PHILADELPHIA — A certified public accountant is suing her former employer for allegations of wrongful termination and unlawful enforcement of a non-compete clause.
Ann Marie Reyher filed a lawsuit on April 12 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Grant Thornton LLP, citing fraudulent inducement, tortious interference with contractual relations, wrongful termination, breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and defamation.
According to the complaint, Reyher began employment with the defendant on Jan. 25, working as a certified public accountant. The plaintiff claims she left a lucrative job at Ernst & Young for a compensation package the defendant offered her that exceeded what she had been earning in her previous position.
The plaintiff avers that it became clear that the defendant had made significant misrepresentations concerning the position and her contentious client base. Reyher claims she complained about the situation and was invited to fewer meetings. The plaintiff was reportedly terminated on March 18 for what she maintains was an act of retaliation.
The plaintiff was allegedly offered a part-time controller position with a former client. On April 11 the defendant opposed Reyher taking the job as a stipulation of a non-compete contract that the plaintiff believes to be unlawful on several counts, the suit says.
Reyher seeks equitable relief, compensation for all lost wages and benefits, liquidated or punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, declaration that the non-compete provision is invalid and unenforceable, and a trial by jury. She is represented by Jennifer C. Bell, James A. Bell, and Christopher A. Macey of Bell & Bell LLP, in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-01757-AB