The Hammetts already have reached a settlement with Spineology Inc. Details of the settlement were sealed by the court.

Judge Smith denied a request by Sava and ISJ to change the location of the upcoming trial out of Mankato. Smith wrote there has not been significant media publicity about the case and did not believe a change of venue was necessary.

Sava was the target of a federal criminal case three years ago after he fraudulently got prescription painkillers for his own use.

Between March 2000 and June 2001, Sava used the names of relatives and friends as fictitious patients in writing 68 false prescriptions to obtain more than 8,700 tablets of hydrocodone.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office filed charges in the case. Two years ago this month, Sava agreed to pay a $200,000 civil penalty and abide by a number of conditions to settle the case.