In which court was the lawsuit against Augusta Lawn Care originally filed?

According to Augusta Lawn Care's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a lawsuit was initially filed against them in the Supreme Court of New York, Rockland County, on December 16, 2024. The case, Abraham Bilgoray v. Mike Andes, Augusta Franchise LLC, Augusta Franchise LLC Suite, and Augusta Lawn Care Corporation, was later moved to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on January 21, 2025.

The plaintiff in this case, a former Augusta Lawn Care franchisee, alleges fraud and negligent misrepresentation, claiming they did not receive the Franchise Disclosure Document before signing the agreement. As a result, the plaintiff is seeking to cancel the contracts and receive restitution. Augusta Lawn Care has contested these claims, asserting that the franchisee agreement requires the claim to be brought before the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or, if not, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.

Augusta Lawn Care also argues that the plaintiff's claims are deficient under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, lack merit under the applicable documents, and are barred by the statute of limitations. Augusta Lawn Care denies any liability and expresses confidence in winning the litigation and recovering their legal fees and costs. Prospective franchisees should be aware of this ongoing litigation and its potential implications.