Judge dismisses lawsuit accusing McHenry Co. sheriff of extortion

A federal judge this week threw out a McHenry County concert promoter's lawsuit claiming Sheriff Keith Nygren and several of his employees bullied him into hiring off-duty deputies to provide security at his events.

U.S. District Court Judge Frederick J. Kapala says in a five-page ruling that the suit, filed by Michael and Joeleen Stanard, fails to meet legal standards and "contained severeal questionable claims."

The decision leaves open the possibility for the Stanards to refile 25 of the suit's 28 counts if they can bolster portions the court says lacked factual support.

However, Kapala warns them "to ensure that any claims asserted are warranted by existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument."

Nygren said Thursday the ruling is what he expected from the time the Stanards first sued him in July 2007.

"It was a case that had no merit, was totally frivolous and (Michael Stanard) and his attorney knew it," he said. "The way he maligned the men and women of this department, it was just bizarre."

The $2 million lawsuit stemmed from Stanard's use of his Galt Airport in Greenwood as a concert venue, dating back to 2005. The suit claimed that Nygren demanded Stanard hire off-duty deputies at $40 an hour - twice the going rate for a private security firm - to provide security during concerts at the site northwest of McHenry. If he refused, Stanard claimed, Nygren threatened to shut down the road leading to his venue.

Stanard, who also serves as Greenwood's village president, said he intends to refile those portions of the lawsuit Kampala said he would give a second look.

"I'm very pleased with what's happened and am (eager) to get this before a jury," he said.

Stanard has until Sept. 30 to refile the lawsuit, court records state.