CEO sues nonprofit for at least $12M, alleging defamation, wrongful firing

SARASOTA — Rick Carlisle, who led a major expansion of Sarasota-based CAN Community Health as CEO for six years before parting ways with the organization in June, is suing the nonprofit for wrongful termination and related allegations.

In a lawsuit filed June 30 in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court in Sarasota, Carlisle alleges CAN breached its contract agreement with him and defamed his character. He seeks a jury trial and at least $12 million, according to the lawsuit, filed by Tampa attorney Dean Kent with the Trenam law firm. CAN and Dr. Rishi Patel, former COO and executive vice president of CAN who was named interim CEO in June, were both named defendants in the lawsuit.