Levick Sues Pakistani Fertilizer Giant for $400K

Levick Strategic Communications has sued a large Pakistani fertilizer producer, seeking $400K in damages for breach of contract after the firm said it gave months of PR counsel without payment as Fatima sought state backing for a factory in Indiana amid concerns that its fertilizer is a key ingredient for improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan.

In a complaint filed July 18 in federal court in Washington, Levick claims it was hired in February to provide strategic communications counsel for the company as it sought a $1.3B state bond offering in Indiana to build a fertilizer plant under its Midwest Fertilizer Corp. unit.

Concerns over the use of Fatima fertilizer in IEDs killing and maiming U.S. troops abroad surfaced during review of the Indiana project and Gov. Mike Pence pulled the plug on state funding for the project in May. Pence has allowed Posey County to pursue a $1.3B bond offering to finance the plant, however.

Levick said the company took the benefits of its advice on how to proceed in Indiana without paying the firm after an initial $78,600 retainer payment. A June 4 invoice for nearly $400K has gone unpaid.

Fatima in a statement said the suit is without merit and reserved the right to sue Levick in return. “Levick has not provided the support that was expected from them and has sent us excessive and duplicate billing which is unacceptable," the company said. "We look forward to continuing with the fertilizer plant project in Indiana."

Levick declined to comment on the suit.

In the complaint, Levick said Fatima sought its counsel to "manage public scrutiny related to the plant construction and to educate the public on their efforts to make a less explosive product that would alleviate the safety concerns and save lives."

Levick wants Fatima to pay fees, expenses and interest totaling more than $406K.

One of Fatima's key critics in the Pentagon, Lt. Gen. Michael Barbero, eased his criticism somewhat in April, saying he was "encouraged" that the company showed positive steps like halting sales of its calcium ammonium nitrate fertilizer in areas near the Afghan-Pakistani border.