• Welcome to BradleyFans.com! Visitors are welcome, but we encourage you to sign up and register as a member. It's free and takes only a few seconds. Just click on the link to Register at the top right of the page, and follow instructions. If you have any problems or questions, click on the link at the bottom right of the page to Contact Us.

Kent State Lawsuit..

maybe we can have a lawyer comment but in this country anyone is free to file just about any suit or appeal - so I doubt there's any law that would prevent further appeals.

But the next level of appeal would be to the Federal Court system then to Federal Appeals Court then Supreme Court, and since this entire lawsuit regards interpretation of Ohio contract law- does anyone think there's even a chance that a Federal court would care to intervene or overrule the Ohio Supreme Court in a case involving interpretation of Ohio contract law? - especially since there's no claims of anyone being treated unconstitutionally or in violation of Federal laws.
Note that essentially ALL of the cases that the appeals to this point have referenced in an attempt to get the Ohio Supreme Court to intervene have been OTHER OHIO CASES involving contract laws and disputes. (LINK) Thus if appealed higher, wouldn't any Federal judge deny & likely send it back to Ohio?
Again - let the lawyers decide but it can't be good news for Geno or BU who share liability of over $1.2 million
 
tornado said:
... it can't be good news for Geno or BU who share liability of over $1.2 million
Click to expand...

I agree with you Tornado that it's highly unlikely the fed courts will overturn this state court decision. However, I thought BU was cleared and dropped from this suit a while back. :? If you meant BU is indirectly liable since they have to still pay Geno severance (so to speak) then I understand , but I think BU has been exonerated (technically, not actually) by being dropped from the suit. If Florida offers wage protection (as my link seemed to indicate) then Geno might have to pay very little for as long as he stays/resides in Florida. I believe OJ Simpson was afforded similar protections in Florida regarding his pension income.
 
Bradley lost the actual lawsuit but Kent State, in a surprisingly generous move, chose only to pursue damages from Geno and not BU - essentially letting BU off the hook legally in Ohio...

BUT -- as was revealed by the court documents & copies of the contracts that were placed into evidence-
BRADLEY's contract with Geno - that was offered by Dr. Glasser & Cross & approved by the Board of Trustees - guarantees up to $400,000 in buyout or penalties should Geno be sued by Kent State.
So unfortunately that's a lock solid commitment by BU that they will get sued in Illinois courts should they try to duck out of.
 
tornado said:
BRADLEY's contract with Geno guarantees up to $400,000 in buyout or penalties should Geno be sued by Kent State.
So unfortunately that's a lock solid commitment by BU that they will get sued in Illinois courts should they try to duck out of.
Click to expand...

Interesting, I did not know that. So, if Geno's salary is indeed protected by Florida laws, it sounds like KSU may have to come after BU if they want to get ANY money. Stay tuned, I guess.
 
not sure what you're talking about - the days of crossing a state line to duck the law are long gone....

..if you lose a lawsuit in Ohio, there's no other state that will "protect" you from having to comply with the terms of the judgement...
In fact there's already a civil case in Peoria County with Kent State bringing action to garnish wages being paid to Geno by Bradley.
 
it's been a while since anyone has commented on this topic, but it's still an ongoing issue with a lot of things that have happened...

Once Geno Ohio Supreme Court appeal, Kent State went after Bradley for the component of the judgement that Dr. Glasser had contractually agreed to pay in Geno's buyout.
This was $400,000 - and now the Ohio courts have ruled Bradley better pay up
"absent security from Bradley, in an amount not less than $400,000.00,
they are contractually obligated to contribute to Geno Ford's debt to Kent State."
http://www.co.portage.oh.us/eservic...IUy35d6zpzBJvKBIB07DmI3*uI872H-bN7aE2wO55hyTk

