BATAVIA – Batavia Container Inc. has filed a lawsuit against a former employee, alleging he stole company secrets before he left to work for a competitor.

In the suit, the company claims Robert M. Dunn, of Batavia, stole trade secrets and confidential information belonging to Batavia Container. The suit also stated that Dunn’s alleged employment by Victory Packaging was in violation of the provisions of a noncompetition agreement.

“The timing and the circumstances surrounding [Dunn’s] resignation of his employment with BCI and his immediate employment with Victory Packaging, together with [Dunn’s] alleged theft of [BCI’s] electronic files and data, raise the substantial likelihood that those electronic files and data and [BCI’s] trade secrets and confidential information were provided to Victory Packaging and/or other third parties,” the suit stated.

According to the lawsuit, Dunn admitted he initially accepted employment with Victory Packaging, but claims his employment with Victory has been terminated.

Kane County Circuit Judge Thomas Mueller has ordered Dunn turn over a thumb/flash USB drive and to provide certain limited access to his personal Gmail account. A hearing on Batavia Container’s request for a temporary injunction against Dunn is set for Aug. 25.

Mueller granted Batavia Container’s request for expedited discovery.