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MILL CREEK -- The owner of a Randolph County logging company wants the public to know that it wasn't his business -- but another logging company with a similar name -- that has been sued by the federal government.
This week, the United States Attorney's Office filed a civil lawsuit against John R. Fox and Fox Logging, LLC, of Valley Bend for trespassing and cutting down approximately 10 acres of timber on the Monongahela National Forest near Slaty Fork in Pocahontas County.
Unfortunately, many people this week have confused that now-closed business with Fox Lumber Company, which has operated out of Mill Creek for nearly 40 years, and had nothing to do with the National Forest situation.
"I have a relative who had a very similar business name, but we are two totally different businesses," Doug Fox, the owner of Fox Lumber Company, told The Inter-Mountain Friday. "Of course, people just see the last name, and they assume it was our company, but it wasn't.
"I have been receiving messages and calls for days from people who are upset that we went into the National Forest and cut trees, but we didn't do that at all, it wasn't our company. I just hope people will understand that this wasn't our doing."
Doug Fox acknowledged he is related to John Fox, the Fox Logging owner who is facing the federal lawsuit, but said John Fox has "no part in our business here.
"He and my dad are brothers, and they were partners and started this business in 1986. In the late 1990s he split off and started his own business. It's been more than 20 years ago," Doug Fox said.
"He's not even in business anymore. He's closed his business and sold all his equipment."
Doug Fox said his company follows correct business and logging practices, and looks to remain in business locally for decades to come.
"Our company follows all the proper procedures. You want to make sure you're on the right land. No one wants to be sued and fined and go through all that," he said.
"Our company produces five million feet of lumber a year in Randolph County, and plans to for a long time."