AP San Diego. By Bernie Wilson.
SAN DIEGO — A federal judge in San Francisco has ordered attorneys for America's Cup champion Oracle Team USA and Joe Spooner to meet during the next two weeks to discuss a settlement of the fired sailor's lawsuit.
Spooner, a grinder from New Zealand, was fired in January after he asked for a raise to help cover the cost of relocating to Bermuda, where Oracle has chosen to defend the America's Cup in 2017.
On March 9, marshals seized Oracle's souped-up, 45-foot catamaran in response to Spooner's lien. He is seeking at least $725,000.
The disassembled boat is in three shipping containers at Pier 80. Oracle is the process of moving its operations to Bermuda.
Chief magistrate Joseph C. Spero told the sides on Tuesday to come back in two weeks with a method for settlement.
