Jury awards nearly $700,000 to former Springdale dental company employee

FAYETTEVILLE -- A jury recently awarded a former employee of a dental company nearly $700,000, according to Washington County Circuit Court records.

Hubert T. Mendonca of Fayetteville sued Bold Dental Management in January after he was fired as chief financial officer, according to a civil lawsuit. The lawsuit said Mendonca was hired in 2014 with a contract outlining payment and benefits should he be let go without cause. The contract was back-dated to start March 2013 because Mendonca was working for the company before the contract was completed.

Mendonca was a partner and co-founder of Bold Dental Management, said Todd Lewis, Mendonca's attorney.

Secretary of state records show the company operated in Springdale and is the same address as Arkansas Oral and Facial Surgery at 2926 W. Huntsville Ave. It has since changed its name to MaxSurge, a medical and dental specialty corporation that helps dental offices provide patient care, according to its website.

Lewis said Mendonca was an original employee who had a vested interest in the success of Bold Dental. The company placed Mendonca on leave after he refused to resign, Lewis said.

John Everett, attorney for Bold Dental Management, didn't return phone messages left last week and Friday. A secretary at his office said he was unavailable.

Mendonca claimed the company owed him more than $800,000, part of that was outlined in the contract; $35,000 in loans he gave the company; a bonus; and shares of the company.

Mendonca was awarded $699,097, plus 6 percent interest on salary owed since Jan. 5, 2016, according to verdict information filed Nov. 17 with the Circuit Clerk. Mendonca was "let go" from employment on that date, Lewis said.

Mendonca never resigned and wasn't fired, but suspended indefinitely, Lewis said.

Scott Bolding, who is listed on business registrations for Bold Dental Management and similarly named businesses, didn't return a message left at his office. Lewis confirmed Bolding is involved with the Bold Dental Management.

Secretary of state records show Bold Dental "converted" to MaxSurge in 2013. Companies with similar names as Bold Dental and MaxSurge and linked to Bolding are in good standing, according to secretary of state records.

Lewis said he doesn't know if Bold Dental will appeal the ruling.

NW News on 12/02/2017

Upcoming Events