BELLEVILLE — An estate special administrator is suing American Optical Corp., Ameron International Corp., Armstring Pumps, Inc., Atlantic Richfield Company, Aurora pump Company, BASF Catalyst LLC and multiple other companies, citing alleged battery, conspiracy, negligence, manufacturing defect and fraudulent misrepresentation in connection with asbestos exposure.

Cynthia Osborne, individually and as special administrator for the estate of Gale Osborne, deceased, filed a complaint on May 11 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against the defendants, alleging that they failed to exercise reasonable care and caution for the safety of decedent and all others working with products containing asbestos.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on February, 19, 2014, decedent first became aware that he had developed lung cancer, an asbestos-induced disease, which led to his death on July 6, 2014. The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible because they allegedly included asbestos fibers in their products when they knew or should have known that asbestos fibers are toxic and poisonous, failed to provide adequate instructions and warnings, and failed to conduct tests on the asbestos-containing products manufactured.

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment in against the defendants in a sum in excess of $50,000 and compensation for economic damages. She is represented by Randy L. Gori and Barry Julian of Gori, Julian & Associates PC in Edwardsville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16L257

The Illinois Supreme Court on May 18 imposed sanctions on two area attorneys for misconduct that included concealing the death of a clent and selling marijuana.

Anthony Patrick Gilbreth of Crowder and Scoggins in Columbia was censured for having settled his deceased client's case without informing the court or opposing counsel in a St. Clair County product liability case.

His firm had filed suit against Orthotic & Prosthetic Lab on behalf of Randy Robison in 2008. Robison had alleged failure of a prosthesis that Orthotic designed, made and sold.

Robison died in January 2013. His son Matthew Robison was appointed administrator of the estate in August. During settlement negotiaions, Orthotic & Prosthetic offered $110,000 in September and a few days later Gilbreth responded to the offer saying his client instructed him to accept it.

"At the time of the settlement, defense counsel was unaware because Respondent had not told him that Mr. Robison had died," states an Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) petition for discipline. "Respondent withheld the fact of Mr. Robison's death in part because he knew that Mr. Robison's death would reduce the value of any claim for damages.

"Respondent also felt that it would be improper to reveal Mr. Robison's death because Respondent thought that information was confidential under Rule 1.6 of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, and its revelation would harm his former client's claim. Respondent did research the issue and discussed it with other attorneys in his firm, but did not research ARDC case precedent, discussed infra, in which attorneys have been disciplined for failure to disclose his or her client's death under similar circumstances."

The ARDC's petition states that in mitigation, five lawyers from Columbia, Edwardsville and Belleville, a reverend from Columbia and a judge in Monroe County would testify that Gilbreth "has a good reputation for truth and veracity."

Gilbreth was admitted to practice in 2006.

Scott Hassebrock of Mascoutah was disbarred on consent after having pled guilty to possession with intent to deliver between 2,000 and 5,000 grams of cannabis, unlawful delivery of cannabis, and violations of an order of protection.

According to ARDC charges against him, Hassebrock transported marijuana from California to his home in Mascoutah and later sold some of it to a person who was secretly cooperating with law enforcement. His arrest took place in Montgomery County in April 2014.

Law enforcement then executed a search warrant at his home where 2,224 grams of marijuana was found. He faced felony charges in St. Clair County and Montgomery County.

On the same date he was charged, his girlfriend Tammy Petroski was granted an emergency order of protection. Petroski alleged that Hassebrock "threatened, grabbed and/or pushed" her on several occasions.

He pled guilty in February 2015 in St. Clair County to the charge of unlawful possession with intent to deliver more than 2,000 grams but less than 5,000 grams. He was sentenced to probation for four years with the agreed condition that he would not practice law during that time, and he would pay a fine and costs of $7,905.

On the same day he pled guilty, and on a subsequent occasion, Hassebrock violated the one-year order of protection by approaching Petroski, according to the ARDC.

As a result, his probation was revoked and he faced jail time in St. Clair County and Montgomery County.

