Hearing set for motions in Buske divorce

Madison County Associate Judge Thomas Chapman is set to hear several motions in the Edwardsville divorce being opposed by a Racine, Wisc.-based manufacturer.

Chapman is scheduled to hear motions related to educational trusts for the two children of divorcing couple Thomas and Sara Buske as well as a move by S.C. Johnson and Sons Inc. to vacate a previous court order enjoining the company from collecting on an over $203 million Wisconsin judgment against Thomas Buske among others.

That hearing was originally scheduled for Aug. 18 but was moved to Aug. 21 at 1:30 p.m.

S.C. Johnson moved to intervene in the 2008 divorce, claiming it was a move to hide assets from the company.

Thomas Buske faces multiple fraud counts for allegedly overcharging the company on invoices from his trucking concerns. He has pleaded not guilty in the Wisconsin federal court presiding over the criminal case.

S.C. Johnson obtained a Wisconsin state court judgment against Thomas Buske for $203.8 million. His wife, Sara, filed for divorce eight days after the Wisconsin judgment was entered.

S.C. Johnson had previously been denied standing to argue collusion in the divorce by then presiding judge, Madison County Associate Judge Duane Bailey.

Bailey also enjoined the company from collecting on the Wisconsin judgment in a Dec. 18 order.

The company appealed the order and the appellate court overruled Bailey.

The case was assigned to Chapman shortly after.

On June 22, the divorce was allowed to proceed by Bailey on the grounds of mental cruelty.

Andrew Velloff of Alton, one of the attorneys representing S.C. Johnson, filed a motion to completely vacate the Dec. 18 order on July 31.

Sara Buske is represented in the divorce by Howard Feldman.

Thomas Buske is represented by Vicki Cochran of St. Louis.

Velloff and Thomas Q. Keefe Jr. of Swansea are representing S.C. Johnson.