altrius complaint
TRANSCRIPT
Case 2:11-cv-00280-BCW Document 2 Filed 03/25/11 Page 1 of 24
CALLISTER NEBEKER & McCULLOUGHCASS C. BUTLER (4202); [email protected] P. HARMON (12539); [email protected] Bank Building Suite 90010 East South TempleSalt Lake City, UT 84133
Telephone: (801) 530-7300Facsimile: (801) 364-9127
Attorneysfor PlaintiffAltius Capital Markets, LLC
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTDISTRICT OF UTAH, CENTRAL DIVISION
ALTIUS CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC,a Utah limited liability company, COMPLAINT
Plaintiff,Civil No. 2:11-cv-00280
vs.
CITATION CAPITAL PARTNERS, INC., a Judge Brooke C. WellsCalifornia corporation; CARDINALINDUSTRIAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES;LONGO REAL ESTATE SERVICES, INC., a
California corporation; GEORGE HICKER, an JURY DEMANDEDindividual; ROBB WENRICH, an individual;FORTRESS CREDIT CORP., a Delaware
corporation; and FORTRESS INVESTMENTGROUP LLC, a Delaware limited liabilitycompany,
Defendants.
Altius Capital Markets, LLC, by and through its counsel of record, and for its complaint
against Citation Capital Partners, Inc., Cardinal Industrial Real Estate Services, Longo Real
Estate Services, Inc., George Hicker, Robb Wenrich, Fortress Credit Corp., and Fortress
Investment Group LLC, hereby complains and alleges as follows:
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PARTIES, JURISDICTION AND VENUE
1. PlaintiffAltius Capital Markets, LLC (“Altius”), is a Utah limited liability
company with its principal place ofbusiness in Salt Lake City, Utah.
2. Defendant Citation Capital Partners, Inc. (“Citation”) is a California corporation
with its principal place ofbusiness in Costa Mesa, California.
3. Defendant Cardinal Industrial Real Estate Services (“Cardinal”) is an entity
headquartered in Sherman Oaks, California and not organized in any of the United States.
4. Longo Real Estate Services, Inc. (“Longo”) is a California corporation with its
principal place ofbusiness in Sherman Oaks, California.
5. George Hicker (“Hicker”) is an individual residing in California.
6. Robb Wenrich (“Wenrich”) is an individual residing in California.
7. Fortress Credit Corp. is a Delaware corporation and Fortress Investment Group
LLC (collectively referred to hereinafter as “Fortress”) is a Delaware limited liability company.
8. Jurisdiction and venue are proper in this judicial district inasmuch as the parties
have agreed that jurisdiction is proper in the state and federal courts sitting in the state ofUtah,
and pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1332 and 1391. The nonresident Defendants purposefully availed
themselves of the benefits of conducting business in Utah by creating an active relationship with
Utah and Altius, a Utah entity in order to accomplish their business purposes, as more fully
alleged herein. Further, jurisdiction and venue are proper in this Court against the nonresident
Defendants under the Calder v. Jones Effects Test inasmuch as such Defendants were engaged in
a conspiracy which was aimed at Altius and the State ofUtah, as more fully alleged herein and
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consistent with the principles set forth in Pohl, Inc. ofAmerica v. Webelhuth, 2008 UT 89, 201
P.3d 944 (Utah 2008), and its progeny.
GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
9. On or about January 25, 2010, DLH Master Land Holding, LLC (“DLH”) filed a
voluntary bankruptcy petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
10. One ofDLH’s assets included in the bankruptcy estate was a 178-acre parcel of
real property located in Dallas, Texas, certain tangible personal property and fixtures attached to
the property, and all DLH’s right, title and interest in a lease encumbering the property (the
“Dallas Property”).
11. During DLH’s still-pending bankruptcy case, DLH entered into negotiations with
Greenfield Companies, LLC (“Greenfield”) to arrange for the sale of the Dallas Property.
