BY The Associated Press
Chiquita Brands International on Thursday offered a 90-day delay in its lawsuit against a fired reporter, but opposed an indefinite postponement.
Michael Gallagher, formerly of The Cincinnati Enquirer, asked a federal judge to stop the company's civil lawsuit until federal and state criminal investigations are finished.
His lawyer argued that answers he gives to a defamation lawsuit could compromise his defense to any criminal charges that might be filed about how he received voice mail on which he based critical stories.
In its response Thursday, Cincinnati-based Chiquita said it would agree to a delay for Mr. Gallagher, but testimony from other witnesses should proceed.
At the end of 90 days, the two sides could discuss the possibility of another delay, the company said.
A message seeking comment from Mr. Gallagher's lawyer, Patrick Hanley, was left at his office on Thursday.
The Enquirer published a front-page apology June 28, saying that it renounced the stories, was paying the company more than $10 million in damages to settle any claims and that it had fired Mr. Gallagher.
Mr. Gallagher said he obtained copies of Chiquita internal voice-mail messages from a person with authority over the messaging system.
The Enquirer said he deceived editors and may have illegally obtained the messages.
