NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A former CEO of a retail bookstore chain alleges he was terminated without cause and defamed by the company.
Demos Parneros filed a complaint on Aug. 28 in the U.S. District Court Southern District of New York against Barnes & Noble Inc. alleging breach of contract and defamation.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff was employed by the defendant from November 2016 to July 2018 as chief operating officer and then CEO. He alleges he was dismissed July 2 without warning and was not paid the severance due under his contract. He also alleges that the defendant issued a press release that falsely stated he violated company policy regarding sexual harassment.
The plaintiff holds Barnes & Noble Inc. responsible because the defendant allegedly violated the employment contract by terminating him without case and not paying him severance and by intentionally making false statements suggesting he had engaged in misconduct.
The plaintiff seeks award plaintiff all amounts owed as severance under the employment agreement, compensatory damages, punitive damages, prejudgment interest and any additional relief the court may deem just and proper. He is represented by Debra L. Raskin and Anne L. Clark of Vladeck, Raskin & Clark P.C. in New York.
U.S. District Court Southern District of New York case number 1:18-cv-07834-JGK