Morrison Mahoney partner Gareth Notis obtained a defense verdict in an employment case after a six day jury trial in Dedham Superior Court before Judge Mark A. Hallal. The plaintiff was a former employee of a Town who claimed the defendants violated the Massachusetts Whistleblower Statute, M.G.L. c. 149, §185 by denying him an appointment as the Town’s Finance Director and terminating him for reporting unlawful activities to his supervisors over a five year period.
The plaintiff also brought claims for Intentional Interference with Contractual Relations against the Town Manager and Finance Director who was ultimately appointed to the position the plaintiff sought. The defendants denied knowing about some of the plaintiff’s “protected activity” under the Whistleblower Statute and asserted legitimate business reasons for the appointment decision. The defendants also claimed they eliminated the plaintiff’s former position for reasons unrelated to his “protected activity” and offered him a substantially similar position which he declined.
After deliberating for 90 minutes, the jury rejected the plaintiff’s claims against the Town and the individual defendants, and a defense verdict was entered on all counts.
