Target Pays $$ After Circulating Email Accusing Woman of Counterfeiting
Consumerist points to a story [link] noting a jury award in favor of a woman who was wrongly accused via email by Target's loss prevention of circulating counterfeit money. The email describing Target loss prevention's suspicions was sent by Target to local law enforcement, and other loss prevention departments. The email caused the secret service to pay the plaintiff a visit (among other things). The jury awarded 100K in damages and $3mm in punitive damages.
I do not get the sense from the story that we are getting the full picture. Juries often go out of control, but there's usually a reason why they decide to award punitive damages. There's probably some backstory here.
Added: the court's order denying summary judgment [pdf], the defendant's motion for summary judgment [pdf], and plaintiff's opposition [pdf].
Comments