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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Jordan, Universal Coin settle legal dispute

Jerry Jordan, reporter for The Examiner newspaper, and Universal Coin and Bullion have settled a court battle over charges that Jordan improperly obtained a list of the company's customers.

Jordan became involved in a suit that Universal Coin and Bullion filed last year against former employees John Rollins and Shannon Smith.

In the original petition, Universal Coin and Bullion attorney Bruce Partain of Beaumont claimed that Rollins and Smith divulged confidential information in concert with attorney Bill Voss.

For Rollins, Jake Posey of Weatherford responded that Universal Coin and Bullion used illegal tactics to sell coins and that Rollins reported the illegal acts to Voss.

Universal Coin and Bullion added Jordan to the suit, claiming he improperly received a list of coin buyers.

In a recent statement Jordan made to The Record, he explained that he was sued because he contacted customers of Universal Coin about the company's transactions.

"It was a good reporting tactic," Jordan said.

Jordan asked District Judge Donald Floyd to compel Universal Coin and Bullion to produce more information.

Universal Coin and Bullion argued that Jordan sought trade secrets. Last October, Floyd ruled in Jordan's favor.

Universal Coin and Bullion settled with Rollins and Smith. Jordan said that his case was non-suited.

"It was a mutual agreement not to sue," Jordan said. "I guess you could say it was like two playground bullies that finally shake hands and walk away."

Another case involving alleged fraud by a company related to Universal Coin was filed by Stephen Dinnen against U.S. Rare Coin. It was non-suited on July 24.

Mike Fuljenz, a partner in the coin companies, still has a suit pending against attorney Jason Gibson. Fuljenz is suing the lawyer for defamation.

Marilyn Tennissen contributed to this article.

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