Nexstar Broadcasting reaches agreement with former COO Lammers

Nexstar Broadcasting has reached a settlement with former chief operating officer Duane Lammers, ending a lawsuit filed earlier this year.

According to documents filed Sept. 29 in U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, the case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be filed again. Each party will pay for its own costs and attorneys' fees.

Nexstar Broadcasting sued Lammers for violating a non-compete agreement and sharing trade secrets with his new employer, Silver Point, which owns Granite Broadcasting and Communications Corporation of America, Nexstar competitors.

The lawsuit, filed in May, says Lammers is privy to all of Nexstar Broadcasting's information about potential acquisition of television stations, as well as the details and methods used in the successful negotiation of retransmission deals with various cable and satellite companies. Lammers countersued Nexstar Broadcasting.

The lawsuit says Lammers sent Nexstar CEO Perry Sook a letter on April 25 saying he was resigning his position as chief operating officer effective May 27. After that, he immediately entered into employment with Silver Point.

On June 27, the court ordered Lammers not to consult on any matters involving five areas in which Nexstar and his new employer are competing.