Goldenberg
Two Madison County residents have filed a class action lawsuit against Dish Network, claiming customers are being charged for programming they are not receiving.
The class action was filed Oct. 22 in Madison County Circuit Court on behalf of all Dish Network customers in Illinois who have contracts with the satellite provider for programming that includes Fox Network's regional sports channel.
Steven Rippee of Granite City and Lois Fernandez of Collinsville are the lead plaintiffs represented by Goldenberg, Heller, Antognoli & Rowland in Edwardsville and Bartimus, Frickleton, Roberston & Gorny in Jefferson City.
The plaintiffs claim they are paying for a Dish Network programming package that includes Fox regional sports. According to the complaint, Dish removed the Fox channel from the line-up on Oct. 1 but did not reduce the amount they are charging customers.
The class action accuses Dish Network of breach of contract, failing to act fairly and in good faith and for violating the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act. They are asking to be allowed out of their Dish contracts without penalty. They are also requesting punitive damages to compensate for Dish Network's wanton and willful disregard of the rights of its Illinois customers.
Rippee and Fernandez are demanding a jury trial.
Madison County Circuit Court Case# 10-L-1093