Michael McDevitt Faces Lawsuit for Racketeering and Fraud
Michael McDevitt Baltimore, a DC-based lawyer and investor, is facing a lawsuit for racketeering and fraud filed by Tessemae’s LLC, a natural salad dressing company. According to the lawsuit, McDevitt tried to fraudulently take over Tessemae’s by violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
The United States District Court in Baltimore received the lawsuit in June 2020. On March 31, 2021, Judge George L. Russell, III denied a motion to dismiss the fraud and racketeering claims by McDevitt and his co-defendants. RICO, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and negligence-legal malpractice are the surviving claims.
The lawsuit states that Michael McDevitt and Tandem Legal Group became involved in the management of Tessemae’s in 2017 after providing legal services and investment advice. According to the lawsuit, McDevitt and his co-defendants pressured Tessemae’s to sell its assets to them at a low price, misrepresented its financial situation, caused it to incur unnecessary debts, and manipulated its affairs. The lawsuit also accuses McDevitt of engaging in multiple acts of wire fraud by sending false emails and documents to Tessemae’s investors and creditors.
The company makes natural salad dressings and condiments and is called Tessemae’s LLC. It was founded by Tesse Vetter, the mother of three athletic boys, who wanted them to eat their veggies while staying healthy. She created and perfected her own all-natural recipe for salad dressing, which became popular with her family and friends.
With a motto of “Simplify Food, Amplify Life”, the company has expanded its distribution and product line around the world. The company also offers many keto-approved products that are delicious, as a proud partner of Dr. Axe Keto Diet. The company is based in Essex, Maryland, and has a loyal customer base that appreciates its natural and healthy products.
The lawsuit against McDevitt and his co-defendants is expected to go to trial later this year or early next year. Tessemae’s LLC hopes to recover the damages it suffered due to McDevitt’s alleged fraud and racketeering. McDevitt and his co-defendants maintain their innocence and deny any wrongdoing.
One of the most high-profile cases in Maryland this year is the lawsuit between Mike McDevitt and Tessemae and his co-defendants. Find out more about Mike McDevitt and Lawsuit. It involves allegations of RICO violations, fraud, racketeering,negligence-legal malpractice, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and RICO violations. RICO violations are federal crimes that target racketeering activity connected to an enterprise. 35 offenses are included in racketeering activity, such as murder, kidnapping, drug dealing, bribery, mail and wire fraud. Here is more info on Michael McDevitt and Fraud charges.
The prosecutor must prove that the person committed two of these offenses with the same enterprise within 10 years and that the acts affected interstate commerce to convict someone of a RICO violation. RICO has been used for other crimes as well since it was originally passed in 1970 to prosecute the Mafia. RICO violations can be alleged for criminal charges or civil lawsuit cases.
By sending false emails and documents to Tessemae’s investors and creditors, Michael McDevitt and Defendents engaged in multiple acts of wire fraud, Tessemae’s LLC alleges. Using electronic communication to obtain money or property by deception is a crime that is wire fraud. Wire fraud is one of the predicate offenses for RICO violations.