Law firm alleges attorney stole records

MORGANTOWN -- The law firm of Berryman, Hall and Matheny, PLLC is suing an attorney it claims took financial records and equipment from its premises.

Berryman, Hall and Matheny, PLLC; Robert D. Berryman; Steven R. Hall; and Grant O. Matheny are members of the PLLC and lawyers licensed to practice in West Virginia and in good standing with the West Virginia State Bar, according to a complaint filed Oct. 25 in Monongalia Circuit Court.

The plaintiffs claim William K. Maruyama is a licensed attorney, but not licensed in West Virginia, and of counsel to Berryman, Hall and Matheny, PLLC.

A dispute arose among the members of the company during which time Maruyama allegedly took actions contrary to the duties and obligations he owed under West Virginia Code, according to the suit.

The plaintiffs claim Maruyama seized some of the financial records and equipment of the company, making it difficult for the company to account for its income and expenditures or to conduct its day-to-day business.

Maruyama also made purchases or charges with the company’s money that were personal items or were otherwise unauthorized by the company and contrary to West Virginia code, according to the suit.

The plaintiffs are seeking an order from the court that Maruyama return all firm records and equipment; that an accounting be ordered to ascertain what sums were spent contrary to the interests of the plaintiffs and/or contrary to the duties owed by the defendant; and for compensatory and punitive damages.

They are being represented by George B. Armistead.

Monongalia Circuit Court case number: 12-C-743