THE LAWYER AND THE STRIPPER - Mark P. Loftus

September 26, 2025

From the “You Can’t Make this Stuff Up Department”…
Saw a number of reports today of an Illinois lawyer who was suspended by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Committee [“ARDC”]because of an unusual payment plan he concocted with one of his clients. The story begins in 2001 when the lawyer, Scott Robert Erwin was visiting Heartbreakers, a Compton, Illinois strip club. Erwin got to talking to one of the dancers[the dancers can be very friendly at these places] and the two realized, after a couple of minutes, that they had previously spoken about some legal matters. Erwin then agreed to represent the stripper on some legal matters. That’s where the payment plan comes in…and I’ll bet you know where this is headed. According to the ARDC report, Erwin and the dancer agreed that she would perform some nude dances in his office as a way to cut down on the legal fees. The dancer claimed that from February through June of 2002 she would travel to Erwin’s office, strip, and then dance for 30 minutes. The dancer also claimed that on some of these occasions, Erwin would touch her in an inappropriate manner. Erwin denied any inappropriate touching.
And the stripper had another complaint. She claimed that Erwin continued to frequent Heartbreakers. [As an aside, I would have provided a link, but cursory research revealed a whole lot of strip clubs going by the name of “Heartbreaker” and I just don’t have the time…] But according to the stripper, Erwin made an enormous tactical error. When she danced for him at the club, he wouldn’t pay her for dances. It is my understanding from some field research many years ago, that strippers can become rather grumpy if not appropriately compensated for a dance.
The dancer went to the DeKalb, Illinois police in 2002, and an investigation led to a hearing before the DeKalb County Grand Jury where prosecutors sought a charge of criminal sexual assault. The Grand Jury refused to indict Erwin.
The ARDC suspended Erwin for 15 months. The woman involved is no longer working as a dancer.
Moral of the story? Don’t get on a stripper’s bad side.

Digital brain graphic with circuit board background, glowing blue, representing artificial intelligence.

The Anthropic Ruling - AI can't steal your content. - Mark P. Loftus

September 26, 2025
Topgolf building exterior with a gray facade, white sign, blue sky, and landscaping.

Topgolf hit with $15 million dollar verdict after 9 year old suffers devastating injuries. - Mark P. Loftus

September 26, 2025
Red Tesla sedan driving on a road.

Tesla Ignored $60 million settlement overture before getting crushed with $242 million dollar verdict. - Mark P. Loftus

September 26, 2025
According to online reports, Tesla ignored a $60 million dollar settlement overture in the wrongful death case that ultimately resulted in a $242 million dollar jury verdict against the car maker. The lawsuit grew out of 2019 crash where a Tesla Model S with Autopilot engaged, plowed through a Florida intersection and crashed into a Chevy Tahoe. Neima Benavides Leon and her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo were standing near the Tahoe when the Tesla crashed into it. Leon was killed and Angulo suffered serious injuries. A lawsuit was filed against Tesla, asserting that although the Autopilot feature was engaged, the vehicle did not brake. Florida law permits a monetary demand to be issued before trial. If the defendant fails to accept the demand within 30 days it is considered rejected. If the plaintiff then goes to trial and secures a verdict 25% greater than the offer, the defendant is on the hook for plaintiff’s investigative expenses and attorneys’ fees. Tesla is appealing the jury verdict, citing “substantial errors of law and irregularities at trial.”.
Taco with ground meat, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese sauce, and onions in a crispy shell.

Appellate Court rebuffs same proximate cause argument twice in taco restaurant crash. - Mark P. Loftus

September 26, 2025
Johnson's baby powder container, white bottle, blue text, red seal, 400g.

Supreme Court lets $2.2 billion dollar ovarian cancer verdict stand against Johnson & Johnson - Mark P. Loftus

September 26, 2025
This important ruling got kind of lost in the news cycle. A couple weeks ago, the United States Supreme Court refused to vacate a $2.2 billion dollar ovarian cancer verdict against Johnson & Johnson[“J & J”]. The verdict was originally returned by a Missouri jury in 2018 on behalf of 22 women. The original verdict was actually $4.7 billion but a Missouri Appellate Court reduced the award to $2 billion. Each of the women claimed that there was asbestos and asbestos-laced talc in J & J talcum powder products they used, and they developed ovarian cancer as a result. Asbestos is known to cause cancer. Talc, in its raw form is often found in close proximity to naturally occurring asbestos. When J & J mined talc, that talc sometimes contained asbestos. And that asbestos sometimes found its way into J & J personal hygiene products. [In 2019, J & J recalled 33,000 bottles of J & J products after FDA testing found asbestos in test samples]. J & J, has known of the risk of asbestos contamination in talc products since the 1970’s. Some 21,000 plus ovarian cancer cases are pending against J & J throughout the United States.
Bar counter with beer taps, logos, and a pint of Guinness. Shelves filled with bottles in the background.

Trial Judge: criminal attack outside bar not foreseeable. The Illinois Appellate Court: not so fast.... - Mark P. Loftus

September 26, 2025
Hand holding a black smartphone displaying the Uber app on a dark background.

Experts dispute victim numbers in Uber Sexual Assault Trial. - Mark P. Loftus

September 26, 2025
Spilled tan liquid with straw and debris on black asphalt with white line.

Surprise Headline - Federal Appeals Court sides with injured plaintiff in Costco Spilled Smoothie case. - Mark P. Loftus

September 26, 2025
Movie poster for

DuPont to pay $2 Billion to clean up "forever chemical" messes - Mark P. Loftus

September 26, 2025
Reports today say that DuPont and the State of New Jersey have reached a $2 Billion dollar settlement arising out of DuPont’s release of “forever chemicals” into soil, wetlands and other areas in New Jersey – and then forgetting to clean up the mess they made. The settlement with DuPont is reportedly the largest environmental settlement ever obtained by a state. “Forever chemicals” – also known as PFAS(referring to per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are man-made chemicals that are used in an extensive variety of products as they are both water and grease-resistant. The chemicals are linked to litany of health problems, including increased risk of certain cancers(kidney, testicular and breast) liver damage, thyroid issues and reproductive problems(such as decreased fertility, low birthweight and developmental problems). NJ.Com is reporting that one of the sites where DuPont created munitions created such significant contamination in the environment that over 300 homes required filters to prevent toxic chemicals from seeping into their homes. The settlement terms provide that DuPont will spend $875 millions cleaning up the contamination and set aside another $125 million to cover other damages that may arise. Additionally, DuPont will also set p a $1.2 billion funding source and reserve fund of $475 million to ensure that even if the company fails to make payments, or goes bankrupt, public funds will not be used. For a stark introduction into the nature of PFAS, check out Dark Waters, a compelling and criminally underrated movie based on the decades old fight waged by attorney Robert Bilott against DuPont for contaminating West Virginia rural communities.
Four airline workers with luggage walking across an airport tarmac toward a setting sun.

Federal Judge tosses airline employees' lawsuit claiming uniforms caused illnesses. - Mark P. Loftus

September 26, 2025