EDWARDSVILLE — A shareholder for United Insurance claims her contract was breached and she was locked out of the company due to a family dispute.
Chelsey L. Wachter, a resident of Granite City, has been a long-time employee of United and a minority shareholder, according to a complaint filed Oct. 13 in the Third Judicial Circuit Court.
Wachter claims she forewent obtaining a college education at the request of Julie Holt, who is a majority shareholder of United, so that she could pursue a career with the defendant and, eventually, ownership.
"In reliance upon that offer/promise/assurance, Plaintiff quit college, learned the business of United and worked many long hours spanning years toward that career," the complaint states. "Plaintiff became and has been shareholder of United since 2016."
Wachter claims on July 26, Holt determined that her employment ended due to a family dispute and began by locking her out of all of her corporate accounts and communications. She claims without her permission or knowledge, Holt then went to her home and removed items that allegedly belonged to United while the plaintiff was out of town.
Wachter claims the family dispute had nothing to do with her employment. She claims the defendants have violated the Illinois Business Corporation Act, were unjustly enriched at her expense and breached its contract with her.
Wachter is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 with interest and punitive damages. She is represented by Brian M. Wendler and Angie M. Zinzilieta of Wendler & Zinzilieta in Maryville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number: 2023-LA-001414