The Hennegan Company v. Arriola et al

Filing 111

FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW. Signed by Senior Judge James Lawrence King on 3/29/2012. (jw)

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U NI TED STATES DISTRICT CO UR T SO UTH ERN D I STR I O F FLO RI CT DA M i iDi son am vi i Cas N o.1 23085- - LK e 0CV J THE H EN NEGA N COM PAN Y , Pl ntf , ai if CA RLOS ARRI OLA and GRAFI A G ROU P,LLC, K Def nt . enda s / FI I G S O F FA CT A ND CO NC LU SI N S O F LA W ND N O Thi i acas aboutal r na i lcom pa t t whe f ss e a ge, tona ny ha , n acedw ih t f l oft t he alout he ec onom i c as of2008,com m enc ar duc i i f c Doz ofem pl sw e efr d. c r h ed e ton n or e. ens oyee r i e A clm a e ofditus bega t per ea et c por e c t e.Thi ditus s gr i o i t sr t n o m t he or at ulur s s r t oon ew nt ac i tonabl s pi onsofa s l m an i t M i m iofi Even t e us ci a es n he a fce. hough t s es an w a not he al m s b ndby a y c i e taiy o no c ou n onfd n i l r n-ompe ea r e e s t e c t t g e m nt, h ompa y sa tdt l o f r n t re o o k o e de eof so lyt usiyhstr nai a dei n t hi s sa ta c mp nsto vi nc dilyat oj tf i emi ton n lmiae s ub tnil o e ain. Les t n a ye l t r t c s ha ar a e , he ompany fr d t s es an whie he w as viii cor a e i e he al m l stng por t hea dqua tr i K e ucky.The s es a sM i iof w as r ded;com put s and fl re s n nt al m n' am fce ai er ies wer s zed. e ei Yd , upon m etc ousi pec i oft s es a s fl s,no evi i ul ns ton he al m n' ie dencet s o uppor t t he c pa ss pi onsoft s es an' dil t orbe r yalc d be f om ny' us ci he al m s s oyaly ta oul ound. n afert Eve t en m ont off m aldi c y i t sca e, t onl e denc t pl ntf com pa pr ent hs or s over n hi s he y vi e he ai if ny es ed atti was t tt def ral ha he endants es a had r cei com m i al m n e ved s i f t r e r oft sons or he ef r al wo c t e st ac usom r o ompett oft com pa . Theuncont t e dencer veal ior he ny es ed vi e ed , bot oft c t e s des t t s es an' bes ef or s h he usom r , pie he al m s t f t , how e r t ve , hat ha rj ce d n b i s wi d ee td oig usnes t h t compa f r onsunr a edt pr ci t tiwa n u tla rt s rj cinsa he ny or eas elt o i ng ha t s ot n i he he e ee to nd - upon r s of t cusom e s t t s es an m ade t r e r s eque t he t r , hat he al m he ef r al . The uncont t d es e e dencew ast tt c pan asuna et s ts y s fcr vi ha he om yw bl o a i f peci equi r m e spari art t s e nt tcul o he e c tmes Theplitf c mpa n w s e ij ci rle, f f iur oft def nda uso r. anif o ny o e ks nun tve eif or e t e he e nt s es a scom pens ton, and t digor m entoft def ndants e m an' pr ksf hi al m n' ai he s ge he e al s s of or s r e r ofc t e st t com panyw asunabl t s if . ef r al us om r hat he e o ats y l t n,hedef nda s es a n ur t e nt al m n s eeks unpai com m i sons a da a s f iem sr oved fom t M i i d si nd m ge or t em r he am of sce. 1 Proc . eduralH i t s ory On Augus 26,201 , Pli ifTheHe ga Co n (tln g n' t 0 antf nne n mpa y d- ne a ' le ) , a natonal i prntng and pr ii oducton c pa , fld a i ta Co ant( #1 a i tDee a t i om ny ie n niil mpli DE ) gans fnd n Cal Ani a(W ril',He ne n' fr re c i , a D ef ntGr fka Gr ros ol k roa' n ga s ome xe utve nd enda ) ai oup , LLC tk ai ', ol sownc i fka' Ani a' Gr l ompa y, le i spp o ito ofrd s ces br ch n algngmia r prain ta e e r t ea , offduci y dut ofl t , t tousi e f r e w ih c t e s i ar y oyaly or i nt r e enc t us om r , a ci lc piac . On nd vi ons r y Se tm b r7 201 , n g n fl da Ame de Co an ( #1 )t a i l e a cl m p e e , 0 He ne a ie n n d mplit DE 0 h t ncud d ai ofdece i t adepr ctcespur uantt t Fl i Dece i & U ptve r a i s o he orda ptve nf i Tr Pr i A c ar ade actces t (TDUTPA' , A. S ' FL STAT. 5 .01 OnDe e r1 , 201 Ar i aa Gr i ans e ) j 012 . c mbe 0 0, r ol nd afka wer d 2 t Am ended Com pl i , a A r i a as ered count r am sagai tH e ga f he a nt nd r ol s t e cl i ns nne n o rbr ac e h ofc nrc, j s e rc n , i lhe ta c n rin.DE # 1. nne na wee o ta tunu t n ihme tcvit f, nd o veso ( 33-)He ga ns rd t count r ai s on D e ber20, he e cl m cem 2 0.DE #3 ) 01 ( 5. l m i se em ber 201 H e n d- pt 0, nnegan fl a Em er nc M oton f Pr i i ied n ge y i or elm n , ay r Ij to ( #1 , r ui t t p ei nayij tonwa ne e sr t prventArrol nuncin DE 4)ag ng ha a r lmi r nunci s c say o e i a a Gr i f om c i ngt us r ol sknow l ofH e