Hassebrock was licensed in 1991.

The Illinois Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal of Union Pacific Railroad which seeks relief from an appellate court ruling that reversed a jury verdict in its favor.

The case involves railroad worker Christopher Wardwell who had been rear-ended by a drunk driver while he was being transported in a van from a rail yard to a train in 2008.

Jurors in St. Clair County Circuit Judge Vincent Lopinot's court in November 2013 ruled for Union Pacific in Wardwell's Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) case.

After Lopinot denied Wardwell's post trial motions; Wardwell appealed to the Fifth District Appellate Court. In a split decision, the appellate court found for Wardwell, who argued that under provisions of FELA the railroad did not have the right to introduce evidence that a non-railroad third party - a drunk driver - was the sole and proximate cause of the accident.

Justice Richard Goldenhersh wrote the majority opinion published Jan. 13; Justice Bruce Stewart concurred.

Goldenhersh pointed to circumstantial evidence Wardwell introduced regarding the driver's failure to check the van's rear-view mirror or check a blind spot before moving from the left lane of southbound Route 3 in Columbia to the right lane where the collision occurred.

At trial, it had been stipulated that professional driver Regeania Goodwin was the agent of Union Pacific, and that Union Pacific was responsible for Goodwin's conduct concerning the accident.

It also was stipulated that the driver who caused the accident, Erin Behnken, was intoxicated at the time at 5:16 a.m. on Aug. 9, 2008, and had admittedly "blacked out" or had fallen asleep at the wheel just before impact.

"In an (sic) FELA action, our determination is narrowly limited to the single inquiry of whether the conclusion may reasonably be drawn that the employer's negligence played any part at all in the injury," Goldenhersh wrote. "The employee's burden is met when proof is adduced, even though entirely circumstantial, from which a jury may reasonably make this inference.

"Given our determination that the jury could have reasonably concluded that defendant was negligent, at least in part, regarding the collision in question, we find the trial court erred in permitting defendant's sole-cause defense. A nonrailroad third party's alleged negligence is inadmissible when evidence is presented, albeit entirely circumstantial, that the railroad contributed to the injury. Here, plaintiff has met this burden."

In sharp dissent, Justice Randy Moore found that the evidence presented at trial was sufficient to sustain the jury's verdict.

He agreed that under FELA, if a plaintiff's injury is caused at least in part by the railroad, then the railroad is 100 percent responsible, regardless of whether third parties are partially at fault.

However, Moore pointed to a difference between apportioning fault between joint tortfeasors and finding no liability on the part of the railroad because another party was the sole cause of plaintiff's injury.

"I find nothing in the law that stands for the proposition set forth by the majority, that the mere production of testimony that could be construed by a jury as evidence of the negligence of the railroad precludes the railroad from putting forth additional evidence in the case, and a jury from considering, that a third party was the sole cause of the injury," Moore wrote.

"Such a holding compromises the role of the jury in FELA cases."

Wardwell was represented by Mark DuPont of Bigfork, Mon. at trial and on appeal.

Union Pacific was represented by Thomas Jones and Harlan Harla of Thompson Coburn in Belleville.

One of the biggest disputes at trial was how long Goodwin was in the right lane of Route 3 from the time she moved her van from its left lane. The length of time the van was in the right lane before impact was relevant to defendant's negligence concerning the accident.

At the scene, Goodwin wrote in police report forms that she had been in the right lane more than two minutes before the collision; at trial she testified it was 20 seconds. Wardwell testified it was only one or two seconds.

Moore wrote that once the jury resolved the contested issue of how long the van was in the right lane before it was rear-ended, he found there was "plenty" of evidence to support the jury's decision that Goodwin did not cause the injury - even in part.

"..[T]here was conflicting evidence as to how long after the van changed lanes that it was hit from behind," Moore wrote. "These are the types of conflicts that the jury was empanelled to resolve, and the jury in this case resolved them in favor of the railroad. I find no basis to disturb the jury's determination that any alleged negligence on the part of an agent of the railroad was not a cause of the plaintiff's injury."

