Tom and Niki Were Both Bright and Ambitious Young Analysts

Tom and Niki were both bright and ambitious young analysts with Premier Investments Inc.The president announced that they were both under consideration for promotion to vice-president and a hefty increase in salary.Given recent scandals in the financial world, Tom knew that the president was anxious to uphold the company's reputation for honesty.Tom therefore concocted an allegation that Niki had wrongfully diverted client funds to her own personal use.The president immediately fired Niki upon hearing the allegation.It eventually became clear, however, that Tom's allegation was totally false and that Niki had never acted improperly.Niki then sued Tom for malicious prosecution, but her claim was rejected.The judge might properly have found in favour of Tom on the basis that

A) Tom's primary motivation was to hurt Niki rather than help himself.
B) the truth came to light before Niki had been charged with any crime and no criminal charges were filed.
C) company records showed that Tom was a better employee than Niki.
D) Niki had committed fraud while working for another company years earlier, even though Tom knew that she was not guilty of the crime that he alleged.
E) Tom's primary motivation was to help himself and not to hurt Niki.