Charges disputed in lawsuit over gaming-themed candy

Friday, Dec. 10, 1999 | 10:54 a.m.

A Las Vegas businesswoman sued by her former business partner over a line of souvenir candy products has denied the allegations, and hinted her business partner had engaged in unfair dealing.

Rhonda Ivie and her company, Lines & Logos Inc., were sued Tuesday by Las Vegas candy producer R.J. Hiel & Associates. The suit was filed after Ivie terminated a contract with R.J. Hiel to produce a gambling-themed candy line called "Sweet Jackpots."

R.J. Hiel had said the contract was valid through 2003, and said it contained no provision for early termination. But Ivie said R.J. Hiel hadn't been paying her fairly, and had ducked numerous attempts by her attorney to set up a meeting to resolve the issue.

"If someone doesn't pay you correctly, or on time, and they don't report correct sales, I think that's grounds for termination," Ivie said. "My attorney and I have sent them six different letters asking to meet, for them to prove they have basically paid me the correct amounts. So far, we've not gotten a time to meet."

Ivie said she worked as a consultant in selling the line, and was entitled to a percentage of sales.

Ivie flatly denied R.J. Hiel's charge that she had sent letters to R.J. Hiel's customers and vendors that stated the contract had been terminated, and demanding that they cease business with R.J. Hiel. The plaintiff is asking the court to force Ivie to rescind the alleged letters.

"Those letters don't even exist," Ivie said. "Customers have a right to choose which one to buy."