Turner To Pay $2M For Boston Bomb Scare

Agreement With Several Agencies Resolves Any Potential Civil Or Criminal Claims

(CBS/AP)  Attorney General Martha Coakley said Monday that Turner Broadcasting Systems and Interference Inc. have agreed to pay $2 million for a Cartoon Network advertising campaign that caused a widespread bomb scare.

The agreement with several state and local agencies resolves any potential civil or criminal claims against the companies, Coakley said.

More than three dozen blinking electronic signs with a boxy cartoon character giving an obscene hand gesture were found Wednesday in Boston, Cambridge and Somerville. The signs, part of a publicity campaign for Cartoon Network's "Aqua Teen Hunger Force," also appeared in nine other big U.S. cities in recent weeks, with little interest.

But in Boston, bomb squads responded to reports of the devices in a subway station, on bridges and elsewhere.

As part of the settlement, $1 million will be used to reimburse the agencies and $1 million will be used to fund homeland security and other programs.

Mayor Thomas Menino said more than $484,590 of the total will go to the city of Boston, reported CBS Station WBZ-TV. Somerville will get $69,113 and Cambridge will be reimbursed $24,794. $691,126 will go to the State Police and $630,396 to the MBTA. The Coast Guard will be paid $46,136, reported WBZ.

Menino estimated last week that the costs in Boston alone would be more than $500,000. Costs incurred by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, state police and the cities of Cambridge and Somerville could amount to another $500,000, officials said.

"Last week's events caused a major disruption in the greater Boston area on many levels — crippling public transportation, causing serious traffic problems, negatively affecting local businesses and perhaps most significantly, costing Boston and surrounding communities thousands of dollars," Coakley said.

Turner released a statement again taking responsibility for the "unconventional marketing tactic" and apologizing for hardships caused to Boston area residents.

"We understand now that in today's post-Sept. 11 environment, it was reasonable and appropriate for citizens and law enforcement officials to take any perceived threat posed by our light boards very seriously and to respond as they did," the statement said.

The company said it was reviewing its policies concerning local marketing efforts and strategies to ensure that they are not disruptive or perceived as threatening.

Authorities say two men were paid to hang the signs around the city. Peter Berdovsky, 27, and Sean Stevens, 28, have pleaded not guilty to placing a hoax device and disorderly conduct.

Coakley said prosecutors were in discussions with the men's attorneys to resolve the charges before a trial.

Last Friday, Turner Broadcasting System apologized to Boston-area residents for the security scare.

Phil Kent, Turner's chairman and CEO, made the apology in full-page ads in Boston newspapers for "the confusion and inconvenience" caused as highways, bridges and river traffic were shut down in several areas while police checked out the signs, some of which had protruding wires.

"We never intended this outcome and certainly did not set out to perpetrate a hoax. What we did is inadvertently cause a great American city to deal with the unintended impact of this marketing campaign. For this, we are deeply sorry," Kent said.

[Syndicate]

These signs turn up on Ebay yet? I want one.

[connapa]

All it would have taken is for a rep from Turner/Cartoon Network to notify the local authorities as to what they were doing, send along a picture, and tell where each ad was to be placed, and all this could have been avioded.
In the end, though, they probably got more free advertising by the incident. For them it was a win-win scenario.

[talkingham]

All it really would have taken is for the idiots at Homeland Insecurity to guess that terrorists would probably not place lighted signs to indicate where they had planted explosives.

Futhermore where were the idiots at Homeland Insecurity when the 38 signs were being placed -- many of which were videoed during the process of hanging the signs.

Idiots, idiots, idiots, idiots, idiots and more idiots wasting billions on Homeland Insecurity.

[jacemelridge]

If any first responder cannot tell the difference between that thing and a bomb I am very worried about our future.

[jacemelridge]

I want to clarify my first comment. This thing was not sealed up in box you couldn't see. All the components were exposed. Doesn't homeland security / bomb squad own a good set of binoculars and see the this was just led's and batteries and the small components needes to run this thing.

[tuckerndfw]

$50 million (at least) in publicity for $2 million?

