Andy Saberi v. Mehdi Zolfaghari, Appadana International Television, Sattar Deldar
Published: Apr. 12, 2005 | Result Date: Jan. 26, 2005 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 102CV810513 Verdict – $0
Judge
Court
Santa Clara Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Thomas I. Saberi
(Law Office of Thomas I. Saberi)
Behrouz Shafie
(Behrouz Shafie & Associates)
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Nassey Pourfathi
(technical)
Facts
The plaintiff was a partner with Mehdi Zolfaghari and Sattar Deldar in a television station known as MAKS Persian Broadcasting Network Inc. located in Los Angeles. Zolfaghari had a talk show program on that station in Farsi which addressed issues of interest to the local Persian community. The parties business relationship ended in May 2002 when Saberi bought out Zolfaghari's and Deldar's stock in the company. Saberi had an agreement in writing with Deldar for the sale of his shares which included a confidentiality agreement. Saberi and Zolfaghari had an agreement also for the sale of shares but there was no confidentiality agreement. A few months later, Zolfaghari and Deldar opened a television station in San Jose called Appadana International Television. Zolfaghari had a talk show program on that station in much the same manner that he had on MAKS.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff demanded $150,000. The defendants offered $1,000 to be deposited into a Tsunami Charity fund in the name of the plaintiff.
Damages
The plaintiff claimed that he suffered damages as a result of the alleged defamation to his reputation. He also claimed emotional distress damages. No medical expense details were in fact submitted. During closing argument, plaintiff's counsel asked the jury to award $190,000 in damages and an unspecified sum for emotional distress damages.
Result
The jury found for the defense on the defamation claim and also on the breach of contract claim and that Saberi and Zolfaghari had not entered into a partly written and oral contract.
Deliberation
5.5 hours
Length
11 days
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