City panhandling lawsuit expected to be settled out of court
A lawsuit over a Morgantown panhandling ordinance is expected to be settled soon, following a previous settlement denial.Summary
Attorneys for Anthony Rowand and the city of Morgantown are nearing a settlement in a lawsuit stemming from a repealed panhandling law. A January 14th filing indicated ongoing settlement discussions, following Chief Judge Thomas Kleeh’s denial of a previous settlement agreement in February 2025. The initial proposed settlement involved the city vacating convictions and paying $35,100, split between Rowand and Mountain State Justice. Judge Kleeh rejected that settlement because the class size was deemed too small to justify a class action lawsuit – with fewer than 20 individuals potentially affected and their identities known. However, negotiations have resumed, and both sides now anticipate a resolution “imminently,” suggesting further court involvement will not be needed.
(Source：Dominionpost)