'Grazergate' Postscript: Martinez vs. Mullens * (updated)

Back in March 2007, Times Editorial Page Editor Andres Martinez resigned in an ethical flap over what was supposed to be a innovative guest editing program for The Times' Current section. The plan was to have Hollywood producer Brian Grazer serve as guest editor for one issue. Then it was revealed that Grazer had been represented by the publicity firm 42 West and executive Kelly Mullens, who was Martinez's girlfriend at the time. Martinez stepped down after then-publisher David Hiller killed the Grazer issue, though both he and Mullens denied that their relationship influenced the decision to pick Grazer.

This week, there was a curious postscript to what some called "Grazergate." Martinez filed suit against Mullens in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claiming she had promised she would not represent Grazer and that her decision to do so cost him his job and harmed his professional reputation.

Read the suit for yourself here.

The Times' Victoria Kim will have a full story on the suit soon.

-- Shelby Grad

Update: Mullens attorney, Blair Berk, released this statement in response to the lawsuit:

"Andres Martinez has filed a meritless and clearly frivolous lawsuit in a sad attempt to retaliate against Ms. Mullens .... She will not be bullied by Mr Martinez's abuse of the legal system; she intends to vigorously defend the lawsuit and she is confident she will prevail."

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