Kay v. Collins

By Judge Randall G. Johnson

This action for defamation is before the court on defendant’s demurrer and motion for summary judgment. Plaintiff, a former employee of Philip Morris USA who was the victim of a reduction in force layoff, alleges that defendant, plaintiff’s former supervisor at Philip Morris, made untrue, slanderous, and defamatory statements about him during a telephone conversation between defendant and Eileen De La Torre, an employee of a company hired by plaintiff to assist him in obtaining new employment. The telephone call was initiated by De La Torre and was for the stated…