Charter bus service sued by youth football program for allegedly canceling service after being paid

GRETNA – A charter bus service is being sued by a youth football program over an alleged failure to provide transport.

Byron Porter and New Orleans Panthers Youth Football filed suit against Westside Transport Inc., Darryl M. Verrett Sr., Trishane Monette, an unknown subcontractor and their insurers in the 24th Judicial District Court on Feb. 20.

Porter claims that on Oct. 9, 2014 he contracted the services of Westside Transport Inc. to provide the New Orleans Panthers Youth Football team with three charter buses for a combined cost of $10,500 for a trip to Austin, Texas to compete in a regional tournament to take place between Nov. 21, and Nov. 23, 2014. The plaintiffs allege that Verrett, acting on behalf of Westside Transport Inc., told him the buses were in need of repair, but would be ready by the date requested. Porter contends it was not until Nov. 15, 2014 and after the total payment of $10,500 had been made by Porter that Verrett informed him they had attempted to subcontract the job and failed to do so and he would have to arrange for alternate transportation.

Porter asserts that due to the time constraints of finding a last minute replacement the cost of the trip went up and that even after Verrett canceled the charter bus service on behalf of Westside Transport Inc., he refused to return all of the payment, claiming the subcontractor he intended to use would first need to return the portion he forwarded to them. The plaintiffs claim that despite requesting the return of the funds on at least a dozen occasions the defendants have failed to do so.

The defendant is accused of breach of contract, unjust enrichment, fraudulent misrepresentation and conversion.

Damages in the amount of $7,000 is sought by the plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs are represented by attorney Jay Daniels of New Orleans.

The case has been assigned to Division H Judge Glenn B. Ansardi.

Case no. 746-939.