After three hours of deliberation, a Tampa jury has found Bubba the Love Sponge not guilty of defaming radio personality Todd Schnitt, according to tampabay.com. (Photo Credit: BRN/Bubba Radio Network)Schnitt sued the Love Sponge after he called Schnitt's wife a "whore" on the air and accused Schnitt of taking "plugola." Plugola is where a deejay or host takes products or services in exchange for on-air plugs about the business or service he received the stuff from - without disclosure and outside normal station business. Schnitt denied doing that.
After the verdict, Schnitt and his wife left the courtroom and his lawyer said they were "disappointed."
The case came down to a few issues which the jury had to consider: was Bubba the Love Sponge simply exercising his free speech (even if it was distateful), was Schnitt truly harmed by the on-air comments, and was the Love Sponge's radio show a credible enough source of facts for anyone listening to really take his comments seriously. Considering the "not guilty" verdict, it would appear the answer to these questions was "no" in the eyes of the jury.
Tampabay.com has several videos of courtroom moments available to view online.
Previously: Bubba the Love Sponge Reaps Publicity from Hulk Hogan Sex Tape
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