Case Explained:This article breaks down the legal background, charges, and implications of Case Explained: Fox Corp. wants to move the Mark Sanchez case to federal court – Legal Perspective
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(This article was updated with new information.)
The Fox Corporation is hoping to move a lawsuit in connection with an assault involving sports analyst Mark Sanchez in downtown Indianapolis from state court to federal court, and is arguing the court should “disregard” Huse Culinary‘s addition to the case.
On Oct. 4, 2025, Perry Tole was working the late shift collecting cooking oil from an Indianapolis hotel when police say Sanchez confronted and attacked him in a nearby loading dock. Sanchez allegedly attacked Tole in an alleyway, before Tole stabbed Sanchez in self-defense, according to court documents. Tole was 69 at the time of the attack.
Tole filed a case for civil damages in the Marion Superior Court on the same day the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office upgraded Sanchez’s case to a felony charge.
In the initial complaint against the Fox Corporation and Sanchez in connection with the assault, Tole hoped to receive an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages. Tole later amended the lawsuit to include Huse Culinary as a defendant, arguing that Sanchez was overserved alcohol while at a Huse Culinary establishment.
In a Dec. 22 filing, lawyers for Fox Corp. argue that the case should be elevated to a hearing with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, since three of the four parties associated with the case all reside in different states and the estimated damages to Tole may exceed $75,000.
One issue that arises from Fox Corp.’s legal team’s argument is that Tole and Huse Culinary both reside in Indiana, which would disqualify this case from being heard at a federal level.
Fox Corp.’s legal team addresses this discrepancy by arguing that a judge should “disregard Huse Culinary’s citizenship because it was fraudulently joined in this action,” according to the lawsuit.
“By amending his complaint to remove facts describing Sanchez’s allegedly intentional and criminal actions and by adding an Indiana citizen (Huse Culinary) as a defendant, Tole seeks to block Fox’s ability to remove this case to federal court,” according to court documents.
Matthew Golitko, one of Tole’s lawyers, refuted Fox’s claim and noted that they will “be submitting a substantive response to Fox’s Notice shortly.”
“We obviously disagree with Fox’s proposed removal and its characterization of the Amended Complaint. We remain confident in our client’s claims against all defendants, including Huse Culinary (which includes more than just St. Elmo), and expect the case to proceed accordingly,” Golitko said in an email to the IndyStar. “While we would welcome the opportunity to release all of our preliminary investigation to the public, we will respect the legal process and disclose said evidence at the appropriate time.  Regardless, we plan to hold all parties accountable for their actions whether this case proceeds in state or federal court.”
The lawsuit argues that since the original complaint included Sanchez, who resides in California, the Fox Corporation would be considered a citizen of both Delaware and New York (since it’s a Delaware corporation and conducts its principal business in New York), and Tole, who is a resident of Indiana, it would meet the requirement to move the case to federal court.
As of Dec. 29, a judge has not ruled on Fox Corporation’s request.
Regarding the felony charges case associated with Sanchez, court records show the jury trial is scheduled for March 2026.
Details of the stabbing outside a downtown Indianapolis pub
Court documents revealed that the fight started shortly before 12:30 a.m. Oct. 4 in downtown Indianapolis after Sanchez confronted Tole, who had parked his work box truck at a loading dock to collect used cooking oil.
Video from the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown shows Sanchez grabbing and throwing the man in an alleyway near Loughmiller’s Pub & Eatery, according to court documents.
The man told police that he pepper-sprayed Sanchez, but the former NFL quarterback just wiped it away.
Thinking that Sanchez was “trying to kill” him, the man pulled out his knife and struck Sanchez two or three times, according to police.
The man suffered injuries to his left cheek and was treated and released from the hospital, police said. Sanchez was taken to the hospital in critical condition, but was later listed as stable.
Noe Padilla is a public safety reporter for IndyStar. Contact him at npadilla@indystar.com, follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social.Â