Full text
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
Alexandria Division
)
BLUE FLAME MEDICAL LLC,
)
)
Plaintiff,
)
)
v.
)
Civil Action No. _____________
)
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
CHAIN BRIDGE BANK, N.A.,
)
JOHN J. BROUGH, and
)
DAVID M. EVINGER,
)
)
Defendants.
)
)
COMPLAINT
Plaintiff Blue Flame Medical LLC (“Blue Flame”), by and through undersigned
counsel, for its Complaint against Defendants Chain Bridge Bank, N.A. (“Chain Bridge Bank” or
the “Bank”), John J. Brough, and David M. Evinger (together, “Defendants”), hereby alleges on
the basis of knowledge with respect to itself and its own actions and on the basis of information
and belief as to all other matters, as follows:
INTRODUCTION
1.
Blue Flame brings this action to redress the massive harm caused to its business
and to the reputations of Blue Flame and its principals, Michael Gula and John Thomas, by
Defendants.
2.
Defendants’ unilateral and wrongful actions caused the State of California
(“California”) to abruptly breach a large supply contract with Blue Flame that would have put at
least 100 million pieces of scarce and vital personal protective equipment in the hands of first
responders, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
20 Civ 658
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 1 of 35 PageID# 1
2
3.
Despite providing numerous explicit assurances to Blue Flame in the days leading
up to the transaction that the Bank could and would process the anticipated very large payment
(in excess of $450 million) by wire transfer from California for such equipment, as well as
confirming to Blue Flame that it had in fact received such funds and that they were available in
Blue Flame’s account, Defendants abruptly and without basis contacted California government
officials after receiving the funds for the transaction and wrongfully suggested to them that Blue
Flame was a fraud. As a result of Defendants’ intentional, reckless, and negligent conduct,
California panicked, the payment was reversed or otherwise returned to California, and Blue
Flame’s transaction with California was torpedoed.
4.
Defendants’ actions violated, among other laws, Federal Reserve Board
regulations that strictly control whether, when, and under what circumstances a bank may agree
to return or cancel a wire transfer it receives for a beneficiary account holder. Defendants also
violated Virginia law by removing the funds wired by California from Blue Flame’s account
after the wire transfer was completed. In addition, Defendants violated the terms of the Bank’s
Account Agreement with Blue Flame, which the Bank unilaterally “voided” shortly after its
wrongful accusations of fraud against Blue Flame to California officials.
5.
In addition to causing California to breach its contract and cease doing business
with Blue Flame, Defendants’ wrongful actions have led to a torrent of negative press reports
falsely suggesting that Blue Flame’s business is a fraud, causing other Blue Flame customers to
walk away from transactions and resulting in great harm to Blue Flame’s business and the
personal and professional reputations of Blue Flame and its principals.
6.
In interfering with Blue Flame’s business, Defendants betrayed Blue Flame’s and
its principals’ trust, which had been built through a 13-year professional relationship between the
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 2 of 35 PageID# 2
3
Bank and Blue Flame’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gula. Upon information and belief,
Defendants’ actions had nothing to do with Blue Flame’s or the transaction’s legitimacy; indeed,
the Bank continues to do business with Mr. Gula. Instead, Defendants chose to interfere with
Blue Flame’s transaction for purely self-serving reasons. Among other things, Defendants
evidently decided at the last minute that it would not be in the Bank’s economic interest to
handle such a large deposit—a decision directly at odds with specific assurances made by Mr.
Brough and Mr. Evinger to Blue Flame that the Bank could and would process the transaction,
upon which Blue Flame relied to its detriment.
7.
The ramifications of Defendants’ misconduct cannot be overstated. Not only has
Defendants’ selfish conduct significantly harmed Blue Flame’s business and the reputations of
Blue Flame and its principals, but their wrongful actions also have deprived the residents of
California and other states and municipalities rapid access to reliable and badly needed medical
supplies at fair market prices in the midst of an unprecedented public health crisis.
PARTIES
8.
Blue Flame is a Delaware limited liability corporation with a principal place of
business located at 150 South Los Robles Avenue, Suite 675, Pasadena, California, 91101.
9.
Chain Bridge Bank is a nationally chartered banking association organized and
existing under federal law with a principal place of business located at 1445A Laughlin Avenue,
McLean, Virginia, 22011. It is the sole subsidiary of Chain Bridge Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding
corporation incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia with the same
principal place of business as Chain Bridge Bank.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 3 of 35 PageID# 3
4
10.
John J. Brough is the founding Chief Executive Officer of the Bank and a member
of the Bank’s Board of Directors. Upon information and belief, Mr. Brough resides in Fairfax
County, Virginia, at 4103 North River Street, Apartment T, McLean, Virginia 22101.
11.
David M. Evinger is the President, Chief Credit Officer, and Secretary of the
Bank, as well as a member of the Bank’s Board of Directors. Upon information and belief, Mr.
Evinger resides in Fairfax County, Virginia, at 2898 Franklin Oaks Drive, Herndon, Virginia
20171.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
12.
The Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331 because
it presents a federal question concerning the Bank’s violation of applicable Federal Reserve
Board regulations, including Federal Reserve Board Regulation J.
13.
The Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendants because the Bank’s principal
place of business, as well as Mr. Brough and Mr. Evinger’s principal place of employment, is
located in Fairfax County, Virginia.
14.
Venue is proper in this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1931(b)(2) because
Defendants’ acts giving rise to this action occurred in Fairfax County, Virginia.
FACTS
15.
Blue Flame is a medical supply company that was founded to deliver urgently-
needed medical supplies and personal protective equipment at fair prices to state and local
governments, law enforcement agencies, hospitals, and other healthcare providers to combat the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 4 of 35 PageID# 4
5
16.
Blue Flame’s ability to source these medical supplies during this period of
unprecedented worldwide demand is based on its strong relationships with manufacturers and
large volume purchasing power.
17.
In order to secure inventory for its customers during the pandemic, Blue Flame
must pay a high percentage of the manufacturer’s prices up front; in March 2020, Blue Flame’s
manufacturing partners required 100 percent up-front payment. Accordingly, Blue Flame
necessarily requires its customers to pay substantial up-front deposits at the time of their orders.
Upon information and belief, Blue Flame’s up-front deposit requirements are consistent with
standard industry practice.
18.
Because of the intense competition to secure these medical supplies and the
emergency nature of the pandemic, time is of the essence for all aspects of Blue Flame’s
business; the quicker it can secure a purchase and payment from its customer, the quicker it can
secure inventory from manufacturers to ensure that its customers receive their orders as soon as
possible.
