Dallas Observer Under Fire

The plot surrounding the Dallas Observer's recent ION Storm feature has thickened considerably in the past 72 hours. The story's writer, Christine Biederman, was served on January 17 with a subpoena from ION Storm attorneys requesting all e-mails she received and sent in the course of reporting and researching the article.

The Dallas Observer article was supported with a number of internal ION Storm e-mails from a variety of individuals. The story itself referred to numerous problems the Dallas game developer has faced, including recent staff departures and Daikatana development delays.

Biederman and her paper are refusing to release the e-mails to ION attorneys and are digging in their heels for a courtroom brawl - or whatever it takes to protect the sources' identities.

The subpoena is purportedly part of ION's response to being named as a defendant in a previously filed lawsuit initiated by former ION Storm COO Bob Wright. Wright is suing ION for wrongful termination and also for the value of his interest in the company.

Biederman was served with the subpoena just before 9am on Sunday at her residence. The subpoena requested her presence at a deposition that was to have taken place yesterday, January 19. Dallas Observer attorneys replied by filing a motion to quash the subpoena and currently that motion is under review by the local court. Biederman has yet to appear at a deposition.