A lawsuit has been filed in San Francisco that accuses a former business partner of harassment, invasion of privacy, and interference with business relations. The complaint was filed by Tibor Szabo on December 4, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco against Matthew Protacio.
Tibor Szabo is an art gallery owner in San Francisco who alleges that since October 2023, his former business partner, Matthew Protacio, has engaged in a campaign of harassment and intimidation. Szabo claims that Protacio violated a restraining order issued against him by coming within two yards of Szabo at a courthouse and later appearing near his gallery to provoke him. Szabo asserts that these actions have caused significant emotional distress and disrupted his business operations. Furthermore, Szabo accuses Protacio and his attorney Marc Musante of illegally recording him without consent as part of their efforts to undermine his business.
The lawsuit details multiple causes of action including harassment under California Code CCP 527.6, intentional interference with prospective business relations under Business and Professions Code §17200 et seq., and invasion of privacy under Code 1708.8. Szabo seeks statutory, compensatory, and punitive damages for the alleged unlawful acts committed by Protacio. He also requests injunctive relief to prevent further violations by the defendant.
Szabo is representing himself in this case (in pro per) and is seeking various forms of relief from the court including financial compensation for lost earnings and damages for emotional distress. The case has been assigned Case No.: C60-24-620285 with Judge Maria Evangelista presiding over the matter.