12. In order to be able to sell the Dallas Property free of liens and encumbrances,
DLH entered into a settlement agreement with the creditors holding liens on the Dallas Property,
which settlement was approved by the bankruptcy court.
13. The bankruptcy court further authorized DLH to enter into an agreement to sell
the Dallas Property to Greenfield provided that the sale price of the Dallas Property was
sufficient to fund the settlement agreement with the creditors holding liens on the Dallas
Property and all closing costs associated with the sale.
14. During the negotiations between DLH and Greenfield, DLH prepared a Purchase
and Sale Agreement (“Greenfield Purchase Agreement”) for the sale of the Dallas Property and
sent the same to Greenfield for its review and execution.
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15. Under the terms of the Greenfield Purchase Agreement, Greenfield would pay
$49,500,000 to DLH to purchase the Dallas Property.
16. In addition to the Dallas Property, Greenfield also acquired an option to purchase
a 35-acre parcel of real property located in Sacramento, California (the “Sacramento Property”)
(collectively referred to hereinafter with the Dallas Property as the “Property”).
17. After acquiring the rights to the Property, Greenfield intended to sell the Property
to a third-party buyer.
18. To effect the sale of the Property to a third-party buyer, Greenfield entered into an
agreement (“Greenfield Altius Agreement”) with Altius by which Altius would attempt to find
a buyer for the Property or to structure and develop debt capital platforms to purchase the
Property.
19. Pursuant to the Greenfield Altius Agreement, Altius would earn certain
payments from Greenfield, including a 2% commission on the gross sale price of the Property
provided that the sale was accomplished through an asset based or traditional financing
transaction.
20. To compensate Altius for its time, materials, equipment, supplies, travel and
communications expended in furtherance of its performance of the Greenfield Altius
Agreement, Greenfield paid Altius in the amount of $60,000.
21. On January 28, 2011, Altius entered into a mutual confidentiality, nondisclosure
and non-circumvention agreement (the “Non-Circumvention Agreement”) with Citation. The
Non-Circumvention Agreement placed certain limitations on Citation’s use ofAltius’s
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confidential information including that Citation would “make no attempt to duplicate and/or
disclose [Altius’s] funding, financing and or credit enhancement strategy, business transaction(s)
and/or business concepts or ideas on its own account or with third parties.”
22. The Non-Circumvention Agreement further restricted Citation from
circumventing “or attempt[ing] to circumvent in any way [Altius] including but not limited to
contacting [Altius’s] business, underwriting, technology or contact sources without prior written
permission” from Altius.
23. The Non-Circumvention Agreement further required Citation to “notify [Altius] in
writing immediately if [Citation] has reason to believe that any person who has had access to
[Altius’s proprietary information] (including either party or its representative) has violated or
intends to violate the terms of this Agreement or otherwise disclose any of [Altius’s proprietary
information] in violation of the terms of this Agreement.”
24. In furtherance of the Greenfield Altius Agreement, and pursuant to the Non-
Circumvention Agreement, Altius provided Citation with confidential information concerning
the pricing, terms and financing options for which Greenfield intended to sell the Property, as
well as the impending sale of the Dallas Property from DLH to Greenfield.
25. This confidential information included a package prepared by Greenfield dated
January 27, 2011, the identity, business operations, contacts, goals, desires and characteristics of
ADESA Texas, Inc. (“ADESA”), the Dallas Property’s tenant, ADESA’s confidential lease
terms and obligations, and the funding terms necessary to effectuate the purchase of the
Property.
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26. None of this confidential information was available in the public domain, nor
would Citation have had access to this information but for Altius’s disclosures under the Non-
Circumvention Agreement.
27. Altius informed Citation that this information was being disclosed pursuant to,
and was protected by, the Non-Circumvention Agreement.
28. Citation subsequently disclosed Altius’s confidential information to Cardinal,
Hicker, Wenrich, and Fortress, among others. Without Altius’s confidential information
disclosed to Citation pursuant to the Non-Circumvention Agreement, Citation, Cardinal, Hicker,
Wenrich and Fortress would not have learned about the Dallas Property, nor about important and
essential terms related to the financing, leasing and operation of the Dallas Property, necessary to
evaluate the Dallas Property for purchase.
