Restaurant owner alleges landlords wrongfully locked him out

A Texas business owner filed a lawsuit against a restaurant manager for alleged breach of contract.

Ravi Bhoga and CFCG Food Inc. filed a complaint on May 7 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Thomas Wann, Susan Wann and Christopher Durr, alleging breach of contract in a March 2015 property dispute.

According to the filing, Ravi Bhoga purchased an existing restaurant located at Scott Air Force Base known as Chicago Fish & Chicken Grill on or about Feb. 5, 2014, entering into a one-year renewable lease from the defendants d/b/a Scott Gate Plaza Partnership from Feb. 5, 2014, through Feb. 4, 2015.

The suit states that Ravi Bhoga hired Durr to manage the operation. When he defaulted on making rental payments in late 2014 and early 2015, the restaurant directed Durr to request a one-year extension on the lease, communicating that he intended to pay the amount in arrears.

Asserting that the Wanns changed the locks in mid-March, 2015, Ravi Bhoga allegedly insisted that he either be granted access to the premises or, alternatively, collect personal property, retaining attorneys to issue the demand via certified mail. The suit states that the Wanns refused delivery, neither returning the plaintiffs’ property nor filing a court order granting them possession.

Maintaining that Ravi Bhoga and CFCG did not surrender occupancy but were deprived by force, the lawsuit alleges wrongful eviction, fraud, malicious conduct and deceptive business practices, unlawful conversion of property and breach of contract.

Claiming lost profits and personal property, the plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $75,000, plus attorneys’ fees and costs.

Ravi Bhoga and CFCG are represented by David M. Duree & Associates of O’Fallon.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-277