CECILIA M. ALTONAGA, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE.
This case involves claims Defendants, Hembree Consulting Services, Inc. ("HCSI"), and its president and sole shareholder, Larry Hembree ("Hembree"), misused XTec's proprietary software and engaged in unfair business practices. (See generally Compl. [ECF No. 1-1]). The Court assumes the reader's knowledge with the intricate facts of the case (see Order ("Summary Judgment Order") [ECF No. 220]), but provides a brief background for the purpose of the instant Order.
Hembree worked for the United States Navy for a number of years on electronic security and enterprise access control systems, during which time he built a professional relationship with Jeff Huskey ("Huskey"), a Navy employee who later became the Chief Information Officer at Commander, Navy Installations Command ("CNIC"). (See Defendants' Amended Counterclaim [ECF No. 51] ¶¶ 6-7). In 1997, Hembree left the Navy and formed Hembree & Associates, Inc. ("H & A") to develop a smart card business, and there he met David Fisher ("Fisher"), who later created CardSmart Technologies, Inc. (See id. ¶ 8). In 2000, Hembree sold H & A to XTec. (See id.).
XTec specializes in the security access and authentication industry and markets its own proprietary software, hardware, and firmware to its clients. (See Compl. ¶ 6). XTec named Hembree Director of Government Initiatives; Hembree owns 40,000 shares of XTec stock. (See Defs.' Am. Countercl. ¶ 8). In early 2001, XTec entered into a joint venture with CardSmart. (See Compl. ¶ 9). In 2003, Hembree resigned from XTec, and in 2004, formed HCSI. (See Defs.' Am. Countercl. ¶¶ 1, 9). The joint venture relationship between XTec and CardSmart spanned from 2002 through 2009, during which time the entities performed work for the Navy involving a product known as Enabler 1.0. (See Compl. ¶ 10).
In July 2011, XTec filed a lawsuit against CardSmart and Fisher (see Defendants' Notice of Removal [ECF No. 1] in XTec, Inc. v. CardSmart, Case No. 11-cv-22866-FAM (S.D.Fla.) (the "CardSmart Litigation")), alleging CardSmart and Fisher wrongfully copied XTec's proprietary technology from XTec software already in use by the Navy to create and sell an updated version of Enabler 1.0 to the Navy, known as Enabler 3.0 (see generally CardSmart Litigation, Complaint [ECF No. 1-2]).
On October 30, 2015, during the jury trial, Defendants moved for judgment as a matter of law on XTec's claims, and the Court held a hearing on the motion. (See [ECF No. 308]; see also Defendants' Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law ... ("Original JMOL Motion") [ECF No. 306]). The Court denied the Original JMOL Motion on November 2, 2015, allowing Defendants to renew the motion post-judgment. (See Order [ECF No. 310]). On November 17, 2015, after a seventeen-day trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of XTec, and against Defendants, on all of XTec's claims and Defendants' defamation counterclaim. (See generally Verdict Form ("Jury Verdict") [ECF No. 331]). With respect to the misappropriation of trade secrets claim, the jury found Defendants' actions were "willful and malicious," and awarded XTec $4,000,000 for unjust enrichment and $1,000,000 for actual damages. (Id. 2). Concerning the defamation claim, the jury awarded XTec $250,000 in nominal damages. (See id. 5). Regarding Defendants' defamation counterclaim, the jury found Defendants failed to prove Rasco and Bimston acted as XTec's agents in disclosing the Kennedy Report to the Navy. (See id. 6). The Court entered final judgment on November 18, 2015. (See Final Judgment [ECF No. 337]).
In their renewed JMOL Motion and New Trial Motion, Defendants ask the Court for judgment in their favor as a matter of law on all of XTec's claims, or alternatively to grant a new trial on XTec's claims and Defendants' defamation counterclaim. (See generally JMOL Mot.; New Trial Mot.). If the Court declines to grant either of these forms of relief, Defendants request the Court reduce the jury's award of nominal defamation damages from $250,000 to $1. (See New Trial Mot. 9-10).
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50(b) governs a renewed motion for judgment as a matter of law. Under this standard, a "district court should grant judgment as a matter of law when the plaintiff presents no legally sufficient evidentiary basis for a reasonable jury to find for him on a material element of his cause of action." Pickett v. Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., 420 F.3d 1272, 1278 (11th Cir.2005) (citation omitted). Conversely, the court should deny the motion "if the plaintiff presents enough evidence to create a substantial conflict in the evidence on an essential element of the plaintiff's case." Id. (citations omitted). "Although [the court] look[s] at the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, the non-movant must put forth more than a mere scintilla of evidence suggesting that reasonable minds could reach differing verdicts." Campbell v. Rainbow City, Ala., 434 F.3d 1306, 1312 (11th Cir.2006) (quoting Abel v. Dubberly, 210 F.3d 1334, 1337 (11th Cir.2000) (alterations added)).
Motions for a new trial are governed by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 59(a), and may be granted "for any reason for which a new trial has heretofore been granted in an action at law in federal court." FED. R. CIV. P. 59(a)(1)(A). Although a comprehensive list of the grounds granting a new trial is elusive, the Supreme Court has held that a motion for a new trial may rest on the fact "the verdict is against the weight of the evidence, that the damages are excessive, or that, for other reasons, the trial was not fair to the party moving; and may raise questions of law arising out of alleged substantial errors
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 59(e) governs motions to alter or amend judgments. The Eleventh Circuit has recognized only two grounds for granting a Rule 59 motion — newly discovered evidence or manifest errors of law or fact. See Saridakis v. S. Broward Hosp. Dist., No. 08-62005-Civ, 2010 WL 2274955, at *5 (S.D.Fla. June 7, 2010) (citing Arthur v. King, 500 F.3d 1335, 1343 (11th Cir.2007)). "A Rule 59(e) motion cannot be used to relitigate old matters, raise argument or present evidence that could have been raised prior to the entry of judgment." Id. (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).
Defendants request the Court grant them judgment as a matter of law on XTec's misappropriation claim. (See JMOL Mot. 3). In support, they set forth four main arguments: (1) XTec provided insufficient evidence at trial for the jury to find Defendants misappropriated XTec's trade secrets, particularly that Defendants acted willfully and maliciously in doing so; (2) XTec failed to establish CardSmart used a substantial portion of Enabler 1.0 in creating Enabler 3.0; (3) XTec failed to present legally sufficient evidence proving the copied software was its trade secret; and (4) XTec failed to adequately prove actual damages, unjust enrichment, and causation. (See generally id. 3-20). The Court addresses each argument in turn.
Under the FUTSA, the elements of a misappropriation claim include: "(1) the plaintiff possessed secret information and took reasonable steps to protect its secrecy and (2) the secret was misappropriated, either by one who knew or had reason to know that the secret was improperly obtained or by one who used improper means to obtain it." Axiom Worldwide, Inc. v. HTRD Grp. Hong Kong Ltd., No. 8:11-CV-1468-T-33TBM, 2013 WL 2712787, at *4 (M.D.Fla. June 12, 2013). The FUTSA further states: "If willful and malicious misappropriation exists, the court may award exemplary damages in an amount not exceeding twice any award made [under the previous subsection]." FLA. STAT. § 688.004 (alteration and emphasis added).
