Hylla
Prairie Farms has requested Madison County Circuit Judge David Hylla to order plaintiffs Michael and Denise Richter to produce financial documents in their case against the company.
The Richters claim that after improving their dairy and buying stock in Prairie Farms as part of a milk marketing agreement, the defendant terminated that agreement in 2005 and "acted in a manner illegal or oppressive" to the plaintiffs as Prairie Farms shareholders.
Michael Richter will testify he lost more than $1.5 million as a result of their wrongful termination as members of Prairie Farms, according to an amended motion to compel filed by the plaintiff's attorney on Nov. 18.
But according to a defense motion, the plaintiffs have not complied with state Supreme Court rules regarding discovery in the more than five years the case has been pending.
The Richters, owners of Rich-Lane Farms, are seeking damages in excess of $50,000, attorney's fees and costs in the suit filed in 2006.
Hylla has set a case management conference for 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 1.
A trial date that had been scheduled in November was vacated as the pro se plaintiffs sought counsel.
Todd Sivia of Edwardsville announced his representation of the plaintiffs on Nov. 4.
Attorney David Antognoli of Edwardsville withdrew his representation of the Richters in May.
Donald Schoemaker, Laura Oberkfell and others represent Prairie Farms.
Madison County case number 06-L-892.