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Clovis auto dealer loses $2m lawsuit

Tracy Correa The Fresno Bee
Originally published 2003-05-14

A former employee of Bingham Toyota in Clovis has been awarded almost $2 million in a wrongful termination and fraud lawsuit against the auto dealership.

A Bingham manager said the company expects to appeal the decision. A Fresno County Jury found Kevin Helmer, former parts manager at Bingham, was wrongfully fired over a dispute about his compensation package. He worked for Bingham for four months In 2000.

Warren R. Paboojian, Helmer’s lawyer, said his client had been working at another car dealership when Bingham representatives approached him with a job offer and more money.

“When he got there, they said they were not going to pay him what they had offered,” Paboojian said.

When Helmer persisted about the original job offer, they fired him, Paboojian said.

Last week, a jury awarded Helmer $1.5 million in punitive damages and $450,000 in general damages.

“We are disappointed in the verdict, and our insurance company is appealing,’ said Linda Gist, general manager of Bingham.

Paboojian said the jury award affirms that businesses are expected to deal fairly and honestly with employees. “It is sending a message that a promise is a promise.’

Helmer, with 16 years of experience as a parts manager, would not have accepted a job for less pay, which is what happened at Bingham, he said.

“I feel vindicated by the jury’s decision,” Helmer said in a statement,

Paboojian said Helmer now works as an insurance claims adjuster.