GNP seeking $518,975 in suit Firm claims client won’t settle bill

BANGOR – While two of Great Northern Paper Inc.’s paper machines in Millinocket remain shut down this week because of a lack of orders, the company has filed a lawsuit against a Pennsylvania company saying it is refusing to pay a bill of more than half a million dollars.

As of Feb. 11, WWF Paper, also known as WWF National and WWF Mid-Atlantic, owed GNP $518,975 for paper it delivered to the company, according to a three-count complaint filed at Penobscot County Superior Court.

GNP officials indicated in the complaint that WWF Paper does not intend to pay the bill because of financial difficulties it is having that have resulted in the business being liquidated.

A woman who answered a call to the company’s headquarters in Bala Cynwyd, Pa., said the company was being liquidated and there was no one available to answer questions about the lawsuit.

“Our doors will be completely closed next week,” she said.

Justice Andrew Mead signed an attachment and trustee process order giving GNP the authority to begin attempts to try to seek reimbursement through other venues, such as attachment of physical property or real estate that WWF Paper may still own.

Lawyers for GNP wrote in a motion for the attachment order that they were afraid WWF Paper would attempt to conceal its assets and make them unavailable if Mead did not sign the order.

In a manner of speaking the order allows GNP to get in line with other creditors to whom WWF owes money, said one attorney.

In signing the order, Mead found that more likely than not GNP would be awarded the money should the case go to trial.

GNP spokesman Brian Stetson declined to comment on the suit, saying it was not something to be dealt with publicly.