City of Williamsburg involved in property dispute

The Williamsburg City Council has been named as a defendant in a recent lawsuit concerning a property dispute.

James and Janice Lawson filed the lawsuit on Sept. 4 in Whitley Circuit Court against David Stanfill, Regina Stanfill, Energy Associates Inc, and the City of Williamsburg, including Mayor Roddy Harrison and City Council members Richard Foley, Erica Harris, Chet Riley, Troy Sharp, Mary Ann Stanfill and Laurel West.

The lawsuit alleges that David and Regina Stanfill own a tract of land adjoining James and Janice Lawson’s property.

Both couples claim ownership over a portion of the same land.

The lawsuit claims that David and Regina Stanfill have now asserted ownership and control over a portion of the real estate and have damaged the real estate, removed part of the land and destroyed a stonewall, fencing and timber, some of which were boundary markers.

Energy Associates Inc., working in concert with David and Regina Stanfill, allegedly erected a gate that obstructs the Lawsons’ entrance to their barn and their driveway, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges that the City of Williamsburg, the mayor and council members enabled John and Regina Stanfill to trespass and destroy the Lawson’s real estate by providing heavy equipment for "said use and continued to provide said equipment knowing a dispute as to ownership of the real estate existed and used its police force to coerce the plaintiffs and to assist the defendants, David Stanfill and Regina Stanfill, in their trespass all to the detriment of the plaintiffs."

The lawsuit seeks compensatory, statutory and punitive damages, that title to the disputed real estate be quieted and that the Lawsons be declared the owners of the property.

It seeks a judgment against David Stanfill, Regina Stanfill and the City of Williamsburg in excess of $5,000 for compensatory and punitive damages.

The lawsuit seeks a judgment against Energy Associates in excess of $5,000 and removal of the gate and all other proper relief.

The lawsuit seeks a reasonable attorney fee and the surveyor’s fees in excess of $10,000.

In addition, the lawsuit seeks a temporary and permanent restraining order and injunction prohibiting the defendants from coming upon the property or from doing any work on the property.

On Sept. 23, R. William Tooms, an attorney representing the City of Williamsburg, filed an answer to the lawsuit denying any wrongdoing on the part of the city.

Harrison declined to comment on the litigation because the matter is currently pending in court.

So far none of the other defendants have filed any response to the lawsuit, and no hearing date has been scheduled.