The Russian School of Mathematics Inc. claims that the former principal of its Scarsdale after-school program has poached students and teachers for a competing program.
RSM accused Irene Sinyavin, of Scarsdale, and Logicus LLC, of Larchmont, of misappropriation of trade secrets, in a complaint filed in Westchester Supreme Court on Aug. 14 and removed to U.S. District Court in White Plains on Sept. 13.
RSM claims that Sinyavin breached an employment agreement by founding Logicus, a direct competitor in the mathematics tutoring business; soliciting RSM’s clients; making disparaging statements; and exploiting confidential business information.
Sinyavin’s attorney, Uwem Umoh, argued in a state court filing that she did not poach students or teachers, rely on RSM’s confidential information or disparage her former employer. And if the court granted RSM’s demands, he said, Sinyavin “would in essence be prohibited from earning a living.”
On Aug. 25, Westchester Supreme Court Justice Thomas Quinones granted a temporary restraining order barring Sinyavin from competing with RSM, soliciting clients or teachers, disclosing confidential information and disparaging her former employer.
RSM, based in Newton, Massachusetts, Â operates K-12 after-school math programs at many locations across the country.
In March 2021, the tutoring company hired Sinyavin to establish a program in Scarsdale. On Jan. 11, she was fired. On March 31 she incorporated Logicus LLC.
RSM claims that her employment and separation agreements restrict her activities. For two years after her employment ended, for example, she may not work for any competitor, solicit students and teachers to leave RSM, or disclose company information such as lesson plans and marketing plans.
RSM alleges that she violated those terms.
Sinyavin denied violating any agreements and states in an affidavit that she took the Scarsdale program from zero students to 450, based largely on her reputation in the community and her success in getting children admitted to prestigious universities.
She claims she was offered 15% of the profits generated in Scarsdale but has not been fully paid.
When she was fired, RSM cited no cause, according to Sinyavin, she was given 30 minutes to pack and leave, and she was compelled to sign the separation agreement.
Umoh argued that the agreement is not enforceable because RSM did not sign it and because the restrictions were invalidated when she was fired without cause.
Now, in federal court, Sinyavin is represented by Manhattan attorney Robert W. Ottinger Jr. RSM is represented by Manhattan attorney Daniel J. LaRose.
