Hearing in Lakin civil suit reset to June 26

St. Clair County Associate Judge Heinz Rudolf on April 29 continued a motion hearing in a civil lawsuit against former Madison County attorney Lowell Thomas Lakin to June 26.

The lawsuit accuses the imprisoned Lakin of child sexual abuse. The accusations in the civil suit - originally filed under seal in Madison County - launched a federal investigation which resulted in Lakin’s conviction in 2008 on drug charges. He is scheduled to be released from Fort Worth Federal Correctional Institution in Texas on Nov. 30.

Plaintiff’s attorney Ed Unsell of East Alton, who was allowed to proceed with the civil suit after the state finished its case against Lakin in October 2011, filed a motion for summary judgment Feb. 27.

The summary judgment motion is based upon a stipulation of facts Lakin submitted in the state case in which he admitted that he committed sexual abuse on a 15-year-old boy.

According to the first amended complaint, Lakin, now 72, was an adult friend of the families of the minors he is accused of abusing.

Plaintiff Mary Doe, mother of John and Joseph Doe, was an employee of Lakin and the former Lakin Law Firm, the suit claims.

The lawsuit accuses Lakin, then 64 or 65 years old, of sexually abusing Mary Doe’s sons and harassing her daughter. He also is accused of filing harassing lawsuits against Mary Doe.

Mary Doe seeks more than $75,000 in damages.

Samantha Unsell of Keefe & Keefe also represents the plaintiff.

Lakin is represented by Clyde Kuehn of Belleville. Attorney Matt Young of the Kuehn Law Firm appeared in court today for Lakin.

The June 26 hearing on all pending motions is scheduled at 2 p.m.

St. Clair County case number 06-L-363