M.J. Joseph Development, Corp files complaint for Declaratory Judgment against city of Youngstown, denies default and restates commitment to project

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For Immediate Release
Monday, May 24, 2021
Contact: Atty. Brian Kopp, 330-502-8825

In response to public statements made by city officials regarding the M.J. Joseph Development, Corp (MJJDC) and the Chill Can project, Attorney Brian Kopp today filed a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment in the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas on behalf of the company.

In the Complaint, MJJDC denies that it has either defaulted or abandoned the project and asks the Court to declare that the city does not have a right to recover grant funds for the alleged default, has no right to title and possession of the company’s property, and does not possess a right to monetary damages under the Enterprise Agreement contract.

“Representatives of the city have repeatedly claimed Youngstown has powers and avenues of recourse that are not explicitly spelled out in the contracts,” Atty. Kopp said. “To counter those statements, we are asking the Court to clarify the rights and obligations of both parties so MJJDC can move forward.”

“Unfortunately, the city’s rhetoric makes it extremely difficult for MJJDC to achieve its stated goal: completing the facility, hiring local residents, starting production, and making Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley a center of the company’s operations,” Atty. Kopp said.

“The future is bright for our company and we are excited about the opportunities that will accompany the end of pandemic-related restrictions,” MJJDC President Mitchell Joseph said.  “We have committed millions of our own dollars to this project and we want and need it to become an integral part of our operations. We acknowledge that there have been delays, but our global business partners continue to work with us, and we hope the city will do the same.”

It was necessary to file the lawsuit to secure my client’s investment and to ensure that this project will pay dividends to the city and MJJDC for years to come,” Atty Kopp concluded. The Complaint for Declaratory Judgment may be viewed here: Joseph Complaint File 5-24-21

For more information, please contact Atty. Brian Kopp at 330-502-8825.