PITTSBURGH – A pharmaceutical company is suing a former employee over allegations that he violated a non-compete waiver.
Merz North America Inc. filed a complaint Aug. 14 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against David Becattini, citing breach of contract, violation of the Pennsylvania Uniform Trade Secrets Act, fraud and other counts.
According to the complaint, during his time as regional sales manager, Becattini was responsible for many high-profile operations, such as boosting sales and marketing certain products. Before his voluntary resignation in June, the defendant allegedly signed an agreement which stated that he would not compete with Merz in the event that he left employment with the company. Merz is suing Becattini purporting that he violated this agreement by aiding direct competitors of Merz when Becattini transferred confidential information to a flash drive and to his personal email account before leaving the company.
Merz is seeking compensation for all lost profits, information and legal fees. The plaintiff is represented by Alexander M. Madrid, Gordon W. Schmidt and Gerald J. Stubenhofer of McGuireWoods LLP in Pittsburgh and by Dana L. Rust and Summer L. Speight of Richmond, Virginia.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:15-cv-01079