19.
On March 20, 2020, Blue Flame’s principals began negotiating a large and urgent
agreement with California officials to supply personal protective equipment, including hundreds
of millions of desperately needed N95 face masks, at fair market prices.
20.
At the time those negotiations began, Blue Flame’s principals had entered
agreements to connect distributors of personal protective equipment with states and
municipalities through a different company they managed, known as Blue Flame Strategies.
21.
The potential transaction with California presented a new opportunity for Blue
Flame’s principals to create a venture that could serve as a distributor of personal protective
equipment and provide the lowest prices possible.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 5 of 35 PageID# 5
6
22.
Blue Flame’s principals recently began their careers in the medical supply
industry, but they each have had distinguished, award-winning careers in the political consulting
industry and helmed numerous successful business ventures. Mr. Gula has founded or co-
founded numerous political consulting firms over his career, including Mike Gula & Associates
in 2005, the Gula Graham Group in 2006, and Prime Advocacy in 2010. The Gula Graham
Group grew to become one of the country’s largest political fundraising firms, raising hundreds
of millions of dollars for candidates for the United States Presidency, Senate, and House of
Representatives. Following the death of his business partner, Jonathan Graham, in 2018, Mr.
Gula was eager to transition to a less public and more fulfilling career outside of politics. Mr.
Thomas founded the political consulting and communications firm Thomas Partners Strategies in
2008 and the opinion research firm Thomas Partners Research in 2018. In addition, he has prior
experience with the healthcare sector, in which his firm Thomas Partners Properties has helped
develop real estate solutions for commercial healthcare providers designed to lower healthcare
costs. Mr. Thomas joined Blue Flame because he shared Mr. Gula’s goal of trying to get life-
saving personal protective equipment into the hands of American first responders and healthcare
professionals as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. Blue Flame Strategies and Blue Flame
were both founded for that purpose.
23.
On March 23, Blue Flame’s principals incorporated Blue Flame in the State of
Delaware to enter the potential transaction with California, and they planned for Blue Flame to
enter additional follow-on transactions with California as well as deals with other state and local
governments.
24.
Since its formation, Blue Flame has successfully filled orders for personal
protective equipment for government entities, including its recent delivery of 100,000 N95
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 6 of 35 PageID# 6
7
masks to the City of Chicago for use by its first responders, for which the buyer provided a 100
percent up-front payment to Blue Flame.
25.
As of March 24, Blue Flame and California officials were deep in negotiations for
a purchase of 100 million N95 masks by California for a total of $609,161,000, for which Blue
Flame required a 75 percent up-front deposit of approximately $456 million. Upon information
and belief, the price per N95 mask offered by Blue Flame was less than half of what California
had agreed to pay other suppliers.
26.
In anticipation of reaching an agreement with California, Blue Flame contacted
the Bank to open a new business checking account for the entity that could receive up-front
payments in excess of hundreds of millions of dollars, in order to secure orders for California
and other customers.
27.
Mr. Gula chose Chain Bridge Bank for Blue Flame’s corporate account because
of his longstanding relationship with the Bank dating back to at least 2007. Over the course of
13 years, Mr. Gula had used the Bank for his personal and professional banking needs, and had
used the Bank for several business ventures related to his career in political consulting, as well as
Blue Flame Strategies.
28.
Chain Bridge Bank is well known in the political consulting and campaign
finance worlds for its ability to open accounts and accept multi-million dollar deposits quickly
from major financial donors. For that reason, it has served as the bank for numerous presidential
and congressional campaigns, and is a major banking partner of the Republican National
Committee and National Republican Congressional Committee, among other political
organizations.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 7 of 35 PageID# 7
8
29.
On March 24 at 12:17 PM ET, while Blue Flame was in the process of setting up
its account with the Bank, Mr. Gula wrote to Maria Cole, the Bank’s Assistant Vice President
and Commercial Relationship Manager, and requested the Bank to provide wire instructions that
would permit Blue Flame to receive funds at the Bank as soon as its account was opened and its
deal with California was finalized.
30.
The next day, March 25, Blue Flame completed opening its business checking
account at the Bank and entered an Account Agreement with the Bank.
31.
In connection with opening its account, Blue Flame engaged in extensive
additional discussions with Bank personnel, including Mr. Brough and Mr. Evinger, on March
25 about Blue Flame’s business, its transaction with California, the anticipated wire transfer
from California, and Blue Flame’s need to frequently send and receive large wire transfers in
connection with its sales to customers and corresponding purchases from manufacturers.
32.
At 11:19 AM ET on March 25, Mr. Gula notified Ms. Cole that Blue Flame
would require an immediate email notification “when the wire hits from [California].”
33.
At 11:26 AM ET, Mr. Gula asked Ms. Cole if the Bank could reduce its wire
transfer fees, noting that such fees “will add up” for Blue Flame because “[t]his business is
strictly wire . . . how can we work a deal here when we will have such large volume of funds and
frequency?” After Ms. Cole responded that the Bank unfortunately could not reduce its wire fees
and noted there were less expensive options that could not be completed the same day, Mr. Gula
responded, “no problem. We definitely needs [sic] same day.” Mr. Gula added that Blue Flame
would “[n]eed cut off dates/times every day as well” for the Bank’s wire transfer services.
34.
At 11:57 AM ET, the Bank sent Blue Flame an email attaching various
documents “pertaining to the new business checking account that was opened for Blue Flame
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 8 of 35 PageID# 8
9
Medical LLC” to officially execute via the DocuSign electronic signature platform. Mr. Gula
formally executed the Account Agreement for Blue Flame’s business checking account with the
Bank shortly thereafter on the afternoon of March 25.
35.
At 3:03 PM ET, in response to Mr. Gula’s email stating that Blue Flame would
need an immediate email notification upon receipt of the wire from California, Ms. Cole sent Mr.
Gula wire instructions and a verification letter for Blue Flame’s account at the Bank.
36.
At 4:11 PM ET, Ms. Cole asked Mr. Gula to confirm details regarding the
expected wire so that the Bank’s wire department could track it as Mr. Gula had requested. Ms.
Cole asked, “[t]he wire you are waiting for, how much are you expecting and who is the
originator?” Ms. Cole also requested confirmation that the wire was “coming to your new
account Blue Flame Medical,” rather than the account for Blue Flame Strategies.
37.
One minute later, Mr. Gula responded that the expected amount was $450 million,
the originator was California, and that the wire was for Blue Flame Medical’s account.
