Local News in Brief : Minister Sues CBS

A Glendale minister filed a $125-million slander suit in Superior Court Thursday against CBS and two of the network’s producers, contending that a Feb. 6 segment of the “West 57th Street” television series intimated that he bilked the elderly of $4 million.

Dr. William McBernie’s lawyer, Isaac Berneman, said the $4 million in missing funds CBS cited concerned money McBernie borrowed from his congregation to build Church of Glendale, formerly the Community Church of America.

Berneman said the loans have not been repaid and lawsuits are pending. He said McBernie had a falling out with his congregation two years ago and is no longer affiliated with the church.

CBS officials could not be reached for comment.