Sounds like a real bargain.

His ad agency should be given a bonus for their outstanding work.

And, Boston's "terrorist fighters" should all be fired and the agency retired. If they can't tell the difference between a sign and a bomb, they are a waste of money.

[smb221]

These signs turn up on Ebay yet? I want one.
Posted by cbscrash07 at 12:03 PM : Feb 05, 2007

Yep. People have been buying them for about $700.

[ajaxrose1]

Sounds like Turner is going to have the last laugh. What a bunch of dorks! You can't buy that kind of publicity and for $2M that's a steal! I do find it hard to believe, however, that there was $2M worth of aggravation caused by the stunt. I think Turner is being made to pay because everyone involved in the "scare" was made a complete and total fool of. Again, DORKS!

[smlechten-2009]

I'm also concerned that if this item was even remotely considered to resemble a threat that it took a week to respond. Aparently no one noticed or was concerned for quite some time. I'm guessing that Boston's public services needed some additional funding and decided over-reacting to Turner's light-brite campaign seemed like a good way to get it. Of course Turner, with super-deep pockets, would pay - it's cheaper to settle than fight, and everyone is right it is excellent publicity. I will not be moving to Boston anytime soon, for the cost of living in that area, I'd have to at least be able to pretend that I'm safe. If that's all it takes to fool them in Bean Town, I couldn't do even pretend.

[inventagod]

Another million to fund the already bloated 'Homeland Suckurity' mega-bureaucracy?

And just where does this 'Homeland' BS come from? Isn't the USA a 'melting-pot'?

[thespyshop-2009]

Hoax device? Disorderly conduct? We're all in trouble; my LED sign hanging in my business might attract homeland security. I suppose we'll all have to place stickers on our signs attesting to the fact that it's not a bomb. Only in America!

[tuckerndfw]

Al qaida decided to create a new department to build various devices and plant them in US cities.

If "terrorist fighters" (aka "Department of Homeland (in)Security) are so ignorant and/or incompetent they don't know the difference between a light bulb and a bomb, there is no reason to waste money building bombs.

US cities can be brought to their knees with batteries & light bulbs.

Which isn't surprising since the US was defeated by 19 guys with boxcutters and commercial airplanes.

Their cost: $100,000 (including motels, travel, food, drink, etc.)

US cost: $1,000,000,000,000 (so far & counting)

At that rate, the US will go bankrupt and disappear as a nation within 20 years.

The "war on terror" is a waste of time & money and having police agencies GROSSLY overreact serves no one other than those who profit from that overreaction.

[tvgenius]

Turner establishes a ridiculous precedent by giving in to this ***. Menino is a loon.

[thgdriver]

If Boston is a measure of intelligence of the people of Massachusetts, Now I know why Ted Kennedy and John Kerry keep their jobs in the Senate.

The other nine city's must be kicking themselves in the As$ for not over reacting to the harmless signs and getting some "we are morons" free money.

[nothappyatall]

Well said thespyshop!


"As part of the settlement, $1 million will be used to reimburse the agencies and $1 million will be used to fund homeland security and other programs."

Reimburse agencies for WHAT? are those people not ALREADY being paid a salary every week or did they have to call in totally NEW people and give them their FIRST paychecks to deal with this issue?

The first instance is already a pre-paid cost whether the employees are used for actual work in the field or sit on their arse at the office playing cards, the cops unless specially called in for specific unscheduled overtime work on their day off are ALREADY being paid that week regardless of whether they arrest 500 criminals or just walk around and issue one parking ticket all week.
There is no increased cost for people doing the job they are already being paid to DO.

This is corporate extorsion, nothing less.

[thgdriver]

Ted Turner should not have given them a dime, in fact, if there was a "Stupid tax" in place, Boston would have had to pay off our national debt.

I am sure two million is not spit in the street to this guy, he'll turn it into a tax write off, It's just the idea of a BLACKMAIL PAYOFF to a city for their own idiocy.

Two bomb sniffing dogs could have put this to bed in an hour or so.

