A federal court jury in Los Angeles has awarded noted mystery and crime fiction publisher and bookseller Otto Penzler $2.8 million in damages in a breach-of-contract suit filed against Beverly Hills, Calif., publisher Michael Viner last year.
According to published reports, Viner's New Millennium Enterprises is considering filing an appeal. Nicholas Gravante Jr., Penzler's attorney, called the ruling "a complete vindication."
Penzler had entered into an agreement with Viner to sign up authors for mystery sports anthologies, among them bestselling author David Baldacci, who subsequently objected to the use of his name to promote the series.
The dispute eventually led to Viner suing Penzler for breach of contract and Penzler countersuing. The jury dismissed all of Viner's claims against Penzler.
