Company claims it used GPS to discover breach of contract

A Katy man is being sued by his former employer, who claims he worked behind the company's back for a potential client. 

The company discovered the alleged treachery by tracking his GPS on a company cell phone.

 

Brandt Electrical Services Inc., filed a lawsuit on Oct. 5 in the Harris County District Court against Kevin Wendt, claiming breach of contract, theft and misappropriation of trade secrets. 

 

The plaintiff claims it hired Wendt as a project manager in September 2007, where he also had sales responsibilities. As part of this contract, Wendt signed a confidentiality and non-compete agreement. 

 

The plaintiff claims that on Aug. 10, 2010, customer Chris Williams called the company and requested that worker Charles Reisner visit his property for an estimate, but since he was away, they sent Wendt instead.

 

They claim that when Wendt returned, he mentioned to several employees that the job Reisner wanted done would be good for his new company, Wendt Electric. Wendt called in sick to work the next few days, but through some clever detection, his bosses claim they used GPS tracking on Wendt's company cell phone to discover that he was really working at William's property under his own company. Execs of the company allegedly found him there and fired him on the spot.

 

The plaintiffs claim they found evidence that Wendt never submitted a bid from their company, and that Wendt used confidential information to solicit the client.

 

The plaintiff is seeking damages including actual damages, all property and confidential information be returned, and they want Wendt prohibited from doing any business with current clients. They also request court costs and any other damages they are entitled to by the court. 

 

The plaintiff is being represented in the case by Houston attorney Susan E. Cates.

 

Harris County District Court Case No. 2010-65223

 

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Harris County Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.