TULSA, Okla., 03/05/03
A well-known Tulsa bookstore called off a scheduled book-signing by whistle-blowing author Keith Schooley, as a result of pressure from the company whose practices were exposed by Schooley, Merrill Lynch.

Schooley’s book, Merrill Lynch: The Cost Could Be Fatal (2002, Lakepointe Publishing) charges the Wall Street giant with a corrupt corporate culture that stretches back more than a decade, when he worked for the firm as a financial consultant.

Today, Schooley revealed that a book-signing, scheduled in late February at Steve’s Books and Magazines in Tulsa, was abruptly cancelled. Schooley says he was told by the owner, Steve Stephenson, that he had received “too much static” from employees of Merrill Lynch, including two brokers and their supervisor at a local Oklahoma branch.

Schooley, who lives in nearby Enid, Okla., said he was extremely disappointed by the cancellation at the highly regarded local bookstore. “I don’t blame the bookstore,” he commented. “A bookstore owner has a right to decide whether or not to welcome any author. But I find it very troubling when a major, wealthy corporation uses its power and resources to silence its critics in this manner.”

He said he will continue to publicize the book in any way he can, including signings at bookstores that are willing to stand up to the pressure from Merrill Lynch. He added that he is consulting with his attorney to determine his legal options if Merrill Lynch continues to exercise its economic muscle to suppress the book at bookstores.