During the taxicab ride to the Courthouse on July 8, 1999, defendant repeated the above "reasons" and again forcefully threatened to withdraw from the case if plaintiffs did not accept the settlement .
               Prior to meeting with the Trial Judge in chambers, defendant told plaintiffs that they would have to state to the Court that we consented to the settlement, even though he knew plaintiffs did not consent to the settlement and wanted to proceed to trial.
               Up to that point, plaintiffs had great confidence and trust in defendant. Therefore, they felt helpless by reason of his threats. Ultimately, plaintiffs - - who could see no other way as defendant gave them no choice - - succumbed to defendant’s demands and threats and informed the Trial Court in the Medical Malpractice Action that they accepted the settlement negotiated by defendant and voluntarily executed general releases.
               Plaintiffs later learned of defendant’s manipulations, duress, threats, intimidation, lies, false representations and coercion. But for defendant’s egregious conduct in this regard, plaintiffs would not have agreed to settle the underlying case, sign a general release and place the settlement on the record in open court.
               Approximately one week later, defendant advised plaintiffs by phone that Columbia Presbyterian was demanding that the website be taken down "immediately" and "completely".
               However, plaintiffs understood that only "minor" changes had to be made to the website, and reminded defendant that is what he told them. In response, defendant replied that he would "work on it" and inform plaintiffs of the needed changes so that they could keep the website up and running .
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