Charter Wants ex-State Lobbyist to Show Cause Why He Shouldn’t Be Held in Contempt

Charter Communications seeks an order directing Bridger Mahlum, its former director-state government affairs, to show cause why he shouldn’t be held in civil contempt for defying the court’s Aug. 30 temporary restraining order by not quitting his job with BroadbandMT, a direct competitor, said Charter’s emergency motion Thursday (docket 3:23-cv-01106) in U.S. District Court for Connecticut in New Haven. Charter is seeking to prevent Bridger Mahlum, its former director-state government affairs, from continuing to breach his noncompete agreement and from misappropriating Charter’s trade secrets involving state broadband funding (see 2308210001). The court’s TRO was “unequivocal,” said Charter’s emergency motion. Mahlum can’t violate his noncompetes, which include being employed by BroadbandMT, it said. Mahlum’s noncompliance with the TRO “is clear and convincing, as his attorney has confirmed that Mahlum has not resigned his employment,” it said. Mahlum continues to cause irreparable harm to Charter, now in violation of the TRO, “especially given Mahlum’s Charter-built reputation, high-profile position, and intimate knowledge of Charter’s trade secrets,” it said.