Controversy rocks the corner of the Kansas City publishing world that looks expectantly to the spring day when the city's elite mix animal prints and tuxedo wear.
The owner of a society magazine has sued Chuck Eddy, a former Kansas City, Missouri, councilman and candidate for mayor, alleging that Eddy violated the terms of an employment agreement.
A Memphis, Tennessee, resident named Fred Harris hired Eddy to run By Invitation Kansas City, a photograph-heavy magazine tracing the movements of Junior League members and others who use the term "gala" without being ironic. The magazine debuted in August.
The suit claims that Eddy, a licensed chiropractor, was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the magazine. Two months after formally agreeing to serve as publisher, however, Eddy submitted his resignation. Then, the following month, Eddy incorporated a new business that publishes Kansas City Celebrates Magazine, which also aspires to capture the city's lovelies as they hold cocktails and each other's waists. A recent issue of Celebrates features pictures from fundraisers benefiting Amethyst Place, Hope House and the Rose Brooks Domestic Violence Center, among other causes.
The suit cites an employment agreement, which bars Eddy from working for a competitor or potential competitor for 12 months after he received his last paycheck. Eddy took many of the pictures appearing in the December issue of Celebrates. The suit says Eddy covered some of the events featured in his publication while working for By Invitation and has refused to turn over photographs and advertising contracts, leading to "unfair confusion and competition."
It also asks the court to restrain Eddy from operating the magazine and seeks the contracts and photographs By Invitation believes it owns.
Eddy did not immediately a phone call and e-mail seeking comment. -- David Martin
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