COHN & WOLFE, MAVERICK SETTLE LAWSUIT
By Adnews Staff
Toronto public relations agencies Cohn & Wolfe and Maverick Public Relations have reached a financial settlement in a lawsuit filed by Cohn & Wolfe against Maverick and several of its employees. A statement of claim filed in 1999 alleged that Maverick founder Julie Rusciolelli and employees Gerry Riddell, Stephen Rouse and Andre Fuochi conspired to place Maverick in breach of their fiduciary duties and employment contracts. All were former employees of Cohn & Wolfe. Carol Panasiuk, executive vice-president and general manager of Cohn & Wolfe, said, "The issue of accountability and ethics with one's employer affects not just Cohn & Wolfe but the entire public relations industry. As we are called up to advise clients on matters of corporate reputation, ethics and responsibility, it is particularly important that public relations practitioners are held to the same standards of honesty and integrity." Rusciolelli said, "After four years of failing to substantiate their case, Cohn & Wolfe accepted a payment to wind up its lawsuit against us." The financial settlement reached between the two parties totals $100,000.