Opinion ID: 888608
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Sufficiency of the Evidence in Support of the Injunction

Text: ¶ 39 Dr. Cole argues there was insufficient evidence to support the finding that he engaged in threatening and harassing conduct, and that the District Court manifestly abused its discretion in issuing the injunction. Dr. Cole claims that subsections (a), (b), and (c) of the injunction (¶ 17), were based solely on the phone call he allegedly had with Dr. Chacko (¶¶ 5-6), as well as the emails he exchanged with Dr. Chacko and other members of Boston University (¶¶ 4, 7), and that this evidence provided was an insufficient basis upon which to conclude that he was engaging in threatening conduct. Dr. Cole also asserts that with respect to (e), there was no evidence presented showing that he had engaged in the described conduct, other than the emails and phone call with Dr. Chacko. Along these lines, he argues that the situation involving Dr. Alzheimer (¶¶ 10-15) is not relevant because he was never an actual candidate during the time that St. James was interviewing candidates for the exclusive radiology contract. Finally, Dr. Cole maintains that subsection (f) of the injunction is not supported by the evidence because no one ever testified that Dr. Cole ever threatened any employee or agent of St. James verbally or physically. ¶ 40 We disagree with Dr. Cole and conclude that there was ample evidence supporting the finding that he was engaging in the type of harassing and threatening conduct described in the injunction. As an initial matter we note that while Dr. Cole has provided copies of the emails in this case, he has failed to provide us with a copy of the transcript of the injunction hearing on November 17, 2006. As a result, we will consider the findings of fact as promulgated by the District Court to be conclusive for purposes of appellate review. Giambra v. Kelsey, 2007 MT 158, ¶ 36, 338 Mont. 19, ¶ 36, 162 P.3d 134, ¶ 36. ¶ 41 With respect to paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (e) and (f) of the injunction, the District Court had the ominously-worded emails that Dr. Cole sent to Dr. Chacko and members of Boston University, as well as a direct threat which he made to Dr. Chacko on the telephone. (See ¶ 6). The unsolicited email to Dr. Chacko discussed the things you should know about this situation, and noted that essentially this is a predatory situation. Combined with the direct threat, there was sufficient evidence for the District Court to conclude that Dr. Cole was intimidating, threatening, and harassing Dr. Chacko. ¶ 42 Similarly, the unsolicited emails to members of Boston University referred to the dark underbelly of practice, spoke of the lengths to which hospital administrators will sink to get power over physicians, and expressed concerns that Boston University would also become a part of this course of conduct. Bizarrely, Dr. Cole also offered to provide some information which is confidential, as it comes from our hospital radiology department director . . . and I would not want to get her in trouble, and also threatened to investigate the legality of the Boston University's participation with St. James and SWMR. Contrary to Dr. Cole's assertions, these correspondences establish he was engaging in threatening, annoying, or intimidating speech against these individuals and organizations. ¶ 43 Additionally, the District Court heard testimony from individuals who stated they feared for their personal safety or were intimidated and harassed by Dr. Cole. Testimony from Dr. Alzheimer and Dr. Zurich was relevant because it demonstrated Dr. Cole had engaged in a repeated course of speech and conduct towards other employees and potential candidates for employment with St. James. The District Court determined this testimony was credible, and we have no basis to disturb these credibility findings on appeal. It is for the trier of fact, and not this Court, to assess the credibility of witnesses and weigh the evidence; we will not second-guess a district court's determinations regarding the strength and weight of conflicting testimony. Point Serv. Corp. v. Myers, 2005 MT 322, ¶ 28, 329 Mont. 502, ¶ 28, 125 P.3d 1107, ¶ 28. ¶ 44 In issuing the injunction on the basis of this evidence the District Court acted reasonably and did not commit a manifest abuse of discretion which is obvious, evident, or unmistakable. Shammel, ¶ 12 The fact that the District Court's findings of fact track closely the proposed findings from St. James does not alter our conclusion that the District Court did not err, based on the record before us.