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  • MICROCHECK SYSTEMS INC (TEXAS CORPORATION) vs. ZIGROSSI & MURPHY L L C (TEXAS CORPORATION) (IND A INJUNCTION document preview
  • MICROCHECK SYSTEMS INC (TEXAS CORPORATION) vs. ZIGROSSI & MURPHY L L C (TEXAS CORPORATION) (IND A INJUNCTION document preview
  • MICROCHECK SYSTEMS INC (TEXAS CORPORATION) vs. ZIGROSSI & MURPHY L L C (TEXAS CORPORATION) (IND A INJUNCTION document preview
  • MICROCHECK SYSTEMS INC (TEXAS CORPORATION) vs. ZIGROSSI & MURPHY L L C (TEXAS CORPORATION) (IND A INJUNCTION document preview
  • MICROCHECK SYSTEMS INC (TEXAS CORPORATION) vs. ZIGROSSI & MURPHY L L C (TEXAS CORPORATION) (IND A INJUNCTION document preview
  • MICROCHECK SYSTEMS INC (TEXAS CORPORATION) vs. ZIGROSSI & MURPHY L L C (TEXAS CORPORATION) (IND A INJUNCTION document preview
  • MICROCHECK SYSTEMS INC (TEXAS CORPORATION) vs. ZIGROSSI & MURPHY L L C (TEXAS CORPORATION) (IND A INJUNCTION document preview
  • MICROCHECK SYSTEMS INC (TEXAS CORPORATION) vs. ZIGROSSI & MURPHY L L C (TEXAS CORPORATION) (IND A INJUNCTION document preview
						
                                

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MICROCHECK . SOLUTIONS October 9, 2007 Mr. Steve Adolph Superintendent Tempe Union High School District 213 500 W. Guadalupe Rd. Tempe, AZ 85283-3599 RE: Tempe Union Meal Accountability System Dear Mr. Adolph: We have recently been made aware of the Tempe Union High School District’s award of bid Solicitation No. 06-022 to MiChoice. With regard to this, we fee] the need to make you aware of certain facts which may influence this decision. In the "Scope of Work" page of the solicitation, it states that the Tempe "current system is outdated and the manufacturer is no longer willing to maintain the system." (meaning MicroCheck). This is an incorrect statement. I called and spoke to the purchasing agent, Loralei Poll, Director of Purchasing the day that I received the “Notice of Intent to Issue a Solicitation”. Ms. Poll said that someone from MicroCheck. must have sent an e-mail stating that. [ was adamant that no one from MicroCheck ever refused to provide service and support for their MicroCheck food service point of sale system. To the contrary, MicroCheck is now and has always been willing to provide support. She checked but couldn't find anything to back up that statement and apologized, saying that it should have been stated better. Tn the same paragraph, it also states the following; “The District intends to phase in a new system, one school at a time and it will be imperative for the new system to be able to import (export) the data daily from the current MicroCheck System’s database and integrate it into the proposed system daily reports, thus allowing both systems to run parallel.” Yt appears that the bid was written specifically as a sale source bid and oes 9777 West Gulf Bank Suite C-S | Houston, TX 77040 | Toll Free; 200-647-4524 | Local: 713-856-9801 { Fax 713-856-5137 yw EXHIBIT 1 opTempe Union High School District October 9, 2007 Page -2- the bid would have to go to the company that had the proprietary data format and source code, The requirement of phasing in one school at a time and importing and exporting the data daily from the current MicroCheck Systems database and integrate it into the proposed system daily reports, thus allowing both systems to run in parallel implies that the only company that could legitimately accomplish this in the allotted time frame would require the use of MicroCheck’s proprietary data format and source code. Tempe Union Schoo! District has been valued customer of MicroCheck for over 15 years. Mike Smith, the past President of MicroCheck ‘has had a 15 plus years telationship with your food service department during his tenure as an officer of MieroCheck. In October of’ 2004, Mike Smith resigned as President of MicroCheck, claiming early retirement. We feel compelled io inform you that in November 2006, the 125", Judicial District Court of Harris County Texas entered an order of Temporary Injunction against Mike Smith, CMS Technology, Scott Murphy, and MiChoice Technology Systems, Inc. from using MicroCheck Systems, Inc. source code or software illegally. This case is currently set for trial this month for the purpose of obtaining a permanent injunction and damages as are set out in our attached complaint. In the court order, Mike Smith, Scott Murphy and MiChoice are “hereby temporarily enjoined from using, either directly or indirectly, in any form or fashion, for any purpose whatsoever, source code containing the lines of matching code identified by Mr. Isaac. This injunction includes, but is not limited to, using such source code to produce, develop, or maintain existing software or hardware products, to create, update or otherwise develop new software or hardware products; and/or to promote, advertise, or otherwise communicate to any third party regarding existing or new software or hardware products.” Mr. Isaac is the court appointed expert witness who has identified that as much as 90% of MicroCheck’s source code is contained in the software of MiChoice. The MicroCheck software was developed by MicroCheck over a long period of time and is the intellectual property of MicroCheck. No. use of this software has ever been authorized to Mike Smith or MiChoice Technologies, Inc., and it has been admitted that his agents took this software from the offices of MicroCheck Systems, Inc. illegally in 2004. We would request thut Tempe Union High School District not participate in any illegal activity to aid Mike Smith or MiChoice Technologies, Inc. in violating the Court’sTempe Union High School District October 9, 2007 Page -3- order or in using the MicroCheck software or source code ‘without the express written authorization of MicroCheck. MicroCheck stands ready, willing, and able to fulfill our bid as submitted to Tempe Union High School District in Solicitation No. 06-022. We are sorry that this matter has involved one of our customers, such as you, but please know that we stand available to handle all your needs in the meal accountability area, We look forward to hearing from you. Ce: Sandra E. Dowling, Ed. D, Superintendent - Maricopa County School Diane Meulemans, Chief Finencial Officer - Tempe Union High School District s/Loralei Poll, Director of Purchasing Diane Palmer, Executive