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Judge Couples Truck-Stop Gambling Lawsuits

LOUISIANA – As reported by the (Louisiana) Times-Picayune: "Two lawsuits filed by opponents of a video-gambling truck stop in Marrero will be heard in tandem in state court this week, after a judge agreed Monday with defendants that the cases share essential facts and have the same aim.

"The suits, filed by the owners of Avondale Truck Stop LLC and by Phil Hebert, who lives near the truck-stop property, ask the court to stop developers from expanding a service station at 7340 West Bank Expressway to include 50 truck parking spaces and room for 50 video poker machines.

"…Plaintiffs' attorneys, who won temporary restraining orders last month against developers and the parish, argued that the two suits were separate, with Hebert's request a matter of his family's quality of life. Hebert has said he, his wife and daughter would suffer if developers Al-Huda Inc. and Al-Batool Inc. proceed with their plans.

"The Avondale Truck Stop LLC's suit contends that by approving truck-stop plans that did not meet parish requirements for parking, vehicle access and buffer zones, the Parish Council created an 'uneven business-related playing field.'

"…Assistant Parish Attorney Louis Gruntz said combining the suits contributes to 'judicial economy' because the parish will not waste time, money and energy arguing the same defense twice…"

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