PNC Bank, attorney accused of civil conspiracy in eviction of company

A Chicago woman is suing a bank and an attorney, claiming they colluded to evict the company she manages from its leased premises.

Sophia Leongas filed a lawsuit April 18 in the Cook County Circuit Court against PNC Bank N.A. and James M. Crowley, citing civil conspiracy.

According to the complaint, Crowley represented PNC in a 2011 foreclosure action it brought against Daniel J. Hyman.

Hyman, the suit states, was the receiver of a property on North Northwest Highway in Chicago, part of which was leased by EP Curragh LP, the company Leongas manages.

Leongas claims the defendants colluded in the eviction of EP Curragh, as well in a judicial auction that they attempted to reverse when it became evident the buyer did not intend to evict the company.

The suit states EP Curragh was unlawfully evicted from its leased premises on April 5, 2013, but that the court returned the lease to it on April 26, 2013, following a hearing at which a Cook County sergeant testified the eviction should not have taken place.

Leongas' suit accuses the defendants of civil conspiracy and conversion, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, false light and trade libel.

She is seeking more than $50,000 in damages and is representing herself in the matter. Court documents in other cases involving PNC being represented by Crowley list him as an attorney with Crowley & Lamb P.C. in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L004404.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.