A Cole County judge said three administrative law judges can't be terminated from their positions for budgetary reasons. Earlier this year, five administrative law judge positions were cut. Four of the judges were let go, and a retiring judge was not replaced. Gov. Jay Nixon said the move was meant as a cost-cutting measure in the midst of a tough budgetary situation. In a decision released Wednesday, Cole County circuit judge Jon Beetem issued a permanent injunction that keeps the three men in their positions as administrative law judges.

Tagged with: Henry Herschel Jay Nixon John Tackes Matthew Murphy

The futures of three administrative law judges are in the hands of a Cole County judge. Attorneys presented final arguments on Wednesday in a case deciding whether the three ALJs can stay on job. Gov. Jay Nixon’s administration dismissed Henry ...

Tagged with: administrative law judges X Henry Herschel X Jack H. Kn Dowd Bennett Henry Herschel John Comerford John Tackes Matthew Murphy

Three administrative law judges contesting their dismissals will get at least a couple more weeks to continue at their posts. Jon Beetem, a Cole County circuit judge, has issued a temporary restraining order against the state in its bid to lay off three administrative law judges. Without such an order, the three men - Henry Herschel, Matthew Murphy and John A. Tackes - would have been forced to leave their positions by tomorrow.

Tagged with: administrative law judges Henry Herschel Jay Nixon John Tackes Jon Beetem Matthew Murphy

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misspelled attorney John Comerford’s name in two instances. The Daily Record regrets the error. Below is the correct version. Three dismissed administrative law judges have filed a lawsuit against Gov. Jay Nixon’s administration, ...

Tagged with: administrative law judges Henry Herschel Jay Nixon John Tackes Matthew Murphy

Three dismissed administrative law judges have filed a lawsuit against Gov. Jay Nixon's administration, arguing that their removal was illegal under state statute. The three men - Henry Herschel (pictured), Matthew Murphy and John A. Tackes - are plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed today in Cole County Court. The 41-page petition (click here to read) alleges that Nixon's administration and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations unlawfully dismissed the judges.

Tagged with: administrative law judges X Henry Herschel X Jack H. Kn Henry Herschel Jay Nixon John A. Tackes Matthew Murphy

The state has laid off four administrative law judges, and declined to fill a fifth vacancy, in what workers’ compensation lawyers say may be an unprecedented move. Peter Lyskowski, acting director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, confirmed Wednesday that ...

Tagged with: Division of Workers' Compensation Henry Herschel Jack H. Knowlan Jr. John Larsen John Tackes June Doughty Matt Blunt Matthew Murhpy Peter Lyskowski Workers' compensation

Ending a legal battle that already cost taxpayers more than $1 million in legal fees, the state agreed to pay a former attorney for Gov. Matt Blunt $500,000 to settle a lawsuit. Former deputy general counsel Scott Eckersley contended he ...

Tagged with: Ed Martin Henry Herschel Matt Blunt Rich AuBuchon Rich Chrismer Scott Eckersley

The Missouri Attorney General's Office has issued a statement confirming a $500,000 settlement in a lawsuit against former Gov. Matt Blunt and four of his staff members. Former staff attorney Scott Eckersley (pictured) had sued after he was fired in late September 2007. He claimed he was dismissed after raising concerns that Blunt's staff was not properly preserving e-mails in compliance with state record-retention and open-records laws.

Tagged with: Ed Martin Henry Herschel Matt Blunt Rich AuBuchon Richard Chrismer Scott Eckersley