RICHMOND, Va. – A Virginia-based company says The Greenbrier owes it more than $420,000 for human resources staffing services.
Cornerstone RPO LLC filed its lawsuit Oct. 14 against Greenbrier Hotel Corporation in U.S. District Court in Richmond. The Greenbrier is owned by West Virginia Democratic candidate Jim Justice.
According to the complaint, Cornerstone has worked with the Greenbrier since 2011. It says the hotel “has failed – and refused – to pay” $422,837.52 for services rendered.
Cornerstone says it has worked with the Greenbrier since February 2011, and it has renewed 12-month contracts each year since then, including the most recent renewal that runs through March 1, 2016. It says it has submitted numerous monthly invoices for fees and direct expenses that have not been paid.
Cornerstone still is providing services to the Greenbrier.
It seeks a judgment of more than $500,000 that includes the amount owed as well as pre- and post-judgment interest. It also seeks attorney fees, court costs and other relief.
Cornerstone is being represented by Chandra D. Lantz and Franklin R. Cragle III of Hirschler Fleischer in Richmond.
Justice and his companies have been named as defendants in other lawsuits. Aspen Corp. sued the Greenbrier in 201 for $1.275 million, saying it had failed to pay for work performed prior to the inaugural PGA Greenbrier Classic tournament. An architect who oversaw the restoration of the Greenbrier’s Old White Course for the PGA event also sued for $200,000.
Earlier this year, two of Justice’s coal companies were sued for $2 million for not paying landowners for coal that was mined. In 2013, seven of his companies were sued for $1.1 million in unpaid invoices. In 2011, Delta Air Lines sued the Greenbrier for $4 million over failure to meet guaranteed minimum amounts in return for providing flights to the local airport.
Critics say Justice companies also have a reputation for not paying fines or taxes, and they claim Justice uses his business and political connections to secure special deals and tax breaks for his companies.
U.S. District Court case number 3:15-cv-611