She's probably making 10-15K a month. So, the Strib is out roughly $30-40K on her so far. (She did actually work for a day and a half before the judge barred her.)

Lawyers: They have spent the last eight weeks feverishly deposing people. I'm only guessing, but say at least four lawyers are billing an average of 25 hours a week on this, at an average rate of $400 an hour. That's 100 hours a week x $400 for eight weeks, which comes to $320,000. That's probably a conservative estimate and doesn't include this week's hearing.

So right now, you're looking at around $350,000 so far spent on Ridder's behalf.

But wait, there's more! At least a half-dozen or more Strib execs have been deposed so far. The paper has lost dozens if not hundreds of hours of productivity from some of its most highly compensated people. In addition, this whole thing has been a tremendous distraction to people in sales, marketing, finance, etc. — more lost productivity on the business side.

Plus, all of Par's executives hate him because a.) they know he wanted to replace them all and b.) he dragged them into this legal mess.

Is young Par really so good at what he does that saving his ass is worth all these costs?

(I wish someone had an interview with Jennifer Parrant – to my knowledge, she hasn't been paid in months, has no trust fund to fall back on, and her career is as over as Ridder's).

How on earth can you say that the potential value Par Ridder brings to your organization outweighs the incredible PR beating he is getting?  Even if you take away anything that involves lawyers, it's still not worth fighting over.

Plus, you have to factor in the new management team and their relationship with employees, which is not exactly healthy at the moment.  What do regular employees think when some of their best and brightest colleagues are let go rather unceremoniously while this trust fund gobshite is defended to the hilt?

The Strib itself is arrogant and stupid here.  Par Ridder is only the tip of a very hard, cold iceberg.  The real damage is always done below the waterline. 

(I wish someone had an interview with Jennifer Parrant – to my knowledge, she hasn't been paid in months, has no trust fund to fall back on, and her career is as over as Ridder's).

A prosecutor might decide the Par Ridder engaged in the theft of intellectual property, or engaged in mail or wire fraud, or whatever, and decide to charge him irrespective of whether he kissed and made up with the PiPress.

Of course, it isn't up to the Pioneer Press. If a criminal complaint is filed, it will be done by the county attorney, or perhaps even the US attorney, although the latter seems unlikely. The PiPress could ask one of these prosecutors to investigate.

Think of the mayhem that would result if a party to a lawsuit could file charges against an opponent, just for the leverage.

Of course, it isn’t up to the Pioneer Press. If a criminal complaint is filed, it will be done by the county attorney, or perhaps even the US attorney, although the latter seems unlikely. The PiPress could ask one of these prosecutors to investigate.

Think of the mayhem that would result if a party to a lawsuit could file charges against an opponent, just for the leverage.

A prosecutor might decide the Par Ridder engaged in the theft of intellectual property, or engaged in mail or wire fraud, or whatever, and decide to charge him irrespective of whether he kissed and made up with the PiPress.