Sunday, March 16, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
Contrary to claims made by Berosini's wife Joan, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is hardly a "terrorist organization." PETA is a legal activist group that works to educate the public about the horrors of animal cruelty, through peaceful, nonviolent means.
The real "terrorists" are people who abuse and intimidate helpless animals for "entertainment."
For those who don't know, Berosini was caught on videotape, beating his orangutans with a metal rod backstage at the Stardust hotel-casino. After PETA released this damning footage to the public, Berosini initiated a $3.1 million libel and defamation suit against us, but the Nevada Supreme Court ruled against him -- twice. Justices participating in the second ruling said PETA had "merely shown to the world how Berosini treated his animals."
Mrs. Berosini also claims that "This was supposed to be about the animals, but it's all about money now." To PETA, at least, this case will always be about the animals. The money that Judge Nancy Becker ordered Berosini to pay PETA last year to help cover our legal fees certainly isn't going to make us rich.
And while PETA would like to see Berosini's orangutans placed in a wildlife sanctuary -- where they can live out their lives in peace -- he's still trying to make big bucks off these animals' backs.
Paula Moore
archive
