Darin Gray
This isn’t your usual Whispers item, because the news has been out for a while on ArkansasBusiness.com, but CJRW Chairman and CEO Darin Gray has responded to comments from Gary Heathcott and anonymous advertising industry executives quoted in last week’s Outtakes column (Heathcott v. CJRW: Will Extra Time Bring Deal?).
Heathcott is suing CJRW, the large Little Rock marketing firm, in a $1.3 million breach-of contract case over his dismissal as a consultant to the firm. Heathcott had been the subject of complaints alleging many episodes of sexist remarks, bad language and unprofessional conduct.
In a statement Tuesday, Gray broke the firm’s silence on the case. As the column noted, the firm had previously declined to comment on the case. In an email to Arkansas Business, Vice President for Public Relations Mark Raines wrote: “This represents the extent of our comments on this matter. We do not provide response to potential or pending litigation.”
Gray’s statement said the column contained “numerous inaccuracies from Mr. Heathcott and unnamed sources.” Lawsuits are resolved in court by evidence and witness testimony, he said, “not tried in the media” on the basis of quotations from “unidentified competitors” and the person bringing the suit.
“For that reason, CJRW has previously declined to comment on the lawsuit,” Gray wrote. “But CJRW’s position on Heathcott’s complaint is:
• “CJRW intends to vigorously defend the lawsuit, believes it is without merit, and looks forward to presenting its defenses in court as soon as possible.
• “CJRW was not surprised by the lawsuit filing. Through his attorney, Heathcott previously sent a draft of the complaint in July of 2018.
• “CJRW investigated the allegations and evaluated Heathcott’s claims with its attorneys, determined they had no legal or factual merit, and on August 10, 2018 rejected any settlement consideration.
• “The lawsuit raises the same claims that CJRW previously evaluated and rejected.
• “Mr. Heathcott delayed over one year after his contract was terminated before filing suit.”
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