Rush v. FastCAP Systems Corporation, et al. (Lawyers Weekly No. 09-006-17)
1 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS SUFFOLK, so SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL ACTION NO. 2017-02842-BLS2 JACK RUSH, Plaintiff vs. FASTCAP STYSTEMS COPRATION, JOHN COOLEY, JAMES HARRIS, MATTHEW FENSLAU AND RICCARDO SIGNORELLI, Defendants MEMORANDUM OF DECISION AND ORDER ON MOTION FOR TRUSTEE PROCESS ATTACHMENT AND FOR ATTACMENTS OF REAL PROPERTY This action alleges violations of the Massachusetts Wage Act, G.L.c. 149 §148B. Specifically, the plaintiff Jack Rush alleges that the defendant FastCAP Systems Corporation (FastCAP) misclassified and compensated him as an independent contractor when he should have been classified and paid as an employee within the meaning of G.L.c. 149 §148. It then terminated him when he complained about his compensation. Certain individuals are also named as defendants on the grounds that, because they exercised managerial control over FastCAP, they are personally liable for these violations. Cook v. Patient Ed LLC, 465 Mass. 548, 552-553 (2013). The case is now before the Court on the plaintiff’s motion to attach the bank accounts of FastCAP in the amount of $ 594,593, and to attach real property owned by the individual defendants. After hearing and careful review of the parties’ submissions, this Court concludes that, taking into account the likelihood of success on the merits, the balance of equities supports the denial of these motions, for the following reasons. Whether seeking an attachment of real property or an attachment of funds by way of 2 trustee process, plaintiff must establish a reasonable likelihood that he will recover judgment against the defendant in an amount at least equal to the amount sought to be attached; he must further demonstrate that there is no liability insurance available that could satisfy any possible judgment. See Rules 4.1 and 4.2, Mass.R.Civ.P. Although there is no explicit requirement that the Court balance the relative harms to the parties, the Rules are based on the idea that there must be a need for the relief requested; moreover, because it is equitable nature, the Court can and should take into account the relative equities in denying or allowing the requested relief. In the instant case, FastCAP makes out a compelling case that a trustee process attachment would have a serious impact on its business. The Company is in the business of developing cutting edge power systems and has ongoing contracts with NASA and U.S. Department of Energy, with sales to top oilfield service companies. See Affidavit of Matthew Fenselau. With seventeen full time employees and the financial backing of a Boston investment firm, FastCAP is optimistic about its future. An attachment of its bank accounts, however, could cause FastCAP’s financial backing to be withdrawn and could trigger claims by other individuals and entities. If on the other hand, no attachment issues, the harm […]