Allan Jones' boathouse is infringing on TVA's property, according to a complaint filed in federal court. The agency says that Jones has refused to remove the structures, despite being warned during construction that he was trespassing. 
Allan JonesTVA says it owns the property where Cleveland, Tenn., entrepreneur and millionaire Allan Jones' boathouse, retaining wall, boat ramp and dock are located off the Hiwassee River in Bradley County.
TVA entered a lawsuit on Dec. 18 in U.S. District Court seeking punitive and nominal damages from Jones for trespassing on the property, after multiple alleged attempts to have Jones remove his boating facilities.
TVA's complaint names Jones, Bates Bend Farm LLC, Jones Management Services Inc. and Jones Properties LLC -- all companies under Jones' ownership or leadership -- as defendants.
TVA attached a 1939 property deed to court documents showing that it purchased the land shortly after the utility was created. The property in dispute is the old Bates Bend steamboat landing along the left descending bank of the Hiwassee.
But Jones said Monday that TVA's lawsuit "is not really only about boat docks and retaining walls."
He said in a statement that the property in question is unquestionably owned by Bates Bend Farm, and has been for 30 years.
"Over the years, we have reached out to TVA numerous times in an attempt to resolve the issue," said Jones. He is the founder, chairman and CEO of Check Into Cash.
He also said TVA has repeatedly failed to provide a deed showing ownership of the disputed land until now and instead has claimed "they were 'supposed to' have bought it."
In its Dec. 18 complaint, however, TVA claims absolute ownership and authority over the disputed property.
And the complaint states the "defendants had no authority or permission from TVA to construct or cause the construction of the facilities" and that after repeated warnings of such, the construction of the facilities continued.
Therefore, "the facilities Defendants constructed or caused to be constructed constitute a continuing trespass," the complaint says.
TVA is seeking an injunction against Jones that would force him to remove the dock, retaining wall, boat ramp and boathouse, then subsequently restore the affected property to its pre-facilities state.
TVA is also seeking a judgment for nominal and punitive damages and other fees and costs stemming from the lawsuit, including attorney's fees.
TVA seeking punitive damages has specifically stuck in Jones' craw.
"Last June, Bates Bend wrote TVA a letter offering to mediate the dispute to see if we could find common ground," he wrote Monday. "TVA ignored our offer until earlier this month, when they refused the offer of a discussion and instead brought this lawsuit seeking an injunction and 'punitive damages.'"
Jones said Monday that "at TVA's choice, Bates Bend will now have to resolve this matter at great expense to the public and private citizens in Federal Court."
"Unfortunately, governmental entities operate in this fashion on occasion," he said.
Contact staff writer Alex Green at agreen@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6480.