Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
16CV16090
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RAMZY HATTAR,
Plaintiff,
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Case No.
COMPLAINT
(Conversion; Breach of Fiduciary
Duty; Breach of Duty of Loyalty;
Breach of Contract; Oppression;
RICO)
v.
ARBITRATION
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Defendants.
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Plaintiff alleges:
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PARTIES
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1.
At all material times, Plaintiff Ramzy Hattar ("Plaintiff') was a resident of the State of
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Oregon. Plaintiff is an investor and restauranteur who owns a stake in a number of Portland
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restaurants.
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III
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Page 1 - COMPLAINT
KELL, ALTERMAN & RUNSTEIN, LX.P.
Attorneys at Law
520 SW Yamhill, Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204
Telephone (503) 222-353 1
00246081
2.
At all material times, Defendant Kurt Huffman ("Defendant Huffman") was a resident of
the State of Oregon. Defendant Huffman is the member-manager of Defendants ChefStable LLC
At all material times, Defendant Rick Gencarelli ("Defendant Gencarelli") was a resident
of the State of Oregon. Defendant Gencarelli and Defendant Huffman are the members and co-
owners of Defendants Lardo Holdings LLC ("Defendant Lardo Holdings"), Fat Back Kitchen
LLC ("Defendant Fat Back"), Middle Space LLC ("Defendant Middle Space"), and, along with
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GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
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4.
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form a business enterprise intended to establish restaurant locations featuring the Lardo brand
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and recipes. Lardo recipes had previously been featured at a popular food cart business operated
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Plaintiff had met Defendant Gencarelli at the food cart and introduced him to Defendant
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Huffman, whose company, Defendant ChefStable, has an ownership and/or management role in
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over a dozen Portland restaurants. Plaintiff, Defendant Gencarelli, and Defendant Huffman soon
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began discussing opening a brick-and-mortar Lardo restaurant and found a location on S.E.
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ChefStable-Lardo LLC for purposes of opening the restaurant on S.E. Hawthorne Boulevard
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("Lardo East"). The Operating Agreement for the LLC provided that Plaintiff would be a 10-
Page 2 -COMPLAINT
Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
520 SW Yamhill, Suite 600
PORTLAND, OR 97204
00246081
percent member in return for a capital contribution of $50,000, and that Defendant Gencarelli
and Defendant Huffman would each be 45-percent members in return for their services. From
the outset, based on his conversations with Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli, Plaintiff was led
to believe and understood that he had a 10-percent ownership interest in the entire Lardo
enterprise if it were to expand beyond Lardo East. Plaintiff also was led to believe and
understood that, based on his conversations with Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli, his 10
percent ownership interest extended not only to the operating entity, but also the "Lardo" brand,
The expansion came quickly when, not long after Lardo East began operating, a Mexican
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restaurant in downtown Portland, Corazon, failed. Corazon was owned by Defendant Claro, of
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which Defendant Huffman was the member-manager and was managed by Defendant
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ChefStable. Plaintiff, Defendant Gencarelli, and Defendant Huffman decided to open a second
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Lardo DT LLCin December 2012 to operate the second location ("Lardo West"). Consistent
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with Plaintiffs prior expectations, which were based on his conversations with Defendants
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Huffman and Gencarelli, the ownership structure of Chefstable-Lardo DT LLC was exactly the
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same as ChefStable- Lardo LLC, with Plaintiff being a 10-percent member, and Defendant
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Gencarelli and Defendant Huffman being 45 percent members. The Operating Agreements for
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both Chefstable-Lardo LLC and ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC provided for the LLCs to be
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member-managed.
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The two Lardo restaurants were critically and commercially successful. In the fall of
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2013, however, Defendant Huffman and Defendant Gencarelli began taking steps to open a
Page 3 - COMPLAINT
Kkll, Alterman & Runstf.in, L.L.F.
Attorneys at Law
00246081
separate business, Philippe's Bread, at a location on North Williams Street in Portland. Plaintiff
was initially told that Defendant Huffman and Defendant Gencarelli would be opening a bakery
at the North Williams location that would supply bread to both Lardo locations.
10.