Bradley's lawyers filed appeals to stall a little longer
http://www.co.portage.oh.us/eservic...et6simc5ssN0g6QMlbq14XM2D-toHyrgze70cmp5l8z2k

but the courts ruled these appeals "moot" including all the further appeals
http://www.co.portage.oh.us/eservic...6FRDIlFGImEmSxpCz7dkWwtEjsaFvBK3eLAWRMznJ8gaY
http://www.co.portage.oh.us/eservic...7gHUNJrbThKCL-VWDR9alCQgk05oZ9EKeNE2SehjqZekQ

now Bradley is declining to pay and wants the matter to go to trial - still hoping to get a favorable ruling at trial in December
http://www.co.portage.oh.us/eservic...LnDc-bo9cvEBkrvm6f0vw7LBTG7WV12N4YIyzMoN12-PY
http://www.co.portage.oh.us/eservic...rzEXl9TBcDUSHKZZvVd7ST5xJ20lnwuFvm5RtZeU9GlPw

so the trial to determine the degree of Bradley's liability will go on in December 2016 with Geno Ford also subpoenaed
http://www.co.portage.oh.us/eservic...*5WcdogHt3jgo1fdUFzCb-00iUa5qFWBRg-relu-Vgbcc

sadly, the sentiments that the previous administration voiced about Kent State not pursuing full damages against Bradley has not kept BU out of all the legal entanglements in the Ohio courts and the obligation for at least $400K. This one's on the former admin.
 
If anyone knows if Bradley stands a chance in this trial it would be President Roberts. I feel good about our chances if he has anything to do with Bradley's decision to contest this and send it to trial.
 
Bradley filed a couple more briefs yesterday attempting to have their legal obligation to pay Geno Ford's debts thrown out and are even trying to overturn the summary judgement against Bradley in the contract interference claim by Kent State, and even trying to recover their court costs.
Let's hope we are more successful this time.
http://www.co.portage.oh.us/eservic...pUQFcxAt2mH*mWQNrG6AXBtAk**HR6EXvJ4Ql7mS3CHnA
http://www.co.portage.oh.us/eservic...l8iwqLBvUFJrBHg2Y-MJG5Cs6fGZUpHZNsTkiYLeGg0Rk

edit...no wonder people laugh at our court system & lawyers....it was spring of 2011 when Geno left Kent State, so we're 5 1/2 years into this lawsuit process
...and I'm sure it's consumed at least half a million dollars in legal expenses, travel costs, lawyer and & court fees, etc...
the parties will all be long dead by the time anything gets decided!
 
Last edited:
This is interesting...regarding the Geno Ford lawsuit, pertaining Geno being interviewed by Bradley...
LINK

Bradley is arguing that they are NOT responsible for any damages incurred by Geno leaving Kent State,
and their main argument at this time is an interview from March 27, 2011 in which ...

"Kent State University's ... Athletic Department spokesman Alan Ashby said
the university would never hinder the coach's ability to look at another
opportunity, and as has been it's policy when schools have asked to meet
with one of it's coaches, KSU has granted permission for Ford to interview."

also the Kent State spokesman Alan Ashby...confirmed on Saturday the
university has granted permission for Ford to interview at another school.

Ford is believed to be in the radar of ... Bradley University of the Missouri
Valley Conference and Fresno State...."

"The (Portage County, OH) Record-Courier confirmed Ford was out of town for a meeting with a
representative of another program on Friday and Saturday."
(which, of course, was Bradley University - then THE NEXT DAY, he was signed by Bradley)


So the people at Kent State not only knew Geno Ford had been contacted by Bradley, but they also knew he was going there for an interview and they publicly stated that they had given Geno permission to do so and even went one step further saying that they always would do so and not hinder his opportunity to seek other positions!!
This may be an important piece of evidence that Bradley's current lawyers have come up with that apparently the former ones, and Geno's lawyers didn't know about and never submitted into evidence.

