Warren attorney dismisses Sunrise Inn suit

Staff report

WARREN

An attorney who filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Sunrise Inn restaurant on East Market Street against a Warren bail bondsman and several businesspeople connected to a nearby tavern has dismissed the action.

The suit named as defendants bail bondsman Robert Cregar; Joe Sankey Jr., the former owner of the former Sunset Lounge next door to the Sunrise Inn; and LaShawn Ziegler, the former operator of the Sunset Lounge.

The lounge closed after a New Year’s Day shooting there that killed Cory Blackwell, 25.

The lawsuit accused Cregar, Sankey and Ziegler of conspiring to operate the Sunset Lounge in a way that harmed the Sunrise Inn.

Atty. Richard L. Goodman of Niles filed a voluntary dismissal of the lawsuit Friday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, where Visiting Judge Virgil L. Sinclair Jr. was hearing the matter.

The lawsuit can be re-filed later.

An attempt to reach Goodman late Tuesday to comment was not successful.

Atty. Martin F. White of Warren, who represents Cregar, said as far as he knew, the case was proceeding Nov. 7 with a hearing on his motion for summary judgment, which is a hearing to determine whether the case should be dismissed without a trial.

“This case was the most ridiculous lawsuit I’ve ever been involved in,” White said. “It’s a big to-do over nothing.”

He added that he will ask the court for Cregar’s legal fees to be paid by the Sunrise Inn.