Mystic Neighborhoods Preservation Association

On November 2, 2021, Judge Barbara Bellis denies Defendant John Steffian’s Motion to Transfer the case to the judicial district of New London.

On October 6, 2021, Defendant John Steffian specifically objects to interrogatories Nos. 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, and 11 and Requests for Production Nos. 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, citing the particular interrogatories and requests for production and the reasons for the defendant’s objections.

On October 4, 2021, Defendant John Steffian replies to St. Edmunds Objection to Motion to Transfer, which claims that such a transfer might delay the trial of the case, citing numerous reasons why such an argument is not well taken.

On October 1, 2021 St. Edmunds specifically objects to Interrogatories Nos. 1-4, 16-18 and Requests for Production Nos. 1, 3, 6-7, citing the particular interrogatories and requests for production and the reasons for its objections.

On September 29, 2021, St. Edmunds objects to Defendant John Steffian’s motion to transfer the case back to the judicial district of New London, noting that while it “originally objected to the transfer of the case…any further transfer could needlessly delay a final resolution.”

On September 21, 2021, the sole remaining defendant in the case, John Steffian, moves to remove the case from the Complex Litigation Docket and transfer it back to the judicial district of New London, where it was originally filed.

On September 10, 2021, St. Edmunds withdraws its complaint against the Girl Scouts of CT and Mystic Seaport Museum following an out of court settlement among the parties; the case remains pending against Defendant John Steffian.

On September 9, 2021, the intervening defendant, the Attorney General (AG) of the State of Connecticut, consents to St. Edmunds filing a withdrawal of the case against him, noting that an out of court settlement among St. Edmunds and the defendants the Girl Scouts of CT. and Mystic Seaport Museum has made the AG’s interest in this matter moot.

On September 3, 2022, Defendant John Steffian moves for an extension of time, up to and including October 6, 2021, to respond to St. Edmunds interrogatories and request for production.

On September 3, 2021, St. Edmunds moves for an Extension of Time to Respond to Discovery, seeking an extension of thirty days, up to and including October 4, 2021.

The case brought by St. Edmunds against the Mystic Seaport Museum, the Girl Scouts of Connecticut and an individual, John Steffian, Jr., over title to Enders Island is settled as to the Seaport and the Girl Scouts. The Seaport and the Girl Scouts quitclaim their interests in Enders Island to SEC, but retain a right to a modest payment if the property is sold or if it is no longer used for religious or charitable purposes, as spelled out in the documents filed in the Stonington Land Records.

On February 18, 2020, all parties agree that the Attorney General will be added to the case as a party.

On May 28, 2019, the Attorney General (AG) filed a six page reply to the Plaintiff's objection to the AG's motion to intervene. The AG stated that the purpose of the intervention "is to ensure adherence to the statutory obligations... that property dedicated to public or charitable purposes 'shall forever remain to the uses and purposes to which it has been granted according to the true intent and meaning of the grantor and to no other use' ". The AG contests the the assertions in the Plaintiff's objection and cites various Connecticut cases as authority for his position. The AG again requests that he be allowed to intervene.

On May 3, 2019, the Court granted the request to move the matter to the Complex Litigation docket in Hartford Superior Court. The case was subsequently transferred to the Complex Litigation docket in Waterbury Superior Court on May 8, 2019.

On April 22, 2019, St. Edmund’s claims that the Attorney General is not a necessary party to the lawsuit as it is “. . . not seeking the Court’s approval to dispose of a charitable gift. St. Edmund’s obtained title to Enders Island from the Society of St. Edmund . . ., not Alys E. Enders.”

On April 18, 2019, in its reply to St. Edmund’s objection to transfer the case, the Seaport asserts “. . . St. Edmund’s ignores the reality that Connecticut courts routinely transfer real property disputes to the complex litigation docket.”

On April 17, 2019, St Edmund’s objects to the request for transfer, claiming that the “quiet title action is not an overly ‘complex’ case within the categories typically referred to the complex litigation docket.” The objection also states “St. Edmund’s party representatives and witnesses are primarily located in Stonington-Mystic and wish for the case to remain local to minimize interference with their other duties. . .”

On April 4, 2019, the Seaport files to transfer St Edmund’s quiet title action to the complex litigation docket with the consent of the defendants, the Girl Scouts of Connecticut and John Steffian, Jr. Proposed-Intervenor, the Connecticut Attorney General, also consents to the matter being transferred. In its application the Seaport notes that the case “. . . concerns the administration and enforcement of a charitable trust.”

On April 4, 2019, in its reply to St. Edmund’s opposition to the motions made to strike the complaint for failing to name the Attorney General as a necessary party, the Seaport contends that “St. Edmund Cannot Escape the Attorney General’s Purview Based On Alleged Past Breaches of Mrs. Enders’ Gift Terms.”

On April 4, 2019, the Attorney General of Connecticut filed to intervene in the case. Under Connecticut state law, the Attorney General has certain powers and responsibilities with respect to charitable trusts. At the end of page 5, carrying over to page 6, the Attorney General notes “diametrically opposed positions” taken by St. Edmunds of Connecticut in 2011 and today.

In March 2019, St Edmund of Connecticut claims that “the title which St Edmund was granted by the Society of St Edmund was converted nearly 50 years ago to become fee simple title through the doctrine of adverse possession. . . . the Attorney General’s involvement is neither legally required nor practically warranted.”

In February 2019, after St. Edmund’s filed its lawsuit naming the Mystic Seaport Museum, Girl Scouts of Connecticut and one individual, the three defendants filed motions in February 2019 to strike the complaint for failing to include a necessary party, the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut. A motion to strike is in essence asking the court to dismiss the case.