Steve Korris News
Devon Archer to get new hearing on prison sentence for fraud, conspiracy
NEW YORK CITY - U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams, who sentenced Hunter Biden’s former partner Devon Archer for a year when guidelines ranged from 81 to 135 months, plans to further soften his punishment.
Nearly 750 Paraquat cases tossed after S. IL federal judge demands end to far fetched, implausible exposure claims
A year ago, U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel, chief judge of the Southern District of Illinois, ordered plaintiffs to dispense with questionable claims that weed killer paraquat caused plaintiffs' illness. Since then, 746 cases have been dismissed or withdrawn.
Gilbert rejects St. Clair County's motion to reconsider its request to dismiss emergency dispatcher wage dispute
BENTON - Senior U.S. District Judge Phil Gilbert denied a motion to reconsider an order in favor of St. Clair County emergency dispatchers, comparing it to a magic trick.
St. Clair County voluntarily dismisses opioid suit against Express Scripts, OptumRx and United Health Care
EAST ST. LOUIS - St. Clair County voluntarily dismissed a claim that pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts, Optum Rx and United Health Care addicted its population to opioids and should bear the extra costs incurred by the local government.
Grandmother denies fabricating claim that minor became addicted to video games
EAST ST. LOUIS - Three lawyers for a Marion County grandmother who claims video games addicted her grandchild denied misconduct and one of them withdrew nine days later.
Sison compels arbitration in a former restaurant manager's wrongful termination suit
EAST ST. LOUIS - Former restaurant manager Amanda Aucutt of Dupo must abide by an arbitration agreement that she declared she didn’t remember signing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Gilbert Sison ruled on May 1.
McGlynn grants dismissal of suit alleging Ciox violated False Claims Act with Social Security claims
EAST ST. LOUIS - Belleville disability lawyer Brent Gaines failed to convince U.S. Attorney Rachelle Crowe to pursue his claim that medical record manager Ciox charged Social Security $20 for records it should have provided free of charge.
Insurer argues it has no duty to defend attorney in Florida lawsuit over alleged fraudulent legal services
BENTON - General Star Insurance claims it doesn’t have to defend lawyer Andrew Rohne of Marion in a Florida lawsuit because Illinois prohibits coverage for illegal acts.
Seventh Circuit: Rudolf didn't bind federal courts to $2 million judgment against insurer; Suit alleges improper cleaning caused patient's infection
CHICAGO - St. Clair County Circuit Judge Heinz Rudolf did not bind federal courts when he entered judgment for $2,080,585.95 against an insurer nobody sued, Seventh Circuit appellate judges ruled on April 24.
Farmer challenges Dept of Agriculture law prohibiting the use of 'wetlands,' claims Congress exceeds its power to regulate interstate commerce
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Farmer Jim Conlan seeks permission from a federal judge to plant crops on nine acres he owns but can’t use because the government claims it as wetlands.
Rosenstengel tosses cases set for trial in Paraquat litigation, excludes plaintiffs' primary expert witness
EAST ST. LOUIS - Chief U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel excluded epidemiologist Martin Wells from a witness stand where he alone would have testified that weed killer paraquat causes Parkinson’s disease.
Proposed statewide class action in Southern District court challenges constitutionality of tax deed foreclosures
EAST ST. LOUIS - Illinois counties violate the U.S. Constitution when they hold and sell liens on properties with overdue taxes, former homeowners and a business in East St. Louis alleged at district court on April 10.
Epic Games seeks sanctions over 'frivolous' Fortnite addiction suit filed days after gaming account was created
EAST ST. LOUIS - Marion County parent Cynthia Jiminez sued Epic Games for addicting her child to video game Fortnite three days after the child created an account, Epic Games claims at U.S. district court.
Norfolk Southern settles Ohio train derailment case for $600 million, pursues third party complaint
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Following a $600 million settlement, Norfolk Southern switched positions from defendant in an explosion suit to plaintiff seeking contribution from three sources.
Video game makers oppose MDL for suits alleging exploitation of minors
EAST ST. LOUIS - National consolidation of six video game addiction suits in three states makes no sense and probably won’t happen, argued defendants in the only suit at Southern Illinois District Court.
Agriculture offices, universities subpoenaed in Paraquat litigation
EAST ST. LOUIS - Mass action lawyers who claim weed killer paraquat causes Parkinson’s disease responded to an order for individual discovery by serving subpoenas on 48 agriculture offices from Idaho to Georgia and two universities.
EEOC files rare lawsuit against pig weaning company Sis-Bro for allegedly discriminating against transgender employee
EAST ST. LOUIS - Employment regulators claim pig weaners Clare Schilling of New Athens and Drew Schilling of Smithton constructively discharged a transgender employee after transition from male to female.
Dugan rejects Cahokia Heights' report on sewer system
EAST ST. LOUIS - U.S. District Judge David Dugan rejected a report by Cahokia Heights on progress toward a consent decree for better sewers and decided to measure it for himself.
Maintenance worker alleges wrongful termination for reporting racist comments at Collinsville American Legion
BENTON - Gregory Clark, a white grandfather of black children, claims American Legion Post 365 in Collinsville fired him for reporting a white co-worker’s racist comments.
St. Clair Co primary results demonstrate partisan power of East St. Louis
The election produced no competition but it demonstrated the partisan power of East St. Louis.