COOK COUNTY JURY RETURNS UNANIMOUS VERDICTS IN LITIGATION INVOLVING NUERA CANNABIS AFFILIATES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COOK COUNTY JURY RETURNS UNANIMOUS VERDICTS IN LITIGATION INVOLVING NUERA CANNABIS AFFILIATES Jury Finds for Plaintiff Joseph Phelan on Breach-of-Contract Claim and Rejects Defamation, False-Light and Tortious-Interference Counterclaims Against Phelan and Juan Finch Jr. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — September 2026 — A Cook County jury has returned unanimous verdicts in favor of plaintiff Joseph Phelan on his breach-of-contract claim and in favor of Joseph Phelan and Juan Finch Jr. on counterclaims alleging defamation per se, false light and tortious interference in litigation involving entities and individuals associated with nuEra Cannabis. The case, Joseph J. Phelan, et al. v. NuMed Partners, LLC, et al., Case No. 2023 L 008973, is pending in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Law Division. Following a seven-day jury trial, all twelve jurors signed verdict forms finding in favor of Phelan on Count V, his breach-of-contract claim, and against Robert Fitzsimmons II, NuMed Partners, LLC, NuMed Managers Incorporated and IESO, LLC, jointly and severally. The jury also returned verdicts in favor of Phelan and Finch on Counterclaim Counts II through IV, which asserted claims for defamation per se, false light and tortious interference. Counter-Plaintiffs sought millions of dollars in alleged damages from Phelan and Finch. Those counterclaims arose from public statements and publications concerning the parties’ longstanding dispute and allegations involving the operation and ownership of cannabis-related businesses. By returning verdicts for Phelan and Finch on those counterclaims, the jury rejected the counter-plaintiffs’ claims that Phelan and Finch were legally liable under those causes of action. The verdicts followed years of litigation and extensive discovery concerning the parties’ business relationship and their disputes over ownership and contractual rights. “This verdict represents an important milestone after years of litigation,” said Mr. Phelan. “Twelve Cook County jurors heard the testimony, considered the evidence presented at trial, and unanimously returned verdicts in favor of Mr. Phelan on his contract claim and in favor of Mr. Phelan and Mr. Finch on the counterclaims submitted to them.” The jury verdicts were returned on or about July 21, 2026. Cook County Circuit Court docket information subsequently reflected jverdicts for specific litigants concerning the counterclaim counts. The litigation is not yet fully concluded. A remaining issue relating to Michigan ownership involving another party is to be determined by the Court following a bench proceeding. ABOUT THE CASE The litigation concerns a business and ownership dispute involving Phelan, Finch and various entities and individuals associated with the nuEra Cannabis business. The case has included claims concerning contractual and ownership rights as well as counterclaims arising from public statements made during the parties’ dispute. The jury’s verdict represents the determination of the claims and counterclaims submitted to the jury. Other matters remaining before the Court are separate from the jury’s determinations. CASE INFORMATION Case: Case No.: Court: Jury Trial: Verdicts: Joseph J. Phelan, et al. v. NuMed Partners, LLC, et al. 2023 L 008973 Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois — Law Division July 2026 Unanimous verdict for Joseph Phelan on Count V; verdicts for Joseph Phelan and Juan Finch Jr. on Counterclaim Counts II–IV. MEDIA CONTACT Michael J. Morrisroe Morrisroe & Associates, Ltd.