38.
At or around 4:47 PM ET, Mr. Brough and Mr. Evinger—the Bank’s senior
executive officers—called Mr. Gula to discuss the anticipated transaction and Blue Flame’s
business.
39.
During that call, Mr. Gula provided extensive information concerning Blue
Flame’s business, including how it sources medical supplies for its customers, and details
concerning the anticipated transaction with California. Mr. Gula reiterated to Mr. Brough and
Mr. Evinger that Blue Flame expected to receive a wire transfer of approximately $450 million,
and explained that Blue Flame would immediately begin using those funds to secure the supplies
from two manufacturers with whom Blue Flame’s principals had longstanding relationships. Mr.
Gula also informed the Bank that all of Blue Flame’s outbound wire transfers to its
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 9 of 35 PageID# 9
10
manufacturers would be sent to United States accounts, including for the manufacturers of the
masks to be sold to California, whose accounts were held at banks in the states of New Jersey
and California.
40.
Mr. Gula also explained to Mr. Brough and Mr. Evinger that Blue Flame
anticipated receiving additional orders from state and local governments following the upcoming
transaction with California, including additional purchases of equipment by California.
41.
Finally, Mr. Gula also informed Mr. Brough and Mr. Evinger why he and Mr.
Thomas chose to found Blue Flame, that Mr. Gula had been looking to change careers following
the death of Mr. Graham, and that Mr. Gula planned to shut down his successful Gula Graham
Group business and exit the world of politics effective as soon as the transaction with
California—the culmination of their efforts to change their careers and lives—was underway.
42.
In response, Mr. Brough and Mr. Evinger indicated to Mr. Gula that the Bank
would accept the wire transfer for Blue Flame’s account.
43.
During the course of their conversation, Mr. Brough and Mr. Evinger noted that
receipt of a wire transfer of that size presented some challenges for the Bank because it would
constitute a large percentage of the Bank’s total deposits and that it would be in excess of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s coverage limits, but that those were issues the Bank
could resolve.
44.
After approximately 19 minutes, Mr. Gula’s call with Mr. Brough and Mr.
Evinger concluded.
45.
At no point during the March 25 call, or at any other point before or after, did Mr.
Brough, Mr. Evinger, or any other Bank representative discourage the transaction or raise any
concerns that they believed the transaction might be fraudulent or otherwise suspicious. Nor did
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 10 of 35 PageID# 10
11
they ever indicate to Blue Flame that the Bank was unable to handle the wire transfer from
California, that it might reject or did not wish to receive the wire transfer, or that the Bank could
not accept the wire transfer unless certain prerequisites were met.
46.
Based on Mr. Gula’s conversation with Mr. Brough and Mr. Evinger, Blue Flame
felt comfortable that the Bank would accept the wire transfer from California and that Blue
Flame therefore did not need to seek services from a different bank in order to accept
California’s wire transfer and otherwise complete the transaction.
47.
Blue Flame relied upon the representations by Mr. Brough, Mr. Evinger, and
other Bank representatives that the Bank could and would accept a wire transfer of the size that
California would send and that they were sufficiently comfortable with the transfer for the
transaction to proceed.
48.
Later, during the evening of March 25, Mr. Evinger sent Mr. Gula an email
following up on their phone conversation, asking “just one question”: whether Blue Flame sent
“any money to China or others as a ‘fee’ for these transactions?”
49.
Mr. Gula replied moments later that Blue Flame had not sent any funds to China
and stated that when Blue Flame would wire money out, “this is where we are sending it,”
attaching wire instructions that identified the bank account held in the state of California for the
manufacturer that was to provide the majority of the N95 masks for California’s order.
50.
Mr. Gula’s response was consistent with his representations during his
conversation with Mr. Brough and Mr. Evinger earlier that day that Blue Flame would not send
any funds to China or non-United States bank accounts, as well as his description of Blue
Flame’s plans to purchase the majority of the equipment ordered by California from a
manufacturer with a California bank account. His response also was consistent with Blue
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 11 of 35 PageID# 11
12
Flame’s agreement with its manufacturing partner that was to supply the majority of the
equipment ordered by California. Neither Mr. Brough, Mr. Evinger, nor any other representative
from the Bank asked any further questions or indicated at any point that Mr. Gula’s response was
a problem.
51.
At the same time that Blue Flame was making arrangements with the Bank to
ensure that California’s payment would be processed smoothly, Blue Flame was finalizing the
details of its transaction with California officials. Throughout Blue Flame’s negotiations with
California officials, it told representatives of California’s Department of General Services
(“DGS”) and other state officials that Blue Flame needed to receive payment as quickly as
possible to secure the first shipment of N95 masks from its manufacturer.
52.
Following several days of negotiations and discussions between Blue Flame’s
principals and California officials, on the evening of March 24, a representative from DGS
requested that Blue Flame prepare an invoice for California’s order.
53.
At 2:50 PM ET on March 25, at the request of Mr. Thomas, Blue Flame’s counsel
provided wiring instructions for its account at Chain Bridge Bank to a DGS representative.
54.
At 5:00 PM ET on March 25, Blue Flame provided an invoice for the transaction
to a DGS representative, in response to DGS’s request the previous evening.
55.
Shortly after 6:00 PM ET on March 25, Blue Flame was told by a DGS
representative that the California State Controller’s Office would send payment for the
transaction via wire transfer the next morning.
56.
As Mr. Gula had indicated to the Bank on March 25, it was vital for Blue Flame
to know the wire had been accepted as quickly as possible, since—as Blue Flame had explained
to both the Bank and California—Blue Flame would need to immediately wire a portion of the
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 12 of 35 PageID# 12
13
purchase amount to an equipment manufacturer in New Jersey to secure inventory for the first
shipment due to California.
57.
Throughout the morning of March 26, Blue Flame representatives were in
frequent contact with both California officials and the Bank to confirm that the wire transfer was
received by the Bank, and continually updated their online view of Blue Flame’s account at the
Bank to confirm that the wire had been accepted by the Bank.
58.
That morning, Mr. Thomas had numerous telephone conversations with Ms. Cole,
waiting for confirmation that the wire had been received. At no point that morning did Ms. Cole
or any other bank representative indicate that there would be any problems with receiving the
wire.
59.
Upon information and belief, at approximately 11:20 AM ET on March 26,
California’s bank executed the wire transfer to the Bank for Blue Flame’s account. Immediately
thereafter, the State Treasurer’s Office contacted California’s bank to ensure the wire was
processed quickly.
