Former exec sues American Premiere

Friday, July 20, 2001 | 11:23 a.m.

Robert Lively Jr., a former president of American Premiere Homes and Development who was accused in 1999 of mismanaging the company and misappropriating its funds, sued the company and its two principals, alleging he was wrongfully removed.

Lively, who said he owns 25 percent of American Premiere Homes, sued the company and its sales and marketing firm, American Premiere Realty, in Clark County District Court. Also named are American Premiere Realty's treasurer, Hagai Rapaport, its vice president, Ronen Rahaman, and sales and marketing manager Jill Hansen and Real Estate Source.

Lively claims he would have been entitled to $400,000 in commissions on the gross sales of three American Premiere properties had he remained as president.

Lively was sued by American Premiere Homes in November 1999, alleging he solicited and accepted kickbacks from at least one of its subcontractors, mismanaged the company's construction projects -- allegedly causing project costs to run over budget and fall behind schedule -- and overcharged customers.

Lively, who said he was wrongfully removed on Sep. 29, 1999 by Rapaport, Rahaman and Hansen, said his interest in American Premiere Homes was eliminated after the projects previously marketed by the company were transferred to another company, Real Estate Source.

Real Estate Source was formed in December 1999, one month after American Premiere Realty's license was revoked for nonrenewal, the suit said. The defendants could not be reached for comment on Lively's charges.