Defendants argue XTec provided insufficient evidence for the jury to find Defendants were responsible for, or even aware of, CardSmart's copying of portions of Enabler 1.0 (the "CardSmart Theory"). (See JMOL Mot. 4). Consequently, Defendants assert the jury could not have reasonably found Defendants used improper means to obtain XTec trade secrets, nor could it have found Defendants acted willfully and maliciously in doing so. (See id. 4-5). In response, XTec contends: (1) Defendants have waived their arguments on this point because they did not raise them in their Original JMOL Motion; and (2) in any event, XTec provided a plethora of evidence supporting the finding Defendants were aware of, and participated in, CardSmart's misappropriation. (See JMOL Resp. 3-4).
XTec argues Defendants waived their CardSmart Theory, willfulness, and malice-related arguments by not raising them in their Original JMOL Motion. (See id. 3, 6 n.10). In the Original JMOL Motion, Defendants argued the FUTSA claim failed as a matter of law because XTec had no trade secret rights to Enabler 1.0 and could not prove causation or damages; but they did not address the CardSmart Theory or the willfulness and malice issues. (See Original JMOL Mot. 2). Defendants insist these arguments, while not explicitly raised in the Original JMOL Motion, were subsumed within their broader argument XTec failed to present legally sufficient evidence for the jury to find Defendants liable on the FUTSA claim. (See JMOL Reply 1-4; see also Original JMOL Mot. 2).
The Eleventh Circuit has held: "[A]ny renewal of a motion for judgment as a matter of law under Rule 50(b) must be based upon the same grounds as the original request for judgment as a matter of law made under Rule 50(a) at the close of the evidence and prior to the case being submitted to the jury." Doe v. Celebrity Cruises, Inc., 394 F.3d 891, 903 (11th Cir. 2004) (alteration and emphasis added). "This rule ensures that opposing counsel will not be ambushed or sandbagged regarding the sufficiency of the evidence adduced at a point in the trial proceedings when it is too late to address possible insufficiencies." Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). "Strict identity of issues, however, is not required. So long as they are `closely related,' such that opposing counsel and the trial court may be deemed to have notice of the deficiencies asserted by the moving party, the purposes of the rule will be satisfied." Howard v. Walgreen Co., 605 F.3d 1239, 1243 (11th Cir.2010).
Defendants' CardSmart Theory is sufficiently closely related to the FUTSA arguments Defendants addressed in their Original JMOL Motion such that XTec is not "ambushed or sandbagged" by Defendants raising the argument now. Doe, 394 F.3d at 903. Essentially, the CardSmart Theory is simply another way for Defendants to argue the evidence at trial was insufficient to support a finding Defendants violated the FUTSA. In contrast, the willfulness and malice issues are sufficiently distinct from the FUTSA argument raised by Defendants in the Original JMOL Motion. As Defendants themselves acknowledge, these issues require the Court to analyze whether XTec has met a higher standard of establishing Defendants' conduct was particularly egregious. (See JMOL Mot. 6 ("`Willful' and `malicious' are separate, conjunctive concepts — both of which must be established by that more stringent level of proof." (internal citation omitted))). Further, as the FUTSA states, the willfulness and malice inquiry is relevant to the separate issue of whether the Court awards exemplary damages. See FLA. STAT. § 688.004 ("If willful and malicious misappropriation exists, the court may award exemplary damages in an amount not exceeding twice any award made [under the previous subsection]." (emphasis and alteration added)).
Requiring XTec to address these issues now, when Defendants failed to raise them during trial, either in their Original JMOL Motion or orally at the hearing on the motion, would unfairly "ambush" XTec.
Under the CardSmart Theory, Defendants argue XTec essentially presented a case at trial blaming Defendants for CardSmart's misappropriation of XTec's data. (See JMOL Mot. 4). Specifically, Defendants contend it was undisputed at trial they were unaware CardSmart's engineer, James Wiley ("Wiley"), had copied any Enabler 1.0 code. (See id.). XTec vehemently disagrees, arguing Defendants' involvement in CardSmart's misappropriation was established through the following evidence: (1) Hembree requested access to the Pensacola server on CardSmart's behalf; (2) Defendants were less than forthright to XTec about the purpose for which such access was being sought; and (3) Defendants not only knew about the ongoing misappropriation by CardSmart, but they also bankrolled the project (see Pl.'s Ex. 62 [ECF No. 398] 13-16). (See JMOL Resp. 3-5). XTec further contends it was reasonable for the jury to disbelieve Hembree's assertion he did not know about the presence of human-readable source code on the Pensacola server due to his decades of information technology experience, as well as the lack of credibility rendered by his ghost-writing of emails. (See id. 5-6).
Defendants concede Hembree requested CardSmart's access to the out-of-production Navy-owned Enabler server, but argue this act alone does not constitute misappropriation, in part because Hembree did not know there was proprietary information on the server. (See JMOL Reply 2). While Hembree adamantly stated he did not know there was proprietary information on the server provided to CardSmart, XTec presented sufficient evidence that would allow a reasonable jury to disbelieve Hembree's testimony — namely, that Hembree possessed significant knowledge of information technology (see, e.g., Jury Trial Excerpt ... ("Hembree Testimony Part I") [ECF No. 372] 20:14-21:10); and Defendants were less than forthright with XTec about the purpose for which access to the Pensacola server was sought (see, e.g., Jury Trial Excerpt ... ("Fernandez Testimony Part 1") [ECF No. 338] 118:9-119:15). Because XTec has presented "enough evidence to create a substantial conflict in the evidence on an essential element of the plaintiff's case," judgment
Defendants further argue: (1) XTec failed to prove a substantial portion of any trade secret was used in Enabler 3.0; and (2) XTec failed to identify, with sufficient particularity, the specific code it claimed to be a trade secret. (See JMOL Mot. 9-11). Regarding the first point, Defendants contend XTec's expert testified "considerably less than one percent" of the total Enabler 3.0 code was drawn from Enabler 1.0, and the other subjects of misappropriation were not proprietary information. (See id. 9 (quoting Jury Trial Excerpt... ("Eiras Testimony Part I") [ECF No. 316] 51:6-24)). XTec asserts Defendants mischaracterize and confuse the record on this issue. (See JMOL Resp. 8-9).
In the Eleventh Circuit, "a defendant is liable for the misappropriation of a trade secret only if the plaintiff can show that the defendant (1) disclosed information that enabled a third party to learn the trade secret or (2) used a `substantial portion' of the plaintiff's trade secret to create an improvement or modification that is `substantially derived' from the plaintiff's trade secret." Penalty Kick Mgmt. Ltd. v. Coca-Cola Co., 318 F.3d 1284, 1293 (11th Cir.2003) (emphasis added); see also Jadael Inc. v. Elliott, No. 6:05-CV-1623-ORLDAB, 2007 WL 2480387, at *8 n. 6 (M.D.Fla. Aug. 29, 2007). The parties dispute whether XTec satisfied the second prong of the Penalty Kick case — that is, whether Defendants used a substantial portion of Enabler 1.0 to create Enabler 3.0.
The Court instructed the jury it could find misappropriation based on the first Penalty Kick prong — a defendant may be liable for misappropriation if he discloses "information that enabled a third party to learn the trade secret." Penalty Kick, 318 F.3d at 1293. Specifically, the jury instructions required the jury to determine whether Defendants "acquired, or disclosed, or used a substantial portion" of XTec's trade secrets in creating Enabler 3.0. (Court's Instructions to the Jury ("Jury Instructions") [ECF No. 330] 4 (emphases added); see also id. 5 (instructing the jury: "XTec must ... prove these trade secrets were misappropriated by the Defendants through improper acquisition of XTec's trade secrets, or improper disclosure of XTec's trade secrets, or improper use of a substantial portion of XTec's trade secrets" (emphases and alteration added))).
Indeed, XTec argues in its JMOL Response "the jury could reasonably infer misappropriation based upon ... Defendants' knowing ... provision of access to Enabler 1.0 code and technical documentation to CardSmart during the development of Enabler 3.0." (JMOL Resp. 8-9 (alterations added)). The Court agrees, for the same reasons explained in the CardSmart Theory section. (See supra 9-10 (finding the jury could have reasonably concluded Defendants knew there was proprietary information on the Pensacola server when they provided access to CardSmart and obscured their reasons for requesting access from XTec)). Because: (1) the jury instructions allowed the jury to consider both Penalty Kick theories of misappropriation; (2) Penalty Kick allows for a finding of misappropriation if either of the two theories is satisfied; and (3) the jury could have reasonably concluded the first Penalty Kick theory was satisfied, the Court need not address the second Penalty Kick theory — whether XTec adequately established a substantial portion of Enabler 1.0 was used in Enabler 3.0.
In the present motion, Defendants merely refer to a few more facts and cases than presented in their earlier summary judgment motion — none of which alter the Court's conclusion on this issue. For example, Defendants attempt to bolster their "moving target" argument by asserting XTec altered its jury-instruction definition of its trade secrets up until the end of trial, when it defined the trade secrets as the "entirety of the AuthentX system, confidential source code, system architecture, and technical infrastructure, as a compilation." (Supplemental Verdict Interrogatory ... [ECF No. 332] 1; see also JMOL Mot. 12). However, this definition is not so unlike XTec's original jury-instruction definition such that it would unfairly surprise Defendants at trial. (See Parties' Revised Preliminary and Final Jury
Both definitions claim the entire AuthentX system as a trade secret, which — as the Court held earlier in the Summary Judgment Order — is permissible. (See Summ. J. Order 19-20); see also Decision Insights, Inc. v. Sentia Group, Inc., 311 Fed.Appx. 586, 592 (4th Cir.2009) (court acknowledged a "software compilation" can be found to be a trade secret and the plaintiff's production of its source code was an acceptable method of identifying the trade secret); Harbor Software, Inc. v. Applied Sys., Inc., 936 F.Supp. 167, 172 (S.D.N.Y.1996) ("[C]ase law supports the proposition that the overall design of a software program may be protectable as a trade secret even if the individual components of that program are common knowledge in the programming industry" (emphases and alteration in original)).
Defendants' additional cases likewise fail to alter the Court's conclusion on this issue. In their JMOL Motion, Defendants cite a handful of non-binding cases that support the general proposition a party must identify its trade secrets with sufficient particularity. See Marine Travelift, Inc. v. Marine Lift Sys., Inc., No. 10-C-1046, 2013 WL 6255689, at *5 (E.D.Wis. Dec. 4, 2013); Composite Marine Propellers, Inc. v. Van Der Woude, 962 F.2d 1263, 1266 (7th Cir.1992) ("It is not enough to point to broad areas of technology and assert that something there must have been secret and misappropriated."); IDX Sys. Corp. v. Epic Sys. Corp., 285 F.3d 581, 583 (7th Cir.2002) (finding a 43-page description of the methods and processes underlying the plaintiff's software package not specific enough); DSMC, Inc. v. Convera Corp., 479 F.Supp.2d 68, 78 (D.D.C. 2007) ("Unlike the plaintiff in IDX Systems, who just identified its entire software product as a trade secret without
XTec sufficiently identified its trade secrets at trial, as it did at the summary judgment stage (see Summ. J. Order 18-20). (See Fernandez Test. Part I 8:10-17:4 (describing the AuthentX system); see also Jury Trial Excerpt ... ("Eiras Testimony Part II") [ECF No. 339] 64:12-16 (describing his conclusion pieces of XTec's source code were copied directly and the existing AuthentX software was used as an implementation guide at the very least)). Accordingly, judgment as a matter of law for Defendants on this issue is inappropriate.
The FUTSA defines a "trade secret" as information that "[d]erives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and ... [i]s the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy." FLA. STAT. § 688.002(4) (alterations added). Thus, if a trade secret is either readily ascertainable, or the plaintiff fails to take reasonable efforts to maintain the secrecy of its trade secret, a misappropriation claim will fail. See, e.g., Warehouse Sols., Inc. v. Integrated Logistics, LLC, 610 Fed.Appx. 881, 885-86 (11th Cir.2015) (granting summary judgment for the defendant on a trade secret misappropriation claim where the plaintiff did not take adequate steps to maintain the secrecy of its product).
Defendants assert XTec failed to establish it took reasonable steps to maintain the secrecy of Enabler 1.0's proprietary characteristics and thus did not prove it owned a trade secret. (See JMOL Mot. 13). Specifically, Defendants argue XTec: (1) failed to preserve any data rights in its Enabler contracts with the Navy; (2) failed to mark as confidential or proprietary any Enabler source code and related documentation delivered to the Navy; and (3) gave the Navy and CardSmart unrestricted access to Enabler 1.0 source code without advising either entity XTec claimed any proprietary rights in the source code. (See id.).
