Portaluppi v. Shell Oil Co.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

ELLIS, District Judge.

This is an action for wrongful termination of a service station franchise. 1 Defendant terminated plaintiff’s franchise on the ground that plaintiff pleaded guilty to a felony charge of cocaine possession. Cocaine possession, defendant claims, is a valid ground for termination under the lease and the applicable franchise statutes because it is a crime involving “moral turpitude.” Plaintiff sharply disagrees, contending that mere possession of cocaine, as distinguished from possession with intent to distribute, is not a crime involving moral turpitude.…