Opinion ID: 4533276
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Larson’s Good Name and Reputation

Text: Larson also argues that “she has a property interest in her good name and reputation” and that it was “damaged by Scott Bilbrey and his unnecessary and purely vindictive post-termination media tour.” Larson Br. at 26. “[A] person’s reputation, good name, honor, and integrity are among the liberty interests protected by the due process clause of the fourteenth amendment.” Quinn v. Shirey, 293 F.3d 315, 319 (6th Cir. 2002) (quoting Chilingirian v. Boris, 882 F.2d 200, 205 (6th Cir. 1989)). “[B]efore -15- Nos. 19-5862/5866, Medlin, et al. v. City of Algood, et al. a person is deprived of either a liberty or property interest, he has a right to some kind of hearing.” Id. at 319. “A name-clearing hearing is required only if the employer creates a false and defamatory impression about a particular employee in connection with his termination.” Id. at 320. “It is the denial of the name-clearing hearing that causes the deprivation of the liberty interest without due process.” Id. “[T]his Court has consistently held that a plaintiff’s failure to request a name-clearing hearing is fatal to a claim alleging a deprivation of a liberty interest without due process.” Id. at 323. Moreover, “this Court has never imposed an affirmative duty on an employer to apprize the employee of his right to a name-clearing hearing.” Id. Although the situation was undoubtedly stressful and the status of her employment was unclear, Larson concedes that she never requested a hearing despite consulting an attorney. Larson also testified that by the March city-council meeting, she was aware that her termination was official. Even after this confirmation, Larson did not request a hearing of any kind. “[A] plaintiff who fails to allege that [she] has requested a hearing and was denied the same has no cause of action, whether or not [she] had been informed of a right to a hearing before filing suit.” Quinn, 293 F.3d at 324. Because there is no evidence Larson requested a hearing, she cannot prevail on a claim for deprivation of due process.