Case in Cook County
2023-L-008973
July 29 2026
Plaintiff Joseph Phelan posted this :
“As promised, I will always be upfront about what happened in the litigation arising from my public discussion of nuEra Cannabis and the ownership agreement I alleged had been breached.
On Count V, the jury found in favor of myself the plaintiff Joseph Phelan and against Robert Fitzsimmons II, NuMed Partners, NuMed Managers, and IESO, jointly and severally, for breach of our contract.
On Counterclaim Counts II–IV defamation per se, false light, and tortious interference the jury found in favor of myself and Juan Finch Jr. Those claims concerned our public discussion and F’nAround publications of witness intimidation, death threats, defrauding us, bribery attempts, wires to witnesses, racism and sexism within the company, and allegations that nuEra and members of the Fitzsimmons family financed litigation involving Finch to delay minority applicants while pursuing additional business licenses.
After seven days of trial in cook county Illinois, during which they heard testimony and reviewed the evidence, all twelve jurors unanimously signed the verdict forms in our favor on all of the above counts.
Because the verdicts will not be formally entered as a final judgment until the remaining bench-trial issue concerning Michigan ownership concludes at the end of September, we expect regulators in multiple states to wait until the judgment is finalized before acting on the trial admissions and jury findings. Juan Finch Jr.’s appeal can likewise proceed after final judgment, with the trial testimony concerning the payment of his litigation now preserved in the record.
The counter-plaintiffs
Robert Fitzsimmons, II aka Bob Fitzsimmons
Robert V. Fitzsimmons, III aka Robb Fitzsimmons
NuMed Managers, Inc.
Laura Jaramillo Bernal
IESO, LLC
NuMed East Peoria, LLC
NuMed Urbana, LLC
NuMed Chicago, LLC
NuEra DeKalb, LLC
NuEra East Dubuque, LLC
NuEra Chicago Southland, LLC”
Public Updates as of July 24, 2026
Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook CountyCase Activities:
Activity Date:07/21/ Desc:Judgment For A Specific Litigant Comments:
Activity Date:07/21/2026 Event Desc:Judgment For A Specific Litigant Comments:
Activity Date:07/21/2026 Event Desc:Judgment For A Specific Litigant Comments:Count II of Counterclaim
Activity Date:07/21/2026 Event Desc:Judgment For A Specific Litigant Comments:Count III of Counterclaim
Activity Date:07/21/2026 Event Desc:Judgment For A Specific Litigant Comments:Count III of Counterclaim
Activity Date:07/21/2026 Event Desc:Judgment For A Specific Litigant Comments:Count IV of Counterclaim
Activity Date:07/21/2026 Event Desc:Judgment For A Specific Litigant Comments:Count IV of Counterclaim
Updates as of June 10, 2026
All summary motions by the defendants were denied.
Pretrial begins June 18, 2026
Trial begins July 13, 2026
Important Notice
It has been brought to our attention through publicly available statements made by a plaintiff on his LinkedIn at JosephPhelan.com that the defendants, in an effort to allegedly conceal information, gain leverage, and obstruct justice in the ongoing lawsuit, have engaged in various maneuvers and strategies. These actions, as publicly discussed by the plaintiff, allegedly constitute violations of state and federal law, including felony-level offenses, with apparent involvement from certain state regulatory bodies.
Additionally, wire transfers from the defendant to a listed witness have surfaced. According to the plaintiff, these wires were deposited into a joint business account controlled by the witness, who allegedly used the funds for personal expenses, including payments to himself, his spouse, and a homeowners’ association. The plaintiff has stated his intent to release this evidence publicly. The plaintiff has been releasing this and all disclosures through his media company at F’nAround and has done a full timeline of events as well.
All information provided here is based on publicly available records, filings, and statements.
Original Defendants: Patrick Coats, TB NuEra JV, LLC, IESO, LLC, NuEra Acquisitions, LLC, NuEra Chicago, LLC, NE MI, LLC, NuMed Partners Michigan, LLC, NuEra New Buffalo, LLC, NuMed Managers Incorporated, NuMed Partners, LLC, Laura Bernal, Patrick Brady, Sheila Fitzsimmons, Robert Fitzsimmons, Jr., Robert Fitzsimmons, NE MI, LLC, NUERA EAST PEORIA, LLC, NUERA PEKIN, LLC, NUERA URBANA, LLC, NUERA URBANA, LLC, NUERA AURORA, LLC, NUERA CHICAGO, LLC, NUERA ACQUISTIONS, LLC
Important Update:
November 18th court date update:
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY
COUNTY DEPARTMENT, LAW DIVISION
JOSEPH J. PHELAN, ET AL.,
Plaintiff,
v.
NUMED PARTNERS, LLC, ET AL.,
Defendants.
Case No. 2023 L 8973
Hon. John J. Curry
Calendar I
ORDER
This matter coming for hearing on Certain Defendants’ 2-615 Motion to Dismiss
Counts, III and IV of the Third Amended Complaint, the Court being advised in the
premises,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
1. For the reasons stated by the Court, the Motion is denied, with prejudice;
2. Defendants shall Answer the Third Amended Complaint by December 16,
2024; and
3. Case set for case management on discovery on December 30, 2024, at 9:00
a.m. via Zoom. Zoom Meeting ID: 911 3870 7020, Passcode: 035 427; Dial In No: 1-312-
626-6799.
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