A man has sued a business partner over the purchase of a shrimp trawler.
Abraham Nguyen filed his complaint October 30 in federal court against F/V Kim Thu and TNL Fishery.
In the lawsuit, Nguyen says Loi Hang "wanted to purchase a shrimp trawler in Louisiana and wanted Nguyen to convert it into a long-line tuna boat capable of operating off the coast of Hawaii."
Hang is one of two owners of Hawaii-based TNL Fishery along with Cindy Nguyen, who is not related to the plaintiff.
Nguyen, who is a welder, previously had converted another shrimp trawler for Hang, the suit states.
The two men he purchased the boat for $146,000, and Nguyen paid $45,000 of that. Nguyen then lived on the vessel for 15 months, working seven days a week to convert the boat to a long-line tuna vessel that could operate in the Pacific Ocean, the suit states.
When the work was completed on October 1, "Hang told Nguyen that he was no longer a partner, refused to pay any amount to Nguyen for his labor and expenses incurred and removed him from the vessel." the lawsuit states.
Nguyen presented Hang with an invoice for $389,550 for his labor and expenses but has received no response.
In the lawsuit, he is seeking that amount plus attorney fees and has asserted a maritime lien against the boat.
Nguyen is represented by David L. Carrigee, Christopher Carey and Joseph Spillman.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern Division of Louisiana case number 2:23-cv-06595