Barrington Pools sues former employees who became rivals

Barrington Pools has filed suit against two former employees it claims diverted business to their own new pool company.

The chancery suit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court against Jay McFarlin and Ken Skippergosh and stated that they formed the Quantus Pool Corp. in February.

According to the suit, McFarlin had been employed at Barrington Pools since 1999, rising to maintenance manager, and Skippergosh had joined the company a year later, rising to field supervisor. Skippergosh "was terminated" at the company in January, and McFarlin left the firm the following month.

The suit accuses them of diverting business to their new company before and after it was formed and while they were still employed at Barrington Pools. They were accused of stealing trade secrets and client information and of violating noncompetition agreements and other signed agreements protecting confidential company information.

Barrington Pools' attorney said Quantus had a Morton Grove post-office box, but could not release towns of residence for McFarlin or Skippergosh. They could not be reached for comment.