Attorneys involved in a defamation lawsuit between two nationally syndicated radio show hosts in Tampa, Florida have spurred a course of events that will end in mediation between the radio personalities. 

In what was known as the “shock jock trial” among locals, Bubba the Love Sponge Clem and Todd “MJ” Schnitt were involved in a heated dispute regarding defamation of character.  While the jury ruled in favor of Clem, Schnitt threatened to appeal the jury’s decision due to inappropriate contact between the legal representatives of the two men. 

The incident to which Schnitt was referring occurred when Schnitt’s attorney, Phil Campbell, was arrested for DUI after a night of drinking at a local restaurant with a legal assistant who was working on the side representing Clem.  The incident raised questions concerning whether or not the arrest was a setup and whether the fact that Campbell’s trial bag was left in the legal assistant’s car led to the results of the trial. 

Since that incident, Schnitt has fired the attorney firm involved and has hired new representation from the firm, Florin Roebig.  The main attorney who will be representing Schnitt from this point forward, Will Florin, said “We want answers.  We have more questions than answers right now.”  Florin will review the events that occurred at the restaurant, including videos and receipts, and consider deposing other guests of the establishment who were there on the night in which the incident occurred. 

The mediation hearing has been set by Judge James Arnold for April 22.  If mediation doesn’t work and the two sides can’t come to a reasonable resolution, the judge has stated that he will make a decision regarding the potential for a new trial.  "We all have other work to do, and I'm inclined to get this case over with," Judge Arnold said.

Jay Diaco, Clem’s attorney, said in a statement to Channel 10 News, "[We] are focused like laser beams on preserving this trial verdict for Mr. Clem.  The jury and the community spoke as loudly as a jury can."