BECKLEY — A chef is suing business partners, alleging breach of contract and unjust enrichment.
Hassan Ameen filed a complaint in Raleigh Circuit Court against Osama Moustafa and Ahmed Elsekhily, alleging the defendants conspired with each other to take over operation of the business and locked out the plaintiff from receiving revenue.
According to the complaint, Ameen, a professional chef in New York, was induced by the defendants to move to West Virginia to engage in the opening and the operating an Italian restaurant, called Sorriso. Ameen says he owns 50 percent of Sorriso LLC and 25 percent each belongs to the defendants.
However, the suit says, after investing nearly $25,000 plus significant time and effort in the preparation of the business, Moustafa and Elsekhily conspired to lock Ameen out of the business and changed the banking certificates to remove his agent as an authorized signature on the bank accounts.
Ameen also says the defendants have converted in excess of $27,000 of the corporation after the plaintiff was locked out.
The plaintiff alleges Moustafa and Elsekhily have refused to provide any sums whatsoever of the monies Ameen invested and/or proceeds of the profits despite requests, and have denied the plaintiff's ownership interest in the profits and proceeds.
Ameen seeks trial by jury, a temporary restraining order prohibiting the defendants from operating any futher business, damages, costs and all other proper relief. He is represented by attorney John D. Wooton of Wooton Davis Hussell & Ellis PLLC in Beckley.
Raleigh Circuit Court case number 18-C-480-B