**
 
Kent State lawyers file a brief- claiming Bradley's actions are "without merit and frivolous"
http://www.co.portage.oh.us/eservic...dU1kA0p1szJXFb456XerLj9ySSUPwM9iw37300rJWBSk0

in the end this is a matter in the Ohio courts that has sided all along, every single step of the way and on every issue and every appeal with the Ohio public institution (Kent State) ...
thus I fully expect the state will protect their own interests again and side with Kent State.
 
in a new motion Kent State is now claiming someone previously representing BU has..
"entered into negotiations with Gene A. Ford .. to delay, hinder, and defraud Kent State...

Kent State has an unsatisfied judgement of $1,200,000.."

then it goes on to claim ...
"Kent State has reason to believe that Bradley University paid the costs of (Ford's) appeals.."

if true, it looks like even more bad judgement by the former administration ...can you say fallout...
 
interesting twist..

this case includes Kent State going after Bradley for $1,600,000 to cover all their legal costs as well...but now has been transferred to another judge.
But Bradley has found that Kent State's "Honor Roll of Donors" shows that this new judge is a big time supporter and donor to Kent State!
What an incredible conflict of interests!!
Bradley has thus filed to have this new judge disqualified due to this conflict.
 
The judge has ruled, he is NOT stepping down despite the conflict of interests..

here is his statement

"The Judge states ...that he and his wife have donated to the university's
athletic program and have also attended Kent State games for many years.
The Judge does not believe, however, that any of those facts will affect his
ability to fairly and impartially preside.."
...the trial will proceed
 
latest deposition discloses some details of Geno Ford's contract with Bradley
..it is now a matter of public record in this lawsuit that is still dragging on...

-Geno was given a 2 year extension after his 2nd season
-Bradley was contractually obligated to pay up to $400,000 to Kent State for Geno's buyout
-upon discharge from Bradley - Geno was paid an additional $49,167 (incentive pay for student academic performance) plus the amount remaining on his contract thru 2018 via these terms:
"on termination of his employment without cause, one half of the annual guaranteed base salary for the remainder of the term of the contract - paid in monthly installments"
-Bradley also paid attorney fees FOR GENO FORD as well as their own in the prior lawsuits (amount stated as $110,480)
-then Geno's actual contract is included in this link - $700,000 annual base pay plus many various incentives & bonuses from $10,000 for an NIT appearance to $75,000 for a Final Four appearance and $100,000 for a National Championship.
Plus other benefits, insurance, 12 free season tickets, full tuition for his wife & kids, etc...
...signed by Joanne Glasser & Michael Cross on March 26, 2011 and also by Geno Ford on March 26, 2011
-total amount of compensation Bradley paid to Geno thru Dec. 2016 - $3,422,645
-Bradley still owes him $486,667


https://www.co.portage.oh.us/eservi...oLAV0FMoXyJka5*FubZhSsRRqDRFonTgsJ-VPsZ-Pmmgg
 
Sick

Sick

This make me ill. Lousy performance, huge pay. The worst management of resources far and wide. Unbelievable!!!!!!
 
Since GF is now working as assistant at Stony Brook - it is likely that under the terms, Bradley recoups what he earns but - that wouldn't be much -
assistants at lower midmajors are generally paid $50-80K
..and the lawsuit does keep dragging on - if Geno's legal costs were over $110K, then you know Bradley's would likely already be in the $200K+ range.
Absolutely NONE of the legal costs and nightmares were necessary -
If only Joanne & Cross has followed well-established, normal and customary procedures, all of which were well known in the industry and even well known to the average Joe on the street - that you have to get permission before you can talk to someone else's coach and have to read contracts and get permission to hire someone else's coach.
If only Glasser & Cross had not been so astoundingly stupid and negligent, then a bare minimum of $700-$800,000 ($400K for the guarantee to pay his buyout, and at least $300K in legal costs) of the University's money and another $800,000 (Geno's share of the buyout penalty which would have been waived had he simply had permission to leave) of Geno's money would not have gone down the drain.

Wow - and this is just part of the stupidity & negligence under JG & MC - it doesn't even begin to cover the horrible mismanagement of the the athletic programs and the nuclear destruction of the basketball program, donor base and fan base - back to the stone age.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top