SEMO Environmental Services, LLC et al v. SEMO Environmental, LLC et al

Filing 70

OPINION MEMORANDUM AND ORDER: IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction [ECF No. 35] is DENIED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiffs' Motion for Temporary Restraining Order [ECF No. 42] is DENIED. IT IS FURTHE R ORDERED that Plaintiffs' Motion for Order to Show Cause, Motion for Contempt, and Motion for Sanctions [ECF No. 44] is DENIED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiffs' Motion to Dismiss Counterclaim [ECF No. 46] is DENIED. Signed by District Judge Henry E. Autrey on 3/6/2013. (JMC)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
EASTERN DIVISION
SEMO ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES, LLC
WARNER ENTERPRISES, LLC, and
BRAD WARNER,
Plaintiff,
v.
SEMO ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC
JEFF RIDDLE,
RIDDLE ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES, LLC, and
JSR ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC,
Defendant.

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

No. 1:11CV226 HEA

OPINION, MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This matter is before the Court on Plaintiffs SEMO Environmental Services,
LLC, Warner Enterprises, LCC and Brad Warner’s (collectively, “Plaintiffs”)
Motion for Preliminary Injunction [ECF No. 35], Motion for Temporary Restraining
Order [ECF No. 42], Motion for Order to Show Cause and for Sanctions [ECF No.
44] and Motion to Dismiss Counterclaim [ECF No. 46] of Defendants SEMO
Environmental, LLC, Jeff Riddle, Riddle Environmental Services, LLC and JSR
Environmental, LLC (collectively, “Defendant”). The Court will address each
motion below.
Background

Factual1
The nature of Plaintiffs’ claims stem from a business partnership gone bad
between Plaintiff Warner and Defendant Jeff Riddle. Both Warner and Riddle are
residents of Stoddard County, Missouri. Prior to 2006, Warner was a 50% owner of
an environmental cleanup business called EcoTech of Missouri. In 2006, Warner
bought out his then business partner’s interest and started a new company.
In July of 2006, Warner formed SEMO Environmental Services, LLC
(“SEMO”) and brought on Riddle to handle sales. SEMO operated as an
environmental cleanup business that cleaned up hazardous material spills and other
projects involving removing hazardous and industrial wastes. Warner and Riddle
agreed to operate as 50/50 partners. From 2006 to 2008, they continued operates as
equal partners. In 2008, upon being terminated from his full time job outside of
SEMO, Riddle started working for SEMO on a full time basis. In February of 2009,
the two parties agreed that Warner would become the sole owner, while Riddle
would begin working as an independent contractor for SEMO.
In 2010, Warner requested that Riddle sign a non-compete agreement. Riddle
refused to do so, however, both continued with their working relationship and

1

Generally, findings of fact and conclusions of law made in a court’s disposition of a
motion for preliminary injunction are not binding. U.S. Securities and Exchange Com’n v.
Zahareas, 272 F.3d 1102, 1105. (C.A.8 (Minn.),2001).

2

proceeded to business together for SEMO. In the summer of 2010, Riddle traveled to
Michigan for a job. The job required an air boat and, with Warner’s permission,
Riddle took one of SEMO’s air boats to Michigan and brokered a deal to do clean-up
work. Riddle was the project manager for that job and in the summer of 2011,
Warner left his previous job and began working full time with SEMO in Michigan.
Upon Warner working with Riddle in Michigan, the relationship between the two
became strained. Around this time, Warner asked Riddle to sign a non-compete
agreement and a confidentiality agreement. Riddle again refused to sign the
agreements and indicated that he did not agree with any of the terms therein.
According to Riddle’s testimony, by November of 2011, he was no longer doing any
business with or for SEMO. Warner testified that he did not become aware of
Riddle’s decision to cease working for SEMO until December of 2011.
On July 17, 2010, Riddle filed Articles of Organization for SEMO
Environmental, LLC. In June of 2011, Warner told Riddle that if he did not transfer
over to Warner all of his interest in SEMO Environmental, LLC, Warner would
terminate Riddle as an independent contractor for SEMO. Although Riddle
attempted to transfer over his control of SEMO Environmental, LLC, the document
had an incorrect charter number and the Secretary of State rejected the transfer. On

