This Just In: Recent civil filings in Jefferson County District Courts

Oct. 31

- Andre David Leffebre vs. state of Texas

PA � Leffebre, J � Bob Wortham

A local prisoner has filed a $25 million lawsuit against the state of Texas. Andre David Leffebre claims the State Bar of Texas entered him into a "commercial contract" and "failed to disclose (the) full aspects of the 'guilty' plea the (he) entered in court."

In addition to the $25 million Leffebre is seeking from the state, he is blaming the Geo Corporation for the loss of his personal belongings and suing for the company for $10 million.

Case No. A180-681

- Dawn Bettina Gaudet vs. Camille Rocha

PA � Susan Oliver, J - Milton Shuffield

Dawn Gaudet is seeking a restraining order against her former domestic partner who threatened to blow her away with a shotgun. Rocha and Gaudet share numerous co-mingled accounts, personal property, and real property, "which must be divided."

In addition to the restraining order, Gaudet is asking that she be awarded actual and exemplary damages.

Case No. D180-683

Nov. 2

- John Violette vs. Sears Holding Corp.

PA - Anthony Malley, III, J - Bob Wortham

Dissatisfied with a bum refrigerator, John Violette has filed suit against Sears Holding Corp. Violette claims the fridge he bought from a Port Arthur Sears last year has never worked properly.
Violette is suing for expectancy, reliance and restitution damages, plus punitive damages.

Case No. A180-697

Nov. 5

- Lamar Bertram vs. Universal Sodexho Inc.

PA � Cory Itkin, J � Donald Floyd

A steward aboard a jack-up rig is suing his employers because he slipped and fell in the shower. Lamar Bertram claims Hercules Drilling Company and Universal Sodexho, Inc.negligently caused the incident by failing to "supervise" and "train" him and his fellow employees while he showered. Bertram and his lawyer, Cory Itkin, also claim Hercules failed "to provide adequate safety equipment" while he bathed. Itkin is an attorney for the Arnold & Itkin law firm.

Case No. E180-706

- Robert Vail vs. KCS Railway Co.

PA - Bristol Baxley, J - Milton Shuffield

A Kansas City Southern Railway employee is suing the railroad over two separate slip and falls. Robert Vail twisted his leg once while exiting a locomotive then again while setting a hand brake on a rail car. Vail claims KCS failed to provide him with a safe place to work. He is citing the Federal Employers' Liability Act.

Case No. D180-707

- Lacresha and Geary Seniguar vs. Neches Rehabilitation and Testing, Inc.

PA - William Coffey Jr., J - Gary Sanderson

A Beaumont duo is alleging a local rehabilitation center negligently hired an unqualified physical therapist, who has been accused of making "offensive physical contact" with a patient. Lacresha and Geary Seniguar are suing Neches Rehabilitation and Testing, Inc., doing business as Health & Medical Practice Associates, claiming its owners/employees negligently hired Marc Sterling. Lacresha Seniguar alleges Sterling offensively touched her.

Case No. B180-708

- Sedonia Keal vs. The Medical Center of Southeast Texas

PA � Clay Dugas, J - Donald Floyd

Sedonia Keal has filed suit against her former employer, The Medical Center of Southeast Texas, claiming she was fired because she made a workers compensation claim. She is suing for punitive damages, plus lost wages in the past, loss of wages in the future, loss of insurance coverage, vacation and other fringe benefits of employment, past and future, and mental anguish in the past and in the future.

Case No. E180-710

- Tommy Vance Vaccarrello vs. American Express Co.

PA - Adam Terrell, J - Donald Floyd

Burned by a bait and switch offered by his credit card company, Tommy Vance Vaccarrello is suing American Express Co. in retaliation. Vaccarrello claims American Express offered its cardholders an all access trip package to the 2006 Ryder Cup in Dublin, Ireland, and then switched the package once the trip was purchased. He is suing for the $10,000 he spent on the trip plus mental anguish damages.

Case No. E180-716

Nov. 6

John Matula and Linda Riley vs. Camellia Homes, Inc.

PA � Kenneth Lewis, J � Bob Wortham

Hoping to avoid a full-blown lawsuit, a Hardin County couple and the company who built their new home agreed to allow a neutral inspector to examine the house for defects. However, the sensible approach failed "because (the) defendant would not agree to inspectors recommended by plaintiffs' attorney." The couple and their attorney are accusing Camellia of fraud and are suing for actual and exemplary damages, plus mental anguish and attorney fees.

Case No. A180-719