GRETNA – A Grand Isle bar manager is being sued by his brother for allegedly failing to keep proper financial records and not instituting rules voted on by a majority of the business’s owners.
Blake Esponge filed suit against Carles Esponge in the 24th Judicial District Court on June 25.
Blake Esponge contends he and his two siblings Melissa Esponge and the defendant, Carles Esponge, all own a third of Cisco’s Cajun Cantina, a bar and video poker locale on Highway 1 in Grand Isle. The plaintiff asserts that Carles Esponge was elected as manager of Cisco’s Cajun Cantina after their father Cisco Esponge died on Sept. 6, 2011. Meanwhile, Blake Esponge claims he has been running another business, The Hideaway, he and his siblings also inherited from their father.
According to the lawsuit, as the manager of Cisco’s Cajun Cantina, Carles Esponge violated his fiduciary duties and has allowed the revenue to consistently decrease, issuing worthless checks to vendors, failing to comply with tax requirements and failing to keep proper financial records and share them with the LLC members.
Blake Esponge alleges that on March 10, 2015 he called a meeting of the LLC’s ownership to speak about the problems Cisco’s Cajun Cantina was experiencing, but Carles Esponge failed to show up. At the meeting the plaintiff contends he and his sister voted to make changes to the operation of Cisco’s Cajun Cantina and made plans to inspect the records of the business dating back to 2012. However, Blake Esponge asserts that Carles Esponge has failed to comply with the outcome of the meeting, has not provided the financial records and continues to lose money for the business.
The defendant is accused of breach of fiduciary duty.
An unspecified amount in damages is sought to strip Carles Esponge of his manager title, provide access to the business property and financial records.
The plaintiff is represented by William W. Watkins of Houma-based Duval, Funderbunk, Sundbery, Lovell & Watkins.
The case has been assigned to Division I Judge Nancy A. Miller.
Case no. 751-018.