Stewart
Stewart v. Colonial Western Agency, Inc.
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Curry, J.
Background
This is an appeal from an order imposing sanctions in the amount of $2,400 on appellant Colonial Western Agency, Inc.’s counsel.
The underlying matter involves a complaint by respondent Mary Martha Stewart against Colonial Western. Stewart was employed as a senior vice-president for Colonial Western from October 1, 1997, to January 8, 1998. According to Stewart, she left secure employment and turned down another job offer to work for Colonial Western. She contends she received an oral promise of long-term employment, and assurances that she would be treated fairly and would assume significant portions of the chief executive officer’s (CEO) job duties and responsibilities when he retired. According to Colonial Western, Stewart was discharged after informing the CEO of the company, William L. Hall, that he had memory problems that prevented her from effectively working with him and further indicating that she could not work with the executive vice-president of the company, Richard Mortillaro, because he was a liar.
Stewart’s complaint purportedly alleged claims for breach of oral contract, bad faith discharge, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair…