League City auto dealership seeks to recover $43K debt

GALVESTON - Benson-Sabin Partners Ltd. has filed a lawsuit against WM Jones & Co. Inc. in an effort to recoup $42,532.

According to recent court documents filed July 23 in Galveston County District Court, the alleged debt arises from WM Jones's failure to acquire proper permits from the city of League City and pay suppliers and subcontractors.

The plaintiff, doing business as Star Toyota, originally brought the respondent in to work on a new parking lot and driveway at its facilities.

The suit claims that WM Jones "acted unreasonably when, in violation of League City Municipal Code, it and its subcontractors began the removal of trees for its construction of the parking lot prior to receiving the proper permits."

League City forced the complainant to pay $31,212.50 to resolve the criminal claims, it states.

Benson-Sabin additionally shows that the defendant's apparent failure to pay its subcontractors resulted in liens for unpaid electrical work totaling $11,320, asserting it continues to receive such notices.

It insists that it "has fully performed all of its obligations under the contract in that the plaintiff paid for services to the defendant so far as they were performed and the defendant accepted payment."

Attorney Craig Welscher of The Welscher Law Firm in Houston is representing the plaintiff, and Galveston County 405th District Court Judge Michelle Slaughter is presiding over the litigation.

Case No. 13-CV-947