MIAMI – The lawyer handling a receivership case for a Boca Raton company accused of investor fraud is suing the firm’s CEO, claiming he used company funds to cover personal expenses.
David M. Levine, as receiver for eCareer Holdings Inc. and eCareer Inc., filed suit Dec. 30, 2015, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against Joseph Azzata and Carla Azzata, alleging fraudulent transfers, conversion, unjust enrichment and equitable lien based on money the defendants received from the receivership entities.
According to the complaint, eCareer sold fraudulent investments to “elderly, unsophisticated and unaccredited individuals” through cold calls, roadshows and in-person meetings. The suit claims 30 percent of the investment funds were paid to sales reps, while the rest were used by the owners for personal use. Company CEO Joseph Azzata allegedly spent more than $650,000 of the fraudulently obtained funds on credit card, tuition, mortgage and other bills. Although his wife, Carla Azzata, was not an employee, she is named as a relief defendant for receiving allegedly stolen funds.
Levine seeks damages of $650,000, plus interest and a property lien to foreclose on property the defendants paid for with company funds. He is represented by attorney Matthew J. McGuane of Levine Kellogg Lehman Schneider + Grossman LLP of Miami.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida Case number 9:15-cv-81783