XTec presented sufficient evidence at trial that a reasonable jury could have rejected — and did reject — Defendants' aforementioned arguments. In particular, Defendants argued XTec failed to preserve any data rights in its Enabler contracts with the Navy, relying upon several federal regulations that require contractors to identify proprietary information as such when developing noncommercial software. (See JMOL Mot. 14-15 (citing 48 C.F.R. § 52.227-14 et seq.)). But XTec presented evidence upon which a reasonable jury could conclude it was not required to comply with these regulations, as AuthentX was a commercial product. See 48 C.F.R. § 8.402(a) (describing how GSA schedules provide a process for the government to obtain commercial supplies); (see also Jury Trial Excerpt ... ("Fernandez Testimony Part II") [ECF No. 362] 10:8-12:22 (explaining XTec sells its AuthentX appliances pursuant to GSA schedules to protect its intellectual property rights)). XTec bolstered its claim AuthentX was a commercial product by offering testimony the product was developed entirely at private expense and was sold to commercial customers prior to the Enabler project commencing in 2004. (See Jury Trial Excerpt... ("Arner Testimony Part I") [ECF No. 340] 26:15-26:20 (stating the government did not pay for any portion of the AuthentX development); see also Jury Trial Excerpt ... ("Arner Testimony Part VI") [ECF No. 365] 22:1-25). Consequently, the
Second, Defendants argue XTec did not limit access to AuthentX or otherwise mark it to deter copying. (See JMOL Mot. 16). Defendants cite a string of cases, noting: "Clear authority holds that an idea is not reasonably maintained in requisite secrecy if disclosed ... without an accompanying mechanism to maintain secrecy." (Id. (citing, e.g., Laing v. BP Exploration & Prod. Inc., No. 8:13-cv-1041-T-23TGW, 2014 WL 272846, at *4 (M.D.Fla. Jan. 23, 2014) (alteration added); see also Cubic Transp. Sys., Inc. v. Miami-Dade Cnty., 899 So.2d 453, 454 (Fla. 3d DCA 2005))). XTec responds it did not give the Navy root access to Enabler 1.0 servers. (See JMOL Resp. 17 (citing Arner Test. Part I 129:10-16)). Defendants' cases are arguably distinguishable because 48 C.F.R. section 27.402(b) obligates the government to maintain the secrecy of proprietary data; thus, in this case, there was an accompanying mechanism to maintain AuthentX's secrecy. (See JMOL Resp. 17-18).
Third, Defendants assert the Navy owned Enabler 1.0 and all of its source code; thus, none of it qualifies as a trade secret. (See JMOL Mot. 17). In support, Defendants rely on several emails among Navy personnel confirming the Navy owned Enabler 1.0, as well as Huskey's testimony stating he believed the Navy owned both Enabler 1.0 and its source code. (See id. 17-18). These emails pertain generally to Navy ownership of Enabler 1.0, rather than specifically to AuthentX — the software located on Enabler 1.0. (See, e.g., Defs.' Ex. 62 [ECF No. 383-13] (stating "ENABLER is a Government System, owned by the Navy")). In fact, XTec concedes, "the Navy owns the servers, readers, and xNodes which comprise the Enabler 1.0 system, as well as the customized software layers;" yet, this does not mean it owns the AuthentX software, which acts as the operating system for Enabler 1.0. (JMOL Resp. 19). Further, regarding Huskey's testimony, the jury could have reasonably disbelieved Huskey's statements, given the evidence presented by XTec of his close working relationship with Hembree. (See, e.g., Jury Trial Excerpt... ("Hembree Testimony Part II") [ECF No. 375] 22:7-24:4 (describing Hembree ghostwriting emails for Huskey)). Accordingly, the Court is not persuaded this argument weighs sufficiently in favor of finding against the existence of a trade secret.
Fourth, Defendants argue three portions of the Enabler 1.0 code used by CardSmart were not proprietary to XTec — namely, the LDAP schema (and OID), RBS (including cURL functions), and the getnumber function — thus, these items were not proprietary and not trade secrets. (See JMOL Mot. 18). In particular, Defendants contend Albert Fernandez ("Fernandez"), XTec's President and Chief Executive Officer, conceded the LDAP schema and OID were not proprietary, and XTec's expert testified the Enabler 1.0 RBS code was very similar to the RBS code provided by the Navy. (See id.). Regarding the getnumber function, Defendants assert the trial record established the function was developed for the Navy and incorporated into program code owned by the Navy. (See id. 19). Regardless of the individual portions of Enabler 1.0 code discussed by Defendants, the trial record provided the jury with a reasonable basis to conclude CardSmart used Enabler 1.0/AuthentX code as a development guide to create Enabler 3.0. (See Eiras Test. Part I 51:25-53:4). Further, regarding the RBS function, one of XTec's witnesses testified the RBS code is not substantially similar to that provided by the Navy, as the data presented in the guide relied upon by Defendants is not code, but simply a specification for the developer. (See JMOL
Viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to XTec, the Court is persuaded there is a sufficient factual basis such that a reasonable jury could have concluded XTec's actions, under the circumstances, were reasonable to maintain secrecy. See Pickett, 420 F.3d at 1278 (noting that a court should deny the defendant's motion for judgment as a matter of law "if the plaintiff presents enough evidence to create a substantial conflict in the evidence on an essential element of the plaintiff's case").
Defendants argue XTec failed to prove it incurred actual damages from Defendants' misappropriation of its trade secrets. (See JMOL Mot. 19-22). Lost profits must be proven with reasonable certainty and be a natural consequence of the wrong. See Sihle Ins. Grp., Inc. v. Right Way Hauling, Inc., 845 So.2d 998, 1001 (Fla. 5th DCA 2003); see also Marshall Auto Painting & Collision, Inc. v. Westco Eng'g, Inc., No. 6:02CV-109-ORL22KRS, 2003 WL 25668018, at *11 (M.D.Fla. May 8, 2003) ("In order to recover damages for lost profits, a jury must find that the wrongful act of the defendant proximately caused the damage.... In other words, the lost profits must be a natural, proximate, probable or direct consequence of the defendant's negligent acts, and not a remote consequence thereof." (alteration added; internal quotation marks and citation omitted)). Further, "damages may not be awarded for lost profits when those profits are dependent on a party taking an action that it is unclear he would have taken." Brough v. Imperial Sterling Ltd., 297 F.3d 1172, 1177 (11th Cir.2002).
Defendants assert XTec's alleged actual damages are predicated upon the belief XTec would have modified Enabler 1.0 to be JGS 2.0-compliant, and thus, the Navy would have continued purchasing Enabler 1.0 products. (See JMOL Reply 10). They contend XTec cannot maintain this fallacy, because the Navy gave it multiple chances to conform Enabler 1.0 to be JGS 2.0-compliant, and it failed to do so. (See id.). Therefore, Defendants argue XTec cannot maintain it suffered actual damages in the form of lost sales of a product it never created, given the Navy and/or other clients would have stopped purchasing Enabler 1.0 regardless of the creation of Enabler 3.0. (See id.).
Defendants' primary evidentiary support for this argument is a December 9, 2010 email from Huskey to XTec personnel and Hembree, stating: "Stop purchasing, or installing any XTec Readers, XNodes or Servers, or any other access control products that are not JGS 2.0 compliant.... Tony/Albert [XTec employees], I need you to respond to our requests with a timeline on when you can meet the JGS 2.0 by December 14, 2010." (Defs.' Ex. 36 ("DX 36") [ECF No. 383-9] (alteration added)). Tony, or Antonio Arner ("Arner"), XTec's Chief Financial Officer, testified XTec never responded to this directive in writing, even though XTec's employees understood failure to do so might end their new equipment sales to the Navy. (See Arner Testimony Part VI 214:7-216:11). Rather, XTec chose not to conform to the JGS 2.0 system because it was not contractually required to do so and Fernandez disagreed with the underlying architecture of the system. (See id. 215:13-21).
