Litigation Support & Expert Witness

Services

Professor DiFonzo has provided consultation, litigation support, and expert (deposition and trial) testimony on:

• Effects of rumors on tangible (e.g., sales) and intangible (e.g., reputation) assets
• How rumors spread
• Why people spread rumors
• Where they spread
• Why people believe rumors
• How accurate rumors are
• How rumors should be effectively prevented
• The adequacy of refutation efforts

Cases

• Expert witness for the City of Los Angeles on the topic of workplace rumors: Corina Smith vs. City of Los Angeles et al.
• Expert witness for the Procter & Gamble Corporation on the topic of rumors about Satanism and products: Procter & Gamble vs. Amway Corporation et al.
• Expert witness for the Procter & Gamble Corporation on the topic of rumors about Satanism and products: Amway Corporation vs. Procter & Gamble
• Expert witness for the Procter & Gamble Corporation on the topic of rumors about Satanism: Procter & Gamble vs. Randy L. Haugen et al.

Press Reports

Procter & Gamble Cases

• “Rumors of Satanism Lead to P.& G. Suit” (1995, August 29). The New York Times
• Canedy, D. (1997, July 29). “After two decades and counting, Procter & Gamble is still trying to exorcise Satanism tales.” The New York Times.
• “A Judge Dismisses P.& G.’s Satanism Suit vs. Amway.” (1999, May 17). The New York Times.
• Rosenberg, G. (2001, March 27). “P.& G. Suit Against Amway Is Revived.” The New York Times.
• “Procter & Gamble Awarded $19.25 Million in Satanism Lawsuit” (2007, March 20). Fox News.com / Associated Press.
• Kirdahy, M. (2007, March 22). “The Devil Didn’t Make Them Do It.” Forbes.com.

City of Los Angeles

• McGreevy, P. (2007, January 23). “Parks supports suit against police; The councilman and ex-chief acts on behalf of an LAPD lieutenant who alleges that she was denied a promotion because of a false rumor.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles. P. B3.
• “Judge Dismisses LAPD Officer’s Suit Against City On Technicality.” (2008, March 25). KNBC.com. Los Angeles.
• “Judge affirms dismissal of LAPD officer’s suit.” (2008, April 25). DailyBreeze.com.

Contact Nicholas DiFonzo