Company investigates senator: Invasion of privacy: Civil conspiracy: Emotional distress: Injury to reputation: Verdict: Punitive damages

Law Reporter, Jun 2000

Company investigates senator Invasion of privacy: Civil conspiracy: Emotional distress: Injury to reputation: Verdict: Punitive damages. Barron v. Alabama Farmers Fed'n, Ala., DeKalb County Cir. Ct., No. CV-97-273, Feb. 21, 2000.

Barron, 53, is a state senator. After he refused to support the nomination of an insurance company's vice president to a university's board of trustees, the insurance company hired investigators, allegedly to find evidence of criminal behavior in Barron's background. The investigators questioned residents in Barron's senate district, leading to rumors that the senator was being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He suffered severe emotional distress and injury to his reputation.

Barron filed suit against the insurance company, the investigators' firm, and others, alleging invasion of privacy and civil conspiracy.

Plaintiff settled with the investigators' firm prior to trial for a confidential amount. A jury awarded plaintiff $15.2 million, including $15 million punitive damages.

Plaintiff's Counsel

*Jere L. Beasley, Montgomery, Ala.

*W Daniel Miles III, Montgomery, Ala.