3

October 24, 2011, Riddle registered the domain name www.semoenvironmental.com; however, he never built a website.
During Riddle and Warner’s time as business partners, Riddle registered the
domain name www.semoenvironmental.com and developed a website for SEMO.
Following that, Riddle registered the domain name www.warnerent.com, which
served as SEMO’s email system starting in 2009 or 2010. In November 2011,
disputes arose between Riddle and Warner regarding Riddle’s access and control
over the websites. Plaintiffs allege that upon dissolution of Warner and Riddle’s
business relationship, Riddle failed to return control of the websites to SEMO, and
that Riddle improperly accessed emails sent to SEMO in late 2011. On December
28, 2011 the Court signed a Stipulated Temporary Restraining Order [ECF No. 15]
that, among other things, ordered Riddle to take the necessary steps to transfer
control of the websites to Plaintiffs, including the domain names www.cajunmafia.com and www.semo-environmental.com.
Also subject to the Stipulated Temporary Restraining Order were certain
phone numbers and AT&T accounts. Riddle’s personal cell phone number since
1994 has been [phone]. During his time spent working for SEMO, Riddle
added the phone number to the company account due to much of his business
communications being handled on that particular phone. In July, 2011, Riddle

4

transferred the phone number back to his personal account. While Riddle was still
working for SEMO, he established a SEMO 24-hour emergency number, (573) 4212855, which Warner paid through his personal AT&T account. Riddle also
established a toll-free number for the company. During his involvement with SEMO,
the 2855 and toll-free numbers were forwarded to Riddle’s personal cell phone so he
could respond to the calls. All of these numbers, minus the 2020 number, were
transferred back to Warner as part of the stipulated Temporary Restraining Order.
Procedural
Plaintiffs filed their complaint in this matter on December 22, 2011. Since that
time, the Court has granted Plaintiffs leave twice to amend the complaint. See ECF
Nos. 16 and 31. As discussed above, on December 28, 2011, the parties
submitted–and the Court signed–a stipulated Temporary Restraining Order that, inter
alia, directed Defendants to transfer to Plaintiffs access and control to multiple
websites, phone numbers, company credit cards and work related files. Riddle was
also ordered to return a laptop he received from Warner to his attorneys, who would
make copies of the files to be used as evidence in this case. Further, a third party
computer company was to copy all of the files, including emails, from Riddle’s
home computer, old laptop computer and cell phone(s) that were work related for
SEMO Environmental Services LLC, Warner Enterprises LLC or Warner Trucking.

5

Plaintiffs now contend that Defendant Riddle violated various terms of the stipulated
Temporary Restraining Order.
On April 17, 2012, the Court conducted a preliminary injunction hearing that
lasted over five hours in duration. At the hearing, both sides presented testimony
regarding the facts of the case and the status of the TRO.
Discussion
Motions for Preliminary Injunction
&
Modification Temporary Restraining Order

As the Supreme Court recently emphasized, injunctive relief “is an
extraordinary remedy never awarded as a matter of right.” Winter v. Natural Res.
Def. Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7, 24 (2008). The relevant factors to consider when
assessing the propriety of preliminary injunctive relief include: (1) the likelihood of
success on the merits; (2) the presence or risk of irreparable harm; (3) the balancing
of the harms of granting or denying an injunction; and (4) the public’s interest. CDI
Energy Services v. West River Pumps, Inc., 567 F.3d 398, 401 -402 (8th Cir. 2009),
citing Dataphase Systems, Inc. v. C L Systems, Inc., 640 F.2d 109, 114 (8th Cir.
1981). The party seeking injunctive relief bears the burden of proving these factors.
Lankford v. Sherman, 451 F.3d 496, 503 (8th Cir.2006).

Plaintiffs’ motions for

injunctive relief are denied, as the current stipulated Temporary Restraining Order is
6

sufficient mechanism in protecting the interests and rights of all parties involved. In
applying the Dataphase factors outlined above, Plaintiffs have failed to persuade the
Court that further injunctive relief is necessary here. With regard to the first
Dataphase factor, Plaintiffs have not offered sufficient evidence to prove their
likelihood for success on the merits. As the facts show, Defendant Riddle never
signed a non-compete agreement or confidentiality agreement. Without these
instruments in place, much of Plaintiffs’ argument in favor of injunctive relief is
problematic.
With regard to Plaintiffs’ breach of fiduciary duty claim, Missouri courts
recognize a tort for breach of the duty of loyalty owed by every employee to his or
her employer, and hold that such breach arises when an employee actually engages
in the direct competition with the employer. Gustafson v. Ful Service Maintence
Corp., 2012 WL 685363, 1-2 (E.D.Mo.,2012). In the present case, however,
Defendant Riddle was an independent contractor hired by SEMO, and he was not
subject to a non-compete agreement. Missouri law explicitly recognizes that
employees may agree among themselves to compete in the future with their
employer upon termination of their employment. Walter Zemitzsch, Inc. v. Harrison,
712 S.W.2d 418, 421 (Mo. App. E.D. 1986). Without a non-compete agreement in
place, Plaintiffs cannot limit and restrict Defendant Riddle from competing against

