Ex-Dunkin’ Brands Exec Sues Company for $5M

A former executive at the parent company of the Dunkin’ Donuts coffee shop chain alleges in a $5 million lawsuit that the Massachusetts-based company damaged his reputation so much that he can’t land another job.

Michael O’Donovan, who as vice president of global research and development for Dunkin’ Brands from May 2004 to July 2007 oversaw a menu makeover including the elimination of transfats from doughnuts, claims in the suit that other company officials defamed him with allegations of “excessive drinking, inappropriate conduct with female employees … and a misleading and dishonest character.”

O’Donovan’s lawyer told The Boston Globe that the lawsuit, filed earlier this month in Norfolk Superior Court, speaks for itself and declined comment.

Reached last week, a spokesman for Canton-based Dunkin’ Brands said the company had not been served with the lawsuit.