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Supervalu Wins Appeal of Johnson Suit

The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday overturned a lower-court ruling and concluded that Supervalu does not have to pay $16 million to Johnny Johnson, operator of the Community Price grocery chain.

RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Supreme Court here on Friday overturned a lower-court ruling and concluded that Supervalu does not have to pay $16 million to Johnny Johnson, operator of the Community Price grocery chain here. Johnson had alleged that Supervalu had promised to help him expand his business and then reneged on that pledge, while Supervalu said it had counseled Johnson to improve his existing stores first. A lower court had ruled in favor of Johnson on the charges of constructive fraud and intentional infliction of emotional distress, and had ordered Supervalu to pay $16 million. The court at that time had found in favor of Supervalu on the charges of actual fraud and tortuous interference with business expectancy.

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