Beam and Stoli chief commercial officer settle lawsuit

Beam Suntory has settled a legal dispute with its former sales executive Rudy Costello, who the group accused of breaching a non-compete agreement.

Costello, Beam Suntory’s former vice president, general sales manager, left the company to join Stoli Group USA as its new vice president and chief commercial and sales officer.

Earlier this month, Beam Suntory filed a lawsuit with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, claiming Costello’s appointment breached non-compete terms he agreed to.

Clarkson Hine, SVP corporate communications and public affairs for Beam Suntory, confirmed that both parties had reached an “out-of-court settlement”, adding that Beam Suntory is “pleased with the resolution”.

A spokesperson for Stoli Group USA added: “Stoli Group and its new chief commercial officer, Rudy Costello, are pleased that the lawsuit filed against Mr Costello by Jim Beam Brands Co and Beam Suntory Inc in the Northern District of Illinois has been resolved and was dismissed with prejudice on 31 January 2018.

“Stoli Group and Mr Costello are glad the lawsuit is now over.”