The Herald Bulletin

March 11, 2010

Lawyers ask for document secrecy in Simon case

The Associated Press

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — Attorneys in the dispute over the estate of billionaire shopping mall magnate Melvin Simon have asked a judge to set strict limits on who can see certain documents that are presented as evidence.

Judge William J. Hughes told the lawyers Wednesday that they wanted more protection for sensitive court documents than he was "used to seeing." Such documents include medical records and household budgets.

Hughes will likely rule on the matter next week.

Mel Simon was the founder of Simon Property Group Inc. and the Indiana Pacers co-owner. He died in September.

His daughter, Deborah Simon, filed a lawsuit claiming that her stepmother, Bren Simon, persuaded Mel Simon to change his will to reduce his children's inheritances.