Cincinnati-based Heidelberg Distributing Co., the 14th-largest beer distributor in the U.S., is in the midst of a family feud,
the
Cincinnati Business Courier
reported.
Third-generation company president Albert Vontz III owns 50% of the voting shares; his sister, Carol Miller, owns the other 50%. Miller's husband and three children have management positions in the company, “which Vontz claims has allowed them to run the company ‘as their personal fiefdom,'” the journal article said.
In December, Vontz sued his Miller and her family, accusing them of “corporate waste, excessive salaries and bonuses, misappropriation of assets and violation of Ohio law for not holding annual meetings,” the article said. Miller, for her part, contended that “Vontz hasn't held a meaningful position with the company and either misses meetings, sleeps or plays video games during the gatherings he does attend,” the article said.
On April 17, Vontz filed a motion in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas accusing Miller of “breach of fiduciary duties, shareholder oppression and violation of corporate requirements,” and requesting a preliminary injunction that would force her to attend a shareholder meeting and elect a new board of directors, according to the report. He also filed a legal malpractice claim against Miller's daughter Brooke Miller Hice, the company's chief legal officer, the journal article said.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is threatening to strike against Heidelberg for “allowing the internal battle to affect workers who are trying to negotiate new contracts for wages and health care,” the report added. (Source:
Cincinnati Business Courier,
April 24, 2015.)
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