Michael O'Donovan, former Dunkin' Brands vice president of global research and development, has filed a $5 million lawsuit accusing the company of violating a separation agreement by "providing negative references, ruining his reputation with defamatory statements, and causing the loss of multiple job opportunities," according to the Boston Globe.
The suit claims that the negative references cost him jobs at other restaurant brands as well as torpedoed a deal for the development of his own restaurant, Maza Fresh.
Andrew Mastrangelo, spokesperson for Dunkin' Brands, said the company has yet to be served with the suit and provided the following statement:
It would be inappropriate for us to comment as the lawsuit has not been served to us by Mr. O'Donovan or his attorney. If and when we are served, our legal team will review it accordingly.
