NEW MARTINSVILLE — Wetzel County property owners are suing oil and gas production companies, alleging fraud, breach of duty and unjust enrichment.
Marcus Huey, Jean Gould, West-Grubb LLC, Stoney Meadows LLC, Sarabeth Lamm, et al filed a complaint June 12 in Wetzel Circuit Court against EQT Production Company, EQT Gathering LLC, EQT midstream Services LLC, et al, alleging they violated the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs have suffered and will continue to suffer monetary loss, damage and injury and are being deprived of the fair market value of the rents and royalties they should receive. The plaintiffs allege the defendants have failed and refused to pay the plaintiffs' royalty interest and have wrongfully withheld more than $5 million in royalties due the plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs seek trial by jury, award for all monies deducted from the plaintiffs' royalties, compensatory and punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, legal fees and court costs and all other just and proper relief. They are represented by attorneys John F. McCuskey, Brian Warner and Marc F. Mignault of Shuman, McCuskey & Slicer PLLC in Charleston.
Wetzel Circuit Court case number 17-C-43