THIS JUST IN: Monongalia County

Feb. 24
Gerald E. Lang v. WVU Board of Governors, C. Peter Macgrath, Mary Roberta Brandt, Beverly D. Kerr, Marjorie Anne McDiarmid
PA-Michael Benninger; Judge Susan Tucker
* Lang, former WVU Provost, requests the court issue a Writ of Prohibition against the defendants to halt the proceedings against him, citing violation of his rights to due process. Lang is asserting that the entire office of General Counsel of WVU, including VP for Legal Affairs and General Counsel Alexander Macia, Mary Roberta Brandt and Beverly Kerr is disqualified for said proceedings because Counsel's individual participation in committees, events and discussions regarding the validity of a specific eMBA constitutes a conflict of interest in the current proceedings against Lang. Lang asserts likewise against WVU's Academic Integrity Office's Marjorie McDiarmid. Lang asserts that the Charge to the Special Investigative Panel for Review of Executive MBA Program records was urged to consult with McDiarmid as necessary and that McDiarmid created the Screening Subcommittee, which found that General Counsel (including Macia) had no involvement in the generation of student records sent to admissions and records. Lang asserts that, due to these conflicts of interest, General Counsel is disqualified to participate in the proceedings against him.
Case number: 09-C-114

Chelsa Kolb, Adia Kolb, Khya Kolb and Benjamin Kolb v Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
PA Lance E. Rollo; Judge Susan Tucker
* Chelsa Kolb, with her children Khya and Adia, took her vehicle to Wal-Mart to have the oil changed. A Wal-mart employee advised Kolb they would be unable to perform the work requested and suggested she have the work done at another establishment. After leaving and driving down Interstate 68, the hood of her vehicle unlatched rose to its maximum height and obstructed Kolb's vision. Unable to see, she ran off the road and crashed into the median. Kolb and her children suffered injuries as a result of the accident. Kolb claims the Wal Mart employees did not properly re-latch her hood. She is seeking compensation for injuries sustained by the children; future expenses associated with their injuries; punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, compensation for her husband Benjamin for loss of companionship, attorney fees and costs.
Case number: 09-C-121