VERDICTS & SETTLEMENTS January 17, 2001
CONTRACTS
Breach of Contract Promissory Notes
VERDICT: $725,000
CASE/NUMBER: Paritcher Khadem.Missagh v. Massood Haroonian, George Haroonian / 6C163457.
COURT/DATE: Los Angeles Superior Central / August 27, 2000.
JUDGE: Hon. David L. Minning
ATTORNEYS: Plaintiff - Mark B. Wilson (Klein & Wilson, Newport Beach).
Defendant - Alexander Haroonian (Law Offices of Alexander Haroonian, Los Angeles); Joel F. Tamraz (Law Offices of Joel F. Tamraz, Los Angeles).
FACTS: The defendants signed two promissory notes with the plaintiff, one for $90,000 and one for $140,000. The defendants made interest payments only for a period of time, then stopped.
PLAINTIFF CONTENTIONS: The plaintiff contended this was a straightforward promissory note case. The defendants owed principal, unpaid interest and attorney fees.
DEFENDANT CONTENTIONS: The defendants contended the notes were usurious and the note for $140,000 was forged.
OTHER INFORMATION: The court granted the plaintiff's summary judgment as to two of the defendants. The court granted judgment on the pleadings as to the remaining defendants based upon its view that the defendants' cross-complaint for usury (which was previously settled) admitted every fact the plaintiff needed to prove for a judgment. The defendants have filed an appeal. Just before the parties were to pick a jury, the plaintiff orally moved for judgment on the pleadings which the court granted as to four non-signing defendants. All defendants have filed an appeal.
THE RESULT: The plaintiff recovered damages, interest, attorneys' fees, and costs totalling approximately $725,000.
Contact Information
Klein & Wilson represents both plaintiffs and defendants. Klein & Wilson has recovered over $35 million for its clients in complex litigation matters and successfully defended clients whose very existence was at stake. If you have questions about a litigation matter, please contact Gerald A. Klein or Mark B. Wilson at (949) 631-3300, or see us at www.kleinandwilson.com.
