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An Israeli energy firm has turned to Florida state court, claiming it is owed a $5.3 million commission after Miami-based JFS Energy Group Inc. allegedly cut it out of a generator sale. The lawsuit, filed Nov. 21, paints a picture of a high-stakes energy transaction gone awry and a battle over one of the few buyers for a specialized generator.

AUA Ltd., doing business as AUA Energy Ltd., says JFS had hired it to find a buyer for a generator capable of supporting energy grids, powering remote military bases, or running industrial plants.

Exclusive Agreement Allegedly Breached

After AUA located a buyer in Brazil, the companies signed an exclusive sales agreement. Under the contract, JFS sought $14 million for the generator and agreed to pay AUA a $5.3 million commission, while granting AUA the "sole and exclusive" right to negotiate the deal.

The agreement also stipulated that if the sale price dropped during negotiations, a new contract would be drafted before closing. According to the complaint, JFS bypassed this provision and sold the generator for $12 million without drafting a new agreement.

Claims of Fraud and Deception

AUA alleges JFS engaged in a “blatant — indeed, fraudulent” attempt to cut it out of the commission entirely. The suit states that JFS executed the sale with the same Brazilian buyer but through a different, related entity, while falsely telling the buyer no commission fees were owed, effectively hiding AUA’s rights.

The complaint emphasizes the limited market for such a generator, asserting that without AUA’s efforts, JFS might have been forced to sell it for parts at a fraction of its value.

Legal Allegations Span Contract and Fraud

In addition to breach of contract, AUA accuses JFS of:

• Fraudulent inducement to facilitate the deal

• Conspiring with the buyer to undercut AUA

• Unjust enrichment

The firm portrays the case as a deliberate effort by JFS to deprive AUA of its agreed-upon commission.

No Immediate Comment from Either Side

A representative of AUA declined to comment, while JFS did not immediately respond to inquiries Wednesday.

AUA is represented by Anthony J. Sirven and Brian M. Trujillo of Lawson Huck Gonzalez PLLC. Counsel information for JFS was not immediately available.