Lawrence Smith News
Montgomery cop draws line on racial harassment
CHARLESTON - A Montgomery police officer accused of misconduct in at least two civil suits is alleging in one he filed recently that the city, and its former police chief, cut his hours when he refused to be more aggressive in making racially motivated arrests.
No gender discrimination in programs, deputy AG argues
Vaughn CHARLESTON - The state Department of Health and Human Resources is asking that lawsuit filed against its domestic violence licensure arm be dismissed on the grounds that the children's advocacy group that filed it has never attempted to obtain any form of certification, and they've provided no proof that men are victims of discrimination in receiving domestic violence services.
Suit alleges brutality by Smithers police officers
CHARLESTON - A Fayette County man is alleging he was brutalized for no apparent reason by two police officers following a traffic stop in Smithers last year.
THIS JUST IN: Wood County
July 20
THIS JUST IN: Jackson County
July 16
Judge allows lawsuit against Tax Dept. attorney to continue
Golden CHARLESTON - At least for a little while longer, a Charleston man's lawsuit against a state Tax Department attorney will proceed.
Ex-fiancee files counter-claim against Tate
RIPLEY - The ex-fiancee of a Charleston businessman says she never really was his fiancee, and before he claims any interest on property they own in Jackson County, he needs to account for an alleged slight-of-hand he pulled on another piece of property they own in Kanawha County.
Montgomery pays $34K in civil rights lawsuit
CHARLESTON - The city of Montgomery has reached a settlement in civil rights lawsuit alleging one of its officers improperly administered a breath test, and detained a train engineer two years ago following an accidental death on the railroad.
THIS JUST IN: Wood County
July 15
Attorney: Settlement in Putnam sexual assault case a 'nuisance-value'
WINFIELD - Because of its minimal value, the settlement in a lawsuit a Putnam County teenager filed against her cousin alleging sexual assault was not worth consideration of the court's time, says the cousin's attorney.
Attorney's hearing, bankruptcy statements contradict each other
Golden CHARLESTON - Through her own testimony given at a recent hearing seeking dismissal of legal malpractice suit against her, a state Tax Department attorney may have falsified information on the bankruptcy she filed last year.
Company using former prosecutor in trade secret case
PARKERSBURG - A Parkersburg transportation company has hired a former Wood County prosecutor to pursue a civil suit against its former president, who is now working for its cross-town rival, for alleged theft of trade secrets and other confidential information.
Though four dismissed, Bar issues warning in two complaints against Wood attorney
CHARLESTON - The state Bar recently dismissed four complaints against a Wood County attorney, but not without warning him about his conduct in two of them.
Albright Jr. contempt hearing scheduled for Sept. 23
CHARLESTON - Among the cases the state Supreme Court will hear early in its Fall 2009 term is a petition to hold a Wood County attorney in contempt.
THIS JUST IN: Wood County
July 6
THIS JUST IN: Jackson County
July 10
Suit alleges landlord created hostile environment for female tenants
PARKERSBURG - A Wood County man is named a civil rights lawsuit alleging he engaged in pattern of inappropriate behavior with three of his female tenants during a four-year period.
Dog bite leads to suit against Mary Kay, consultant
RIPLEY - A cosmetics giant and one if its saleswomen from Michigan are named as co-defendants in a lawsuit filed by a Wood County man who alleges he was bitten by one of the woman's dogs while servicing her disabled rental vehicle.
Businessman seeks return of property, ring given to fiancee
Tate RIPLEY - A Kanawha County businessman is hoping to salvage a goldmine of gifts he gave to his former fiancee before she sends him further down the shaft.
Jackson woman claims golf course hazard led to injury
Jackson County resident Patricia Mann alleges in a lawsuit that she was injured after falling near the tee box on the sixth hole of the Greenhills Country Club's golf course in Ravenswood. (Photo by Lawrence J. Smith) RIPLEY - A Jackson County country club finds itself in a legal rough following allegations that a Ripley woman sustained injuries while playing on its golf course.