When investor funding for the bakery fell through, Defendant Huffman and Defendant
Gencarelli found that the new business no longer qualified for its proposed Small Business
Administration ("SBA") loan with Banner Bank. Defendant Huffman asked Plaintiff if he would
consider being the lender or guarantor for the bakery. Plaintiff refused. Because the bank's
underwriters required a significant amount of collateral in order to fund the loan, Defendant
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Huffman proposed to Defendant Gencarelli that Lardo open a location adjacent to the bakery and
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to satisfy the lender' s requirements. Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli requested Plaintiff to
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sign cross-corporate guaranties so that the bakery could provide bread to Lardo. Defendants
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Huffman and Gencarelli did not disclose to Plaintiff that a new Lardo restaurant would also open
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in the North Williams space. On or about November 1 5, 2013, Plaintiff signed the unanimous
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consents for ChefStable-Lardo LLC and ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC to provide the guaranties at
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Defendant Huffman's request, but was not informed and had no idea at that time that the bakery
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Defendant Huffman and Defendant Gencarelli were preparing to open, including its assets,
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liabilities, and ownership team, would be commingled within the Lardo family of entities.
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Defendant Huffman and Defendant Gencarelli had contrived and carried out a deceptive scheme
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to form a new LLCDefendant Lardo Bakeryto operate the North Williams restaurant, as
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well as the bakery, Phillipe's Bread ("Lardo North"). Defendant Lardo Bakery was the borrower
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on the SBA loan with Banner Bank. Unlike the LLCs that had been organized to operate the
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Lardo East and Lardo West locations, Defendant Lardo Bakery did not include Plaintiff as a
Page 4 - COMPLAINT
Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
00246081
member. Instead, Defendant Huffman owned a 47.5 percent membership interest, Defendant
Gencarelli owned a 23.75 percent membership interest, and three new investors, who were never
involved in Lardo before, were sold membership interests of 23.75 percent, 3.75 percent, and
1 .25 percent, respectively. As an essential part of forming Defendant Lardo Bakery, Defendants
Huffman and Gencarelli registered the LLC with the Oregon Secretary of State online, through
the use of interstate wires. Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli deceptively formed Defendant
Lardo Bakery mid excluded Plaintiff from its ownership without Plaintiffs knowledge or
consent.
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At the same time as Defendant Huffman and Defendant Gencarelli began taking steps to
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open Lardo North, they also contrived and carried out a deceptive scheme to organize another
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Lardo-related entity, Defendant Fat Back. Defendant Fat Back acted as a central commissary
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that pre-made food and sold it to the various Lardo entities to be used at the individual Lardo
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locations. Plaintiff believed that he was also a part-owner of Defendant Fat Back because it was
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a part of the Lardo enterprise. However, Plaintiff discovered in approximately September 2014
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that Defendant Huffman and Defendant Gencarelli were the only two members of Defendant Fat
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Back. As an essential part of forming Defendant Fat Back, Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli
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registered the LLC with the Oregon Secretary of State online, through the use of interstate wires.
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Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli deceptively formed Defendant Fat Back and excluded
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The Lardo North location struggled after it opened and the SBA loan that
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Defendant Huffman and Defendant Gencarelli had obtained restricted their ability to obtain other
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sources of financing. In approximately April 2015, Plaintiff learned that, at some point in 2014,
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Plaintiffcontrived and carried out a deceptive scheme to convert at least $280,000 from the
Page 5 - COMPLAINT
kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
00246081
funds of ChefStable-Lardo LLC and ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC to pay the debts of the combined
activities of Lardo North and Philippe's Bread, including debts owed to Defendant Fat Back and
Defendant ChefStable. The debts also included Defendant Lardo Bakery's obligations to Banner
Bank under its SBA loan. Defendants Huffman, Gencarelli, and Lardo Bakery used the
converted funds to wire transfer loan payments to Banner Bank, which is headquartered in Walla
Walla, Washington, through a pattern or repeated use of interstate wires. Defendants Huffman
and Gencarelli deceptively converted these funds without Plaintiffs knowledge or consent.
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To disguise the theft of funds, Defendant Huffman and Defendant Gencarelli have since
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characterized the converted funds as guaranteed payments from Lardo East and Lardo West to
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Defendant Huffman and Defendant Gencarelli. Their ruse runs contrary to the Operating
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Agreements, which require that the members unanimously consent to any compensation Lardo
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pays to its members for services rendered. Defendant Huffman and Defendant Gencarelli took
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the money without Plaintiffs consent. Plaintiff never consented to these payments and did not
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find out that the funds were converted until the following year.
