Labor Department files suit to recover over $110,000 for employee benefits plan of The Leiter Group Attorneys and Counselors Professional Corporation

Date of Action: April 19, 2016

Type of Actions: Employee Retirement Income Security Act Lawsuit

Defendants: The Leiter Group Attorneys and Counselors Professional Corporation and Thomas E. Leiter

Allegations:  An investigation by the Employee Benefits Security Administration in Kansas City, Missouri, found Peoria, Illinois–based law firm The Leiter Group Attorneys and Counselors Professional Corporation and Thomas E. Leiter, the firm’s president and sole owner, violated multiple provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.  Specifically, the suit alleges that Leiter caused the company’s retirement plan to loan more than $179,000 to building trusts controlled by Leiter and that he caused the plan to invest $225,000 in a Florida condominium project substantially controlled by Leiter. 

Resolution:  The suit seeks a court order requiring The Leiter Group Attorneys and Counselors Professional Corporation and Leiter to restore all losses to the plan’s participants and to appoint an independent fiduciary to administer the plan.

As of Dec. 31, 2014 the plan had 10 participants and $435,767 in assets.

Court:  U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois

Docket Number: 1:16-cv-01116-JES-JEH

Employers and workers can reach EBSA Kansas City office at 816-285-1800 or toll-free at 866-444-3272 for help with problems related to private sector retirement and health plans. Additional information can be found at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/.