Judge tosses lawsuit filed against Walsh by ex-campaign manager

A Cook County judge on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit against congressional candidate Joe Walsh filed by an ex-campaign manager.

But plaintiff Keith Liscio, who helped Walsh launch his campaign for the 8th District seat last year, said he plans to refile the case, which alleged Walsh owed him $20,000.

Walsh could not be reached for comment. Campaign spokeswoman Whitney Schlosser said the Walsh team "expected this (result) all along."

Walsh, a Republican from McHenry, is challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean of Barrington for the 8th District seat. Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer of Lindenhurst also is running.

The case actually was brought by Patrickson-Hirsch Associates, Liscio's Morton Grove consulting firm.

The firm sued Walsh in January, just days before Walsh won a six-way GOP primary. Liscio accused Walsh of not paying $20,000 for services performed before Liscio left the Walsh campaign in December over the financial dispute.

The Walsh campaign maintained Liscio did not have a written contract with Walsh to be his campaign manager. Liscio confirmed the lack of a written contract but said the two men had an oral agreement.

Judge Roger G. Fein dismissed the lawsuit, citing issues with the complaint itself, Liscio said. Liscio said he plans to refile before a June 23 deadline.

If Liscio refiles the complaint, the campaign anticipates another judicial dismissal, Schlosser said.

The 8th District includes parts of Cook, Lake and McHenry counties.