Court Opinion

ID: 9775326
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 18:54:09.603312+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:32:25.159103
License: Public Domain

DONNELLY, Judge,
dissenting.
In my view, punitive damages may not be recovered by a former employee under the authority of § 290.140, RSMo 1978.
The purported justification for the allowance of punitive damages is to punish a defendant and thereby deter it and others from subsequent malfeasance. See MAI No. 10.01. In § 290.140, supra, the General Assembly has opted for a criminal sanction to accomplish this public purpose.
I would reverse and remand with directions to enter judgment for respondent in the amount of One Dollar.
I respectfully dissent.