[thgdriver]

Turner sets fault by paying, he is admitting fault by doing so, he should fire whoever gave him that advice. Now folks that were late for work or inconvenienced at all will be asking him for some free bucks.

[bildooreilly]

You're a lot more likely to get stabbed to death by an illegal than killed by one of these imaginary terrorists. The government never talks about that though!

[bildooreilly]

Meanwhile they're still going to crucify the two poor bas tards who took a lame job hanging some signs.

[luvny-2009]

yeah mixed emotions on this one...especially the 1 mil for homeland security...um yeah who's pocket is that going into.....and 1 mil for reimb...yeah right! They had Turner by the you know whats so they took him for all they could get.

[dualdragons]

I lack the background of this article, but have seen some comments in general that I'll address from a public safety point of view.

Having one suspicious device at an intersection. Proper support would be 2 engine companies, one medical, one hazmat support team, 2 PD units each roadway. Comes up to 8 cops, 2 paramedics, 8 firefithers & around 8 hazmat personnel. This is a LEAN number. Note that most of these folk already have a job of saving lives, they must be replaced immediately. IE Overtime for off duty shift to handle real calls.
Add fuel costs (these vehicles are running), bio suits @ 700.00 each, one time use only. It adds up quick.
How real does a bomb have to look? We evacuate our schools based only on a phone call, should they wait till they verify it's real? Same rules apply to any calls, any location, no matter how benign.

[randalds]

Sounds like Turner is going to have the last laugh. What a bunch of dorks! You can't buy that kind of publicity and for $2M that's a steal! I do find it hard to believe, however, that there was $2M worth of aggravation caused by the stunt. I think Turner is being made to pay because everyone involved in the "scare" was made a complete and total fool of. Again, DORKS!
Posted by ajaxrose1 at 01:03 PM : Feb 05, 2007

Right on! $2 million? Pocket change to Ted and he made out like a bandit on the free publicity. the people of Boston should recall or fire whatever morons they have in charge of their "homeland security" for this joke!

[creeper00]

I believe if you check, you will find that Ted Turner is no longer the head of Turner Broadcasting.

[bigwhtpony]

That's just lunch money to these folks....

[thgdriver]

Websters Dictionary---Hoax---something intended to deceive and "defraud".

The charge of placing a "hoax" device does not fit.

At most, a charge of posting advertisement in a area zoned no advertising is the strongest charge I see.

I am sure that is a fine of some kind.

[thgdriver]

dualdragons --- FYI only---

The devices were placed in nine other large cities, they did dot run around yelling "the sky is falling".

Boston should have to pay a Stupid tax!!

Besides, as a few others posted, the cops, emergency people, first responders, are being paid a salary anyway.

[thgdriver]

I am sure some extra money was paid out, because of stupidity.

[canaima]

Somwhere in those fines should be some extra cash to pay for a hair stylist for Berdovsky.

[random_radar]

More government extortion.

[talkingham]

The only person who should be indicted for a terror hoax is the liar who got us into Iraqi by lying directly to the American people and distorting intelligence to fit his lies.

Turner is a self-made millionaire who was smart enough to see the future of news was satellite broadcasting and accordingly sunk in own money into it and made a fortune. If aardbear had his way we'd still be in Vietnam.

Turner wasn't born with his daddy's political silver spoon stuck up his u-no-what.

Impeach the liar!!!!!!!!!!!

[odesey7-2009]

This is another case of public stupity fueled by government propaganda. We need to kick all the profesional politicians out and let the people take our country back.

[zachhauri]

No, this is wrong. If a prankster reports a fire, the fire department's not gonna hose down the building room after room, tearing up the walls and ceilings and taking out adjacent buildings to put out the non-existent fire.
The police used their own, incorrect judgment in handling the situation, and they should be the ones held accountable.
I think the following quotes speak for themselves:
"To us, they're so obviously not suspicious ... We don't consider them dangerous." -- King County Sheriff's spokesman John Urquhart (Seattle, WA)
"no one perceived them as a threat." -- LAPD Lieutenant Paul Vernon (Los Angeles, CA)
"At this point we wouldn't even begin an investigation, because there's no reason to believe a crime has occurred." -- Portland PD Sergeant Brian Schmautz (Portland, OR)

[seanv137]

$2 million is cheap advertising.