He wrote that even Wardwell told police and the railroad that the accident was caused by a drunk driver, and that, furthermore, that Goodwin was alert and attentive, and he never saw her violating any rules of the road.

Wardwell has claimed that Union Pacific failed to provide him with a safe place to work and failed to require its managers not to place employees in vans on the road after 10 p.m. and before 6 a.m. to avoid an accident with an intoxicated driver.

After the accident, he claims he lost wages because he went from being a switchman, brakeman and conductor on freight trains, to being a security guard.

He and two other passengers were being driven from Dupo to a train in Chester when the accident occurred.

EAST ST. LOUIS — An insurer is suing John Beck, Joyce Beck, Stephen Beck and Lisa Beck, New York residents, seeking to deny a request for $100,000 in underinsured motorist coverage.

Auto-Owners Insurance Company filed a complaint on May 17 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against the defendants.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff is prepared to pay the defendants an undisputed $200,000, but asserts it does not owe an additional $100,000.

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks declaration that the maximum owed to defendants under the policy is $200,000 and a declaration that payment of $200,000 satisfies all obligations owed under the policy. It is represented by Jeffrrey T. Reel of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP in Edwardsville.

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 555-DRH-PMF

Jody Shaffer, individually and as special administrator of the estate of Charles Shaffer, deceased, filed a complaint on May 3 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against the defendants, alleging that they failed to exercise ordinary care and caution for the safety of decedent.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that decedent Charles Shaffer was exposed to and inhaled asbestos fibers, causing him to develop lung cancer, which ultimately led to his death on June 8, 2014. The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible because they allegedly included asbestos fibers in their products when defendants knew or should have known that said asbestos fibers are toxic and poisonous, failed to provide adequate instructions and warnings, and failed to conduct test on the asbestos containing products manufactured.

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment in her favor in a sum in excess of $50,000, punitive damages and such other relief that the court may deem appropriate. She is represented by Randy L. Gori and Barry Julian of Gori, Julian & Associates PC in Edwardsville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16L244

EDWARDSVILLE — An estate executor is suing Alton Memorial Hospital, d/b/a Eunice Smith Home, a medical facility, citing negligence and alleging that insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries.

Rita M. Nugent, executor of the estate of Christina Fillop, filed a complaint on May 18 in Madison County Circuit Court against Alton Memorial Hospital, d/b/a Eunice Smith Home, alleging that the medical facility failed to take safety precaution while assisting plaintiff Christina Fillop.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that, on July 4, 2015, Christina Fillop suffered a fracture on her right leg when it was caught in the wheel of her wheelchair. The plaintiff holds Alton Memorial Hospital, d/b/a Eunice Smith Home, responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to supervise their employees as to make sure that their clients were well taken care of.

The plaintiff seeks judgment against the defendant for a sum in excess of $50,000 plus court cost and any further relief as the court sees fit. She is represented by Robert H. Gregory of Law Office of Robert H. Gregory in East Alton.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 16L690

Illinois resident accuses The Village of Glen Carbon of negligence

Madison County — An individual is suing The Village of Glen Carbon, a local government, citing alleged insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries and negligence.

Stanley Obrecht, Jr. filed a complaint on May 18, in the Madison County Circuit Court against The Village of Glen Carbon alleging that the local government failed to warn plaintiff of the dangerous condition of the sidewalk.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that, in May 26, 2015, he suffered injuries while riding his bicycle when it's front tire collided with an uneven pavement on the sidewalk. The plaintiff holds The Village of Glen Carbon responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to put a warning sign for the uneven pavement on the sidewalk that could cause an accident.

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against the defendant, all damages, $50,000 plus court cost and any further relief this court sees fit. He is represented by Todd W. Sivia of Sivia Business & Legal Services, P.C. in Edwardsville and Reiad M. Khouri of Khouri Law Firm, LLC in St. Louis.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 16L689

EDWARDSVILLE — A motorist is suing another driver, claiming that negligence led to a collision that caused injuries.

