Opinion ID: 566008
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Car Requisition

Text: 27 Billet was entitled to a company automobile but, as might be expected, Connecticut General had formal requirements before he could obtain one. It is undisputed that in February 1988 Billet received the paperwork required to replace his automobile but that Botta's signature was required for him to obtain it. Billet, however, circumvented this requirement by printing and signing Botta's name on the requisition form, without Botta's permission or knowledge, in direct violation of the caveat on the form with respect to approvals, and directly over the lines for signatures, that No employees may authorize assignment to themselves. This important requirement was also emphasized in Connecticut General internal memoranda and there is no doubt that Billet was aware of it. Four months later, after Botta discovered that Billet had signed his name to the form, he informed Billet that he had no authority to do so. Botta, however, did not terminate Billet at that time, although under Connecticut General rules the false signature was cause for termination. Instead on July 21, 1988, Billet received a misconduct probation memorandum from Botta, advising him that he had forged Botta's name on the form. There was testimony from Edward Parry, Vice President of Sales, that he interceded on Billet's behalf to prevent Billet's termination over this incident.