CHARLESTON – An electrical company has sued a former employee, claiming he still possesses property that belongs to the company.
West Virginia Electric Industries Inc. filed its complaint October 3 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Clifford Humphries, who lives in St. Albans.
Humphries worked for the plaintiff from June 5 to September 1, according to the complaint, which says Humphries is in possession of two ControlLogix 5580 programmable logic controllers. He was working at a job site, so the plaintiff allowed him to maintain possession of the PLCs while working on the site.
The company says the fair market value of the PLCs is more than $12,000. Upon his termination, the company demanded Humphries return all property and equipment. But it says he failed and refused to do so.
The company says it believe the controllers are at Humphries’ home. It seeks immediate recovery of the property.
It accuses Humphries of conversion and unjust enrichment. It seeks an order directing the Kanawha County Sheriff’s office to seize and take possession of the PLCs and deliver them to the plaintiff. It also seeks compensatory damages, attorney fees, court costs and other relief.
The company is being represented by Richard D. Owen and Shanna L. Brown of Goodwin & Goodwin in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Tera Salango.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 23-C-886
