In 2010 and 2011, plaintiff Sharon Doolin, a business manager in her 60s, began to complain about documentation issues regarding others who had done work for St. John the Baptist Church in Costa Mesa, a member of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange. As a result, she claimed that there were issues about financial improprieties in the diocese. In July 2011, Doolin was terminated from employment. The diocese claimed that the termination was due to Doolin’s alleged rudeness and mishandling funds. However, Doolin claimed that she was wrongfully terminated in retaliation of her complaints. Doolin sued the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange and a priest at the church, Hildebrand Garceau. She alleged that the defendants’ actions constituted wrongful termination and defamation. Garceau was ultimately dismissed from the case prior to trial. Thus, the matter proceeded to trial against the diocese only. Doolin claimed that she noticed issues of financial improprieties in the diocese, including inaccurate accounting records, and issues with bank accounts and vendors. She alleged that after she complained about these improprieties, she became expendable and was ultimately terminated. In addition, Doolin claimed the diocese defamed her by falsely accusing her of mishandling church funds, which made it impossible for her to get another job as a business manager. Defense counsel contended that Doolin was a bookkeeper at St. John the Baptist Church and had nothing to do with diocesan finances. Thus, The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange claimed that Doolin actually complained about a landscaper hired by the parish who did not provide proof of worker’s compensation insurance and/or provided a W-9. Similarly, the diocese claimed Doolin complained that some vendors at the parish’s annual festival had not provided the necessary documentation. In addition, the diocese claimed that Doolin was not terminated for alleging financial issues against the church, but, rather, was terminated for mishandling funds (specifically involving a church youth trip) and for her rude conduct toward others. Defense counsel subsequently moved for summary judgment on liability, but it was denied., Doolin claimed that she is now unemployable due to her age and the stigma of being fired for allegedly mishandling church money. Doolin sought recovery of damages for 3.5 years of lost earnings. She also sought recovery of noneconomic damages for her emotional distress, claiming she suffers from depression and anxiety due to the harm to her reputation. Thus, she sought $300,000 to $400,000 in total damages. Defense counsel argued that Doolin was terminated for legitimate business reasons and was owed zero damages.