David Dorin, Counter-Plaintiff-Appellee and v. The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, Counter-Defendant-Appellant And

FAIRCHILD, Circuit Judge.

Cause of action for defamation asserted by counterclaim by David Dorin against his former employer, The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (Equitable). 1 The jury found for Dorin, assessing compensatory damages at $57,500 and punitive damages at $125,-000. The district court, however, ruled that unless Dorin filed a remittitur agreeing to reduce the awards to $17,500 and $7,500, respectively, Equitable’s motion for a new trial would be granted. Dorin filed the remittitur.

On appeal, Equitable contends that (1) its motion for a directed verdict should…