nd afka r ontnui o eAr i a' edge nnegan' clentls a s i it ndpr ci i ng t s i tHennega s clent . Ar i a and Gr i r ponded t t m oton o olci n' i s rol afka es o he i , o pposng t i he prlmiay ij ncin o tep e s ta Ari aa Gr tkac re ty wo k o ywih ei n r nu to n h rmie h t rol nd ai u rnl r nl t cle sw ih w hom Ar i a hashad aper onala l t ndi i nt t r ol s nd ongs a ng r ltons p.DE #1 ) On eai hi ( 8. O c obe 5, 0, t sCour hel ahe i onll l egan' Em e genc oton f el t r 201 hi t d arng -em s r yM i orpr i mi y nar lj ncin,d ig whih t Co trs r e r ln o t matrpe n t flng of nu to urn c he ur e e v d uig n he te ndig he ii addii tonale bis ( #20 .n a i o t Co t r ee He ne nt s mia o d r xhi t . DE ) I ddt n,he ur o d rd n ga o ub t n r e i on t he i and or r d t Pari t s i apr edbrefng s d he arng, de e he tes o ubm t opos i i che ul on t m ater e he t . (#.. ro rwomo t , neofh Pate to a ya to o t he rng On Dece be . )Fo ve t J nhsno te ris o k n cin n he ai m r . 22,201 t Cour uli a el ent ed t Sc 0, he t tm t y er he hedulng Or alow i ove t m ont f i der l ng r en hs or , dicover and s tng aN ovember7, 2011 dea i f t flng ofal m otons s y eti dlne or he ii 1 i . ( #36 . DE ) Over t ne t n m ont , t Pa tes enga he xt e hs he ri ged i di c r , and fl va i n s ove y ied r ous dicover m otons amao i of c s ug t oe t o d r rgadi t dic veyof s y i , j rt whih o h prtci r es e r ng he s o r y ve non- tes'alege tade s e s By t Novem ber7, 2011 m otonsdeadlne pari l d r ecr t . he i i , Pa te ha tldmoton f rs mmayj g n ris d se i s o u r ud me t . noneoft he On Febr y 21 a 22,201 t Cour conduct a be h ti i t above- t ed uar nd 2, he t ed nc ral n he syl a i t det m i la lt and dam agesf Hennegan' cl m sofdece i tadepr tce cton o er ne i biiy or s ai ptve r ac i s, m iappr i ton oftadese et ,a br ac offduc ar dut ofl t asw el asla lt s opra i r cr s nd e h i i y y oyaly, l ibiiy a d d ma sf rAri asc unecamsf bra h ofc nta t u j te rc me t cvi n a ge o rol' o trli or e c o rc, nus n ih n, i l t f,a c veson.( #1 & 1 6) Att cos ofe d nc ,t Co to d r dt het nd on ri DE 05 0 . he l e vie e he ur r ee he Pa t st fl tilbrespro t cosngag ns ( #1 ) He ne n,Ani l,a d ri o ie ra if ir o l i rume t. DE 06 . n ga e oa n Gr tka fld t i r s ci ti lb i f ( #1 7&1 )on Fe u r 28,2 2 a o ai ie her e pe tve ra re s DE 0 08 br a y 01 , nd, n Fe ua y2 201 , heCou t a dc o i g a g nt i t ema tr ( #1 9 . br r 9, 2 t r he r l sn r ume s n h te . DE 0 ) Bef e t Cour now a e H e or he t r nnegan' cl m s t tAr i a a Gr i vi a ed t s ai ha rol nd afka ol t he FDUTPA ( u tl;mia o itd He ne n' ta s cesi vi ai ofFlrdas Co n ) spprprae n ga s rde e rt n olton oi ' Uniom Tr d S cesAc, A. AT. 68 001( un 11; ra h dt fd ir d t o f r a e e r t tFL ST j 8. Co t 1) b e c e he iucay uy f lyat ( un 1) o t sy i e f r d wi He ne a s c so r ( un 1 ; a o l Co t 1;t ri l ntre e t n g n' u t me s Co t V) nd y ou h c s rd( nt , nne ns e dig ge n ofp ois f retr o c mp n ain, on pie Cou V)He ga e ks s or me t r ft, o fiu e f o e s to a dij ci rle,ao wihatr y' fe a c ss W ihhi c unecams Ani a n nun tve eif lng t tone s e s nd o t. t s o trli , ol s ks unpai c m is ons t e e dam ages f t aleged ci l t t of hi tl s and ee d om s i , r bl or he l vi hef s se comput s,as wel as a t ne s f a cos s.Pror t c m e er l tor y' ees nd t i o om ncem e ofti ,Pl ntf nt ral ai if esi t isat ney' f a a oxi aey$325, 00,and Defndant esi aedt r tmaed t tor s ees t ppr m tl 000. e s tm t hei atme sfe a a r xi tl $2 , 0t $3 , 0.PrtilStp.DE #1 2,a 8. to y' e s t pp o maey 7500 o 2500 ( era i , 0 t) I .Fi ngsofFac l ndi t Hennega i a pr de of s ci i ed and hi qualt prntng a pr n s ovi r pe alz gh iy i i nd oducton i s r c a pr e vi es nd oduct t c t e s t oughoutt Unied St t .For al os t yea s s o us om r hr he t a es m t en r , Ani a w as a tused a hi y- pens t m a ol r t nd ghl com a ed nagem ent lvele pl -e m oyee a H ennega , t n w her he oper t H e e a ed nnega sM i m iof and w a H e n' a fce s nnega st s es an na i l n' op al m tonaly fro e eg t as Ani l'j bwa t make He e n' p itngsr c st c tmes o v r ih ye r. oas o s o r t nn ga s rni evie o uso r a poe ta c tmesa o ndt c u r Tomake He ga ssr ie , roasj b nd tn il uso r r u he o nty. r t nne n' evc s Aril' o r r hi t pr ot t r put i ofHennegant oughoutt m ar t ace, ndt f m equied m o om e he e aton hr he ke pl a o