The trial court properly declined plaintiff-appellant's request to submit the issue of punitive damages to the jury. Defendant's offending conduct, as demonstrated at trial, while highly inappropriate, did not warrant an award of punitive damages (see, generally, Kolstad v. Am. Dental Assn., 527 U.S. 526, 538-539).
The points defendant raised on its cross appeal are unavailing. The verdict as to liability was sufficiently supported by, and was not against the weight of, the evidence (see, Matter of Classic Coach v. Mercado, 280 A.D.2d 164, lv denied 97 N.Y.2d 601). The trial court's rulings did not deprive defendant of a fair trial. The jury's award to plaintiff of $500,000 for emotional distress did not, under the circumstances presented, materially deviate from what is reasonable compensation.
THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT.