Local Radio Talk-Show Host Fired For Comments

LOUISVILLE -- Whether you like him or loathe him, you've probably heard of John Ziegler, and now, because of comments he made about a television personality he once dated, he's no longer on local talk-radio.

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John Ziegler was fired Wednesday by WHAS Radio, but Thursday, Ziegler told WLKY NewsChannel 32's Abby Miller that his firing had nothing to do with the remarks he made about former Fox41 morning anchorwoman Darcie Divita.

"Everything came together at one time, and whether it was a comment about a former TV host, or Louis Coleman or the governor, I believe something would've been found to scapegoat me in this situation," Ziegler said Thursday.

Ziegler made comments last week about his private relationship with Divita, called her a liar and shared intimate details, Miller reported. He then went back on the air Tuesday and reported that the matter had been resolved, but was fired shortly before he was scheduled to go on the air Wednesday morning.

Divita's attorney, Thomas Clay, said Ziegler's comments were indeed what got him fired. In fact, he and his client, currently on vacation, are considering legal action, Miller reported.

"To discuss the intimate details of a person who is not related to his job or any way, shape or fashion is totally inappropriate," Clay said.

WHAS Radio released a statement Thursday about Ziegler's firing.

"At 840 WHAS, we take pride in presenting radio that is relevant, newsworthy and interesting to our listeners," Bill Gentry, senior vice president of WHAS' parent company, Clear Channel Radio, said in the statement. "Recent statements made on the John Ziegler Show were inappropriate and inconsistent with the station's standards and our commitment to present quality programming to the community. John Ziegler is no longer on the air."

Please follow WLKY NewsChannel 32 and TheLouisvilleChannel.com for updates to this story as they become available.