State sues Parkerburg company for failing to pay unemployment taxes

CHARLESTON – The state Bureau of Employment Programs, Unemployment Compensation Division has brought suit against a Parkersburg-based company for failing to file reports and pay taxes.

In the lawsuit filed Jan. 24 in Kanawha Circuit Court, the state – by acting BEP commissioner Donald H. Pardue – sues Ronald E. Seldomridge dba Graphix Unlimited.

In the suit, the state seeks to enjoin and restrain the defendant from continuing to carry on his business in which a liability for multiple defaulted unemployment tax payments, late reports, accrued interest and penalty has been created.

According to the suit, filed by BEP attorney Mary Blaine McLaughlin, it also involves a scheme in which the defendant knowingly disregarded his obligations to the UCD and the State of West Virginia.

According to the suit, the company has failed to timely file its gross payroll report at least 14 times since December 1999; has failed to pay unemployment compensation taxes at least 6 times since December 1999; has failed to pay penalties of $472.78 as of December 2005; and has failed to pay accrued interest of $352.59 as of December 2005.

In total, Graphix Unlimited owes a total past due amount of unemployment tax, penalties and interest of $3,544.42, according to the suit.

The state seeks a preliminary injunction enjoining Seldomridge from carrying on his business, a preliminary injunction enjoining him from selling, transferring or otherwise disposing of any assets during pendency of this action. And then, the state seeks a permanent injunction enjoining Seldomridge from carrying on his business.

The state also seeks compensation for the cost of this action and other relief.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Charlie King.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 06-C-120