Alabama Carrier Sued for Raiding Logistics Firm's Staff, Customer Data

Imperative Logistics filed a federal lawsuit Monday accusing Alabama Motor Express of orchestrating a coordinated raid on its workforce and using stolen customer data, pricing information, and shipment lists to divert freight. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, names AMX and two former Imperative employees, Joseph Cochran and Mary Evette Jones, who left the Portland, Oregon-based logistics provider earlier this year and joined the Ashford, Alabama carrier.

What Did the Former Employees Allegedly Take?

Cochran, who worked at Imperative and its subsidiary DTH Expeditors since 2005, allegedly sent or blind-copied confidential documents to his personal email shortly before resigning March 30. The files included customer financial data, margin and pricing information, active shipment lists, sales codes, details about customer-specific logistics operations, and a competitive bid, according to the complaint. Imperative claims Cochran retained the information to use after joining AMX.

Jones, who had been with DTH and Imperative since 2000 and served as director of operations, left Feb. 10. Nearly two months later, on April 9 and April 14, she allegedly accessed Imperative's Google Drive systems and viewed at least 36 confidential files, including standard operating procedures, rate sheets, quality policies, and weekly operational notes concerning a longtime customer the lawsuit identifies only as "Client A." Imperative says the access required someone to log in and navigate through the system, indicating it was intentional.

How AMX Allegedly Used the Data

After joining AMX, Cochran allegedly began pursuing and bidding against Imperative for Client A's freight. The complaint says Cochran arranged a lunch with the customer even after Imperative sent cease-and-desist letters. Imperative discovered the meeting when the customer mistakenly sent the invitation to Cochran's former company email address. Imperative claims its revenue from Client A subsequently declined and that the customer began doing business with AMX. The company alleges AMX's competing bids were informed by customer lists, shipment data, pricing, and competitive bid information Cochran had taken.

Both Cochran and Jones had signed restrictive covenant agreements prohibiting them from improperly using or disclosing trade secrets and confidential information and from soliciting certain customers and employees after leaving, according to the lawsuit.

Five Employees Left for AMX in Rapid Succession

Imperative alleges the departures were part of a broader exodus. Five employees from the same Imperative office left in rapid succession to work for AMX, which the complaint describes as a "coordinated effort" encouraged by the carrier to acquire key employees as well as access to Imperative's trade secrets, customer relationships, and other confidential information. AMX operates 234 power units and employs 234 drivers, according to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data.

Imperative sent AMX cease-and-desist letters on June 5 concerning the five former employees who had joined the carrier. The letters demanded that AMX prevent the former employees from soliciting Imperative customers or employees or using the company's confidential information and trade secrets. AMX's attorney responded July 14, acknowledging receipt of the allegations concerning the restrictive covenant agreements and Imperative's claim that AMX had tortiously interfered with them. Imperative alleges, however, that AMX continued employing Cochran and Jones in roles involving customer solicitation after receiving the letters and failed to ensure they complied with their agreements.

What Imperative Is Asking the Court to Do

The lawsuit asserts seven counts, including violations of the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act and Georgia Trade Secrets Act, breach of contract against Cochran and Jones, tortious interference against AMX, and a Computer Fraud and Abuse Act claim against Jones. Imperative says the alleged unauthorized computer access by Jones alone resulted in at least $5,000 in investigation, forensic analysis, security, and remediation costs.

Imperative is asking the court to prohibit the defendants from using its trade secrets or confidential information and from improperly soliciting its customers or employees. It also wants the defendants ordered to return or destroy company information in their possession. The company is seeking unspecified compensatory damages, including lost profits and alleged unjust enrichment, as well as disgorgement of benefits allegedly obtained from the conduct. Imperative also seeks exemplary damages of up to twice the compensatory damages awarded under federal and Georgia trade secrets laws.

Neither Imperative Logistics nor AMX responded to requests for comment.

Why Customer Lists and Pricing Data Matter in Freight

The lawsuit highlights the value of customer relationships, pricing data, and operational know-how in the highly competitive freight market. A handful of experienced employees leaving with customer lists, margin information, and shipment details can shift freight and revenue from one logistics provider to another. For small carriers and brokers, the case underscores the importance of restrictive covenants and the legal tools available when former employees or competitors allegedly cross the line from fair competition to misappropriation. The outcome may also clarify how courts weigh post-employment computer access and coordinated hiring in trade-secrets disputes.