Health Clinic Suing City
Health Clinic Suing City
Health Clinic Suing City
v. Civil Action
Defendant.
Plaintiff Kaplan Group LLC doing business as Medical Home Pharmacy (“Kaplan” or
“Plaintiff”), by way of Complaint against Defendant City of Trenton (the “City” or the
THE PARTIES
1. Kaplan is a licensed pharmacy with its principal place of business located at 828 N.
2. Kaplan is also the owner of the property located at 828 N. Olden Avenue in Trenton,
3. The City is a municipal corporation of the State of New Jersey with its principal
BACKGROUND
4. Beginning in March 2020 and continuing through the present, the COVID 19
5. The City through the Mayor and Administration including Director of Health,
Director of Emergency Management and Business Administrator took various emergency steps to
serve their constituents by contracting with Kaplan for the performance of COVID-19 testing, the
purchase of COVID-19 test kits with training for COVID-19 testing, and use and occupancy of
space at property owned by Kaplan for a city-run neighborhood clinic (the “City-Run
Neighborhood Clinic”).
6. Now, after Kaplan’s diligence and efforts to provide the support, resources, and
leadership, the City is refusing to meet its contractual obligation with Kaplan by refusing to
compensate for the services and goods Kaplan provided to the City and its residents.
7. Instead, the City has allowed its own internal political disputes and dysfunction1 to
result in the its inability to meet its financial obligations, including its contractual obligations to
Kaplan for the services and goods rendered for the benefit of the City’s residents during a time
8. Kaplan and its workers were frontline heroes who saved lives to help the City and
its residents.
1
See e.g. Trenton Budget Concerns Mounting, City Council Set for Hearing, Insider NJ, available
at https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/trenton-budget-concerns-mounting-city-council-set-
for-hearing/ (dated Oct. 18, 2022); State Initiates ‘Direct Operational Oversight’ of Embattled
N.J.’s City Water Utility, Kevin Shea, N.J.com, available at
https://www.nj.com/mercer/2022/10/state-initiates-direct-operational-oversight-of-embattled-nj-
citys-water-utility.html (dated Oct. 12, 2022).
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9. The City issued bid specifications seeking to award a Contract to Provide COVID-
19 Testing for City of Trenton Residents (the “Emergency COVID Testing Contract”) with a bid
10. As set forth in the City’s bid specifications, the Emergency COVID Testing
Contract required that bidders provide all staff, personal protection equipment, COVID-19 testing
kits, supplies, refrigeration, infrastructure and all other materials and services need to both conduct
patient COVID-19 tests and to collect and store data based upon the performance of such COVID-
19 tests.
11. On September 3, 2020, Kaplan submitted a bid in response to the City’s bid
12. On November 24, 2020, the City Council for the City adopted Resolution 20-690
awarding an Emergency COVID Testing Contract to Kaplan at the bid price of $90.00 per test.
13. At the City Council meeting, the City’s Business Administrator Adam E. Cruz
The insurance is not required. It will just be a benefit for the City if
somebody brings their insurance card so that the cost of the $90 will
not go against the $200,000 but they will charge the insurance
company. However, it is not required. Anyone can go to the testing
site and not have the insurance card with them or insurance
information and they will be treated just like everyone else.
A video recording of the November 24, 2020 City Council meeting is available at:
beginning at 1:37:35.
14. Pursuant to the Emergency COVID Testing Contract, Kaplan proceeded to perform
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15. Each month, Kaplan issued to the City an invoice for the amount due based upon
16. The City has failed to issue payment for the following invoices for COVID-19 tests
performed by Kaplan:
17. A total of $99,360.00 remains due from the City to Kaplan for the performance of
18. In Mid December 2021 at the height of the Omicron Variant outbreak, Grady Griffin
(“Griffin”), the Acting Director of the City’s Office of Emergency Management and Adam Cruz
(“Cruz”), the City’s Business Administrator requested the purchase of 30,000 COVID-19 test kits
from Kaplan.
19. Due to the number of test kits requested, Kaplan advised Cruz that the City would have
to issue an initial deposit for Kaplan to proceed with an order of that size.
20. Rather than proceed with a payment for an initial deposit, Cruz advised that the City
would reduce the number of COVID-19 test kits for purchase from 30,000 to 10,000 COVID-19
test kits.