Tannaben B. Patel filed a complaint on May 20 in Madison County Circuit Court against Alyssa L. Dewitt, alleging that she failed to properly control her car, causing it to strike the plaintiff's vehicle.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that, on June 16, 2014, she suffered severe injuries on her body. The plaintiff holds Alyssa L. Dewitt responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to keep a proper lookout and control her vehicle.

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against the defendant in an amount in excess of $50,000 plus court costs and any further relief as the court sees fit. Patel is represented by Ronald J. Foster Jr. of Walton Telken Foster, LLC in Edwardsville.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 16L696

The Fifth District Appellate Court has been ordered to hear Ford Motor Co.'s appeal on whether Madison County has personal jurisdiction over the Michigan-based auto maker in an asbestos case brought by Florida plaintiffs.

On Wednesday, the Illinois Supreme Court issued a supervisory order directing the lower court to hear the appeal in the case of Dale and Irene Jeffs who sued last year on mesothelioma claims. Dale Jeffs, now deceased, had worked as an insulator for various contractors at various sites from 1968-1995, including time at Ford’s plant in Michigan.

The plaintiffs are represented by the Maune firm in St. Louis.

Ford, represented by attorneys at the Greensfelder firm in Belleville, moved to dismiss last June, arguing that there is no alleged Illinois exposure occurring during Jeffs' time working for Ford.

Associate Judge Stephen Stobbs denied Ford's motion last November, relying on a statement made by the company to the Illinois Supreme Court expressing its substantial contacts with the state.

Ford sought leave to appeal Stobbs' decision, but a three member panel of Justices - Melissa Chapman, Bruce Stewart and Judy Cates - denied Ford's petition on Feb. 10.

The case will now return to the Fifth District for arguments.

Background

In Stobbs' order denying Ford's personal jurisdiction motion to dismiss, he noted a Supreme Court brief filed in Folta v. Ferro Engineering, which stated:

“Ford is one of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers. Ford manufactures and assembles automobiles across six continents and provides related products and services. Ford conducts substantial business in Illinois and operates as assembly plant in Chicago that manufactures several vehicles, including the Taurus, MKS, Police Interceptor, and Explorer. Ford employs over 4,000 people at the Chicago Assembly Plant. In the past five years, Ford has invested over half a billion dollars in its business operations in Illinois.”

Stobbs concluded that Ford “has availed itself of the protection of the Illinois Courts and the benefits of Illinois law and by its own admission conducts substantial, not de minimus, business in Illinois.

“Ford’s contacts with the State of Illinois are substantial, therefore significantly more than the minimum contacts required by federal due process standards.”

Ford cited a U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Daimler case, arguing that there is no basis to exercise general personal jurisdiction in Illinois for the case at hand.

In Daimler, the court held that “’a court may assert jurisdiction over a foreign corporation to hear any and all claims against [it] only when the corporation’s affiliations with the State in which suit is brought are so constant and pervasive as to render [it] essentially ‘at home’ in that forum State.’”

Ford’s principal place of business is in Michigan and its state of incorporation is Delaware.

Ford also argued that the plaintiff’s reliance on personal jurisdiction by consent, pursuant to the Illinois Business Corporation Act, is misplaced.

Stobbs was unconvinced.

He held that while Ford’s corporate offices are in Michigan, it has a certificate of authority to conduct business in Illinois, owns property in Illinois, has authorized dealers in Illinois, employs people in Illinois and maintains a registered agent to accept service of process in Illinois.

He wrote that Ford voluntarily conducts regular business in Illinois and has done so since 1922. The defendant has also litigated numerous cases in this state, including other asbestos cases in Madison County, without objecting to personal jurisdiction.

“Considering all the factors, the Court finds that Plaintiff has met her burden of establishing jurisdiction over this Defendant and that the exercise of jurisdiction, in this case, is not inconsistent with notions of fair play and substantial justice, the fundamental consideration in finding constitutional jurisdiction,” Stobbs concluded.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-533

Stockholders of Edwardsville-based First Clover Leaf Bank have filed a proposed class action against the company's board of directors over their recent decision to be acquired by Mattoon-based First Mid-Illinois.

