'Bild' owner to pay 'record sum' to ex-weatherman

A regional court in Cologne ordered the popular German newspaper "Bild" and its owner, the Axel Springer media company, on Wednesday to pay 635,000 euros ($713,000) in damages for pain and suffering to former TV moderator and weatherman Jörg Kachelmann. The newspaper was accused of violating Kachelmann's personal rights while he was on trail for rape between 2010 and 2011.

"Mr. Kachelmann had to endure the worst smear campaign in the history of German press law," Ralf Höcker, Kachelmann's lawyer, said after the verdict. "His reputation was completely ruined by 'Bild' and co. This verdict is the receipt. Hopefully it will deter the tabloid press."

The Axel Springer Media Group, which owns "Bild," said it will appeal the decision in Cologne's regional court of appeals.

Kachelmann was acquitted in 2011 of charges brought against him by his long-term ex-girlfriend. He was accused of threatening and raping her. The trial was intensely covered by numerous media outlets, including "Bild," which published details of his sex life.

Upon his acquittal, Kachelmann began suing various media companies for violating his personal rights during the trial. At the end of 2013, Kachelmann demanded 3.25 million euros in total damages from both Axel Springer and Hubert Burda Media.

Kachelmann settled out of court with Hubert Burda Media, which owns "Bunte" and "Focus" magazines, for an undisclosed sum in May of this year.

rs/sms (dpa, epd, AFP)