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and Defendant Gencarelli have since made multiple additional transfers of funds from
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ChefStable-Lardo LLC and ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC to Defendant Lardo Bakery for purposes
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of paying the debts of Lardo North and Philippe's Bread. Defendant Huffman and Defendant
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Gencarelli have made this pattern of deceptive transfers electronically through the use of
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interstate wires. Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli deceptively transferred these funds without
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Plaintiff has also recently learned about another deceptive scheme by the defendants to
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convert additional funds that were repeatedly and improperly converted by Defendant Huffman
Page 6 - COMPLAINT
KELL, ALTERMAN & RUNSTF.IN, LX.P.
Attorneys at Law
00246081
and Defendant Gencarelli from ChefStable-Lardo LLC and ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC without
Plaintiff s knowledge to support a different restaurant venture owned by Defendant Huffman and
Defendant Gencarelli. This restaurant, Grassa, is owned by Defendant Middle Space, of which
Grassa is located in the space adjacent to Lardo West and the two restaurants share a
kitchen. The Grassa space and the Lardo West space make up portions of the larger space that
had been occupied by Corazon, the failed Mexican restaurant owned by Defendant Claro.
period after Corazon failed and continuing until after Grassa opened, a third portion of the space
In the
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was briefly occupied by another restaurant, Racion, which was partly owned by Defendant
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When Corazon failed, it remained in debt to the landlord, 12 W RPO, LLC, for tenant
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improvements for which it had failed to reimburse the landlord. Defendants Huffman and Claro
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negotiated an amendment to the master lease with the landlord by which an additional $972.46
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would be added to the base rent as reimbursement for Corazon' s tenant improvements. When
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Defendant Claro sublet a portion of the space to ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC, the sublease called
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for ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC to pay 45% of the total base rent. The sublease was not an arms-
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length transaction as it was signed by Defendant Huffman on behalf of Defendant Claro and
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Gencarelli, and Claro contrived and carried out another deceptive scheme to repeatedly use
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ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC to pay back the debts of Defendant Huffman's other failed business,
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without notice to or permission from Plaintiff. This pattern of rent payments has been and
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continues to be made to the landlord by use of United States mail. Additionally, the process of
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those checks clearing has involved the use of interstate wires. Defendants Huffman, Gencarelli,
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Page 7 - COMPLAINT
Kell, Alterman & Rijnstei.n, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
00246081
and Claro deceptively used ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC to pay these debts without Plaintiff's
knowledge or consent.
19.
Additionally, the master lease calls for base rent, as well as percentage rent, to be paid to
the landlord. Defendants Huffman, Gencarelli, and Claro contrived and carried out a deceptive
scheme to include in the sublease between Defendant Claro and ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC a
provision requiring and repeatedly using ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC to pay the percentage rent to
the landlord for the entire space covered by the master lease, even though ChefStable-Lardo DT
LLC only occupied a small portion of it. Even after Racion and Grassa moved in to the
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adjoining spaces, and continuing to the present, Defendants Huffman, Gencarelli, Claro, and
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Middle Space, have used ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC to pay percentage rent for the entire space,
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including the percentage rent attributable to Racion's and Grassa's revenues. Defendant Middle
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Spaceof which Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli are the sole membershas not paid any
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percentage rent. This pattern of multiple percentage rent payments has been and continues to be
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made to the landlord by use of United States mail. Additionally, the process of those checks
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clearing has involved the use of interstate wires. Defendants Huffman, Gencarelli, Claro, and
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Middle Space deceptively used ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC to pay percentage rent for the entire
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Gencarelli, Claro, and Middle Space contrived and carried out a deceptive scheme to repeatedly
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use the funds of ChefStable-Lardo LLC and/or ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC to pay Grassa's
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monthly rental payments to Defendant Claro over a period of months after Grassa first opened.
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Additionally, Defendants Huffman, Gencarelli, and Claro contrived and carried out a deceptive
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scheme to repeatedly use the funds of ChefStable-Lardo LLC and/or ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC
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to pay Racion's monthly rental payments to Defendant Claro before it closed. These payments
Page 8 - COMPLAINT
kell, Alterman & Rcnstein, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
00246081
were made to the landlord on a monthly basis by use of United States mail. In each instance, the
process of those checks clearing involved the use of interstate wires. Defendants Huffman and
Gencarelli deceptively took these funds from ChefStable-Lardo LLC and/or ChefStable-Lardo
21.
