BY KYM LIEBLER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Larry Flynt
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Larry and Jimmy Flynt sued Hamilton County Prosector Joseph T. Deters Friday, accusing him of sullying their reputations in an effort to sway potential Cincinnati jurors.
"Joe Deters wants to engage in as much negative PR as he can to taint the jury pool," Larry Flynt said. "What I want of the city of Cincinnati is a fair trial. It's all I've ever wanted."
The civil lawsuit, filed in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, seeks unspecified damages. The Flynts say Mr. Deters insinuated during a June 26 press conference that they schemed to bribe a teen-ager to change his story or not testify in the brothers' criminal trial.
Joe Deters
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Mr. Deters called the lawsuit "garbage" and said, "If he thinks he's going to intimidate me, he's wrong."
The Flynts face 15 obscenity and corruption counts, including disseminating material harmful to a juvenile, from alleged activity at their Hustler store downtown. Larry Flynt, whose publications include Hustler magazine, opened the store in October. Jimmy Flynt manages the store.
The civil case concerns remarks by Mr. Deters in announcing the arrest of Howard Beatty on charges that he tried to bribe the prosecution's star witness, a 14-year-old who allegedly bought pornography from the Hustler store. During that news conference, Mr. Deters said, "There is evidence to indicate that they (the Flynts) have attempted to pay off a witness."
"No witness was bribed," Larry Flynt said. "He knows that. I don't even know the guy."
Jimmy Flynt
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Police said Mr. Beatty told the boy's guardian it was worth $50,000 to Jimmy Flynt if the boy changed his story or refused to testify.
"I'm told Howard Beatty came into the (Hustler) store and Jimmy may have seen him, but at no time was Beatty asked by Jimmy Flynt or anybody else to bribe the teen-ager," said Alan Isaacman, a Los Angeles attorney for the Flynts.
An investigation continues into whether Larry or Jimmy Flynt played a role in the alleged bribery. Only Mr. Beatty has been charged.
Since the brothers were indicted April 7, both sides have accused the other of muddying the First Amendment case with extraneous issues.
In the lawsuit, the Flynts say Mr. Deters linked them to the bribery "to turn the focus of public interest and opinion away from the compelling First Amendment issues."
Mr. Deters said the Flynts are diverting from the First Amendment case by filing Friday's lawsuit.
"The Flynts came to Cincinnati under cover of wanting a showdown on the First Amendment," Mr. Deters said. "(It) sounds like they don't want one."
