Aspen Air sues Gabrielle Sandino in Colorado court as executive allegedly steals client list and launches rival VisionAir aviation company in Aspen

A once-promising executive career in Colorado’s luxury aviation scene has turned into a bitter courtroom dispute, after a former employee of Aspen Air was accused of using insider access to build a competing private jet company.

The dispute centers on Gabrielle Sandino, 45, and her former boss, Aspen Air president Richard Collins, 63, who says he uncovered what he describes as a deliberate breach of trust.

From Employee to Industry Rival

Sandino’s rise within Aspen Air was swift.

Hired from a retail background, she was brought into the company in August 2022 as a contractor to help expand operations and strengthen client relationships.

According to the lawsuit, Collins entrusted her with access to sensitive client and vendor data as part of her role in building the business.

That trust, however, allegedly came with strict boundaries.

In October 2022, both parties signed agreements that included confidentiality clauses, ownership of client information, and a non-compete restriction preventing Sandino from working in direct competition for 60 days after leaving the company.

Allegations of Betrayal and Business Theft

Tensions reportedly escalated when Collins discovered Sandino had launched her own aviation company, VisionAir, while still under contract with Aspen Air.

He claims this move directly violated their agreement.

Collins says he first learned about VisionAir when a friend came across its website.

Soon after confronting her, he terminated her employment on February 24 and issued a cease and desist letter.

The lawsuit alleges that Sandino not only ignored the warning but also took further actions that escalated the dispute.

Digital Fallout and Client Data Dispute

A major point of contention involves Aspen Air’s Mailchimp marketing account.

Collins claims Sandino, who had set up the account for the company, deleted it entirely after her dismissal—erasing approximately 5,000 email contacts and cutting off communication channels.

The lawsuit also alleges she accessed Aspen Air’s customer data system without authorization and copied confidential client information.

Shortly afterward, she is accused of contacting Aspen Air clients directly, urging them to shift their business to VisionAir.

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Marketing Moves and Competitive Claims

Collins alleges that Sandino used Aspen Air’s own marketing channels against the company.

This includes sending email campaigns using her new business details and even running promotional materials that listed Aspen Air branding but directed customers to VisionAir.

He further claims that these actions represent a misuse of the company’s reputation and client relationships built over years of work.

Collins described the situation as a calculated effort to take advantage of the goodwill he spent decades developing in the private aviation industry.

Legal Clash and Court Intervention

The dispute escalated into the courts after Collins filed a lawsuit accusing Sandino of breaching contract terms, misusing confidential data, and unfair competition.

Judge Susan Ryan temporarily sided with Aspen Air, ordering VisionAir to halt operations and blocking Sandino from contacting Aspen Air clients for a limited period.

The court also instructed her to return any confidential materials obtained during her time with the company.

However, the judge later emphasized that the restrictions were temporary, aimed at preserving the status quo while the case proceeds.

Sandino’s Defense and Counterclaims

Sandino has pushed back against the allegations, insisting she did nothing wrong.

She argues that VisionAir was not created to compete directly with Aspen Air but to expand opportunities in the private aviation sector.

She also claimed the injunction threatens her ability to earn a living and maintain her livelihood, stating that she should not be prevented from working after being dismissed from the company.

Despite her defense, the court was not convinced by her argument, at least at this stage of the proceedings.

Impact and Consequences

The dispute has had immediate consequences for both parties.

Aspen Air claims to have lost access to critical customer data and communication tools, which could affect ongoing business operations and client relationships.

For Sandino, the court’s injunction has temporarily restricted her ability to operate VisionAir and reach out to potential clients.

The reputational damage from the lawsuit may also affect her standing within the aviation industry.

Beyond the individuals involved, the case highlights broader concerns about data security, employee trust, and the risks of sharing sensitive business information with contractors or partners.

What’s Next?

The legal battle is far from over.

The court is expected to continue reviewing evidence and arguments to determine whether the injunction against Sandino and VisionAir should be extended or modified.

Further hearings will likely focus on whether contractual agreements were violated and whether Aspen Air can prove damages tied to Sandino’s actions.

Both sides appear firmly committed to their positions, suggesting that the dispute could continue for some time before reaching a final resolution.

Summary

A dispute between Aspen Air and former executive Gabrielle Sandino has evolved into a legal fight over alleged misuse of client data, breach of contract, and unfair competition.

The case has already led to a temporary shutdown of Sandino’s new company and court-imposed restrictions while the matter proceeds.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Gabrielle Sandino was hired from retail and rose to an executive role at Aspen Air
• She later founded VisionAir, a competing private jet company, while still under contract
• Aspen Air claims she violated confidentiality and non-compete agreements
• Allegations include deleting a Mailchimp account with 5,000 contacts
• She is accused of accessing and copying client data and contacting Aspen Air customers
• A judge temporarily shut down VisionAir and restricted her business activities
• Sandino denies wrongdoing and says VisionAir is not a direct competitor
• The case raises serious questions about trust, data security, and business ethics in private aviation