Homeowner Helper suing ex-employee for breach of contract

A company is suing a former employee, claiming he violated provisions of their employment agreement.

Homeowner Helper Inc. filed a lawsuit Dec. 4 in the Cook County Circuit Court against Daniel Cicchelli, citing breach of employment agreement, breach of duty of loyalty and tortious interference with prospective economic advantage.

According to the complaint, Homeowner Helper hired Cicchelli on Dec. 19, 2012 to perform general contractor handyman type services, including installation of heating and air conditioning equipment.

An employment agreement stated that the employee agreed not to do any side jobs in the HVAC area or any other area of work for any customer of Homeowner Helper, agreed to inform management if he was solicited by any customer and agreed to a two-year covenant not to compete in Cook, Will and DuPage counties, according to the suit.

The company claims that on Sept. 22, it received a complaint from a customer stating Cicchelli had approached her to do a side job while he was at the residence as an employee of Homeowner Helper.

The suit alleges that Cicchelli accepted the customer's money, but allegedly refused to perform the services for the customer.

Homeowner Helper Inc. is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus punitive damages. It is being represented in the case by attorneys from Ayres Law Offices Ltd.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2013L013755.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.