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Posted on 11/02/2005 3:05:09 PM PST by martin_fierro
Ozark "escort service" mix-up settled out of court
Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - An Ozarks man who provides motorcycle escorts for funeral processions has settled a lawsuit with a Kansas-based phone book company that published his business number under the heading "escort services," leading to late-night calls from people wanting female company rather than a ride.
Larry Perkins, 57, started Ozark Motorcycle Escort about 2 1/2 years ago, basing the business out of his Highlandville home.
But in the current Names and Numbers directories for Springfield and Branson - published in December 2004 - Perkins' business is misidentified as "Ozark Escort" and grouped with companion-for-hire services sometimes considered fronts for prostitution. Most the people who have called Perkins' number since were seeking companions of the carnal sort.
Perkins' Springfield attorney, Joseph Wantuck, sent a letter to Pittsburg, Kan.-based K.W. Brock Directories Inc. - the parent company of Names and Numbers - in May lamenting his client's misfortune and offering to settle the matter for $150,000.
"Mr. Perkins has received a large volume of calls requesting prostitutes," Wantuck wrote. "Not only does this constitute interference with Mr. Perkins' business, but also defamation of his business and personal character."
Perkins' lawsuit was moved to U.S. District Court in early September. Also that month, an attorney for K.W. Brock Directories formally denied any wrongdoing and demanded a jury trial.
Instead, the court assigned a Springfield attorney to mediate the legal dispute. The parties reached a settlement a short time later, but the terms are confidential, Wantuck said.
Greene County Sheriff Jack Merritt, who is acquainted with Perkins, said the fiasco illustrates how many people are turning to escort services for prostitutes.
"With what Larry's been through, it's obvious there's a tremendous demand for that service," Merritt said.
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The poor guy. [snicker]
Callers were unclear on that whole "laid to rest" concept.
Right or wrong number?
$150,000.00 is probably 100 times more then this guy normally makes in a good year! :-)
Grunt Work ~ Bump!
"With what Larry's been through, it's obvious there's a tremendous demand for that service," Merritt said.
Sounds like someone is thinking of the business opportunities.
"I need an escort to a funeral, my name is Anna Nicole"
"Right or wrong number?"
MY name is John Kerry and it might just BE the right number...
"Hello, Ozark Funeral Escorts" ... "[click]"
The private Yellow Pages books I've seen, have a contract that basically says if they hose up your entry, you get your money back but that's it. Unless this could be shown to be a malicious act I don't see how the suit could have gotten this far.
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