Lawsuit filed in dispute over water business

SPRINGFIELD — The owners of a Champaign County business are fighting in court over cash and business records.

Michael Junk, a part owner of Champaign Springs, filed a complaint earlier this month in Clark County Common Pleas Court against three other owners of the business. Champaign Springs is a limited liability company with offices at the former Lakewood Swim Club in Champaign County. It is expected to provide water to Ice River Springs, a water bottling company based in Feversham, Ontario, that is planning to open a new plant in St. Paris later this year.

Officials at Ice River Springs did not return a call seeking comment Tuesday afternoon. But Joe Sampson, village administrator for St. Paris, said the lawsuit should not have any effect on plans for the Ice River Springs facility.

According to the complaint, filed April 4, Junk, as well as David and Chris Conrad, are the three managers of Champaign Springs.

Among other items, the complaint alleges that in 2010, Junk began to notice that the Champaign Springs was paying for gas utility bills, although it had no gas utility account or used one. It also argues that although the company received income from contractual agreements, Junk was no longer paid a salary from the business beginning January 2010.

The complaint also argues Junk was not able to obtain several documents from the business, including meeting minutes or a formal budget.

In the complaint, Junk’s attorneys asked for business records including utility and health insurance payments and at least $25,000 in damages. It also asks the court to prevent the company from taking any action that would decrease the value of Junk’s interest in the company.

Both Junk and David Conrad declined comment Tuesday afternoon. Attorneys for the Conrads have not yet filed a response to the complaint.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355.

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