The Dismissal at the Circuit Court level was not unexpected, since it 
"plows new ground". Ted Grippo, President of AIDA intends to appeal.
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JUDGE THROWS OUT 'SOPRANOS' LAWSUIT

The Associated Press
September 19, 2001
 
CHICAGO (AP) - A judge on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit filed by an 
Italian-American organization that accused the makers of the HBO television 
series ``The Sopranos'' of offending Italian-Americans by depicting them as 
mobsters. 

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Richard A. Siebel threw out the lawsuit with 
prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled in Circuit Court. An appeal of the 
decision is allowed, though. 

The American Italian Defense Association sued Time Warner Entertainment Co. 
under the "individual dignity'' clause of the Illinois Constitution. 

The group didn't want money or the cable show's cancellation, but a declaration 
from a jury that the show offends the dignity of Italian-Americans, attorney 
Ted Grippo, who represented the association, had said. 

Grippo on Wednesday said he will appeal the judge's decision, but declined 
further comment. 

Tom Yannucci, a lawyer representing Time Warner, had argued that viewers 
wouldn't assume from watching the show that all Italian-Americans are 
mobsters or morally corrupt. 

He was pleased with the decision to throw out the lawsuit. 

"It shuts down the effort to try dramas and fictional matters in a 
courtroom," Yannucci said.