Defendants further argue the jury's award of unjust enrichment damages to XTec was either improper or excessive. (See JMOL Mot. 22). First, they assert Defendants did not "receive something of value for which they should have paid," because Defendants simply used Navy software, which they had the right to use. (Id. (citing Philip Morris, Inc. v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., 641 F.Supp. 1438, 1489 (M.D.Ga.1986))). This argument is unconvincing. As set forth supra, XTec presented evidence from which the jury could reasonably conclude Defendants misappropriated XTec's trade
Defendants next argue XTec's expert, Barry Mukamal ("Mukamal"), improperly included some variables in his unjust enrichment calculation — namely, revenue related to a program called the Funeral Honors Program that CardSmart developed on its own; and revenue paid by the Navy to HCSI as the contractor supervising XTec for work on Enabler 1.0. (See JMOL Mot. 22-23). In his testimony, Mukamal clarified he excluded any Funeral Honors-related revenue and other expenses that occurred prior to October 1, 2009 — the approximate time of the alleged misappropriation — and only included such revenue and expenses afterwards because the Funeral Honors Program then became part of the Enabler 3.0 system and is thus "fruit from a direct misappropriation." (Jury Trial Excerpt ... ("Mukamal Testimony") [ECF No. 392] 33:2-35:14; see also id. 53:23-54:4). Mukamal also clarified he excluded any revenues related to Enabler 1.0. (See id. 36:1-20).
It is entirely possible the jury disagreed with Mukamal on this point and reduced its unjust enrichment damages accordingly. At closing argument, XTec asked the jury to find Defendants were unjustly enriched by $4.5 million; however, the jury only awarded XTec $4 million. (See Jury Verdict 2). Defendants do not specify, in their briefing, the full value of the Funeral Honors Program, particularly the revenues derived from the program post-October 1, 2009, or the value of their other requested reductions, so it is difficult to assess with certainty whether the jury already deducted this amount from the original damages sought. Even if the jury did not deduct for this amount, the jury could reasonably have found Mukamal's testimony credible on this point and therefore decided against making such a deduction. See Johnson, 484 F.Supp.2d at 1245. Accordingly, the Court declines to further reduce the jury's award of unjust enrichment damages.
Defendants present three arguments for why XTec's FDUTPA claim fails as a matter of law: (1) it is duplicative of XTec's FUTSA claim; (2) XTec failed to prove Defendants acted deceptively; and (3) the jury did not award XTec damages for its FDUTPA claim. (See JMOL Mot. 25-26).
Defendants first argue XTec's FDUTPA claim fails as a matter of law because it is duplicative of and barred by XTec's FUTSA claim. (See JMOL Mot. 25).
A review of the Complaint narrowly reveals XTec's FDUTPA claim is distinct from its FUTSA claim, and thus preemption is not warranted. (See generally Compl.). The FUTSA claim ("Count I") alleges Defendants and CardSmart misappropriated XTec's trade secrets (see id. ¶¶ 37-47), and states Defendants "unlawfully utilized XTec's trade secrets to establish their own competing business relationship with the U.S. Navy" (id. ¶ 46). XTec's FDUTPA claim ("Count II") relies on substantially similar allegations (and facts), with the additional assertion Defendants wrongfully solicited CardSmart as a subcontractor after the termination of the joint venture between CardSmart and XTec, for the purpose of using CardSmart's knowledge of XTec's proprietary trade secrets to create a competing product. (See id. ¶¶ 53-54). This assertion alone would be insufficient to distinguish the FDUTPA claim from the FUTSA claim, as Defendants' solicitation of CardSmart was only wrongful because it was done with the intent to misappropriate XTec's trade secrets. In fact, XTec conceded as much in an earlier filing. (See Response ... ("MSJ Response") [ECF No. 176] 18 ("XTec is not suing Defendants simply because Defendants competed with XTec; instead, XTec is pursuing its FDUTPA claim because Defendants knowingly solicited CardSmart to develop a competing solution under circumstances whereby CardSmart was contractually prohibited from capitalizing upon its prior exposure to XTec's trade secrets." (emphasis added))).
However, in support of its FDUTPA claim XTec also alleged Defendants "engaged in unfair methods of competition, unconscionable acts or practices, and unfair and deceptive acts or practices." (Compl. ¶ 55). An example found earlier in the Complaint states:
(Id. ¶ 20 (alteration added)).
Further, at a hearing on Defendants' Original JMOL Motion, the Court asked counsel for XTec to define how its FDUTPA claim was distinct from its FUTSA claim, and counsel responded: "It is the manner in which [Defendants] gained access to the code. The manner in which [Defendants] got access in order to derive Enabler 3 code" (alterations and emphasis added).
Such assertions are sufficient to materially distinguish XTec's FDUTPA claim from the FUTSA claim. See New Lenox Indus., 510 F.Supp.2d at 908 (finding material differences between fraudulent inducement claim and FUTSA claim where:
(alterations added)); see also Am. Honda Motor Co., 390 F.Supp.2d at 1180-81 (finding FDUTPA, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation counterclaims distinct from FUTSA counterclaim where the plaintiff made false representations that "induced the Defendants to divulge its [sic] information, to conduct further research into the system, and to forego other business relationships relating to the development, funding, or sale of the system"). As in these cases, the FDUTPA claim is sufficiently distinct from the FUTSA claim, and thus preemption under Florida Statutes section 688.008 is not shown.
Defendants next argue even if XTec's FDUTPA claim is not preempted by the FUTSA, XTec still failed to prove Defendants acted deceptively. (See Original JMOL Mot. 15). Defendants assert the evidence shows they repeatedly informed XTec if it did not update Enabler 1.0 and make it compliant with the Navy's requirements, the Navy would replace it. (See id.). XTec responds the trial record demonstrates Defendants indeed acted deceptively in numerous ways from "Hembree's ghostwriting by which he clothed his unilateral directives under the guise of official Navy guidance ... to his intentional concealment of the true nature of Enabler 3.0 ...." (JMOL Resp. 27 (alterations added); see, e.g., Hembree Testimony Part II 22:7-24:4 (describing Hembree ghostwriting emails for Huskey)). The Court agrees. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to XTec, XTec presented sufficient testimony such that a reasonable jury could find Defendants acted deceptively. See Campbell, 434 F.3d at 1312.
