Dispute Between Utah Honey Producers Heads to State Court

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The owner of a honey company is taking his case against a beekeeping competitor and Cache and Box Elder counties to state district court over alleged conflicts of interest and unreasonable treatment.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports Cox Honey of Utah owner, Darren Cox, filed civil rights claims against both counties and co-owner of Slide Ridge Honey, Martin James. Cox claims James, who was appointed county bee inspector in 2007, abused his authority by observing Cox's beekeeping techniques and using them for his own advantage.

James' attorney says Cox is suing because he was upset that his brother wasn't appointed bee inspector, a position held by Cox's father for decades. Most of the claims filed by Cox in a similar lawsuit were dismissed by a federal judge in 2013.