7

them upon dissolution of his independent contractor relationship with SEMO.2
Plaintiffs also fail to prove a likelihood of success on the merits for their
tortious interference with a business expectancy claim. To prove such a claim,
Plaintiffs must show: (1) a contract or valid business relationship or expectancy; (2)
the defendant’s knowledge of the relationship or contract; (3) intentional
interference by the defendant causing or inducing a breach of the contract
relationship; (4) the absence of justification; and (5) damages resulting from
defendant’s conduct. Healthcare Services of hte Ozarks, Inc. v. Copeland, 198
S.W.3d 604, 614 (Mo.2006). Plaintiffs have not offered any evidence showing that
Defendants have caused damage to Plaintiffs through interference with Plaintiffs’
business relationships, or that they have suffered any damages. Plaintiffs
acknowledge this lack of evidence and contend that further injunctive relief will
allow them to produce such evidence. The Court disagrees–to grant such relief
would cast an unreasonable burden on Defendants in a manner that goes against the
spirit of the Dataphase factors. Additionally, voluminous discovery documents have

2

See also Metal Lubricants Co. v. Engineered Lubricants Co., 284 F.Supp. 483, 488
(E.D.Mo.1968) (division manager and sales administrative staff resigned and formed a competing
company and the court held, “[t]hrough their knowledge of the market and personal contacts they
may be able to capture substantially all of plaintiff’s business. But the knowledge they will use for
this purpose is nonetheless unprotectable.”

8

already been produced, and Plaintiffs’ notion that there is a need for more in order to
prove the need for further injunctive relief is not well taken.
Plaintiffs also fail to prove a likelihood of success on the merits with regard to
the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051, and unfair competition claims. The Court finds
that the current stipulated TRO adequately protects both parties’ interests. Based on
the evidence before the Court, Defendants have not used Plaintiffs’ service mark in
connection with any of its services. Further, Defendant Riddle never built a website
at www.semo-environmental.com. The precautions that were ordered in the
stipulated TRO are sufficient at this stage in the litigation.
With regard to the second Dataphase factor, Plaintiffs have failed to convince
the Court that the guidelines set forth in the stipulated TRO subject Plaintiffs to the
threat of irreparable harm. Obviously, both parties agreed to the terms of the TRO,
and despite Plaintiffs’ proffered concerns, the facts before the Court do not
jeopardize the efficiency of the current stipulated TRO. Much of Plaintiffs’ argument
focuses on the fear of the unknown. The Court has given both parties ample
opportunity to conduct extensive discovery, and quite frankly, if the Plaintiffs cannot
pinpoint further irreparable harm that has been, or will be, caused without further
injunctive relief, it makes no sense to disturb the current TRO.

9

With regard to the “balance of harms” test under Dataphase, Plaintiffs fail to
offer any compelling evidence that they would be more harmed than Defendant
Riddle if the Court deny’s further injunctive relief. As the Court held in Noodles
Development, LP v. Ninth Street Partners, LLP, 507 F.Supp.2d 1030, 1039
(E.D.Mo.2007), in conducting the “balance of harms” analysis required under
Dataphase, an illusory harm to the movant will not outweigh any actual harm to the
non-movant. Citing Frank B. Hall & Co. v. Alexander & Alexander, Inc., 974 F.2d
1020, 1023 (8th Cir.192). Additionally, in the present case, Defendant Riddle has
already taken remedial action pursuant to the stipulated TRO. Thus, the balance of
harms is readjusted, because the potential for economic or other harm to Plaintiffs
have been eliminated. Noodles, 507 F.Supp.2d at 1039 (“Another consideration in
the balance of harms calculus is whether the defendant has already voluntarily taken
remedial action.”).
And finally, for all of the reasons set forth above, granting Plaintiffs’ request
for further injunctive relief would go against the public interest factor under
Dataphase. As such, Plaintiffs’ Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Motion
for Preliminary Injunction are denied. Additionally, the Court finds that Defendants
did not violate the Temporary Restraining Order; therefore, Plaintiffs’ Motion to
Show Cause, Motion for Contempt, and Motion for Sanctions is also denied.