or rlto hpswihc tmesfrrpe t i s . ea o wa s c e Aril manti d eains i t uso r o e a busnes Onc j b s e urd, roa i ane good r atons wih t cusom e and pr de c t e s rvi and qualt as ur nce by el i t he t r ovi d us om r e ce iy s a at ng ' es c ks' ih t cle a Hennegan' prntng pl nt H e ga pa d 5% i tendi s s hec 'w t he i nt t pr s ii a . nne n i n c ommisont Ari afrt p i j bshes c e a sw tr ug t c mplto si o rol o he rnto e urd nd a h o h o o ein. Hennega s ed is prce and cus om e ls s w ih A r i a,wihoutpl ng a n har t i t r it t r ol t aci ny r ti tonson t di s m i ton oft ls s Ar i aw asf e t dicus t prci lssw ih esrc i he s e na i he i t . rol r e o s s he i ng it t c t es He usom r . nnegan a Aniol di not execut a c i ntalt or nonnd a d e onfde i iy compe e t a e e . gr em nt l 2009and 201 s esfom Hennegan' M im i fc dr ppe s el- de easng n 0, al r s a ofi e o d ever y cr i fom appr m ael $11000, i 2008t si l l st n $1000, i t tr ts r oxi t y , 000 n o lghty es ha , 000 n he ss even m ont of2010. t stm e, hs At hi i Henneganbega t s pec t tAr i aw asbei di l . n n o us t ha rol ng soyalA em a la it a t i e denced t ta e l asO c obe of2009,H e i dm ted t ral vi ha s ary t r nnega wastyi t n r ng o Gr i The bul of t evi nce r ga di Ar i a' and Gr i s br rng ac i tes afka. k he de e r ng rol s afka' oke i tvii c nee o Ani l' rlto hi wihSooPrntn ($ l',ac mpeio ofHe e n. e trd n oas eains p t l i ig $ o' o ttr So ) nn ga Ari atsi t ti l st n oneyearher e r over$1, 000 ofbusne st rol e tsed ha n es ha efred 000, i s o Sol and e ned ove $300, i commisons. I addii purua t Aniol s o, ar r 000 n si n ton, s nt o a' r a i hi w ih Sol Sol e pl eltons p t o, o m oyed Elza t Rodr guez,Ar i a' per ona s r a y a i be h i r ol s s l ec et r t He nnega sM i iof n' am fce.Elza t Rodr guez t tfed t s w or f a w aspa d i be h i esii hat he ked or nd i by Sol out i oft tm e s w a pai by Henne n t w or a A ni a' s r t y. o sde he i he s d ga o k s ol s ec e ar W ih r ga dt s fc i t t e r o pecii ns ancesofAr i a r eni c t er t Sol t e de r ol ef ng us om s o o, he vi nce a ti off us on t ocusom er : ef r d Ca ea Re ntCr s ForPr f r ed Ca e t ral oc ed w t s Pr er e r nd ge uies. eer r, Ani a r er e t wor t Sol bec ol ef r d he k o o auset clents cii aly want t prntw or t be he i pe fc l ed he i ko donei Sout Fl i a H e n h orda nd nnegan di nothave aprntng pl nti Sout Fl i I 2009, d i i a n h orda. n ar pr e atvea e e r Ca eappr he r i at dicus i wor beca eAni a' e es nt i tpr f r ed r oac dA rol o s sprnt k us ol s m ot rw a aclentofPr f r ed Car Upon t sdi c s on,n J a J y of2009, r ol he s i eer e. hi s us i i une nd ul Ar i a s it bi on behal ofH e ga t Pr er e Ca e.Pr er ed Ca e t expr sy ubm ted ds f nne n o ef r d r ef r r hen es l rj ce He ne a sbi be a ePr fre Caei itdt tisprnt r bepef r d ee td n g n' ds c us eerd r nsse ha t i wo k rome i Sout Fl i a r quiem e t H ennega c d nots if as i di nothaveprntng n h or da, e r nt hat n oul ats y t d ii pl nt i Sout Fl i W hen Ar i acom m uni t Pr e r Car sr r e f l al a sn h orda. rol ca ed ef r ed e' equiem nt or oc prntng t D ani Ba l pr i ii o el iey, es dentofH e nnega M r Ba l r ponded t tHenne n ha n, . iey es ha ga d no needt esabls af flm e hous i Sout Fl i A feri becam ecl rt tH e ga o t ih ulil nt en h orda. t t ea ha nne n coul no m ee Pr er ed Ca e' r quiem e ofl prntng,Pr f r Ca eas d Ar i a d t t ef r r s e r nt ocal i i e ered r ke rol tr o ecom m e a prnt w ih apl i Sout Fl i Upon t sr nd i er t ant n h orda. hi eques,i t f lof2009, t n he al Ar i as it dsonbehal ofSol Pr e r Ca eacce e Sol sbi a rol ubm tedbi f o. ef r ed r pt d o' d ndpai ni a dA ol a com m isi f t r er a . s on or he ef r l W ih r d t Regent Cr s ,per onalr as on be f of a Regent Cr s ' t egar o uies s e ons hal ui es exec i i de any f t rbusnes r a i hi bet n H e utve mpe d urhe i s el tons p wee nnega and Re ntCr s . n ge ui es Re ntCr s new chi exec i w ho ha a unf a e r l i hi w ih Aniol s ge uies' ef utve, d n avor bl e atons p t a' br her or ed is die or of m ar i t s op doi busnes w ih Hennegan.Thi ot , der t r ct ketng o t ng i s t s dec son a or rocc r bef eRegentCr s a ked Ar i a t r e R e ntCr s t i i nd de ur ed or uies s r ol o ef r ge uies o al ocalprnt . i er Ot revi nce a ti lde onsr ed t tt pr is fom t M i iofi dr he de t r a m tat ha he oft r he am