Hearing in VIP lawsuit delayed while judge considers change of venue

A hearing on VIP Industries' breach-of-contract lawsuit against the Cape County Board for Developmentally Disabled has been postponed while the judge in the case considers the board's request for a change of venue.

The hearing, originally scheduled to take place last week, has been rescheduled for 9:30 a.m. May 10.

VIP is seeking $200,000 from the board, an amount it claims it is owed for six months of insurance, maintenance and other costs related to operating the sheltered workshop that employs more than 150 developmentally disabled workers.

The lawsuit, which was filed Feb. 14 in Cape Girardeau County Circuit Court, also asserts the board must resume making those payments immediately or it will continue to be in breach of contract. The board responded with a motion to dismiss the suit, arguing the charges are groundless.