29. Cardinal, Hicker, Wenrich, and Fortress had knowledge that Altius had provided
confidential information concerning the proposed sale of the Property to Citation and that
Citation was obligated to not compete or circumvent Altius in any transaction relating to the
Property.
30. Cardinal, Hicker, Wenrich and Fortress accepted the Confidential Information
subject to these terms and conditions, which terms are standard in the industry.
31. Cardinal, Hicker, Wenrich, and Fortress had knowledge that Altius was entitled to
receive 2% commission of the sale price of the Property pursuant to the Greenfield Altius
Agreement.
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32. On March 2, 2011, Cardinal and Fortress provided Citation with a letter of intent
setting forth the “major terms and conditions” under which Cardinal and Fortress would
purchase the Property. The March 2, 2011 letter of intent listed the purchase price of the
Property as being $57,500,000. This letter of intent stated that it would remain open until March
9, 2011.
33. The March 2, 2011 letter of intent, signed by Joshua Pack ofFortress Credit
Corp., disclosed that Fortress Credit Corp. was an affiliate ofFortress Investment Group LLC.
34. On March 4, 2011, Altius, Citation, Cardinal, Fortress and Greenfield participated
in a conference call during which Cardinal and Fortress indicated that they were only interested
in purchasing the Dallas Property, a complete change from the letter of intent submitted only two
days prior to the conference call.
35. During this call, Cardinal acknowledged Altius’s right to compensation based on
Altius’s role in providing confidential information concerning the sale of the Property to
Citation, and subsequently to Cardinal, Hicker, Wenrich and Fortress.
36. Hicker admitted Cardinal and Fortress would not have acquired the confidential
information relating to the Property but for the disclosures made by Altius pursuant to the Non-
Circumvention Agreement.
37. Fortress did not refute the representations and acknowledgments made by Hicker
concerning Altius’s role in disclosing the confidential information and Cardinal and Fortress’s
reliance thereon or Altius’s entitlement to compensation.
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38. Despite the March 2, 2011 submission of a letter of intent for the purchase of the
Property, and with knowledge of Citation’s non-competition and non-circumvention obligations
to Altius, Cardinal and Fortress submitted a letter of intent directly to DLH for the purchase of
the Dallas Property.
39. Citation was aware of Cardinal’s efforts to purchase the Property directly from
DLH and assisted Cardinal in making this undertaking.
40. In contravention of the Non-Circumvention Agreement, Citation failed to notify
Altius in writing that Cardinal and Fortress intended to use Altius’s confidential information in a
manner that would violate the terms of the Non-Circumvention Agreement.
41. Shortly after Cardinal and Fortress submitted their letter of intent for the purchase
of the Dallas Property directly to DLH, DLH filed a motion with the bankruptcy court seeking
expedited approval of the sale of the Dallas Property to Cardinal and Fortress, circumventing
Altius.
42. DLH’s expedited motion, filed after Cardinal and Fortress submitted a letter of
intent directly to DLH for the purchase of the Dallas Property destroyed Greenfield’s deal with
DLH.
43. Unbeknownst to Altius, Cardinal was a non existent entity at the time that it
submitted the March 2, 2011 letter of intent and participated in the March 4, 2011 conference
call.
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44. Instead of listing Cardinal as a purchaser of the Dallas Property, the Purchase and
Sale Agreement entered into between DLH, Cardinal and Fortress (“DLH Longo Agreement”)
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listed the buyers of the property as Fortress Credit Corp. and Longo Real Estate Services, Inc.
d/b/a Cardinal Industrial.
45. In material breach of the Non-Circumvention Agreement, Citation has or will be
paid a commission from the sales proceeds of Cardinal and Fortress’s purchase of the Dallas
Property from DLH.
46. As a result of Cardinal and Fortress’s purchase of the Dallas Property, Altius has
reimbursed $60,000 to Greenfield because of the failed purchase of the Property.
