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Torts
Slander
Intentional Interference with Business

James B. Panther, individually and as Trustee of the Renaissance Trust I v. William H. Park, individual and as Trustee of the Financial Asset, et al.

Published: Nov. 11, 2003 | Result Date: Jul. 30, 2003 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: GIC757193 Verdict –  $0

Judge

William C. Pate

Court

San Diego Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Thomas R. Laube

Lynne R. Lasry


Defendant

Jack R. Leer

Reginald A. Vitek
(Seltzer Caplan)

John R. Clifford
(Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP)


Facts

The plaintiff was trustee of his family trust called Renaissance Trust One. It had an option to purchase 4 million shares to The Credit Store. The plaintiff claims he had an agreement with a third party who was going to buy back 3 million of the 4 million shares for $9 million. The plaintiff claims that the defendant slandered him and interfered with the deal, and that as a result, the third party did not buy the stock. The Credit Store were bankrupt as a result of the stock became valueless. The defendants contended that they did not slander the plaintiff and did not interfere.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff demanded $4.6 million on July 30, 2003; the defendant offered $3.18 million on July 30, 2003.

Damages

The plaintiff claimed his sale of stock to a third party for $9 million was interfered with, and that the stock subsequently became valueless.

Other Information

The slander was nonsuited and only interference went to the jury. The jury found that defendants William Park and Ken Tremblett intentionally engaged in a variety of wrongful acts designed to interfere with the plaintiff's economic relationship, but that their acts did not actually interfere with or disrupt the relationship. A disqualification of counsel went to the California Supreme Court. A mediation was held on March 20, 2002, with retired Justice Howard Wiener, resulting in an impasse. The verdict was reached approximately two years and nine months after the case was filed.

Poll

11-1

Length

six days


#83743

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