WGPA Sued For Defamation During Jim Gregory Show

WGPA Sunny 1100 AM is not so sunny today. Jolly Joe Timmer will not be so jolly.  As promised, Timmer has been sued for his despicable conduct in taking $3,000 from a mentally ill man and allowing him to trash perceived enemies for seven days on the air, until his comments sent him to state prison for 15 months.

Jim Gregory had just been released from jail after violating a Protection From Abuse Act Order. But Timmer took his money and encouraged him. He allowed him on the air, every day, for seven days. Videos of the show remained on the Internet, for the entire world to see, 24/7.

In his very first show, Gregory played several love songs to his ex, and spent his time bashing laws designed to prevent domestic violence. Things went downhill from there. It quickly deteriorated into a hatefest against Gregory's perceived enemies.

He repeatedly defamed me, his ex and her mother. Timmer was warned, but allowed it to continue. What most appalled me was when Gregory invaded the privacy of his ex' mother. He publicly disclosed very private information about her for the express purpose of humiliating her. And succeeded. I called her after one of the shows, and she was a wreck. A private person with no interest in politics, she was not used to this kind of exposure. When she called Timmer to ask that it stop, he humiliated her even more. Observing she has no money, Not-So-Jolly Joe called her a "nothing."

The very next day, Timmer's producer Budd Williams jumped on the pile in a late hit on this poor soul.

The hate continued until Gregory was jailed for a direct violation of the Protection From Abuse Act Order on the air, when he read a note to his ex, begging her to come back to him and making lewd suggestions.

With Gregory in jail, Tricia Mezzacappa took over with her own special brand of hate. .

Just so you know, Gregory did more than defame individuals. He also defended a child rapist and made snide remarks about Jews and the gay community.

Timmer eventually did take the shows off his video stream, but has yet to retract the vicious comments made or apologize for them.

But I'll bet he's kept Gregory's $3,000.

Attorney Rick Orloski, representing me, has kicked things off with a summons in Northampton County Court. I expect other suits from Gregory's ex and her mother. The suit has been filed against Timmer and his broadcasting company.

No Livestream For Gregory's Radio Show

Jim Gregory's radio guest today was Wicked Witch of West Easton Tricia Mezzacappa. She repeated most of the accusations that led to my libel judgment against her. Jim Gregory and WGPA were obviously aware what she would say. Gregory actually encouraged her and participated in defamation in a matter in which a libel judgment has already been entered. Judge Edward Smith has previously ruled that many of the statements attributed to Mezzacappa are libel per se. She repeated nearly all of them on Joe Timmer's radio station over the entire one-hour broadcast.

I was able to hear the broadcast in Nazareth. But for some strange reason, the livestream was not working, so I have no recording. But Timmer does. He records every broadcast.

I intend to ask my attorney to sue both Gregory and Timmer.

Gregory still has no sponsors, but claims to have enough to keep the show going for three more weeks.

Coming Soon, The Jim Gregory Radio Show, Starring Jim Gregory

Former Bethlehem City Council Prez Jim Gregory claims he'll soon have a new gig to replace his former job as a Northampton County caseworker for seniors with mental disabilities. The recently released woman beater says he'll be on the airwaves of Jolly Joe Timmer's WGPA Sunny 1100 AM radio station, at its brand new digs on East Broad Street in Bethlehem.

Will he be crooning, "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone" as he's done at Larry Holmes Easton Lounge? That would be a violation of  the FCC's indecency rules. Last time he sang in Easton, the Circle Fountain and several water pipes exploded, sending several Bloods to a watery death just as their day was getting started. Gregory has since been banned from the City after 8 PM, except when he's in jail.

So what will he do? Following in the footsteps of Northampton County Bulldog Ron Angle, the dumped LV Labor Council VP is gonna' be a shock jock with his very own talk show. He'll have no problems lining up sponsors for the $200 per hour show. Bail bond agencies, Tropicana Casino, Just For Men®, tanning salons, local gun shops and the NRA are all reportedly clamoring for air time.