Assistant to Governing Board Zita Johnson, Governing Board President Mary Lou Taylor, Governing Board Vice President Robin Arrendondo-Savage, Governing Board Member Michelle Helm, Governing Board Member Don Keuth, Goveming Board member Mr. Chris DeMeo, Sheehy, Serpe & Ware, Attorneys~ \ CAUSE NUMBER 2004-59790 MICROCHECK SYSTEMS, INC. AND IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF MICROCHECK SOLUTIONS, INC, " Plaintiffs, VS. HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS (1) ZIGROSSI & MURPHY, LLC, Individually and d/b/a EDUCATED SOLUTIONS; (2) CHRIS ZIGROSSI, (3) SCOTT MURPHY; (4) MIKE SMITH Individually and d/o/a CMS TECHNOLOGY a/k/a CMS TECHNOLOGIES; (5) MICHOICE TECHNOLOGY " SYSTEMS, INC; (6) JIM HAYDEN; (7) ALEX CAMPBELL; AND (8) JASON JABLECKI OP OD OT CO PD COD 2 COP 7 OD LOD D9 COD WOR OD LOD 60 LOD COI CO? LOD COD Defendants 125™ JUDICIAL DISTRICT PLAINTIFF'S THIRD AMENDED PETITION AND APPLICATION FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT: COME NOW, MicroCheck Systems, Inc. and MicroCheck Solutions, Inc., Plaintiffs in the above-entitled cause, and files this Third Amended Petition and Application for Injunctive Relief complaining of Zigrossi & Murphy, L.L.C., Individually and d/b/a Educated Solutions, Chris Zigrossi, Scott Murphy, Mike Smith Individually and d/b/a CMS Technology a/k/a CMS Technologies, MiChoice Technology Systems, Inc., Jim Hayden, Alex Campbell, and Jason Jablecki (sometimes collectively referred to as “Defendants”) and for cause of action would show unto the Court the following:DISCOVERY CONTROL PLAN 1. Discovery should be conducted in this case under a Level 3 plan pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 190.4. PARTIES 2. Plaintiff, MicroCheck Systems, Inc. is a Texas corporation with its principle place of business located in Houston, Texas. 3. Plaintiff, MicroCheck Solutions, Inc. is a Texas corporation with its principle place of business in Houston, Texas. MicroCheck Solutions, Inc. acquired all assets, claims, and causes of action owned by MicroCheck Systems, Inc. on February 24, 2005. Plaintiffs MicroCheck Solutions, Inc. and MicroCheck Systems, Inc. are hereinafter referred to singularly and collectively as “MicroCheck.” 4. Defendant, Zigrossi & Murphy, L.L.C. d/b/a Educated Solutions (“Educated Solutions”), is a Texas limited liability company with its principle place of business located in Houston, Texas. Educated Solutions has been served with process and has appeared and answered herein, 5. Defendant, Chris Zigrossi (“Zigrossi”), is an individual residing in the State of Texas. Zigrossi has been served with process and has appeared and answered herein. 6. Defendant, Scott Murphy (“Murphy”), is an individual residing in the State of Texas. Murphy has been served with process and has appeared and answered herein. 7. Defendant, Mike Smith Individually and d/b/a CMS Technology a/k/a CMS Technologies, is an individual residing in the State of Texas. Defendant Mike Smith has been served with process and has appeared and answered herein. -2-8. Defendant, Jim Hayden, is an individual residing in the State of Texas. Service of process may be perfected upon the Defendant by serving him at his business address located at 10440 Windfern, Houston, Texas 77064. 9. Defendant, Jason Jablecki, is an individual residing in the State of Texas. Service of process may be perfected upon the Defendant by serving him at his business address located at 10440 Windfern, Houston, Texas 77064. 10. Defendant, Alex Campbell, is an individual residing in the State of Texas. Service of process may be perfected upon the Defendant by serving him at his business address located at 10440 Windfern, Houston, Texas 77064. 11. Defendant, MiChoice Technology Systems, Inc. (“MiChoice”), is a Texas corporation with its principle place of business located in Houston, Texas. Defendant MiChoice has been served with process and has appeared and answered herein. JURISDICTION 12. Venue and jurisdiction are proper in this Harris County District Court because Plaintiff's damages exceed the jurisdictional limits of the Court and Harris County, Texas was the county of Defendants’ residence and/or place of business at the time Plaintiff's causes of action accrued. See TEX. Civ. PRAC. REM. CODE § 15.002 et.seg. Additionally, a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to Plaintiffs causes of action against Defendants occurred in Harris County, Texas. Jd -3-FA BACKGRO' 13. MicroCheck is a local company that provides technology to the food service industry. Most notably, MicroCheck is now in its third decade of helping school cafeterias serve meals to children through sophisticated computer systems and support. ‘M4. Over those three decades, MicroCheck developed valuable proprietary information including computer software, programming codes, hardware, customer lists, good will, pricing information, client information, customer preferences, and market strategies, as well as other tangible and intangible assets and capital of the business. Defendants gained access to this proprietary information through their employment relationship with Microcheck. 15. Several of the defendants were employees of MicroCheck. In particular, Smith was MicroCheck’s President and CEO, Zigrossi was MicroCheck’s COO, and Murphy was MicroCheck’s computer programmer. At the outset of and throughout their employment, defendants promised that they would not misappropriate or otherwise disclose or misuse this proprietary information for any purpose other than for the benefit of the company. Moreover, in these capacities, defendants had a duty to act in the best interests of MicroCheck and not to steal or otherwise utilize these materials for their own personal gain or for any purpose that would harm MicroCheck. Further, Smith and Zigrossi as officers of MicroCheck had additional, fiduciary duties to the company. In blatant disregard of these promises and duties, defendants conspired to destroy Microcheck. 16. At least as early as June 2004, defendants began their plot to start a rival company with defendant Smith as its CEO. Even in the beginning, defendants knew what they were doing was wrong, yet they continued with the specific intent to leave MicroCheck in financial ruin. -4-17. By August, defendants’ plot had taken shape and was ready for implementation. The plot was in three phases: 18. Phase 1: Zigrossi and Murphy form a new, interim company which would provide sales/services to MicroCheck’s customers and which did not have any direct ties with defendant Smith, who at the time the plot was being hatched, was MicroCheck’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Phase 2: The interim company acquires all of MicroCheck’s customer accounts and assets under the pretext of a professional service agreement. Like a mole, Smith signs the sham agreement as the CEO of MicroCheck. The interim company then poaches what MicroCheck employees they want and fires the rest. Having stolen all MicroCheck’s customers, assets and employees, defendants can then either extort a majority interest in the company from Manning or take the money and run. , Phase 3: Smith then forms a company which acquires from the interim company by transfer, merger, or some other means, all of the assets and accounts that Smith signed away in the professional services agreement. By mid-August, Smith, Zigrossi, and Murphy, while still employed at MicroCheck, were recruiting employees for the interim company and were mapping out the implementation of their plan. These new employees were defendants Jason Jablecki, James Lancaster and Alex Campbell, as well as Don Nunez, Sue Sacco, and Andy Souza With this team, defendants hoped to steal up to 70% of MicroCheck’s customers and exploit at least two new products developed on behalf of MicroCheck. Defendants knew they could pursue legitimate options to make MicroCheck more profitable, but declined to do so in favor of starting anew company with proprietary assets, customers and good will stolen from MicroCheck. 19, By late September, defendants were making preparations to pull the trigger. They started formal planning on how to split-up the pie once it was stolen from MicroCheck. Defendants were also identifying specific monies and other assets to divert from MicroCheck. “5Once again, defendants were aware of options that stopped short of taking all of MicroCheck’s business, but proceeded to their personal “D-day” with MicroCheck. 20. | Meanwhile, defendant Smith had for months been siphoning thousands of dollars from the company for his own personal benefit. He set up unauthorized profit sharing plans and health plans, paid himself undocumented bonuses, and bought himself a Lincoln Town Car with " company money. None of these expenditures and benefits were presented to, much less approved by, MicroCheck’s board of directors. 21. At all times, MicroCheck’s ideas, concepts, proprietary information, assets, customers, good will, computers, bank accounts, monies, and property, whether real or personal, were to remain the sole property of MicroCheck. Defendants knew these materials belonged to MicroCheck and had a duty to act in the best interests of MicroCheck and not to steal or otherwise utilize these materials for their own personal gain or for any purpose that would harm MicroCheck. Despite this knowledge and these duties, Defendants put their plan into action. 22. On October 3, 2004, Phase 1 began. On that date, Zigrossi turned in his letter of resignation. As part of this resignation, Zigrossi tried to obtain a release of his non-competition agreement with MicroCheck. This release never occurred. That same day, Zigrossi plotted with other defendants via the MicroCheck company email on how best to steal the computer source codes, use MicroCheck’s products for their new company, and exploit MicroCheck’s’ goodwill. On October 4, Murphy resigned. Two days later, on October 6, Zigrossi and Murphy registered the interim company, defendant Educated Solutions, with the Texas Secretary of State. 23.. Defendants then immediately proceeded to Phase 2. On October 6, 2004, Smith, Zigrossi, and Murphy signed a Professional Services Agreement which purported to sign away -6-MicroCheck’s business to Educated Solutions. Among other things, Smith tried to give Educated Solutions: . All of MicroCheck’s existing support, maintenance and upgrade agreements; . MicroCheck’s customer support telephone number; e All of MicroCheck’s software implementation, integration, installation, training, education, customization, configuration, and extension accounts; . $110,000.00 in cash; and . All of MicroCheck’s software programs, tools, specifications, ideas, concepts, know-how, processes, and techniques. 24. With the sham Professional Services Agreement in place, Educated Solutions began contacting MicroCheck’s customers stating that it had taken over MicroCheck’s accounts and would now be the company serving them. On or about October 11, while Smith was still employed at MicroCheck as the CEO, he provided customer information to an outside agent to begin a telemarketing campaign, the key component of which was to tout the new company’s former relationship with MicroCheck. Smith and Educated Solutions then began trying to steal’ MicroCheck’s employees. As part of this process, Smith and Educated Solutions, through Zigrossi and Murphy, told these employees that MicroCheck was going out of business. 25. By a lucky stroke of fate, on or about October 22, 2004, Manning and MicroCheck’s accountant Les Mignerey went to MicroCheck’s offices to discuss the financial situation of the company. On arrival, they discovered that defendants had stolen all of the company’s assets including, but not limited to, cash, computers, furniture, a company car, client. files, employee files, and customer lists. Defendants literally had files on the loading dock waiting for a truck to come and cart them away. Manning and Mignerey also discovered thesham Professional Services Agreement by which Smith tried to dispossess MicroCheck of all assets which could not physically be carried out of the building. 26. = This lawsuit ensued resulting in a temporary restraining order against Zigrossi, Murphy and Educated Solutions, and ultimately a settlement whereby these defendants agreed, among other things, to a permanent injunction refraining from competing with MicroCheck and to return all stolen items. Immediately after agreeing to this settlement in open court, defendants repudiated the agreement and reneged on their promises. 27. Smith was not a party to this agreement, because he had not yet answered the lawsuit. Despite the pendency of this matter, Smith has implemented Phase 3. Although the sham / Professional Services Agreement was void ab initio and immediately terminated by MicroCheck, Smith, along with Murphy, as agents of defendant MiChoice continue to use MicroCheck’s proprietary software, hardware, source codes, computer programs, customer lists, goodwill and other assets, and continue to defame and disparage MicroCheck’s business. On August 15, 2005, Smith formed MiChoice and registered the business name of CMS Technology and CMS Technologies for himself. Smith then hired Murphy as a computer programmer at MiChoice as well as Andy Souza, another former MicroCheck employee. Since that time, defendants have continued to compete with MicroCheck unfairly, exploit its wrongly acquired assets and defame its business status. 28. Defendants’ plot is now complete. In little more than a year, the elaborate scheme went from being malicious musings on paper to a full-fledged Texas corporation whose primary assets and business model were stolen from MicroCheck. To this day, defendants continue in their tortious conduct all to the detriment of MicroCheck. -8-COUNT I APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY INJUNCTION 29. MicroCheck incorporates by reference the allegations set forth hereinabove as if fully set forth at length in support of this Count I against Defendants. 30. | MicroCheck is the owner of certain property rights threatened with irreparable injury by the conduct of the Defendants. In particular, MicroCheck has built a business over the course of the last twenty (20) years, including proprietary and confidential information, assets, property, real and personal, rights, monies deposited into banking institutions, customer lists, good will, pricing information, client information, customer preferences, buyer contains, market strategies, accounts, account information, accounts receivable, and office furniture and fixtures, phone numbers, and trade secrets (hereinafter referred to as “MicroCheck’s Assets”). On February 24, 2005, MicroCheck Solutions, Inc. acquired all these assets, along with all causes of action against Defendants, owned by MicroCheck Systems, Inc. 31. Defendants obtained access to the MicroCheck Assets through their employment and/or business dealings with MicroCheck and/or each other. Specifically, Defendants have exercised and continue to exercise dominion and control over MicroCheck’s Assets without justification. Such conduct has caused, and will continue to cause, losses to MicroCheck’s business which amounts to irreparable injury and/or harm. Such conduct is not in furtherance of any business relationship between MicroCheck and Defendants and is in direct contravention and violation of the terms of Defendants’ respective employment agreements and Texas law. 32. Defendants’ conduct has and will cause injury and permanent loss of MicroCheck’s Assets and proprietary information developed and amassed by Microcheck over a long period of time. Specifically, Defendants have stolen and misappropriated MicroCheck’s proprietary and confidential information, assets, property, real and personal, rights, monies “9deposited into banking institutions, customer lists, good will, pricing information, client information, customer preferences, buyer contains, market strategies, accounts, account information, accounts receivable, and office furniture and fixtures, phone numbers, and trade secrets as well as its knowledge of the industry and unique methods of doing business in the industry. MicroCheck has no adequate remedy at law for the injuries described herein. 33. For these reasons, MicroCheck requests that Defendants, their officers, agents, representatives, subsidiaries, employees, successors, assigns, related companies, heirs, and all those acting in concert with them, any of them and/or all of them be restrained from the following, and, after trial, be permanently enjoined from: a Disseminating, mortgaging, hypothecating, assigning, transferring, pledging or otherwise disclosing to any party, not associated with, employed, or represented by, MicroCheck, any of MicroCheck's assets or information obtained by Defendants or to which the Defendants have access; Marketing, selling, and/or developing any software or product to be utilized in any way, shape, or form, by any industry that is to be utilized or used in any way that competes with MicroCheck and that was developed for, derived from, or in any way based on MicroCheck’s Assets; Receiving in any way, shape, or form, any monies, or anything of value from MicroCheck's customers or former customers except to turn over such monies or thing(s) of value to the MicroCheck; Accepting any benefit, in any way, shape, or form, whether in the form of monies or otherwise, by or based upon the use, dissemination, mortgage, hypothecation, assignment, transfer, pledge, or disclosure of any of MicroCheck’s Assets, as described above; Conferring any benefit on/to any third party by or based upon the use, dissemination, mortgage, hypothecation, transfer, assignment, pledge or disclosure of, any information disclosed to the Defendants, or to which Defendants' have access, by virtue of their relationship (past or present) with MicroCheck; Obtain, attempt to obtain, or otherwise apply for, any patent, copyright, title, or tight of title to the information and/or rights, disclosed to the Defendants by -10-MicroCheck and/or any information owned, or claimed to be owned, by MicroCheck; g. Entering into any contracts, agreements, or negotiations with any third-party, and/or by, among, or between, any Defendants to this litigation, that adversely effects any of MicroCheck’s Assets; h. Transferring, destroying, or otherwise altering any documents, communications, e-mails, minutes of meetings, notes, memoranda, software, hardware, or any of the MicroCheck’s Assets, made, accessed, created, or held while Defendants have been employed by the MicroCheck up to and including the present (this includes communications, e-mails, notes and/or memoranda between and/or among the Defendants); . i, Directly on indirectly, soliciting, diverting, or hiring away or attempting to solicit, divert, or hire away any person employed by MicroCheck inducing in any manner any employee of MicroCheck to sever their employment and enter into the employment of Defendants, or from employing any former employee of MicroCheck who shall have severed his or her employment relationship in whole or in part because of such solicitation and/or encouragement by Defendants; and j. Allowing, authorizing, or participating with, any third party which/who may have * been provided access to MicroCheck’s Assets or doing any act set forth in subparagraphs (a) - (h) hereinabove. 34. It is essential that the Court act immediately following notice and a hearing on _ this matter because Defendants continue to solicit and disseminate the proprietary information gained by virtue of their relationship with MicroCheck and each other, continue to defame and disparage MicroCheck’s business, and continue to exercise dominion and/or control over MicroCheck’s Assets without authority. , 35. In order to preserve the proprietary property and rights of MicroCheck during the pendency of this action, Defendants should be cited to appear and show cause why they should not be temporarily restrained, during the pendency of this action from that conduct described hereinabove. 36. For these reasons, MicroCheck prays for the relief set forth in the Prayer for Relief. “lleCOUNT II FRAUD AND CONSTRUCTIVE FRAUD 37. MicroCheck incorporates by reference the allegations set forth hereinabove as if fully set forth at length in support of this Count II against Defendants. 38. | MicroCheck hired Defendants Mike Smith, Chris Zigrossi, and Scott Murphy as employees at various times between 1984 and the present. Each was to conduct themselves in furtherance of MicroCheck’s business and consistent with their respective terms and conditions of employment. Defendants Mike Smith, Chris Zigrossi, and Scott Murphy made representations to MicroCheck that they would not disseminate or otherwise use information provided by MicroCheck or learned while employed by MicroCheck for purposes that were not in furtherance of or in the best interest of MicroCheck’s business. 39. The statements by Defendants Mike Smith, Chris Zigrossi, and Scott Murphy referred to herein were false when made. Defendants either knew the statements were false when made or made them recklessly without any knowledge of the truth, and made them as positive assertions. MicroCheck alleges that Defendants Mike Smith, Chris Zigrossi, and Scott Murphy made the statements with the intent of inducing MicroCheck to enter into an employment relationship and to provide access to certain proprietary material, agreements that MicroCheck would not have entered or continued but for the false statements made by Defendants. 40. In the alternative, Defendants knew that the property transferred from MicroCheck to defendants was property that belonged to MicroCheck. As corporate officers of MicroCheck, defendants were in breach of their fiduciary duty to MicroCheck by knowingly transferring property in which MicroCheck has superior rights in a manner against the best interest of MicroCheck's business. By breaching their fiduciary duty, defendants committed a -2- :constructive fraud against MicroCheck. As a result of the defendants’ constructive fraud, MicroCheck has suffered damages for which MicroCheck sues to the full extent of the law. 41. As a direct, proximate and foreseeable result of Defendants’ fraud, MicroCheck has suffered damages for which MicroCheck sues to the full extent of the law. COUNT Hl col RSION 42. MicroCheck incorporates by reference the allegations set forth hereinabove as if fully set forth at length in support of this Count Three against Defendants. 43. MicroCheck was and still is the rightful owner of MicroCheck’s Assets. MicroCheck Assets were left with Defendants Mike Smith, Chris Zigrossi, and Scott Murphy with the understanding that they were fiduciaries and/or employees of MicroCheck and that MicroCheck’s Assets were to be utilized in furtherance of. MicroCheck’s business. From approximately February, 2004 to present, however, all Defendants have acted fraudulently and in concert to wrongfully assume dominion and control over MicroCheck’s Assets and all Defendants have utilized MicroCheck’s Assets for purposes not in furtherance of MicroCheck’s business. 44. Defendants’ conversion of the MicroCheck’s Assets, property and information, as alleged above, was fraudulent and/or malicious. As a direct, proximate, and foreseeable result of Defendants’ conduct, MicroCheck has suffered damages well in excess of the jurisdictional limits of this court for which MicroCheck now sues to the full extent of the law. COUNT IV BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTY 45. | MicroCheck incorporates by reference the allegations set forth hereinabove as if fully set forth at length in support of this Count IV against Defendants. -13-46. | MicroCheck and Defendants Mike Smith, Chris Zigrossi, and Scott Murphy were employees of MicroCheck. Microcheck was acting and pursuing its business interest with the utmost confidence, good faith, and trust in Defendants. As such, Defendants were charged with a legal and/or equitable fiduciary duty to exercise care concerning the interests of. MicroCheck, 47. However, Defendants breached this fiduciary duty by exercising unlawful dominion and/or control of MicroCheck’s Assets and using proprietary information and other assets owned by MicroCheck for competition or purposes not in furtherance of the business relationship between them. 48. As a direct, proximate, and foreseeable result of such breach on the part of Defendants, MicroCheck has been damaged in excess of the jurisdictional limits of this Court for which MicroCheck here and now sues to the full extent of the law. COUNT V MISAPPROPRIATION OF PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 49. MicroCheck incorporates by reference the allegations set forth hereinabove as if fully set forth at length in support of this Count V against Defendants. 50. Defendants have misappropriated MicroCheck's confidential proprietary information. Specifically, but without limitation, Defendants acquired confidential proprietary information while employed by MicroCheck including software, hardware, source codes, computer programs, customer lists, good will, pricing information, client information, customer preferences, buyer contains, market strategies, and the business model developed by MicroCheck. Defendants have stolen and utilized this confidential proprietary information to Defendants’ advantage and to MicroCheck’s detriment. Consequently, Defendants are liable for misappropriation of MicroCheck’s proprietary information. -14-51. MicroCheck undertook reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of its trade secrets and proprietary information and it has obtained a competitive advantage from this information. Defendants misappropriated MicroCheck's proprietary information by acquiring the confidential information in violation of a confidential and fiduciary relationship between " Defendants and MicroCheck. 52. As a direct and proximate result of the misappropriation of proprietary information by the Defendants, Defendants damaged MicroCheck and have been unjustly enriched in an amount that exceeds the minimum jurisdictional limits of the Court. COUNT VI VIOLATIONS OF THE TEXAS THEFT LIABILITY ACT 53. MicroCheck incorporates by reference the allegations set forth hereinabove as if fully set forth at length in support of this Count VI against Defendants. 54. Defendants have committed theft of property under Section 134.002(2) of the Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code. Specifically, Defendants are liable to MicroCheck for violating Section 31.03(a) of the Texas Penal Code which provides that a person commits an offense if he unlawfully appropriates property with the intent to deprive the owner of the property. Defendants have also committed theft of trade secrets as defined by the Act. Defendants are liable to MicroCheck for violating Section 31.05(b) of the Texas Penal Code which provides that a person commits an offense if, without the owner's effective consent, he or she knowingly steals a trade secret or communicates or transmits a trade secret. 55. By the actions described in this petition, Defendants committed theft of MicroCheck's property and trade secrets including, but not limited to, the ideas and concepts developed by MicroCheck, assets, customers, customer lists, computers, software and applicable source codes, bank accounts, monies, and other property. As a result of the Defendants’ actions, -15- -Defendants are liable to MicroCheck for its actual damages, attorney fees, court costs, pre- and post-judgment interest, and additional damages of up to $1,000 under Section 134.005(a)(1) and (b) of the Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code. COUNT VII TORTIOUS RFEREN( EXI AND PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS 56. | MicroCheck incorporates by reference the allegations set forth hereinabove as if fully set forth at length in support of this Count VII against Defendants. 57. MicroCheck has spent many years developing its business and client list. MicroCheck had existing, valid, enforceable contracts with clients throughout the country at the time defendants plan was implemented. MicroCheck also had valid, enforceable employment agreements with its employees. Defendants were well aware of these contracts when they hatched their plan and specifically intended to entice these clients and employees to break their contracts with MicroCheck and enter into contractual relations with them. Defendants conduct as set out above, including, but not limited to executing the sham Professional Services Agreement to place themselves between MicroCheck and its customers, contacting these customers, and soliciting employees to leave MicroCheck, constitutes knowing interference with MicroCheck’s contracts. 58. In addition, defendants were aware of and targeted prospective and potential clients of MicroCheck who were prepared to enter contractual relations with MicroCheck. Defendants knowingly interfered with these prospective business relations with the intent of securing these clients for themselves and depriving MicroCheck of the benefits of developing the relationship. -16-59. For these reasons, Defendants have tortiously interfered with MicroCheck’'s existing and prospective contractual relations through fraud, misappropriation of proprietary information, breach of fiduciary duties, defamation and theft, which contracts and prospective contracts MicroCheck would have maintained were it not for the Defendants’ tortious interference. Accordingly, MicroCheck has been damaged in an amount within the minimum jurisdictional limits of this court. COUNT VIII UNFAIR COMPETITION 60. | MicroCheck incorporates by reference the allegations set forth hereinabove as if fully set forth at length in support of this Count VIII against Defendants. 61. Pursuant to the relationship of MicroCheck and Defendants Mike Smith, Chris Zigrossi, and Scott Murphy, the latter came into possession of confidential information of MicroCheck, including without limitation customer information, software and source codes, and other trade secrets. The acts of Defendants, as alleged above, constitute the willful and intentional misappropriation of MicroCheck's confidential information for the purpose of unfairly competing with MicroCheck and additionally constitute unlawful and unfair business practices by the defendants to take MicroCheck 's business and clients away from MicroCheck for Defendants' own use and benefit. Accordingly, MicroCheck has suffered and continues to suffer substantial economic damages in an amount within the jurisdictional limits of this court. The Defendants’ acts were willful and malicious and taken for the Defendants’ own economic gain and to the economic detriment of MicroCheck. -17-COUNT IX BREACH OF CONTRACT 62. MicroCheck incorporates by reference the allegations set forth hereinabove as if fully set forth at length in support of this Count IX against Defendants. 63. MicroCheck and Defendants Mike Smith, Chris Zigrossi, and Scott Murphy entered into employment agreements. Pursuant the employment agreements, Defendants agreed not to compete with MicroCheck for 2 years after leaving MicroCheck's employ. This provision expressly forbids Defendants from, directly or indirectly, owning, managing, operating, joining, controlling, assisting, or being employed by any organization which is of a type or character or which conducts the same or similar business as MicroCheck. The acts of Defendants, as alleged above, are a breach of the noncompetition provisions of the agreements entered into by Defendants and MicroCheck. 64. Defendants also agreed not to disclose, discuss, reveal, or in any manner make available to any other person or firm, MicroCheck's confidential information and trade secrets. As alleged above, Defendants have used and disclosed proprietary and confidential information for their benefit in violation of the non-disclosure provisions of their employment agreements, As a direct and proximate result of defendant's breach of contract, Defendants damaged MicroCheck and has been unjustly enriched in an amount that exceeds the minimum jurisdictional limits of the court. 65. Defendants also agreed not to divert, or attempt to divert, any person employed by MicroCheck, or induce any employee of MicroCheck away from MicroCheck. The acts of Defendants, as alleged above, are a breach of these agreements entered into by Defendants and MicroCheck, and Microcheck has been damaged thereby as set out herein. -18-COUNT X DEFAMATION/DEFAMATION PER SE/BUSINESS DISPARAGEMENT 66. | MicroCheck incorporates by reference the allegations set forth hereinabove as if fully set forth at length in support of this Count X against Defendants. 67. Defendants maliciously composed, published, and/or circulated false and defamatory matter in written letters regarding MicroCheck’s business operations, In publishing these defamatory remarks, Defendants meant, and was understood by all persons hearing or reading these words to mean, that MicroCheck’s business was in financial difficulty, that MicroCheck was divesting its interests, and that MicroCheck was discontinuing its business operations. 68. The statements were widely read, heard and shared by MicroCheck’s customers and employees. The words and charges made and published by Defendants were false in that MicroCheck was not having financial difficulties, other than those created by defendants, had not divested its business interests, and was not contemplating discontinuing its business operations. Defendants’ statements were intended to disparage the business reputation of MicroCheck and cause financial injury; and to deter third persons from associating or dealing with MicroCheck. As such, these statements constitute defamation and defamation per se under § 73.001 of the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code and the common law of Texas. 69. Defendants’ statements had a tendency to, and did injure MicroCheck's good name, reputation, and business in that MicroCheck’s customers and employees have ended longstanding business relationships to MicroCheck’s detriment in an amount within the jurisdictional limits of this court. As a direct and proximate result of the defendant's publication of false and defamatory material as set forth above, MicroCheck's business has suffered a loss of -19-employees, customers, and lost profits which MicroCheck otherwise would have made, all to MicroCheck’s detriment in an amount within the jurisdictional limits of this court. COUNT XI CONSPIRACY 70. MicroCheck incorporates by reference the allegations set forth hereinabove as if fully set forth at length in support of this Count XI against Defendants. 71. MicroCheck would show that each Defendant, acting in concert with one or more of the others, devised and accomplished a scheme to commit the acts and/or omissions described under Counts I-X. MicroCheck would further show that there was a meeting of the minds among one or more of the Defendants to accomplish their unlawful conduct. 72. As aresult of the above, MicroCheck has been damaged beyond the jurisdictional limits of this Court for which MicroCheck now sues to the full extent of the law. xt ALTER EGO 73. MicroCheck incorporates by reference the allegations set forth hereinabove as if fully set forth at length in support of this Count XII against Defendants. 74. — MiChoice’s corporate veil should be disregarded and individual liability should be imposed against Defendant Mike Smith, Individually and d/b/a CMS Technology a/k/a CMS Technologies. Smith is the purported owner of MiChoice. In furtherance of Smith’s scheme to steal MicroCheck’s Assets, Smith utilized, and continues to utilize, MiChoice’s corporate existence as a sham to perpetrate a fraud against Plaintiffs. Further, Smith is utilizing MiChoice as a mere tool or business conduit for himself. There is such a unity between MiChoice and Smith that the separateness of a legal entity has ceased. By allowing this sham to continue, Plaintiffs will suffer injustice. Also, MiChoice and Smith, Individually and d/b/a CMS =20-Technology, are a single business enterprise. MiChoice and Smith share employees; they have common offices; they have centralized accounting; they pay the wages of each other's employees; there are undocumented transfers of funds between them; and there is an unclear allocation of profits between them. Further still, Smith is using MiChoice to protect against the discovery of a crime and to justify a wrong as well as to evade legal obligations. 75. For the reasons set forth herein, MiChoice’s corporate veil should be disregarded and Smith should be held individually liable. XO BREACH OF SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT. 76. | MicroCheck incorporates by reference the allegations set forth hereinabove as if fully set forth at length in support of this Count XIII against Defendants. 77. In the alternative, certain defendants are liable for breach of settlement. On or about November 18, 2004, MicroCheck and Defendants Zigrossi, Murphy and Educated Solutions entered into an agreement to compromise and settle the dispute. The agreement was teached in open court and approved on the record by those defendants attorney. The terms of the agreement are set out in the court record of that hearing, a true and correct copy of which is attached as Exhibit “A” and incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. Among other things, Defendants Zigrossi, Murphy and Educated Solutions agreed to a permanent injunction not to compete with MicroCheck; to pay MicroCheck $51,000 in cash and sign a note for $60,000 at 8% interest with acceleration and other penalty provisions in the event of default; to return all stolen materials to MicroCheck; and to return to MicroCheck all items purchased with the stolen $110,000. The agreement had other terms which are set out in Exhibit “A” -21-78. Immediately after representing to this Court that they were in agreement, Defendants Zigrossi, Murphy and Educated Solutions repudiated the agreement and reneged on their promises. These defendants have never agreed to a permanent injunction not to compete with MicroCheck, paid back any money or returned any items. Defendants conduct in this regard amounts to a repudiation and/or breach of the settlement agreement which entitles MicroCheck to damages and other relief as set out below. COUNT XIV EXEMPLARY DAMAGES 79, | MicroCheck incorporates by reference the allegations set forth hereinabove as if fully set forth, at length in support of this Count XIV against Defendants. 