Doe v. Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Plaintiff brought suit against the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activities, and respondeat superior. The trial court granted the Archdiocese's motion to dismiss because the claims were not timely and plaintiff failed to properly plead a claim arising under Ohio's corrupt practices act, which mirrors RICO. The Third District Court of Appeals for the State of Ohio reversed and the Supreme Court of Ohio granted cert and an appeal as of right because of a conflict in jurisdiction and constitutional issues presented in the case. The Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal, which resulted in the dismissal of numerous lawsuits pending in Southern Ohio, saving the client millions of dollars in defense costs. The case was also significant because it is the first ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court regarding the requirements for Ohio's corrupt practices act.