Morales v. Sinatra
Published: Jan. 17, 1998 | Result Date: Nov. 19, 1997 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: TC006548 Verdict – $187,000
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Compton
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Richard J. Sullivan
(Law Offices of Richard J. Sullivan)
Defendant
Jay M. Spillane
(Spillane Trial Group PLC)
Facts
On May 1, 1991, plaintiffs Antonio and Beatriz Morales purchased a house from defendant Vincent Sinatra for $369,000, under an all inclusive trust deed which required plaintiffs to pay defendant $2,200 per month. Defendant was required to pay the bank for an underlying loan. Defendant repeatedly accepted money from plaintiffs even though he had allowed the underlying loan to go into default on November 1991, without notifying plaintiffs. The plaintiffs brought this action against defendant based on breach of contract, money had and received, fraud and intentional infliction of emotional distress theories of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $75,000. The defendant made an offer of compromise for $5,000.
Damages
The plaintiff claimed $90,000 in damages.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately four years after the case was filed. An arbitration was held on March 14, 1997, before Janice Burnham of AAA resulting in a defense award. The plaintiff requested a trial de novo.
Deliberation
three hours
Poll
9-3
Length
six days
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