Finlay v. Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc.

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER ON REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATIVE DENIAL OF SEVERANCE BENEFITS

SUZANNE B. CONLON, District Judge.

Angus Finlay was a marketing director for Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. from 2007 until he left the company in 2009. Upon his separation, he received severance pay under an executive severance plan. Beam terminated Finlay’s severance plan participation and demanded return of previous payments because of Finlay’s conduct for “cause” under the severance plan. Beam was defending a discrimination suit in the United Kingdom by a former employee who had worked under Finlay. Beam…