EAST ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn resolved a pay dispute between mechanical contractor Corrigan Brothers of St. Louis and former employee Michael Stone on Oct. 3.
McGlynn presided with their consent at a settlement conference and posted minutes stating, “Case settled.”
C.J. Baricevic of Belleville represented Stone, and Robert Golterman and Michael Armstrong of St. Louis represented Corrigan Brothers.
Baricevic filed Stone’s suit in Madison County in 2020.
Corrigan Brothers removed it to district court on the basis of diverse citizenship as a Missouri corporation.
This February, Corrigan Brothers moved to sanction Stone for failure to comply with a discovery order.
At a hearing, Baricevic stated Stone appeared to suffer cognitively.
McGlynn held sanctions in abeyance and gave Corrigan Brothers time to file a dispositive motion.
Golterman moved for summary judgment, claiming Stone couldn’t establish elements of breach of contract through admissible evidence.
He filed his argument under seal.
At a hearing McGlynn advised Baricevic to submit a settlement demand.
Baricevic submitted it and Corrigan Brothers made a counter offer.
Baricevic made another demand and Corrigan Brothers rejected it.
On July 27, Corrigan Brothers moved for a status conference.
“Based upon the disparity between the relative positions of the plaintiff and Corrigan Brothers, it is not believed that further negotiation will lead to a settlement in this case or that the case would benefit from mediation,” Golterman wrote.
McGlynn granted a conference and held it on Sept. 6.
He gave them 48 hours to advise whether they waived him conducting a settlement conference or if they preferred setting it before District Judge David Dugan.
They preferred McGlynn.