Labor Court Orders Seizure of Paynesville City Corporation’s Assets; But PCC Says It Has Resumed Work
The Labor Court for Montserrado County on Thursday, September 4, 2025 issued a writ of execution against the management of the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) for its failure to satisfy a court-ordered judgment in favor of former employee, Emmanuel Hilter.
The court, presided over by Resident Judge, Joseph M. Kollie, authorized the Acting Sheriff of the Labor Court, G. Michael Cummings, to seize and sell assets belonging to PCC to recover the outstanding amount owed to Hilter. The order follows a ruling on a petition for enforcement of judgment stemming from a case of unfair labor practices.
According to the Writ of Execution dated September 2, 2025, the Management of PCC is instructed to pay the sum of money owed or risk having its vehicles, office assets, and other valuables seized and auctioned. The court specifically cited assets, including a yellow 2020 Double Cabin Hilux, a green plus double cabin, and a Ford pickup with government plates parked at PCC headquarters.
“You are hereby commanded to seize and expose for sale the lands and chattels of the management of the Paynesville City Corporation… and bring them before the court unless they will pay the sum of money or show property to seize,” the writ reads in part.
Additionally, the court ordered that any responsible officers, including the human resource officer or others under PCC’s authority, be brought before the court to explain the delay in compliance or face further legal action.
The writ was predicated upon a prolonged labor dispute in which Hilter successfully proved wrongful termination and unfair treatment by his former employer. Despite a prior judgment, PCC allegedly failed to meet its financial obligations as mandated by the court.
However, later during the same day, the PCC disclosed that normal work has fully resumed following the brief halt from the court.
According to the PCC, Emmanuel Hilter was dismissed on January 21, 2020 for “deliberate gross disrespect and insubordination to the office of the then Mayor, Pam Belcher-Taylor”. However, the court rendered “wrongful dismissal” in the case.
In respect to the ruling, sheriffs from the court temporarily shut down operations at the city corporation. Eventually, the PCC management engaged its legal team, which successfully negotiated with the court; as a result, the matter was resolved, and normal work at the city corporation resumed immediately.