By Andrew M. Harris

Citadel Investment Group LLC defeated a bid by former executives to dismiss a claim that contracts they signed while working for the $12 billion hedge- fund management firm barred them from building their own business after they left.

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Mary Rochford today denied a defense request to throw out the allegation made in a lawsuit filed against them by the Chicago-based firm, which also accused the men of stealing its trade secrets.

"They don't have a claim for breach of the non-compete," Gair of Chicago's Jenner & Block LLP told Rochford during a Sept. 2 court appearance. "The non-compete does not bar the activities they say it bars."

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