Dechert, 2 ex-partners settle RICO suit alleging scheme to steal data from client's opponent
An airline executive who alleged that a former Dechert partner conspired to hack and release his emails in a campaign to silence him has settled his civil RICO lawsuit against the law firm defendants. (Image from Shutterstock)
An airline executive who alleged that a former Dechert partner conspired to hack and release his emails in a campaign to silence him has settled his civil RICO lawsuit against the law firm defendants.
Aviation entrepreneur Farhad Azima and Dechert announced the settlement of the federal suit, filed in the Southern District of New York, in a press release Thursday.
There was no admission of liability on the firm’s part, according to a joint statement. Details of the settlement were not released.
Azima had alleged that former Dechert partner Neil Gerrard in London, who was then the global co-chair of the firm’s white-collar and securities litigation practice, led the hacking operation as part of a campaign against the enemies of Dechert client Ras Al Khaimah, one of the United Arab Emirates. Azima said he was targeted because he criticized human rights abuses there.
Azima’s suit had alleged violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act through hacking and through false or misleading statements in court battles that followed.
Other defendants settling the suit were Gerrard, who retired in 2020, and former partner David Graham Hughes, who was accused of working closely with Gerrard.
Azima said in a statement he “will now devote his energy and resources” to litigation with the remaining suit defendants.
Azima reached a separate $3.8 million settlement with Dechert and Gerrard in U.K. litigation in February. The agreement also called for payment of Azima’s costs.
Lawyers for Hughes and Gerrard did not immediately respond to ABA Journal emails seeking comment.
Law.com, Reuters and Law360 have stories on the latest settlement.
