John D. Robinson Corp. v. Southern Marine & Industrial Supply Co.

Pope, Judge.

Southern Marine & Industrial Supply Company and Neff McIntosh (who owned Southern Marine) commenced this libel action against defendant John D. Robinson Corporation, a business competitor, for letters written by John Carellas, an employee of defendant who formerly worked for Southern Marine. The jury awarded South*403ern Marine $250,000 actual damages, and McIntosh $1,000 actual damages along with $225,000 punitive damages. This appeal followed.

One of the letters, mailed to ATPAC, a Greek agent for ship suppliers, contained the following:

“I am sorry I had to write you this letter and…