Bonding Company Files Federal Lawsuit Against Judges

Tom Peak, owner of Peak Bail Bonds of Jefferson City, and three of his agents have filed a civil suit in US District Court against two Missouri presiding circuit judges, the Honorable Mark Richardson of the 36th Judicial Circuit and the Honorable Fred Copeland of the 34th Judicial Circuit. Also named in the suit are state troopers Buddy Cooper and Jeff Heath of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Sheriff Mark Dobbs of Butler County, New Madrid County Prosecuting Attorney Lewis Recker, and Phillip Childress and Craig Meador of Childress Bail Bonds of Poplar Bluff, MO.

Plaintiffs Peak, Glenn Beazley of Jefferson City, Bobby Martin of Marston, and John Montgomery of Poplar Bluff, allege in a seven count complaint; two counts of conspiracy, denial of due process, tortiuous interference, slander, libel, and injurious falsehood.

The complaint alleges that Peak and its agents were unfairly denied the right to conduct bail bond business in the courts’ jurisdictions based upon a complaint received by competitor Childress. The complaint alleges that Judge Richardson issued a letter to Martin accusing him of:
(1) inappropriately using inmates to recruit business,
(2) allowing Montgomery to issue bonds under Martin’s authority, and
(3) soliciting and receiving sexual favors in exchange for fees.

The complaint alleges that the letter also revoked the authority of Martin to issue bonds in the circuit effective immediately. Montgomery also alleges that he was unable to write bonds in the circuit and Montgomery and Martin not given a hearing or appeal rights. The suit alleges that Richardson, Copeland, Dobbs, Recker, Cooper and Heath used the power and prestige of their positions to investigate and discredit plaintiffs without authority. The complaint also alleges that the injurious statements regarding Martin and Montgomery were false and harmful, and defendants intended the harm or should have recognized that harm was likely as a result of the false statements.

The plaintiffs are represented by Samuel Trapp of Hanrahan Trapp, PC of Jefferson City. Since the complaint was just filed on October 11th, the defendants attorneys have not entered at this time.

The entire complaint is posted here.