Michael McDevitt Baltimore, a DC-based lawyer and investor, is facing a lawsuit for racketeering and fraud filed by Tessemae’s LLC, a natural salad dressing company. 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. Additionally, the lawsuit charges McDevitt with committing multiple acts of wire fraud by sending false emails and documents to investors and creditors of Tessemae’s.
Tessemae’s LLC is a company that produces natural salad dressings and condiments. 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 has grown its product line and distribution around the globe, with a motto of “Simplify Food, Amplify Life”. The company is also a proud partner of Dr. Axe Keto Diet, offering many delicious products that are keto-approved. The company is based in Essex, Maryland, and has a loyal customer base that appreciates its natural and healthy products.
The lawsuit against McDevitt and his co-defendants will probably 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.
The lawsuit between McDevitt and his co-defendants and Tessemae’s LLC is one of this year’s most high-profile cases in Maryland. If you want to read more about Michael McDevitt and Lawsuit, go here. It involves allegations of fraud, racketeering, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, negligence-legal malpractice, and RICO violations. Racketeering activity connected to an enterprise is targeted by RICO violations, which are federal crimes. Racketeering activity includes 35 offenses, such as murder, kidnapping, drug dealing, bribery, mail and wire fraud.
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. RICO was originally passed in 1970 to prosecute the Mafia, but has since been used for other crimes as well. RICO violations can be alleged for criminal charges or civil lawsuit cases.
By sending false emails and documents to Tessemae’s investors and creditors, Michael McDevitt and Defendents engaged in multiple acts of wire fraud, Tessemae’s LLC alleges. Using electronic communication to obtain money or property by deception is a crime that is wire fraud. One of the predicate offenses for RICO violations is wire fraud.
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