Leidel ready to go to trial against local bank

Former Highlands Independent Bank financial adviser David Leidel is ready to go to trial in the civil lawsuit filed against him by his ex-employer.

The notice for trial was filed with the Highlands County Clerk of Courts on Dec. 15. No date had been set as of Tuesday.

In the lawsuit, which is asking for damages in excess of $15,000 that does not include attorney and court fees, Leidel has been accused of violating an agreement he signed with Highlands Independent Bank since resigning on Sept. 15.

That agreement included not soliciting bank customers or working for a competing company for one year upon leaving the bank, as well as not divulging confidential customer information, according to court records.

Leidel submitted his letter of resignation to bank president John Shoop on Sept. 14. It stated the resignation "was not a light-hearted decision, but one of months of consideration."

The defendant also told Shoop he planned to go and work for Raymond James Financial Inc., which is a bank competitor, the records stated.

An investigation was started, and it was discovered that Leidel had been in touch with Raymond James officials about establishing a branch in Highlands County, according to the court files.

Leidel was also accused of trying to solicit bank customers and transmitting to Raymond James a "significant quantity" of sensitive information pertaining to bank customers, their holdings and other vital data, the records stated.

A cease and desist order was sent to Leidel on Sept. 17, but no compliance was ever received, according to the court records.

The defendant denies any wrongdoing and on Dec. 10, he filed a lawsuit against Shoop individually and Highlands Independent Bank for what he claims are "false statements" the bank CEO published to third parties about Leidel.

Those statements were that Leidel participated in banking irregularities, fraud and actions that were "comparable to those actions of Bernie Madoff," according to the court records.

The lawsuit states the statements were false or made with reckless disregard of whether they were false or not.

Leidel, who has worked in the securities industry for 10 years, became frustrated over the last few years with Highlands Independent Bank's unwillingness to support his strong desire to grow his business, the records stated.

Leidel's Bartow attorney, John Frost II, did not wish to comment on the lawsuits.