Great Lakes Transport has sued a former employee who the company said went against his contract to start a rival business.
The lawsuit targets Gregory Kubek and his new company, Kube Logistics LLC, both of Buffalo. The suit was filed Aug. 7 in Erie County Supreme Court by attorney Kevin Burke of Gross Shuman PC.
Kubek started working at Great Lakes in May 2018 but his position was terminated this past January after he admitted he shared confidential company information via email with his brother, the business said in the complaint filed for the case.
Great Lakes provides transportation and logistics solutions and is based out of 4256 Ridge Lea Road in Amherst. One of the company’s co-founders is Scott Martin, who was previously a principal at Sweet Home High School in Amherst prior to when he created Think Tech in 2019.
Kube Logistics, according to its website, assists customers in the same areas as Great Lakes.
In the complaint, Great Lakes said that Kubek, by contract, was required to abide by certain stipulations and fiduciary duties for a period of 12 months following his termination. Among them, Kubek contractually agreed to refrain from soliciting any person or business that had done business with Great Lakes, the complaint said.
Great Lakes said Kubek, however, is using resources he acquired during his employment with the company for Kube Logistics’ financial benefit without Great Lakes Transport’s authorization, the complaint said.
The complaint goes on to say that Kubek’s actions have caused Great Lakes immediate and irreparable harm. The company seeks injunctive relief, as well as lost profits and a permanent restraint from Kubek continuing to operate in the same industry.
Burke said the ordeal has been a disappointing experience for Great Lakes, a company that he said did everything it could to help Kubek succeed in his role.
With the suit, Burke said Great Lakes aims to formally stop to Kubek from continuing to use information that is closely guarded by the company and its other employees.
“It’s not about trying to hurt a (former) employee in a difficult financial time, it’s about protecting the other employees and protecting the company,” the attorney said.
Kubek did not return a request for comment.