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.
About the Author
Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.
