Indiana, Perrysburg firms named in arena suit

6/26/2002

BOWLING GREEN - The "John Does" named in Perrysburg Township's lawsuit against Rossford, its mayor, and the Rossford Arena Amphitheater Authority have been identified.

In a recent filing in Wood County Common Pleas Court, the township named Richard E. Kavanaugh & Associates of Elkhart, Ind., and Recreational Development & Consulting of Perrysburg as co-defendants in the suit. Both acted as financial consultants and financial advisers to Rossford officials, the amended complaint claims, helping Rossford to "devise a scheme to sell the township a security" in the now-defunct project.

The township claims it was misled when it agreed to contribute $5 million toward the proposed ice arena and outdoor amphitheater project. The RAAA was not able to obtain long-term financing to complete the project, and the township has not been repaid.

While visiting Judge Joseph Schmenk ruled in February that the transaction was not a security investment but a simple loan, his decision is under appeal in the 6th District Court of Appeals.