On Friday, August 19, 2022, following a five-day bench trial occurring in May 2022, the Circuit Court of Cook County, Hon. Clare Quish, ruled in favor of the Plaintiff, “FACGC, by its chairman of the board of directors, Jerry Clarito, (Clarito Faction)” restoring it as the “true and legitimate” Board of Trustees for the Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago (FACGC). Specifically, Judge Quish ruled that the Defendants in Case No. 2017 CH 6725, the “FACGC, by its chairman of the board of directors, Alexander Gonzales (Gonzales Faction), and Elaine Lehman,” wrongfully assumed control over the Board in January 2017 after failing to adhere to the organization’s constitution and by-laws and that all actions taken by the Defendants over the last five years were invalid.
Judge Quish further ruled that Ms. Elaine C. Lehman invalidly self-appointed herself as claimed Executive Director, and had no authority ever residing in the Rizal Heritage Center, as she has for the past five years. Judge Quish’s ruling enjoined Ms. Lehman from representing the organization in any fashion or accessing organizational funds and ordered her to vacate residence from the Rizal Heritage Center on or before September 12, 2022, as well as pay the organization $105,980 in damages.
Board of Directors Chairman, Jerry Clarito, stated: “We are very pleased with Judge Quish’s ruling, finding what we all knew all along – that Elaine Lehman never had any authority to act on behalf of the FACGC. With this ruling, the rightful board is very excited to continue on with the mission of this proud, distinguished, and now nearly 70-year-old organization — serving as a uniting force for the greater Chicago Filipino American community.”
The FACGC, by its chairman of the board of directors, Jerry Clarito, was represented by Alexander D. Marks of Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C.
A copy of Judge Quish’s ruling may be accessed at this link: Memorandum Order and Opinion.
* Originally appeared in MEGAScene.
Leave a Reply