Cichowicz lawsuit against former South Bend Common Council Member dismissed

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Some new details tonight on a lawsuit between former Saint Joseph County Probate Court Judge Jason Cichowicz and former South Bend Common Council member Henry Davis Jr.

Cichowicz filed a suit in October of 2024 against fellow Democrat Henry Davis Jr., over Davis's comments during a news conference, claiming the former councilman made defamatory comments about him. 

At the time, Davis joined Republican Party leaders in calling for Cichowicz to resign over the case of an 18-year-old Juvenile Justice Center inmate, charged with murdering a 20-year-old man, after escaping from custody in a program overseen by Cichowicz.

Cichowicz claimed Davis defamed him by saying he 'Stole money' to give to the JJC.

The comment referred to the judge's 45-day suspension in 2023 by the Indiana Supreme Court for his mishandling of a mentally ill former client's money, and donations secretly made to the JJC.

Today's dismissal bars Cichowicz from refiling the case.

"Cichowicz is to receive payment in the amount of $2,500 from Allstate for all alleged damages and agrees to settle the lawsuit and all claims arising from the events allegedly described in the Complaint for the sum described above," court documents state.

"Plaintiff assumes responsibility for liens and subrogation claims which have been asserted or may be asserted, including Medicare if appropriate, and agrees to defend and hold harmless the Defendant as well as Allstate Insurance Company, its subsidiaries and agents as a result of any claims made concerning their damages related to the collision described above."

Cichowicz lost his re-election bid in Nov. to Republican Loris Zappia.