Finally, Defendants argue the Court should grant judgment in their favor on the FDUTPA claim because the jury failed to award XTec damages on this claim. (See JMOL Mot. 25 (citing Dorestin v. Hollywood Imports, Inc., 45 So.3d 819, 824 (Fla. 4th DCA 2010) ("Proof of actual damages is necessary to sustain a FDUTPA claim"))). In this regard, the jury agreed XTec proved Defendants were liable under the FDUTPA, but it awarded XTec "$0" in actual damages, and further specified the damages awarded to XTec under the FUTSA claim did not include FDUTPA-related damages. (See Jury Verdict 3-4). XTec disagrees with Defendants' argument, noting it sought injunctive relief
The FDUTPA provides for both injunctive relief and monetary damages. See FLA. STAT. § 501.211. With respect to injunctive relief, the statute states "anyone aggrieved by a violation of this part may bring an action to ... enjoin a person who has violated, is violating, or is otherwise likely to violate this part." Id. § 501.211(1) (alteration and emphasis added). Regarding monetary damages, the statute states: "In any action brought by a person who has suffered a loss as a result of a violation of this part, such person may recover actual damages, plus attorney's fees and court costs as provided in [section] 501.2105." Id. § 501.211(2) (emphasis and alteration added).
A plain reading of the statute indicates actual loss is only a prerequisite for plaintiffs seeking monetary damages. See id. The statute allows "anyone aggrieved by" a FDUTPA violation to seek injunctive relief, while only persons who have "suffered a loss" may seek actual damages. Id. A review of the case law supports this finding. See Wyndham Vacation Resorts, Inc. v. Timeshares Direct, Inc., 123 So.3d 1149, 1152 (Fla. 5th DCA 2012) ("[R]egardless of whether an aggrieved party can recover `actual damages' under section 501.211(2), it may obtain injunctive relief under section 501.211(1)" (alteration added)); Big Tomato v. Tasty Concepts, Inc., 972 F.Supp. 662, 664 (S.D.Fla.1997) (finding although the plaintiff did not have standing to pursue monetary damages under FDUTPA's section 501.211(2), it properly plead a cause for injunctive relief under section 501.211(1)). Here, the jury found Defendants violated the FDUTPA through their false representations to XTec (see Jury Verdict 3), rendering XTec an "aggrieved" party pursuant to section 501.211(1). The fact the jury did not award XTec actual damages for this claim simply negates Defendants' FDUTPA liability for monetary relief under section 501.211(2); it does not mean XTec did not prevail on its FDUTPA claim under section 501.211(1).
In its Complaint, XTec claims Defendants sent various defamatory emails regarding alleged difficulties concerning an Enabler 1.0 installation at a Navy base in Connecticut, which persuaded Navy personnel to upgrade to Enabler 3.0. (See Compl. ¶¶ 69-75). These emails blamed XTec for being "unable" to deliver a "simple reader," and referred to "phase 1" (a.k.a. "Enabler 1") of the project as not the "ideal solution." (Id. ¶ 72). Defendants also stated "phase 2" (a.k.a. "Enabler 3") of the project involved a new contractor, as a direct result of "problems" allegedly caused by XTec "dragging their feet;" and that such alleged difficulties are "why we are moving in a different direction." (Id. ¶ 73). The jury found such statements defamatory, awarding XTec $250,000 in nominal damages on this claim. (See Jury Verdict 5). Defendants claim the Court should enter judgment as a matter of law on both the defamation and trade libel claims because Defendants' statements were "true, substantially true, or pure opinion;" and because XTec failed to prove the elements of trade libel. (JMOL Mot. 26).
A plaintiff cannot succeed on a defamation or trade libel claim if the allegedly defamatory statements are true or substantially true. See Smith v. Cuban Am. Nat. Found., 731 So.2d 702, 706 (Fla. 3d DCA 1999) ("Under the substantial truth doctrine, a statement does not have to be perfectly accurate if the `gist' or the
XTec also provided credible evidence supporting its assertion delays were largely due to issues outside its control. Namely, XTec employees, Lisa Bussler and Tony Arner, testified the Navy's shifting needs rendered it impossible for XTec to adhere to its initial timelines. (See Jury Trial Excerpt ("Bussler Testimony") [ECF No. 369] 9:13-17:16 (stating the Navy's changing requirements impacted XTec's ability to timely complete its tasks); see also Arner Test. Part VI 41:7-43:6 (describing how the infrastructural issues at the facility made it impossible for XTec to complete the Naval Academy project on time); 87:19-88:17 (describing how Defense Manpower Data Center's ("DMDC['s]") decision to change cards created the problems with the Navy sailors' cards in the galleys, not XTec)). While Defendants also present credible evidence supporting their position, the Court is required to construe the evidence in the light most favorable to XTec. See Pickett, 420 F.3d at 1278. XTec presented sufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to find Defendants' statements were not true or substantially true.
Defendants also claim their statement Enabler 1.0 was not an "ideal solution" is not defamatory because it is pure opinion. (JMOL Mot. 27). "Pure opinion occurs when the defendant makes a comment or opinion based on facts which are set forth in the article or which are otherwise known or available to the reader or listener as a member of the public." Fortson v. Colangelo, 434 F.Supp.2d 1369, 1378 (S.D.Fla.2006) (quoting From v. Tallahassee Democrat, Inc., 400 So.2d 52, 57 (Fla. 1st DCA 1981)). Nevertheless, "actionable mixed expressions of opinion and fact occur when an opinion or comment is made which is based upon facts regarding the plaintiff or his conduct that have not been stated in the article or assumed to exist by the parties to the communication." Donnelly v. McConnell, No. 6:12-CV-670-ORL-22, 2012 WL 2402803, at *3 (M.D.Fla. June 26, 2012) (internal citations, quotation marks, and alteration omitted). Further, "if the facts upon which the opinion is based are stated in the article, but those facts are either incomplete or incorrect, or the speaker's assessment of them is erroneous, the statement ... is not protected as pure opinion." Johnson, 484 F.Supp.2d at 1247 (internal quotation marks omitted; alteration added).
According to Defendants, they conveyed all relevant facts to the Navy and explained Enabler 1.0 was inconsistent with the technical specifications and capabilities sought by the Navy. (See JMOL Mot. 28). Because the Navy was aware of the underlying facts behind the "ideal solution" statement, Defendants claim the statement is non-actionable pure opinion. (See id. (citing Demby v. English, 667 So.2d 350, 355 (Fla. 1st DCA 1995) (noting a statement may be pure opinion even if it does not provide the underlying facts, as long as the audience would be expected to know the underlying facts))). XTec insists it presented the jury with evidence Defendants inaccurately blamed XTec for delays outside of
To determine whether the "ideal solution" statement is pure opinion, the Court must analyze the context in which it was written. The email from Hembree to Kevin Boedigheim and Gil Ward — two Navy employees — states in part:
(Compl., Ex. B (alterations and emphasis added)).
The full context of the statement demonstrates Hembree was expressing an opinion Enabler 1.0 was not the Navy's ideal solution because it "worked with only the contact chip which required PIN" as opposed to working with "a bar code reader." (Id.) These underlying facts do not appear to be in dispute. (See Arner Test. Part VI 181:19-21 ("We don't do bar codes, not in the — not under the constraints of having to work on NMCI ....") (alteration added)). While the email refers to XTec's delays as well, the delays do not appear to form the basis of the statement that Enabler 1.0 was not the Navy's "ideal solution." (Compl., Ex. B). Even if the lack of bar-code capability was a pre-textual reason for Defendants and the Navy to replace Enabler 1.0, such a situation does not alter the fact that the "ideal solution" statement — in and of itself — is supported by true facts.
