Unpaid Debt at Heart of Trial

Hayford Cardinal Holdings Inc., a Canadian company, is trying to collect more than $128,000 from North Little Rock’s Central Industrial Electric Co. Inc. and its owner/CEO, James Edwards.

Unfortunately, CIECO has been defunct for several months. In its day, the electrical contractor was responsible for work on well-known Arkansas buildings like North Little Rock’s Verizon Arena, the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

Hayford is seeking repayment of $9,000 owed for consulting work and $119,000 owed on a promissory note. The debt was to be repaid by Oct. 31.

However, Hayford claims it hasn’t received any money, hence the lawsuit. Edwards’ lawyer, Geoffrey Treece of Little Rock, has denied any money is owed.

The issue is due for a bench trial in the 9th Division of Pulaski County Circuit Court this week.