Leadership coach sues Fairview Heights for breaching $50k contract

Teamwork by Design and its owner Richard Avdoian have filed a breach of contract complaint against the city of Fairview Heights, alleging the city has failed to pay for more than $50,000 worth of training and leadership services.

According to complaint filed Nov. 25 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, the city signed a contract on Nov. 6, 2006, in which Teamwork by Design agreed to provide training and leadership seminars for Fairview Heights employees.

After receiving an invoice, Fairview paid $9,810 as partial payment, the suit states.

But the city stopped payment on the check and has only paid $3,000 on Jan. 23, 2007, since then, Avodoian claims.

"Plaintiff, Richard J. Avdoian, has contacted the Defendant in an effort to show that he is and remains ready, willing and able to perform all conditions on his part as outlined in the Contract between the parties," the suit states.

However, Fairview has "failed and refused" to make payments, Avdoian claims.

Because of the city's breach of contract, Avdoian and Teamwork by Design have been financially damaged, according to the complaint.

Avdoian and Teamwork by Design are asking the Court finds Fairview in default of the contract and is seeking $55,860 for its financial loss, $9,810 for the canceled check, unspecified treble damages at $1,500 maximum, plus attorney's fees of at least $3,770, costs and other relief the Court deems just.

Teamwork by Design and Avdoian are represented by Thomas B. Cannady of Keehner, Cannady and Katz in Belleville and by Charles W. Courtney, Jr., of Courtney, Clark and Associates in Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 08-L-606.