LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA, FL — A Broward County commercial waste and recycling brokerage and its principal have filed a civil lawsuit against two related waste companies based in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, alleging defamation, tortious interference with customer relationships, and more than $167,000 in unpaid commissions, according to a newly filed complaint in Broward County Circuit Court.
Apex Resources 1, LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company registered to do business in Florida, and Nicole Hashagen, identified in the filing as a Broward County resident and Apex principal, filed the seven-count verified complaint on July 6, 2026, against UEC of Florida, LLC and Universal Waste, LLC. The case, styled Apex Resources 1, LLC and Nicole Hashagen v. UEC of Florida, LLC and Universal Waste, LLC, is docketed as Case No. CACE-26-010929 in the 17th Judicial Circuit in and for Broward County. The docket shows the case assigned to Division 08.
The plaintiffs are represented by Josh M. Bloom and Marshall A. Adams of Adams & Bloom, PLLC, in Fort Lauderdale. The complaint identifies both defendants as sharing a principal place of business at 275 Commercial Boulevard, Suite 303, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, along with the same manager, Russell Mackie, and the same registered agent, Samuel Weiss.
The complaint alleges Hashagen was formerly employed by the defendants in a sales and management capacity and that the parties' relationship deteriorated in early 2026 amid what the filing describes as a potential sale of the corporate entities and negotiations over the terms of her employment. According to the complaint, the defendants stopped paying Hashagen commissions she had earned in order to pressure her into an agreement, and her employment ended after negotiations broke down.
The lawsuit alleges the defendants failed and refused to pay Hashagen commissions totaling not less than $167,449, including approximately $43,000 attributable to 2025, approximately $74,449 attributable to the first quarter of 2026, and approximately $50,000 attributable to the second quarter of 2026. The complaint alleges the defendants used spreadsheet adjustments to understate the amounts owed.
After her employment ended, Hashagen and others formed Apex, which the complaint describes as an independent commercial waste and recycling brokerage that competes lawfully with the defendants. The filing says Apex services commercial customers throughout South Florida, including approximately ten Dunkin' branded locations owned by an entity that does business as All Stores Management, also referred to as Friendly Management Group.
The complaint alleges that on or about June 25, 2026, the defendants sent a written communication, described in the filing as the "Customer Letter," to that customer. According to the complaint, the letter stated in substance that the customer's waste and recycling account "may have been transferred to or is being serviced through" Apex "using Universal Waste's vendor relationships, pricing, and service agreements without their authorization," and that the defendants had "initiated legal action." The lawsuit alleges the statements in the letter were false.
The complaint also alleges the defendants, acting through their vice president of business development, Eric Rubenstein, and others, made false statements to actual and prospective Apex customers to the effect that Hashagen was "under criminal investigation," had committed "theft," or was being sued "for theft." According to the complaint, Hashagen has not been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of any crime and is not the subject of any criminal investigation.
The lawsuit brings seven counts: tortious interference with business relationships, defamation per se, defamation and business disparagement, civil conspiracy, breach of contract for the unpaid commissions, unjust enrichment pleaded in the alternative, and a request for temporary and permanent injunctive relief. The complaint seeks compensatory damages exceeding $50,000, along with prejudgment interest, costs, and attorney's fees under Section 448.08 of the Florida Statutes on the breach of contract claim. The plaintiffs also reserve the right to seek leave to amend the complaint to assert punitive damages under Section 768.72 of the Florida Statutes.
The complaint asks the court to enjoin the defendants from publishing false statements that Hashagen is under criminal investigation, has committed theft, or has otherwise committed any crime, and from telling Apex customers that Apex services accounts unlawfully or without authorization. The plaintiffs have demanded a jury trial.
Boca Post reviewed the complaint, Apex Resources 1, LLC and Nicole Hashagen v. UEC of Florida, LLC and Universal Waste, LLC, Case No. CACE-26-010929, filed July 6, 2026, in the Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit in and for Broward County, Florida. The filing reviewed by Boca Post does not include a response from the defendants.
Recent civil filings from Broward County courts are covered by Boca Post through Broward County Lawsuits, including cases involving property owners, associations, companies, and residents.
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