More the Killingsworth Pest Control case
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 15, 2006
CONTACT:John Fleming, 850-681-3200
STATEMENT REGARDING KILLINGSWORTH
PEST CONTROL NEWS COVERAGE
Regarding the recent news reports over the racketeering charges filed against Billy Farrell Killingsworth, Joyce Killingsworth, Clifford Killingsworth and Clinton Killingsworth in Escambia County, there are some important facts that you should be aware of if you intend to cover this story.
- Killingsworth Pest Control Inc., based in Fort Walton Beach, has not been charged and is not associated with Billy Farrell Killingsworth or Killingsworth Pest Control Inc.of Pensacola.
- To avoid doing irreparable harm to an established business, it should be made clear in every story that Killingsworth Pest Control of Fort Walton Beach is not implicated in any way in the charges filed against Billy Farrell Killingsworth’s pest control companies.
- News coverage that does not differentiate between the Forth Walton Beach and Pensacola companies threatens to do irreparable harm to the reputation and business of Killingsworth Pest Control of Fort Walton Beach.
- Killingsworth Pest Control of Fort Walton Beach has an excellent reputation in the Florida Panhandle. The company is concerned that that confusion resulting from the ongoing negative news coverage of Killingsworth Pest Control of Pensacola will result in irreparable harm to its business.
- Killingsworth Pest Control of Fort Walton Beach is owned by Greg Killingsworth, a cousin of Billy Farrell Killingsworth.
- In May 2001, Greg Killingsworth won $1.6 million in damages from Billy Farrell Killingsworth and the right to sole use of the Killingsworth name, logos and slogan in Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa counties.
- The recent fraud investigation of Farrell Killingsworth, and the damage to the Killingsworth brand, is exactly the reason Greg Killingsworth sued for use of the name. Undifferentiated use of the name creates confusion among customers and will harm the long-term reputation of Killingsworth Pest Control of Fort Walton Beach.
- The charges of disreputable business practices against Farrell Killingsworth should not be allowed to taint the good reputation ofKillingsworth Pest Control of Fort Walton Beach.