fce oppe d a a r ul of t declni e s es t he i ng conom y.I one i t n nsance,Hennegan' M i i ofi l t s am fce os V ol wagen asaprntng clentwhe V ol w agen e d isr atonswih isM i ibas ks i i i n ks nde t el i t t am - ed adve tzi age y.I a her Aniol was unabl t s cur Toyot as a clent becaus ri ng nc n not , a e o e e a i e He nnegan di notw a t expe t r our est s d nt o nd he es c o uppor A ni a' e f st sgn Toyot t ol s f ort o i a. D e pieA niol ss s t a' ugge tonst tHennega l s i ha n owerisprcesoropen aprntngpl i Sout t i i i ant n h Fl i H enne n contnued isbusnes pr ctc asi had prort t ec orda, ga i t i s a i es t i o he onom i cr h. c as 11 .Concl i ofLaw 1 us ons I t a n he bove-t ed c e,H e syl as nnega a prntng and pr n, ii oducton s vi com pa i er ces ny, al leges t t a f m er t s l m a A ni a, us d confdental prce lss bel ng t ha or op a es n, ol e i i i it ongi o He nnegan t sa thi own com pa Gr i t s ve a a br rbe ween va i prntng o tr s ny, afka, o er s oke t rous i i a pr nd oduc i s r cescom pani and t r t c i el Specii ly,H enne as e t ton e vi es a ge ed lent e. fca l gan s r s camsofmia r prai o ta e s c es( u 11,vi lto ofFDUTPA ( u tI, li s pp o iton f r d e r t Co nt 1) o ai n Co n ) b e c o t e fd ir d y of l y ly ( t 1) t to i tr e e e wih b i s r a h f h i uca y ut o at Coun 1, orius n e f r nc t usne s r lto hi ( un I ,a d cvi c ns r c ( un V) Ari aha c ntr li d f r ea ins ps Co t V) n i l o pia y Co t . rol s ou e came o b e c ofc nta t u j s e ihme ,cvi t f,a c v rin.TheCo t l a r s ra h o r c, n u t nrc nt i lhe t nd on e so ur wil dd e s eac c h ounti t n. n ur A. ia pr prato o T a Se r t ( M s p o i i n f r de c es Count f f# He nnega c ai st Ar i am i a opr a ed isprci i or a i i vi aton of n l m hat rol s ppr i t t i ng nf m ton n ol i Flrda sUnio m Tr d Se r tAc , A. AT. 6 001e s q. e tbls acam f r o i ' f r a e ce t FL ST j 88. t e To sa ih li o m ia r p ito un r o i ' Unior Tr deSe r t tHe ne a m u t o t a ;i1 s pp o ra in de Fl rdas f m a c e Ac , n g n s pr ve h tç ) ( t ai ifpos es eds r ti o m a i a t hepl ntf s s ec e nf r ton nd ookr as e onabl se t ot iss e y;a e t ps opr ect t ecr c nd ( )t e s c e i po s s e wa mia r pra e ,et e b onewho kn w o ha r a o t 2 h e r t t s e s d s s pp o it d ih r y e r d e sn o know t t s r tw a i pr ry obt ne orby onewho us i ope m e t obt n hat he ec e s m ope l ai d ed mpr r ans o ai i. De Mon eFr s Pr du eCo. . eFo d t , nc,1 F. p. 1 ,1 ( D. t' l t e h o c ' v Dol o %.I . 36 Sup 2d 271 291 S. Fl . 01 ( ii FL S a 20 ) ctng A. TAT.j 688. 2) l a dii ,G to qu lf a a ta e s c e ,t 00 . n d ton ç j a iy s r d e r t he g i or aton t t pl ntf s eks t pr ec m us derve ec nf m i hat he ai if e o ot t t i onom i val f om notbei c ue r ng ra iya c rana eb ot r a mu tb t s be tofra o bee frst pr tc is e dl se ti bl y hes nd s e he u j c e s na l fo t o oe t t s c e y. 1 $ Ift i o mai i q si n i ge r l kno orr a l a c s i et e r c ' d. $ j he nf r ton n ue to s ne al wn e diy c e sbl o ' ( y t r pa tes i ca hid r i , t nnotqualf f tade s et ot cton.' t Theparycl i i t a s r t iy or r ecr pr e i 'ff t a m ng r de ec e pr e i has t bur t s ot cton he den o how how t i or aton qualfes as a tade s r t Se he nf m i ii r ec e . e gene aly kw. St nl s , LP r l v ai e s Sa n o 58 F. 11 6, 1 9 ( 0h Ci. 2 ) ppigtn, 2 3d 7 1 0 1 t r 009 (u rzng ta e s c e 1w u e t Oklho Unior Tr de Se r t Ac ,whih i s mma ii r d e r t a nd r he a ma f m a c es t c s ie tc lt Fl rda sUnio m Tr d S c esAc) d n i a o o i ' f r a e e rt t. Her t Cour fndst tHenne di notof e s fci e dence ofisefor st e, he t i ha gan d f r uf i ent vi t f t o pr ec hes cr cyofHennegan' prci i or aton. heconta y,hee de ot tt e e s i ng nf m i Tot r r t vi ncer veal e ed t tHenneganpr ded Ani aw ih t prc ng i or a i a per it hi t s r t ha ovi ol t he i i nf m ton nd m ted m o ha e hat i or a i w ih pot ntalcusom er w ihoutr quii t e cus om er t r r n fom nf m ton t e i t s t e rng hos t s o efai r di cl i t prci i or a i t ot r l a ton,H e ga di notr quie Ani a s osng he i ng nf m ton o he s. n ddii nne n d e r ol t execut aconfde i iy agr em entw ih Hennega Accor ngl t Cour sndst t o e i ntalt e t n. di y, he t hat he pr c ng lssdonotqualf astades r t w he eH e ga di nott ker s i i it iy r ec e s r nne n d a ea onabl se t e t ps o m ant n t confdentalt orlm i t di s m i