My hat goes off to the Turner Broadcasting marketing department.

[agnim]

"I like Ted...I wish he wouldn't bow down like this.

Posted by jh6379 at 03:52 PM : Feb 05, 2007"

Obviously Ted is LOT SMARTER THAN YOU; and he wants to be seen as an UPSTANDING CITIZEN!

Because he publicly stated why he was wrong
offered a public apology
and was proactive in making restitution
Ted Turner has shown himself to be a model citizen and wisely forestalled litigation.

CASE IS CLOSED!

[agnim]

"All it really would have taken is for the idiots at Homeland Insecurity to guess that terrorists would probably not place lighted signs to indicate where they had planted explosives.

Posted by talkingham at 12:13 PM : Feb 05, 2007"

The catch phrase in your childish objection is "WOULD PROBABLY NOT PLACE ..."

Because you are such a simpleton, you can't realize that YOU YOURSELF CANNOT BE SURE 'THAT TERRORIST WILL NOT PLACE LIGHTED SIGNS WITH EXPLOSIVES'!

And when RESPONSIBLE authorities can't be sure, they have an OBLIGATION to ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION FOR THE WELL BEING OF MILLIONS!

[smb221]

Agnim, shut the hell up already.

[mikeljon-2009]

There's no winner here. Who could have predicted the absurd over-reaction of the Boston Police. And who could have predicted the pandering apology and payoff made by Turner Broadcasting that lent credence to the Law Enforcement patent stupidity.
Have we ALL lost our nerve?
Since the pundits are so in love with the phrase "in this post-9/11 world..." Maybe we should ask: What else do we have to give up to appease our over-zealous militant "protectors?"
Could we consider a return to sanity?

[yo_marc]

In a bit of defence here...

Weren't there two pipe-bomb-looking objects -actual suspicious devices- (along with something about a suspicious acting person near a medical facility) reported within a short timespan of these signs? Can you blame the police officials for taking some precaution here and treating the signs more carefully than if just simply if someone called in on the signs alone? Like someone else said, how do we know what bombs look like?

If I recall correctly, the bomb-squad guys DID realize within an hour that the signs were harmless.

I still see a lot of misconceptions as to what happened out there. I think a major part of the uproar came from the media trying to spice up the story with scary/eye-catching words, combined with some city officials making some comments without possibly cooling off or thinking things through all the way. I thought it was pretty early in the afternoon that everyone realized the things were harmless... yet we kept hearing about bombs and hoax devices and what not.

It seems people can be quick to pass on something exciting news like this... but not to quick to pass on the news that it's not as exciting as it originally seemed.

[dssans62]

Hey folks.... what concerns me is that these ads have been placed in other cities throughout the USA and no other Agency has said anything about it....I give kudoos to the Boston officials to being on the ball and looking out for its citizens...maybe all those people out there in the other cities should take notice. Ant yes... to reuse the phase "Nothing is the same after 9/11"..... and nothing will ever be the same...

[susanhelit]

If nothing is the same after 9/11, if placing a bunch of litebrites around a city can shut it down and panic people - the terrorists did win. Me, I'm not surrendering to them that easily.

We are a free people, and we should remain that way.

[susanhelit]

Why are the cops in Boston so much dumber than those in Seattle and everywhere else?

And why do they think the terrorists will be even dumber than they are, to put lights and attract attention to their bombs?

[grackel]

god boston QQ more pls.

[grackel]

just to clarify on the irony:

1) boston brought boston to its knees. when they found the first one and was identified as "not a bomb", why bring everything to a halt?

2) no one saw these guys hanging devices across town and question/report it at that time?

3) why are the 2 guys that hung the signs being charged? i would believe it would be up to the marketing department to know they cant hang fake bomb lite brite signs in a town scared to death of lite brites.

/wrist. more emo pls.