47. The Non-Circumvention Agreement provides that each of the parties thereto
“irrevocably submits itself to the jurisdiction ofUtah state of federal courts sitting in the State of
Utah.”
FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
(Breach of Contract Citation)
48. Altius realleges and incorporates by reference each and every allegation contained
in paragraphs 1 through 47 of this Complaint, as if fully set forth herein.
49. The Non-Circumvention Agreement is a valid and enforceable agreement under
Utah law.
50. Citation has breached the Non-Circumvention Agreement by disclosing Altius’s
confidential information to Cardinal and Fortress for the purpose ofcircumventing Altius in the
sale of the Dallas Property and by assisting Cardinal and Fortress in using Altius’s confidential
information in furtherance of their direct offer made to DLH to purchase the Dallas Property.
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51. Despite its knowledge that Cardinal and Fortress intended to contact DLH directly
and make an offer ofpurchase concerning the Dallas Property, Citation did not give Altius
written notice that Cardinal and Fortress intended to use Altius’s confidential information in a
manner that would violate the terms of the Non-Circumvention Agreement.
52. Citation’s disclosure ofAltius’s confidential information to Cardinal and Fortress
for the purpose of circumventing Altius in the sale of the Property constitutes a material breach
of the Non-Circumvention Agreement.
53. Citation’s failure to give written notice to Altius of Cardinal and Fortress’s
intention to make an offer ofpurchase for the Dallas Property directly to DLH constitutes a
material breach of the Non-Circumvention Agreement.
54. Altius has performed all of its obligations under the Non-Circumvention
Agreement in a timely manner.
55. As a result of Citation’s material breaches of the Non-Circumvention Agreement,
Altius has been damaged in an amount in excess of $1,210,000, as set forth more fully below.
WHEREFORE, Altius seeks damages against Citation as are more fully set forth in its
Prayer for Relief.
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SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION
(Breach of Duty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing Citation)
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56. Altius realleges and incorporates by reference each and every allegation contained
in paragraphs 1 through 55 of this Complaint, as if fully set forth herein.
57. An implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing exists in every contract,
including the Non-Circumvention Agreement, that essentially forbids arbitrary, unfair acts by
one party that disadvantages the other.
58. The implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing under the Non-Circumvention
Agreement required Citation to conduct its affairs in a manner that were consistent with the
intent and purpose of the Non-Circumvention Agreement.
59. Citation has breached the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing by
engaging in the conduct described herein.
60. As a direct and proximate cause of Citation’s breach of the Non-Circumvention
Agreement, Altius has suffered, and continues to suffer, foreseeable damages in an amount in
excess of $1,210,000, all to be proven at the trial of this matter.
61. Altius has been compelled to retain legal counsel to prosecute this action and has
been further damaged thereby.
WHEREFORE, Altius seeks damages against Citation as are more fully set forth in its
Prayer for Relief.
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THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION
(Breach of Contract Cardinal and Fortress)
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62. Altius realleges and incorporates by reference each and every allegation contained
in paragraphs 1 through 61 of this Complaint, as if fully set forth herein.
63. Upon information and belief, Cardinal and Fortress enjoyed a principal-agent
relationship with Citation, wherein Citation was tasked with finding investment opportunities for
Cardinal and Fortress.
64. Citation’s execution of the Non-Circumvention Agreement was made within the
scope of its authority as Cardinal and Fortress’s agent.
65. Citation’s execution of the Non-Circumvention Agreement, together with
Cardinal and Fortress’s knowledge and awareness of the existence and terms thereof, bound
Cardinal and Fortress to the terms contained therein.
66. The Non-Circumvention Agreement is a valid and enforceable agreement under
Utah law.
67. Cardinal and Fortress have breached the Agreement by attempting to contract
directly with DLH for the purchase of the Dallas Property, thus circumventing Altius.
68. Cardinal and Fortress’s attempt to circumvent Altius in the sale of the Dallas
Property constitutes a material breach of the Non-Circumvention Agreement.
69. Altius has performed all of its obligations under the Non-Circumvention
Agreement in a timely manner.
70. As a result of Cardinal and Fortress’s material breach of the Non-Circumvention
Agreement, Altius has been damaged in an amount in excess of $1,210,000, as set forth more
fully below.
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forth in its Prayer for Relief.
71. Altius realleges and incorporates by reference each and every allegation contained
in paragraphs 1 through 70 of this Complaint, as if fully set forth herein.
72. An implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing exists in every contract,
including the Non-Circumvention Agreement, that essentially forbids arbitrary, unfair acts by
one party that disadvantages the other.
73. The implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing under the Non-Circumvention
Agreement required Cardinal and Fortress to conduct their affairs in a manner that were
consistent with the intent and purpose of the Non-Circumvention Agreement.
74. Cardinal and Fortress have breached the implied covenant of good faith and fair
dealing by engaging in the conduct described herein.
75. As a direct and proximate cause of Cardinal and Fortress’s breach of the Non-
Circumvention Agreement, Altius has suffered, and continues to suffer, foreseeable damages in
an amount in excess of $1,210,000, all to be proven at the trial of this matter.
76. Altius has been compelled to retain legal counsel to prosecute this action and has
been further damaged thereby.
WHEREFORE, Altius seeks damages against Cardinal and Fortress as are more fully set
forth in its Prayer for Relief.
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WHEREFORE, Altius seeks damages against Cardinal and Fortress as are more fully set
FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(Breach ofDuty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing Cardinal and Fortress)
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FIFTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(Intentional Interference with Existing Economic Relations All Defendants Except Citation)Non-Circumvention Agreement
77. Altius realleges and incorporates by reference each and every allegation contained
in paragraphs 1 through 76 of this Complaint, as if fully set forth herein.
78. Prior to the time that Cardinal and Fortress submitted their letter of intent directly
to DLH for the purchase of the Dallas Property and prior to the execution of the DLH Longo
Agreement, Cardinal, Longo and Fortress were aware of Citation’s contractual obligations to
Altius arising out of the Non-Circumvention Agreement, including Citation’s obligation to not
circumvent Altius in the sale of the Dallas Property.
79. Cardinal, Longo and Fortress intentionally interfered with Altius’s existing
economic relations and contract with Citation, by using confidential information which Cardinal,
Longo and Fortress knew to have been obtained by Citation pursuant to the Non-Circumvent
Agreement, to circumvent Altius in Cardinal, Longo and Fortress’s attempt to purchase the
Dallas Property directly, by entering into the DLH Longo Agreement and by paying Citation to
act as their agent in making an offer ofpurchase for the Dallas Property directly to DLH.
80. Cardinal, Longo and Fortress’s intentional interference with Altius’s existing
economic relations was made by improper means in that Cardinal, Longo and Fortress used
confidential information to make their purchase offer directly to DLH while knowing that the
confidential information was not to be used to circumvent Altius and that Cardinal, Longo and
Fortress’s use of the confidential information violated the terms of the Non-Circumvention
Agreement.
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81. Cardinal, Longo and Fortress’s intentional interference made by improper means
caused Citation to breach its obligations under the Non-Circumvention Agreement.
82. By improperly using Altius’s confidential information to make a competing bid to
DLH, Cardinal, Longo and Fortress have improperly deprived Altius of the commissions that it
would have made had the interference not occurred.
83. As a direct and proximate cause of Cardinal, Longo and Fortress’s intentional
interference with Altius’s economic relations made by improper means, Altius has suffered
damages and has been injured in an amount in excess of $1,210,000, all to be proven at the trial
of this matter, and as set forth more fully below.
WHEREFORE, Altius seeks damages against Cardinal, Longo and Fortress as are more
fully set forth in its Prayer for Relief.
SIXTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(Intentional Interference with Existing Economic Relations All Defendants Except Citation)Greenfield Altius Agreement
84. Altius realleges and incorporates by reference each and every allegation contained
in paragraphs 1 through 83 of this Complaint, as if fully set forth herein.
85. Prior to the time that Cardinal and Fortress submitted their letter of intent directly
to DLH for the purchase of the Dallas Property and prior to the execution of the DLH Longo
Agreement, Cardinal, Longo and Fortress were aware ofAltius’s entitlement to 2% commission
of the total sales price of the Property arising out of the Greenfield Altius Agreement.
86. Cardinal, Longo and Fortress intentionally interfered with Altius’s existing
economic relations and contract with Greenfield, by using confidential information which
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Cardinal, Longo and Fortress knew to have been obtained by Citation pursuant to the Non-
Circumvent Agreement, to circumvent Altius in Cardinal, Longo and Fortress’s attempt to
purchase the Dallas Property directly, by entering into the DLH Longo Agreement and by
paying Citation to act as their agent in making an offer ofpurchase for the Dallas Property
directly to DLH.
87. Cardinal, Longo and Fortress’s intentional interference with Altius’s existing
economic relations was made by improper means in that Cardinal, Longo and Fortress used
confidential information to make their purchase offer directly to DLH while knowing that the
confidential information was not to be used to circumvent Altius and that Cardinal, Longo and
Fortress’s use of the confidential information violated the terms of the Non-Circumvention
Agreement.
88. Cardinal, Longo and Fortress’s intentional interference made by improper means
destroyed Altius’s ability to receive its commission for the sale of the Property pursuant to the
Greenfield Altius Agreement.
89. By improperly using Altius’s confidential information to make a competing bid to
DLH, Cardinal, Longo and Fortress have improperly deprived Altius of the commissions that it
would have made had the interference not occurred.
90. As a direct and proximate cause of Cardinal, Longo and Fortress’s intentional
interference with Altius’s economic relations made by improper means, Altius has suffered
damages and has been injured in an amount in excess of $1,210,000, all to be proven at the trial
of this matter, and as set forth more fully below.
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fully set forth in its Prayer for Relief.
91. Altius realleges and incorporates by reference each and every allegation contained
in paragraphs 1 through 90 of this Complaint, as if fully set forth herein.
92. At all times relevant to the allegations contained in Altius’s Complaint, Cardinal
was a non existent entity.
93. Inasmuch as Cardinal was not an organized legal entity, Longo, Hicker and
Wenrich are vicariously liable for Cardinal’s wrongful acts. Based upon information and belief,
each of these defendants knew that Cardinal was unorganized and agreed together to use
Cardinal for improper purposes including to mislead and divert Altius as to the true status and
nature of the March 2, 2011 letter of intent.
94. Cardinal, Longo, Hicker and Wenrich had an implied agreement and common
purpose to carry out these improper acts in Cardinal’s name.
95. Cardinal, Longo, Hicker and Wenrich had a common pecuniary interest in
carrying out their plan to circumvent Altius from the sale of the Dallas Property while using
Altius’s confidential information in direct contravention of the Non-Circumvent Agreement.
96. Cardinal, Longo, Hicker and Wenrich had equal control and right to direct the
direction of the enterprise.
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WHEREFORE, Altius seeks damages against Cardinal, Longo and Fortress as are more
SEVENTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(Joint Enterprise Cardinal, Longo, Hicker and Wenrich)
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97. As a result of the joint enterprise existing between Cardinal, Longo, Hicker and
Wenrich, these defendants are liable for all wrongful conduct carried out by Cardinal, including
the claims asserted in the Third Sixth and Eighth and Ninth Causes ofAction alleged herein.
98. As a direct and proximate cause of the actions undertaken by the joint enterprise
of Cardinal, Longo, Hicker and Wenrich, Altius has suffered damages and has been injured in an
amount in excess of $1,210,000, all to be proven at the trial of this matter, and as set forth more
fully below.
WHEREFORE, Altius seeks damages against Cardinal, Longo, Hicker and Wenrich as
are more fully set forth in its Prayer for Relief.
