EDWARDSVILLE — A man alleges his business partner embezzled company funds, failed to pay appropriate taxes and fraudulently entered into a loan transactions on behalf of the company without authorization.
Jason Askew, individually and derivatively on behalf of Premier Pools Inc., filed a complaint July 20 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Bradley Hunziker and Premier Pools Inc., alleging breach of fiduciary duties and other claims.
According to Askew's complaint, he is a 50 percent shareholder, director and secretary of Premier Pools with Hunziker serving as a director and president of the company. Hunziker is also a 50 percent shareholder. Askew alleges Hunziker opened a bank account and refused to give him access to the account and also failed to deposit customer payments into the company's bank account. Askew further alleges Hunziker used funds from the company bank account for personal use and "for the benefit of one of his other businesses."
Askew also alleges Hunziker entered into a $24,720 loan transaction without the board of directors' consent and used the funds for his personal benefit. Askew claims Hunziker added personal vehicles onto the company's insurance plan without authorization and failed to allocate profits to the shareholders from 2019 to the present. Askew also claims Hunziker failed to maintain or show company records, failed to pay appropriate taxes and changed customer contracts without consent.
Askew seeks compensation of more than $50,000 and all other just relief. He is represented by Sandra Tatoian of Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli PC in Edwardsville and Carol Sparks of The Sparks Law Office PC in Troy.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 21-L-000847