Members sue FMC Sportsman's Club for wrongful conduct

WINFIELD – Three members of the FMC Sportsman's Club are suing the club after they claim they were wrongfully expelled from the club.

Hubert Strickland, Cameron Cline and Ernest Barger have vested interests in campsites or lots located on real property owned by the defendant and maintained, improved and used by the plaintiffs for decades, according to a complaint filed May 25 in Putnam Circuit Court.

The men claim on May 13 they received letters through the defendant's counsel Maggie Wall, informing the men that they had been expelled as members of the club and that they would be reimbursed for their 2011 dues and/or camping dues, which were paid in a timely manner.

In the letter, the men were informed that the board of directors voted to unanimously decline their renewal, according to the suit.

The men claim the FMC memberships are for a one-year term, and each of them had been members for more than 20 years, Ernest Barger being a member for approximately 26 years after his father became a founding member.

The letter informed the men that their memberships were not renewed because they "engaged in conduct that would knowingly and intentionally cause harm to the club, as well as to specific board members," according to the suit.

As a result of the alleged conduct, their memberships were permanently revoked and the men are prohibited from entering any club property as either a guest or otherwise and if found on the property, will be considered a trespasser and asked to leave, according to the suit.

The men claim they allegations are false.

Strickland, Cline and Barger are seeking an order from the court declaring the defendant's attempt to expel them as members in violation of West Virginia laws; an order temporarily and permanently enjoining the defendant from attempting to unlawfully expel the men; and consequential damages resulting from the defendant's wrongful conduct. They are being represented by Thomas H. Peyton.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Phillip Stowers.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 11-C-140