WHEELING – Energy firm Gastar Exploration, the defendant in a civil suit filed by Kenneth and Nadine Corley, have petitioned to move the case from Marshall Circuit Court to federal court.
The motion was filed on Feb. 5 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia.
In the original complaint, the Corleys filed a nuisance case against Gastar on Jan. 5, claiming that the odors, vibration and noise created by Gastar’s nearby operations have interfered with the couple’s enjoyment of their 120-acre property. Gastar is petitioning to change the venue because although no specific damages are given in the original claim, the amount is likely to top $75,000, placing it in federal jurisdiction.
Gastar is represented by Morgantown attorney Matthew P. Heiskell and William M. Herlihy of Charleston of the firm Spilman Thomas & Battle PLLC. Judge John Preston Bailey is assigned to the case.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia case number 5:16-CV-12
