The Orlando-based Stratos Jet Charters Inc. filed a lawsuit against one of its former contractors on June 5, 2017 in Florida’s 9th District Circuit Court. The private charter company accuses an Orange County man and his current employer, Zephyr Jets Inc., of having breached the noncompete agreement he signed by soliciting its customers.

In the charter airline’s complaint, they assert that the former employee first signed a noncompete agreement with the company on Sept. 22, 2015. The document was one among many different contracts the man signed as he was hired on as an independent contractor with the company that day.

The charter company further maintains that it’s with the signing of this agreement that the man gained access to various pieces of confidential information. Among the proprietary data he gained access to at the time had to do with how the company operated, including client lists.

Although the man worked for the plaintiff until April of 2017, it’s alleged that he first started violating the noncompete agreement he signed prior to resigning his role with them. They allege he first began approaching both prospective and current customers of theirs long before his departure to go work for Zephyr Jets, Inc. They estimate his actions cost them an unspecified amount in lost revenue.

As for the plaintiff, they are demanding that a judgment be made in their favor. They also are requesting that a temporary injunction against the man and his company be ordered by the judge. The charter company is also seeking to have damages awarded and to have attorney fees and costs reimbursed as well.

If you’ve been accused of having violated a noncompete agreement or if you own a company that is looking to have a violation of one enforced, then a Melbourne contract litigation attorney can provide you with the necessary guidance in your case.

Source: Florida Record, “Stratos Jet Charters Inc. alleges former contractor breached noncompete agreement,” Jenie Mallari-Torres, June 29, 2017