Judge Removes Himself from Tarrant Appeal

Tarrant Apparel Group said a judge upheld a decision to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the American Textile Manufacturers Institute, but then excused himself from the case. The women’s casual clothing maker said a new judge will decide whether the decision to throw out the lawsuit should stand. Tarrant didn’t say why the judge agreed to the institute’s motion to remove himself from the case. The appeal stemmed from an Ohio judge’s decision in November to dismiss civil charges filed against Tarrant by the institute, a textile industry trade group, accusing Tarrant of misidentifying the origin of some imported garments. Shares of Los Angeles-based Tarrant rose 13 cents to close at $15.50 on Nasdaq.