60.
At approximately 11:50 AM ET on March 26, the California State Controller
confirmed to Mr. Thomas that California had sent the wire transfer and that California was
awaiting confirmation from the Bank.
61.
At 11:57 AM ET on March 26, the Bank issued a Wire Transfer Notice that it had
received an incoming wire transfer of $456,888,600.00 that was sent by California. The Notice
identifies the Originator as the California State Treasurer, JPMorgan Chase as the Originating
Bank, Blue Flame as the Beneficiary, with Blue Flame’s account at the Bank listed as the Credit
Account, and included a message to the Beneficiary: “By Order of Department of General
Services.” Approximately two minutes later, Mr. Gula received an email from the Bank’s Wire
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 13 of 35 PageID# 13
14
Department with the subject “INCOMING WIRE CONFIRMATION,” containing a link to a
copy of the Wire Transfer Notice. Immediately upon receipt of that email, Mr. Gula confirmed
that the funds sent by California appeared in Blue Flame’s account at the Bank through the
Bank’s online account access portal.
62.
Simultaneously, at approximately 11:59 AM ET on March 26, Ms. Cole
confirmed to Mr. Thomas by phone that the Bank had received the wire transfer sent by
California and that the funds were available in Blue Flame’s account. At that point, the Bank
had accepted the payment order for California’s wire transfer and had made payment to Blue
Flame as a matter of Federal law.
63.
During the course of their conversation, Mr. Thomas reiterated to Ms. Cole that
Blue Flame would need to promptly wire funds to manufacturers of personal protective
equipment that same day in order to start in motion the delivery of inventory to California. Ms.
Cole responded that she understood and, following her confirmation that the funds were
available in Blue Flame’s account, noted that Blue Flame’s account did not yet have electronic
wire initiation functionality. As a result, Ms. Cole informed Mr. Thomas that the Bank would
require some paperwork to initiate the wire and said that she would need to hang up so that she
could get the paperwork started. Mr. Thomas agreed and awaited Ms. Cole’s return call.
64.
At 12:11 PM ET, Ms. Cole emailed the Bank’s wire transfer request form to Blue
Flame, following up on her conversation with Mr. Thomas. Ms. Cole requested that the wire
form be sent back to her once completed.
65.
At 12:14 PM ET, as further follow up to Mr. Thomas and Ms. Cole’s discussion
regarding the need for an outbound wire transfer, Blue Flame’s counsel provided details to Ms.
Cole specifying the amount, account name and number, wire routing number, and bank for the
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 14 of 35 PageID# 14
15
outbound wire transfer that Blue Flame needed to send to one of the manufacturers providing the
personal protective equipment purchased by California. Consistent with Blue Flame’s prior
representations to the Bank, the account for the manufacturer which was to receive the wire was
held at a major international commercial bank in New Jersey.
66.
At approximately 12:20 PM ET, in reliance on the Bank’s representations that it
could and would accept the wire from California, that the wire from California had been
received, and that the funds were available in Blue Flame’s account, Mr. Gula emailed all clients
of the Gula Graham Group. Mr. Gula announced that he had built another business outside
politics and would be no longer be reachable because he was focusing his full attention on those
efforts, and wished his former clients the best of luck in politics and life. In addition to Mr.
Gula’s desire to immediately transition his career and devote his full attention to Blue Flame,
which he had explained to Mr. Brough and Mr. Evinger during their discussion the previous day,
Mr. Gula believed that immediately disengaging from politics was the most appropriate and
ethical choice given his obligations to the state of California and Blue Flame’s other clients, as
well as the public nature of those contracts.
67.
Upon information and belief, at approximately 1:20 PM ET, a manager at
California’s bank emailed a manager in the State Treasurer’s Office to inform her that the wire
transfer had been completed.
68.
Minutes thereafter, Mr. Gula discovered that he was no longer able to
electronically access Blue Flame’s account and repeatedly attempted to call representatives of
the Bank, but they did not answer. Mr. Gula informed Mr. Thomas of those developments; Mr.
Thomas then immediately tried to call back Ms. Cole, who also would not answer her phone.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 15 of 35 PageID# 15
16
69.
At 1:34 PM ET on March 26, Mr. Gula emailed Mr. Brough and Mr. Evinger,
requesting that “someone call me ASAP please.”
70.
Neither Mr. Brough nor Mr. Evinger called Mr. Gula. Instead, approximately 20
minutes later, Mr. Brough emailed Mr. Gula, stating: “We received official notice from the
sending bank to return the wire. Please resolve directly with the state of California.”
71.
At 3:36 PM ET on March 26, a Bank representative emailed Mr. Gula a link to
copies of Blue Flame’s Account Agreement and other account opening documentation, stating
that the documents had “been voided for the following reason: account closing.” The link
included copies of Blue Flame’s Account Agreement with the word “VOID” superimposed
across each page. The Bank also closed Blue Flame Strategies’ account, but has not closed Mr.
Gula’s personal accounts or accounts related to Mr. Gula’s other business ventures.
72.
In the weeks since Mr. Brough emailed Mr. Gula indicating that California’s bank
requested the wire to be returned and to “resolve directly with the state of California,” Blue
Flame has learned that, in reality, Chain Bridge Bank was responsible for causing California or
California’s bank to request the funds to be returned.
73.
Upon information and belief, in the minutes following the Bank’s acceptance of
the wire transfer on March 26, Mr. Brough and/or Mr. Evinger contacted the California State
Treasurer’s Office regarding the transaction. According to multiple news reports and public
statements by the California State Treasurer, Fiona Ma, an “executive of the Bank” stated that
the Bank was not comfortable with the transaction and was concerned it was fraudulent because
Blue Flame’s bank account had been opened the previous day by a “political operative.”
74.
Defendants’ actions were intentional, reckless, and negligent. Upon information
and belief, Defendants contacted the California State Treasurer’s Office and asserted that the
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 16 of 35 PageID# 16
17
Bank believed the transaction was fraudulent not due to the discovery of any information
regarding Blue Flame or any inconsistencies in the information provided to the Bank by Blue
Flame, but rather due to the Bank’s independent and unrelated determination that accepting a
wire transfer of that size would not be in the Bank’s economic interest.
75.
As described above, Mr. Brough and Mr. Evinger indicated to Mr. Gula the
previous day that the size of the transaction would present challenges for the Bank given that it
would constitute a substantial percentage of its total deposits and exceed FDIC insurance limits,
though they assured Mr. Gula that those issues would not prevent the Bank from accepting the
wire.
