SAN FRANCISCO — A lawyer is suing Uber, alleging he was swept up in criminal activity without his knowledge or consent, causing irreparable harm to his reputation.
Michael R. Rattagan filed a complaint April 12 in U.S. District Court Northern Division of California against Uber Technologies Inc., Uber International BV and Uber International Holdings BV, alleging breach of fiduciary duty, deceit, fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.
According to the complaint, Rattagan was retained by Uber in early 2013 before the company’s launch and was named Uber’s official legal representative in Argentina, where the plaintiff is a respected attorney.
The suit states that after several years, their relationship went dormant and, in April 2016, without consulting or notifying the plaintiff, Uber launched its services in Buenos Aires.
The lawsuit states the response to Uber’s launch was negative, and police began to raid the homes of Rattagan and his colleagues, charging the plaintiff with criminal activity, such as aggravated tax evasion, for which Rattagan was not at fault. Uber has since acknowledged their wrongdoing, but the plaintiff’s harm has been substantial, the suit says, harming Rattagan's professional reputation and leading to public scorn.
The plaintiff alleges he lives under constant fear that he and his family will be exposed to more raids.
Rattagan seeks trial by jury, direct and consequential damages, punitive damages, court costs and all other just and proper relief. He is represented by attorney Frank A. Cialone of Shartsis Friese LLP in San Francisco.
U.S. District Court of the Northern Division of California case number 4:19-CV-01988