Steve Korris News
Judge denies move to dismiss Cheddar Bay Biscuit case; Plaintiff claims 3.1 biscuit shortage per box
EAST ST. LOUIS - Accuracy of information on a box of Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuit mix doesn’t excuse baker Continental Mills from liability for inaccurate information on the box, Chief U.S. Judge Nancy Rostengel ruled on March 20.
More plaintiffs should be dropped from Paraquat MDL over failure to answer questions, special master says
EAST ST. LOUIS - Special master Randi Ellis recommended dismissal of 117 paraquat exposure suits on March 20 for failure to return necessary questionnaires.
Legal malpractice case settles as jurors begin deliberations
BENTON - Ansur America Insurance and lawyer James Borland of Peoria settled a legal malpractice claim after seven days of trial with jurors just beginning to deliberate.
Judge dismisses racketeering suit against Simmons firm and lawyers
CHICAGO - U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman dismissed a racketeering suit against John Simmons’s asbestos firm of Alton and seven of the firm’s lawyers on March 18.
Jersey County treasurer resigns amid divorce, foreclosure and shortage investigation
JERSEYVILLE - Jersey County treasurer Katie Abbey resigned on March 6 in the midst of divorce, foreclosure and an investigation of a shortage in the county’s books.
Seventh Circuit upholds Gilbert in short barrel tax and registration case
CHICAGO - Senior U.S. District Judge Phil Gilbert of Benton correctly upheld taxation and registration of rifles with short barrels, Seventh Circuit appellate judges ruled on March 10.
Judge orders arbitration in Auffenberg class action alleging commissions not fully paid
EAST ST. LOUIS - U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn ordered arbitration of a class action claim that auto dealer Christopher Auffenberg didn’t fully pay commissions on used car sales.
OTHS failed to accommodate student's disabilities, lawsuit says
BENTON - O’Fallon Township High parents Robyn Pfershy and Matthew Pfershy seek an order compelling the school to answer information requests for their suit alleging discrimination against their daughter.
Fifth District affirms decision denying Brighton man's forfeiture claim
MOUNT VERNON - William Laird of Brighton tried to secure a court order protecting himself from tax delinquency and forfeiture of property but Fifth District appellate justices found he failed to show an actual controversy.
Caseyville man met by three cops days after speaking out at village board meeting
CASEYVILLE - Resident Billy Hayes criticized mayor G.W. Scott Sr. at a meeting of trustees on Feb. 19 and five days later three police cars rolled up to his home on South 7th Street.
Celebrities claim strip clubs misappropriated their images in suits against Oz and Pony
BENTON - Ten celebrities claimed Oz nightclub in Sauget misappropriated their images and Carmen Electra claims the Pony club across from Cape Girardeau misappropriated hers.
Arizona Beverages awarded $154K as Dugan finds Sheehan pursued fraud claim for plaintiff who loved 'Arnold Palmer Lite'
EAST ST. LOUIS - U.S. District Judge David Dugan awarded $154,862.50 to lawyers for Arizona Beverages on Feb. 25 for work that class action lawyer Spencer Sheehan put them through on a claim that had no chance.
Yandle excludes attorney Bleyer as expert witness in legal malpractice claim
BENTON - U.S. District Judge Staci Yandle excluded lawyer Joseph Bleyer of Marion from testifying as an expert at a trial about legal malpractice in a St. Clair County case.
Fifth District upholds, denies separate Madison County arbitration cases
MOUNT VERNON - Madison County Circuit Judge Sarah Smith and Associate Judge Ronald Foster denied arbitration in separate cases but Smith decided correctly and Foster didn’t, Fifth District appellate judges ruled on Feb. 20.
Acting U.S. Attorney named in Southern District of Illinois
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Prosecutor Ali Summers stepped up to acting U.S. Attorney on Feb. 18 when President Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to fire Rachelle Crowe and 92 other U.S. attorneys.
In denying claim for unborn fetus, judge declines 'invitation to create new law'
EAST ST. LOUIS - Chief U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel granted judgment to the United States on Feb. 18 against a claim that an unborn fetus can recover damages under the Illinois Survival Act.
EEOC seeks to drop transgender suit in light of new 'administration policy changes'
EAST ST. LOUIS - U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity commissioners moved to dismiss their discrimination suit against Sis-Bro pig weaning business of New Athens on Feb. 14.
St. Clair County judge continues hearing in defamation case brought by county board member
BELLEVILLE - Circuit Judge Patrick Foley continued a hearing in a defamation suit on a motion of defendant Brad Van Hoose of Belleville who stated he had called plaintiff Gerard Scott Jr. as a witness and Scott didn’t appear.
'Centreville Citizens' say 'enhanced' opportunities to comment on sewer dysfunction 'embellished'
EAST ST. LOUIS - Centreville Citizens for Change claim that opportunities to comment on sewer improvements in Cahokia Heights can’t substitute for intervention in judicial approval of a consent decree.
Belleville lawyer pleads guilty to wire fraud charges
EAST ST. LOUIS - Jason Caraway of Belleville, whose spending of client funds caused the Illinois Supreme Court to disbar him last year, pleaded guilty to six counts of wire fraud at U.S. district court on Feb. 13.