Dan Carden

HAMMOND — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Lake County's former tourism chief against three city of Hammond-connected entities alleging defamation and injurious falsehoods.

U.S. District Judge Damon Leichty said in a July 31 order there no longer is a federal issue involved in the litigation brought by Speros Batistatos, past president and CEO of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority (SSCVA).

As a result, Leichty said he was obligated to grant the motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction sought by the city of Hammond, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., and Left of Center Media LLC, the parent company of McDermott's "Left of Center" podcast.

Leichty noted in his five-page ruling that Batistatos still can refile his case in state court. Batistato

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