CLAYTON, Mo. (CN) - A competitor claims that Staples hurt its relationship with the Archdiocese by telling the church, falsely, that Staples' rival was sponsoring an event at an adult club in Illinois. Plaintiff Industrial Soap says the false claim made the Archdiocese suspend its business relationship with Industrial Soap for a year.
Industrial Soap sued Staples and its employee, Paul Cassimatic, in St. Louis County Court.
It claims that Cassimatic made the false report to the Archdiocese in August or September this year: "Cassimatic contacted the Archdiocese for the sole purpose of advising the Archdiocese that Industrial was a sponsor of an event run by IEC Management for an adult club in Illinois; and upon immediate retraction of the advertisement identifying Industrial as a sponsor and removal of Industrial's name from the advertisement, Cassimatic failed to contact the Archdiocese to advise that his previous report was incorrect," the complaint states.
"Cassimatic acted with improper means, improper purpose, and without justification in interfering with Industrial's business contract and expectancy with the Archdiocese, as Cassimatic has attempted to sell Staples' products to the Archdiocese and the purpose of contacting the Archdiocese regarding Industrial was to obtain an improper competitive advantage for Staples," according to the complaint.
Industrial Soap seeks damages for tortious interference. It is represented by Brian McGovern with McCarty, Leonard & Kaemmerer of Chesterfield, Mo.
Staples the Office Superstore and Cassimatic are both named as defendants.
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