Devine v. Patteso

242 F.2d 828, cert. denied 355 U.S. 821 (6th Cir. 1957)

Facts

Devine (P) sued Patteson (D) for maliciously and intentionally telling the United States District Attorney that P had violated certain laws of the United States. At trial, P testified that he spent $19,000 in defending himself in contesting the prosecution. This was not disputed at trial. D did not take the stand, and no evidence was introduced to the contrary. The jury returned a verdict to P of $500 and $1 in punitive damages. P appealed the amount of the verdict.