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Hunley lawsuit claims $309 million in damages
Associated Press
Underwater archaeologist E. Lee Spence claims he suffered $309 million in damages because the discovery of the Confederate submarine Hunley was credited to author Clive Cussler.
The figure was discussed during a deposition Spence gave as part of the federal lawsuits arising from the discovery of the Hunley a decade ago.
"I want the jury to award me everything they believe it has cost me," Spence said Wednesday. "I'm trying to be conservative in my figures as to what it cost me. I didn't spend that much money and not that I would have received that much money, but I would have had that benefit."
The figure is "absurd and I think it is ludicrous," said John Lay Jr., the attorney representing Cussler.
Cussler recently was granted a delay in the trial until at least August because he recently underwent open heart surgery .
A group headed by Cussler sued Spence in 2001.
That suit contends Spence's claim that he found the submarine injured the reputation of Cussler's National Underwater & Marine Agency and divers Cussler hired.
Spence later countersued, seeking damages and asking the court to declare him the discoverer of the Hunley.
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Associated Press
Underwater archaeologist E. Lee Spence claims he suffered $309 million in damages because the discovery of the Confederate submarine Hunley was credited to author Clive Cussler.
The figure was discussed during a deposition Spence gave as part of the federal lawsuits arising from the discovery of the Hunley a decade ago.
"I want the jury to award me everything they believe it has cost me," Spence said Wednesday. "I'm trying to be conservative in my figures as to what it cost me. I didn't spend that much money and not that I would have received that much money, but I would have had that benefit."
The figure is "absurd and I think it is ludicrous," said John Lay Jr., the attorney representing Cussler.
Cussler recently was granted a delay in the trial until at least August because he recently underwent open heart surgery .
A group headed by Cussler sued Spence in 2001.
That suit contends Spence's claim that he found the submarine injured the reputation of Cussler's National Underwater & Marine Agency and divers Cussler hired.
Spence later countersued, seeking damages and asking the court to declare him the discoverer of the Hunley.
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