J.C. Corcoran Suspended For On-Air Comments

J.C. Corcoran

EMMIS Classic Hits KIHT (KHITS 96)/ST. LOUIS morning host J.C. CORCORAN has been taken off the air for comments he made about local power company AMEREN executives, reports NBC affiliate KSDK (TV)/ST. LOUIS.

CORCORAN was upset his power went out during the SUPER BOWL, then had some choice words for AMEREN executives during his MONDAY (2/4) show on KHITS 96. He made reference to one of the company's VP's, RICHARD MARK, who is African-American.

"Yeah, that's right," said CORCORAN. "I am running the power company over here. It's like a black power thing. You get it, that's my junk man. Get it, black power."

CORCORAN also expressed his anger with AMEREN's public relations department using a term describing male anatomy. He then took comments a step further by saying, "You publicity-obsessed public relations nightmare people, who I swear I am going to get on top of your building with an AK-47 and just start picking people off."

AMEREN CEO THOMAS VOSS said CORCORAN's comments were inappropriate. "We certainly think we deserve our fair game for complaints," VOSS said. "People can complain about our service, reliability and things if they are not getting the level they expect. We think it crosses the line when it was personal, racial, when it was violent. We think that's way too far."

CORCORAN's bosses at EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS suspended him for two weeks without pay.

CORCORAN read a prepared statement THURSDAY apologizing to his listeners, AMEREN UE, and anyone else who was offended. CORCORAN said his punishment was fair and he wanted to put the situation behind him.

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