Couple sues Werner Transportation for fraudulent misrepresentation

WINFIELD -- A couple and Mashelle Leigh, Inc. are suing Werner Transportation Services for fraudulent misrepresentation.

John F. Werner Jr.; James H. Turley; Lawrence E. Jones; Leo F. Boggs; Trailer Specialists, LLC; M&H Fleet Repair; and Mark Hunter were also named as defendants in the suit.

Charles Bailey and Mashelle Leigh, Inc., were employed or contracted by Werner Transportation Services, Inc., and Werner as a transport operator from August 2010 until September 2011, according to a complaint filed Feb. 13 in Putnam Circuit Court.

Bailey claims he purchased tires for a hauling trailer owned by Mashelle Leigh, Inc., from Werner in September 2011, for which Bailey paid cash for a discounted price and received a receipt from that purchase.

At some point after the tires were paid for and installed, Werner accused Bailey of stealing the tires that were installed on the trailer, according to the suit.

Bailey claims in October 2011, Werner attempted to fraudulently extort as much as $10,000 from Bailey on order to avoid the filing of a false criminal complaint against Bailey.

Werner additionally accused Bailey of stealing parts from his operations in West Virginia, although Bailey had receipts for all parts installed on his truck that were purchased from other businesses, according to the suit.

Bailey, his wife, Cynthia A. Bailey, and Mashelle Leigh, Inc., are seeking compensatory and punitive damages. They are being represented by Ronald K. Hatfield.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge O.C. Spaulding.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 12-C-38