SAN DIEGO-Leap Wireless International Inc. said that Metrosvyaz Ltd. has filed a lawsuit against Leap and certain of its officers in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Leap indirectly owns 35 percent of Metrosvyaz, which is attempting to establish joint ventures in Russia to operate wireless local loop service.
The Metrosvyaz lawsuit alleges claims of libel, trade libel, intentional and negligent interference with prospective advantage and breach of fiduciary duty, according to Leap. The lawsuit seeks significant damages and injunctive relief.
The legal move follows Leap’s announcement Sept. 29 that it had stopped funding loans to Metrosvyaz, that Metrosvyaz was in default under its credit agreement with Leap and that Leap had issued a demand for arbitration seeking a full accounting and damages from Metrosvyaz and one of its directors, said Leap.
“Leap believes the Metrosvyaz claims are without merit,” said Leap.
