[Cite as Favor v. Ohio State Univ., 2010-Ohio-4971.]

Court of Claims of Ohio

The Ohio Judicial Center 

65 South Front Street, Third Floor 

Columbus, OH 43215 

614.387.9800 or 1.800.824.8263 

www.cco.state.oh.us

HUGH M. FAVOR, III 

 Plaintiff 

 v. 

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY 

 Defendant 

Case No. 2008-09937 

Judge Alan C. Travis 

DECISION

{¶ 1} On July 6, 2010, defendant filed a motion for summary judgment pursuant 

to Civ.R. 56(B), and plaintiff filed a motion for partial summary judgment pursuant to 

Civ.R. 56(A) on his claims for assault and battery. On July 20, 2010, plaintiff filed a 

combined response and second motion for partial summary judgment on his claims for 

fraud and misrepresentation. On July 26, 2010, defendant filed a response to plaintiff’s 

first motion for partial summary judgment. On August 27, 2010, the court conducted an 

oral hearing on the motions. On August 30, 2010, plaintiff filed a motion for leave to file 

a reply brief, instanter, which is GRANTED. 

{¶ 2} Civ.R. 56(C) states, in part, as follows: 

{¶ 3} “Summary judgment shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings, 

depositions, answers to interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits, transcripts of 

evidence, and written stipulations of fact, if any, timely filed in the action, show that 

there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to 

judgment as a matter of law. No evidence or stipulation may be considered except as 

stated in this rule. A summary judgment shall not be rendered unless it appears from 
the evidence or stipulation, and only from the evidence or stipulation, that reasonable 

minds can come to but one conclusion and that conclusion is adverse to the party 

against whom the motion for summary judgment is made, that party being entitled to 

have the evidence or stipulation construed most strongly in the party’s favor.” See also 

Gilbert v. Summit Cty., 104 Ohio St.3d 660, 2004-Ohio-7108, citing Temple v. Wean 

United, Inc. (1977), 50 Ohio St.2d 317. 

{¶ 4} On September 27, 2007, Robert S. Coleman, a professor and vice chair in 

defendant’s Department of Chemistry, left his office carrying a defective microphone 

that he sought to replace at the nearby classroom services building. As Coleman 

attempted to cross a street on the way to his destination, plaintiff, who was enrolled as a 

student with defendant, drove his vehicle through the crosswalk nearly striking 

Coleman. Plaintiff proceeded to park and exit his vehicle just beyond the crosswalk, 

whereupon he and Coleman exchanged words. Plaintiff approached Coleman and 

shoved him, at which time Coleman placed a 911 call using his mobile phone. 

According to Coleman, plaintiff continued to harass him while he spoke with the 911 

dispatcher and he therefore placed his hand against plaintiff’s chest as a defensive 

measure. However, according to plaintiff, Coleman grabbed his throat and threatened 

him. It is undisputed that plaintiff then punched Coleman in the face, drove to another 

location on defendant’s campus, and placed a 911 call. 

{¶ 5} An officer with defendant’s police department, Douglas A. Cunningham, 

was dispatched to investigate the incident and, as a result of his investigation, 

Cunningham arrested plaintiff. Plaintiff was ultimately convicted of assault by the 

Franklin County Municipal Court for his role in the altercation, and his conviction was 

affirmed by the Tenth District Court of Appeals. See State v. Favor, Franklin App. No. 

08AP-215, 2008-Ohio-5371. Plaintiff relates that as a further result of the altercation, 

defendant dismissed him from his course of study. 

{¶ 6} Plaintiff brings this action for assault, battery, fraud, misrepresentation 

(which the court construes as a claim for fraudulent misrepresentation), false 

imprisonment, negligence, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. 

Plaintiff also sought a determination as to whether Coleman and Cunningham are 

entitled to civil immunity pursuant to R.C. 2743.02(F) and 9.86. The parties 

subsequently stipulated that Cunningham was entitled to civil immunity. 

