The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has stayed its decision to strip a $2.4 million damage award from a man who says his association with the failed First National Bank of Keystone cost him his banking career.



This week, the court granted Gary Ellis' petition to have the case considered by all 15 judges of the court, rather than the three-judge panel that heard accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP's appeal.

Ellis had sued Grant Thornton, alleging he based his 1999 decision to take a job at Keystone on a clean audit the firm had given it. The bank was later declared insolvent.

A federal judge ruled in Ellis' favor in 2007. But last month, the 4th Circuit panel said the company wasn't responsible because its report wasn't intended for use by third parties.

Information from: Bluefield Daily Telegraph, http://www.bdtonline.com

| Home | Eyewitness News Newsroom | Storm Team Weather | Eyewitness Sports | Schedules | Programs |

---

Send email to news@wchstv.com for information or comments concerning WCHS-TV Eyewitness News.

Copyright ©2008, WCHS-TV8. Portions are
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed.