Lawrence Smith News
Former Dunbar officer gets jail time, lawsuit
CHARLESTON - In less than a fortnight, a former Dunbar police officer has been sued, and convicted on separate allegations he unlawfully arrested women for purpose of having sex with them.
Craigo accuses Winfield officials of unconstitutional code enforcement
Craigo WINFIELD - A former state Senator is seeking the court's intervention in stopping what he believes is an abuse of power committed by one of Putnam County's municipalities.
Wood Co. attorney sentenced to 21 months for tax evasion
Parkersburg attorney Richard A. Hayhurst, foreground, leaves the U.S. District courthouse in Charleston on April 14 following his sentencing on tax evasion charges. (Photo by Lawrence Smith) CHARLESTON -- As many West Virginians scrambled to file their taxes by the April 15 deadline, one Wood County attorney learned the hard way what happens when those taxes aren't paid.
Parkersburg woman alleges drug counselor forced her into sex
The Wood County Community Corrections Day Report Center in Parkersburg is where Nikki Faye Secoy alleges a former counselor David Jeffrey forced her to have sex with him. (Photo by Lawrence Smith)
PARKERSBURG - The Wood County Commission is named as a co-defendant in a lawsuit filed by a Parkersburg woman alleging she was coerced into having sex with her counselor at an alternative sentencing program the Commission operates.
Wood Co. man says trip to drunk tank resulted in injury
Wilcox PARKERSBURG - The Wood County Commission is named as co-defendant in a slip-and-fall lawsuit by a Washington man who alleges he was injured after falling on an icy walkway at an alcohol recovery facility the Commission operates.
Pa. company sues Wood Co. attorney over title insurance claims
PARKERSBURG - A Pennsylvania insurance company alleges a Wood County attorney was negligent in issuing title insurance causing them to incur claims over $50,000.
Jackson couple sues Tenn. mortgage company over collection tactics
RIPLEY - A Jackson County couple allege their mortgage lender crossed the line in attempting to collect on their delinquent account.
Rough arrest leads to suit against Dunbar officer
McCormick CHARLESTON - The city of Dunbar and one of its officers is named in personal injury suit by a Cross Lanes man following his arrest for DUI last year.
CIVIL FILINGS: Wood County
March 16
CIVIL FILINGS: Jackson County
March 31
Former Dept. of Agriculture employee alleges retaliatory discharge
CHARLESTON - A former state employee alleges he was fired from his job after voicing his opinion about state policy.
Putnam plant boiler explosion created health problems, Pa. man alleges
WINFIELD - A Pennsylvania man is accusing a public utility company for health problems he incurred after he was exposed to toxic materials at its Putnam County facility almost two years ago.
Charleston woman cites 'mental stress,' health for dismissing suit against Putnam dentist
WINFIELD - Citing the mental stress it caused her, a Charleston woman has dropped her lawsuit against a Putnam County dentist.
Fayette man files suit over altercation with police at S.C. hotel
Comer CHARLESTON - A Fayette County man who was charged with battery on a police officer has filed suit alleging he was one who was battered.
High Court suspends Braxton attorney for mishandling of estate
CHARLESTON - The state Supreme Court has suspended a Braxton County attorney's license for his mishandling of a Harrison County woman's estate.
Wood couple names five doctors in wrongful death of infant daughter
PARKERSBURG - Five Wood County physicians are named in wrongful death suit alleging they failed to properly diagnose an infant's intestinal problems following four days of tests and observations.
CIVIL FILINGS: Wood County
March 8
CIVIL FILINGS: Jackson County
March 10
Putnam hospital's negligence resulted in permanent damage to arm, woman alleges
WINFIELD - A Putnam County woman alleges a trip to the hospital for treatment of pneumonia resulted in the loss of one of her arms.
Cabell man alleges podiatrist conducted unnecessary surgery
WINFIELD - A Cabell County man is suing a Putnam County podiatrist for medical malpractice following damages the man alleges he incurred following unnecessary surgery to his feet.