Owner of Haifa Turkish Casino & Hooka Bar sued over alleged breach of operation agreement

GRETNA – A local bar owner is being sued by man who claims he had an agreement to run the establishment and ultimately purchase it, but that when he attempted to exercise his option to purchase the agreement was terminated.

George Challita filed suit against Nhed Haifa in the 24th Judicial District Court on Jan. 8.

Challita asserts that on Oct. 31, 2014 she entered into a business agreement with Haifa in which Challita would run and operate the Haifa Turkish Casino & Hooka Bar owned by Haifa. The plaintiff claims that he was to receive 100 percent of the profits from the business under the terms of agreement of the contract and that the defendant would get a deposit of $20,000 and a monthly payment of $5,000. Challita further alleges that the contract provided an option for him to purchase the business and its assets for $450,000 or half the business for $225,000.

The plaintiff contends that on Dec. 29, 2014 he provided a letter to the defendant alerting him that he would be exercising his option to purchase the business for t $450,000. However, Challita asserts Haifa breached the contract by telling him he would not allow the purchase to go through, that he had changed his mind and was going to terminate the operating agreement as well.

The defendant is accused of breach of contract.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for a return of Challita’s $20,000 deposit as well as any inventory in the establishment in question.

Challita is represented by Michael J. Marsiglia of New Orleans-based Berrigan, Litchfield, Schonekas, Mann & Traina LLC.

The case has been assigned to Division F Judge Michael P. Mentz.

Case no. 745-656.