New Jersey-based Blue Sea Products, LLC said on Wednesday that Mar-Lees Seafood of New Bedford, Mass., had voluntarily dismissed the federal lawsuit it had brought against it and its CEO, Thomas Jacob, last year. Meanwhile, Mar-Lees may still pursue the case at the state level.
The suit alleging a racketeering and kickback scheme, pending since 25 October 25, 2013, arose out of the sale of Mar-Lees by its co-founder, John Lees, to Lithuanian businessman Julius Numavicius.
Mar-Lees asserted claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act, known as RICO. The case paralleled a state court action, in which neither Blue Sea or its CEO were named as parties.
Jacob, who contested the allegations from the beginning, told SeafoodSource today that the suit was “meritless,” and issued a press statement that claimed the legal action stemmed from “buyer’s remorse.”
“We advised Mar-Lees from the beginning that their case was baseless, both legally and factually, but they refused to withdraw it,” Thomas said.
Following a confidential arbitration award in the state court case, and another letter — this time from John Lees’ counsel — advising Mar-Lees again that its federal lawsuit was completely baseless, Mar-Lees dismissed the case.
“Both myself and the company are very pleased that the case is over and, by implication, that Mar-Lees has acknowledged that there was no basis for its claims,” added Thomas.
“We believe that the judicial process worked here and are grateful that both Blue Sea and Mr. Jacob have been completely vindicated,” added Blue Sea and Jacobs’ counsel, A. Ross Pearlson of the New Jersey law firm of Wolff & Samson PC.
Gregg Perry, president of public relations firm The Perry Group in Providence, R.I., which is representing Mar-Lees, said that the company has not waived its ability to refile the claim in the future.
"Meanwhile, we focus on further discovery and