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21. On December 24, 2021, Kaplan via text message to Griffin and Cruz advised that the
costs of the COVID-19 test kits was $45 per test kit, which would include all licensing, training
for City staff to administer the test kits, the costs related to the reporting of the test results from
the test kits, and the purchase of equipment such as iPads and printers for the City to use with the
22. On December 26, 2021, Kaplan issued an invoice to the City for the 10,000 COVID-
23. On December 26, 2021, Kaplan conducted the training to the City employees as to how
to perform the COVID-19 tests and the procedures for obtaining and recording the results from
24. On or about January 4, 2022, Kaplan delivered the 10,000 COVID-19 test kits along
with the equipment such as iPads and printers for the City to use with the COVID-19 test kits at
25. Specifically, Kaplan deposited the COVID-19 test kits in the storage area shared by
26. The City took 6,000 of the 10,000 COVID-19 test kits and moved them directly into its
27. Following receipt of the COVID-19 test kits, the City requested that Kaplan issue two
(2) separate invoices for the test kits with each invoice for 5,000 of the total 10,000 test kits
provided.
28. In an effort to reduce the cost per COVID-19 test kit and provide the City a savings on
the total purchase for the test kits, Kaplan separated the setup and training fees from the per
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COVID-19 test kit price at $40 per test kit instead of $45 per test kit and $25,000 for the setup and
training fees.
29. On January 31, 2022, Kaplan issued to the City the first of the two (2) invoices for the
COVID-19 test kits in the amount of $225,000 for 5,000 test kits at $40 per test kit and the setup
30. On March 14, 2022, the Mayor issued Executive Order 22-01 for the City of Trenton
Authorizing Matters and Services Critical to the Health, Safety, and Welfare of Trenton Residents.
31. Specifically, Executive Order 22-01 noted that due to the medical leave of the City
Clerk and the inability of the City Council to address various issues pertaining to the health, safety,
32. Paragraph 1 of Executive Order 22-01 specifically authorized payment for the first
invoice from Kaplan, LLC for the purchase of the COVID-19 test kits stating:
33. Notwithstanding the Mayor’s issuance of Executive Order 22-01, the City never issued
34. In mid-April 2022, Kaplan provided to the City 3,600 over the counter COVID-19 test
kits which the City exchanged for 2,000 of the COVID-19 test kits previously provided.
2
A copy of Executive Order 22-01 is also available on the City of Trenton website at:
https://www.trentonnj.org/documentcenter/view/6672
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35. On August 1, 2022, Kaplan issued the second invoice for the COVID-19 test kits in the
amount of $200,000 for 5,000 COVID-19 test kits at $40 per test kit.
36. The City also failed to issue payment under the second invoice for the COVID-19 test
kits.
C. The Lease Agreement for the Property at 828 North Olden Avenue, Suite 2, Trenton,
New Jersey
37. On October 31, 2018, Kaplan entered into a lease agreement with Ampersand Health
Management, LLC (“Ampersand”) whereby Ampersand leased the space designated as Suite 2 on
38. Pursuant to the lease agreement between Kaplan and Ampersand (the “Ampersand
Lease”), Ampersand leased 3,500 square feet to operate medical offices for a term of ten (10)
years.
39. Paragraph 5 of the Ampersand Lease set forth the rent schedule due under the
Ampersand Lease. Specifically, this provision contained the following rent table:
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40. Ampersand, however, was ultimately unable to proceed with the opening of the
41. Nevertheless, Ampersand continued to pay the monthly rent due under the Ampersand
Lease in conformance with its obligation to comply with the terms set forth in the Ampersand
Lease and avoid the termination penalties set forth in the Ampersand Lease.
42. In September 2021, the City approached Kaplan regarding the use of space at the
43. Kaplan contacted Ampersand and advised of the City’s interest in utilizing the space
44. Ampersand agreed to allow the City to utilize the space at the Property provided that
they offset a portion of the monthly rents being paid from Ampersand to Kaplan under the
Ampersand Lease and authorized Kaplan to negotiate a sub-lease agreement between Ampersand
45. By November 2021, the City was provided access to Suite 2 on the Property even prior
46. During this time, the City was able to perform renovations, install signage and begin
setting up the City-Run Neighborhood Clinic without having to pay any rent at all.
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47. In fact, on January 19, 2022, the City conducted a “soft-opening” at the Property for
the City-Run Neighborhood Clinic3 even though a sub-lease agreement had not been finalized.
48. On February 1, 2022, the City executed a Sublease Agreement for use of the space at
the Property for a term from February 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 at a rate of $4,000 per
49. As stated in Paragraph 5 of the Sublease Agreement, the remaining balance of the
monthly rent due from Ampersand to Kaplan under the Ampersand Lease would continue to be
paid by Ampersand.
50. Prior to the expiration of the Sublease Agreement, Ampersand contacted Kaplan to
advise that they had identified a prospective tenant that wanted to take over the Ampersand Lease
51. Kaplan advised Ampersand that it could not terminate the Sublease Agreement with
the City until the expiration of the term set forth in the Sublease Agreement.
