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Firm Sues Over Biblical Fracking Billboard

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - An eastern Ohio man who uses a biblical reference and a statement against "poisoned waters" on billboards opposing gas-drilling wastewater wells faces a legal threat from the wells' operator.

Austin, Texas-based Buckeye Brine alleges in a July lawsuit that billboards paid for by Michael Boals of Coshocton (kuh-SHAHK'-tuhn) contain false and defamatory attacks against its deep-injection sites.

They dispose of contaminated wastewater from oil and gas drilling.

Boals refuses to pull the billboards. The 55-year-old says stating that the wells "pump poisoned waters" underfoot is true.

An environmental legal group argues that quoting prophecy from Revelation - on men dying from waters "made bitter" - is Boals' free-speech right.

The company says its wells are safe and legal and the messages are misleading. It's taken its complaint to the sign owner

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(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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