Class Actions Merge In Madison County Tax Fraud Case
From the Alton Telegraph
Plaintiffs in three proposed class action lawsuits aimed at recovering money from fraudulent tax deed sales have agreed to proceed as one suit and are going forward, despite efforts by some of the defendants to delay the proceedings.
In a related development, Chief Madison County Circuit Judge David Hylla assigned the case to a judge from out of Madison County. He is Circuit Judge Dennis Middendorff of the Fourth Circuit. Associate Judge Stephen Stobbs recused himself.
Among the delays requested were from tax buyers who faced criminal charges in connection with the tax sales. They asked for delays based on the fact that they have been required to defend themselves in criminal cases.
They are John Vassen of Belleville, Scott K. McClean, whose company is based in East St. Louis; and Barrett Rochman of Carbondale. They have pleaded guilty in federal court and will be sentenced in February.
Former judge Don Weber is representing one of the plaintiffs in the three class action suits. He said he and attorneys in the other three cases recently discussed the proposal to consolidate the cases.
Weber is of counsel for the firm Reinert, Weishaar and Associates of St. Louis. They represent the bonding companies that may be held liable for some of the damages. The cases have not been certified as class actions. Weber is taking the lead in the class action for that firm.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From the Alton Telegraph
Plaintiffs in three proposed class action lawsuits aimed at recovering money from fraudulent tax deed sales have agreed to proceed as one suit and are going forward, despite efforts by some of the defendants to delay the proceedings.
In a related development, Chief Madison County Circuit Judge David Hylla assigned the case to a judge from out of Madison County. He is Circuit Judge Dennis Middendorff of the Fourth Circuit. Associate Judge Stephen Stobbs recused himself.
Among the delays requested were from tax buyers who faced criminal charges in connection with the tax sales. They asked for delays based on the fact that they have been required to defend themselves in criminal cases.
They are John Vassen of Belleville, Scott K. McClean, whose company is based in East St. Louis; and Barrett Rochman of Carbondale. They have pleaded guilty in federal court and will be sentenced in February.
Former judge Don Weber is representing one of the plaintiffs in the three class action suits. He said he and attorneys in the other three cases recently discussed the proposal to consolidate the cases.
Weber is of counsel for the firm Reinert, Weishaar and Associates of St. Louis. They represent the bonding companies that may be held liable for some of the damages. The cases have not been certified as class actions. Weber is taking the lead in the class action for that firm.
Read more in our daily News Update...