Westwin Elements threatens legal action against Bryan County chairman over public comments

BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Westwin Elements, a company seeking to build a nickel refinery in Richmond Hill, is threatening legal action against Bryan County Commission Chairman Carter Infinger for comments he made during a public meeting.

SEE: Bryan County leaders and residents respond to possibility of Nickel refinery

Representatives of Westwin appeared before the commission on Jan. 13 to deliver signatures they said were from citizens who support the nickel refinery coming to Richmond Hill. Three people spoke in support of Westwin, which is asking for hundreds of millions of dollars in bonds to build the facility.

Chairman raises lawsuit concerns

The dispute began when Infinger made reference to federal lawsuits Westwin is named in during the Jan. 13 meeting. Westwin’s lawyers say those comments amount to defamatory statements.

“It’s not all happy and roses. There is a lot of concern behind this project,” Infinger said during the meeting.

The company did not get on the agenda for the Jan. 13 meeting but instead presented signatures of residents they say support the project during open comment. Infinger brought up several federal lawsuits Westwin is involved in.

“The federal cases are out there being litigated now. I wish you would’ve gotten on the agenda, and we could’ve had a more thorough discussion,” Infinger said.

Federal lawsuits confirmed

Westwin is being sued in federal court in New York for allegedly failing to pay agreed-upon fees to several investment and equity firms. The company is also being sued in Oklahoma for alleged fraud and breach of contract.

Last Thursday, lawyers for Westwin sent a cease and desist letter to Infinger, claiming that in addition to mentioning the lawsuits, Infinger falsely stated Westwin is under federal investigation and that someone had died at a Westwin facility.

The letter demanded Infinger retract his statements and issue a public apology, or Westwin may sue.

County attorney responds

Bryan County Attorney Aaron Kappler sent a response to Westwin, refuting that Infinger claimed Westwin is under federal investigation or that anyone died at Westwin. Kappler also pointed out Westwin is involved in several federal lawsuits.

He ended the letter saying, “Westwin should focus on engaging constructively with the community, rather than making outrageous demands on the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.” Kappler added that “In light of the law’s protection of free assembly and speech in matters of public concern, I demand that Westwin cease and desist from further efforts to chill the speech of members of the public in Bryan County that are in opposition to Westwin.”

The Development Authority of Bryan County was scheduled to consider issuing Westwin $230 million in bonds at its meeting Tuesday, but Westwin requested it be removed from the agenda.

The company is holding a town hall to address community concerns about the potential facility Monday night at 6 p.m.

Interested in watching the Bryan County Commission meeting from Jan. 13, 2026? See below.