Betancourt and Trebbau, both residents of Venezuela, founded Derwick in 2007, the complaint said. Before that Betancourt, a graduate of Suffolk University in Boston, was director of a Venezuela-based affiliate of Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., the suit said. Trebbau, a Boston College graduate, was a project manager for Procter & Gamble de Venezuela.
Along with their offices in Caracas, the two incorporated Derwick Associates USA LLC in late 2010 with an office at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, state records show. The corporate registration was dissolved September 28 for lack of an annual report.
The suit alleges defamation of Derwick, Betancourt and Trebbau; tortious interference with contract and with business relationships; deceptive and unfair trade practices; and civil conspiracy. The company is seeking preliminary and permanent injunctions as well as monetary damages.
Derwick won 12 bids to build power plants during a 2009-2010 energy crisis in Venezuela capped by the Hugo Chavez-led government's declaration in February 2010 of an "energy emergency," the complaint said.
Chavez celebrated winning his third term as president Sunday, vowing Venezuela will continue on its path of Bolivarian socialism. The government took over the nation's electricity sector after his 2006 victory.
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