on an increase in
the trash weight, Dempsey's agreed to pay the higher rate
if BFI could substantiate the weight increase. According to
Paolella, Stanko directed Paolella to prepare three false
weight tickets. Paolella testified he did as directed because
he feared repercussions if he disobeyed.

Second, Paolella testified that he learned BFI was
continuing to bill Fayva Shoes, although Fayva had stopped
using BFI's services some months earlier. When Paolella
suggested to Hanley that Fayva should receive a credit for
the overpayments, Hanley told him, "as long as they keep
paying us, you keep billing them."

In late 1993, the tension between Paolella and BFI
reached a breaking point. On August 27, 1993, Paolella
sent BFI a certified letter concerning unpaid commissions
he claimed BFI owed him. On September 24, 1993, BFI
sent Paolella a written warning about his performance. On
December 2, 1993,Paolella sent BFI another letter about
the commissions. BFI replied by sending Paolella another
warning on December 23, 1993. Paolella then sent BFI two
more letters on December 30, 1993. In one of them,
Paolella warned BFI to "immediately cease all illegal
activities," a statement he claimed referred to Hanley's
fraudulent billing scheme. On January 17, 1994, BFI
terminated Paolella for "poor performance."

                                5
II.

On December 6, 1994, Paolella filed a complaint against
BFI and its parent company, Browning-Ferris Industries,
Inc., alleging wrongful discharge.5 After a four day trial, the
jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff and awarded
$732,000 in damages. At the court's request, the jury
specified that