99. Altius realleges and incorporates by reference each and every allegation contained
in paragraphs 1 through 98 of this Complaint, as if fully set forth herein.
100. Cardinal, Longo, Hicker, Wenrich and Fortress combined to accomplish the
objective of using Altius’s confidential information for the purpose ofcircumventing Altius in
the sale of the Dallas Property. In the March 4, 2011 conference call, after conceding that they
would not have received information of the availability of the Dallas Property without use of
Altius’s confidential information, Cardinal, Hicker, Wenrich and Fortress informed Altius that
they intended on making a direct offer to DLH for the sale of the Dallas Property.
101. There was a meeting of the minds between Cardinal, Longo, Hicker, Wenrich and
Fortress to accomplish the object of their conspiracy, as evidenced by their offer to purchase the
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EIGHTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(Civil Conspiracy Cardinal, Longo, Hicker, Wenrich and Fortress)
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Dallas Property directly from DLH using Altius’s confidential information and in direct
contravention ofAltius’s entitlement to receive commission for the sale of the Dallas Property,
and by the execution of the DLH Longo Agreement.
102. Cardinal, Longo, Hicker, Wenrich and Fortress accomplished their common
objective of circumventing Altius in the purchase of the Dallas Property through the commission
of intentional torts, by tortiously and intentionally interfering with Altius’s economic relations
and prospective economic advantage with Citation and Greenfield.
103. By improperly using Altius’s confidential information to make a competing bid to
DLH and by entering into the DLH Longo Agreement, Cardinal, Longo, Hicker, Wenrich and
Fortress have improperly deprived Altius of the commissions that it would have made had the
interference not occurred.
104. As a direct and proximate cause of the actions undertaken by Cardinal, Longo,
Hicker, Wenrich and Fortress, Altius has suffered damages and has been injured in an amount in
excess of $1,210,000, all to be proven at the trial of this matter.
105. The improper objective of the conspiracy existing between Cardinal, Longo,
Hicker, Wenrich and Fortress was expressly aimed at Altius, a Utah limited liability company,
and therefore at Utah. At all times relevant, defendants knew that Altius was a Utah entity.
106. The intentional torts committed by Cardinal, Longo, Hicker, Wenrich and Fortress
caused harm to Altius, the brunt ofwhich was felt by Altius and was known by Cardinal, Longo,
Hicker, Wenrich and Fortress, to likely be suffered in Utah.
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107. Included in the acts intended by Cardinal, Longo, Hicker, Wenrich and Fortress to
cause harm to Altius in Utah and evidencing these defendants’ awareness that Altius would
likely suffer harm in Utah, these defendants knowingly caused emails to be sent and forwarded
to Altius in Utah, and knowingly participated in a conference call with Altius in Utah concerning
the sale of the Property.
108. By entering into active communications with Altius concerning the sale of the
Property, these Defendants conducted business through their email and telephonic
communications and purposefully availed themselves of the benefits ofconducting business in
Utah.
109. Moreover, the communications exchanged between these defendants and Altius
formed a critical part of these defendants’ decision to circumvent Altius in the purchase of the
Dallas Property. The nature and importance of these communications to the purpose of the
conspiracy are such that these defendants purposefully availed themselves of the ofbenefits of
Utah law.
WHEREFORE, Altius seeks damages against Cardinal, Longo, Hicker, Wenrich and
Fortress as are more fully set forth in its Prayer for Relief.
in paragraphs 1 through 109 of this Complaint, as if fully set forth herein.
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NINTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF
(Attorneys’ Fees All Defendants)
110. Altius realleges and incorporates by reference each and every allegation contained
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111. The Non-Circumvention Agreement provides that the prevailing party in “an
action to enforce or interpret the terms of th[e] Agreement shall be entitled to reasonable
attorney’s fees.”
112. Pursuant to the Non-Circumvention Agreement, Altius is entitled to an award of
its attorneys’ fees incurred in bringing and prosecuting this action.
