[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ottawa, Ontario, January 22, 2019 – Ottawa-based TNW Wireless Inc. (“TNW Wireless”) announced today that it has launched a suit for damages against Robert L. Hillman, who was formerly the President of the company when it was known as RuralCom Corporation. The Statement of Claim CV19006129120000 was filed on January 18, 2019 in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
The action was launched based on TNW Wireless’ allegations that Mr. Hillman repeatedly breached his legal fiduciary obligations to the company through acts of unauthorized interference with the company’s operations causing economic damage to the company, revealing confidential information to third parties including company competitors and the general public, and by destroying company files and documents entrusted to him while he was a Director of the company. The company also alleges that Mr. Hillman owes it US$ 869,408 in loans that were advanced to him during his tenure as President under a loan agreement with the company.
The company also alleges that Mr. Hillman engaged in a constant and repetitive barrage of defamatory comments against the company, its technology and its management directly to individuals, companies, and regulatory bodies as well as online through the pseudonyms “EtherIQ” and “WirelessSage” on a stock bulletin board related to United American Corp (UnitedCorp) (OTC: UAMA), which announced its intention to acquire TNW Wireless.
As such, in its Statement of Claim the company is seeking an interlocutory and permanent injunction prohibiting the Defendant from disclosing to any person, firm or corporation any confidential information belonging to the Plaintiff, and from making defamatory comments about the Plaintiff and/or any of its officers, directors, agents, employees, subsidiaries and affiliates.
The company is also seeking significant damages for defamation and/or injurious falsehood, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, conflict of interest, interference with economic activity, trespass of chattel, as well as repayment of advances made to him by the company.
The following is a summary of damages sought by TNW Wireless:
- US$869,408.00 in damages for unpaid loans
- CD$5,000,000.00 in damages for defamation and/or injurious falsehood
- CD$5,000,000.00 in damages for breach of fiduciary duty, breach of confidence, and breach of trust
- CD$5,000,000.00 in damages for interference with economic relations and interests, conversion, and trespass to chattels
- an interlocutory and permanent injunction prohibiting Mr. Hillman from disclosing to any person, firm or corporation any confidential information belonging to TNW Wireless and from making defamatory comments about TNW Wireless and/or any of its officers, directors, agents, employees, subsidiaries and affiliates
- TNW Wireless’ costs of this action on the basis of substantial indemnity
- interest in accordance with the Courts of Justice Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. 43
- any such further and other relief as the Court may deem just
Mr. Hillman will have a period of 40 days to file a statement of defence.
“We find this action very regrettable but necessary to defend the company and its stakeholders and continue with the business of developing TNW Wireless,” stated Lawry Trevor-Deutsch, TNW Wireless President. “Since the acquisition in December 2016, all the people involved at TNW Wireless have worked tirelessly to revive the company after it was left on life support by Mr. Hillman. In an email just prior to the acquisition in December 2016, he in fact recommended to the Board of Directors that RuralCom be placed into bankruptcy. If Mr. Hillman has legitimate disagreements with TNW Wireless, he has every right to deal with these in a legitimate manner and in the proper forums. He does not have the right, however, to abrogate his fiduciary responsibilities as a former Officer and Director through multiple direct incidents of interference with the company’s operations, all with the self-admitted goal of being vindictive and of attempting to cause as much damage to the company and its management as possible. Nor should he be using the anonymity of a pseudonym in the process.”
The compete Statement of Claim is available (PDF)
Documentation in support of the Claim is available (PDF)
About TNW Wireless Inc.
TNW Wireless is a licensed wireless operator for wholesale and retail services in Canada and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Investel Capital Corporation Canada. The company currently holds 25MHz bandwidth tier-2 850 MHz licences and is a registered wireless carrier. It provides global communication services to the Northwest region of Canada and global communication services through proprietary iPCS Smartphone-over-IP technology.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors that may be beyond the Company’s control. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made, and the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances in management’s expectations or opinions change.
Source:
TNW Wireless Inc.
Contact:
Jenna Trevor-Deutsch
Investor Relations
investorrelations@tnwwireless.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]