CHARLESTON – A Charleston man claims he invested in a candlewick business and now his partner is trying to have him deported.
Geovany Miranda filed a lawsuit March 17 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Lisa Keiffer and LaVany LLC.
Miranda says he and Keiffer each own 50 percent of the LaVany business, which has patents for a self-extinguishing candlewick.
He claims that Keiffer has failed to provide him with financial information about the company in order for him to monitor his investment; has told customers and other business partners that Miranda has no stake in LaVany; and that Keiffer has asked Miranda to voluntarily convey to her his interest in the company.
He also claims that Keiffer has formed a new business and divered all of LaVany's assets to that company, which he says is a breach of fiduciary duty.
Miranda is asking Kanawha Circuit Judge Irene Berger to appoint a receiver to handle the company because he says his investment is losing value.
He's also seeking punitive damages from Keiffer, claiming she's contacted state and federal agencies saying that Miranda is an illegal alien. Miranda claims this is Keiffer's way of putting pressure on him to give up his interest in the company.
Stephen P. Hoyer is representing Miranda.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 09-C-479
Man says business partner trying to have him deported
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