He can also hit up unlucky local pols seeking election, telling them to pay him or he'll trash them.

Wait a tic ... since he himself is a write-in candidate for Bethlehem Mayor, won't he have to offer equal air time to Democratic nominee Bob Donchez?

Deetails, schmeetails.

So what will he talk about?  He posted numerous hate-filled rants on this and another blog over the weekend, though some of his more offensive and contemptible comments were deleted. Now these comments are all posted anonymously. If taken to task, he'll claim they're from me, his nephew or Mezzacappa.

But his own cRaZy style is unmistakable.

His first show, he claims, will include NorCo Exec candidate John Callahan.

"Bernie ' The Human Garbage' Ohare said my show won't work, lol. The first show will be about politicians sex , lies, and videotapes. Starring Johhny Casino Callahan and Jim "crazy as a Fox Gregory."

There you have it.

He'll also expose Northampton County corruption, especially in the DA's office.

"The bloods in prison call [a female assistant DA] a ball eater for reasons Ill talk about on my [upcoming radio] show . However if she watched my surveillance tape, she'll realize these balls are even too big for her to , we'll, never mind."

How could anyone ever think he deserved a PFA?

Like any good woman beater, Gregory will also pick up the banner and advocate for sexually violent predators like Michael Piper, who was just sentenced to 29-58 years for repeatedly raping a girl for two years, starting when she was only 12.

Piper claimed she set him up.

"Now it's time to Stop being baby's and worry about our friend [convicted child rapist] Piper and others who are crying out. For your help and mine They need us" 

I'll never be on his show because he's gonna' have the Bloods rub me out.

"To push him [he likes to talk about himself in the third person]  constantly might be fun for you, but it's not smart. He read Sulla 's remarks too [my one-liner above] and his friends from the bloods will be out of prison too, soon. Unless you are suicidal You'd best leave that rattlesnake alone. He and mezz. Are obviously parting ways so if you want yo be his main focus, keep it up."

Dude, my gansta' name be Played Out Gorilla. They be callin' you Mary Poppins for some reason.

Willllburrrrrrrrr

But Gregory will host West Easton's Tricia Mezzacappa. Her recent disgusting  LTE supporting  a Ross Township murderer who randomly shot up a municipal building, killing three people, in all likelihood qualifies her as a domestic terrorist. She is demanding that Supervisors resign, and is hinting that what happened in Ross could just as easily happen in tyrannical West Easton.

Mezzacappa tells Gregory, "Speaking of sex, lies and tic tacs, when you have me on as a guest , I will be airing the ugly truth about what really happenned on the evening of 8/26/2011. It will bring in thousands."

She's tried to do that in Court six times now and has fallen on her face every time. A judgment has been entered against her for libel.

Her gangsta' name be Mr. Ed.

Gregory might have to do his show on work release. He's using Mezzacappa's blog to contact his ex again, in violation of the PFA (Protection From Abuse Act Order) entered by Judge Zito.

There's this:

"Congrats [redacted]. You've only embarrassed. Yourself. Why? Why? Was the money you or you sick and twisted mother got from Bernie or Callahan worth smearing your own reputation. Hope so."

He be one cuckoo Mensa.

Word.

Updated 10 AM: Joe Zareczky, aka Joe Z, is Jolly Joe Timmer's financial genius at WGPA Sunny 1100 AM. He tells me there is a blank contract in his office for Gregory, and that all political shows would have to be paid up front. To his knowledge, that has not occurred.

Arlen Specter & Sunflower Seeds

Larry Kisslinger, veteran warhorse of numerous political battles on both sides of the aisle, must have one hell of a scrapbook. A very youthful Arlen Specter came to Bethlehem in 1985 to promote the Republican ticket, headed then by Larry's mayoral campaign. It also included council hopefuls like polka king Jolly Joe Timmer, who was then a youthful 187 years old and only a polka prince. Larry sent me the great pic you see here.