Lead plaintiff Jonathan Raul brought the suit May 20 in Madison County Circuit Court; Wood River attorney Tom Maag and Granite City attorney Joshua Lifshitz represent plaintiffs.

Board members allegedly breached their fiduciary duties because the deal to sell to First Mid-Illinois, announced April 26, resulted in an "inadequate" price and a "grossly unfair" merger process. The cash and stock transaction is valued at approximately $90 million, the suit claims.

Defendants include First Clover Leaf president and CEO Dave Kuhl, as well as board chairman Gerard Schuetzenhofer and board members Kenneth Highlander, Gary Niebur, Dennis Terry, Mary Westerhold, Joseph Gugger, Mona Best Haberer and Joseph Stevens. The banks are also named in the suit.

The suit claims the deal provides that shareholders may elect to receive either a .495 share of First Mid-Illinois common stock per share of First Clover Leaf common stock or $12.87 in cash per share of First Clover common stock - "subject to proration such that 25 percent of First Clover shares will be exchanged for cash and 75 percent for First Mid-Illinois stock."

"The agreed upon consideration is inadequate in light of First Clover's intrinsic value and stand-alone alternatives going forward," the suit claims.

It further states that First Clover Leaf had been performing well and "was poised for success."

The suit cites an April 28 article in Capital Cube that states the bank is "undervalued," and has done better than its overall peer group.

Plaintiffs claim that board members compounded their alleged breaches by agreeing to deal protections that unreasonably favor First Mid-Illinois, and which preclude other bidders from making successful competing offers.

Defendants allegedly agreed to:

-a strict no-solicitation provision that prevents First Clover Leaf from providing confidential information to or even communicating with potential competing bidders except under extremely limited circumstances;

-a provision that provides First Mid-Illinois with three business days to match any competing proposal in the event one is made;

-information rights that require First Clover Leaf to share highly sensitive information about potential competing proposals with First Mid-Illinois; and

-a provision that requires First Clover Leaf to pay First Mid-Illinois a termination fee of $3.6 million in order to enter into a transaction with a superior bidder.

"These provisions substantially and improperly limit the Board's ability to act with respect to investigating and pursuing superior proposals and alternatives including a sale of all or part of First Clover," the suit states. "The preclusive effect of these deal protection provisions thus exacerbates and aggravates the Board's utter failure to value-maximizing pre-agreement market check or auction process."

Plaintiffs seek to enjoin the vote on the proposed transaction, or in the event the deal is consummated, recover damages resulting from the defendants' alleged breaches of fiduciary duty.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 16-L-703.

PINCKNEYVILLE — A man is suing a doctor for allegedly failing to diagnose a fracture dislocation of his ankle, claiming negligence.

Lawrence H. Szczepanski Jr. filed a complaint on May 17 in Perry County Circuit Court against Benjamin Rathert, M.D., alleging that the physician failed to properly assess the plaintiff's condition.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that after a fall on Feb. 3, 2014, he went for follow-up care a week later to Rathert, whose purported negligence the plaintiff blames for further injuries to his leg and ankle, including a requirment for surgery and further medical expenses.

The plaintiff seeks judgment against the defendant for a sum in excess of $50,000 plus court costs. He is represented by Daniel R. Price of Wham & Wham Attorneys in Centralia.

Perry County Circuit Court case number 3:16-cv-00554-MJR-PMF

EDWARDSVILLE — A man is suing four people, alleging negligence in connection with a dog attack.

James K. Johnson filed a complaint on May 23 in Madison County Circuit Court against Brian Sawyer, Kathy Sawyer, Stacy Vinson and Ronald Thompson, alleging that the pit bull owners allegedly failed to properly train their canine.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that, on April 22, he was attacked by a pit bull owned by the defendants, causing him severe bodily injury and scarring. As a result, he will continue to suffer pain and suffering and incur medical expenses, the suit says. The plaintiff holds Brian Sawyer, Kathy Sawyer, Stacy Vinson and Ronald Thompson responsible because the defendants allegedly negligently allowed their pit bull to attack him.