WHEREFORE, Altius seeks damages against Defendants as are more fully set forth in its
Prayer for Relief.
DEMAND FOR JURY
Pursuant to Rule 38(b) of the FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, Altius hereby
demands a trial by jury on all issues in this matter.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, PlaintiffAltius demands judgment in its favor and against Defendants as
follows:
1. That, pursuant to the First Cause ofAction, this Court enter judgment in favor of
Altius and against Citation, for breach of contract in an amount to be determined at trial, but not
less than $1,210,000, exclusive of interest and costs, together with all costs incurred in bringing
this action, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees, together with interest in the entire amount from the
date ofjudgment until paid.
2. That, pursuant to the Second Cause ofAction, this Court enter judgment in favor
ofAltius and against Citation, for breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing in an amount
to be determined at trial, but not less than $1,210,000, exclusive of interest and costs, together
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with all costs incurred in bringing this action, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees, together with
interest in the entire amount from the date ofjudgment until paid.
3. That, pursuant to the Third Cause ofAction, this Court enter judgment in favor of
Altius and against Cardinal and Fortress, for breach of contract in an amount to be determined at
trial, but not less than $1,210,000, exclusive of interest and costs, together with all costs incurred
in bringing this action, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees, together with interest in the entire amount
from the date ofjudgment until paid.
4. That, pursuant to the Fourth Cause ofAction, this Court enter judgment in favor
ofAltius and against Cardinal and Fortress, for breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing
in an amount to be determined at trial, but not less than $1,210,000, exclusive of interest and
costs, together with all costs incurred in bringing this action, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees,
together with interest in the entire amount from the date ofjudgment until paid.
5. That, pursuant to the Fifth Cause of Action, this Court enter judgment in favor
ofAltius and against Cardinal, Longo, Hicker, Wenrich and Fortress, for intentional interference
with economic and contractual relations in an amount to be determined at trial, but not less than
$1,210,000, exclusive of interest and costs, together with all costs incurred in bringing this
action, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees, together with interest in the entire amount from the date
ofjudgment until paid.
6. That, pursuant to the Sixth Cause ofAction, this Court enter judgment in favor
ofAltius and against Cardinal, Longo, Hicker, Wenrich and Fortress, for intentional interference
with economic and contractual relations in an amount to be determined at trial, but not less then
557932.1
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$1,210,000, exclusive of interest and costs, together with all costs incurred in bringing this
action, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees, together with interest in the entire amount from the date
ofjudgment until paid.
7. That, pursuant to the Seventh Cause ofAction, this Court enter judgment in favor
ofAltius and against Cardinal, Longo, Hicker and Wenrich, for joint enterprise liability for all
actions undertaken by Cardinal as alleged herein in an amount to be determined at trial, but not
less than $1,210,000, exclusive of interest and costs, together with all costs incurred in bringing
this action, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees, together with interest in the entire amount from the
date ofjudgment until paid.
8. That, pursuant to the Eighth Cause ofAction, this Court enter judgment in favor
ofAltius and against Cardinal, Longo, Hicker, Wenrich and Fortress, for civil conspiracy in an
amount to be determined at trial, but not less than $1,210,000, exclusive of interest and costs,
together with all costs incurred in bringing this action, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees, together
with interest in the entire amount from the date ofjudgment until paid.
9. That, pursuant to the Ninth Cause ofAction, this Court enter judgment in favor
ofAltius and against all Defendants in an amount to be determined at trial representing Altius’s
attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in bringing and prosecuting this action, together with interest
on the entire amount from the date ofjudgment until paid.
557932.1
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557932.1
Case 2:11-cv-00280-BCW Document 2 Filed 03/25/11 Page 24 of 24
DATED this 25th day ofMarch, 2011.
/s/ Benjamin P. HarmonCASS C. BUTLERBENJAMIN P. HARMONCALLISTER NEBEKER & McCULLOUGH
Attorneysfor PlaintiffAltius Capital Markets, LLC
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