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PLAINS TWP. — An alleged celiac disease sufferer who allegedly became ill after she ate pastries labeled as “gluten free” has sued Mohegan Sun Pocono and its buffet on claims the mislabeled desserts spurred weight loss and weeks of sickness.

Dianne M. Leyshon, of Terrace Avenue, Harding, claims in a complaint filed Thursday in Luzerne County Court that Timbers Buffet represented the desserts as not containing gluten, a substance that can inflame and damage the inner lining of the small intestine if eaten by those with celiac disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Leyshon is identified in the complaint as suffering from the disease.

The complaint alleges she became “violently ill” after she ate “several pastries” during brunch on July, 27, 2014. She was later transported via ambulance to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center with “severe dehydration” and continued to feel the injuries’ effects weeks later, losing as much as eight pounds in the process, according to the complaint.

“As a result of Mohegan Sun’s negligence, (Leyshon) has been deprived of certain usual enjoyments of life, society, family and recreation,” says the complaint, filed on Leyshon’s behalf by Wilkes-Barre-based attorney Michael T. Blazick.

The lawsuit seeks a sum in excess of what Leyshon would stand to win through out-of-court arbitration as well as costs and interest.

A Mohegan Sun Pocono spokesperson Thursday did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

A woman has sued Mohegan Sun Pocono and its buffet, Timbers, when she allegedly became ill after eating pastries labeled as “gluten free.”
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_Plains-Township-1-1-1-5.jpg.optimal.jpgA woman has sued Mohegan Sun Pocono and its buffet, Timbers, when she allegedly became ill after eating pastries labeled as “gluten free.”

By Joe Dolinsky

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Reach Joe Dolinsky at 570-991-6110 or on Twitter @JoeDolinskyTL