Saturday, April 08, 2006
Leona Nelson Decides to Fight Another Day…Within Twelve Months
Over the objections of Matthew Egan, the attorney defending the Crystal Lake Park Board, the almost 88-year old woman charged with having sexually harassed a park district supervisor was given permission to withdraw her suit “without prejudice.”
That means she can re-file it anytime within the next 365 days.
Efforts to reach a settlement in the chambers of Judge Michael J. Sullivan failed before Nelson’ postponement motion was accepted.
On behalf of the park board, attorney Egan asked that Nelson be forced to pay the expenses of the court suit. But Egan refused to say how much had been spent when Judge Sullivan asked him the amount.
Egan wanted the judge to rule on a motion he had previously filed, but Judge Sullivan instead agreed to the motion that Nelson, represented herself without a lawyer, proposed. Then, the judge make Egan write up the motion.
Nelson told McHenry County Blog that she and her friends were planning on holding a series of garage sales to raise money for the Leona Nelson Legal Offense Fund. Proceeds would go to hire a lawyer to represent her when the suit is re-instated.
“We’re back to square one,” she said. “Remember, I’m ancient. I’ll be 88 next week.”
The park district’s risk management agency, PDRMA (Park District Risk Management Agency) is the one that refused to defend the park board’s refusal to approve the Gay Games rowing regatta, but willingly took on the defense of Nelson’s suit against the park board. PDRMA’s lawyers twice lost attempts to have the case thrown out at the appellate court level.
Five years ago, Nelson was censured “for her purported release of executive session material and the purported making of comments toward a Park District employee.” In other words, she was charged with sexually harassing Jack Sebesta, as well as releasing documents that the park board majority did not want the public to see.
The park board seems to have capitulated on her “purported release of executive session material.”
Attending the court session with Egan was park district superintendent Kirk Reimer. Former Crystal Lake Mayor Tony Wujcik came with Nelson. The Daily and Northwest Herald will probably have Saturday stories. Both had reporters present.
- - - - -
Here are the links to the stories in the Daily Herald and the Northwest Herald. Note that neither story points out that Egan refused to tell how much the suit has cost taxpayers.
That means she can re-file it anytime within the next 365 days.
Efforts to reach a settlement in the chambers of Judge Michael J. Sullivan failed before Nelson’ postponement motion was accepted.
On behalf of the park board, attorney Egan asked that Nelson be forced to pay the expenses of the court suit. But Egan refused to say how much had been spent when Judge Sullivan asked him the amount.
Egan wanted the judge to rule on a motion he had previously filed, but Judge Sullivan instead agreed to the motion that Nelson, represented herself without a lawyer, proposed. Then, the judge make Egan write up the motion.
Nelson told McHenry County Blog that she and her friends were planning on holding a series of garage sales to raise money for the Leona Nelson Legal Offense Fund. Proceeds would go to hire a lawyer to represent her when the suit is re-instated.
“We’re back to square one,” she said. “Remember, I’m ancient. I’ll be 88 next week.” The park district’s risk management agency, PDRMA (Park District Risk Management Agency) is the one that refused to defend the park board’s refusal to approve the Gay Games rowing regatta, but willingly took on the defense of Nelson’s suit against the park board. PDRMA’s lawyers twice lost attempts to have the case thrown out at the appellate court level.
Five years ago, Nelson was censured “for her purported release of executive session material and the purported making of comments toward a Park District employee.” In other words, she was charged with sexually harassing Jack Sebesta, as well as releasing documents that the park board majority did not want the public to see.
The park board seems to have capitulated on her “purported release of executive session material.”
Attending the court session with Egan was park district superintendent Kirk Reimer. Former Crystal Lake Mayor Tony Wujcik came with Nelson. The Daily and Northwest Herald will probably have Saturday stories. Both had reporters present.
- - - - -
Here are the links to the stories in the Daily Herald and the Northwest Herald. Note that neither story points out that Egan refused to tell how much the suit has cost taxpayers.
Labels: Crystal Lake Park Board, Leona Nelson, Matthew Egan, Tony Wujcik
