PR Firm Suing Head Start Agency For Breach Of Contract

A public relations firm is suing the Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland for breach of contract.

The firm worked for CEOGC during a time when its board and CEO were embroiled in a lawsuit.

Wright Path Solutions is seeking $212,000 for services rendered and loss of business from CEOGC.

The public relations firm entered into a contract with the agency when the chair of its board of trustees signed the document last February, but the agency's CEO Jacklyn Chisholm says that wasn't the proper procedure.

"The board of trustees must have a meeting to determine if this is something they are going to approve," said Chisholm. "And if they approve it, they don't approve it for the board chair to sign a contract. They approve it for me to sign the contract."

Chisholm says the contract never came across her desk to be signed, and, therefore, Wright Path was not authorized to work on behalf of the Head Start agency.

During that time, board members had voted to fire Chisholm, and Wright Path represented the board. Chisholm filed a lawsuit against the board claiming wrongful termination and won the case.

Wright Path’s attorney, Heidi Callender, says regardless of who signed, her client should be paid for services rendered.

“Our claim outlines that when an officer of the board executed the agreement she did it on behalf of the nonprofit CEOGC,” said Callender.