A sampling of some case profiles handled by Cindy Rhodes Victor and The Victor Firm, PLLC:

HILLSIDE PRODUCTIONS, INC.

Freedom Hill Amphitheater, a 7,000 seat outdoor entertainment complex, was the center of a dispute between the private business and the city.  After granting the venue permits to build and expand the amphitheater, complaints by nearby residents led the city to eventually revoke the Special Approval Land Use it had granted Hillside.  U.S. District Court Judge Nancy G. Edmunds re-instated the SALU in a published opinion, 249 F. Supp. 2d 880, ruling that the planning commission did not have authority to revoke the SALU.  After nearly three years of contentious litigation, the City of Sterling Heights agreed to settle the case for $31 Million dollars, two liquor licenses, tax incentives and other non-monetary incentives.

TED NUGENT

Michigan rock legend Ted Nugent had a concert scheduled for June 30, 2003 cancelled by Muskegon Summer Celebration for alleged racial remarks made on a Denver radio station interview.  Nugent sued claiming breach of contract, loss of reputation and libel and slander.  Muskegon Circuit Court Judge Timothy G. Hicks dismissed all of the counts except the breach of contract claim, which the jury found in favor of Ted Nugent, and awarded him $100,000.  An appeal is pending on the dismissed counts.

MUHSIN MUHAMMAD

Two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver and current Carolina Panther Muhsin Muhammad was convinced by friends and acquaintances to invest $400,000 in a land development project in Cleveland, Ohio.  After receiving documentation that there was sufficient financial guarantees, Muhammad gave his permission to invest the money, only to find out later that the documentation was falsified, and his money gone.  An investigation by the FBI is ongoing.

LOAN GIANT

Loan Giant, a mortgage loan company, was accused by the Office of Financial and Industry Services of fraud and misrepresentations in documents related to several mortgage closings.  After several hearings successfully defending the charges, Loan Giant was forced to seek bankruptcy protection due to the negative publicity caused by the State’s actions.

THE HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORT

Three men from Northville, Michigan, while attempting to bring desperately needed supplies to hurricane ravaged Louisiana and Texas, instead found themselves arrested, abused and accused of looting.  Their story has been featured on the Frank Beckman show on WJR, 760-AM, Detroit, and has been garnering national attention.

CREMATION SERVICES OF MICHIGAN

After receiving approval from Clinton Township to operate a crematorium, local residents sued the township to block the crematorium, calling the owner “an environmental racist”.  Macomb County Circuit Court Judge James M. Biernat overturned the decision of the Clinton Township Planning Commission.  An appeal is pending.

RONDIGO

A businesswoman attempting to open a composting facility in St. Clair County is facing heavy opposition from residents, even though a composting facility is already operating next door to the proposed site.

CLUB ITALIA

A Shelby Township non-profit organization, seeking to develop soccer fields, was given just three weeks to submit complete plans, while another for-profit organization was given three years to develop plans.  Club Italia sued, and U.S. District Court Judge George Caram Steeh dismissed the lawsuit for lack of standing.  An appeal is pending.

DEARBORN AVENUE BISTRO

A Dearborn nightclub is facing the loss of its liquor license for drug activity that allegedly occurred while the club was under previous ownership.  While no evidence was submitted that the current owner knew or condoned of such activity, the Dearborn City Council nevertheless voted to revoke the liquor license.  A hearing is pending before the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

N.I.P.P.

Denver, Colorado based concert promoters bought the Royal Oak Music Theater with plans to turn the venue into a world-class entertainment center.  The City of Royal Oak refused to allow dancing at the theater, even though the owners of the theater held valid dance permits.  Due to the interference of the City, the owners were forced to sell the venue at a significant loss.

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