76.
Upon information and belief, notwithstanding Mr. Evinger’s and Mr. Brough’s
assurances to Mr. Gula the day before that the Bank could and would solve the challenges
presented by the size of the wire transfer from California, Blue Flame has since learned that the
wire from California would have increased the Bank’s deposits drastically, which would have
triggered additional capital reserve requirements for the Bank that may have rendered the Bank’s
business relationship with Blue Flame unprofitable. On January 30, 2020, the Bank reported that
its total deposits as of December 31, 2019 totaled approximately $762 million. Accordingly,
upon information and belief, the wire transfer from California would have increased the Bank’s
total deposits by more than 50 percent.
77.
As a result of Defendants’ actions, California officials requested the return of the
funds wired by California.
78.
Upon information and belief, Defendants agreed to the California officials’
request immediately, and the funds wired by California were returned to California’s bank in
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 17 of 35 PageID# 17
18
violation of the Uniform Commercial Code and applicable Federal Reserve regulations as well as
state law and standard banking industry practice.
79.
As a result of Defendants’ actions, California determined it would no longer move
forward with its purchase order and breached its contract with Blue Flame.
80.
Accordingly, Defendants’ wrongful statements to California officials and the
return of the completed wire transfer caused Blue Flame to lose all profits it expected to receive
from the transaction as well as substantial future business opportunities with California and other
governmental entities.
81.
The unraveling of the California transaction has caused enormous harm to Blue
Flame’s business, as well as its reputation and that of its principals. As a result of Defendants’
wrongful actions, governmental law enforcement agencies have commenced investigations
concerning Blue Flame and the transaction. Moreover, reports of the breakdown in the deal
between Blue Flame and California caused Blue Flame to be wrongfully typecast as a price
gouger for critical medical supplies. For example, on April 8, 2020, Katie Porter, the United
States Congressional Representative for the 45th District of California and a member of the
House Financial Services Committee, wrote a letter to the Principal Deputy Inspector General of
the Department of Health and Human Services concerning potential price gouging regarding
personal protective equipment during the COVID pandemic that identified Blue Flame and
suggested it was a “potentially costly and burdensome middleman,” despite the fact that Blue
Flame’s mission is to provide such equipment at the best possible prices and that it offered
California below-market prices at the time of the transaction. Indeed, Representative Porter
stated in her letter than no information was available at the time regarding the pricing under Blue
Flame’s contract with California.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 18 of 35 PageID# 18
19
82.
In early May 2020, multiple news outlets began reporting on the failed transaction
with California, including the reversal of the wire transfer following the initial communication
by Defendants to the California State Treasurer’s Office. Those reports have destroyed the
reputations of Blue Flame and its principals, in the medical community and elsewhere.
83.
As a result of the negative press coverage triggered by Defendants’ actions,
several other governmental customers that had negotiated purchase contracts with Blue Flame
decided to demand their money back or cancel their orders, including a more than $19 million
contract with a state government that was on the verge of execution.
84.
In addition to the harms to Blue Flame, Defendants’ actions have caused grave
reputational harms to Mr. Gula and Mr. Thomas. Both have received death threats following the
intense negative press coverage regarding Blue Flame triggered by the Bank’s actions and
California’s subsequent breach of the purchase agreement. In addition to the closure of his
successful political consulting business in reliance on the Bank’s misrepresentations and intense
reputational damage from being baselessly labeled a fraudster, Mr. Gula has been rejected by
other banks from opening new accounts. Mr. Thomas had an active political consulting
business, Thomas Partners Strategies, at the time the negative press coverage began. As a result
of the negative reports concerning Blue Flame, all of Mr. Thomas’s clients have terminated his
services. Mr. Thomas’s reputation within the healthcare industry also has been severely
tarnished, devastating the future business prospects of Thomas Partners Properties, which is
focused on developing properties for commercial healthcare providers. Mr. Thomas also was
fired from his job as a radio commentator as a result of the intense negative press coverage
resulting from the California transaction and has not been invited back to the cable news network
on which he previously appeared on a regular basis.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 19 of 35 PageID# 19
20
85.
Finally, Defendants’ actions and California’s resulting breach of its agreement
with Blue Flame have caused unnecessary harm to the people of California, by delaying the
receipt of personal protective equipment needed by medical personnel, first responders, and other
public service providers during the pandemic. Notably, recent press reports have revealed that,
following California’s breach of its agreement with Blue Flame, the state entered an agreement
to purchase approximately $1.4 billion of N95 masks from a manufacturer based in China called
BYD. Upon information and belief, BYD has yet to deliver any N95 masks to California that
have been certified to meet national safety and health standards, has had to request several
delivery extensions and has partially refunded California’s payment as a result, required a greater
up-front payment than Blue Flame, and employed prominent California lobbyists to influence the
Governor’s Office to enter the contract who may have taken undisclosed percentage fees of
BYD’s contract in exchange for its procurement. Indeed, upon information and belief, Blue
Flame already has delivered more N95 masks to the City of Chicago than BYD has delivered
under its $1.4 billion contract with California.
COUNT I
VIOLATION OF FEDERAL RESERVE REGULATION J
AND SECTION 4A-404(a) OF UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE
(Against the Bank)
86.
The allegations in Paragraphs 1 through 85 of this Complaint are incorporated
herein as if set forth in their entirety.
87.
The Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve’s Fedwire Funds Service transfer
system and is subject to regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board, including
Regulation J. Regulation J, among other things, incorporates Section 4A-404(a) of the Uniform
Commercial Code.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 20 of 35 PageID# 20
21
88.
Section 4A-404(a) of the Uniform Commercial Code (codified under Federal law
as 12 C.F.R. § Pt. 210, Subpt. B, App. B, at Section 4A-404) provides a private right of action
for a beneficiary account holder against a bank that violates specific rules concerning how, when,
and under what circumstances a payment order addressed to a beneficiary account holder in
connection with a wire transfer can be rejected, canceled, or amended.
89.
Upon information and belief, the payment order for California’s wire transfer was
sent via the Fedwire Funds Service from California’s bank to the Bank as payment to Blue Flame
and in satisfaction of California’s obligation to Blue Flame.
90.
At or before approximately 11:59 AM ET on March 26, the Bank had accepted
the payment order for California’s wire transfer to Blue Flame pursuant to the Uniform
Commercial Code and Regulation J by, among other things, receiving notice of the payment
order from the Federal Reserve Bank, receiving payment in the amount of the payment order
from the Federal Reserve Bank, providing the Incoming Wire Confirmation to Blue Flame,
verbally confirming the receipt of the wire transfer to Blue Flame and the availability of the
funds for Blue Flame’s use, and showing the funds as available in Blue Flame’s account via the
Bank’s online account access portal.
