Rick Santorum’s EchoLight takes fired executives to court

Dallas-based EchoLight Studios filed a lawsuit Sept. 30 against two recently terminated executives for what the Christian film production company calls a “campaign of sabotage.”

The suit was filed in Tarrant County (Texas) Court against two former executives—Christopher Morrow, who served as EchoLight’s chief global strategist, and Bobby Downes, who was president of the company. The executives were fired in late September by former U.S. Senator and Republican presidential nominee Rick Santorum, who was hired as the company’s CEO in June.

The suit alleges that Morrow and Downes colluded to damage EchoLight’s reputation by making negative comments to the company’s partners and licensors, as well as hijacking its corporate Facebook account. The filing further claims that Morrow refused to turn over financial documents for an upcoming film, Hoovey, which received $1 million in studio money.

“At least two other partners/licensors of important EchoLight movie projects have communicated their desire to end their business relationship with EchoLight,” the lawsuit states.

The company seeks damages and an injunction against the former executives for breach of contract, conversion and breach of fiduciary duty, according to Courthouse News Service.

Still, leadership remains optimistic.

“EchoLight Studios is in a positive position and we are growing and expanding every day,” a spokeswoman said.

Echolight held a red-carpet premiere of Max Lucado’s The Christmas Candle in Dallas and Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 21, with the film set for national theatrical release in November. British singing sensation Susan Boyle will make her acting debut in The Christmas Candle alongside an ensemble cast of Hollywood talent. Other recent releases include Undaunted, Welcome to Paradise, Beyond the Heavens and 25 Hill.

At the International Christian Retail Show in June, Santorum introduced EchoLight as the first fully integrated faith-based film company.

“We can develop not only our own projects, but we can build this industry from the bottom out,” he said. “One of our key partnerships must be CBA and the Christian retail store, and we want to be their trusted brand.”

EchoLight pledged up to $1 million to produce and distribute a new work from the Best Film winner of 2013’s 168 Film Project, $250,000 to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, and committed to a five-year production and distribution deal with Liberty University.

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