Criminal Probe Puts Edelson’s Girardi Firm Fraud Suit on Hold

A pending criminal matter involving a former Girardi Keese attorney prompted a US judge on Monday to stay the fraud suit Edelson PC filed against the now-defunct firm, accusing it of stealing air crash litigation settlement funds.

Judge Matthew F. Kennelly, US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, granted ex-Girardi attorney David Lira’s sealed motion to stay the case for 30 days.

“There is a pending federal criminal investigation related to issues pending before this court in this matter,” the motion said. The filing included a sealed affidavit from Chicago criminal defense attorney Damon Cheronis.

The stay ...