Case Law Database

Sullivan v. American Airlines, Inc.

Thomas Sullivan sued American Airlines, Sabena Airlines, and George Solimán for defamation and tortious interference with his employment contract. This federal action, removed from state court, followed an arbitration decision upholding Sullivan's discharge from American Airlines for attempted pilferage. Defendants moved for summary judgment, arguing collateral estoppel based on the prior arbitration award. The court granted summary judgment, concluding that the arbitration provided a full and fair opportunity to litigate the pilferage issue, thus precluding Sullivan's defamation claim, and dismissed the tortious interference claim due to lack of exclusive malice.