JEFFERSON COUNTY, Texas — Sonic Automotive and Philpott Motors, which the dealer group owns, filed a lawsuit on Sept. 16 against multiple dealerships and a former employee for luring away employees.

Kevin McCabe, who attended Sonic’s Leadership Academy Program in 2011 while working for Philpott Motors, left the dealership shortly thereafter and hired at least seven of the dealership's employees to work for him, The Southeast Texas Record reports.

As part of the program, McCabe was required to refrain from hiring or employing any Sonic employees for a period of two years after leaving the company, according to the lawsuit. Sonic Automotive and Philpott Motors alleged McCabe breached his contract and are seeking damages.

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