No one likes being trapped in depositions – or worse, involved in lengthy court battles – but this CEO’s foul language-laced tirade probably wasn’t the best way to express it.

In a 44-page opinion in GMAC Bank v. HTFC Corp., a judge found that HFTC’s CEO, Aaron Wilder, displayed “hostile, uncivil, and vulgar conduct, which persisted throughout the nearly 12 hours of deposition testimony.” As a result, the judge fined both Wilder and his lawyer (for not putting a stop to the language) $29,000 for being in contempt.

How bad could it really be?

Luckily, the transcriptionist kept a running tally: All said and done, Wilder cranked out the F-bomb or variations of it “no less than 73″ times.

For those not near a calculator, that’s just over six mother-of-all-curse-words per hour.

Financially, Wilder’s mouth was even more staggering: His fine equals $397.26 for each swear.

That’s followed up with even worse news for Wilder and his lawyer. Because his persistent language and belligerence impacted the deposition so negatively, Wilder must appear for a new deposition which’ll be under the direct supervision of a federal magistrate. Here’s hoping he bites his tongue a little more rigorously next time.

Kudos to District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno, the author of the opinion. A footnote at the bottom of the document serves as an apology to any readers: “While the use of profanity in the opinion is distasteful, it is necessary in order to capture the nature of the offensive conduct displayed by the deponent.”

Couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Not without incurring some fines, anyway.

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Tags: foul language, poor communication skills