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GreaseSpot Cafe > WayDale Documents >
Lawsuit Section
Sidney Daily News 08/23/00
Plaintiffs file response to
motion by The Way
A couple suing The Way International for
breach of contract and other claims have filed a response in Shelby County
Common Pleas Court to a motion seeking dismissal of the case.
Attorneys representing Mrs. Allen and
Mr. Allen admitted they were late in responding to requests from attorneys for
The Way, but any tardiness was not intentional.
Former employees of The Way, 5555
Wierwille Road, New Knoxville, the Allens claim they suffered humiliation,
embarrassment and stress at the hands of The Way officials, and that officials
attempted to "coerce" Mrs. Allen into engaging in sexual activity with
the Rev. L. Craig Martindale, former president, between 1996 and 1999. The
Allens resigned from The Way in 1999.
Consensual affair
Martindale is named a defendant in the
lawsuit along with the Rev. Rosalie F. Rivenbark. Martindale resigned as The Way
president soon after the complaint was filed and was replaced by Rivenbark.
Martindale claims he and Mrs. Allen had a consensual affair.
In the motion filed in July, attorneys for
The Way claim their counterparts have not produced any documents requested nor
answered some questions properly. Documents sought include a contract between
the Allens and The Way when they were employed there, information related to any
psychological treatment the Allens may have received, information about
plaintiffs’ witnesses, responses to questions that were answered improperly,
and information about an Internet site operated by the Allens known as WayDale.
Because of these omissions and delays in meeting deadlines, the lawsuit should
be dismissed, defense attorneys claim.
Responding to the motion, Cleveland
attorney James E. Burns noted his clients answered all but five of the 28
questions posed by The Way. Since the initial responses, the plaintiffs have
made an effort to answer the questions more fully. On the question about medical
information, the Allens directed The Way to review its own records since they
were employees of The Way for many years.
Unaware of orders
The plaintiffs’ attorneys were unaware
of any court orders to provide addresses for their witnesses, Burns said. As for
information about WayDale, he claimed The Way has "carefully monitored and
mined" information posted on the Web site.
Burns noted his clients would be willing
to extend research time if defense attorneys believe their case has been harmed
by delays.
The Allens are seeking $2 million on a
claim of breach of contract and additional damages on other claims. They also
claim The Way officials defrauded them of money, conspired against them and
damaged their reputations. They claim damages totaling $56 million. They also
claim the "mark and avoid" designation ordered by The Way leaders on
former members defamed them. The Way denies this allegation.
On their Web site, the Allens indicated
they would not comment on the case except during a trial. The site offers
"insider" information about The Way operations that the Allens say is
provided by current and former members. Information and comments about the
lawsuit are posted there. The online address is waydale.com.
Trial in the case has been scheduled for
Nov. 8.
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