ton oft prci i or a i Se e. , i ai he i i iy i t he s e na i he i ng nf m ton. e, g. / ( d n iels wa ano ata s c e d s t e o e se c i nof o i nta i # holi gprc it s t r de e r t e pie mpl y e' xe uto c nfde i lt y agr m e whe epl ntf di nott ker sonabl s e t m ai ai confde i iy ofprce ee nt r ai i f d a ea e t ps o nt n ntalt i ls ,s aspl ci lm ia i on cusom e ' di s m i ton oft i or a i s t ta it uch a ng i t tons t r s s e na i he nf m ton, o ha c mpeio c ul nota q r t i o mainb smpl rq sig ifom tec tme) o ttr o d c uie he nfr to y i y e ue tn t r h uso r. B . UTPA ( nt FD Cou # He nnegan alegest Aniol ss r tr e r st Sol qualf as dece i ac si l hat a' ec e ef r al o o iy ptve t n viltono t FlrdaDe e iea UnfiTrd Pr cie Ac (S oai fhe o i c ptv nd ar a e a tc s tC FDUTPA', A. AT. ' FL ST ) j5 . 0e s q.20 6)2( Co . 26 DE #1 . 0120 t e ( 0 . Am. mpl! , 0)FDUTPA de lrsu a uli ar cae nlwf ç i unf 2I addii Hennegan a l gest tAr i a a ed dece i y by m i us ng n ton, le ha rol ct ptvel s i He ne n' c nfde il ii lss AsteCo tha prviusyrj ce He ga s n ga s o i nta prcng it. h ur s e o l ee td nne n' 10 o de e tve a t o p a tc s i t e c nd to a ta o c mm e c . FL S r c p i c s r r c ie n h o uc f ny r de r o r e' A. TAT.j ' 5 . 4( ) Th r a et r eee n sf raFDUTPA c am f da ge :1)ad c p i ea t 0120 1 . e e r h e lme t o l i or ma s . e e tv c o u arprcie 2.c us to a 3.a t l ma s Ci Fis Mo t Cop. . ron, r nfi a tc ; ) a ain; nd ) cua da ge . t r t rg. r v Ba t y 9 So. d 8 96( a Dit Ct App. 08 . rFDUTPA, % e e i a t' sS net t 88 2 2, F1 . s. . 20 ) Unde a i c ptve c'i s ha d o i lkel t m i l d cons e sa a unf i pr tce i onet tof e es abls publc s i y o sea um r nd n ar ac i s ha f nds t ihed i poiya do t tsi lc n ne ha i mmorlun tia, pp e sveunsr puo o s bsa tal ij ius a, ehc lo r si , cu lus r u tnil nuro y t cons e s. Washi on v.Lasale Bank Nat1As ' ,-- F.Supp.2d -- 2011 W L o um r ' ' ngt l ' s n. -, 47 81 a * ( D. a. 01 ) Fu t r c us to mus be d r c , ahe t n r mo e o 928 , t 3 S. Fl 2 1 . rhe , a ai n t ie t r t r ha e t r s e u ai Se eg.FL ST j5 . 1 2 ($n a y a to br ug tb ape s whoha p c ltve. e . , A. AT. 0121 ( ) t n ci n o h y ron 1 s s frd als asa r s l o avi ai o t spat... y rc ve a t ld ma e .) ufee o s e ut f olton f hi r ma e o r cua a g s' ' (mp ssa e ) ç t ld m a s' e FDUTPA mus d r c l to fo t a lg d e ha i dd d .i ua a ge 'und r Ac t ie ty l w r m he le e dece i ac orunf rpr ctce.S DUTPA doesnotpr de f t r ptve t ai a i T ovi or he ecove y ofnom i l r na da g s s c ai l s e ,orc mpe ai n f rs j ci f e i o d s pp nt n . ma e , pe ultve o s s o ns to o ub e tve e lngs f ia oi me t' ' te . ve he vi e e t CiyFis Mo t Cor , So. d a 86(n e na ctto omitd) Gi nt e d nc a t r t rg. p.988 2 t it r l ia in . t i on t cont xtofAr i a' r er al t Sol t Cour fndst tH e ga hasf l ral he e r ol s ef r s o o, he ti ha nne n aied t pr o oduce e dence neces a y t s vi s r o uppor a FD UTPA cl m . t ai A lhough Ar i adi nott lH e ga abouthi ot rr f r alw or t Cour fnds t rol d el nne n s he e e r k, he ti t tt s r tr f r al do notqua iy as û eptve ac s'unde FDUTPA .For i t e, ha he ec e e e r s lf û dec i t' r nsanc cont nton t tt prci ls squalf asc i ntalt ade s r t , su a Pa t1 IA . e i ha he i ng it iy onfde i r ec e s see pr r 1 . , t Cou twiho tea rto as rj csHe ne n' FDUTPA cam i o a a ir le he r, t u lboain, lo ee t n ga s li ns fr s t eis on t aleged m ius oft prce ls s he l s e he i it . He nnega a A ni a ne re ut d a non- om pet agr em ent t r or A r i a ha t n nd ol ve xec e c e e , he ef e rol d he rght t w or i pende l as l as hi w or di not ca e any tnanci har t i o k nde nty ong s k d us s al m o Henne n.A s a r ul,t Courtfnds t Aniol was not dec i i r e rng t e ga es t he i hat a eptve n ef r i hes c t er t Sol w ihoutdicl i s r er a st H e us om s o o t s osng uch ef r l o nnega n. W ih r ga d t caus i and dam ages t evi nce a t i es a i hed t t t t e r o aton , he de t ral t bls ha he c so r rj ce He e n' bd pro t Ani l' s bmiso of d o be l o Soo, u tmes eetd nn ga s is ir o oas u s in bis n haf f l a t tAni a and Gr i t not ng ofval f om H e nd ha ol afka ook hi ue r nnega Spec fca l Henne n n. ii ly, ga w a una e t pr de l prntng as r quied by Pr e r Car a an e utve a s bl o ovi ocal i i e r ef r ed e, nd xec i t Rege Cr s r us d t wor wih H e ga f pe s nt uies ef e o k t nne n or