On March 06, 2014 a
Judgment
was filed
involving a dispute between
Larimore , Sonya,
and
Academy Of Certified Health Professionals,
Nahca, Inc.,
in the District Court of Jasper County.
Preview
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF JASPER COUNTY, MISSOURI
DIVISION II, AT JOPLIN
SONYA LARRIMORE, )
as Personal Representative of the ) FILED
Melissa Holcomb - Clerk
Estate of Leland Larrimore, ) 11/30/2017
) JASPER COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK
Plaintiff, ) JOPLIN, MISSOURI
)
v. ) Case No. 14AO-CC00073
)
NAHCA, INC., and ACADEMY OF )
CERTIFIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, )
)
Defendants. )
JUDGMENT
On this 2nd day of November, 2017, plaintiff Sonya Larrimore, Personal Representative
of the Estate of Leland Larrimore appears in person and with attorney Raymond Lampert,
defendants NAHCA, Inc., and Academy of Certified Health Professionals appear by corporate
representatives Lori Porter and Lisa Sweet, and with attorney Peter Edwards. Hearing held.
Evidence adduced.
The court finds that Sonya Larrimore is the personal representative of the Estate of
Leland Larrimore (hereafter “Larrimore”) who passed away on June 13, 2013. Mr. Larrimore
was an employee of defendant Academy of Certified Health Professionals (hereafter
“Academy”). His employment began in July, 2012 with the title of Senior Vice President of
Business Development. In September, 2012, Larrimore and Academy executed an Employment
Agreement outlining his title, duties and salary. There were two provisions regarding separation
of employment. The issue in this case is whether Larrimore voluntarily terminated his
employment or whether he was terminated with cause.
In spring, 2012, two events occurred near the same time. In April Academy decided it
could no longer afford to pay Larrimore’s salary. It was going to eliminate the position of Senior
Vice President of Business Development. This was communicated to Larrimore and discussions
began about restructuring his position and salary. Larrimore was also experiencing health issues.
In May he went to the doctor and it was clear he had serious issues. Things got crazy and he
stopped coming in to work.
On May 15, 2012, Lori Porter, President of Academy, sent an email to Larrimore stating
that they needed to discuss his position. The financial condition of the company could no longer
support his position. The critical email came from Dennis Magdaleno and was sent on May 24,
2012. On that day Larrimore emailed regarding two new contracts. Mr. Magdaleno’s initial
response requested Larrimore to bring in any Academy owned equipment, including computer,
cell phone and credit card. In his email sent to Larrimore at 4:32 p.m., Magdaleno stated that
Larrimore had no job as of May 15, 2012.
On that day Larrimore had reported two new contracts. That is not the act of someone
who had resigned from an employer. Academy had legitimate reasons to terminate Larrimore’s
employment due to its financial position. The court finds that Larrimore’s employment was
terminated for cause on May 15, 2017.
The Employment Agreement provided an annual salary of $85,000, or $7,083.33 per
month. The termination for “just cause” obligated Academy to pay Larrimore his base salary for
three months, or a total of $21,250.00. The parties have stipulated that vacation and sick time
has been paid.
Therefore, it is:
ORDERED, ADJUGDED AND DECREED that plaintiff have judgment against
defendants NAHCA and Academy of Certified Health Professionals in the amount of Twenty
One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars and No Cents ($21, 250.00), along with her costs
incurred therein.
Let execution issue.
November 30, 2017
_____________________________
Honorable Dean G. Dankelson
Circuit Judge
Document Filed Date
November 30, 2017
Case Filing Date
March 06, 2014
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