EDWARDSVILLE – A business owner claims he hired a Florida man who then allegedly stole down-payments and checks from customers.
Ultimate of Illinois Inc. and Jerry Yeager filed the lawsuit Feb. 26 in Madison County Circuit Court against James Abrams, a resident of Florida.
According to the complaint, Yeager hired Abrams to work for him at Ultimate of Illinois Inc., and the defendant had a duty of good faith and fair dealing not to steal from the plaintiffs.
However, Yeager alleges Abrams stole down-payments and other checks from Yeager's customers, stole business from the plaintiffs, lied to them about his activity, and generally engaged in a pattern and practice of fraud against the plaintiffs.
Yeager alleges he has been repeatedly sued by victims of the defendant, prosecuted by the state, sued by the state, and has had his business substantially damaged, all resulting in damages of more than $50,000.
According to the complaint, Abrams' conduct was intentional and was made with the intent of committing theft and fraud, thereby qualifying for the imposition of punitive damages.
Yeager seeks compensatory damages of more than $50,000, plus punitive damages in an amount nine times the compensatory damages, plus court costs. The plaintiffs are represented by attorney Thomas G. Maag of the Maag Law Firm LLC in Wood River.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 16-L-261