80. | The conduct of the Defendants has been fraudulent, willful, wanton, and in gross disregard for the rights of the MicroCheck. The Defendants should be punished for such conduct in order to deter others similarly situated as a matter of public policy from committing such conduct in the future. 81. Thus, MicroCheck is entitled to exemplary damages resulting from the acts of the Defendants in addition to actual and consequential damages, for which MicroCheck here and now sues to the full extent of the law. COUNT XV ACCOUNTING 82. MicroCheck incorporates by reference the allegations set forth hereinabove as if fully set forth at length in support of this Count XV against Defendants. 83. In the alternative, MicroCheck seeks an accounting. Defendants stole proprietary and other property from MicroCheck as set out above. Defendants have made untold and undisclosed revenue from use of the items stolen from MicroCheck. -2-84. Given that the items stolen are business.assets, from which revenue is generated, the exact nature and extent of the sales, expenses, and inventory by which Defendants have been wrongfully enriched are unknown to MicroCheck and cannot be determined without an accounting, and an investigation of Defendants’ accounts receivable, accounts payable, bank accounts, inventory statements, balance statements, balance sheets, income statements, income projections, and other financial documentation. , COUNT XVI CONSTRUCTIVE TRUST 85. MicroCheck incorporates by reference the allegations set forth hereinabove as if fully set forth at length in support of this Count XVI against Defendants. 86. In the alternative, Microcheck is entitled to the imposition of a constructive trust. MicroCheck was entitled to rely on the promises and representations of the defendants and on the defendants’ failure to disclose a contrary intent because there was a fiduciary and/or confidential relationship between MicroCheck and the Defendants. Defendants breached their duties under this relationship by stealing MicroCheck’s Assets and unfairly competing with MicroCheck as set out above. It is unconscionable and a breach of the confidential and fiduciary telationship for Defendants to retain these items and continue to exploit them for their own financial gain to the detriment of MicroCheck. 87. A constructive trust on the property in question is the only remedy that will adequately compensate MicroCheck and prevent the unjust enrichment of the Defendants at MicroCheck’s expense. Further, a constructive trust should be imposed for all revenues derived by the defendants from the sale of goods or services to MicroCheck’s customers and all revenues derived from the sale of products developed by defendants using MicroCheck’s proprietary information, including source codes. =23-COUNT XVII ATTORNEYS FEES 88. Plaintiff incorporates by reference the allegations set forth hereinabove as if fully set forth at length in support of this Count XVII against Defendants. 89. Because of the actions of the Defendants, MicroCheck has been required to retain the services of legal counsel to protect its interest. Accordingly, and pursuant to Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code § 134.005 and § 38.001, MicroCheck is entitled to the recovery of its reasonable attorneys fees from Defendants. ‘WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Plaintiffs MicroCheck Systems, Inc. and MicroCheck Solutions, Inc. pray that citation issue as requested above; that upon an expedited hearing, the Court issue a Temporary Injunction in conformity with the Application set forth herein; that Plaintiffs have judgment against Defendants, jointly and severally, for actual - damages in excess of the minimum jurisdictional limits of this Court, additional damages of up to $1,000 under Section 134.005(a)(1) and (b) of the Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code, exemplary damages, prejudgment and post judgment interest, costs of Court, and reasonable attorneys' fees; that in the alternative, the Court order Defendants to render an accounting to Plaintiffs of the amounts owed, and render judgment against Defendant for a sum to be determined in the accounting; that in the alternative, the Court decree a constructive trust on the property and revenues described in this petition, with the Defendants as constructive trustees for the benefit of the Plaintiffs, and render judgment ordering Defendants, as constructive trustees, to convey to Plaintiffs the property and revenues described in this petition; that upon a final trial and hearing, a permanent injunction issue in conformity with the Application set forth herein; _ and for such other and further relief, both at law and in equity, to which Plaintiffs are justly entitled. -24-Respectfully submitted, SHEEHY, SERPE & WARE, P.C. By: Christopher D. DeMeo State Bar No. 00796456 R. Edward Perkins Texas Bar No. 15790410 2500 Two Houston Center 909 Fannin St. Houston, Texas 77010 713/951-1000 713/951-1199 - fax Attorney for Plaintiffs CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE This will certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing document has been forwarded to all counsel of record pursuant to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure on the day of February, 2007. Christopher D. DeMeo 1063713_1,DOC =25-VERIFICATION THE STATE OF TEXAS § : § COUNTY OF HARRIS § . sp } BEFORE ME, the undersigned ‘Notary Public, on this day personally appeared John D. Manning, duly authorized representative of Microcheck Systems, Inc. and Microcheck Solutions, Inc. who being by me duly sworn on his oath, deposed and said that he has read the above and foregoing third amended petition and request for injunctive relief and that the statements contained therein are within his personal knowledge and are true and correct. John D. Manning SUBSCRIBED and SWORN TO before me on this the day of . 2007, to certify which witness my hand and