CROWN POINT, IND. (AP) - A Lake County judge has ruled that the
great-nephew of John Dillinger can seek damages from the Lake
County Convention and Visitors Bureau, which opened a museum
about the gangster more than six years ago.
Jeffrey G. Scalf owns 75 percent of the commercial rights to the
Dillinger persona and never gave permission for its use. Lake
Superior Court Judge John R. Pera ruled the bureau has been
illegally profiting from the Depression-era gangster's colorful
life and artifacts.
Daniel C. Kuzman of Merrillville, an attorney for the bureau,
said he is likely to ask the judge to delay any trial while he
appeals the ruling.
Joseph Pinkston collected artifacts from the Dillinger family and
opened his own museum in Brown County in southern Indiana a
decade ago. The County Convention and Visitors Bureau acquired
the collection in 1998 for $417,500.
Pera ruled the Pinkstons and the convention and visitors bureau
both used Dillinger's personality without family consent in
violation of Indiana's Right of Publicity Statute. The county
argued unsuccessfully the publicity law did not apply in this
case.
The Associated Press left messages seeking comment from Scalf.
