By Cindi Andrews
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office made another attempt Thursday at stopping the county commissioners from hiring noted civil attorney Stanley Chesley.

Prosecutor Mike Allen asked Common Pleas Judge Robert Ruehlman - who approved the hiring Monday - to at least delay that decision until the First District Court of Appeals hears Allen's appeal.

Ruehlman denied the request.

"Judge Ruehlman has his mind made up for whatever reason," the prosecutor said. "Frankly, I think our best shot is in the Court of Appeals. I think we have a very good case."

Chesley, however, said Allen is grasping at straws.

"I think it's time for the prosecutor to let us go do what we have to do in the federal court," Chesley said. "I wish him the best, but I think it's time to move on."

The commissioners hired Chesley and attorney Robert Furnier to help them join a federal antitrust lawsuit against the Bengals and the National Football League. The suit alleges the franchise and the league used their monopoly power to force the county to build Paul Brown Stadium and lease it to them on favorable terms.