Facts

The defendant, Robert Vasquez, a 23-year-old real estate agent and "flipper," evicted two tenants, the plaintiffs, from their "fourplex" rent-controlled units on the alleged basis that his mother was going to move into one unit and his father was going to move into the other unit. (This is permissible reason for eviction under the Los Angeles Rent Control Ordinance, which otherwise strictly limits evictions of certain properties in Los Angeles). The defendant also lived on the premises and evicted the family living in the fourth unit.

The defendant's parents never moved into either unit. Instead he remodeled the complex and flipped it, making a profit of $670,000.

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS:
The plaintiffs contended that they were defrauded because they moved out in reliance on defendant's notice that his parents were going to move into their units.

Result

$235,117 ($20,617 economic damages; $12,500 non-economic damages; $202,000 punitive damages).

Other Information

FILING DATE: Aug. 25, 2006.

Deliberation

five hours

Poll

12-0 (all issues)

Length

five days