The finding that one of the allegedly defamatory statements is protected as pure opinion does not alter the jury's overall verdict on the defamation and trade libel claims. Notably, the verdict form did not separate out each allegedly actionable defamatory statement and accord each separate weight. (See Jury Verdict 4-5). Rather, the form simply asked the jury whether XTec proved Defendants "made false statements to the Navy regarding XTec's alleged inability to deliver card readers and alleged responsibility for causing delays in performing services for the Navy," to which the jury responded affirmatively. (Id. 4). As set forth supra, XTec provided credible evidence supporting its assertion delays were largely due to issues outside its control, from which a reasonable jury could have concluded Defendants' statements, taken as a whole, were defamatory, even if the phrase "ideal solution" was not.
To state a valid claim of trade libel, a plaintiff must allege the defendant's published falsehood proximately caused the plaintiff special damages. See Border Collie Rescue, Inc. v. Ryan, 418 F.Supp.2d 1330, 1348 (M.D.Fla.2006). In the trade libel claim section of the verdict form, the
In the Eleventh Circuit, a party seeking to challenge a jury's verdict as inconsistent must object to the issue before the jury is discharged, or else the issue is waived. See Sands v. Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., 513 Fed.Appx. 847, 857 (11th Cir.2013) (where the plaintiff challenged as inconsistent the jury's finding that the defendant was liable but the plaintiff was not entitled to damages for pain and suffering, the court found the plaintiff waived this argument by not raising it before the jury was excused); see also Walter Intern. Produc., Inc. v. Salinas, 650 F.3d 1402, 1420 (11th Cir.2011) (where the defendant attempted to assert post-trial the jury's awarding of zero damages was inconsistent with its finding of liability for breach of contract, the court held the issue had been waived because the defendant did not object before the jury was excused.). Similarly, here, Defendants attempt to challenge the jury's finding of no special damages as inconsistent with its finding of liability for trade libel. Because Defendants did not raise this issue before the jury was discharged, it cannot be considered at this time. See id.
Defendants move for a new trial on the following grounds: (1) the verdict is contrary to the great weight of the evidence; and (2) XTec's counsel committed misconduct that was "beyond the pale and constituted plain or fundamental error." (New Trial Mot. 2-4). In the alternative, Defendants request the Court reduce XTec's $250,000 award of nominal damages on the defamation claim. (See id. 8-10). The Court turns to each argument.
Defendants incorporate by reference the reasoning from their JMOL Motion in arguing the great weight of the evidence demonstrates Defendants: (1) did not misappropriate any of XTec's trade secrets; (2) did not misappropriate XTec's trade secrets "willfully and maliciously;" (3) cannot be conflated with CardSmart; (4) did not cause XTec's purported actual damages; (5) were not unjustly enriched; (6) did not violate the FDUTPA or cause any FDUTPA damages; (7) did not defame XTec; (8) did not cause any special damages regarding alleged trade libel; and (9) did not misappropriate a "substantial portion" of Enabler 1.0 or substantially derive Enabler 3.0 from an earlier product. (See id. 2-3). Defendants also argue there was insufficient evidence to support the awards of lost profits and unjust enrichment damages. (See id. 3). Because Defendants rely on the same reasoning to support these arguments as in their JMOL Motion, which the Court has rejected supra, the Court declines to grant a new trial on these bases.
Defendants also argue they are entitled to a new trial on their defamation counterclaim. (See id.). They assert the jury's finding that Rasco and Bimston did
Regarding the first point, Defendants cannot rely on their cited cases to supplant the jury's fact-finding with legal conclusions. The jury was allowed to find Rasco and Bimston were not XTec's agents if Defendants failed to prove "by a preponderance of the evidence that XTec authorized these attorneys to act on its behalf regarding the disclosure of the report to the Navy's attorneys." (Jury Instructions 12). Defendants approved this instruction, and cannot now request a new trial by suggesting this question is a matter of law rather than fact. See Slip-N-Slide Records, Inc. v. TVT Records, LLC, No. 05-21113-CIV, 2007 WL 3232274, at *30 (S.D.Fla. Oct. 31, 2007) ("A party who fails to raise an objection to a jury instruction or verdict form prior to jury deliberations waives its right to raise the issue on appeal.").
As to the second point, the record establishes: (1) Rasco and Bimston were XTec's attorneys at the time Bimston sent the Kennedy Report to the Navy (see Jury Trial Excerpt ... ("Rasco Testimony") [ECF No. 371] 25:5-8); (2) Rasco supervises Bimston and was aware he sent the Report, but did not necessarily direct him to do so (see id. 27:4-12 (work product objection sustained regarding whether Rasco told Bimston to send the Report)); (3) Rasco is an original investor and director of XTec, in addition to being one of its attorneys (see id. 5:15-6:4); and (4) Rasco testified he did not advise XTec about the transmission of the Kennedy Report to the Navy (see id. 37:2-4). It appears the evidence concerning whether XTec "authorized" Bimston to send the Kennedy Report is mixed as best.
In determining whether an attorney's misconduct warrants a new trial, courts consider "whether the improper assertions have made it `reasonably probable' that the verdict was influenced by prejudicial statements." Fineman v. Armstrong World Indus., Inc., 980 F.2d 171, 207 (3d Cir.1992) (internal citation omitted). "Generally, misconduct by trial counsel results in a new trial if the `flavor of misconduct sufficiently permeate[s] an entire proceeding to provide conviction that the jury was influenced by passion and prejudice in reaching its verdict.'" Hemmings v. Tidyman's Inc., 285 F.3d 1174, 1192 (9th Cir. 2002) (quoting Kehr v. Smith Barney, 736 F.2d 1283,
Defendants called Rasco as a witness on November 16, 2016. (See generally Rasco Test.). Defendants argue Rasco's testimony deprived Defendants of a fair trial, as he: (1) improperly characterized evidence; (2) commented on Hembree's assets; (3) made improper arguments; and (4) referred to Hembree's discovery compliance. (See New Trial Mot. 5-7). The Court briefly lays out Defendants' factual bases for each category of purported misconduct below.
First, Defendants assert Rasco improperly characterized evidence during his testimony, for example, referring to an email between Hembree and Fisher as "an email between two coconspirators discussing how they are going to fool XTec into providing a server ...." (Rasco Test. 14:6-15:8 (alteration added)). Similarly, when asked whether he knew if Hembree maintained this email in confidence, Rasco further described the email, stating: "It was between David Fisher, and it is almost like they are joking around about how we are going to fool XTec .... And had they been honest, they would have said, XTec, we are not using you anymore and we are not [sic] going to use you to extract information so that we can make a competing product by misappropriating your code." (Id. 16:18-24 (alteration added)). Rasco also somewhat mischaracterized XTec's expert's testimony, stating Eiras determined Hembree and CardSmart conspired to gain access to XTec's code, when Eiras testified he had no opinion on what role Hembree played in the alleged misappropriation. (Compare id. 19:5-11 with Eiras Test. Part I 65:16-18).