Arlen tried, but failed, to win the day. Only council hopeful Otto Ehrsam survived the Democratic buzz saw. Ron Angle insists he was Timmer's political consultant that year.

Timmer's campaign imploded when he was caught handing out forty year old sunflower seed packages and expired movie passes while going door to door. "Those seeds are good for at least ten more years," he growled as one voter was rushed to the hospital to have his stomach pumped. These days, Timmer still throws those seeds to the kids during Halloween parades.

On the bright side, this is when Timmer also shared the secret of long life with Specter. The Senator now takes one of these sunflower seeds every morning for medicinal purposes. "It's like aspirin," he claims. True, it made his hair fall out once, but he and Timmer both expect to live several thousand more years.

Ho Ho Ho, My Name Is Jolly Joe

Hoe! Hoe! Hoe!

My name is Jolly Joe.

Hoe! Hoe! Hoe!

I make the dollies glow.

The Express Times reports that Ron Angle has sued Jolly Joe Timmer, his 974 year-old former boss at WGPA Sunny 1100 AM radio. He claims the real reason the polka king dumped him is because Angle had threatened to narc him over his antics with female employees.

Now I know why he's so damn Jolly. But let's face it - what woman isn't turned on by by polka music? I know I am. He can't help being so damn sexy. Maybe it's that vest. If I were Timmer, I'd admit it all and start doing hip hop. His record sales would go through the roof.

(Not so) Jolly Joe Timmer for Bill White's Hall of Fame

The other day, a blogger thought he put me in my place when he argued that, unlike him, I've been threatened with libel. Actually, I consider that a compliment. I must be twisted. In the past year, it's happened four times. The four horsemen of my apocalypse include NorCo councilman Lamont McClure, Silkwerks aristocrat Patrick Gray, Taggart Associates and Jolly Joe Timmer. With the exception of (not so) Jolly Joe, it's a pretty distinguished bunch. And I want to thank them because they've really created a lot of interest in this blog and the rest of the local blogosphere.

Of the four, the most vocal critic by far has been (not so) Jolly Joe, owner of WGPA Sunny 1100 AM. You see, I'm pals with Norco Councilman Ron Angle, who humbly refers to himself as the Emperor. He and Timmer fought like cats and dogs when Angle did a talk show at Timmer's station. I tried to stay out of it. I figured this was just two rich guys arguing over dimes and nickels. They do that, you know. That's why they're rich. But what I've seen in the last few months has convinced me that (not so) Jolly Joe possesses all the qualifications for membership in Bill White's esteemed Hall of Fame.

Mind you, I never had a problem with Timmer until a few months ago. I actually liked him. He once gave my grandson some candy and two tickets to the Reading Phillies. I thought we were buds.

But all that changed one day a few months ago. I did Ron's radio show one day so he could stock up on some fish oil. When the show was over, I climbed over boxes of toilet paper, spam, old watches and cat food that the polka king clutters in his throne room. That studio is like a dollar store, but everything is all over the place instead of in aisles. The boxes and junk start along the stairs to the studio. Sometimes I bring a machete.

I would always say hi to the bossman whenever I did Angle's show, and this was no exception. When I finally reached the summit of debris atop a Kotex box, I spotted (not so) Jolly Joe and started waving. He erupted, like Vesuvius, with an obscenity-laced tirade against Angle, his sponsors, his fans and me. We're no good. And he bragged he checks the caller ID at the studio to see who calls Angle. "I'll get him, just you wait and see."

Alrighty then. Cuckoo!

