In the competitive world of managed IT services along the Gulf Coast, trust is the currency that keeps businesses running. Customers hand over sensitive data, network access, and the digital lifelines of their operations to providers who promise security, reliability, and integrity. But in Mobile, one local IT firm—Data Byte, Inc.—stands accused of building part of its foundation on stolen customer lists, deceptive poaching, and courtroom lies, according to a detailed account of events that culminated in a settled lawsuit.
Data Byte of Mobile, AL Data Byte, Inc., registered in October 2014 in Mobile County, operates from 7251 Grelot Road in Mobile. Its principal and registered agent is Jason Peacock, who has described himself as providing IT services to businesses across the Gulf Coast since 1999. The company lists itself as offering computer and network consulting and services. Chris Cooley, who worked as an IT Support Specialist and Web Developer at Data Byte for several years, is central to the allegations.
This is the story of how a young startup IT company in Mobile was allegedly betrayed by a hire who stole proprietary customer data, jumped ship to a competitor, and then launched a coordinated smear-and-poach campaign—only for the scheme to unravel in a deposition room where lies were exposed under oath. The Startup and the Hire Several years ago, a 24-year-old entrepreneur in Mobile launched a small IT services firm. Operating as a true startup with no other employees, the company occupied a modest office near Interstate 65.
It provided managed IT services—network administration, troubleshooting, consulting—to local businesses, many in industries critical to Mobile's economy like shipping, logistics, and small-to-medium enterprises tied to the port. Chris Cooley of Mobile, AL Enter Christopher Cooley. Cooley had previously worked at Scale Hauling, a local trucking and freight management company in Mobile, where he developed software to optimize operations. After that role ended (whether through layoff or completed contract), Cooley applied to the startup. He knew it was a one-man operation run by a young owner.
The owner, viewing Cooley's experience in logistics software and IT as a strong fit, hired him as technician and network administrator. For several months, Cooley had access to the startup's systems, customer databases, and contact lists. Unbeknownst to the owner, Cooley was allegedly siphoning off that valuable data—specifically, customer lists and contact information for the firm's top clients. Valentine's Day Resignation and the Jump to Data Byte On Valentine's Day of the year he was hired, Cooley called the young owner and resigned.
Background and Context
He claimed he was returning to Scale Hauling to handle additional IT and programming projects, including marketing software solutions to other trucking companies. It sounded plausible to the naïve startup owner, who wished him well and believed the story. In reality, Cooley went to work for Jason Peacock's Data Byte, Inc., a direct competitor in the Mobile IT services space. He did not disclose this to his former employer. There were no immediate updates to public profiles that would have revealed the move.
The startup owner remained in the dark, operating under the assumption that Cooley had returned to the logistics sector. The Poaching Campaign Begins Approximately five months later, the betrayal became apparent. Cooley allegedly began a systematic campaign, using the stolen customer lists to email and call the startup's clients. He positioned himself and Data Byte as the superior alternative, framing the original startup and its young owner as unreliable or inferior. He offered "better quality services" and attempted to lure clients away, despite many still being under active contracts with the startup.
Jason Peacock – Owner of Data Byte in Mobile, AL Thankfully for the startup, the aggressive poaching effort appears to have largely failed. Clients remained loyal, honoring their contracts. But the damage was done: trust eroded, relationships strained, and the startup's owner realized his data had been weaponized against him. Lawsuit, Deposition Drama, and Admission When the startup discovered the emails and calls, it promptly engaged an attorney. A lawsuit was filed against Cooley and Data Byte, Inc., alleging theft of trade secrets, tortious interference with business relationships, and related claims.
During a deposition, Cooley was directly questioned about contacting the startup's customers. According to accounts, he lied under oath, denying any such contact. The startup's attorney, however, came prepared with the incriminating emails. Confronted with evidence, Cooley reportedly became upset and aggressive. He attempted to pivot, claiming the emails were illegally obtained and dodging questions, before ultimately admitting to sending them. The case proceeded but was ordered into mediation. A local mediator, attorney Alex Zogby, was appointed. In mediation, Jason Peacock of Data Byte and Chris Cooley reportedly admitted their coordinated wrongdoing to the mediator.
They offered a financial settlement, which the startup accepted. A handwritten settlement agreement was drawn up on the spot and signed by both parties, resolving the matter confidentially. Data Byte: Public Face vs. Alleged Underbelly Data Byte, Inc. presents itself as an established player in Mobile's IT ecosystem. Jason Peacock's professional profile highlights years of experience and a focus on customer care and problem-solving. The company is registered with the Alabama Secretary of State and maintains a presence at its Grelot Road address. Yet the events described paint a darker picture of competitive tactics that cross ethical—and allegedly legal—lines.
