Judge upholds $17.5 million verdict in airport bid case

A judge has denied motions filed by the city of Atlanta and others who sought to overturn a $17.5 million verdict involving a lucrative indoor advertising contract at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Last week, U.S. District Judge Charles Pannell Jr. denied requests by the city, Clear Channel Outdoor Inc. and businesswoman Barbara Fouch to grant a new trial. Last July, a jury awarded $8.5 million in compensatory damages and $9 million in punitive damages to Billy Corey and his company, Corey Airport Services. In a 2004 lawsuit, Corey accused the city of illegally steering the advertising contract to a competitor with deep political connections.