A Florida-based company is taking legal action against a former employee for alleged theft and breach of contract. On August 23, 2024, Global Materials Company filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, against David Groth.
Global Materials Company, a manufacturer specializing in liners and related products for underground infrastructure repair, claims that David Groth engaged in multiple acts of fraud and theft during his tenure as Business Development Manager. The company alleges that Groth misappropriated company resources to benefit his own competing business venture. According to the complaint, Groth was hired on December 8, 2022, and began his employment on January 3, 2023. As part of his employment terms, he signed a Confidentiality Agreement designed to protect Global's proprietary information.
The complaint details numerous accusations against Groth. It alleges that he ordered supplies using Global's funds but diverted these materials to his own business. Furthermore, it is claimed that Groth conspired with his wife Shannon Groth through her company sendingpros.com to overcharge Global for shipping services. "Defendant went to great lengths to conceal the personal relationship and conspiracy to rob GLOBAL," states the complaint.
Global Materials also accuses Groth of soliciting its customers for his own business while falsely claiming expenses from Global for these meetings. The company discovered this scheme after noticing unrecorded sales orders following Groth's termination due to poor performance. Further investigation revealed that prior to joining Global Materials, Groth had already established a competing business.
In addition to seeking damages exceeding $50,000 exclusive of attorneys' fees and costs, Global Materials is requesting several forms of relief from the court. These include an injunction preventing Groth from using any confidential information or competing against them using such information. They are also seeking compensation for attorney’s fees incurred while pursuing this case.
Representing Global Materials is Romin N. Currier from Pincus & Currier LLP. The case has been assigned Case Number: 502024CA008041 XXXAMB Div: AE.