If you've ever listened to Timmer's show, and you probably haven't, you know this is no exaggeration. You've heard him, on the air, identify Angle callers by name and trash them. Then he'll read a few anonymous emails that stroke his massive ego. From there, he rants about Angle sponsors who fall behind on their bills. Because he never names them, the listener is left to wonder whether all of Angle's sponsors are deadbeats. I'm no businessman, but this is no way to draw radio advertisers. And at least once every two days, he moans our state legislature has to do something soon about making the polka, or at least the chicken dance, Pennsylvania's official romp. Property tax reform can wait.

When Ron finally bade farewell to WGPA 1100 AM's listening audience, he tried to go out with class, believe it or not. But class went out the window a few hours later when (not so) Jolly Joe Timmer danced a polka over Ron Angle's grave for two hours. It continued again the next day. I finally turned the dial, but River reports Timmer also had some fun with my pic (who doesn't?) and is considering a libel suit again over a recent blog. Actually, my blog is harmless compared to a Bill White column, which uses the following phrases to describe Timmer and his polka show: "[Timmer was] cackling maniacally ... milestone in weird broadcasting ... [s]urreal as it was the music started getting to me ... ." Hey, (not so) Jolly Joe, sue White! I'm pretty sure his statement about disliking polka music is libel per se.

You'd think Timmer, suspenders and all, would be doing cartwheels these days. He just got rid of his nemesis, the evil Ron Angle, and managed to luck into the popular Ken Matthews, at least for a week, for free. Life is good! Tuesday, I was working from home, so I gave Matthews a listen. I liked his self-deprecating humor. No controversy. His edgy topic of the day? "What's a real man?"

That all changed when (not so) Jolly Joe started his own show a few hours later. His topic - "What the hell are blogs?" He claims there's no definition in his hundred year old dictionary, so I guess we don't exist. But then he fessed up that he's actually read both Bill White and me. That's because we've both blogged about (not so) Jolly Joe's favorite topic - him.

In fact, he read Bill's recent post about Ken Matthews nearly verbatim. What he does is read a few sentences, and then adds a remark like "Oh, really?" or "We'll see about that." He never really refutes anything, but guttersnipes whoever criticizes him, and adds a few "heh, heh hehs" and "ho ho hos". And he always promises changes are coming real soon. He even did it Tuesday. I no longer know whether he's talking about the station or some government coup. Maybe that's why he wears a crown.

After listening to him snark bloggers for about a half hour, I called in and read a definition on the air. That shut him up for the day, but he'll be back at it again tomorrow, whining about White and Carpenter for days.

Oh, did I mention Paul Carpenter? He's that other Morning Call columnist, and wrote about Timmer, too. Now Carpenter despises Angle nearly as much as Jolly Joe Long, and was kind to the King of Polka. He even likes polkas. But (not so) Jolly Joe is upset with Carpenter, too. Go figure.

Timmer reminds me of Mr. Krabs from SpongeBob Squarepants. He'd dive down a toilet if a dime fell in the bowl. He hawks shirts and watches from his station. His employees make minimum wage. His radio web page offers to make you a "radio star" with a 55 minute program for just $150. His latest Arbitron ratings? In the basement. And now his main draw is gone. He drummed Angle out, and is still complaining about the situation weeks after he kicked him off the air.

Does this make any sense at all?

It does if you're Bill White Hall of Fame material. Completely illogical reactions. Monumental ego. Trashing listeners and sponsors on the air. He's a cinch.

Update: I've just been informed that I've been nominated to White's illustious Hall of Fame myself. I want to thank Corp-guy, who offers these reasons: "Bernie O'Hare, who uses his blog to target people he hates and through logic only a dis-barred attorney could use try to destroy them. I know you think he is an asset but he is a bitter little man who picks and chooses the so called evil he goes after. Innocent people have been hurt by his cruelty." He's on to me. I graduated from dis-barred attorney logic school.

Ron Angle's Last Radio Show Airs Today

For three years, the Lehigh Valley has had a pretty popular talk radio program on WGPA Sunny 1100 AM. The show broadcasts Monday through Thursday between 8 and 9 AM, and is hosted by the always controversial Ron Angle. Yep, he's the County Councilman. Ron's loud, obnoxious, insensitive, and uses horrible grammar. He's also funny, intelligent, and much more moderate than he pretends. Some call him a populist: others a demagogue. Take your pick. Personally, I like the guy. I can't help it.

