Lawsuit

The man who represents many Springfield police and fire retirees or their survivors is coming to Springfield Monday (8-2) to talk about a lawsuit filed by the city over pension pay-outs. St. Louis attorney Dan Toben is planning a closed meeting in the evening to talk to his clients. He represents most people getting a pension. Springfield filed a lawsuit regarding cost of living increases paid to pensioners. It's seeking clarification between city ordinance and state law. The suit names all retirees or their survivors.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder has filed a legal challenge to the federal health care overhaul that accuses Congress of overstepping its authority and trampling on state sovereignty. Kinder's lawsuit was filed Wednesday in federal court in Cape Girardeau. The suit contends that Congress cannot force people to buy a product nor demand that state officials enforce a "federal scheme. " Kinder pledged in March to challenge the federal law. Initially, the Republican lieutenant governor planned to join nearly two dozen other states in a lawsuit filed by the Florida attorney general.

The owner of a Branson West company is facing a lawsuit tonight for allegedly defrauding Joplin tornado victims. Attorney General Chris Koster filed the suit today against ABP Quality Construction for failing to provide goods and home repairs. E. Brian Sides of Reeds Springs is the owner of ABP. Koster says tens of thousands of dollars were paid to ABP, but they didn't complete the work. Also in the lawsuit, Koster is asking for a restraining order to shut down the company, and to make the owner pay $1000 restitution to the victims.

In Texas, a man says he was fired from his job as a forklift operator after almost 16 years because he's overweight. Ronald Kratz tips the scale at 300 pounds but he used to weigh 680 pounds. He says the human resources person at work told him he was being fired because of his weight. Now, the federal government is on his side, filing a lawsuit claiming the firing violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. The company, BAE Systems, says it acted lawfully and will fight the lawsuit.

A former Greene County deputy is suing his former employer, claiming he was discriminated against for reporting sexual harassment. Jacob Marler filed a civil lawsuit against Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott, Greene County Major Phil Corcoran and the Greene County Sheriff's Office. According to court documents, Marler says he reported “inappropriate sexual harassment” by Greene County Captain Gibson on Aug. 25, 2010. The court documents do not reveal Gibson's first name. On August 27, Marler says he wrote a written report stating his opposition to the sexual harassment.

The state of Missouri says a residential care facility in Bolivar is a fire hazard. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services wants Plantation Manor to pay $10,000 a day for unfixed violations. Inspectors say the center isn't safe. The owner says she's fixed the problems. Fifteen people call plantation manor home. The owner says that could change if the state wins a lawsuit to fine the owner tens of thousands of dollars. Danny Vaughn moved into Plantation Manor about two months ago. He says he couldn't be happier.

The United States Supreme Court ruled Monday that sex offenders convicted before 2006 may not have to register if they move across state lines. In the 7-2 ruling, Justices said rules requiring sex offenders to update their registration when crossing state lines don't automatically apply to those who committed their crimes before the law was passed. The law, the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, also known as the Adam Walsh act, created a national sex offender registry.

The Camdenton, Missouri School Board wants a judge to dismiss a federal lawsuit filed against it. The American Civil Liberties Union filed the suit last month saying the district's web filters on school computers are blocking access to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender websites. The ACLU says such blocking is unconstitutional, and says the filter doesn't block access to anti-LGBT websites. KSPR's Joanna Small attended a special school board meeting this evening and will have a full report on KSPR News at 10.

Spring is the time most of us take to our gardens to plant flowers and vegetables but for some a lawsuit and debate is brewing in federal court.       In a pre-emptive strike a group of "pure-foods" farmers and organic trade organizations are challenging a seed giant.       It's all over patent privileges and the ability to sue farmers over genetically altered products.       The suit really comes down to cross-pollination between farms and which way the wind blows.

Former Kanakuk Camp counselor Pete Newman is already serving two life sentences for child sex crimes at a Christian summer camp in the Ozarks.   Now he's facing a civil lawsuit KSPR NEWS has learned an out of state law firm has filed the case in Taney County Court against Newman. The lawsuit is filed on behalf of a minor known only as John Doe.     It seeks unspecified damages. Branson attorney Mike Merrell is the local counsel in the case.     He says the case was filed January 31-st but was entered into the system today (2-9)