Sue Chimento v. Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. and Scott McCoy

Tulsa, Oklahoma personal injury lawyer represented the Plaintiff who sued on defamation - libel and slander theories.

Plaintiff Sue Chimento brought claims for defamation, negligence, intentional interference with business relations, false representation, constructive fraud, and conspiracy against Defendants Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc., and Scott McCoy, based on allegations they made to the Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County District Attorney's Office, and the Oklahoma Insurance Department that she had embezzled money while under their employment. The trial court granted partial summary judgment to Defendants, finding that their statements to the police and district attorney were subject to an absolute privilege and their statements to Oklahoma Insurance Department were subject to a qualified privilege under 36 O.S. § 363. The trial court certified its order granting partial summary judgment for interlocutory review.



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Chimento v. Gallagher Benefit Servs., 2023 OK 22, 120089, 120101 (Okla. Mar 21, 2023)

The Oklahoma Supreme Court held that Defendants' statements to the police, the district attorney, and the Oklahoma Insurance Department were afforded a qualified privilege.