52. Kaplan proceeded to advise the City that a new tenant had proposed to take over the
53. In response, the City requested to continue utilizing the space at the Property for the
54. Specifically, the City’s Director of Health and Human Services advised Kaplan that
the City would negotiate a lease agreement directly with Kaplan which would allow Kaplan to
terminate the Ampersand Lease and allow the City to continue occupying Suite 2 at the Property.
3
https://www.nj.com/mercer/2022/01/new-city-run-neighborhood-clinic-will-start-with-covid-
services-grow-from-there.html
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55. Based on these representations, Kaplan proceeded to terminate the Ampersand Lease
and negotiate a new Commercial Lease Agreement with the City (the “City Lease”). See Exhibit
56. On November 29, 2022, Kaplan and the City executed the City Lease for Suite 2 at the
Property for an initial term of one (1) year from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
57. To offset the lost rent revenue under the Ampersand Lease for the remainder of the
term in the Ampersand Lease, the City agreed to monthly rent of $12,000.
58. Since the expiration of the Sublease Agreement on December 31, 2022, the City has
59. The City continues to occupy the Property and refuses to pay the required rent under
60. In response to a demand from Kaplan, the City has refused to recognize the City
Lease stating that the City’s Director of Health and Human Services was not authorized to enter
FIRST COUNT
(Book Account - Emergency COVID Testing Contract)
61. Kaplan repeats and re-alleges the allegations set forth above as if set forth at length
therein.
62. The amount due from City under the Emergency COVID-Testing Contract constitutes
a book account.
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a) Directing that Kaplan be paid $99,360 due and owing under the Emergency
COVID-Testing Contract;
c) Granting such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and equitable.
SECOND COUNT
(Breach of Contract - Emergency COVID Testing Contract)
65. Kaplan repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation set forth above as if set forth
at length herein.
66. Kaplan and the City entered into the Emergency COVID Testing Contract wherein
Kaplan would provide COVID-19 testing services at a rate of $90 per test.
67. Kaplan provided the COVID-19 testing services to the City, but the City failed to make
certain payments on five (5) of the invoices due totally $99,360 under the Emergency COVID
Testing Contract.
69. As a result of the City’s breach, Kaplan has suffered, and will continue to suffer,
damages.
a) Directing that Kaplan be paid $99,360 due and owing under the Emergency
COVID-Testing Contract;
c) Granting such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and equitable.
THIRD COUNT
(Unjust Enrichment - Emergency COVID Testing Contract)
70. Kaplan repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation set forth above as if set forth
at length herein.
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71. In utilizing the COVID-19 testing services of Kaplan without making payment to
72. The City’s unjust enrichment has occurred to the detriment of Kaplan.
a) Directing that Kaplan be paid $99,360 due and owing under the Emergency
COVID-Testing Contract;
c) Granting such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and equitable.
FOURTH COUNT
(Promissory Estoppel - Emergency COVID Testing Contract)
73. Kaplan repeats and re-alleges the allegations set forth above as if set forth at length
therein.
74. In utilizing Kaplan’s COVID-19 testing services, the City promised to pay Kaplan for
75. Kaplan reasonably relied on the City’s promises for payment and to comply with the
76. It was foreseeable to an objectively reasonable person that Kaplan would rely on upon
77. The City has failed to make payments due and owing to Kaplan as promised when it
a) Directing that Kaplan be paid $99,360 due and owing under the Emergency
COVID-Testing Contract;
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c) Granting such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and equitable.
FIFTH COUNT
(Breach of Contract - Sale of COVID-19 Testing Kits)
79. Kaplan repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation set forth above as if set forth
at length herein.
80. Kaplan and the City entered into a Contract under which the City would purchase
10,000 COVID-19 test kits at a price of $40 per test kit plus $25,000 for training, set up and
equipment.
81. Kaplan delivered the 10,000 COVID-19 test kits to the City and fulfilled its obligations
82. Despite Kaplan’s delivery of the COVID-19 test kits to the City, the City has failed and
84. As a result of the City’s breach, Kaplan has suffered, and will continue to suffer,
damages.
a) Directing that Kaplan be paid $425,000 due and owing for the purchase of the
COVID-19 test kits;
c) Granting such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and equitable.
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SIXTH COUNT
(Unjust Enrichment - Sale of COVID-19 Testing Kits)
85. Kaplan repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation set forth above as if set forth
at length herein.
86. In receiving and utilizing the COVID-19 test kits delivered by Kaplan without making
87. The City’s unjust enrichment has occurred to the detriment of Kaplan.
a) Directing that Kaplan be paid $425,000 due and owing for the purchase of the
COVID-19 test kits;
c) Granting such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and equitable.
