FRESNO – An agricultural commodities broker based in Fresno County alleges an unknown entity has contacted its customers with fraudulent banking information.
Valley Pride AG Co. Inc. filed a complaint on June 16 in the Fresno County Superior Court against John Does 1-50 alleging fraud, intentional interference with economic relations and misappropriation of trade secrets.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that in May, at least three of its customers were sent an email with its logo stating that its bank information had changed. The plaintiff alleges that customers directed payments to this fraudulent account and caused the plaintiff to lose time and expenses trying to recover the misdirected payments. It alleges it has suffered harm to its reputation and its customer relationships.
The plaintiff holds John Does 1-50 responsible because the defendants allegedly falsely and intentionally misrepresented plaintiff's banking information and sent to plaintiff's customers.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensatory and punitive damages, prejudgment interest, attorneys’ fees and costs and such other and further relief. It is represented by Kurt F. Vote and Steven K. Vote of Wagner Jones Helsley PC in Fresno.
Fresno County Superior Court case number 17CECG02054