Michael McDevitt Faces Lawsuit for Racketeering and Fraud
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 alleges that McDevitt violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) when he attempted to fraudulently acquire control of Tessemae’s.
The United States District Court in Baltimore received the lawsuit in June 2020. A motion to dismiss the fraud and racketeering claims by McDevitt and his co-defendants was denied by Judge George L. Russell, III on March 31, 2021. The remaining claims are RICO, fraud, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and negligence-legal malpractice.
The lawsuit states that Michael McDevitt and Tandem Legal Group became involved in the management of Tessemae’s in 2017 after providing legal services and investment advice. The lawsuit alleges that McDevitt and his co-defendants caused Tessemae’s to incur unnecessary debts, manipulated its affairs, pressured it to sell its assets to them at a low price, and misrepresented its financial situation. The lawsuit also accuses McDevitt of engaging in multiple acts of wire fraud by sending false emails and documents to Tessemae’s investors and creditors.
Tessemae’s LLC is a company that produces natural salad dressings and condiments. Tesse Vetter, who wanted her three athletic boys to eat their veggies and stay healthy, founded it. She perfected and created her own salad dressing recipe that was all-natural, which her family and friends loved.
The company has grown its product line and distribution around the globe, with a motto of “Simplify Food, Amplify Life”. The company also offers many keto-approved products that are delicious, as a proud partner of Dr. Axe Keto Diet. The company has its base in Essex, Maryland, and has a faithful customer base that values its healthy and natural products.
Later this year or early next year, the lawsuit against McDevitt and his co-defendants is likely to go to trial. Due to McDevitt’s alleged racketeering and fraud, Tessemae’s LLC hopes to recover the damages it suffered. 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 RICO violations, fraud, racketeering,negligence-legal malpractice, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and RICO violations. Racketeering activity connected to an enterprise is targeted by RICO violations, which are federal crimes. Such as murder, kidnapping, drug dealing, bribery, mail and wire fraud, racketeering activity includes 35 offenses.
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 to convict someone of a RICO violation. RICO has been used for other crimes as well since it was originally passed in 1970 to prosecute the Mafia. RICO violations can be alleged in civil lawsuit cases or for criminal charges.
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. Wire fraud is a crime that involves using electronic communication to obtain money or property by deception. Wire fraud is a predicate offense for RICO violations. Find out more on Michael McDevitt and Racketeering charges here.