SEVENTH COUNT
(Promissory Estoppel - Sale of COVID-19 Testing Kits)
88. Kaplan repeats and re-alleges the allegations set forth above as if set forth at length
therein.
89. The City promised that it would issue payment to Kaplan at $40 per COVID-19 test kit
90. Kaplan reasonably relied on the City’s promises for payment and proceeded to
91. It was foreseeable to an objectively reasonable person that Kaplan would rely on upon
92. The City has failed to make payments due and owing to Kaplan as promised when it
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a) Directing that Kaplan be paid $425,000 due and owing for the purchase of the
COVID-19 test kits;
c) Granting such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and equitable.
EIGHTH COUNT
(Breach of Contract – Lease Agreement)
94. Kaplan repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation set forth above as if set forth
at length herein.
95. Kaplan and the City entered into the City Lease under which the City was provided use
96. From January 1, 2023 to the present, the City is utilizing Suite 2 of the Property
97. Despite the City’s continued occupancy of Suite 2 at the Property, the City has failed
and refused to make certain payments for the COVID-19 test kits.
98. The City’s failure to make rent payment constitutes a breach of the City Lease.
99. As a result of the City’s breach, Kaplan has suffered, and will continue to suffer,
damages.
a) Directing that Kaplan be paid $12,000 per month for the occupancy of Suite 2 at
the Property for the twelve (12) months during 2023;
c) Granting such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and equitable.
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NINTH COUNT
(Unjust Enrichment – Lease Agreement)
100. Kaplan repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation set forth above as if set
101. In utilizing Suite 2 at the Property without payment of rent to Kaplan, the City has
102. The City’s unjust enrichment has occurred to the detriment of Kaplan.
a) Directing that Kaplan be paid $12,000 per month for the occupancy of Suite 2 at
the Property for the twelve (12) months during 2023;
c) Granting such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and equitable.
TENTH COUNT
(Promissory Estoppel – Lease Agreement)
103. Kaplan repeats and re-alleges the allegations set forth above as if set forth at length
therein.
104. The City promised that it would pay rent to Kaplan for the use of Suite 2 at the
105. Kaplan reasonably relied on the City’s promises for payment of rent.
106. Upon reliance on the City’s promise for the payment of rent at $12,000 per month,
Kaplan terminated the Ampersand Lease despite the new tenant who had proposed to take over
107. It was foreseeable to an objectively reasonable person that Kaplan would rely on
108. The City has failed to pay Kaplan any rent under the City Lease.
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a) Directing that Kaplan be paid all remaining rent due under the Ampersand Lease
which Kaplan terminated at the City’s direction;
c) Granting such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and equitable.
Kaplan hereby designates Richard D. Trenk, Esq. as trial counsel in this matter pursuant to
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JURY DEMAND
R. 4:5-1 CERTIFICATION
In accordance with R. 4:5-1, I hereby certify that the matter in controversy pleaded herein
is not the subject of any other court or arbitration action. I hereby certify that the foregoing
statements made by me are true to the best of my knowledge and information. I am aware that if
any of the foregoing statements made by me are willfully false, I may be subject to punishment.
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CERTIFICATION
I certify that confidential personal identifiers have been redacted from documents now
submitted to the court and will be redacted from all documents submitted in the future in
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Exhibit “A”
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Exhibit “B”
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Exhibit “C”
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AM Pg 1 of 1 Trans
TransID:
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LCV20231037564
Case Caption: KAPLAN GROUP LLC VS CITY OF Case Type: CONTRACT/COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION
TRENTON Document Type: Complaint with Jury Demand
Case Initiation Date: 03/27/2023 Jury Demand: YES - 6 JURORS
Attorney Name: RICHARD D TRENK Is this a professional malpractice case? NO
Firm Name: TRENK ISABEL SIDDIQI SHAHDANIAN, P.C. Related cases pending: NO
Address: 290 W. MT. PLEASANT AVE STE 2370 If yes, list docket numbers:
LIVINGSTON NJ 07039 Do you anticipate adding any parties (arising out of same
Phone: 9735331000 transaction or occurrence)? NO
Name of Party: PLAINTIFF : Kaplan Group LLC Does this case involve claims related to COVID-19? YES
Name of Defendant’s Primary Insurance Company
(if known): Unknown Are sexual abuse claims alleged by: Kaplan Group LLC? NO
Please check off each applicable category: Putative Class Action? NO Title 59? NO Consumer Fraud? NO
I certify that confidential personal identifiers have been redacted from documents now submitted to the
court, and will be redacted from all documents submitted in the future in accordance with Rule 1:38-7(b)