Nov. 21--Walgreen appeared in Cook County Circuit Court on Friday after earlier this week submitting a protective order and a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought against the company by its former chief financial officer.
The lawsuit, filed by ex-CFO Wade Miquelon, alleges that Miquelon was defamed when subsequent news reports suggested he was personally responsible for a $1 billion forecasting error. The lawsuit states that Walgreen's characterizations of Miquelon have blocked his efforts to find a new job.
The protective order could limit what information in the lawsuit is made public moving forward and is scheduled for a hearing on Dec. 4. The motion to dismiss is expected to be heard Dec. 19.
"As we said at the time this lawsuit was originally filed, we believe this action is without merit," spokesman Michael Polzin said in a statement. "Our motion to dismiss is consistent with that view."
Earlier this month, Associate Judge Franklin Valderrama agreed to redact some of the paragraphs included in the originally filed defamation lawsuit. The suit included internal emails between Walgreen executives, giving a rare glimpse into the company.
To view a copy of the lawsuit and the redactions Walgreen proposed, go to chicagotribune.com/walgreenslawsuit.
ehirst@tribpub.com
Twitter @ellenjeanhirst