Second, Defendants argue Rasco improperly commented on Hembree's assets, testifying at one point: "I know Mr. Hembree has a lot of real estate. I know he has laundries. I know he has a television." (Rasco Test. 24:9-13). The Court struck this answer as non-responsive. (See id. 24:14-15). Rasco then added that Hembree "has many businesses." (Id. 24:16-17).
Third, Defendants contend Rasco unnecessarily inserted several adversarial comments into his testimony. (See New Trial Mot. 6). For example, when asked whether the Navy was an important customer for Hembree, Rasco responded: "The Navy is an important customer to anybody who can do business with the Navy, including XTec, who worked very hard to deliver a reliable product to the Navy and used their own engineers rather than to copy, badly I might add, someone else's software." (Rasco Test. 23:20-24:1). Rasco also made a comment suggesting Hembree spoliated evidence (see id. 38:22-39:4), and interjected comments previously ruled inadmissible, such as that Hembree walked out of his deposition on three occasions (see id. 41:7-13).
Fourth, Defendants argue Rasco made improper references to Hembree's compliance with discovery in the CardSmart Litigation. (See New Trial Mot. 7; see also Rasco Test. 9:23-10:15).
The Court agrees Rasco took some improper liberties with his testimony. Specifically, he took the opportunity of his testimony to interject some adversarial rhetoric and insert several facts previously ruled inadmissible. Nevertheless, some of his comments, while vitriolic, were still relevant to the questions posed by Defendants' counsel. For example, Rasco's comments about the email between Hembree and Fisher were relevant to his testimony about whether he believed this document fell within the definition of confidential information — a topic Defendants' counsel raised. (See Rasco Test. 12:5-15:25); see also United States v. Allen, 772 F.2d 1555, 1556 (11th Cir.1985) ("We have reviewed defense counsel's cross-examination of [the government witness] and agree with the district court that counsel's
Further, the burden for requesting a new trial based on attorney misconduct is high. Such burden is not met here. To be clear, the Court does not find it "reasonably probable" the verdict was influenced by Rasco's statements. Fineman, 980 F.2d at 207. Most of Rasco's statements were similar to ones he made during his closing arguments, and Defendants had an opportunity to persuade the jury otherwise during their own closing arguments.
In the alternative, Defendants request the Court reduce the jury's award of $250,000 in nominal defamation damages. (See New Trial Mot. 9). "Nominal damages" are generally defined as "[a] trifling sum awarded when a legal injury is suffered but there is no substantial loss or injury to be compensated." Bhogaita v. Altamonte Heights Condo. Ass'n, Inc., 765 F.3d 1277, 1291 (11th Cir.2014) (citing Black's Law Dictionary (9th ed. 2009)) (alteration in original). Courts typically consider damages in the amount of $1 or $100 to be "nominal." See Quainoo v. City of Huntsville, Ala., 611 Fed.Appx. 953, 955 (11th Cir.2015) ("[A] total of $4,000 in damages, while modest compared to the amount sought, far exceeded the damages amount ordinarily thought to be `nominal' — $1 or $100." (alteration added)); see also Kyle v. Patterson, 196 F.3d 695, 697 (7th Cir.1999) ("[N]ominal damages, of which $1 is the norm, are an appropriate means of vindicating rights whose deprivation has not caused actual, provable injury." (alteration added)). Further, when a court determines a jury instituted a verdict in excess of what the law permits, the
At trial, the Court provided the following instruction to the jury:
(Jury Instructions 10 (emphases added)). This instruction was patterned from Florida's Standard Jury Instruction on defamation damages. See FLA. STD. JURY INSTR. (Civ.) 405.10.
In its defamation verdict, the jury found XTec had proven Defendants made false statements to the Navy regarding XTec's inability to deliver card readers and responsibility for causing delays in performing services for the Navy, which statements tended to injure XTec's business or reputation. (See Jury Verdict 4). When asked for the total amount of money that would fairly and adequately compensate XTec for the damage, if any, to its business or reputation that was legally caused by Defendants' statements, the jury wrote "$0." (Id.). However, the jury was then asked: "Only if you did not award any damages in answering [the previous question], what amount of nominal damages, if any, do you award for XTec's defamation claim?" to which it wrote "$250,000." (Id. 5 (alteration added)).
XTec argues the jury meant to award $250,000 in compensatory damages, rather than nominal damages and may have been confused because the jury instructions did not explicitly define "nominal damages." (New Trial Resp. 11-12). This argument fails to persuade. The jury had clear instructions: (1) to award nominal damages "only if" it did not award compensatory damages (Jury Verdict 5); and (2) to only award nominal damages of an "inconsequential amount" (Jury Instructions 10). Further, the cases cited by XTec are distinguishable. First, in Auwood v. Harry Brandt Booking Office, Inc., the Second Circuit reversed the trial court's reduction of $75,000 in nominal damages to $3. See 850 F.2d 884, 893-94 (2d Cir.1988). In that case, however, there was clear evidence the jury meant to appropriate the amount as compensatory damages; in part, because the jury awarded separate amounts of money for three different year increments — i.e., $67,0000 in nominal damages for the period of 1978-1981. See id. at 887, 893. Here, there is no such evidence the jury meant to award the amount as compensatory damages, and in fact, the verdict form expressly ordered it not to.
Cory v. Greyhound Lines, Inc., 257 So.2d 36 (Fla.1971), and Delva v. Value Rent-A-Car, 693 So.2d 574, 576 (Fla. 3d DCA 1997), also cited by Defendants, did not involve nominal damages, and are thus less relevant to the present situation. Finally, MTW Inv. Co. v. Alcovy Properties, Inc., cited by Defendants as well, is a decision by a state appellate court describing a more flexible definition for "nominal damages" applicable only in Georgia. 273 Ga.App. 830, 831, 616 S.E.2d 166 (2005).
XTec also argues Defendants have waived the nominal damages issue because, after the jury returned the verdict but before it was excused, the Court offered to resubmit this issue to the jury for clarification, and Defendants declined, opting instead to pursue the issue post-verdict. (See New Trial Resp. 12-13). Because the Court orally allowed Defendants to
For the foregoing reasons, it is
McWhorter differs from the present case in several ways. First, the inadmissible facts were central to the case — evidence that the defendant fired the plaintiff because he refused to cooperate with the defendant in an ongoing lawsuit, as opposed to tangential mention of Hembree walking out of his deposition. See id. at 676. Second, there was actual evidence the jury was swayed by the plaintiff's counsel's mentioning of this evidence, in that the jury requested the inadmissible exhibit in question during its deliberations. See id. at 676-78. Here, there is no such evidence Rasco's comments swayed the jury.
