Attorneys from Storino Ramello and Durkin successfully defended an Elmhurst civilian background investigator in Cook County Circuit Court.  The jury in the case returned a “no liability” verdict.  The plaintiff had sought over $4,000,000 in damages for defamation and related claims.

The Defendant, Michael Lappe, worked as a civilian background investigator for the City of Elmhurst.  The Plaintiff, Amanda Reid, worked as a Cook County Sheriff’s Office correctional officer.  She had submitted an application to the city to become a police officer.  She also submitted an employment application to become a police officer to the Village of Hoffman Estates.  In her employment application to Elmhurst, she omitted any reference to two prior employers where she had been asked to resign in lieu of termination.  Michael Lappe discovered these omissions during his background investigation.  Responding to a request for information, Mr. Lappe provided a copy of the Background Investigation Report he authored to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.  The background investigator for the Village of Hoffman Estates, also disclosed to Cook County Sheriff’s Office that Ms. Reid had likewise omitted any reference to the two prior employers in her application to the village.

The disclosures prompted the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to investigate Ms. Reid regarding the omissions in her original employment application to Cook County.  The county charged her with conduct unbecoming a correctional officer for the omissions in employment applications.  Ms. Reid claimed that Mr. Lappe’s Background Investigation Report was false and defamatory. 

Ms. Reid sued for defamation per se, false light invasion of privacy, tortious interference with economic expectancy and tortious interference with contract.  The matter was tried over six days before a jury with the Honorable Judge Thomas M. Donnelly presiding.  Storino Ramello and Durkin partner, Andrew Y. Acker, along with associates, Michael R. Durkin and Adam R. Durkin, successfully defended the case that resulted in a “no liability” jury verdict on all counts.