WEST UNION – An Ohio man is claiming an energy company slandered him by claiming it owns property that rightfully belongs to him, and he seeks the profits the company allegedly has made from the property.
Warren Dale Robinson filed his complaint Sept. 8 in Doddridge Circuit Court against Ancient Energy LTD, a West Virginia-based corporation.
Robinson is the son and successor in interest of real property of Kenova Williams, and the taxes on the property have allegedly been paid as well, as are the mineral interests included therein. Between 2008 and 2010, Mike Ross Inc. allegedly paid royalties erroneously to Ada Cline, now deceased. Though never cashed, the payment was nonetheless allegedly reported, and the Doddridge County Assessor's office also erroneously created a tax ticket for this royalty interest. However, no taxes were allegedly due as the taxes already were being paid by Robinson, as aforementioned.
He claims the defendant has reported that this erroneous assessment has given them rights to the mineral deposits on said property, and he requests that a declaratory judgment be issued saying that the plaintiff is the lawful owner of the mineral interests underlying the litigation, that he be awarded nominal and compensatory damages resulting from the slander of his title, that the defendant be disgorged of the profit that resulted from said property, and be awarded any other relief the court sees proper.
The plaintiff is being represented by Jason T. Gain of Gain Law Offices in Bridgeport. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Tim Sweeney.
Doddridge Circuit Court case number 15-C-38