Where the plaintiff alleged his former employer’s owner made knowingly false statements to a client – that the plaintiff had committed “extortion,” and quit “abruptly” and “without notice” – he plausibly pleaded a claim for defamation.
Background
Plaintiffs Giuseppe Michael Aldina and First Ridge Associates, LLC sued defendants Meridian Group DC LLC and Grant Kamins. Aldina previously worked for Meridian Group, which was a subcontractor for Deloitte Consulting LP on a contract with the Navy. Aldina founded First Ridge Associates as the sole member in June 2024 to offer consulting services for private sector clients on energy-related issues.
Aldina alleges that, after he was terminated by Meridan Group, he agreed to work directly for Deloitte. Aldina alleges that Kamins thereafter made false and defamatory statements to the Navy about Aldina, which triggered a full security investigation into his accusations, sidelining Aldina for months, and directly resulting in ending Aldina’s candidacy to return to the Navy.
In the amended complaint, Aldina asserts two claims: (1) tortious interference with contract/business expectancy and (2) defamation against defendants. First Ridge Associates asserts one claim along with Aldina: (1) tortious interference with contract/business expectancy. Defendants have filed a motion to dismiss.
Tortious interference
There was no contract executed, so plaintiffs cannot sustain a claim for tortious interference with a contract. Plaintiffs...
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