Kenneth O. Anderson was fired in June 2002 after 14 years with the then-Provo based networking software company. His superiors claimed several employees had alleged he looked at pornography on his work computer and had made abusive and sexually charged comments to staff members.

Novell, thus noting Anderson had been terminated "for cause," denied him severance benefits - a decision he challenged internally and then by filing suit in April 2003 in Provo's 4th District Court.

Transferred to U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City a month later, Anderson's suit initially contained six counts, but was reduced to one defamation claim in a revised complaint filed in September 2004.

Calling the pornography allegations fabricated and his termination without cause, Anderson also took Novell to task for purportedly incubating rumors that he had run a "pornography ring" from his office. He claimed company executives also had made similar comments, intending to ruin his prospects for future employment.

Novell, denying responsibility for the rumors or that it had conducted a post-employment smear campaign, sought summary judgment. Anderson, apparently after some out-of-court negotiations between the parties, stipulated to Novell's motion.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart dismissed the suit with prejudice - meaning Anderson cannot refile the claim. The judge also ordered both sides to bear their own litigation expenses.

Anderson could not be reached for comment. His Provo attorney, J. Bryan Queensberry, was tight-lipped about the outcome.

"We've come to a resolution, but I can't go into any detail," he said. "I can say our client is satisfied."

Elisabeth Blattner-Thompson, Novell's Salt Lake City lawyer, declined to discuss the case or whether a cash settlement may have been included in the agreement, ending the suit.

bmims@sltrib.com