{¶ 7} On May 29, 2009, the court conducted an evidentiary hearing to determine 
whether Coleman is entitled to civil immunity. On October 13, 2009, the court issued a 

decision finding that Coleman’s act of placing his hand against plaintiff’s chest was a 

reasonable measure of self-defense; that inasmuch as Coleman was furthering the 

interests of his employer his act of self-defense occurred within the scope of his 

employment; that there was no credible evidence that Coleman acted with malice, in 

bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner; and that Coleman was thus entitled to 

immunity pursuant to R.C. 2743.02(F) and 9.86. See Favor v. Ohio State Univ., Ct. Cl. 

No. 2008-09937, 2009-Ohio-6062. 

{¶ 8} Turning to plaintiff’s claims for assault and battery, his complaint premises 

these claims upon allegations that Coleman initiated the altercation by grabbing his 

throat and threatening him, and that he thus punched Coleman “in self-defense.” The 

court previously determined, however, in its decision of October 13, 2009, that 

“plaintiff’s version of the events lacks credibility” and that “Coleman’s act of placing his 

hand against plaintiff’s chest was a reasonable measure of self-defense against 

plaintiff’s aggression.” Given that the court has thus found Coleman’s actions to be a 

reasonable exercise of self-defense, defendant is relieved of liability in tort and plaintiff’s 

claims for assault and battery must fail as a matter of law. See Goldfuss v. Davidson, 

79 Ohio St.3d 116, 124, 1997-Ohio-401. 

{¶ 9} Furthermore, the allegation that Coleman initiated the altercation such that 

plaintiff punched him in self-defense was rejected by the trial court in his criminal case. 

The doctrine of collateral estoppel precludes plaintiff from re-litigating such issues in this 

court. See Thompson v. Wing, 70 Ohio St.3d 176, 183, 1994-Ohio-358; Wloszek v. 

Weston, Hurd, Fallon, Paisley & Howley, LLP, Cuyahoga App. No. 82412, 2004-Ohio146, ¶40 (“A criminal conviction is conclusive proof and operates as an estoppel on 

defendants as to the facts supporting the conviction in a subsequent civil action”). 

{¶ 10} For his claim of false imprisonment, plaintiff alleges that Coleman and 

Cunningham “conspired to falsely arrest and unlawfully detain” him. False arrest or 

false imprisonment is also the gravamen of plaintiff’s claims for fraud, fraudulent 

misrepresentation, negligence, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional 

distress to the extent that these claims are based upon allegations that Cunningham 

improperly arrested plaintiff or that Coleman procured plaintiff’s arrest by providing false 

statements to Cunningham. See Hawkins v. McDonald’s Restaurants of Ohio, Inc. 

(Sept. 21, 1989), Montgomery App. No. 11369 (“Where a private citizen knowingly gives 
a police officer false information which is a determining factor in the officer’s 

determination to arrest the private citizen may be liable for false arrest and 

imprisonment”); Eisnnicher v. Bob Evans Farms Rests. (S.D.Ohio 2004), 310 F. 

Supp.2d 936, 957-958. 

{¶ 11} Under Ohio law, however, “[a] guilty finding in a criminal proceeding, 

whether by trial or plea, constitutes an absolute defense to an action for false arrest or 

false imprisonment.” Espy v. Sears, Roebuck & Co. (March 18, 1976), Franklin App. 

No. 75AP-551; see also Carpenter v. Meade (Mar. 3, 1994), Franklin App. No. 

93APE09-1306; Courtney v. Rice (1988), 46 Ohio App.3d 133, 137. Accordingly, 

plaintiff’s criminal conviction bars his claims for false imprisonment, as well as his other 

claims insofar as their true nature sounds in false arrest or false imprisonment. 

{¶ 12} Furthermore, plaintiff’s complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief 

can be granted as to his claims of fraud and fraudulent misrepresentation. The 

elements of fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation are as follows: 1) a representation or, 

where there is a duty to disclose, concealment of a fact; 2) which is material to the 

transaction at hand; 3) made falsely, with knowledge of its falsity, or with such utter 

disregard and recklessness as to whether it is true or false that knowledge may be 

inferred; 4) with the intent of misleading another into relying upon it; 5) justifiable 

reliance upon the representation or concealment; and 6) a resulting injury proximately 

caused by the reliance. Martin v. Ohio State Univ. Found. (2000), 139 Ohio App.3d 89, 

98. 

