Paso Robles Daily News removes columns on Ty Lewis conspiracy saga. Why?
A six-part series of columns published by the Paso Robles Daily News about city manager Ty Lewis’ $2.275 million claim against the city and his allegations of a conspiracy has been removed from the publication’s website — with no explanation.
The columns, written by KVEC’s CeaseFire host Clive Pinder, offered a satirical account of Lewis’ claim and the circumstances surrounding it.
Lewis accused Paso Robles Councilmember Chris Bausch of spreading lies, harassing him and creating a hostile workplace. The city manager also accused Bausch, Cal Coast News reporter Karen Velie, former City Council candidate Linda George and Templeton resident Gary Lehrer of coordinating to oust him from his position as the city’s top administrator.
Pinder’s articles about the allegations have been publicly criticized by several of those accused in Lewis’ claim, including Velie on her KPRL show “Sound Off.” In another claim against the city, failed council candidate Linda George accused Pinder of participating in an effort, allegedly led by Lewis, to sabotage her election campaign.
And in recent emails to the city, Lehrer told city officials that he was being bullied by Pinder and described the column as “thinly disguised propaganda.”
Pinder has defended himself against all allegations of slander and libel, saying his columns adhered to strict ethical standards.
But as of Tuesday, Pinder’s columns had been deleted.
“I was told by the publisher that, as a result of a threat of legal action by a lawyer representing Karen Velie, my satirical tongue-in-cheek columns have been removed and no more will be commissioned. At least not by the Paso Robles Daily News!” Pinder wrote to The Tribune in an email. “Fair and balanced local media is precious. My legal advice is that any claim would be vexatious. That everything that was published met strict editorial guidelines and was based on corroborated and credibly sourced evidence.”
Pinder told The Tribune that he considers Velie a “bully.”
“Ms. Velie appears to be trying to deplatform and cancel me, the act of a bully and a coward,” Pinder wrote. “I don’t intend to let that happen.”
When asked if he would continue writing columns about Paso, Pinder said he would consider it.
“I will work with any local media interested in bringing transparency and accountability, as well as a sense of humor, to the ongoing soap opera being performed on the Paso Robles City Council stage,” he wrote. “Karen has a proven history of using threats and intimidation to try and silence people and media platforms who challenge her use of malicious gossip and innuendo.”
Pinder went on to insinuate that Velie is being defended by influential community members who he said intervene on her behalf.
“In England these tactics are used by what we call euphemistically the ‘gutter press’! In my opinion that is what we are witnessing in this case,” he said. “The difference is that I don’t throw tantrums and go running to Daddy,” he said.
Pinder did credit Velie for the stories and investigations she has broken.
“While Karen has from time to time used her undoubtedly dogged investigative skills to uncover genuine stories of malfeasance and corruption, even a broken clock is right twice a day,” he wrote.
He then noted that the district attorney has confirmed it is investigating Lewis’ allegations of extortion against Velie, and he said he has had his own issues with Velie saying inaccurate things about him on her KRPL show.
Pinder gave one example where Velie said on the air on Jan. 2 that he pays for his KVEC radio show. Pinder said he did originally, but no longer.
Pinder then referred to Velie’s latest story about Lewis, which features an old photo of the city manager and a woman he was dating at the time sitting in a hot tub together. Velie claimed the woman was topless, but the woman told The Tribune she was wearing a strapless swimsuit.
“In this drama,” Pinder said, “Ms. Velie hasn’t been caught naked in a hot tub, but with her proverbial pants down. She may take a few other reputations down with her.”
The Paso Robles Daily News did not respond to questions on the decision to remove Pinder’s columns.
This story was originally published January 16, 2025 at 12:46 PM.
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