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Employment Law
Wrongful Termination
Whistleblower

Hague v. California Brake and Clutch Parts, Inc., Ishmeal Perez, Michael Denham and Melvin Casper

Published: Sep. 12, 1998 | Result Date: Jul. 24, 1998 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 7654912 Verdict –  $0

Judge

Gordon S. Baranco

Court

Alameda Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Kristin M. Lucey

Kerry M. Gough


Defendant

Mellanese S. Lofton

Anne Mari Bevington


Experts

Plaintiff

Craig Pratt
(technical)

Ronald Konkle
(technical)

Paul S.D. Berg
(medical)

Defendant

Vincent Nunno
(medical)

Rhoma D. Young
(technical)

C. Daniel Vencill
(technical)

Facts

In 1996, plaintiff Michael Hague, a 43-year-old manager of the defendant industrial brake and clutch supplier, learned that defendant Ishmeal Perez and Michael Denham were not following defendant California Brake and Clutch Parts, Inc.'s company procedures requiring all sales to be rung up on the computer. The plaintiff claimed defendants were putting cash sales in their pockets. The plaintiff reported this information to the company president, who conducted an investigation. Plaintiff and the president reported these suspicions of theft to the Oakland Police Department and on Feb. 29, 1996, the plaintiff and President searched the Oakland offices to look for more evidence of theft. Defendants were informed of the search and the police report on the evening of Feb. 29, 1996. Per the plaintiff, plaintiff was fired the next day. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant based on wrongful termination in violation of public policy.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $300,000 - $400,000. The defendant made an offer of compromise for $50,000.

Specials in Evidence

$123,587 $344,220

Damages

The plaintiff claimed loss of value of 10% ownership in the defendant company.

Injuries

The plaintiff alleged emotional distress.

Other Information

The verdict was reached approximately two years and three months after the case was filed. A mediation was held on Oct. 27, 1997, before before Barbara Kong Brown, resulting in no settlement.

Deliberation

10 hours

Poll

mixed

Length

13 days


#115153

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