Business

Several individuals negotiated setting up a cannabis cultivation, distribution, and sale business. Two of them, plaintiffs, alleged, however, that the other two, defendants, made fraudulent representations and omissions which induced plaintiffs into joining the venture, and ultimately failed to pay the investment capital required for their ownership interests. Defendants cross-complained, alleging that plaintiffs were the ones engaging in fraud and stealing the business from defendants. Following years of litigation and a mistrial, case settled at Mandatory Settlement Conference.

School services company sued school district over non-payment of contract for services that the district did not use during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the company maintaining readiness to provide services, at the district’s request. The district disputed the alleged request and accused the company of filing false claims. Settled at the end of trial, but before entry of jury verdict.

Plaintiff café operators alleged that after entering into a lease agreement with defendant property owners, the defendants engaged in fraudulent acts and intentionally interfered with the plaintiffs’ business, all aimed at pressuring them into vacating the property or renegotiating their lease at a higher rate. Following arbitration and years of further litigation over the award, and a settlement through mediation, the plaintiffs alleged that the defendants repeatedly breached the settlement agreement, which they entered into in bad faith. Case resolved via further settlement following rulings from Judge Kelly.