Sirazi v. General Mediterranean Holding, SA

POSNER, Circuit Judge.

The dramatis personae of this complex commercial case (a diversity suit governed by Illinois law) are as follows: Plaintiff Sirazi owns or controls the other two plaintiffs, and to simplify we’ll treat him as the sole plaintiff. General Mediterranean Holding (usually referred to as GMH) is the principal defendant and appellant and the parent of defendant Orifarm, which has been dissolved and so can be ignored. Defendant Auchi is the owner and board chairman of GMH. A jury awarded Sirazi compensatory damages of $12.9 million against GMH and Auchi together, and punitive…