Sandals at odds with former exec over breach of privacy allegations
Published:Friday | September 13, 2024 | 12:10 AM
WESTERN BUREAU:
Sandals Resorts International (SRI) is preparing to take legal action in response to a lawsuit from a former senior executive, which includes serious allegations against the company and its chairman, Adam Stewart.
Dmitri Singh, an attorney-at-law who served the resort chain for more than 20 years, has accused SRI and Stewart of actions he said were taken to marginalise, intimidate, and humiliate him. The lawsuit, filed in the Supreme Court on September 10, also raised allegations around breaches of privacy and constitutional rights, setting the stage for a high-profile legal battle.
At the heart of Singh’s lawsuit is his claim that the company installed spyware on a company-issued computer during his employment. He also contends that SRI requested that he surrender his laptop and mobile phones – both company devices – but he refused. Singh alleges that his refusal to cooperate with these demands led to violations of his constitutional rights, for which he is seeking damages and other forms of legal relief.
Singh’s role as a trustee in the late Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart’s estate further complicates the case. According to related court material in another jurisdiction, Singh was one of several pecuniary beneficiaries, having received a gift of US$10 million in cash and valuable real estate, including a home and apartments. Singh claimed in his lawsuit that Adam Stewart offered him US$2 million in March 2022, which if he accepted, he believed would have led to an expectation that he would support the SRI head’s interests.
In response to the allegations, SRI cited its clear and comprehensive email and technology-usage policies, which it said applied to all employees, including Singh. The company said its policy explicitly states that employees should have no expectation of privacy when using corporate networks or resources, including company-issued devices.
The policy, the company said, allows SRI to monitor, intercept, and review any data or messages transmitted through the company’s network to ensure compliance with internal guidelines.
SRI said the policy covers the transmission and storage of files, emails, and other data, as well as the inspection of information stored on company devices such as hard drives and personal file directories.
Yesterday afternoon, SRI released a statement acknowledging the lawsuit and expressing disappointment over the situation.