Missouri appellate court upholds $150,000 award, on $1 actual damages, in business defamation case
The Fireworks Restoration Co., LLC v. Hosto (Mo. App. May 9, 2012).
Decision: official; Leagle; Findlaw. Background: Eric Goldman; Mike Mintz; Travis Crabtree.
Opinion by Judge Roy L. Richter.
Following a falling out with his co-founder of a business, the defendant fabricated negative customer reviews of the business which he posted on the internet. The target sued, ultimately uncovering the defendant’s identity. Despite the 150,000-to-1 ratio, the appellate court ruled against defendant’s federal due process argument, rejecting “any rigid benchmarks or bright line tests.”
Bradley J. Bakula for plaintiff.
Danna McKitrick, David R. Bohm, David A. Zobel for defendant.