Tom W. DePriest, Jr.
Tom W. DePriest, Jr. was a circuit court judge for Division 8 of the 21st Circuit Court in Missouri. He was appointed in 2000 and retired from the bench in 2017.[1][2]
DePriest had also served as an administrative judge in St. Louis County Family Court and a municipal judge for the City of Frontenac.[3]
Biography
DePriest earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Southeast Missouri State University and a J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His experience includes work as an assistant prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County and service in the U.S. Army and as the chair of the St. Louis County Family and Domestic Violence Council.[1][3]
Elections
2014
DePriest, Jr. was retained to the 21st Circuit Court with 57.9 percent of the vote on November 4, 2014. [4]
Performance evaluation
The 21st Circuit Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee recommended that Judge DePriest be Retained. Click here to read the full performance evaluation.
Noteworthy cases
Cardinals' manager Mike Matheny loses court battle, could owe millions
January 18, 2013
In a court battle arising from failed real estate investments, Judge Tom W. DePriest, Jr. of the 21st Judicial Circuit Court in Saint Louis County, Missouri has ruled against St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny and his wife.[5]
Matheny's partnership borrowed over $11.8 million from the Business Bank of St. Louis and, in 2007, sought to develop a stretch of commercial property along Highway 40 in Chesterfield, Missouri, located west of St. Louis. At one point, Matheny and his wife personally guaranteed $4.2 million of the debt. However, after the real estate market crashed in 2008, the investment went south. Matheny "worked full time for a year to try to develop or sell the lots, with no luck."[6] In May 2010, Matheny told the bank that he would stop making payments on the loan because of his "need to protect [his] family's interest."[6] The bank sued Matheny and his partnership in June 2010, and foreclosed on the property in July, buying the land for $4.5 million and crediting that amount toward the partnership's loan.[6] He and his wife also sold their home for $1.9 million prior to its foreclosure, and gave $1 million of that amount to the bank.[7]
According to court records, Matheny's partnership still owes the bank at least $4.4 million, which Judge DePriest has ruled must be repaid. According to the judge's decision, neither the nationwide economic downturn nor the bank's decision to stop loaning money to Matheny relieved his obligation to repay the loan. The bank has 30 days to file a final bill, after which Matheny will have 15 days to respond to the bank's filing.[8] A hearing to determine the final judgment amount has been set for March 13, though the parties may find a resolution by then.[6]
Over the course of his major league career, Matheny has made almost $20 million.[7] This season, his salary is set at $750,000, but he says "he might need all of his investments and savings to pay off the bank debt."[6] Matheny has stated that he will not appeal the judge's ruling, as he wants to put this experience, which may cost him "his entire net worth," behind him.[6]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Saint Louis County, Missouri, "The Honorable Tom W. DePriest, Jr." accessed June 30, 2017
- ↑ Missouri Courts, "21st Circuit Commission seeks applicants for DePriest circuit judge vacancy in St. Louis County," March 21, 2017
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Your Missouri Judges, "Tommy W. DePriest Jr." accessed June 30, 2017
- ↑ St. Louis County Elections, "2014 General Election candidates"
- ↑ St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Judges rules against Mike Matheny in court battle over Chesterfield property," January 18, 2013
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Cardinals manager Mike Matheny owes millions after losing legal fight," January 19, 2013
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 NBC Sports Hardball Talk, "Mike Matheny loses court battle, could cost him millions," January 18, 2013
- ↑ Gantdaily.com, "Cardinals manager Mike Matheny suffers costly court setback," January 20, 2013
Federal courts:
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Missouri, Western District of Missouri • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Missouri, Western District of Missouri
State courts:
Missouri Supreme Court • Missouri Court of Appeals • Missouri Circuit Courts • Missouri Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Missouri • Missouri judicial elections • Judicial selection in Missouri
