US Bank allowed girl's restricted account to be depleted, father claims in lawsuit

The father of a Macoupin County girl says US Bank allowed the girl's mother to deplete an account that was not authorized for withdrawals.

Terry Knoche, as guardian of his minor daughter, filed a lawsuit Dec. 27 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against US Bank.

According to the complaint, Knoche's daughter received an injury settlement in April 2009 for more than $53,000. Under that court-ordered agreement, Robin Knoche, the girl's court-appointed guardian at the time of the settlement, was to deposit the money into a restricted account until the minor child reached the age of 18 in August 2016.

Terry Knoche contends US Bank issued checks and a debit card to Robin Knoche for that account, despite knowing of the stipulations of the settlement. He says the bank was provided documentation showing that no one was authorized to withdraw funds from the account.

Terry Knoche alleges Robin Knoche used the debit card to make withdrawals and wrote checks on the account from May 2009 through July 2010, allegedly leaving their daughter's account empty. Terry says US Bank had a monetary interest in allowing the money to be taken out because it received fees for ATM transactions.

Terry Knoche says US Bank is liable for the improper handling of his daughter's money. He asks for a judgement against the bank for more than $53,000 in compensatory damages plus interest and court costs.

Attorney Patricia A. Zimmer of Belleville is representing Terry Knoche.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-697