Kenneth Detweiler has filed a lawsuit against Midland Credit Management, Inc., accusing the company of violating federal debt collection laws. The complaint was filed on October 30, 2024, in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Detweiler's legal representation is provided by J.P. Ward & Associates, LLC.
The case stems from an earlier civil complaint filed by Midland Credit Management against Detweiler on July 24, 2024, in Magisterial District Court. In response to these allegations, Detweiler engaged the services of J.P. Ward & Associates to defend him. On August 20, 2024, his attorneys sent a letter to Midland Credit Management disputing the alleged debts and requesting that they cease direct communication with Detweiler. Despite this, Midland Credit Management continued to report disputed debts inaccurately to credit agencies like TransUnion as "in Collection" and "PLACED FOR COLLECTION," actions which Detweiler claims violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
Detweiler argues that Midland Credit Management falsely represented the character and legal status of the alleged debt by not acknowledging its disputed nature in their communications with credit reporting agencies. According to the FDCPA Section 1692e(8), debt collectors are prohibited from communicating false information about a debt's status or failing to communicate that a debt is disputed. Furthermore, Detweiler accuses Midland Credit Management of engaging in abusive and deceptive practices that caused him emotional distress and other damages.
In his lawsuit, Detweiler seeks monetary damages for actual harm suffered due to these violations and statutory damages under the FDCPA provisions. He also requests coverage for attorney fees and any additional relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Kenneth Detweiler are attorneys Travis A. Gordon and Joshua P. Ward from J.P. Ward & Associates, LLC. The case is presided over by Judge Adam D. Stallard under Docket No: AR-24-. The defendant’s attorney is Bryan Jon Polas from Hayt, Hayt & Landau, LLC.