No new developments in Grady EMC lawsuit
A three-member litigation review committee to investigate the merits of a lawsuit filed against Grady EMC by a group of disgruntled members has yet to be named as of Tuesday.
According to Grady County Superior Court officials, Judge Loring Gray had not selected the three-member panel as of the close of business Tuesday.
During a hearing last Tuesday, Judge Gray instructed attorneys for both the plaintiffs and defendants in the case to submit a list of prospective candidates to serve on the three-member panel.
It was Judge Gray’s decision to limit the panel to three members.
The judge also said that he would appoint the committee this week.
The plaintiffs, who are Gordon Clyatt, Ronald Sellars, C. Seaborn Roddenbery, Jerome J. Ellis and Roy Brock, originally filed suit Oct. 7, 2014 against the EMC over the way it retains capital credits, then only disburses them to deceased members, and for business decisions made including using EMC funds to purchase stock in United National Bank and then selling the stock to Thomas A. Rosser Sr., while financing the purchase with a loan from the co-op, among other things. They are being represented by Valdosta attorneys George Talley and Ed Preston.
Between July 23, 2014, and Aug. 27, 2014, the plaintiffs placed six advertisements in The Messenger raising their concerns with the operation and management of Grady EMC.
In addition to Rosser Sr., and the EMC, the defendants include EMC board of directors members Dewey Brock Jr., Caylor Outzs, Lamar Carlton, James Freeman, Lamar Strickland, Robert E. Lee, James Lewis, and current EMC General Manager Thomas A. (Bo) Rosser Jr.
Rosser Sr. is being represented in this matter by Greg Michell of Stanley, Esrey & Buckley of Atlanta. Other attorneys for the defendants include Hugh B. McNatt of Vidalia; T. Joshua, R. Archer, M. Anne Kaufold-Wiggins, and Matthew B. Ames of Balch & Bingham of Atlanta; M. Claire Chason of the Chason Law Firm in Cairo; V. Gail Lane of Altman & Lane in Thomasville; and Thomas Conger of Bainbridge.
