CIVIL FILINGS: Kanawha County

Jan. 11
Robin Moss and Teddy Joe Martin, her husband vs. Eva Robinson, the City of Charleston and the Charleston Police Department
PA- Richard A. Monahan; J- James C. Stucky
* On May 18, 2011, Moss was stopped at the intersection of Court Street and Smith Street in Charleston when Robinson, an employee of Charleston and the police department, rear-ended her vehicle, the suit says. The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest.
Case number: 13-C-47

Jan. 14
Amanda Jeffrey vs. Family Dollar Corporation, Inc. and James McCallister
PA- Paul M. Stroebel; J- Jennifer Bailey
* Jeffrey was employed by the defendants. She claims during her employment, McCallister created a hostile work environment by making inappropriate comments and making inappropriate physical contact. Jeffrey is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest.
Case number: 13-C-54

James K. Abcouwer vs. Trans Energy, Inc.; William F. Woodburn; and Loren E. Bagley
PA- Marvin W. Masters, April D. Ferrebee; J- Carrie Webster
* In 2006, the defendants contacted Abcouwer and advised him that they were part owners of Trans Energy and offered him the position of CEO, president and chief of the board, the suit says. They allegedly informed him that his duties would include resurrecting the company, beginning a drilling program and managing the company to increase its value, viability, future and stability. Abcouwer claims he agreed to accept the position only on the condition that he would receive stock options and once the goal was accomplished, that the company would be sold at the enhanced value and issue the profits to its stockholders. Abcouwer claims in 2010, the defendants breached their contract with him by refusing to sell the company as it had previously agreed to. Abcouwer is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest.
Case number: 13-C-56

Johnstone & Gabhart, LLP vs. Karen Hiehle and Stonegate Construction, Inc.
PA- Charles M. Johnstone II; J- Carrie Webster
* The defendants were clients of Johnstone & Gabhart and beginning in 2010, allegedly failed and refused to make payments for legal services provided. The law firm is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest.
Case number: 13-C-57

Sheena S. Desper vs. Sunbridge Dunbar Health Care Corp. d/b/a Dunbar Center; and Debbie Thaxton
PA- Matthew S. Criswell, Mark L. French, Steven M. Condaras; J- James C. Stucky
* In 2008, Desper began working for the defendant and in December 2011, Desper became pregnant and continued to work and keep her pregnancy confidential due to the way she says she had seen other pregnant women being treated at work. Desper claims her employment was terminated in August because of her pregnancy. Desper is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest.
Case number: 13-C-58

Martin N. Holley, as member of and on behalf of WV Land Services, LLC vs. Lydia M. Beirne and Elk Meadow Energy, LLC
PA- Stephen M. LaCagnin, Daniel L. Stickler, Taunja Willis-Miller; J- Carrie Webster
* Holley and Beirne are the only members of WV Land Services, wherein Holley serves as the managing member and Beirne does daily operating tasks, such as basic accounting duties. Holley claims Beirne paid her personal state and federal income taxes from a WV Landing Services account and used a WV Land Services account to pay personal expenses. Beirne also transferred approximately $250,000 from a WV Land Services account to an account for Elk Meadow, the suit says. Holley is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest.
Case number: 13-C-60

Jan. 15
Wanda Williams vs. the Kroger Co.; Kroger Limited Partnership I; KRGP, Inc.; and Kroger Co-Managers John Doe and John Carpenter
PA- J. Michael Ranson, Cynthia M. Ranson, G. Patrick Jacobs; J- Paul Zakaib Jr.
* On July 27, 2011, Wanda Williams went to Kroger to do her grocery shopping and was putting her groceries into her car in the parking lot when Joshua Cordwell, Jennifer Williams and Sara Cordwell pulled up in a Chrysler Sebring next to Wanda Williams’ vehicle and Jennifer Williams got out of the vehicle, threatened Wanda Williams and tried to grab her purse, the suit claims. Wanda Williams claims Jennifer Williams could not free the purse, so she dragged her and the purse toward the vehicle in which the Cordwells were waiting. Wanda Williams claims Jennifer Williams finally wrestled the purse away from her when she was halfway in the vehicle and had ordered Joshua Cordwell to drive the vehicle, which caused her to fall out of the moving vehicle while in the parking lot. Wanda Williams is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest.
Case number: 13-C-65

Jan. 18
Tiffany Ward vs. Jason Lee Thomas and Pjax, Inc.
PA- Damon L. Ellis; J- Jennifer Bailey
* On Jan. 26, 2011, Ward was a passenger in a vehicle traveling north on Interstate 77 when Thomas, who was operating a tractor-trailer owned by Pjax, attempted to change lanes and collided with the vehicle Ward was in, the suit says. Ward is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest.
Case number: 13-C-129

Jan. 22
Angela Groves, individually and in her capacity as natural mother and legal guardian for Andrew Groves; and Matthew Groves vs. Shane C. Payne and Pierson Lumber Company, Inc.
PA- Marvin W. Masters; J- James C. Stucky
* On Sept. 1, 2011, Andrew Groves was operating a vehicle traveling north on W.Va. 4 in Braxton County with Angela Groves as a passenger in the vehicle when Payne, who was operating a vehicle owned by Pierson, rear-ended the Groves’ vehicle, the suit claims. The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest.
Case number: 13-C-133

Tammy Davis vs. Sunrise Pre-Owned Automall, Inc. and Corey D. Thaxton
PA- Cameron S. McKinney, David L. Grubb; J- Tod J. Kaufman
* On May 21, Davis says she executed a retail installment contract for the purchase of a 2004 Cadillac from the defendants and as part of the transaction, agreed to trade in her 2007 Hummer H3 for an even trade, whereby the only amount she was obligated to pay consisted of fees and charges associated with transfer of title and registration. However, the contract the defendants prepared was confusing and misleading and actually indicated that Davis agreed to pay a difference of $500 in addition to the applicable license and title transfer fees, the suit says. Davis is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest.
Case number: 13-C-139

Jan. 23
Christopher J. Bukant vs. Dr. Cyrus J. Mali and Cyrus J. Mali MD, Inc.
PA- Robert B. Warner, Truman C. Griffith; J- Paul Zakaib Jr.
* On Jan. 5, Bukant was operating his Harley Davison motorcycle and was traveling south-bound on W.Va. 119 in Charleston when Mali failed to yield the right of way to Bukant and crashed his SUV into Bukant’s motorcycle, the suit says. Bukant is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest.
Case number: 13-C-144

Sheila D. Allen vs. Windham Professionals, Inc.
PA- Anthony J. Majestro, J.C. Powell; J- James C. Stucky
* Allen claims the defendant has attempted to contact her numerous times regarding payment of an alleged debt. She claims even after she instructed the defendant to speak with her attorney, it still attempted to contact her. Allen is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
Case number: 13-C-148