Man claims oil company rep threatened his life

A Texas man has filed suit against ExxonMobil, alleging a company representative threatened his life.

Lindell Scottie Peterson claims he made a business development call with defendant ExxonMobil and its co-defendant and vice principal, Randy A. Hudson, concerning industrial contact services for ExxonMobil.

According to Peterson's complaint filed Aug. 9 in Jefferson County District Court, Peterson scheduled a time to meet with Hudson and others, but Hudson failed to show or even call to warn of his absence.

Following Hudson's no-show, Peterson wrote him an e-mail expressing his dismay for his rude treatment, the suit states.

"After receiving this e-mail, ExxonMobil and its vice principal Randy A. Hudson wrote back not in apologetic terms, but seething anger using vulgarity and even threats of death worse than the cancer the Plaintiffs suffers with," the complaint says. "Additionally, the Defendants acted to 'blackball' and banish Plaintiff and anyone associated with Plaintiff permanently from ExxonMobil facilities and premises without limitation."

Peterson claims Hudson's actions constitute a terroristic threat.

"Plaintiff is a very frail and fragile man without the physical means to effectively oppose, defeat or frustrate the terroristic threats of the Defendants," the complaint says. "Plaintiff is not free to live, work, or travel where he chooses. Plaintiff is forced to be on guard and to look over his shoulder, live in fear, restrict his freedom, and is unable to obtain, in an ordinary and customary manner, caring and remuneration for his experience, training and services."

According to Peterson's complaint, the defendants are also guilty of intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.

In his complaint, Peterson is seeking compensatory and punitive damages and appropriate orders to prevent violence and interference, plus pre-judgment interest at the highest rate allowed by law, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Gilbert T. Adams and Alton V. Watson III of the Law Offices of Gilbert T. Adams in Beaumont will be representing him.

The case has been assigned to Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: E187-516.