EAST ST. LOUIS – Chief U. S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel has recused herself from a dispute over insurance for wind and hail damage at St. Clair Country Club.
The club filed a complaint in St. Clair County Circuit Court in November, seeking coverage from Cincinnati Insurance.
Club counsel Jarrod Beasley of Belleville claimed a storm last May caused more than $242,110.64 in damage to the club’s main building.
“Plaintiff has fulfilled all contractual requirements and is entitled to payment for the loss,” he wrote.
“Defendant has breached the terms of the policy by continually refusing to tender the insurance benefits to plaintiff to fix their roof,” he added.
“Defendant denied the claim despite the overwhelming evidence of hail damage, videos provided, photographs provided and roofing estimates,” Beasley continued.
He claimed Cincinnati paid for damage to three other buildings within 200 yards.
Cincinnati removed the complaint to district court on Dec. 21, asserting diverse citizenship as an Ohio corporation.
The court clerk randomly assigned Rosenstengel.
On Dec. 27, Cincinnati counsel Isaac Melton of Chicago moved for an extension of time to answer the complaint.
Rosenstengel signed a recusal order on Dec. 28, and the clerk assigned Magistrate Judge Reona Daly.
Daly granted the extension motion and set a Jan. 24 deadline.
Daly will preside unless a party declines consent to magistrate jurisdiction.
If a party declines consent the clerk will assign a district judge.