City of Chicago v. Hart Building Corp.

MR. PRESIDING JUSTICE LYONS

delivered the opinion of the court.

Richard A. Keefe, the respondent in a contempt proceeding, appeals from a decree finding him guilty of contempt and imposing a fine of $5,000 and additional penalties which will be discussed later in this opinion. In this appeal, the respondent attacks the jurisdiction of the trial court, the sufficiency of the evidence, particularly with regard to the element of criminal intent and the severity of the punishment.

In 1959 the City of Chicago (hereinafter referred to as the City) filed numerous suits against various corporations…