Groveman said to be threatened

Nidia Cota, a writer, producer and host of a local television show in Malibu, launched a verbal tirade against Calabasas City Councilmember Barry Groveman at last week's city council meeting, creating an uncomfortable scene for council and audience members alike.

The incident stemmed from a cable programming change last year in which Cota's program was bumped off its time slot in favor of another show in which Groveman appeared.

"I'm here to confront Councilmember Groveman who has violated my freedom of expression, freedom of the press and constitutional right under the color of law," Cota proclaimed during the public comment period at the City Council meeting.

Cota's program, "It's Only Entertainment," was preempted last summer by Charter Cable in order to air a forum hosted by The Acorn newspaper for the candidates in the 41st Assembly race. Groveman appeared in the forum as a candidate for the Democratic nomination.

Cota said she wasn't given any notice of the programming change and began using what Charter attorney William Bly called "aggressive, threatening and harassing behavior" to vent her frustration. Groveman said he received threats on his voice mail.

The latest confrontation occurred less than two weeks before the Calabasas City Council election in which Groveman again is a candidate.

"I am deeply troubled by this baseless lie being hurled at me by people I never met," Groveman said. "The timing of this is very suspicious and has the appearance of a last-minute, filthy-campaign tactic aimed at hurting me before the election. I don't even know why they picked me or who else is behind it. I was stunned, as were my colleagues, when this stunt was unveiled at a televised meeting."

Cota claimed Groveman had become angry with her and asked her why she was bothering him with her complaint about Charter. Cota alleged Groveman called Charter and had her removed from the channel following the forum. She said Groveman had power over Charter because the City Council votes on the company's cable franchises.

"We vote on our cable franchises," said Mayor Pro Tem James Bozajian. "Just because Charter has other franchises in the county of the state doesn't mean we vote on those. We have no control over Malibu's."

"The (Calabasas) franchise agreement doesn't expire until 2015. There is no way (Groveman) could use any power to affect that," Calabasas City Manager Tony Coroalles said.

Craig Watson, vice president of communications for Charter's western division, also came to Groveman's defense.

"Charter made the decision to take these guys off the air," Watson said. "Barry Groveman had nothing to do with it. He was an absolute innocent bystander to this activity." Watson said Cota was removed because of repeated violations of the company's policies and procedures.