Attorneys for both sides in the ongoing legal battle between West Suburban Medical Center CEO Manoj Prasad and his landlord and West Sub co-owner Rathnaker Patlola Reddy agreed in court Monday that a settlement is currently in the works.
They pointedly disagreed, however, over how soon any settlement might be finalized, and on the appropriate degree of urgency regarding the matter.
In the meantime, Commonwealth Edison is reportedly preparing to shut off West Sub’s electricity in July if it doesn’t receive payment.
Attorney Scott Kaplan, representing Reddy’s Ramco real estate company, appeared in person in Cook County Circuit Court Judge Patrick Stanton’s courtroom. Martin Tasch, attorney for Prasad’s Resilience Healthcare, appeared via Zoom.
Kaplan said the two sides are making progress towards settling but still had details to work out. He said another meeting is planned for this Tuesday.
“Hopefully we’ll iron out most of the issues,” Kaplan said.
Numerous vendors have sought to recoup money owed by Prasad and Resilience, with several filling lawsuits. Commonwealth Edison may soon join that list. Kaplan told the judge the utility company had posted a sign on the hospital doors, stating that the building’s electrical service would be cut off as of July 8 due to unpaid electric bills.
The utility’s notice joins a notice from the Village of Oak Park, notifying the public that the hospital is closed due to having no working elevators.
“There’s a plan in place to try to get that resolved,” Kaplan told the judge regarding the elevator situation. He said the parties were moving quickly toward a resolution and asked the judge for another meeting later this week, saying “If anything is (still) unresolved, it can be discussed in (the judge’s) chamber.”
“Time is of the essence,” Kaplan added. Tasch, however, did not seem to share that sense of urgency, telling the judge, “It cannot be done quickly.”
Tasch also told Stanton that he didn’t care for Kaplan’s approach to the negotiations, saying “Mr. Kaplan has been sending out ultimatums if we don’t (move as quickly as he’d like).” Tasch suggested another court hearing in 10 days.
Kaplan pushed back, saying “I don’t know if I’d agree the discussions weren’t expeditious.”
Judge Stanton appeared to side with Kaplan, saying, “This needs to be done with all deliberate speed,” and set the next hearing for Thursday, June 25, at 10:30 a.m.
Tasch also expressed unhappiness with what he said was the disclosure of confidential information regarding the case.
“Confidentiality is very important to us, and that seems to have been lost here,” said Tasch. “It’s out there in the community being talked about.”
“We’re fully aware of confidentiality,” Kaplan said.
“All right,” Stanton said before moving onto the next case. “Everybody gets to take the temperature down.”