A professor at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, five former Kelley students and a business rival are being sued for about $2 billion.

The lawsuit comes from Indianapolis-based business owners Tim and Doris Anne Sadler, who claim that a Kelley Master of Business Administration (MBA) course that was supposed to advise the Sadlers on a business project instead violated a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) and a Competitor steals his idea.

What is the $2 billion lawsuit against Kelley School about?

In 2021, the Sadlers were in the process of purchasing a former naval station in Puerto Rico, with the idea of ​​converting the 1,500-acre site into a world-class golf resort. The lawsuit says the Sadlers hired Kelley School professor Will Geoghegan and five former MBA students to provide consulting services to the resort through a special class.

The Sadlers had Geoghegan sign a nondisclosure agreement, who then allegedly promised that the students would also sign one, the lawsuit says. Instead, the lawsuit says, the students approached a competitor, Discovery Land, with the resort idea, allegedly “exploring a union” with the competitor and obtaining an offer.

The lawsuit says Discovery Land then contacted the local redevelopment agency to purchase the land and “steal the project.” Discovery Land is also listed as a defendant in the lawsuit.

What are the Sadlers asking for in damages?

In an accompanying press release, the Sadlers say the Kelley class estimated the resort’s profits at $1 billion to $2 billion, setting the amount the Sadlers were seeking.

The lawsuit seeks damages against the former students and Discovery Land for interference with contracts and business relationships as well as negligent supervision by the professor.

Where does the golf resort lawsuit stand now?

The lawsuit was filed Dec. 16 in Marion Superior Court. The defendants have 20 days to respond in writing to the complaint.

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This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: IU Kelley professor and former students sued for $2 billion over stolen idea