Opinion ID: 2018653
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: pertinent paragraphs of the complaint

Text: . . . . 8. That commencing some time prior to October, 1974, and continuing to date, the defendants together did conspire, agree and mutually undertake by concerted action for the purpose of willfully and maliciously injuring the plaintiff in its reputation, trade and business, all in violation of the criminal sanctions set forth in Section 134.01, Wisconsin Statutes. 9. At all material times until her resignation on January 10, 1976, defendant Ethel Denniston was an employe of the Division of Health, DH&SS. During the month of October, 1974, she was the registered nurse member of the departmental survey team which conducted the required annual inspection of the Elm Row Nursing Home. 10. While said inspection was still in progress, acting beyond the scope of her employment and authorization, Ethel Denniston maliciously, willfully and in direct violation of DH&SS's written instructions to her, reported false and fraudulent information concerning the conditions at Elm Row to defendant Susan M. Long, an employe of the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Social Services, and others, for the purpose of blacklisting Elm Row, to the end that eligible Medicaid beneficiaries in need of nursing home care would not be referred by Milwaukee County social workers to Elm Row. . . . . 12. Defendants Mary Frances Richards and Susan M. Long, in concert with defendant Ethel Denniston and in furtherance of the conspiracy against Elm Row, engaged in the identical activities described in allegation #10. The efforts were successful. Elm Row was blacklisted in October, 1974, and has remained on the blacklist continuously thereafter. . . . . 17. Said conspiracy continues. Elm Row is under constant surveillance by DH&SS. 18. Since October, 1974, Milwaukee County has not referred Medicaid beneficiaries to Elm Row, and it and DH&SS advised, and continues to advise Milwaukee area hospitals not to do so. Each step in the advancement of the alleged conspiracy has resulted in a rash of media publicity which has caused, and is causing, cancellations by private pay patients of requested admissions to Elm Row. . . . The effect of the conspiracy has been, and is, to deprive Elm Row of substantial income and to drastically reduce its market value, and has defamed its owner in all of its nursing home operations to its great detriment and damage. WHEREFORE, plaintiff demands judgment against the defendants in the amount of $2,500,000 and for its costs and disbursements in this action.