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgement against defendants in an amount in excess of $50,000, plus costs of this suit. He is represented by Lanny Darr of Darr Law Offices Ltd. in Alton.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 16L701

BELLEVILLE — A woman is suing a motorist for allegedly slamming into her vehicle while making an illegal turn, citing negligence.

Monica Dawson filed a complaint on May 5 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Clyde C. Coleman, alleging that the defendant didn't properly control his vehicle.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on April 28, 2015, her vehicle was struck head-on at high speed in Belleville, causing her to suffer acute, permanent injury to her right ankle that required multiple surgeries and external fixation. She also suffered emotional injury, mental anguish and anxiety and incurred past and future medical expenses, the suit says. The plaintiff holds Clyde C. Coleman responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to yield, made an improper left turn and lane change, drove at high speed and failed to maintain proper lookout.

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against defendant in an amount in excess of $50,000. She is represented by Patrick Kennedy Bader of Brown & Crouppen PC in St. Louis .

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16L260

BELLEVILLE — A woman is suing a driver, alleging negligence and reckless conduct and claiming that insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries.

Kim Watson filed a complaint on May 11 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against George Komora, alleging that the defendant failed to maintain his vehicle under proper control.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that, on March 22, she was a passenger in a motor vehicle heading in a westerly direction on Illinois Highway 161 near the intersection of Fullerton Road, while defendant was operating a vehicle in an easterly direction on North Belt West near the intersection of Fullerton Road. While her vehicle was entering the intersection with a green light, it was struck by defendant who ran a red light, causing her to sustain injuries to her head, neck, back, fingers and body, the suit says. The plaintiff holds George Komora responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to obey a traffic control device, failed to stop on a red light and failed to keep proper lookout.

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against defendant in excess of $50,000. She is represented by Bruce R. Cook of Cook, Ysura, Bartholomew, Brauer & Shevlin Ltd. in Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16L258

Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino is currently facing a federal investigation after questions arose over his campaign spending during his 24-year tenure as a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives.

An investigation by the Illinois State Board of Elections launched last January—three weeks after Mautino assumed office—called into question more than $200,000 of Mautino’s campaign expenses that included money spent on gas, vehicle repairs, parking, pizza, and travel reimbursements. The investigation also revealed campaign workers hired at the Spring Valley Bank, as well as loan payments to the bank that exceeded the loans that were taken out.

“You name it, he did it,” Kirk Allen, co-founder of Edgar County Watchdogs, told the Record. “He was still raising and spending campaign money after he had been selected as auditor general.”

Republican state legislators sent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to the Office of Auditor General on Feb. 9 and Feb. 15 asking Mautino for answers to the questionable spending and got no response. 

Earlier this month, a third letter was sent to Mautino seeking compliance, without a response.

On May 17, a FOIA lawsuit was filed by Allen against Mautino in the 5th Judicial Circuit Court in Edgar County.

“He is refusing to answer any legislative questions,” said Allen. “We are going to hold him accountable. He thought it was all going to go away.”

Allen says that Mautino did try to argue with the State Board of Elections. 

“Somebody filed a complaint over campaign law violations against him and he tried to tell the state board it didn’t have any authority because the campaign is now closed,” said Allen. “The board rejected that—it has full authority over campaign expenditures whether the campaign is open or closed. They have given Mautino until July 1 to answer accordingly.”

Allen said that Mautino’s spokesperson confirmed that Mautino is cooperating the U.S. Attorney’ office in a federal investigation, adding that Mautino and his campaign workers are under federal grand jury subpoenas.

Allen expects GOP legislators will hold a press conference soon to ask Mautino to resign.

“When you a have the top watchdog in the state—the guy that’s supposed to be holding all state agencies accountable to legal spending—breaking the campaign laws, that’s a problem,” he said.