Archie co-CEO Nancy Silberkleit given temporary restraining order

Archie Comics co-CEO Nancy Silberkleit has been given a temporary restraining order by a New York judge.

The executive has been barred from the company in response to accusations that she ignored a previous injunction preventing her from having any contact with Archie staff in a non-professional capacity.

Jonathan Goldwater, also a co-CEO with Archie, filed a lawsuit to remove Silberkleit as director and co-CEO last week. He claimed that the "ink was barely dry" on the injunction when Silberkleit violated its terms by having unnecessary dealings with fellow employees.

Silberkleit confirmed under oath this week that she contacted members of Archie's freelance writing staff about penning an anti-bullying comic, according to the New York Daily News.

"I thought it was a good idea to do a book about bullying, because I'm right here in the midst of it myself," she said. "I'm the one being harassed and abused here."

Archie's long-running dispute with Silberkleit dates back to last July, when the publisher moved to bar her from its New York offices following accusations of "sexual harassment" against its male staff, and "inappropriate behaviour".

Silberkleit took on the role of CEO following the death of her late husband Michael Silberkleit. As co-executor of his estate, she holds a 50% state in the company. Goldwater represents the other 50%, creating a deadlock in the power struggle.

Silberkleit is due at a contempt hearing on February 2. The terms of the temporary restraining order state that "she is not to do anything for Archie Comics Productions" until then.