r onalr ons Onl whe t e eas . y n hos c tmese prsl rj ce He ne a frr aon u eae t prcng a rquetdt t uso r x esy ee td n g n o e s s nrltd o ii , nd e se ha Ar i a r e t m t a l alprnt r di A r i a do so.The e denc s rol ef r he o oc i e , d r ol vi e howed t Ar i a hat rol ac e i good f t a di not us p a busnes opporuniy t w as ava l bl t td n aih nd d ur ny i s t t hat ia e o Hennega Furhe ,Hennegan di notl e t Pr e r Ca e orRege Cr s busnes n. t r d os he ef r ed r nt uies i s becaus ofm iconduc byA niol Ra her t uncont a ct t tm onyw ast tt r wer e s t a. t , he r di ed es i ha he e e ne rbusnes opporunii sw ih t e c t e s f H e ve i s t te t hes us om r or nnegan.A ccor ngl a e a di y, bs nt ny evi et eiherPr er edCar orRe ntCr s w oul have a pt d H e denc hat t ef r e ge uies d cce e nnega sbi n' ds butf t ac i ofAr i aandGr or he tons rol aûka, heCour fndst tH e t t i ha nnega hasf l t pr e n aied o es nt s sci nt evi nce of ca a i a ac ua da ages nec s y t pr uf e de us ton nd t l m es ar o ove a cl m under ai FD UTPA . C. e h o keFiucayDIyo yal ( Br ac ft d ir / fLo y Count # / f 12 He nnega alege t A r i a br ched hi fduci r dut ofl t t Hennegan by n l s hat rol ea s i a y y oyaly o s lctn c t me so be l ofhi e fa He ga sc mpe io s3( Compl !3 o iii g uso r n haf ms l nd nne n' o tt r . Am. . ( 3, DE#1 .s e c offd ir d t rq rspr of 1 t e se eofafd ir d t ( 0)d a h iucay uy e uie oof ( )he xitnc Br iucay uy,2) a b e c of t t d y,a ( ) da ge pr xi t l c u e b t b e c ' Siv r v r a h ha ut nd 3 ma s o mae y a s d y he r a h. l e . ' Cou tywi Ho Lo s l .7 F. up 2d1 3 1 8( D. a 2011 (iigGr e nr de me an ,nc, 60 S p. 3 0, 33 S. Fl. ) ctn acy v Eak r 8 So. 348( a. 02 ) A fd ir r l to hi ma beet re r s , u h . e , 37 2d Fl 20 ). i uca y eai ns p y ihe xp e s s c as by c r t or i ple Sbas on t s cii f ualcicum sances s r ontac , m i d s ed he pe fc act r t ur oundi t ng he ta ac i a t r a i hi oft pa tes'Fist 'Bank& Trus Co. Pac 789 So. r ns ton nd he el tons p he r i .' r Natl t v. k, 2 411 41 ( a Dit CtAp 2001 . d , 4 F1 . s. . p. ) H e e,H e r nnegan a guest A r i a br hed hi tduc a y dut ofl t whe he r hat rol eac s s ir y oyaly n Ss ces f l s i ie hi s di t M s Rodrguez,'ds i t Hennega c t e s suc s uly olc t d s ubor na e, . i ' solcied n usom r r p a e ywhiesil mplye b He ne n, a S ld He ne a ss bsa il u r e e t dl l tl e o d y n ga ' nd s e q n g n' u tnta s ppo t ' us a (i) e o r e . ( #1 , t6; Co . !3 e-( DE#1 )TheCo ti st t n sc r s u c s' DE 07 a Am. mpl! 3() 9, ' 0. ur fnd ha He nnegan' pr f l t esabls a br ch ofA r i a' fducir dut ofl t The 1 w s oof ais o t i h ea rol s i a y y oyaly. a i cl t alhough Aniol coul not have us ped one of H e s ear hat t a d ur nnegan' busnes s i s opporunii f hi s f hew asfee,a entt e sence ofanon- pe e agr em e ,t t tes or m el, r bs he xit com t e nt o k ng gl)i a t r usne se tr iesmia obu s pa a efo t fduca ybe fc a y i a e n nohe b i s n eprs i lrt t e r t r m he i ir ne ii r e 3He e, oo, me n a lgest tAr i avi a e hi td a y dut ofl ya t by r t Her ga le ha rol olt d s i ucir y o ly miu i gHe n g n' c n i e ta p iiglss Ag i wh r t eCo r h sprv o l rj ce s sn n e a s o fd nil rcn it. an, ee h u t a e iusy ee td He m eg n' c en i t tt prci ls squa iy a confde i lt a s r t , e su a PM l a s ont ton ha he i ng i t lf s i nta r de ec e s s e pr 1l , h Co r, to tea rto as rj csHe n g n' fd ca yd t cam i o a a i l. t e u twi u lboain, lo ee t n e a s i u ir u y li ns fr s t A. h r i on t al ge m ius oft prc ls s eles he le d s e he ie it. 13 i he i i good f t a r r ns f om i er e e w ih t busnes oft be i a y.' f sn aih nd efai r nt f r nce t he i s he nefci r ' Cohen v. ataway,595 So. 2d 1 ,1 ( a Dit CtAp 1 2) Aspr vi usyd s us e H t 05 09 Fl . s. . p. 99 . e o l ic s d atl h,t evi engt he dence atti lr ve ed t i w as onl afe Pr e r Car a Regent r a e al hat t y tr ef r ed e nd Cr ie rj ce don b i s wihHe ga t tAril rfre t m t S o Furt , uss ee td ig usne s t nne n ha roa e er d he o ol her . t Cour ûndst tany H e ga r our sAr i aus d t court ef r Car wer us he t ha nne n es ce r ol e o Pr er ed e e ed t f t rA r i a' ef ors t f ge a r atons p bet ee Hennegan and Pr e r Ca e. o urhe rol s f t o or el i hi w n ef r ed r Bas d ont se dence, heCour fndst tA ni a a ed i good f ih w he her e r out e hi vi t t i ha ol ct n at n ef r ed t busne s of