Opinion ID: 778407
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Otero's Other Claims

Text: 66 Otero also contends that the district court erred in dismissing prior to trial her state-law claims for defamation and for reckless investigation of the theft charge against her. We affirm the summary dismissal of the defamation claim substantially for the reasons stated by the district court in its Ruling on Motions for Summary Judgment, dated June 26, 2000, at 5-6 (Colon and Boyd protected by qualified privilege for statements made, without any showing of bad faith or malice, in response to employer's investigation into a theft by a fellow employee); id. at 4-5 (report prepared by Mellow not actionable because it merely stated an opinion). 67 Nor are we persuaded that the court erred in dismissing Otero's claim that she was wrongfully discharged because defendants' investigation was reckless. Otero has pointed to no decision of the Connecticut courts recognizing such a cause of action on behalf of an employee such as herself, who was entitled not to be discharged except for cause. See, e.g., D'Ulisse-Cupo v. Board of Directors of Notre Dame High School, 202 Conn. 206, 212 & n. 1, 520 A.2d 217, 220 & n. 1 (1987) ([T]he right to recover in tort for wrongful discharge extends only to employees at will.).