Angle's show was one that always got better. As a councilman, he used inside connections to break stories. He attracted loads of local pols from both sides of the aisle, from Charlie Dent to John Stoffa. The Morning Call's Bill White occasionally dropped by, usually after kicking Ron around in one of his columns. His callers have included Lisa Boscola, Snarlin' Arlen, Joe Long and this strange dude from Harrisburg named Bernie Kieklak. But you didn't have to be a somebody to call in. Anyone with a beef could express it. I listened as state reps Rich Grucela and Joe Brennan talked with taxpayers about state house reform, and Northampton County employees had an opportunity to vent their frustrations with county exec Stoffa.

It's been an informative show, and Angle occasionally surrendered the reigns to me as guest host. I usually brought in state reps like Rich Grucela and Joe Brennan because they're both so personable and humorous that all I had to do was answer the phone. I did get in big trouble once - when my guest was Ramona Africa. Alright, twice. I managed to rig a George Bush speech to make him sound even goofier than he does on his own, hard as that may be to believe. A lot of listeners took it seriously, and were outraged to learn I was spoofing them. Alright, I was in trouble pretty much every time I did his show. Who am I kidding?

Was it a great show? No. Goofy sound effects and dreary music prevented that from happening, and Angle can be unfair to callers. But it was local, informative, and the best political talk you'd hear in the Lehigh Valley.

Angle was at his best when he'd bring on an underfunded candidate trying to get a message out to voters, whether it was Russ Shade on the left or Bonnie Dodge on the right. And Angle condemned and called very public attention to a few of the many smear campaigns orchestrated by campaign consultant Tom Severson at Precision Marketing.

Today, that show comes to an end.

Polka King Jolly Joe Timmer and Angle have been feuding for nearly two years. Angle's salary was first cut, then eliminated. His air time was reduced from two hours to one. Engineer Mark Thomas, under Timmer's instructions, has also been running a repeater every time Angle strays into dangerous territory. If you know Ron, you know the station burned out a few. They made Ron sound like a gerbil. Even Angle's sponsors were subjected to that treatment.

Thomas lied about censoring Angle for weeks, even to me, but finally fessed up yesterday.

Today, when the show ends, we all lose. No other forum offered such easy access to local leaders. I know a lot of you hate the guy. He inspires that type of reaction. And he'll be the first to admit his own shortcomings. But in the end, he always stood up for the little guy. That makes him a small d democrat in my book, and that means more to me than party affiliation.

Did Angle Just do his Last Radio Talk Show on WGPA 1100 AM?

Northampton County Councilman and radio shock jock Ron Angle called me after his show on WGPA 1100 AM today. He sounded a little despondent, and told me station owner Jolly Joe Timmer gave him his ten day notice today. Since Angle is taking time off for the holidays, this could mean his last show was today.

"Ho! Ho! Ho! His name is Jolly Joe.

Ho! Ho! Ho! It's off the show you go."

It might surprise you to know this, but I don't think Angle likes anything more than hosting a radio talk show, even on a small AM radio station with a Cinderella license. If he had a choice between a position on council or talk radio, he'd choose talk radio. If he had a choice between his millions and talk radio, he'd pick talk radio.

And Angle's show made Timmer around eighty thousand dollars last year. But Timmer and Angle have been tangling for months, and Ron loves to instigate. And Jolly Joe just ain't all that jolly. He's still grousing at Bill White, and on the air, after a fairly innocuous column that gave his station some free advertising.

The irony of all this is that Democrats may have the last word on Angle's show. I'm guest-hosting the next few days. Next Thursday's show will tentative include state representatives Joe Brennan and Rich Grucela, and they're both Democrats.