A northwest Montana radio talk show host has lost another bid to press his case for Chapter 11 bankruptcy status.
A federal bankruptcy judge Thursday denied John Stokes extra time to argue that he deserves bankruptcy protection authorized under Chapter 11 rather than liquidation.
The decision comes two weeks after officials seized Stokes’ assets and ousted him from the airwaves.
Stokes said he needs 20 more days because key legal paperwork remain locked inside his KGEZ station, one of the oldest in the Flathead Valley.
Stokes’ radio show has long been controversial, as he criticized environmentalists or made headlines by burning green swastikas outside his station.
Stokes filed for bankruptcy in March after a jury in 2008 ordered him to pay $3.8 million to two businessmen for defaming them on his radio show.
Related: Judge’s Order Allows for Stokes’ Assets to be Liquidated
Related: Authorities Shut Down KGEZ