91.
While the wire transfer was being processed by the parties to the transfer,
representatives of Blue Flame maintained nearly constant contact with the Bank. As soon as
Blue Flame received notice from the Bank that California's wire transfer had been received, Blue
Flame demanded payment so that Blue Flame, in turn, could make necessary payments to the
manufacturers of the personal protective equipment purchased by California.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 21 of 35 PageID# 21
22
92.
Pursuant to Article 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code and Regulation J, the
Bank’s acceptance of the payment order obligated the Bank to make payment in the amount of
the payment order to Blue Flame.
93.
Pursuant to Article 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code and Regulation J, under
these circumstances the Bank could not cancel or amend the payment order after it had been
accepted, and the Bank had no basis to agree to cancel or amend the payment order or to
otherwise return the transferred funds.
94.
The Bank was aware at the time it accepted the wire transfer that Blue Flame’s
transaction with California and Blue Flame’s ability to profit therefrom depended on its receipt
of, and immediate access to, the wired funds in order to promptly wire payments to the
manufacturers of the personal protective equipment purchased by California.
95.
The Bank was aware at the time it accepted the wire transfer that Blue Flame’s
plans to secure additional business from California as well as other government purchasers
depended upon its ability to successfully complete the transaction with California.
96.
Despite the fact that the Bank’s acceptance of the payment order obligated it to
pay Blue Flame, and despite Blue Flame’s demand for payment, the Bank refused to pay Blue
Flame.
97.
The Bank’s violations of Regulation J and the Uniform Commercial Code caused
Blue Flame to suffer damages including, among other harms, its lost profits for the transaction
with California, lost future business opportunities with California and other customers, and
reputational damage as a result of the subsequent media coverage of the incident.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 22 of 35 PageID# 22
23
COUNT II
VIOLATION OF FEDERAL RESERVE REGULATION J
AND SECTION 4A-204 OF UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE
(Against the Bank)
98.
The allegations in Paragraphs 1 through 85 of this Complaint are incorporated
herein as if set forth in their entirety.
99.
The Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve’s Fedwire Funds Service transfer
system and is subject to regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board, including
Regulation J. Regulation J, among other things, incorporates Sections 4A-405 and 4A-204 of the
Uniform Commercial Code.
100.
Section 4A-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code (codified under Federal law as
12 C.F.R. § Pt. 210, Subpt. B, App. B, at Section 4A-405) governs the payment by a
beneficiary's bank to a beneficiary pursuant to a payment order addressed to the beneficiary and
accepted by the beneficiary's bank, including which actions by the beneficiary's bank constitute
payment of the bank's obligation to the beneficiary.
101.
Upon information and belief, the payment order for California’s wire transfer was
sent via the Fedwire Funds Service from California’s bank to the Bank as payment to Blue Flame
and in satisfaction of California’s obligation to Blue Flame.
102.
After accepting the payment order for California's wire transfer to Blue Flame,
upon information and belief, the Bank credited the account of Blue Flame in the amount of the
payment order.
103.
At approximately 11:59 AM ET on March 26, 2020, funds in the amount of the
payment order for California's wire transfer appeared in Blue Flame’s account, as confirmed by
Blue Flame when viewing its account through the Bank’s online account access portal, and as
verbally confirmed to Mr. Thomas by Ms. Cole.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 23 of 35 PageID# 23
24
104.
Pursuant to Section 4A-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code and Regulation J,
the appearance of the funds in Blue Flame's account via the Bank's online account access portal
constituted payment of the Bank's obligation to Blue Flame with respect to California's wire
transfer.
105.
Pursuant to Article 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code and Regulation J,
California's wire transfer was completed once the Bank made payment to Blue Flame, and the
Bank could not recover the payment or otherwise agree to return the transferred funds.
106.
Upon information and belief , after California’s wire transfer was completed,
Defendants unilaterally contacted California and accused Blue Flame of fraud, without basis.
107.
Upon information and belief, as a result of Defendants’ actions, California
requested that the Bank return the funds which California already had wired to the Bank and
which the Bank already had paid to Blue Flame.
108.
Upon information and belief, the Bank immediately acceded to California’s
request to return the funds.
109.
Section 4A-204 of the Uniform Commercial Code (codified under Federal law as
12 C.F.R. § Pt. 210, Subpt. B, App. B, at Section 4A-204) provides a private right of action to a
bank customer whose bank issues a payment order that purports to be on behalf of the customer
but in fact is not authorized and not effective as the order of the customer.
110.
Upon information and belief, in complying with California’s request to return the
funds, the Bank issued a new payment order on behalf of Blue Flame which was neither
authorized by Blue Flame nor effective as Blue Flame’s order. In fact, the Bank did not even
notify Blue Flame that it was issuing a new payment order to return the funds to California.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 24 of 35 PageID# 24
25
111.
As a result of the new payment order, the funds that had been wired to the Bank
and paid to Blue Flame were removed from Blue Flame’s account and returned to California
without Blue Flame’s authorization or consent.
112.
The Bank’s violations of Regulation J and the Uniform Commercial Code entitle
Blue Flame to a refund of the full amount of the payment order issued by the Bank in returning
the funds to California. Blue Flame also is entitled to the payment of interest on the refundable
amount calculated from March 26, 2020, the date the Bank issued the payment order, to the date
of the refund.
COUNT III
CONVERSION
(Against all Defendants)
113.
The allegations in Paragraphs 1 through 85 of this Complaint are incorporated
herein as if set forth in their entirety.
114.
Upon information and belief, the payment order for California’s wire transfer was
sent via the Fedwire Funds Service from California’s bank to the Bank as payment to Blue Flame
and in satisfaction of California’s obligation to Blue Flame.
115.
After accepting the payment order for California's wire transfer to Blue Flame,
upon information and belief, the Bank credited the account of Blue Flame in the amount of the
payment order.
116.
At approximately 11:59 AM ET on March 26, 2020, funds in the amount of the
payment order for California's wire transfer appeared in Blue Flame’s account, as confirmed by
Blue Flame when viewing its account through the Bank’s online account access portal, and as
verbally confirmed to Mr. Thomas by Ms. Cole.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 25 of 35 PageID# 25
26
117.
Once the Bank made payment to Blue Flame, California's wire transfer was
completed and Defendants could not recover the payment or otherwise agree to return the
transferred funds.
