Interesting verdict out of Lake County, Illinois a couple of weeks ago, as reported by Barbara Rose in the Chicago Tribune. John Maki and his company, J. Maki Construction sued the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters for distributing handbills that claimed that Maki and his company built substandard home. The handbills were handed out in Lake and McHenry Counties, where Maki does a lot of building. One of the fliers apparently contained a limerick of sorts where Maki's name was paired up with the word "crappy". In addition, the same flier publicized alleged problems in homes in a Maki development. Maki alleged that the flier was false, misleading and included incorrect quotes.
In addition, Maki claimed that the defendant conducted an 18 month campaign of harassment that included demonstrators following Maki to golf courses and restuarants. The defendant claimed that its actions were a perfectly lawful campaign arising out a labor dispute over Maki's alleged failue to pay standard wages.
The jury didn't think the campaign was lawful and awarded Maki $2.35 million dollars, in punitive and compensatory damages. The defense has vowed to appeal.
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