CDM Media accuses former vice president of violating non-compete agreement

An area marketing and media services company is suing one of its former vice presidents for allegedly violating a non-compete agreement.

CDM Media USA Inc. filed a lawsuit Oct. 1 in the Cook County Circuit Court against Robert Simms, alleging breach of contract.

According to the complaint, Simms signed a non-compete agreement and was given access to vendor and client lists in his employment as a vice president for CDM from 2009 until July 18, when he resigned.

The company alleges Simms was then found to be working with a major client of CDM's and to have approached other clients, and when CDM confronted him, he refused to give up access to a private online community that CDM created and held access to clients.

Simms, according to the suit, even took steps to block CDM employees from accessing the group. Simms is accused of breach of contract, violating the Illinois Trade Secrets Act and common law misappropriation.

CDM is seeking a restraining order to prevent Simms from using the confidential data or compensatory damages plus interest. It is being represented in the case by attorneys Patrick M. Hincks and Desmond Curran of Sullivan Hincks & Conway in Oak Brook.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 2014CH15903.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Cook County Circuit Court. 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.