Partner stole the secrets

What is the name of your state? North Carolina

Several years ago my company took on a partner. Over the last 3 years we had discussed our plans for additional products, shown him our drawings, blueprints, and other information regarding these products. He was brought in for his financial backing in order to get the products launched. A year later he started another company with 8 other people using our ideas, our packaging, our website design, our tooling company, our supply company, and completely cut us out of it and did it all behind our backs, do we have any recourse against him and his other company?

"do we have any recourse against him and his other company?"
*** Two questions:
1) What, if any, documents did he sign as to secrecy, etc.??
2) Are you able, and willing, to spend in excess of $25k in legal fees trying to pursue a civil suit for 'theft of trade secrets', etc.???