A natural salad dressing company, Tessemae’s LLC, has filed a lawsuit against Michael McDevitt, an investor and lawyer from DC, accusing him of racketeering and fraud. The lawsuit claims that McDevitt engaged in RICO violations when he schemed to acquire control of Tessemae’s fraudulently.
In June 2020, the lawsuit was brought to the United States District Court in Baltimore. Judge George L. Russell, III rejected a motion by McDevitt and his co-defendants to dismiss the fraud and racketeering claims on March 31, 2021. The remaining claims are RICO, fraud, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and negligence-legal malpractice.
The lawsuit alleges that after providing investment advice and legal services to Tessemae’s in 2017, McDevitt and his firm Tandem Growth Partners got involved in its management. According to the lawsuit, McDevitt and his co-defendants pressured Tessemae’s to sell its assets to them at a low price, misrepresented its financial situation, caused it to incur unnecessary debts, and manipulated its affairs. The lawsuit also accuses McDevitt of engaging in multiple acts of wire fraud by sending false emails and documents to Tessemae’s investors and creditors.
Natural salad dressings and condiments are what Tessemae’s LLC produces. It was founded by Tesse Vetter, the mother of three athletic boys, who wanted them to eat their veggies while staying healthy. She created and perfected her own all-natural recipe for salad dressing, which became popular with her family and friends.
The company’s product line and distribution have grown around the globe, with a motto of “Simplify Food, Amplify Life”. As a proud partner of Dr. Axe Keto Diet, the company offers many delicious products that are keto-approved. Based in Essex, Maryland, the company has a customer base that is loyal and appreciates its natural and healthy products.
The lawsuit against McDevitt and his co-defendants is expected to go to trial later this year or early next year. Tessemae’s LLC hopes to recover the damages it suffered due to McDevitt’s alleged fraud and racketeering. McDevitt and his co-defendants deny any wrongdoing and maintain their innocence.
One of the most high-profile cases in Maryland this year is the lawsuit between Mike McDevitt and Tessemae and his co-defendants. Find out more about Mike McDevitt and Lawsuit. Allegations of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, racketeering, negligence-legal malpractice, and RICO violations are involved in it. Racketeering activity connected to an enterprise is targeted by RICO violations, which are federal crimes. Such as murder, kidnapping, drug dealing, bribery, mail and wire fraud, racketeering activity includes 35 offenses.
To convict someone of a RICO violation, the prosecutor must prove that the person committed two of these offenses with the same enterprise within 10 years and that the acts affected interstate commerce. In 1970, RICO was originally passed to prosecute the Mafia, but it has also been used for other crimes since then. RICO violations can be alleged in civil lawsuit cases or for criminal charges.
Tessemae’s LLC alleges that McDevitt and his co-defendants engaged in multiple acts of wire fraud by sending false emails and documents to Tessemae’s investors and creditors. Using electronic communication to obtain money or property by deception is a crime that is wire fraud. Wire fraud is one of the predicate offenses for RICO violations.