Clarksburg man sues five banks for fraud

MORGANTOWN -- A Clarksburg man is suing Huntington Bancshares, Huntington National Bank, West Union Bank, Freedom and an unknown bank after he claims they negligently approved loans to be taken out in his name by someone other than him.

Pete Olean was a customer and client of the defendants, according to a complaint filed March 5 in Monongalia Circuit Court.

Olean claims John Aman was employed by the defendants and was also Olean's limited power of attorney.

From 2003 until May 2005, Aman fraudulently applied for and received several loans from Huntington National Bank and Huntington Bancshares, according to the suit. Aman also allegedly took out several loans from West Union Bank from October 2005 through November 2006, and from Freedom Bank in May 2007.

Olean claims the loans were made and approved by and through the defendants in his name, but without his knowledge or consent. He claims the defendants inappropriately approved the loans and distributed a substantial amount of money to Aman when they knew or should have known Olean had not applied for or consented to the loans and was unaware someone was taking out loans in his name.

Olean is seeking compensatory damages for economic losses and punitive damages for intentional, reckless, wanton and grossly negligent conduct. He is being represented by Dino S. Colombo and Travis T. Mohler of Colombo & Stuhr.

Monongalia Circuit Court case number: 10-C-136