The ongoing saga of the legal proceedings between AMA and former CEO Andy Hopkins has a new development, as Hopkins has lodged a counter-claim in the Federal Court of Australia (FCA).
The companies have opted for mediation. The claims by the defending Hopkins can be broken up into three areas: unpaid remuneration allegedly agreed to; a loan from AMA to Hopkins company Cedarfield; and monies in regard to the constructive dismissal claim conducted at the initial removal of Hopkins from AMA. Hopkins is claiming loss of income from constructive dismissal to the tune of $3.8million. There is also discussion over a consultancy non-compete cause, which Hopkins' lawyers argue is not valid under the current circumstances.
The upshot is that the difference between what AMA is suing Hopkins for and his counterclaims are approximately half a million dollars in Hopkins' favour.