Judge refuses new trial for Toledo restaurateur

2/26/2005

Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Charles Wittenberg has rejected a request from Toledo restaurateur John Skiadas for a new trial in his civil lawsuit against former Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner.

In November, Judge Wittenberg decided that Mr. Finkbeiner didn t assault Mr. Skiadas, and there was a lack of evidence to substantiate his claim that he suffered injury or emotional distress.

Mr. Skiadas, the owner of Pepe s Mexican Restaurant on Sylvania Avenue, sued Mr. Finkbeiner for an altercation on July 14, 2000, in the Erie Street Market, where Mr. Skiadas was opening a new restaurant.

The case was decided by Judge Wittenberg instead of a jury after attorneys did not meet the deadline to deposit a fee to secure a jury. Mr. Skiadas asked for the new trial on the jury issue, claiming his constitutional rights were denied.