Sounds to me like the plaintiff doesn't want to have his deposition taken if there's a mutual release in the works.
Taking this case to trial and then suing the plaintiff's counsel for malicious prosecution may be where you have to go. Or, perhaps you'll sign mutual releases tomorrow. Who knows? And maybe you will receive enough to refund your previous expenses on this case.
In any event, please don't worry about this article hurting your chances of a mutual release. God is in control.
His lawyer sucks.