By Jeanne Willard

Staff writer

VOLUSIA COUNTY - The owner of a local radio station and host of a discount travel radio show filed a lawsuit against the Hometown News in response to an article published in July.

In a three-count complaint filed Dec. 12, Doug Wilhite and Wings Communication, Inc., charges libel, injurious falsehood and negligence on the part of Hometown News stemming from a July 4 story regarding the WELE Premier Travel Show, which airs locally on WELE 1380 AM.

Hometown News publisher Steve Erlanger said the case has no merit.

"Hometown News stands by our story," Mr. Erlanger said. "All we did was publish the facts as told to us from Mr. Wilhite's customers, both good and bad."

The travel show sold discount travel and vacation certificates that were purchased by customers in advance, to be redeemed for travel at a later date.

According to the story, customers have filed complaints with Seniors vs. Crime, the Better Business Bureau and the Office of the Attorney General.

Seeking unspecified damages, the complaint claims Mr. Wilhite experienced injury to his business reputation resulting in a decrease in income and an increase in customer refund requests following the article's publication.

"These are tough times and a lot of our local businesses have found it hard to compete," Mr. Erlanger said. "But for him to cast blame towards us is ridiculous. He is grasping for straws."

A criminal investigation by the Ormond Beach Police undertaken after receiving complaints about the travel show, was completed last month and found that while there were "still unsatisfied customers with unresolved grievances," those complaints are considered civil matters and no criminal charges were warranted.

Once served, Hometown News officials have 20 days to respond to the complaint.

"His case has no merit and we are sure that will be recognized very soon," Mr. Erlanger said.

Calls to the WELE radio station went unanswered and Mr. Wilhite did not return e-mail requests for comment.

His attorney, Orange City-based Hector M. De Jesus, did not return a call.