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NY DAILY NEWS/RUSH AND MOLLOY.... CNN anchor Nancy Grace wants her alleged stalker to pay up.
Most celebs defend themselves against unwanted fans in criminal court. But Grace has gone to Manhattan Supreme Court to seek punitive damages against Joseph Raymond Loegering for emotional distress.
Loegering, 48, 'is apparently obsessed with Ms. Grace, believes that he loves her, insists that she can solve all of his problems and will help him to meet with Osama Bin Laden,' her civil suit charges.
Loegering began E-mailing and phoning Grace on Nov. 18, then showed up at the Time Warner Center on Dec. 2, according to Grace's suit. Security guards said he appeared 'agitated and desperate.' He was later deemed emotionally disturbed and taken to the hospital.
On Dec. 8, he allegedly left her a message saying: 'I love you Nancy and I always will.'
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Louis York granted Grace a temporary restraining order barring Loegering, now in the psychiatric ward at St. Luke's, from contacting her.
Grace's suit claims Loegering has a long history of mental illness and homelessness and has been busted on weapons and drug charges.
Grace is 'very anxious and concerned for her safety,' according to the suit.
Loegering's mom, reached in Missouri, told The News' Helen Peterson: 'He doesn't have anything. I hope she's not suing me.'
In another broadcasting legal drama, former WNEW-FM program director Frank (Frankie Blue) Macchiaroli is being sued by the station's night host Yvonne Velazquez.
Velazquez charges in her Manhattan Supreme Court suit that Frankie became infuriated when she didn't attend last year's WNEW Christmas party, calling her a '[bleeping] diva.'
According to the suit, Macchiaroli pushed Velazquez into his office, pinned her against the wall and punched it, next to her face, three times.
According to the suit, she ran down the hall to an elevator, only to be chased by Macchiaroli, who blocked the doors.
The suit says two men came to her rescue and she fled down a staircase, only to have Macchiaroli chase her down the stairs and out of the building. The suit claims Macchiaroli then went on the air during her 8 p.m. to midnight slot, but was 'mumbling, slurring and cursing.'
The lawsuit, filed by attorney Joseph Tacopina, seeks $1 million. A WNEW spokeswoman declined to comment. Macchiaroli, who resigned in January, could not be reached.
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