BENTON – Catherine Weber of Special Touch flower shop in Highland has moved to pursue her fraud suit against wedding website The Knot at Madison County circuit court where she originally filed it.
In a Sept. 8 court filing, attorney James Craney of Edwardsville stated her claim wouldn’t meet the $75,000 minimum for federal jurisdiction.
He filed for arbitration in Madison County in July.
He claims agents or clients of The Knot received consumer information and referrals that The Knot should have sent to Weber, but the Knot allegedly falsely informed consumers that it contacted her.
He claims deliveries of substandard merchandise and failures to deliver harmed her business reputation.
The lawsuit also names website registration manager Go Daddy as second defendant, which allegedly offered services so that websites could conceal their ownership.
The suit seeks an injunction, compensatory damages, and punitive damages.
The Knot removed the action to district court on Aug. 19, asserting diverse citizenship as a corporation in Maryland.
Weber and Go Daddy stipulated to dismissal on Sept. 1.
Magistrate Judge Reona Daly presided as of Sept. 12 but either side can decline consent to magistrate jurisdiction.
When that happens the clerk assigns a district judge.
Craney filed his decision under seal on Sept. 8 and The Knot counsel Daniel Campbell of Chicago did so on Sept. 9.
The decisions remained under seal as of Sept. 12.