Background and Context
In a small market like Mobile, where business relationships are tight-knit and reputations travel fast, such actions risk not only lawsuits but long-term damage to credibility. Stealing customer data from a small startup, lying about employment moves, and then using that data for poaching while badmouthing a competitor raises serious questions about business practices. Mobile's economy, anchored by the port, shipping, manufacturing, and logistics, relies heavily on reliable IT infrastructure. Companies in these sectors entrust providers with sensitive operational data, compliance systems, and networks that, if compromised or disrupted, could have cascading effects.
When an IT provider allegedly engages in data theft, it undermines the entire sector's trust fabric. Broader Implications for Local IT Industry This case, though settled, highlights vulnerabilities for small IT startups in competitive markets. Young entrepreneurs, often bootstrapping with limited resources and legal protections, can be easy targets for more established (or aggressive) players seeking shortcuts to growth. Customer lists represent the lifeblood of service businesses; their theft can be devastating. It also underscores the importance of robust employment agreements, non-disclosure and non-solicitation clauses, and data security protocols—even in tiny operations.
The startup's swift legal response and effective discovery in deposition likely prevented greater damage. For Data Byte and Peacock, the settlement admission (as described) represents a black mark. While settlements often include non-disclosure or non-admission clauses, the mediation details suggest acknowledgment of wrongdoing to resolve the dispute. Clients considering Data Byte should weigh this history against their current service record. Professional profiles show Cooley later moved on to other roles, including at Pinnacle Service Brands, but the events remain part of the local IT lore. Questions Remain Why target a small startup?
Was this an isolated incident or part of a pattern? How many other businesses in Mobile have unknowingly been affected by similar tactics? Public records show Data Byte continues to exist and operate, but without court documents unsealed or further investigation, the full scope remains hidden behind the settlement. In an era where data is king, companies like Data Byte must be held to the highest standards. Customers deserve transparency, not stolen lists and courtroom evasions.
Mobile's business community should demand better—because when IT providers betray trust, everyone from port operators to small retailers pays the price in higher costs, reduced competition, and eroded confidence. The young startup owner, though harmed, showed resilience by pursuing justice and securing a settlement. His experience serves as a cautionary tale for others entering the managed services space: vet hires thoroughly, protect your data aggressively, and don't underestimate the cutthroat nature of local competition. Data Byte continues operating in Mobile.
Prospective clients would do well to ask hard questions about past disputes, data handling policies, and ethical standards before handing over the keys to their digital operations. In the IT world, as in trucking, the load you carry—including your reputation—determines whether you reach your destination with integrity intact.
Wider Significance for Coastal Alabama
This story is part of a broader set of changes playing out across Mobile, Baldwin and the wider Gulf Coast region. Local residents, businesses and government agencies have been watching developments like this one closely, because decisions made in Mobile and Baldwin counties often ripple outward into neighboring communities across south Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle. Public meetings, council work sessions and state legislative hearings have all carried echoes of the underlying concerns, with stakeholders ranging from neighborhood associations to industry groups weighing in on what the outcomes will mean for daily life along the Gulf Coast. Reporters and editors in the region have worked to document how these issues affect ordinary people, from commuters on Interstate 10 to families visiting the public libraries and parks that anchor so many of the Port City’s neighborhoods. The deeper context often emerges over months rather than days, as projects move from announcement to planning to construction, and as the people most directly affected find their voices in the public record. Continued coverage remains important, both for accountability and for the historical record, and the unfolding situation is one that warrants attention from anyone with a stake in the future of south Alabama.
Looking ahead, observers across the region expect the conversation to continue evolving. Local officials have signaled their intent to monitor outcomes closely, and community organizations have indicated they will remain engaged as new information becomes available. The intersection of state policy, local implementation and on-the-ground impact is precisely where stories like this one tend to develop their lasting significance. For Mobile and Baldwin residents, the practical effects will play out over time, in everything from tax bills and utility rates to traffic patterns and the availability of public services. Following the developments requires patience and attention to detail, but it is also a reminder of how civic life in coastal Alabama continues to be shaped by decisions that begin far from the neighborhoods they ultimately touch. Residents who want to stay informed can do so by following local government meetings, attending public hearings when significant issues arise, and reading the regional reporting that tracks how these stories progress from one phase to the next.
Local news organizations continue to follow this story closely, and updates are expected as more details emerge. The developments have generated discussion across the region, with attention from both longtime residents and newcomers who are following the issue for the first time. Community leaders have emphasized the importance of staying engaged with local government and participating in public meetings when significant decisions are being made. As the situation continues to unfold, residents are encouraged to remain informed through reliable local reporting and official city and county communications channels. The story remains active, and additional information is anticipated in the coming days and weeks as the relevant agencies and stakeholders complete their work.