cus om e s afer Hennegan w as unabl or unw ilng t s ts y s ii he i s t r t e li o a i f pec fc r r m e soft ec t e s Accor ngl , t Cour tndst tHennega haspr ent d equie nt hos us om r . di y he t l ha n es e i uf i e e de t s ns fci nt vi nce o uppor is c ai ofbr h oft fduc ar dut ofl t tt l m eac he i i y y oyaly . D.To to I efe e ewih Cu t r ( ri us ntr r nc t some s Count l fF , He nnega st tousi e f encecl m ale t tAr i at nt f r i H e n' or i nt r er ai l ges ha rol s er e ed n nnega s i n' busne sr atons w ih is c t e sby s i ii a enc a ng t e c t er t do i s el i t t us om r olc tng nd our gi hos us om s o bus nes w ih Hennegan' c pe ior , i l i g Gr fk '( Co . 4 DE #1 ) To i s t s om tt s ncud n a i a. Am. mpl! 6, ' 0. pr vai on iscl m f t tousi er e e , He n ga mu t o :i1 Thee itnc o a e l t ai or ori nt f r nce n e n s pr ve ( ) ( x se e f b i s r lto hi no ne e s rl e de e b a e o c a ec nta t ( )k wldg usne s ea ins p, t c s a iy vi nc d y n nf r e bl o r c ; 2 no e e ofher lto hi o t pa t t dee n ;3) nitnina a unusiidi efrnc t eains p n he rofhe fnda t( a ne to l nd j tfe ntre e e wiht rlto hi b t dee n ;a ( d ma et t pli ifa ar s toft t he eains p y he fnda t nd 4) a g o he antf s e ul he br h oft r l tons p.' f / e v Prfl e v I du .I .61 So. 2 2 -3 ( a eac he e a i hi '/ lr c . o s r .n s,nc, 9 2d 98, 99 00 Fl. DitCtApp.1 93 ( ii Ta ami aiTou s I c v Co t 4 So 2 1 26 11 7( a s. . 9 ) ctng mi Tr l r , n . . ton, 63 d 1 , 2 Fl. . 1 4 1 5) Ag i t e de c a ra ma e ce r ta t r wa 98 ). an, he vi n e ttil d la h t hee sno e si b i s xitng usne s r a i hi bet ee Hennegan and Pr e r Ca e and RegentCr se w ih whi h Aniol el tons p w n ef r ed r ui s t c a coul ha i er e ed.To t conta y,Ar i a m ade s gnii antef ors t f ge bus ne s d ve nt f r he rr rol i fc f t o or i s r atons ps be w ee Hennega and Pr e r Ca e a Regent Cr s s t t f ied f el i hi t n n ef r ed r nd ui e ha a l or r as unr a ed t prci Accor ngl t Cour fndst tH enne n ha f l d t pr e ons el t o i ng. di y, he t i ha ga s aie o ove iscl m f t tousi e f e e w ih cusom e s t ai or ori nt r er nc t t r. E. vlCo piac ( untD Cii ns r y Co l CountV oft A m ended Com pl i ,Henne n ale t A r i a and Gr i n he a nt ga l ges hat r ol afka w e e co- piat st ac e t cl m spr vi l dicuss d by t Cour . ( . mpl r cons r or o hi ve he ai e ousy s e he t Am Co . ! 5 DE #1 ) Su e ue t ti lHe e n c nc de i f ie t algela l y a i ta 0, 0 . bs q nt o ra, nn ga o e d t al d o le ibii gans t c cons r t soast r nde t ci lcons r y countr dundantoft underyi cl m s o- pia or o e r he vi piac e he l ng ai . ( #1 ,a 1 -1 . c r i y t Co r fn t tHe e n ha f ie t e tbls a DE 07 t 1 2) Ac o dngl, he u t i ds ha nn ga s al d o sa ih cl i f ci lcons r y. am or vi piac F. r i a' Count cl ms A rol s er ai Ari l ha c u e came f rbr a h o c n r c, n us e rc n , i lhe t a ro a s o ntr li d o e c f o ta t u j t n ihme t cvit f, nd c n rin.Th br c ofc nrc a unus e rc ntcamsr frt t ca s so o ve so e eah o ta t nd j t n ihme li ee o wo lse f unpai com m i sons: he fr ti f s est Ar i aor hesr t a com pl e prort hi d s i t i s s or al hat r ol c t a ed nd et d i o s t m i ton; hes er na i t econd i f s est tA ri aor hesr t prort hi t m i ton, butt t s or al ha rol c ta ed i o s er na i ha w e ecom pl t by anot rs es a a t Ar i a' t r i ton. Upon ca ef cons de a i r e ed he al m n fer rol s e m na i r ul i r ton 15 oft e de a ti , heCour concl st tAniol i e il d t al unpa d c he vi nce t ralt t ude ha a s ntte o l i omm is ons si s g i hsc unecamsf bra hofc nr c a du j te rc n . ou htn i o trli or e c o ta t n nus n ihme t W ih r d t t f m ercl s ofunpai c m is ons Ar i a t tfed t t e t egar o he or as d om s i , rol es ii hat her wee$ 4,92.2i u padc mmiso f j t t rol s da c ee beo ehe r 5 4 9 n n i o sins orobs ha Ari a ol nd ompltd fr wa tr nae He ga c nc d sha Ani ae r dt un i c mmiso o o ta s emi td. nne n o e e t t ol ane he pad o sins nj bs h t wer s d a com pl t bef e Ar i a w a t r i ed. H enne ar ,how e r t t e ol nd e ed or r ol s e m nat gan gues ve , ha A r i ai note il ot ecom m isi be e,e rol s nttedt hes s ons caus vent houghH e ga c t arl nne n usom iypays s h com m i s onst at r i t s es r on, Ar i af f t d t ecom m is onswhenhe uc s i o e m na ed al pe s r ol oreie hes si br ached hi fduci r dut ofl ly. Ast Co r h sprviusy rj ce He ne n' e s i