Disaster relief company claims it was not paid for work

A disaster recovery company claims it was not paid for work it performed following various storms, including hurricanes that hit Texas and an ice storm that struck Illinois, according to recently filed court documents. 

Albert “Bud” Isakson and Global Disaster Services filed a lawsuit Dec. 17 in Jefferson County District Court against Byrd Brothers Emergency Services, Byrd Brothers, Claude R. Richy Byrd, James Kevin Byrd, James Frederick “Rick” Byrd and Kim L. Isakson.

In his complaint, Albert Isakson claims he entered into agreements with the defendants to clean up following storms that struck various areas in the United States, including Hurricanes Ike, Gustav and Dolly and an ice storm that struck Illinois. In turn, the defendants agreed to pay Global Disaster Services a substantial percentage of the revenue they received, according to the complaint.

However, the defendants failed to make the promised payments, the suit states.

Albert Isakson later discovered that Kim Isakson participated in a scheme with the defendants in which she forged documents that would have entered Albert Isakson into a settlement and would have released the defendants on Albert Isakson’s behalf, the complaint says. However, the agreement should not be considered valid because of its fraudulent nature, Albert Isakson contends.

Albert Isakson alleges breach of contract, fraudulent inducement and fraud against the plaintiffs.

He seeks actual damages in excess of the minimum jurisdictional limits of Jefferson County District Court, plus exemplary damages, pre-judgment interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

John Werner of Reaud, Morgan and Quinn in Beaumont will be representing them.

Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. D193-721