MONROE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Sweet Springs Resort Park Foundation, along with the Estate of Orus Ashby Berkley and the Orus Ashby Berkley Revocable Trust, has filed a civil lawsuit in Monroe County Circuit Court alleging wrongful death, fraud, conversion of assets, breach of fiduciary duty, civil conspiracy, and other claims against Arietta Ann Dupree, Randall Dupree, Silesia Marie Riley, and additional unidentified defendants.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege Arietta Ann Dupree assumed the role of caregiver for Orus Ashby Berkley during the final period of his life and used that position to gain control over his finances, property, trust assets, estate documents, and Foundation records. The lawsuit further claims Dupree interfered with or delayed necessary medical treatment while Berkley was seriously ill, actions the plaintiffs contend contributed to his death.
The complaint also alleges Dupree improperly used the decedent’s credit cards, bank accounts, checks, and Foundation funds for personal expenses, including online gaming and personal bills. Plaintiffs further claim she wrote unauthorized checks to herself and diverted Foundation money for purposes unrelated to the nonprofit’s mission.
Among the most serious allegations, the lawsuit states Dupree admitted to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department that she forged a will affecting Berkley’s estate. The complaint also alleges she later executed or provided documents related to that alleged forged will and attempted to sell Berkley’s Florida property while he was unconscious in the hospital by allegedly forging and backdating his signature.
The lawsuit also names Randall Dupree, alleging he knowingly assisted or benefited from some of the alleged misconduct. Silesia Marie Riley is accused of participating in or benefiting from transactions involving the alleged forged will and receiving property allegedly purchased with estate funds.
According to the complaint, four days after Berkley’s death, estate money was allegedly used without authorization to purchase a lawn mower, which was later transferred to Riley. Plaintiffs contend the mower was never purchased for the benefit of the estate and represents part of a broader pattern of misappropriation.
The plaintiffs estimate the value of assets allegedly diverted, converted, or misappropriated from Berkley’s estate, trust, and the Sweet Springs Resort Park Foundation approaches $300,000, though they state the exact amount will be determined through financial records, discovery, and expert analysis.
The complaint seeks compensatory damages, wrongful death damages, punitive damages, restitution, recovery of allegedly misappropriated assets, a full accounting of financial transactions, the imposition of a constructive trust over traceable assets, injunctive relief to preserve evidence and property, attorney’s fees where allowed, and a trial by jury.
The lawsuit was filed on June 29, 2026, in the Circuit Court of Monroe County. The allegations contained in the complaint represent claims made by the plaintiffs. The defendants have not yet filed responses in court, and no findings of liability have been made.
