2008 Woodie Awards
Student files lawsuit against local tavern
Matthew Schroyer
Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: News
An SIUE student has filed a $100,000 lawsuit against a local tavern, claiming that it intoxicated a woman who had assaulted her.
Jenna Gordillo, a senior in mass communications, filed suit Oct. 2 against Cleo's Bar and Grill, at 1013 North Main St. in Edwardsville.
The suit claims Gordillo suffered injuries preventing her from working her job, which caused lost wages. The suit also says Tara Dee Jennings assaulted her, causing "extensive injuries to her mouth, lips and teeth."
Gordillo is also seeking $50,000 in damages from Jennings. Gordillo's attorney would not comment on the lawsuit.
Arlene Stevenson, Cleo's manager, said she had seen the fight between Gordillo and Jennings erupt in the bar. Stevenson said she does not serve patrons who have too much to drink, and evicts patrons who become unruly.
"I don't put a gun to your head to drink here," Stevenson said. "If someone is smashed, I will cut them off."
That's precisely what Stevenson said she had to do on the night of June 12, when Russell Sanders, Jr. of Edwardsville came to the bar. Stevenson said she threw Sanders, 25, out of the bar that evening after he had become irate.
Nearly six hours later, at 6:34 a.m. on June 13, Sanders' car smashed into the pickup of David Shimunek, of Edwardsville, at the speed of 100 mph on Route 140. Sanders was charged with a DUI and an aggravated DUI.
Shimunek is also suing Cleo's in excess of $50,000.
Some local bar owners say they constantly have to be on the lookout for customers who have consumed too much alcohol, and the looming threat of lawsuits is something dealt with regularly.
"This is nothing new," Laurie Chavez, owner of Laurie's Place in Edwardsville, said.
Rob Kotsybar, manager of the Jury Room in Edwardsville, said he has to cut off drinks to two or three patrons each Friday and Saturday.
"You have to always be aware of how much everyone has had to drink," Kotsybar said. "You have to observe everybody. Some people don't know their limits, you have to watch out for that."
For Cleo's, the lawsuits are new territory. Stevenson said in the establishment's 25-year history, there has never been a lawsuit. Despite the three lawsuits, Stevenson said the bar will continue to operate.
"I'm sure we'll survive," Stevenson said.
Jenna Gordillo, a senior in mass communications, filed suit Oct. 2 against Cleo's Bar and Grill, at 1013 North Main St. in Edwardsville.
The suit claims Gordillo suffered injuries preventing her from working her job, which caused lost wages. The suit also says Tara Dee Jennings assaulted her, causing "extensive injuries to her mouth, lips and teeth."
Gordillo is also seeking $50,000 in damages from Jennings. Gordillo's attorney would not comment on the lawsuit.
Arlene Stevenson, Cleo's manager, said she had seen the fight between Gordillo and Jennings erupt in the bar. Stevenson said she does not serve patrons who have too much to drink, and evicts patrons who become unruly.
"I don't put a gun to your head to drink here," Stevenson said. "If someone is smashed, I will cut them off."
That's precisely what Stevenson said she had to do on the night of June 12, when Russell Sanders, Jr. of Edwardsville came to the bar. Stevenson said she threw Sanders, 25, out of the bar that evening after he had become irate.
Nearly six hours later, at 6:34 a.m. on June 13, Sanders' car smashed into the pickup of David Shimunek, of Edwardsville, at the speed of 100 mph on Route 140. Sanders was charged with a DUI and an aggravated DUI.
Shimunek is also suing Cleo's in excess of $50,000.
Some local bar owners say they constantly have to be on the lookout for customers who have consumed too much alcohol, and the looming threat of lawsuits is something dealt with regularly.
"This is nothing new," Laurie Chavez, owner of Laurie's Place in Edwardsville, said.
Rob Kotsybar, manager of the Jury Room in Edwardsville, said he has to cut off drinks to two or three patrons each Friday and Saturday.
"You have to always be aware of how much everyone has had to drink," Kotsybar said. "You have to observe everybody. Some people don't know their limits, you have to watch out for that."
For Cleo's, the lawsuits are new territory. Stevenson said in the establishment's 25-year history, there has never been a lawsuit. Despite the three lawsuits, Stevenson said the bar will continue to operate.
"I'm sure we'll survive," Stevenson said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 35
Bradley Blake
posted 10/25/07 @ 4:44 PM CST
I should preface anything I say with the fact that I obviously do not know exactly what took place that particular evening to cause an assault on Ms. Gordillo. (Continued…)
Anon.
posted 10/25/07 @ 7:03 PM CST
I agree with what Bradley Blake said, and I think this is aAbsolutely outrageous. Yes, people should be held responsible for their actions...but the bar is in no fault of someone making someone upset and taking physical violence. (Continued…)
J. H.
posted 10/26/07 @ 8:52 AM CST
Greedy, greedy, greedy. Get out Jim while you still can!!!!
Erik
posted 10/26/07 @ 9:23 AM CST
So some pretty wannabe socialite (from a quick search of google and myspace) gets beat up at a bar...throws hissy fit...wants to sue everyone.
How did the fight start? Why were there no criminal charges? The lack of this information leads me to believe that her case doesn't hold much water in the first place. (Continued…)
Personal Opinion
posted 10/26/07 @ 12:29 PM CST
Some poor little girl gets punched in the face over a bathroom line dispute from an irate patron of the bar. Ambulance and police come, take Jen to the hospital, and now she cannot work at HOOTERS cause her not so perfect face will hurt her performance. (Continued…)
Know the story
posted 10/26/07 @ 3:02 PM CST
I know this story and I thought I would enlighten some of you. I believe the girl who "sucker punched" Jenna was a direct relative of the owners of the bar. (Continued…)
Anon.
posted 10/26/07 @ 6:10 PM CST
The fact that the lawsuit is occuring a YEAR later tells a lot about the attention-getter. Why don't any articles speak about this occuring a YEAR later? Good luck wasting your time, money, and effort as well as that of the counties who have better cases to work on than a greedy person. (Continued…)
Yikes
posted 10/26/07 @ 8:01 PM CST
Wow I'm surprised how quick people are to judge others!! It's sad how our society feels the need to victimize the victims! I'm sure many of you do not know the whole story, and maybe those individuals need to get their story straight before passing judgment! I'm sure the school did not print the "whole" story because they don't even know the truth! Anyways some people need to reevaluate their morals! Why is it okay that a girl got punched in a bar by a random stranger? She had her front tooth knocked out! I'm sure everyone could agree that they would not wish that on anyone! Did anyone ever stop to think about the medical costs? She should get money! And after going through this. (Continued…)
**WHEN DRUG ADDICTS ATTACK**
posted 10/28/07 @ 12:16 PM CST
let me just start off by saying what my mom always told me when I would pry into my siblings problems, "Mind your OWN BUSINESSSSSS!"
whew! now that I got that off my chest. (Continued…)
one more thing
posted 10/28/07 @ 6:15 PM CST
I forgot to add something to my comment **when drug addicts attack**
I just want to thank you Jenna for that night. You and I BOTH know what went on in that bathroom, and you and I are the ONLY ones who know. (Continued…)
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