CINCINNATI – Protesters gathered outside the Hamilton County Courthouse Wednesday to protest Stanley Chesley, a retired attorney who they have accused of cheating them out of their settlements.
Over a dozen people stood outside of the courthouse chanting, “We want justice." They held signs that read, “STAN CHESLEY IS NOT ABOVE THE LAW."
Chesley, a once-prominent attorney, is now known as the “Master of Disaster” for his major success in gathering billions from his clients.
In 2016, Chesley lost an appeal and was ordered to pay a portion of the $42 million owed in a lawsuit over the popular weight-loss drug Fen-Phen, after a lower Kentucky court found he breached his fiduciary duty to clients.
MORE: Stan Chesley loses appeal, must pay back part of $42M
Those clients-turned-protesters are now frustrated because they say it's taking too long to receive their settlements.
Lisa Swiger, one of the protesters, said it's sad that she and many of the protesters have to suffer and not receive their money when it is available.
“It’s just been a terrible situation,” Swiger said. “And it’s just been so unfair that we’ve had to go through this.”
Evelyn Hopkins, another protester, said she suffers from many illnesses, including having primary pulmonary hypertension disease from the drug Fen-Phen, a pacemaker, stents in her heart and a leaking valve.
Hopkins said she needs the money to take care of herself and her family since she and her husband, who is battling cancer, are unable to work.
“I have lost my home, I have had to sell my furniture and I now live with my daughter because I can’t afford anything anymore,” Hopkins said.
Chesley was disbarred in 2013.
