Judge Restricts Stevenson's Asset Transfers In Fatal Fox River Crash Lawsuit

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — A McHenry County judge has restricted Richard M. Stevenson's ability to transfer assets as a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from a fatal Fox River boat crash moves forward, according to court documents provided to Patch.

The ruling came during an Oct. 15 hearing in the lawsuit filed by the estate of Magdalena Jablonska, who was killed in the July 25 collision, and her fiance, Alan Telmini, who was injured.

Stevenson, who also faces first-degree murder and aggravated driving under the influence charges in connection with the crash, is fighting efforts to obtain his financial records and seeking to put the civil proceedings on hold while his criminal prosecution continues. A McHenry County judge entered an order last week restricting asset transfers while leaving several contested motions unresolved, according to court documents provided to Patch.

Stevenson's attorney, Peter Moroh, filed a motion Oct. 5 seeking to block a subpoena requesting financial records from Busey Bank, including account statements dating back to August 2025. Moroh argues that the plaintiffs are not entitled to examine Stevenson's personal finances at this stage of the litigation, calling the request improper and prejudicial, according to court documents.

Stevenson has also renewed his request to pause the civil lawsuit, arguing that defending simultaneous criminal and civil cases could jeopardize his Fifth Amendment rights. Berg previously denied a similar request Sept. 14 without prejudice.

Meanwhile, attorneys representing Jablonska's estate and Telmini filed a motion Oct. 13 seeking permission to pursue punitive damages, alleging Stevenson's conduct was willful and wanton.The filing cites the criminal charges against Stevenson and information presented at his detention hearing about prior driving offenses, including three previous DUIs and three reckless driving convictions.

A hearing on the outstanding motions is scheduled for Nov. 19.