Waste Management claims prejudicial views in amended motion in Charles City lawsuit

Waste Management of Virginia has expanded its motion for a change of venue in a case involving Charles City to include prejudicial pretrial publicity.

A May 1 amended motion filed in Charles City Circuit Court by McGuire Woods LLP, representatives of Waste Management, claims media publicity from various news and print media’s account of the situation affect the case.

“The motion to transfer due to local prejudice is a well, recognized ground for change of venue,” said the law firm. “Transfer is proper because Charles City jurors are disqualified.”

Along with the amended motion, McGuire Woods LLC filed approximately 15 documents consisting of the lawsuit from television stations, print media, and online news sources. Among the documents included stories claiming the shortfall of revenue provided by Waste Management were factors for county schools returning money to supervisors.

Last October, Charles City filed a lawsuit against Waste Management after a near $1 million shortfall due to the intake of tonnage by the company. Charles City claims an agreement of 1,900 tons per day between the parties was violated, with Waste Management only supplying 1,300 tons per day.

The tension between the two parties has caused backlash from county citizens and the school system. Residents questioned why supervisors put “their eggs in one basket”, as Waste Management is the largest supplier of revenue to the county’s general fund. School systems said returning funds to the county has affected the education quality.

As for the change of venue, county attorney Randy Boyd responded with a May 15 motion to the court, its second objection for the relocation of the trial.

“While the county objects the motion, we will consent for proceedings to move to New Kent,” responded Boyd.

Waste Management has not yet responded to the proposal as of press time.