Dr. Refael Aharon pushes circularity tech amid Maryland federal case

Dr. Refael Aharon says he is continuing a federal case in Maryland against Goodwill Industries International and others while advancing technologies meant to make waste circularity measurable and accountable. The filing cites trade secret, RICO, and PFAS-related claims, but the allegations remain contested and no liability has been decided.

Why it matters: - Dr. Refael Aharon is trying to keep a legal fight and a technology push moving at the same time. - The case could affect claims tied to trade secrets, business interference, and PFAS-related environmental exposure. - The broader issue is whether circularity systems can be made measurable, traceable, and accountable in practice.

What happened: - Dr. Refael Aharon, inventor and founder of Harvest Nano, issued a statement on the pending federal action Dr. Refael Aharon v. Goodwill Industries International, Inc., et al., Case No. 8:26-cv-02078-PX. - The case is in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland before Judge Paula Xinis. - The pending First Amended Complaint and supporting exhibits, listed as ECF Nos. 89–93 and 134, assert claims under the Defend Trade Secrets Act and Civil RICO. - The filing also includes claims for tortious interference, unjust enrichment, negligence, gross negligence, and failure to warn concerning PFAS. - Dr. Aharon said he will continue pursuing the matter in federal court while advancing circularity technologies.

The details: - The defendants are represented by multiple law firms. - O’Hagan Meyer PLLC represents Goodwill Industries International, Goodwill Association of Michigan, Wal-Mart Foundation, and certain individuals. - Kramon & Graham, P.A. represents Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, West Michigan Sustainable Solutions, and certain individuals. - Miller, Miller & Canby represents Accelerating Circularity. - Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani represents the Michigan Recycling Coalition. - Lerch, Early & Brewer represents the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation. - The allegations are contested. - No final determination of liability has been made. - The statement says nothing in it should be read as treating a disputed allegation as an adjudicated fact. - Dr. Aharon describes his work as developing practical, scalable circular solutions that use the inherent properties of waste to create environmental and economic value.

Between the lines: - The statement is doing two jobs at once: preserving the legal position in a live federal case and reinforcing a technology-forward public narrative. - The emphasis on measurable and traceable circularity suggests a push to separate verified systems from broad sustainability claims. - The PFAS reference raises the stakes because it connects the dispute to environmental accountability, not just intellectual property.

What's next: - Dr. Aharon says he will keep pursuing the case in federal court. - He also says he will continue advancing technologies aimed at making waste circularity technically real and environmentally accountable. - The court case will proceed unless and until it is resolved through ruling, settlement, or another legal outcome.

The bottom line: - Dr. Refael Aharon is pressing ahead on both legal and technical fronts, with the Maryland case still unresolved and the allegations still disputed.