Mudge
One of the defendants in a suit alleging a woman's herpes test results were leaked to her boyfriend by a romantic rival has a new attorney.
Madison County Circuit Judge William Mudge also ordered a filing in the case brought by plaintiff Jane Doe be placed under seal.
Attorney John Webster withdrew from representing defendant Maureen Sackmann on Friday.
Doe claims that Sackmann revealed Doe's positive herpes test to Doe's boyfriend.
Sackmann, the suit claims, was also romantically involved with the man.
The plaintiff is also suing Sackmann's employer, Quest Diagnostics. Inc.
The suit seeks damages in excess of $350,000, attorney's fees and costs.
The defendants deny the claims.
Sackmann asked for a protective order last year.
The plaintiff claimed that public discovery filings could reveal her
identity and that of her family due to news coverage by The Madison County Record, Alton Telegraph and other media outlets.
That order was granted.
According to his Jan. 7 motion, Sackmann informed Webster that she no longer wished for him to represent her.
Attorneys Albert Watkins and Michael Schwedge now helm the defense.
Mudge also ordered a motion to quash and a sanctions move placed under seal pursuant to the protective order.
Emily Johnson represents Jane Doe.
L. Allison McKeel represents Quest.
Mudge took over the case from former Madison County Circuit Judge Daniel Stack.
The case is Madison case number 10-L-101.