Ex-doctor sues partner for failing to repay business loan

Cardiologist convicted over drugs, weapons

3/7/2014

A former cardiologist who was convicted in state and federal courts on drug and weapons charges is suing a Toledo man for failing to repay a business loan.

In a civil suit filed this week in Lucas County Common Pleas Court, Barry DeRan of Lambertville said he paid $40,000 to Keenan Laws in April and May of 2013 to purchase inventory for a business in which they planned to be partners, but Mr. Laws did not purchase the inventory or return the money.

Milton Pommeranz, attorney for DeRan, said the business, to be called Advanced Automotive Modules, was to have involved salvage of a specific part from automobiles.

The business loan was not related to a gun shop DeRan testified in U.S. District Court that he intended to start, Mr. Pommeranz said.

DeRan, 55, was sentenced last month to six months in a federal halfway house after pleading guilty to conspiracy and eight counts of aiding and abetting making false statements in the acquisition of firearms.

He also is on community control for four years from Lucas County Common Pleas Court. He served three months of a 28-month prison sentence for four counts each of aggravated possession of drugs and aggravated drug trafficking.