Sidney Brown v. Dennis Collins, Dennis Collins v. First National Realty Corp.

LEVENTHAL, Circuit Judge.

These cross-appeals emanate from the action of plaintiff Collins against Brown and two corporations controlled by Brown, to recover damages caused by slander. Brown appeals the judgment, entered after jury verdict and reduction on remittitur, awarding substantial compensatory and punitive damages. He contends that his comments were absolutely or conditionally privileged, and he complains as well of certain rulings during the trial. Collins appeals the trial judge’s granting of directed verdicts in favor of the defendant corporations, arguing that Brown was their agent…