PHILIPPI – A law firm alleging to help consumers negotiate and settle with creditors is facing claims by a Barbour County woman over allegations that it took almost $5,000 in fees from her while failing to help with her debt.
Connie Mayle filed a complaint in Barbour Circuit Court against Huron Law Group PLLC, Huron Law Group PLLC West Virginia and Charles Degryse alleging fraud, illegal contract, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and violation of the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act.
Mayle owed nearly $16,000 in credit card debt on three cards, but was not in default, and was solicited online by Huron Law to negotiate and make payment arrangements with the creditors, according to the suit. Mayle alleges she agreed to pay Huron $260.44 per month for 44 months as a retainer and turned over power of attorney while being promised the firm would save her an estimated $4,222.80 from her debt. She alleges the defendants took no action to help relieve her debt and that the firm also took $2,032.75 from her account for program-related payments. She alleges she paid the defendants more than $5,000.
Mayle alleges the defendants' failure to help settle her debt eventually resulted in a sheriff deputy serving her with a summons from Discover in front of her students and co-workers.
Mayle seeks actual, punitive and compensatory damages and costs. She is represented by Gary Smith of Mountain State Justice Inc. in Morgantown.
Barbour Circuit Court case number 19-c-41