie following the death of her husband Michael Silberkleit in 2008, defendant Goldwater in his capacity as co-CEO of Archie has engaged in a malicious pattern of activity in which he has targeted plaintiff by making false and derogatory statements about plaintiff to the press and individual employees of Archie.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/01/23/43243.htm

[Ian David]

1. I think she was singing a song from South Park. n/t