UPDATED 4:25 p.m.
PEORIA, Ill. – At least one of the groups of attorneys representing interests in the ongoing civil lawsuits against Reditus Labs CEO Aaron Rossi likes the idea of unsealing the documents in the cases.
That’s according to attorney Don Craven — representing media outlets including WMBD, in seeking to unseal documents in the suits, at least one of which accuses Rossi of using state-provided COVID-19 money to fund a lavish lifestyle instead of using it to fund Reditus.
“[Dr. Malcom Herzog] agrees there is a Constitutional basis for access to these documents, and agrees that we should be allowed to intervene, and agrees that our petition for access should be granted,” said Craven, who has long represented Illinois media outlets in such matters through the Illnois Broadcasters Association, the Illinois News Broadcasters Association, and the Illinois Press Association.
Meanwhile, it’s since been learned that a deposition given by another doctor reportedly claims that Rossi is not, indeed, a doctor, because he never passed an exam to begin his residency.
Rossi, whose company has been placed into receivership, and who himself is also facing federal tax fraud charges, has also hired a public relations firm who has claimed on his behalf there’s a smear campaign going on.
“If there’s a protective order in place, and they’re trying to shield these issues from public discussion, it would seem to me that the hiring of a PR firm or some other management type weighs against the need for that kind of protection,” said Craven.
A hearing will be held on Monday to consider the media’s motion to intervene.
“This filing is nothing more than the inadmissible notes and unsupported claims from someone who threatened Aaron Rossi. It’s further evidence that there’s a coordinated effort underway to destroy Aaron’s reputation. Aaron is proud of his record of building a successful business and creating hundreds of jobs for the community, and he will continue to defend himself against these baseless claims.” –Natalie Bauer Luce, Spokeswoman for Aaron Rossi