ay y oya t he u t a e o l ee td n ga s br ach offduc a y dut ofl yaly cl i , t Cou t c s aiyrj csHe ne a sag d e i ir y o t a m he r ne es rl ee t n g n' r ue j tfc to f rwih d n t u pa d c mmiso .Ac o dngl t Co tfnd t a usii a in o t holi g he n i o s ins c r i y, he ur i s h t Aril i e ildt t $5 4 .2s ug frt u i c roa s ntte o he 4,929 o ht o he npad ommiso f j bssa tda sins or o tre nd com plt prort hi t m i ton. e ed i o s er na i Li s t Cour dee mi t tAri a i e ild t $1 899. i unpai kewie, he t tr nes ha rol s ntte he 2, 00 n d c mmiso s s u t f rt M a r J wer j he b ga b wa un bl t c mplt o s i n o gh o he yo s e ly ob e n ut s a e o o ee pe s l due t hi t m i i Hennegan a gues t t Ar i a doe not des ve t e r onaly o s er naton. r ha rol s er hes c mmiso be a eAri adi no pe s al s et o t ou hwh r a t rs ls n o sins c us rol d t ron ly e hej b hr g e e nohe ae ma hadt t ove a com pl et <pr sc ks'A lhought e dencea ti r veal t t o ake r nd et he d es hec '. t he vi t ral e ed ha Aril di n c mplt t S e sc c 'frteM a r J wer o t Co ti sta roa d ot o ee he s s he ks'o h yo s e lyj b,he ur fnd h t pr Ari ai e ildt tec rol s ntte o h ommison b c us hewo dha be na l t c mplt t o si s e a e ul ve e be o o ee hej b, 1 6 i udi t t es c ks ' had H e ga not t m i e Ar i a w ihout notce f ncl ng he s s hec , ' pr nne n er nat d rol t i or r s notpr bied by hi e pl ym ent ea ons ohi t sm o . W ih r ga dt t ci lt a conve s on cl i s Ar i as t e r o he vi heh nd r i am , rol eekstebl dam agesf r e or Henne n' ale t tofAniol sfl a comput r whe H ennegan r dedt M im i ga s l ged hef a' ies nd es n ai he a of ûceuponA ai a' e i ton. uponcons der i ol st = na i i atonof hee de a ralt Cour fnds t vi nce tti he ti , t t ci lt ta conver i cl m sar t hat he vi hef nd s on ai e angentalt t ce r i s oft sca e. The i o he ntal s ue hi s Cour f t rfndst tany t tw a uni entonal and t tt cl m sa e uns t i t t urhe i ha hef s nt i , ha he ai r ubsanta ed gi Henne n' atempt t r t n t fl and c put s. Ac o digl t Co r rj cs ven ga s t s o e ur he ies om er c r n y,he u t e e t Ani a' count r ai sf ci lt tand conve son. ol s e cl m or vi hef ri VI.Concl i us on Upon e ensve r ew of t evi e pr ent a ti and t el ent oft xt i evi he denc es ed t ral he em s he c sofa i as e t t Cour fndst tAr i aand Gr i ar notla et H e ga ause cton s red,he t i ha rol afka e i bl o nne n f any oft cl m sas ered.TheCour ûndst t f t de oped a ti l i pa tc a or he ai s t t hat he ac s vel t r a , n ri ul r t c onol oft bi s it by Ar i a and evi nce oft conve s tonsAr i a he hr ogy he ds ubm ted rol de he r ai rol hadw ih Hennegan executvesr r ng Pr e r Ca e' s ii r quiem e s r veal ha t i ega di ef r ed r s pec fc e r nt , e t t Ar i a ac e i good f ih t oughouthi e pl e w ih H e rol t d n at hr s m oym nt t nnegan. Furher t Cour t , he t tnd teov rrhi fc t tbohPr fre Caea Re ntCr s srj ce He ga s s h eac ng a t ha t eerd r nd ge uie ee td nne n prort a r er al t Sol t be f t t t bul ofHenne i o ny ef r s o o o a al o he k gan' cl m s M or over bas s ai . e , ed on t s fndi ,H e he e i ngs nnega s ar ent a t why Ar i a does notdes ve hi unpai n' gum s s o rol er s d com m i sonsnec s iy f l si es arl ai. 17 Accor ngl havi consde e t evi nc pr s ed a t i a be ng ot m i e di y, ng i r d he de e e ent t ral nd i he s a s i i her O RD ER ED , ADJUD G ED ,and D ECR EED asf l dvi ed, t s eby olows: W ih r pec t Count 1 1 , 11 1 , a V ,t Cour fnds i f t es t o s , 1 1 , V nd he ti n avor of D ef nda sCarosA niol and G r i Gr , LLC a agai tPl ntf The e nt l a afka oup nd ns ai if He nnega Con pany. n c W ihr s c t De e a t'c u ecamsfrbra hofc ta ta u j t t epe t o fnd ns o ntrli o e c onrc nd nus e i e , heCour fndsi f nrchm nt t t i n avorofDef ndant CarosA r i a a Gr i e s l r ol nd afka Gr oup,LLC a aga ns Pl ntf The H e nd i t ai if nnega Com pa . n ny 3. W ih r pectt D ef nt 'count r ai sf ci lt tand conver i , t t es o enda s e cl m or vi hef s on he Cour fnds i f t i n avor of Pl ntf The H ennegan Com pa a A gai t ai if ny nd ns D ef nda Ca l A r i a. e nt ros rol D O NE and O R DERED i Cham ber a t J esLa ence Ki Fe alJ tc n s t he am wr ng der us i e Buidi a U nied St t Courhous i M i m i Fl i o t s29t da ofM ar h,201 l ng nd t a es t e n a , orda n hi h y c 2. ESLAWRENCE KI NG .S. 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