final paycheck. Also, Watts and Buffo were now business rivals. Buffo worked for Prudential and Watts worked for Bankers Life.
As an agent for Bankers, Tommy called upon some people to whom he had sold Prudential policies. According to the record, as Tommy sold adjustable life to his clients and friends, some of them cancelled their whole life policies with Prudential. In each instance of "replacing" an existing policy with a Bankers Life policy, Tommy complied with the requirements of the state of Alabama. Moreover, appropriate forms were filled out and Prudential received notice that the existing insurance was being replaced.
When replacement notices came to Prudential, Mr. Buffo contacted some people by phone, and assigned one of his agents, *312 Elaine Katz, to talk to other policyholders in anWatts was doing was unethical.
All the people who testified about being called by either Ron Buffo or Elaine Katz stated that they still had confidence in Tommy Watts and that they had either bought additional insurance from Tommy or that they would buy additional insurance from him. Mr. Watts, however, testified that on occasions he had been "kidded" in public about Prudential's accusations. Moreover, some of his own clients stated in public that "they had a crook for an insurance agent."
Mr. Watts filed a complaint against Prudential Insurance Company and Ron Buffo on May 31, 1982 for tortious interference with his right to do business, for slander, and for outrageous conduct as a result of their statements.
Defendants answered by denying the allegations, and Prudential counterclaimed by alleging that