Roger Birdseye v. Hayward Manor Hotel, et al.
Published: Feb. 3, 1996 | Result Date: Dec. 12, 1995 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: BC094408 – $400,000
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Central
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Courtney C. McNicholas
(McNicholas & McNicholas LLP)
Facts
From December, 1992, through February, 1993, the plaintiff, Roger Birdseye, a 51-year-old hotel general manager, was employed by defendant, Hayward Manor Hotel, and was working for the new owners. The plaintiff had been employed by the previous owner for many years and continued his employment with the hotel after the new owners took over. A dispute developed over whether the plaintiff had a contract with the new owners. Larry Wahl, the executive vice president of Alpha, lobbied with the new owners not to settle the contract dispute with the plaintiff, but to fire the plaintiff instead. Wahl also lobbied with the city and other participants in the project. After the plaintiff was fired, Wahl told a number of Hayward Manor Hotel employees and tenants that the plaintiff was fired for stealing, associating with drug dealers and permitting prostitution at the hotel. The plaintiff alleged that Wahl spread the remarks out of personal animosity and/or professional jealousy and that there was no need to do so since the plaintiff was already gone. The defendant contended that Wahl never made those statements.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff did not make a settlement demand. The defendant made a settlement offer of $30,000.
Specials in Evidence
$255,000
Damages
The plaintiff claimed damages for lost earnings ($255,000) and emotional distress.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately two years after the case was filed.
Deliberation
6 hours
Poll
10-2
Length
9 days
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