On Oct. 5, a jury rejected a man’s claim that his former employer owes him severance pay. Victor Catalanotto worked for Meador Oldsmobile in Fort Worth for 23 years, including 12 as general manager, until it shuttered in 2005. In 2002, after General Motors announced plans to stop production of Oldsmobiles, Meador agreed to pay Catalanotto a “bonus” of $150,000 if he stayed on until it closed. Two years later, Meador agreed to pay “all employees” “severance pay” of the employee’s average weekly wage times his number of years of service. When Catalanotto was laid off, Meador paid him the $150,000 bonus pursuant to their agreement. However, Catalanotto claimed he was also entitled to the severance pay, which amounted to between $72,500 and $136,000. Meador argued that the bonus was intended to be Catalanotto’s entire severance pay. The jury agreed and sided with the defense.
Catalanotto v. Meador Oldsmobile LLC, No. 96-226151-07