Gencarelli, Claro, and Middle Space contrived and carried out a deceptive scheme to apply for
and obtain a permit to serve alcohol at the Lardo West location from the Oregon Liquor Control
Commission ("OLCC") based on false information, which violated Oregon law. OLCC rules
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state that permits must be issued to the owner of each individual establishment that serves
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alcohol. Further, each establishment must have its own kitchen. Defendant Huffman applied for
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and obtained a permit in the name of Defendant Claro based on knowing misrepresentations to
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the OLCC that Defendant Claro would be operating a single restaurant at the location. In fact,
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Defendant Claro does not operate any restaurant and is only a sub-lessor. Under the illegally
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obtained license, Defendants Huffman, Gencarelli, Claro, and Middle Space contrived and
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carried out a deceptive scheme to use ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC to purchase all alcohol for both
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Lardo West and Grassa. Under the direction of Defendants Huffman, Gencarelli, Claro, and
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Middle Space, ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC would then sell a portion of the alcohol to Defendant
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Middle Space to be sold to Grassa customers. This arrangement violates OLCC rules and has
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placed Lardo West's ability to sell alcohol in jeopardy. Defendants Huffman, Gencarelli, Claro,
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and Middle Space submitted the false and deceptive application to the OLCC by use of the
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United States mail. Defendants Huffman, Gencarelli, Claro, and Middle Space deceptively
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obtained the permit based on false information without Plaintiff's knowledge or consent.
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Plaintiff has also since learned that Defendant Huffman, Gencarelli, and Lardo Holdings
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contrived and carried out a deceptive scheme to exclude Plaintiff from the ownership of the
Page 9 - COMPLAINT
Kell, AlTerman & Rwstein, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
520 SW Yamhill, Suite 600
PORTLAND, OR 97204
00246081
Lardo brand and intellectual property rights. When Plaintiff first agreed to become a part-owner
in the Lardo enterprise in 2012, he was led to believe and understood that all of the intellectual
property associated with Lardo would be jointly owned by him, Defendant Huffman, and
Defendant Gencarelli. However, Plaintiff learned in late 2014 that, in April 2014, Defendant
Huffman and Defendant Gencarelli contrived and carried out a deceptive scheme to organize a
Gencarelli were the only two members. As part of their deceptive scheme, Defendants Huffman
and Gencarelli then purported to transfer all of the intellectual property associated with Lardo,
including its name, brand, trademark rights, and recipes, to this new LLC. As an essential part of
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forming Defendant Lardo Holdings, Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli registered the LLC
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with the Oregon Secretary of State online, through the use of interstate wires. Defendants
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Huffman and Gencarelli deceptively formed Defendant Lardo Holdings and transferred the
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On or about May 12, 2016, Plaintiff learned that Defendants Huffman, Gencarelli,
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ChefStable, Fat Back, and Lardo Holdings have colluded to deprive Plaintiff of profits related to
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catering of Lardo food. After the initial Lardo locations were opened, catering went through
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ChefStable-Lardo LLC and ChefStable- Lardo DT LLC. However, Defendants Huffman and
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that all Lardo catering went through Defendant ChefStable. Under the new arrangement,
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Defendant ChefStable paid Defendant Fat Back at cost for Lardo food used in catering and paid
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Defendant Gencarelli and/or Defendant Lardo Holdings a royalty fee. Defendant ChefStable
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would then retain the profits. Since this new arrangement was instituted, Plaintiff, ChefStable-
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Lardo LLC, and ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC have not received any profits from the catering of
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Lardo food.
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Page 10 - COMPLAINT
Keli, Altkkman & Runstejn, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
00246081
24.
In late 2014, Plaintiff also learned that, in June 2014, Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli
contrived and carried out a deceptive scheme to file Articles of Amendment with the Oregon
Secretary of State reporting that ChefStable-Lardo LLC and ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC had
managed LLC, and that Defendant Huffman was now the member/manager. In furtherance of
the deceptive scheme, the Articles of Amendment falsely stated that amendments were
unanimously approved by the LLCs' members. Such unanimous approval was required by
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vote was never held on these changes and Plaintiff never voted to approve them. Defendants
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Huffman and Gencarelli filed the Articles of Amendment with the Oregon Secretary of State
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online, through the use of interstate wires. Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli deceptively filed
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consent.
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25.
Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli have shut Plaintiff out of all operations related to the
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Lardo brand. Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli have engaged in expansion plans for Lardo,
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Plaintiff's knowledge or consent, Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli have contrived and carried
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out the multiple deceptive schemes using interstate wires and/or mails to drain the funds of
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ChefStable-Lardo LLC and ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC to support their other business ventures.
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Plaintiff relied on the promises and representations of Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli that
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he would be a 10-percent owner of the entire Lardo enterprise and has been harmed by their
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pattern of deceptive sch emes. In spite of the success of Lardo East and Lardo West, Plaintiff still
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Page 11 - COMPLAINT
Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
520 SW V amhill, Sum; 600
00246081
Portland, OR 97204
Telephone (503) 222-353 1
facsimile (503) 227-2980
(Conversion)
26.
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right to a percentage of all profits of the two LLCs, as well as a right to the "Lardo" brand and
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Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli wrongfully exercised dominion and control over
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funds to which Plaintiff was entitled. In doing so, Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli interfered
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Defendants Lardo Bakery, Fat Back, ChefStable, Claro, and Middle Space acted in active
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concert with Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli and benefitted from the wrongful conversion of
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funds. Defendants Lardo Bakery, Fat Back, ChefStable, Claro and Middle Space were at all
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relevant times aware that the funds by which they benefitted had been wrongfully converted
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from Plaintiff.
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30.
Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli also wrongfully exercised dominion and control over
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the intellectual property associated with the Lardo brand by transferring rights to the intellectual
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property to Defendant Lardo Holdings. In doing so, Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli
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III
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III
Page 12 - COMPLAINT
kell, Alterman & RUNSTEIN, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
520 SW Yamhill, Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204
00246081
31.
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Defendant Lardo Holdings acted in active concert with Defendants Huffman and
Gencarelli and was at all relevant times aware that the intellectual property in question had been
32.
Plaintiff has been harmed by the wrongful conduct of Defendants and is entitled to
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35.
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As co-members of ChefStable-Lardo LLC and ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC, Defendants
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Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli breached that duty by committing the following acts:
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(a)
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(b)
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Page 13 - COMPLAINT
Kell, Alterman & Runstlin, L.I..P.
Attorneys at Law
520 SW Yamhill, Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204
00246081
(c)
the percentage rent to the landlord for the entire space covered by the master
lease, even though ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC only occupied a portion of it, such
(d)
West location by illegally and falsely telling the OLCC that the liquor license
Claro does not own any restaurant and Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli used
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consent;
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(e)
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knowledge or consent;
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(f)
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Diverting all profits from Lardo catering to Defendants ChefStable, Fat Back, and
(g)
IS
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Defendant Huffman further breached that duty by committing the following acts:
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(a)
Using the funds of ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC to pay back the debts of his failed
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business that had previously occupied the space where Lardo West is located,
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(b)
Filing Articles of Amendment with the Oregon Secretary of State reporting that
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Page 14 - COMPLAINT
Kell. Ai.tf.rmak & Rdnstein, L.L.P.
attorneys at Law
520 SW Yamhill, Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204
00246081
Huffman was now the member/manager, when, in fact, such a change required
unanimous consent and Plaintiff had never voted to approve of this change.
39.
Defendants Lardo Holdings, Lardo Bakery, Fat Back, ChefStable, Claro, and Middle
Space acted in concert with, conspired with, and materially aided and assisted in the breaches by
Plaintiff has been harmed by the numerous breaches committed by Defendants Huffman
and Gencarelli, and aided and assisted in by Defendants Lardo Holdings, Lardo Bakery, Fat
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Back, ChefStable, Claro, and Middle Space. Plaintiff has been harmed through the depletion of
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funds from the LLCs of which he is a 10-percent owner, his exclusion from the expansion of the
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Lardo enterprise and future development of Lardo restaurants, and damage to Plaintiff s
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Defendant Lardo Bakery, Defendant Lardo Holdings, Defendant Fat Back, and all future Lardo
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enterprises.
42.
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Plaintiff is further entitled to all equitable remedies necessary to effectuate Plaintiffs 10-
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III
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III
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III
Page 15 - COMPLAINT
kell, Alterman & Rcnstein, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
00246081
44.
Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1 through 25 as though fully set forth herein.
45.
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46.
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Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli breached that duty by committing the following acts:
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(a)
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(b)
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(c)
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the percentage rent to the landlord for the entire space covered by the master
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lease, even though ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC only occupied a portion of it, such
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(d)
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knowledge or consent;
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(e)
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Diverting all profits from Lardo catering to Defendants ChefStable, Fat Back, and
(f)
Page 16 - COMPLAINT
Kill, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
520 SW Yamhill, Suite 600
00246081
Portland, OR 97204
Telephone (503) 222-353 1
Facsimile (503) 227-2980
47.
Defendant Huffman further breached that duty by using the funds of ChefStable-Lardo
DT LLC to pay back the debts of his failed business that had previously occupied the space
48.
Defendants Lardo Holdings, Lardo Bakery, Fat Back, ChefStable, Claro, and Middle
Space acted in concert with, conspired with, and materially aided and assisted in the breaches by
49.
Plaintiff has been harmed by the numerous breaches committed by Defendants Huffman
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and Gencarelli, and aided and assisted in by Defendants Lardo Holdings, Lardo Bakery, Fat
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Back, ChefStable, Claro, and Middle Space. Plaintiff has been harmed through the depletion of
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funds from the LLCs of which he is a 1 0-percent owner, his exclusion from the expansion of the
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Lardo enterprise and future development of Lardo restaurants, and damage to Plaintiffs
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50.
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Defendant Lardo Bakery, Defendant Lardo Holdings, Defendant Fat Back, and all future Lardo
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enterprises.
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51.
Plaintiff is further entitled to all equitable remedies necessary to effectuate Plaintiffs 10-
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Page 17 - COMPLAINT
Kfxl, ALTERMAN & RUNSTEIN, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
520 SW Yamhill, Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204
00246081
(Breach of Contract)
53.
54.
valid and enforceable contracts binding on Plaintiff, Defendant Huffman, and Defendant
Gencarelli.
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55.
Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli breached the Operating Agreements in the following
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material ways:
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(a)
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0>)
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(c)
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(d)
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Page 18 - COMPLAINT
Kill, alterman & Runstlin, L.l.p.
Attorneys at Law
520 SW Yamhill, Suite 600
Portland, OR 07204
00246081
56.
A valid and enforceable oral contract also exists between Plaintiff, Defendant Huffman,
and Defendant Gencarelli under which Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli promised to Plaintiff
57.
Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli breached their oral contract with Plaintiff by
forming and operating Defendant Lardo Bakery, Defendant Lardo Holdings, and Defendant Fat
58.
Plaintiff has been harmed by the numerous breaches committed by Defendants Huffman
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and Gencarelli. Plaintiff has been harmed through the depletion of funds from the LLCs of
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which he is a 10-percent owner, his exclusion from the expansion of the Lardo enterprise and
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future development of Lardo restaurants, and damage to Plaintiffs reputation in the restaurant
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59.
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Page 19 - COMPLAINT
Kf.i,l,Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
520 SW Yamhill, Suite 600
00246081
PORTLAND, OR 97204
Telephone (503) 222-3531
Facsimile (503) 227-2980
61.
At all times material, Defendants Lardo Holdings, Lardo Bakery, Fat Back, ChefStable,
Claro, and Middle Space were aware of the existence of a contractual relationship between
Defendants Lardo Holdings, Lardo Bakery, Fat Back, ChefStable, Claro, and Middle
Space intentionally interfered with that contractual relationship by materially aiding and assisting
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Defendants Lardo Holdings, Lardo Bakery, Fat Back, ChefStable, Claro, and Middle
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The conduct of Defendants Lardo Holdings, Lardo Bakery, Fat Back, ChefStable, Claro,
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and Middle Space was a direct and proximate cause of Defendant Huffman's and Gencarelli' s
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breach of their contract with Plaintiff. Plaintiff has been harmed by the conduct of Defendants
18
Lardo Holdings, Lardo Bakery, Fat Back, ChefStable, Claro, and Middle Space. Plaintiff has
19
been harmed through the depletion of funds from the LLCs of which he is a 1 0-percent owner,
20
his exclusion from the expansion of the Lardo enterprise and future development of Lardo
21
restaurants, and damage to Plaintiff's reputation in the restaurant community. Plaintiff is entitled
22
23
65.
24
Plaintiff should be awarded his costs and disbursements against Defendants Lardo
25
Holdings, Lardo Bakery, Fat Back, ChefStable, Claro, and Middle Space.
26
Page 20 - COMPLAINT
KELL, ALTERMAN & RlINSTEIN, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
520 SW Yamhill, Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204
TelephOne(S03) 222-3531
00246081
(Oppression)
66.
