FAIRMONT, W.Va. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin is seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by one of his brothers against him and another sibling.

The West Virginia Democrat and his brother, Roch Manchin, filed a response Friday in Marion County Circuit Court to the lawsuit of Dr. John Manchin II.

The lawsuit accused Joe and Roch Manchin of failing to repay a $1.7 million loan intended to keep the family’s carpet business afloat.

The response says the loan is a fabrication and there’s no evidence that John Manchin provided capital or funding to any family business.

The response says the lawsuit is “nothing but the latest effort of a bitter sibling” who is in “dire financial condition.”

John Manchin’s attorney, J. Michael Benninger of Morgantown, didn’t immediately return a telephone message Friday.

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