Kasowitz Filed Lawsuit on Behalf of The Armored Group Against Ismail Gharghar and Mahmoud Gharghar for Violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and Other Federal and State Law Violations

Kasowitz has filed a lawsuit on behalf of The Armored Group LLC (TAG), a pioneer in the armored vehicle industry, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina against Ismail Gharghar and Mahmoud Gharghar for alleged violations of the RICO or Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and the Lanham Act, among other alleged state and common law violations.  The 44-page complaint alleges that the Gharghars and their companies, TAG Middle East FZC and TAG Middle East U.S. Manufacturing LLC, engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity, including trafficking in counterfeit armored vehicles and various acts of wire fraud, as part of a fraudulent scheme to impersonate TAG, steal TAG’s customers, and destroy TAG’s business. 

As the complaint alleges, the Gharghars set out to transform a former TAG supplier into a TAG impersonator, seeking to replace TAG in the armored vehicle market by brazenly exploiting TAG’s trademarks and trafficking in counterfeit TAG vehicles.  The Gharghars allegedly opened a U.S.-based affiliate in South Carolina, TAG Middle East U.S. Manufacturing LLC, and worked with former TAG employees to rebrand both TAG Middle East FZC and TAG Middle East U.S. Manufacturing LLC as so-called TAG Dynamics.  Then, the Gharghars and their companies allegedly began wrongfully importing into the United States counterfeit armored vehicles bearing TAG’s BATT mark for sale by TAG Dynamics.

As alleged in the complaint, the Gharghars and their companies, engaging as TAG Dynamics, are also infringing on TAG’s brand name and trademarks through the TAG Dynamics website and logo and by using TAG’s marketing materials, including product photographs and descriptions.  The complaint further alleges that the Gharghars and their associates have made false or misleading representations about TAG and about TAG Dynamics’ supposed affiliation with TAG, to “confuse consumers about who is the real TAG” and in furtherance of their scheme.

TAG has been at the forefront of the armored vehicle industry since TAG was established by Robert Pazderka in 1992.  Over three decades, TAG has become a trusted supplier to governments, public agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private clients worldwide.  TAG’s diverse product range includes Cash-In-Transit vehicles, Armored Personnel Carriers, SUVs, and military vehicles.  Through its lawsuit, TAG seeks millions of dollars to remedy damages to its business and reputation and to put an end to the alleged infringement and racketeering activities of the Gharghars and their companies.  If found to have violated RICO, the Gharghars may be liable for treble damages and TAG’s attorneys’ fees, among other damages.  

The Kasowitz team representing TAG is led by partners Marc E. Kasowitz, David E. Ross, and Nefertiti J. Alexander and includes associates Joshua B. Marks, Michael D. Fuzaylov, Paula Y. Ajumobi, and Mariah Johnson.