TQL Seeks Dismissal of Carrier RICO Suit, Cites Venue and 'Poor Business Practices'

TQL filed three motions Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas seeking dismissal of a RICO lawsuit brought by carriers Stevens Trucking, Western Flyer Express, Christenson Transportation, E.O.S. and IWS Motor Freight against the 3PL and C.H. Robinson. TQL argues the carriers' contracts require disputes to be litigated exclusively in Clermont County, Ohio, where the company is based. It also contends its conduct does not meet RICO's definition of corrupt activity, calling the allegations "a dispute about Plaintiffs losing freight to a lower bidder, the likely result of their poor business practices." The broker said low rates, carrier noncompliance and a declining freight market do not establish racketeering or false advertising, and that the suit offers "anecdotes cloaked as facts" and "inferences" rather than evidence tying specific TQL acts to lost accounts. TQL separately seeks to remove IWS, saying it had no direct contract with TQL. C.H. Robinson has not yet responded to the suit.