Erie's Samuel P. "Pat" Black III made his career as an entrepreneur.

The 83-year-old is now primarily a litigant.

And the lawsuits connected to him and his dwindling fortune are showing no signs of fading.

Despite a defeat in February, Black is still pursuing in his most notable case ― his fraud suit against his one-time heir apparent, Sumi James-Black, 51, whom he adopted as his daughter in 2019, when he was 77 and she was 44.

Black is claiming James-Black and two other defendants, including the Erie law firm of Knox, McLaughlin, Gornall & Sennett, formed a civil conspiracy to defraud him of $200 million from 2017-22.

The defendants denied the claims, filed in a complaint in April 2024. They scored a victory on Feb. 2.

U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter dismissed the fraud claims that Black made in federal court in Erie under the civil provisions of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO, the 1971 federal law aimed at dismantling organized crime.
Black and his lawyers are challenging the dismissal. They filed a notice of appeal on March 3 with the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Philadelphia.

James-Black's lead lawyer, John Mizner, predicted that the 3rd Circuit would affirm Baxter's "well-reasoned opinion." He called the appeal "more wasted money."

One of Black's lawyers, Anthony Angelone, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Baxter dismissed only the RICO claims in Black's fraud case. Black also sued under a number of state claims, including breach of fiduciary duty.

Black and his lawyers filed a lawsuit with the state claims in Erie County Common Pleas Court on March 4, according to court records.

Black involved in six other lawsuits

Black is the lead plaintiff in the fraud suits. Another plaintiff is Black's Erie Management Group, which runs his businesses.

The businesses include Black's biggest financial asset — the Hero BX biodiesel plant on East Lake Road, valued at $70 million, according to court records.

Black is facing six other legal actions over business ventures or deals with James-Black. Two of the cases involve Hero BX.

Hero BX receivership ― A default on a $58.2 million loan triggered the appointment of a receiver to arrange the sale of the Erie Hero BX plant and other Hero BX biofuels plants that Black's companies own in Alabama, Illinois and Iowa.

In federal court, Judge Baxter appointed a receiver on June 4 at the request of the lender, Siena Lending Group LLC, of Stamford, Connecticut. Sale negotiations are ongoing, according to court records.

Hero BX option ― Black's Black Family Holdings sued in Common Pleas Court in July 2023 to dissolve an option agreement that gives James-Black full authority over a sale of Hero BX. James-Black is fighting the request.

House in Portugal ― Black in April sued James-Black in Common Pleas Court over claims that she defaulted on a $902,000 loan he gave her to buy a house they were supposed to share in Portugal. James-Black is fighting the claims.

Arbitration ruling ― James-Black's trust in October 2024 filed a complaint in arbitration over claims that Black's Black Interests Limited Partnership violated a partnership agreement. The arbitrator said Black owed James-Black $335,000.

James-Black on Dec. 2 asked a judge in Common Pleas Court to issue a $335,000 judgment against her father. Judge Erin Connelly Marucci is holding a hearing March 11.

Contract dispute ― Another of Black's companies, SB3, was sued in Common Pleas Court in November 2022. The plaintiff is Erie Renewable Energy LLC, whose owner is Erie developer Gregory J. Rubino.

Erie Renewable Energy is claiming SB3 owes it at least $195,000 related to a $1.55 million settlement the two companies reached in 2021 over Erie Renewable Energy's attempt to build a tires-to-energy plant.

Black is fighting the claims. Judge David Ridge scheduled a trial for April 8.

Another contract dispute ― A Las Vegas-based company, Advantage Marketing Group Inc., filed a civil complaint against Black in March 2023.

Advantage is claiming Black owes it $606,500 over a plan to develop an alcohol distillation plant in South Africa about nine years ago, according to court records. Black is fighting the claims.

Black's mental state at issue in another case

Another pending case could affect all the litigation.

Mizner, James-Black's lead lawyer, filed a petition in Erie County Orphans' Court on Oct. 22 to have Black adjudicated a mentally incapacitated person and to have a guardian appointed to manage his affairs.

James-Black is arguing that her father is incapable of making his own decisions and that he is "incompetent to sue," according to court records. Black is fighting the petition.

Judge Joseph M. Walsh III set a hearing for March 26. He will decide whether to order Black to undergo an independent medical review to evaluate his mental state.

Original article by: Ed Palattella at epalattella@usatodayco.com or 814-870-1813.