Opinion ID: 777337
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Reprehensible Conduct

Text: 49 In determining reprehensibility we consider a number of aggravating factors including whether the harm was more than purely economic in nature and whether a defendant's actions constitute trickery or deceit as opposed to mere negligence. BMW, 517 U.S. at 576, 116 S.Ct. at 1599. 50 Here the harm was more than purely economical in nature. The jury awarded punitive damages to Plaintiffs because it concluded USWA violated Plaintiffs' free speech rights. 51 From the jury's decision it is clear the jury determined USWA acted deliberately. USWA did not comply with its own constitution or bylaws when it imposed a trusteeship on Local 5644 and removed Plaintiffs from office. It did not inform Plaintiffs of the reasons for the imposition of the trusteeship until the day of the hearing which did not allow them an opportunity to defend themselves. It did not afford Plaintiffs due process during the maintenance of the trusteeship and throughout the appellate process. It removed Plaintiffs from their positions and then shortly thereafter reached an agreement with Timet. All of this evidence is more than adequate to support a conclusion USWA's behavior in this case amounted to much more than mere negligence but rather could be characterized as intentional, deliberate and akin to deceit.