Judge tosses most of Tom Knox's lawsuit against Table 31
Knox had been upset because he had been denied a 50-percent discount, which he had previously enjoyed.
Table 31 restaurant closed in September, but was dogged by a lawsuit filed last spring by Tom Knox against his partners.
Knox, the mayoral candidate and a multimillionaire, had been upset that starting in 2012, he - like other partners - was suddenly denied a 50-percent discount on food and drinks at the fancy eatery on the ground floor of the Comcast Center.
Common Pleas Court Judge John Herron on Tuesday dismissed most counts in the complaint, but Knox attorney George Bochetto said he would push forward with the case.
In court papers, it is reported that the restaurant - which opened in 2008 after a $4 million investment by 12 partners - did not make money in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. In 2009 and 2010, two investors - Bernie Spain and Herb Lotman - put up $1 million to keep the place going.
The papers say that when the partners sought additional money and tried to convert the two investor categories into one, Knox declined to sign on because he would not get the discount.
Judge Herron dismissed most charges but gave Knox 20 days to amend a count alleging breach of fiduciary duty. Bochetto said the case hinged on that count.
Defense attorneys declined to comment.
Meanwhile, I hear that Alex Plotkin - who formerly owned the two Chops steak houses - is in line to take over the space and its valuable outdoor patio at 17th Street and JFK Boulevard.