CLEARWATER — A manufacturer of skin care products is suing a competitor and former employee, alleging civil conspiracy and tortious interference.
Private Label Skin NA LLC filed a complaint April 3 in Pinellas County Circuit Court against Robert Burke, Ion Labs, Inc. and Ion Fulfillment LLC alleging the defendants interfered with the plaintiff's contractual and business relationships by conspiring to steal, disclose and use confidential information for their advantage.
According to the complaint, on Oct. 26, 2017, while still employed with Private Label, Burke emailed to himself at his personal email address a copy of the plaintiff's customer list, detailing customer account details, contact information, shipping amounts and shipping dates.
Despite agreeing on confidentiality agreement, the suit says, Burke disclosed their confidential information to Ion Labs after he was hired. The lawsuit states Ion Labs had caused, encouraged and aided Burke to disclose and use the plaintiff's confidential information.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed to comply with their contractual duties of confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation of private information.
Private Label Skin seeks trial by jury, damages in excess of $15,000, court costs, and all other equitable relief. It is represented by attorneys W. Jan Pietruszka and Christopher Cavaliere of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP in Tampa.
Pinellas County Circuit Court case number 18CA002029