The Centennial Park Bombing
TITLE: Richard Jewell to take on the FBI, media
DATE: Monday, November 11, 1996
SYNOPSIS: After a harrowing 88 days of scrutiny, the FBI declares
Richard Jewell is no longer a suspect in the Centennial Park bombing. Jewell has decided it is
time to turn the tables.
RICHARD JEWELL TO TAKE ON THE FBI, THE
MEDIA
By SAEED AHMED
Staff Writer
Let the lawsuits begin!
Finally cleared of suspicion in the Centennial Park bombing after 88 wrenching days, the
world's most famous out-of-work security guard Richard Jewell -- and his lawyers -- believe the
tables are now turned and it's time to put the FBI and the media on the hot seat.
In an news conference October 28, Jewell's attorneys lashed out at the media for its coverage
in the aftermath of the bombing, and said they will "definitely sue" the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, NBC and its anchorman Tom Brokaw. They are also looking for possible
lawsuits against other media outlets, the person who leaked Jewell's name to the press, and the
FBI.
"Every American ought to be scared about how little it takes for the government to search
you and seize your property," said Jewell's attorney, Wayne Grant, about the FBI's conduct. "I
think it's unbelievable that they can conjure up probable cause in this manner."
Both the FBI and the AJC refused to comment on the probable suits, but in a
prepared statement, the Atlanta daily defended its coverage of the bombing, calling it "accurate
and appropriate."
Legal experts have said Jewell's chances of reaping rewards from such lawsuits are minimal,
noting that it will be hard to prove the news media defamed his character on purpose.
For now, the hero-turned-suspect-turned-victim is once again basking in the media spotlight.
And at least one radio station, Atlanta's 96 Rock, has offered Jewell positions both as a security
guard and as an on-air personality.
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