The conduct of Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli, as the members holding a majority
interest in ChefStable-Lardo LLC and ChefS table-Lardo DT LLC, substantially defeated the
expectations held by Plaintiff when he made the decision to obtain a minority interest in the
LLCs.
10
67.
Defendants Huffman and Gencarelli have engaged in a pattern of oppressive conduct by
11
12
13
(a)
14
(b)
15
16
17
(c)
18
the percentage rent to the landlord for the entire space covered by the master
19
lease, even though ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC only occupied a portion of it, such
20
21
22
(d)
23
West location by illegally and falsely telling the OLCC that the liquor license
24
25
Claro does not own any restaurant Defendants Huffman mid Gencarelli used the
26
Page 21 - COMPLAINT
Kell, Alterman & Runstejn, L.L.I'.
Attorneys at Law
520 SW Yamhill, Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204
00246081
(e)
knowledge or consent;
(f)
Diverting all profits from Lardo catering to Defendants ChcfStablc, Fat Back, and
Lardo Holdings;
5
6
(g)
(h)
ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC.
9
10
68.
Defendant Huffman further engaged in oppressive conduct by committing the following
11
12
acts:
(a)
13
Using the funds of ChefStable-Lardo DT LLC to pay back the debts of his failed
14
business that had previously occupied the space where Lardo West is located,
15
(b)
16
Filing Articles of Amendment with the Oregon Secretary of State reporting that
17
18
19
Huffman was now the member/manager, when, in fact, such a change required
20
unanimous consent and Plaintiff has never voted to approve of this change.
21
69.
22
23
conduct that continues to the present and is likely to continue into the future.
24
70.
Defendants Lardo Holdings, Lardo Bakery, Fat Back, ChefStable, Claro, and Middle
25
26
Space acted in concert with, conspired with, and materially aided and assisted in the pattern of
Page 22 - COMPLAINT
KELL, ALTERMAN & KUNSTEIN, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
00246081
Portland, OR 97204
Telephone (503) 222-3531
facsimile (503) 227-2980
71.
Plaintiff has been harmed by the oppressive conduct of Defendants Huffman and
Gencarelli, and aided and assisted in by Defendants Lardo Holdings, Lardo Bakery, Fat Back,
ChefStable, Claro, and Middle Space. Plaintiff has been harmed through the depletion of funds
from the LLCs of which he is a 1 0-percent owner, his exclusion from the expansion of the Lardo
enterprise and future development of Lardo restaurants, and damage to Plaintiffs reputation in
the restaurant community. Plaintiff is entitled to damages in an amount to be proven at trial, but
10
11
72.
12
13
Defendant Lardo Bakery, Defendant Lardo Holdings, Defendant Fat Back, and all future Lardo
14
enterprises.
15
73.
Plaintiff is further entitled to all equitable remedies necessary to effectuate Plaintiffs 10-
16
17
18
74.
Plaintiff should be awarded his costs and disbursements against Defendants Huffman and
19
20
Gencarelli.
21
22
(Federal RICO)
23
24
75.
25
26
Page 23 - COMPLAINT
Kell, Altbrman & Runstein, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
520 SW Yamhill, Suite 600
00246081
Portland, OR 97204
Telephone (503) 222-3531
FACSIMILE (503) 227-2980
76.
injured in his business or property by reason of a violation of 1 8 U.S.C. 1 962(c) and/or (d).
Defendants, and each of them, are persons which have been associated with the following
alternative enterprises:
(a)
(b)
9
10
(c)
11
Lardo Holdings, Lardo Bakery, Fat Back, ChefStable, Claro, and/or Middle
12
Space);
13
(d)
14
Gencarelli, Lardo Holdings, Lardo Bakery, Fat Back, ChefStable, Claro, and/or
15
Middle Space);
16
(e)
Defendant Gencarelli);
17
18
(f)
(g)
(h)
25
23
24
Defendant Lardo Holdings (as to the claims against Defendants Huffman and
Defendant Gencarelli);
21
22
Defendant Fat Back (as to the claims against Defendants Huffman and Defendant
Gencarelli);
19
20
Defendant Lardo Bakery (as to the claims against Defendants Huffman and
(i)
Defendant Claro (as to the claims against Defendants Huffman and Defendant
Gencarelli);
26
Page 24 - COMPLAINT
Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
00246081
0)
Defendant Middle Space (as to the claims against Defendants Huffman and
Defendant Gencarelli);
00
claims against Defendants Lardo Holdings, Lardo Bakery, Fat Back, ChefStable,
(1)
Banner Bank (as to the claims against Defendants Huffman, Gencarelli, and
Lardo Bakery);
7
(m)
(n)
10
11
association with the unwitting members of Defendant Lardo Bakery (as to the
12
13
77.
