St. Louis printer sues Springfield publisher

A search through Greene County court records returns at least six court proceedings since 2003 against SunInk Media Inc. or its owners, Michael Nelson and Jessica Blain, on charges ranging from breaches of contract to forgery.

Partners Nelson and Blain publish Metropolitan Magazine in several markets nationwide under the SunInk Media name.

Azar Printing, based in Chesterfield outside of St. Louis, filed a suit against SunInk regarding printing work for the magazine’s editions in Terre Haute, Ind., and Rockford, Ill., in December 2004. Company owner Marcus Azar said he has yet to be paid for the work, and offers a warning for other companies solicited by SunInk Media.

“It was a one-time thing; they came here, said they loved us, and then they didn’t pay,” Azar said. “If they want you to print for them, don’t do it.”

Azar’s lawsuit, filed in August, is pending in Greene County Circuit Court. Azar declined to discuss how much money was involved, though the case is listed as a contract dispute worth $3,000 to $25,000.

Nelson, who declined to comment for this story, also is facing a charge of forgery in Greene County Circuit Court, according to Vonda Taylor, the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s office manager. The charge, relating to a June 11, 2004, incident regarding an allegedly false Missouri temporary license plate, is a Class-C felony which could bring up to seven years in prison.

The case is set for a Dec. 9 hearing with Circuit Court Judge Dan Conklin.

Local Metropolitan Magazine advertisers have told SBJ that they are not happy with their returns on investment – ads cost between $350 and $1,200, and at least two say they were promised services, including multimedia promotions, on which the magazine has yet to deliver.

Dayton, Ohio, interior designer Paul Stepp, who advertised his In Stepp Design company in Metropolitan Magazine’s Dayton edition, has said he intends to pursue legal action against SunInk.

SunInk no longer has its office in the Vandivort Center, 305 E. Walnut, where a Vandivort secretary had erroneously stated the office was located on Oct. 18. The company operates from an office at 1812 S. Franklin Ave.

Vandivort owner J&V Co. LLC filed a small claims suit against Nelson in August, which has since been settled. Jim Shirato, who owns the Vandivort with his wife, Virginia, declined to comment for the story.

Additionally, Blain, who also is known as Jessica Cook, faces small claims charges from Lipscomb Auto Group, from which she purchased a car earlier this year.

Company owner Gary Lipscomb also declined comment, and Blain could not be reached.

The company’s Web site, www.metropolitan-magazine.com, claims there are publications in 26 cities, including Springfield, Dayton and Rockford, Ill.