118.
As contemplated by Defendants and Blue Flame in their discussion of the
California transaction the day before, and as confirmed by the Bank following the completion of
the wire transfer, Blue Flame had a right to immediately possess and use the funds wired by
California.
119.
Upon information and belief, after California’s wire transfer was completed,
Defendants unilaterally contacted California and accused Blue Flame of fraud, without basis.
120.
Upon information and belief, as a result of Defendants’ actions, the payment from
California was reversed or otherwise returned to California and the corresponding credit was
removed from Blue Flame’s account at the Bank.
121.
Upon information and belief, Mr. Evinger and Mr. Brough directed, participated
in, ratified, or otherwise authorized the removal of the funds wired by California from Blue
Flame’s account at the Bank.
122.
Defendants had no legal justification to remove the funds wired by California
from Blue Flame’s account.
123.
In removing the funds from Blue Flame’s account, Defendants wrongfully
exercised dominion and control over those funds and thereby deprived Blue Flame of their
possession.
124.
Defendants’ wrongful conversion of Blue Flame’s funds has caused Blue Flame
to suffer damages including, among other harms, its lost profits for the transaction with
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 26 of 35 PageID# 26
27
California, lost future business opportunities with California and other customers, and
reputational damage as a result of the subsequent media coverage of the incident.
COUNT IV
TORTIOUS INTERFERENCE WITH CONTRACT
(Against all Defendants)
125.
The allegations in Paragraphs 1 through 85 of this Complaint are incorporated
herein as if set forth in their entirety.
126.
Blue Flame had a valid contractual relationship with California, which, without
improper interference by Defendants, would have provided substantial future economic benefit
to Blue Flame.
127.
Blue Flame expended significant effort in negotiating its contractual relationship
with California and in preparing to source the equipment California agreed to purchase.
128.
Defendants knew of the contractual relationship between Blue Flame and
California at the time Defendants unilaterally contacted California officials and accused Blue
Flame of fraud, without basis.
129.
Defendants’ actions caused California to breach its agreement to purchase
medical supplies from Blue Flame.
130.
Defendants’ actions violated the Bank’s obligations pursuant to the Uniform
Commercial Code and applicable Federal Reserve Board regulations, as well as standard practice
in the banking industry even where a transaction is appropriately deemed suspicious.
131.
But for Defendants’ actions, Blue Flame would have completed its transaction
with California pursuant to its contract with California and earned significant profits from that
sale.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 27 of 35 PageID# 27
28
132.
Defendants, through improper methods, interfered with Blue Flame’s contractual
relationship with California.
133.
Blue Flame’s damages include, among other harms, its lost profits for the
transaction with California and reputational damage as a result of the subsequent media coverage
of the incident.
COUNT V
TORTIOUS INTERFERENCE WITH BUSINESS EXPECTANCY
(Against all Defendants)
134.
The allegations in Paragraphs 1 through 85 of this Complaint are incorporated
herein as if set forth in their entirety.
135.
Blue Flame had a valid business expectancy with California, including its contract
to purchase 100 million N95 masks and opportunities for future personal protective equipment
orders which, without improper interference by Defendants, would have provided substantial
future economic benefit to Blue Flame.
136.
Blue Flame expended significant effort in building its relationship with California
officials, negotiating the purchase contract for California’s initial purchase of 100 million N95
masks, and marketing potential future sales to California and other government purchasers.
137.
Defendants knew of Blue Flame’s business expectancy at the time Defendants
unilaterally contacted California and accused Blue Flame of fraud, without basis.
138.
Defendants’ actions caused California to disengage from potential future business
with Blue Flame, as well as breach its agreement to purchase 100 million N95 masks from Blue
Flame.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 28 of 35 PageID# 28
29
139.
Defendants’ actions violated the Bank’s obligations pursuant to the Uniform
Commercial Code and applicable Federal Reserve Board regulations, as well as standard practice
in the banking industry even where a transaction is appropriately deemed suspicious.
140.
But for Defendants’ actions, Blue Flame would have completed additional sales
of personal protective equipment with California and other government purchasers. Indeed,
California told Blue Flame on March 25 that it was interested in procuring vast amounts of
additional personal protective equipment from Blue Flame, including, among other things, 500
million additional N95 masks, 200 million face shields, 1,000 ventilators, 1 billion gloves, 20
million swabs, 100 million gowns, and 50 million coveralls.
141.
Defendants, through improper methods, interfered with Blue Flame’s business
expectancy.
142.
Blue Flame’s damages include, among other harms, its lost profits related to
future business opportunities with California and other governmental purchasers and reputational
damage as a result of the subsequent media coverage of the incident.
COUNT VI
FRAUD
(Against all Defendants)
143.
The allegations in Paragraphs 1 through 85 of this Complaint are incorporated
herein as if set forth in their entirety.
144.
Prior to Blue Flame’s decision to use the Bank for its transaction with California,
Blue Flame disclosed all relevant details regarding the transaction to the Bank, including in Mr.
Gula’s discussion with Mr. Brough and Mr. Evinger. Defendants were informed of the urgent
and important nature of the transaction and that Blue Flame required the Bank to process the
anticipated large money transfers quickly.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 29 of 35 PageID# 29
30
145.
At no point did Defendants indicate in response to those details any concern
regarding the legitimacy of the transaction or indicate that the Bank might not wish to complete
the transaction. To the contrary, Defendants enthusiastically sought to secure Blue Flame’s
business.
146.
Upon information and belief, Defendants reversed course and decided to take
action to undo the transaction, which caused it to unlawfully contact Blue Flame’s counterparty
and accuse Blue Flame of fraud, without basis.
147.
Defendants’ misrepresentations to Blue Flame that the Bank was willing and able
to complete the transaction were intentionally and knowingly made, were false, and were either
made deliberately or recklessly.
148.
Defendants’ misrepresentations to Blue Flame that the Bank was willing and able
to accept the transfer from California were material to Blue Flame’s decision to use the Bank as
its bank for the wire transfer from California.
149.
Blue Flame relied on Defendants’ misrepresentations to its detriment.
150.
Had Defendants identified concerns or indicated that the Bank could not accept
such a large transfer, Blue Flame would have arranged for the transaction to flow through a
different bank.
151.
Blue Flame has been damaged by its reliance upon Defendants’
misrepresentations, including by its loss of all profits associated with the transaction with
California and other lost business.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 30 of 35 PageID# 30
31
COUNT VII
CONSTRUCTIVE FRAUD
(Against all Defendants)
152.
The allegations in Paragraphs 1 through 85 of this Complaint are incorporated
herein as if set forth in their entirety.
153.
Prior to Blue Flame’s decision to use the Bank for its transaction with California,
Blue Flame disclosed all relevant details regarding the transaction to the Bank, including in Mr.
Gula’s discussion with Mr. Brough and Mr. Evinger. Defendants were informed of the urgent
and important nature of the transaction and that Blue Flame required the Bank to process the
anticipated large money transfers quickly.
154.
At no point did Defendants indicate in response to those details any concern
regarding the legitimacy of the transaction or indicate that the Bank might not wish to complete
the transaction. To the contrary, Defendants enthusiastically sought to secure Blue Flame’s
business.
155.
Upon information and belief, Defendants reversed course and decided to take
action to undo the transaction, which caused it to unlawfully contact Blue Flame’s counterparty
and accuse Blue Flame of fraud, without basis.
156.
Defendants’ misrepresentations to Blue Flame that the Bank was willing and able
to complete the transaction were intentionally and knowingly made, were false, and were
negligent.
157.
Blue Flame relied on Defendants’ misrepresentations to its detriment.
158.
Had Defendants indicated that the Bank would not or could not accept such a
large transfer, or raised doubts as to the Bank’s ability to accept such a large transfer, Blue Flame
would have arranged for the transaction to flow through a different bank.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 31 of 35 PageID# 31
32
159.
Blue Flame has been damaged by its reliance upon Defendants’
misrepresentations, including by its loss of all profits associated with the transaction with
California and other lost business.
COUNT VIII
NEGLIGENCE
(Against all Defendants)
160.
The allegations in Paragraphs 1 through 85 of this Complaint are incorporated
herein as if set forth in their entirety.
161.
As a result of the Bank’s agreement to provide banking services to Blue Flame
and Mr. Brough and Mr. Evinger’s assurances to Mr. Gula that the Bank could and would
process the wire transfer from California, Defendants undertook a duty of care in providing
banking services to Blue Flame.
162.
Defendants’ actions in unilaterally contacting California and accusing Blue Flame
of fraud were negligent, lacked a factual basis, and breached Defendants’ duties to Blue Flame.
163.
The Bank has declared that Blue Flame’s Account Agreement with the Bank is
“void” as a result of the Bank’s decision to close Blue Flame’s account, without basis.
164.
Defendants’ negligent actions caused Blue Flame to suffer damages including,
among other harms, its lost profits for the transaction with California, lost future business
opportunities with California and other customers, and reputational damage as a result of the
subsequent media coverage of the incident.
COUNT IX
DEFAMATION
(Against all Defendants)
165.
The allegations in Paragraphs 1 through 85 of this Complaint are incorporated
herein as if set forth in their entirety.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 32 of 35 PageID# 32
33
166.
Upon information and belief, following its acceptance of the wire transfer from
California for Blue Flame’s account, Mr. Brough and/or Mr. Evinger contacted the California
State Treasurer’s Office and/or the Director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services,
and claimed that the transaction was fraudulent and made other false statements casting
aspersions on the business and character of Blue Flame.
167.
The statements by Mr. Brough and/or Mr. Evinger were false, and they either
knew them to be false or, believing them to be true, lacked reasonable grounds for such belief or
acted negligently in failing to ascertain the facts upon which the statements were based.
168.
Defendants’ false and defamatory claim that Blue Flame’s transaction with
California was fraudulent has caused Blue Flame to suffer damages including, among other
harms, its lost profits for the transaction with California, lost future business opportunities with
California and other customers, and reputational damage as a result of the subsequent media
coverage of the incident.
COUNT X
BREACH OF CONTRACT
(Against the Bank)
169.
The allegations in Paragraphs 1 through 85 of this Complaint are incorporated
herein as if set forth in their entirety.
170.
In reliance on Defendants’ representations that the Bank could and would accept
the wire transfer from California, Blue Flame entered into an Account Agreement with the Bank.
171.
The Account Agreement between Blue Flame and the Bank included express
terms and conditions regarding deposits in Blue Flame’s account as well as wire transfers sent to
or from Blue Flame's account.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 33 of 35 PageID# 33
34
172.
Notwithstanding the Bank’s subsequent efforts to “void” Blue Flame’s Account
Agreement, the terms of the Account Agreement were in full force and effect at the time
Defendants unilaterally contacted California officials and accused Blue Flame of fraud, without
basis.
173.
Pursuant to the Account Agreement and its accompanying terms and conditions,
the Bank had no contractual right to return the funds paid to Blue Flame by California following
the Bank’s acceptance of the payment order from California.
174.
Accordingly, the Bank breached the Account Agreement by causing the payment
from California to Blue Flame to be reversed or otherwise returned to California.
175.
In addition to breaching the Account Agreement, Defendants’ actions breached
the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, which is implied in every contract.
176.
The same day that Blue Flame entered the Account Agreement, Mr. Gula
disclosed all relevant details regarding the transaction to Mr. Brough and Mr. Evinger.
177.
At no point did Defendants indicate in response to those details any concern
regarding the legitimacy of the transaction or indicate that the Bank might be unwilling or unable
to facilitate the transaction.
178.
Given Defendants’ representations to Mr. Gula regarding the Bank’s willingness
and ability to facilitate Blue Flame's transaction with California, Defendants’ actions to cause the
return of California’s payment to Blue Flame breached the implied covenant of good faith and
fair dealing.
179.
Blue Flame’s damages include, among other harms, its lost profits for the
transaction with California, lost future business opportunities with California and other
customers, and reputational damage as a result of the subsequent media coverage of the incident.
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 34 of 35 PageID# 34
35
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, based upon the foregoing allegations and claims, Plaintiff
demands judgment for compensatory, as well as punitive, damages in an amount to be
established at trial, in addition to all interest, costs, attorneys’ fees, and any other relief permitted
by law and that the Court deems appropriate, and prays that the Court award relief against
Defendants for the allegations set forth in Counts I through X.
TRIAL BY JURY IS DEMANDED.
Dated: June 12, 2020
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Peter H. White
Peter H. White, Esq. (VSB # 32310)
SCHULTE ROTH & ZABEL LLP
901 Fifteenth Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: 202-729-7476
Fax: 202-730-4520
peter.white@srz.com
Counsel for Plaintiff
Case 1:20-cv-00658-LMB-IDD Document 1 Filed 06/12/20 Page 35 of 35 PageID# 35