10

Plaintiffs’ Motion to Dismiss Counterclaim
On April 25, 2012, Plaintiffs filed Motion to Dismiss Counterclaim [ECF No.
46]. Defendants filed an opposition to said motion [ECF No. 55], to which Plaintiffs
replied [ECF No. 62].
“To survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain sufficient factual
matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’”
Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. 1937, 1949 (2009) (quoting Bell Atlantic Corp. v.
Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 556-70 (2007)). “A claim has facial plausibility when the
plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference
that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Id. “The plausibility
standard is not akin to a ‘probability requirement,’ but it asks for more than a sheer
possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully.” Id. (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S.
at 556) “Where a complaint pleads facts that are merely consistent with’ a
defendant’s liability, it ‘stops short of the line between possibility and plausibility of
entitlement to relief.’” Id. (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 557) (quotation mark
omitted).
To determine whether an action fails to state a claim upon which relief can be
granted, the Court must engage in a two-step inquiry. First, the Court must identify
the allegations in the complaint that are not entitled to the assumption of truth. Id. at

11

1950-51. These include “legal conclusions” and “[t]hreadbare recitals of the
elements of a cause of action [that are] supported by mere conclusory statements.”
Id. at 1949. Second, the Court must determine whether the complaint states a
plausible claim for relief. Id. at 1950-51. This is a “context-specific task that
requires the reviewing court to draw on its judicial experience and common sense.”
Id. at 1950. The plaintiff is required to plead facts that show more than the “mere
possibility of misconduct.” Id. The Court must review the factual allegations in the
complaint “to determine if they plausibly suggest an entitlement to relief.” Id. at
1951. When faced with alternative explanations for the alleged misconduct, the
Court may exercise its judgment in determining whether plaintiff’s proffered
conclusion is the most plausible or whether it is more likely that no misconduct
occurred. Id. at 1950, 1951-52.
Defendant Riddle’s counterclaim alleges that Riddle became a 1099
independent contractor for SEMO, and SEMO owner Brad Warner agreed to pay
Riddle 4% of SEMO’s gross receipts. See ECF No. 33. Further, Riddle alleges that
SEMO failed to pay him the promised compensation. Id. Plaintiffs motion to dismiss
alleges that Riddle’s counterclaim fails to state sufficient facts to establish that
Plaintiff Warner’s alleged agreement to pay Riddle a percentage of SEMO’s gross
receipts constitutes a contract. Further, Plaintiffs claim that the counterclaim fails to

12

establish any facts that would establish that Defendant Riddle is entitled to any
unpaid compensation.
When viewing Defendant Riddle’s allegations under Rule 12(b)(6) and the
Iqbal analysis, the Court finds that Riddle’s counterclaim plausibly suggests an
entitlement to relief. See Id. at 1951. Riddle’s counterclaim specifically alleges facts
that allows the Court to reasonably infer that Riddle entered into a 1099 contract
with SEMO and owner Brad Warner, and that Warner and SEMO failed to
compensate Riddle 4% of SEMO’s gross receipts. Simply put, Riddle’s counterclaim
states a claim to relief that is plausible on its face. Id. at 1949 (quoting Bell Atlantic
Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 556-70 (2007)). As such, Plaintiffs’ motion to
dismiss is denied.
Conclusion
In considering the relevant factors outlined in Dataphase, Plaintiffs’ request
for further injunctive relief fails, as the Court finds that the current stipulated
Temporary Restraining Order is sufficient in protecting the interests of all parties
involved. Furthermore, the Court finds that Defendants did not violate the
Temporary Restraining Order; therefore, Plaintiffs’ Motion to Show Cause, Motion
for Contempt, and Motion for Sanctions is also denied. Additionally, the Court finds

13

that Defendant Riddle’s counterclaim plausibly suggests an entitlement to relief;
therefore, Plaintiffs’ Motion to Dismiss Defendants’ Counterclaim is also denied.
Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary
Injunction [ECF No. 35] is DENIED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiffs’ Motion for Temporary
Restraining Order [ECF No. 42] is DENIED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiffs’ Motion for Order to Show
Cause, Motion for Contempt, and Motion for Sanctions [ECF No. 44] is DENIED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiffs’ Motion to Dismiss
Counterclaim [ECF No. 46] is DENIED.
Dated this 6th day of March, 2013.

HENRY EDWARD AUTREY
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

14