Mt. Everest Air sues former employee claiming he broke covenant

A Madison County heating and air company claims a former employee is taking customers away from the business.

Mt. Everest Air Inc. filed a lawsuit July 12 in Madison County Circuit Court against Juan Tate. Mt. Everest Air contends the former employee has violated a signed agreement.

According to the complaint, Tate worked for Mt. Everest Air but was fired from the HVAC provider in 2011. The company claims Tate is now violating a non-disclosure agreement and a "covenant not to solicit customers or employees" he allegedly signed while working for Mt. Everest Air.

The Granite City company claims Tate used confidential information, gathered while working there, to contact customers and solicit business or encourage employees to leave. Mt. Everest Air says Tate signed the agreement and covenant that forbade him to do either for at least five years after leaving the company.

Mt. Everest Air contends Tate has cost the business customers and cash. It is asking Tate to pay more than $50,000 in damages along with attorney fees and court costs.

Attorney Bill T. Walker of Granite City is representing Mt. Everest Air.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-682.