BURBANK, Calif. — Wayne C. Lewis, aka Wankus, the co-owner of KSEXradio.com who was program director and on-air personality at the Internet radio station until he was dismissed on the air by majority owner Jon Belinkie last week, has responded to his firing with a lengthy post on his personal website.
Edited excerpts from the post follow:
"[T]his is my official statement regarding my termination as show host and Program Director of KSEXradio.com ... Despite what Jon [Belinkie] designed to appear like a one-sided, 'I’ve had enough, he’s gone' public employment execution, the truth of the matter is that both of us had reached a point that a change was necessary. For me, there are various reasons I was fed up with our partnership, reasons that you could generically title 'irreconcilable differences' ....
"Disagreements regularly occurred in regards to day to day responsibilities. ...
"To be clear, since there are assumptions and rumors rampant around the web, I was a 20 percent owner of KSEX, and was awarded that percentage of the company based on the fact that KSEX was my invention, creation, [and I] continued creative contributions and invaluable efforts towards keeping the brand alive over the years even when financials were gloomy. ...
"[T]he tension between Jon and myself came to a head on Thursday, May 10, 2007, while we had an afternoon of heated arguments. Our last conversation pretty much acknowledged a mutual agreement that we couldn’t work together and it seemed and felt, probably to both parties, that one of us would have to figure out a way to move on, or at least give in on some of the points that caused so much tension between us. The next thing I knew, I was receiving calls from scattered friends stating that the KSEX CEO called into one of our shows, live on the air and publicly terminated me. ...
"I’m capable of starting a competitor for KSEX, especially with no NON COMPETE clause in my contract. Yet as a 20 percent owner, under cooperative, respectful and professional conditions, I would have no interest in competing with my own product. ...
"At KSEX’s worst, the early days of 2001, we played to more then 10 users. It’s been a long time since we’ve had an audience in two digits all together ... KSEX has a large 'at work' user base, military and college dorm. Many users now have hookups that put their web cams on their television sets and are watching KSEX as a TV show. ...
"I invented KSEX. Like it or [not], like me or [not], this was my creation and with the help of many talented and dedicated industry personalities and staffers, this place was a very special place for many people ... [W]hile an average deejay leaving a post and moving on doesn’t normally warrant a goodbye show or any big focus, this is the house that Wankus built. Jon’s actions gave me no goodbye to my fans, my staff, my favorite guests or a final sign off on a microphone that ... will probably reek of my breath for years to come. That still hurts me a week later. ...
"I received incredible support, offers, emails and found allies I never knew I had, contacting me and offering to help in any way. I really appreciate it. I also got incredible support from most of my staff ... The fact that you support me with your kind offers and frequent calls is enough to show me your character and your loyalty. I am already knocking down doors in a variety of arenas and piecing together some really exciting things ... [I]n coming days, I should be hitting you with an absolutely incredible rapid rebound announcement. ...
"As final arrangements are agreed upon and executed between the split of Mr. Belinkie and myself, and my affiliation with KSEXradio.com, I will not be commenting further on the subject. I will also refrain (at this time) from elaborating on my earlier points regarding my discouraging relationship with the current CEO as advised by my attorney. ... "
KSEX co-owner Jon Belinkie told XBIZ, "Nothing that has transpired in the last week is in any way a personal commentary of what I think of Wankus, personally or professionally. He's a talented man. He is not a businessman. Had he been a businessman, a lot of the issues we have had ... would not have happened."
Lewis confirmed to XBIZ that he had no further comment.
Lewis' complete post is available at his personal website.
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