Judge Everett Burton granted a temporary restraining order last week on the financial dealings of Elizabeth Keating, the Ironton woman charged with the attempted murder of her business partner, Debra Dickens.

Saturday, February 10, 2001

Judge Everett Burton granted a temporary restraining order last week on the financial dealings of Elizabeth Keating, the Ironton woman charged with the attempted murder of her business partner, Debra Dickens.

Attorneys for Mrs. Dickens filed the request for the order, which prohibits Elizabeth Keating, William J. Keating and Julie M. Keating from transferring, withdrawing or disposing of any bank accounts, finances or real estate.

The order came before Lawrence County Common Pleas Court for a hearing Friday. It remains in place.

"We’ve reached an agreement concerning the preliminary injunctions," said Mark McCown, Mrs. Keating’s defense attorney.

McCown also will represent Mrs. Keating in the civil court case for the time being.

There are certain restrictions on the injunctions but specifics are undisclosed, he said.

The restraining order issue follows a lawsuit filed Feb. 6 by Mrs. Dickens against Mrs. Keating, William J. Keating and Julie M. Keating, alleging Mrs. Keating took monies from their companies without permission.

Mrs. Dickens and Mrs. Keating partnered Marquis Properties LLC, of which Mrs. Keating was in charge of financial records and bank accounts, the suit states.

The suit alleges that Mrs. Keating obtained deeds and/or mortgages without the knowledge or consent of Mrs. Dickens.

And, she "did disburse and/or distribute to herself or to others on her behalf, funds from the company without the knowledge or consent of the plaintiff, Debra M. Dickens, and without plaintiff receiving monies or distribution from the company at the time of those distributions."

The actions caused a loss of value and interest in the company for Mrs. Dickens, the suit states.

The lawsuit alleges that Mrs. Keating also took funds without permission from American Dream Cruise and Travel, another company they partnered.

The amount of funds in both cases is unknown, the suit states.

The lawsuit was filed against William Keating because as spouse he should have known Mrs. Keating obtained funds to which he did not have any rights and he benefited, the suit states.

The suit alleges that Julie Keating received title to real estate transferred to her by Elizabeth Keating.

Mrs. Dickens also asks for damages in the suit because of a January incident in which Mrs. Keating allegedly "recklessly fired a gun" at her.

The suit seeks judgment in an amount in excess of the jurisdictional limits of the court, and punitive damages to match, as well as the restraining orders.

McCown called the civil suit a "one-sided snowball fight" and said he believed it was a tactic to diminish the Keating family reputation.

"Right now, our position is this does not make one specific allegation," McCown said. "But rather, it is a bunch of blanket allegations.

"They’re throwing things out that we can’t answer there’s nothing to answer," he said. "In my opinion, they are attempting to make Elizabeth look bad in the eyes of the public and they’re trying to get around some protections she has under criminal laws through civil discovery."

McCown also said he found the suit ironic since he filed a request more than a month ago that the assets of the companies Mrs. Keating and Mrs. Dickens partnered be frozen.

"hey denied that request and now they are asking that the personal assets of Elizabeth and the whole family be frozen."