Sarasotan wins $26M verdict

A Virginia jury handed Jordan Fishman, the founder of Sarasota-based Alpha Mining Systems, a decision in his favor that could send $26 million his way.

Fishman had been attempting to grow a multi-million dollar international business that designed and manufactured tires for underground mining vehicles. Those growth efforts were thwarted when employee Sam Vance went around Fishman to create deals with three Arab businessmen to develop a separate operation.

In 2008, Sarasota 12th District Court Judge Robert McDonald ruled in favor of Fishman (read “Broken Faith,” in the Business Review). Vance appealed, but was denied last week, when a Virginia jury upheld McDonald's decision in Federal court.

“Al Dobowi didn't believe Jordan Fishman would ever get this case to court. They believed he would die or run out of money first,” said John Canning, a former co-conspirator, of one of the defendants in his testimony. Al Dobowi Tyre Co. is based in Dubai.