{¶ 13} Inasmuch as plaintiff does not allege that he relied upon a representation 

or concealment of a fact by Coleman, his complaint fails to state a claim for fraud or 

fraudulent misrepresentation. Furthermore, to the extent that plaintiff premises these 

claims upon mere allegations that Coleman offered perjured testimony at the trial of the 

criminal case, it is well-established that the giving of perjured testimony in a judicial 

proceeding is punishable under criminal statute, but does not give rise to a civil action 

for damages. Morrow v. Reminger & Reminger Co. LPA, 183 Ohio App.3d 40, 2009-

Ohio-2665, ¶16. 

{¶ 14} Plaintiff’s claim for negligence must also fail to the extent that it too is 

premised, in part, upon the allegation that Coleman offered perjured testimony at the 

trial of the criminal case. Id. The other allegations comprising plaintiff’s claim for 

negligence are that Cunningham improperly arrested him and that Coleman provided 
false statements to Cunningham which led to the arrest; however, as previously stated, 

the true nature of such allegations sounds in false arrest or false imprisonment and the 

claim is thus barred by plaintiff’s criminal conviction. See Espy, supra. 

{¶ 15} Defendant is also entitled to summary judgment on plaintiff’s claims for 

intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Under Ohio law, the legitimate 

exercise of a legal right does not give rise to a claim for tortious infliction of emotional 

distress. See Hanly v. Riverside Methodist Hospitals (1991), 78 Ohio App.3d 73, 82; 

Marki v. Marsh Supermarket (Dec. 31, 1996), Hamilton App. No. C-960290. Inasmuch 

as Coleman’s defense of himself and Cunningham’s arrest of plaintiff were justifiable, 

reasonable minds can only conclude that such actions do not give rise to a claim for 

tortious infliction of emotional distress. 

{¶ 16} Moreover, a plaintiff claiming tortious infliction of emotional distress must 

present some “guarantee of genuineness” in support of his claim, such as an expert 

opinion, or the testimony of lay witnesses who are acquainted with plaintiff to prevent 

summary judgment in favor of the defendant. Powell v. Grant Med. Ctr., 148 Ohio 

App.3d 1, 6, 2002-Ohio-443. Plaintiff failed to present any such evidence to establish 

that he suffered the “severe and debilitating emotional distress” required of such claims. 

Id. 

{¶ 17} Based upon the foregoing, the court finds that there are no genuine issues 

of material fact and that defendant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. 

Accordingly, defendant’s motion for summary judgment shall be granted, plaintiff’s 

motions for partial summary judgment shall be denied, and judgment shall be rendered 

in favor of defendant. All other pending motions are DENIED as moot. 
Court of Claims of Ohio

The Ohio Judicial Center 

65 South Front Street, Third Floor 

Columbus, OH 43215 

614.387.9800 or 1.800.824.8263 

www.cco.state.oh.us 

HUGH M. FAVOR, III 

 Plaintiff 

 v. 

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY 
 Defendant 

 

Case No. 2008-09937 

Judge Alan C. Travis 

JUDGMENT ENTRY 

 An oral hearing was conducted in this case upon the parties’ cross-motions for 

summary judgment. For the reasons set forth in the decision filed concurrently 

herewith, defendant’s motion for summary judgment is GRANTED, plaintiff’s motions for 

partial summary judgment are DENIED, and judgment is rendered in favor of 

defendant. Court costs are assessed against plaintiff. The clerk shall serve upon all 

parties notice of this judgment and its date of entry upon the journal. 

 

 _____________________________________ 

 ALAN C. TRAVIS 

 Judge 

cc: 

 

Amy S. Brown 

Randall W. Knutti 

Assistant Attorneys General 

150 East Gay Street, 18th Floor 

Columbus, Ohio 43215-3130 

Hugh M. Favor, Jr. 

4200 Regent Street, Suite 200 

Columbus, Ohio 43219 

RCV/cmd

Filed September 23, 2010 

To S.C. reporter October 12, 2010