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Resident accuses Monongalia County Development Authority of improper land transfer, alleges falsified deed disclosures
Summary
James Giuliani told the Monongalia County Commission the development authority transferred 142 Richwood Avenue without his required release and that deed disclosures were falsified; commissioners said the matter was referred to the authority and legal counsel and that follow-up is underway.
James Giuliani, a Morgantown resident who identified himself as steward of the Alexander‑Wade House, told the Monongalia County Commission on June 17 that the county’s development authority violated a 2020 agreement and illegally transferred 142 Richwood Avenue.
"Documents in those deed disclosures were falsified to bypass my rights as the secondary lien holder," Giuliani said during the public‑comment period, calling the transfer "a fraudulent act." He said he sold a 10‑acre parcel to the Monongalia County Development Authority for $11.8 million and that his deed of trust bars transfers without his signed release.
Giuliani said the authority transferred the parcel to private entities that then flipped it, and he accused the authority’s counsel, identified in his remarks as Rocky Genovese law firm, of filing disclosures to "push this deal through." He said he has handed the commission copies of the deed of trust and letters from the development authority and that he will pursue legal remedies, including complaints to the West Virginia State Police and the Monongalia County prosecutor.
Commissioners responded during their reports that the commission had referred Giuliani’s concerns to the development authority and that legal counsel is involved. County Commissioner Sean said the matter has been discussed by the development authority and that the commission's counsel was directed to address the concerns. "There hasn't been anything fraudulent that has that has occurred," Sean said while describing the status as under legal review.
The commission did not take formal action at the meeting on Giuliani’s allegations. Giuliani told commissioners he expects the authority to honor an earlier letter promising payment by Oct. 1, 2026, and said that if the issue is not resolved he will seek to freeze title and pursue discovery through litigation.
The commission's public record from this meeting shows the complaint and the referral to the development authority and legal counsel; no final legal determination or administrative remedy was announced at the session.
