Katy company accuses ex-vice president of client poaching, misappropriation

A Katy company offering services to the oil and gas industry is suing over claims its former vice president used his position to misappropriate trade secrets and start his own business.

Katy company AGR F J Brown filed a lawsuit on Thursday, May 31 in the Harris County District Court against Memorial resident Ralph D. Doughty, citing unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, tortious interference, violations of the Texas Theft Liability, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and unfair competition.

The plaintiff says when Doughty, its vice president, left the company on May 13, he took confidential information and trade secrets with him to start a competing business. He then poached four of AGR's most valued independent contractors, according to the brief.

AGR F J Brown is seeking attorney's fees, damages, court costs and injunctive relief. It is being represented in the case by Houston attorneys Neil Martin, Laura Goodson and Megan Batchelor.

Harris County District Court Case No. 2012-31919.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Harris County Courthouse. 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.