Youngevity International, Corp. (YGYI) Files Suit Against Wakaya Perfection, LLC
Press Release: March 23, 2016
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jonathan W. Emord or Peter A. Arhangelsky (202-466-6937)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA—On March 23, 2016, Youngevity International, Corp. (YGYI) filed suit against Wakaya Perfection, LLC, a competing direct network marketing enterprise that began operations in 2016 and individuals involved in aiding and abetting Wakaya in the commission of tortious acts against Youngevity. The Youngevity Complaint seeks damages and injunctive relief, alleging that Wakaya intentionally interfered with Youngevity’s existing and prospective business relationships, and converted Youngevity’s proprietary business information for use in developing Wakaya’s nascent business. Wakaya was formed by a small group of former Youngevity distributors and executives who broke from Youngevity in 2015. According to Youngevity’s Complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, the fledgling Wakaya venture secured products and investors at Youngevity’s expense through improper cross-recruiting practices, deliberate breaches of employment agreements, and targeted efforts encouraging other distributors to breach Youngevity contracts. Youngevity’s Complaint outlines the surreptitious and unlawful conduct by a select number of current and former Youngevity members in furtherance of their competing venture. Copies the Complaint and related pleadings are available upon request.
The matter is presently pending under the following caption: Youngevity International, Corp. v. Todd Smith, et al., No. 3:16-cv-00704-W-JLB (S.D. Cal. Mar. 23, 2016).