Worker Fired by Autobytel Wins Damages

A former Autobytel.com employee who claimed he was transferred out of state and then fired after reporting alleged business irregularities has been awarded $1.9 million in damages against the Irvine online car-selling service.

An Orange County Superior Court jury Wednesday awarded former Autobytel regional sales director Thomas Heshion $400,000 in actual damages and $1.5 million in punitive damages after deliberating less than a day.

Heshion, 39, filed suit against Autobytel in 1998, alleging he had been fired after repeatedly voicing concern over the company’s practice of “double selling” exclusive territories to car dealers.

The company plans to appeal, Autobytel spokeswoman Cassandra Cavanah said.