The activities of the above enterprises have affected interstate commerce through
14
15
Defendants' repeated use of interstate wires, the federal mail system, and the banking system.
16
78.
The Defendants, and each of them, conducted (operated and managed) the above
17
18
alternative enterprises' affairs through a pattern and/or patterns of racketeering activities. The
19
racketeering activities defined by 18 USC 1961 (1) (A) and (B) include:
(a)
20
The Defendants, and each of them, by design and through their own actions
21
and/or actions of their agents for their own benefit have repeatedly engaged in knowing
22
participation in multiple predicate acts of mail and wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341
23
and 1343 by having devised or intending to devise the above alleged schemes or artifices to
24
defraud, or for obtaining money by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, and/or representations
25
involving use of the mails and interstate wires as alleged in detail in paragraphs 1-25, above.
26
Page 25 - COMPLAINT
Kell, Alterman & Rl.NSTF.m, I..L.P.
Attorneys at Law
520 SW Yamhill, Sutte 600
PORTLAND, OR 97204
00246081
79.
The multiple acts of mail and wire fraud constitute a pattern and/or patterns of
racketeering in that the schemes involved and continue to involve repetitive schemes of
misrepresentation and deception as to both Plaintiff and unwitting third-parties, including the
other investors in Defendant Lardo Bakery, Banner Bank, and 12 W RPO, LLC. This pattern
and/or patterns of racketeering has and/or have been continuous for well over a year, continues
80.
Defendants, and each of them, have agreed and conspired with one another as
9
10
11
1962(d).
12
81.
Plaintiff has been and continues to be directly and proximately injured in his business
13
14
and/or property by reason of the above alleged pattern of predicate acts of racketeering. Plaintiff
15
has been harmed through the depletion of funds from the LLCs of which he is a 10-percent
16
owner, his exclusion from the expansion of the Lardo enterprise and future development of
17
Lardo restaurants, and damage to Plaintiff's reputation in the restaurant community. Plaintiff is
18
entitled to treble damages in the amount of $3,000,000 and reasonable attorney fees under
19
18 U.S.C. 1964(c).
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for a jury trial and for a general judgment against
20
21
Defendants as follows:
1.
22
23
damages in an amount to be determined at trial but in no event less than $1,000,000, plus costs
24
and disbursements;
25
///
26
///
Page 26 -COMPLAINT
Keli., Altesman & Runstein, L.L.F.
Attorneys at Law
00246081
Portland, OR 97204
Telephone (503) 222-353 1
Facsimile (503) 227-2980
2.
damages in an amount to be determined at trial but in no event less than $ 1 ,000,000, plus costs
and disbursements;
3.
damages in an amount to be determined at trial but in no event less than $ 1 ,000,000, plus costs
and disbursements;
4.
10
On Plaintiffs Fifth Claim for Relief against Defendants Lardo Holdings, Lardo
11
Bakery, Fat Back, ChefStable, Claro, and Middle Space, compensatory damages in an amount to
12
be determined at trial but in no event less than $1 ,000,000, plus costs and disbursements;
6.
13
14
damages in an amount to be determined at trial but in no event less than $ 1 ,000,000, plus costs
15
and disbursements;
7.
16
17
damages in an amount to be determined at trial but in no event less than $3,000,000, plus
18
19
III
20
III
21
III
22
III
23
III
24
III
25
III
26
III
Page 27 - COMPLAINT
Kell,Altekman & RUNSTE1N.L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
520 SW YAMHILL, Suite 600
00246081
Portland, OR 97204
Telephone (503) 222-3531
FACSLMILE (503) 227-2980
8.
1
2
Such other and further relief as the Court may deem appropriate in the
circumstances.
6
7
8
s/Dennis Steinman
Dennis Steinman, OSB #954250
Scott J. Aldworth, OSB #1 13123
Telephone: (503)222-3531
Fax: (503)227-2980
dsteinman@kelrun . com
Of Attorneys for Plaintiff
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
Page 28 - COMPLAINT
Kell,Althrman & Rhnstein, L.L.P.
Attorneys at Law
00246081