Elk Grove's e-Tran Contractor Sued by Political Consultant

MV Transportation accused of breach of contract, interference


MV Transportation Inc., operator of Elk Grove’s e-Tran bus service, has been sued by its former Elk Grove political government affairs consultant for breach of contract, tortuous interference with contract and prospective economic advantage and negligence.

The suit was filed on behalf of Ms. Bobbie Allen-Singh of Elk Grove in Sacramento Superior Court.

According to suit, Singh-Allen alleges that in January, 2009 MV entered into a month-to-month agreement with her firm, L&B Associates to provide consulting advice concerning Elk Grove political government affairs. The suit asserts that as part of that agreement, Singh-Allen e-mailed several MV executives and “stressed all communications between herself and MVT concerning Elk Grove City Council members must remain confidential to ensure for protection for all parties involved.”

Confidential advice on Detrick’s fundraiser

The suit says that in late October, 2009, Singh-Allen provided highly confidential advice regarding a fund raising event being held by City Council member Steve Detrick. That correspondence was this alleged to have been sent by MV to a business competitor of Singh-Allen, Michelle Smira.

The suit does not say what advice Singh-Allen provided MV regarding Detrick’s fundraiser. It does say during the public comment portion of the October 28, 2009 Elk Grove City Council meeting “several audience members openly disparaged the author of the confidential e-mail” and “the e-mails content has been the subject of widespread communications from Elk Grove Business and political leaders urging their colleagues to cease doing business with Ms. Singh-Allen and L&B Associates.”

After receiving the e-mail, the suit says that that MV dreleased the e-mail with “the express intent to harm Ms. Singh-Allen’s business, her personal and political reputation, and the reputation of her husband, [former] Elk Grove Charter Commission Chair Jake Allen.”

According to the suit an MV official, Nikki Frenney, then issued an apology e-mail admonishing her staff not to release the advice to outside parties. Frenney is also said to have sent an apology e-mail to Detrick saying “that a portion of the confidential email sent to MV Transportation has somehow found its way to you” and that information should not have been released.

The suit says that after the release of the e-mail it was widely disseminated and that it has “caused devastating damage to Ms. Singh-Allen’s reputation, business, and family.” It further alleges that she “has lost numerous contracts with other clients; has been subjected to public ridicule and disparagement; has seen her business, L&B Associates, destroyed; has suffered severe emotional and physical distress…”

The suit contains four causes of action seeking $1 million for each action. No preliminary hearing date has been set.