Banks sue Catholic Diocese over equipment leases

Two Indiana banks are suing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois Trustee Group and National Equipment Leasing Co., alleging they have defaulted in lease payments for certain equipment leased by St. Boniface Catholic Church in Edwardsville.

Pacesetter Bank claims the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield and National Equipment entered into a lease agreement on Jan. 16 for a robotic digital camera, six robotic infrared cameras, eight infrared video cameras and one 16-channel digital color video recorder.

Citizen State Bank also alleges the defendants entered into a lease agreement with it on March 16 for a color copier system, three color cameras and a 24-channel DVR upgrade.

Although both banks have demanded payment from the Roman Catholic Diocese and from National Equipment, they have yet to receive any money, state the two complaints filed Oct. 29 in Madison County Circuit Court.

In each of the three-count suits, Pacesetter Bank and Citizen State Bank are seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus pre-judgment interest, attorneys' fees, costs and other relief the court deems just. They are also asking the defendants to return the equipment.

Both banks will be represented by Ryan J. Mahoney and David L. Antognoli of Goldenberg, Heller, Antognoli and Rowland in Edwardsville.

Madison County Circuit Court case numbesr: 09-L-1156, 09-L-1157.