Lawyer: Imus could have been edited

A lawyer for Don Imus said Friday that the former radio host’s bosses could have edited the on-air comments that got him fired -- and the fact that they didn’t meant they saw his remarks as routine for his often-provocative show.

Attorney Martin Garbus told ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America” that CBS Radio and MSNBC had delay buttons but didn’t use them when Imus made racist and sexist comments about the Rutgers women’s basketball team last month.

“That means CBS and MSNBC both knew the language that was going out, and both knew the language complied with [Imus’] contract.... It was consistent with many of the things he had done,” Garbus said.

An MSNBC spokeswoman contradicted Garbus’ claim, saying the broadcast aired without a delay and that there was no opportunity to delete his comments. CBS Radio declined to comment.

Imus, 66, was dismissed April 12, barely three months into a five-year, $40-million contract with CBS, and his attorney has said Imus would sue for the contract’s unpaid portion. CBS said Thursday that it would vigorously contest Imus’ planned lawsuit.