In a significant legal development, a home care service provider has filed a lawsuit against several individuals, including two former employees and a client representative, alleging breach of contract and tortious interference. The complaint was filed by Vergara Services, LLC, doing business as Acti-Kare Responsive In-Home Care, in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida on April 16, 2025. The defendants named in the case are Gregory Rocco, who is also acting as Power of Attorney for Angelo and Celia Rocco, along with Natasha Keels and Joan Braide.
Acti-Kare alleges that the defendants breached their respective contracts with the company and engaged in actions that interfered with Acti-Kare’s business relationships. According to the complaint, Acti-Kare had agreements with each defendant: an In-Home Services Agreement with Celia and Angelo Rocco and Employee Caregiver Agreements with Natasha Keels and Joan Braide. These agreements were designed to protect Acti-Kare's business interests by preventing clients from hiring caregivers directly after terminating services with Acti-Kare. The plaintiff claims that Mr. Rocco unlawfully induced Ms. Keels and Ms. Braide to continue providing services directly to his family members after terminating their relationship with Acti-Kare without proper notice.
The complaint further accuses Mr. Rocco of failing to pay for services rendered during the notice period required by their agreement, totaling $4,284.00. Additionally, it alleges that both Ms. Keels and Ms. Braide violated their non-solicitation agreements by continuing to work for the Roccos after leaving Acti-Kare’s employment. The plaintiff asserts that these actions have caused substantial economic harm to their business through lost revenue and additional recruitment costs.
Acti-Kare is seeking various forms of relief from the court including compensatory damages for breach of contract and tortious interference claims, restitution for unjust enrichment claims against all defendants involved in circumventing contractual obligations, punitive damages where applicable under Florida law, as well as temporary and permanent injunctive relief to prevent further breaches or solicitation efforts by any party involved.
Representing Vergara Services is attorney Shayla N. Waldon from The Waldon Law Firm PLLC based in Delray Beach Florida; however no defense attorneys have been listed at this time nor has there been any mention yet regarding which judge will preside over this case identified under Case Number: 502025CA003662XXXAMB Div: AJ.