Knoxville, TN asked in Business Law and Criminal Law for Tennessee

Q: Should I file a police report to have charges pressed against my former business partners for fraud/theft?

In 2020, I joined a couple opening a business for a 25% share of the company. Since that decision I was working full time on the business putting in 80 hours a week average. My business partners told me their capital investment was through spending money on the business out of their personal accounts and for me to do the same. The last day of August they changed all the passwords to every business account and emailed me that I was no longer a part of the business and not allowed on site. Since then I had a civil lawyer try to reach a settlement. We had a contract but they've claimed the contract isn't valid and I was not an owner. As an owner I need to be bought out, but even if we follow their claim that I'm not, then I need my investment refunded and my labor and intellectual property compensated. They have refused to pay anything. I'm out thousands of dollars and months of labor. A witness came forward to me that this was planned. Is this a criminal matter that can be investigated?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Frank J. Steiner
Frank J. Steiner
Answered
  • Nashville, TN
  • Licensed in Tennessee

A: Yes, but better to sue them for fraud and go for civil damages.

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