$6.8 Million Jury Verdict For LinTech Global, Inc. in Federal Contracting Ethics Case

After a six-year legal battle and a ten-day jury trial in federal court, Cronkhite Counsel PLLC secured a $6.8 million verdict on behalf of its client, LinTech Global, Inc., a leading federal contractor providing information technology services to the federal government. The unanimous jury verdict found in favor of LinTech - and against a former senior LinTech manager and her competing company - on LinTech’s claims of breach of duty of loyalty and tortious interference with business relationship.

The anticipated final judgment is over $8.5 million after adding interest.

LinTech’s case centered on a LinTech project manager who, while employed with LinTech and still managing LinTech’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) IT project, used her own subcontractor company to secretly bid against LinTech for the contract renewal. Despite assuring LinTech that LinTech would continue to perform on the FAA project, the defendant manager worked behind the scenes to ensure that her own company would obtain the FAA IT project instead of LinTech. To do so, the defendant manager orchestrated a scheme that involved concealing critical information from LinTech, misleading LinTech, deleting thousands of company emails, and wiping LinTech-owned laptops.

“This jury’s verdict underscores the importance of integrity, fair play, and accountability in the workplace and in business. While Michigan law allows employees to prepare for future competition, actively competing against an employer or concealing material conflicts violates fundamental legal and ethical standards,” said R.J. Cronkhite, Founder and Principal Attorney at Cronkhite Counsel PLLC.

The jury awarded the lion’s share of the $6.8 million in damages based on defendants’ tortious interference, concluding that defendants had improperly and unethically interfered with LinTech’s business relationship with the FAA. The jury also concluded that the defendant manager had breached her duty of loyalty to LinTech by actively and secretly competing against LinTech while still employed with LinTech and managing the FAA project for LinTech.

Cronkhite continued, “This verdict is not only a financial victory but also a moral reminder to those engaged in business: the jury’s decision reaffirms the necessity of trustworthiness, honesty, and ethics. The decision also sends a clear message that federal contractors need not accept unethical competition as business as usual. Rather than passively accept the loss of business, companies should strategically assess and pursue their legal options when they suspect improper or unfair conduct, whether from employees or competitors.”

Cronkhite Counsel PLLC is a leader in trial work involving business torts and employment issues, providing forward-thinking litigation and risk management strategies to clients across industries. The firm’s core practice areas include competition law, employment law, and workforce management. Cronkhite Counsel represents clients in complex trial matters involving business torts, trade secret misappropriation, customer diversion, unfair competition, intellectual property infringement, and employment claims.For more information or to contact an attorney, visit www.cronkhitelaw.com or call 248-309-8601.