FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The brother of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin claims the senator and his other brother Roch Manchin owe him $1.7 million from a loan that originated in the 1980s.
Dr. John Manchin II filed the civil lawsuit Thursday in Marion County Circuit Court. It claims he loaned the money to his brothers to help their financially distressed business, the Manchin Carpet Center, with the promise he would be paid back.
The lawsuit said the most recent repayment promise came in July 2012 in a Funds Sharing Agreement but still no money has come his way. Dr. Manchin also claims that he was promised if he held off filing a lawsuit against them he would be “granted, conveyed, and provided a one-third interest in the coal reserves and coal brokerage businesses and other businesses incorporated, formed, and owned by them.”
The lawsuit also claims Sen. Joe Manchin and Roch Manchin dissolved the Manchin Brothers business without knowledge of John Manchin II.
The civil suit alleges violation of the Uniform Partnership Act, unjust enrichment, constructive fraud, breach of fudiciary duty, breach of contract and civil conspiracy.
Sen. Manchin is not commenting. His office told MetroNews Friday the lawsuit was a family matter.