T.H. Sly, L.L.C. v. Jefferson , 2022 Ohio 59 ( 2022 )

[Cite as T.H. Sly, L.L.C. v. Jefferson, 2022-Ohio-59.]
COURT OF APPEALS
STARK COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
T.H. SLY, LLC JUDGES:
Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, P.J.
Plaintiff-Appellee Hon. John W. Wise, J.
Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
-vs-
Case No. 2021 CA 00058
MAURICE JEFFERSON
Defendant-Appellant OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Civil Appeal from the Court of Common
Pleas, Case No. 2020 CV 00351
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: January 10, 2022
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellee For Defendant-Appellant
DOUGLAS C. BOND CHRISTOPHER M. NALLS
JONATHAN J. BOND 33 White Allen Avenue
BOND LAW, LTD Dayton, Ohio 45405
600 Courtyard Centre
116 Cleveland Avenue, NW
Canton, Ohio 44702
Stark County, Case No. 2021 CA 00058 2
Wise, J.
{¶1} Defendant-Appellant, Maurice Jefferson (“Appellant”), appeals from the
April 30, 2021, Judgment Entry by the Stark County Court of Common Pleas. Appellee is
T.H. Sly, LLC. The relevant facts leading to this appeal are as follows.
STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE
{¶2} On November 25, 2014, Appellant contracted with Appellee for Appellee to
post a $100,000 bond in the Richland County Court of Common Pleas for recognizance
of Appellant’s brother, Jon Martel Jefferson. Appellant also executed an indemnity
agreement agreeing to a penal amount of $100,000 and reimbursement to Appellee for
actual expenses incurred due to a breach by Jon Martel Jefferson and reasonable
expenses for Jon Martel Jefferson’s recapturing and returning to custody.
{¶3} Appellant’s brother was placed on electronic monitoring.
{¶4} On December 30, 2014, a warrant was issued for Appellant’s brother, and
his bond was revoked.
{¶5} On July 28, 2015, the bond was continued.
{¶6} Richland Court of Common Pleas reinstated the bond without any consent
from Appellant.
{¶7} On February 1, 2016, Appellant’s brother failed to appear for a jury trial. The
Richland County Court of Common Pleas forfeited the bond, and the indemnity
agreement required Appellant to pay Appellee the forfeiture judgment.
{¶8} Appellee originally filed a complaint in the Richland County Court of
Common Pleas, but it was dismissed on August 30, 2019 without prejudice for failure to
prosecute.
Stark County, Case No. 2021 CA 00058 3
{¶9} On February 18, 2020, Appellee filed a complaint in the Stark County Court
of Common Pleas against Appellant alleging breach of contract and unjust enrichment.
{¶10} On June 10, 2020, Appellant filed a Pro Se answer to Plaintiff’s Complaint.
{¶11} On October 5, 2020, Appellant’s Counsel filed a Notice of Appearance and
a Motion for Leave to Amend Appellant’s Answer.
{¶12} On December 10, 2020, Appellant filed an Amended Answer.
{¶13} On December 31, 2020, Appellant filed a Motion for Change of Venue to
the Richland County Court of Common Pleas. Appellee then submitted a Response in
Opposition.
{¶14} The trial court held a hearing on April 13, 2021, on Appellant’s Motion for
Change of Venue.
{¶15} On April 15, 2021, the trial court denied the motion.
{¶16} On February 5, 2021, Appellee filed a Motion for Summary Judgment.
{¶17} On March 5, 2021, Appellant filed a Memorandum in Opposition as well as
a Countermotion for Summary Judgment.
{¶18} On March 22, 2021, Appellee filed a Memorandum in Opposition to
Appellant’s Countermotion for Summary Judgment.
{¶19} On April 29, 2021, the trial court granted Appellee’s Motion for Summary
Judgment with regards to breach of contract. Appellee waived its additional damages
hearing, and the trial court granted Appellee’s Motion for Summary Judgment in the
amount of $100,000.
Stark County, Case No. 2021 CA 00058 4
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
{¶20} Appellants filed a timely notice of appeal and herein raises the following
Assignment of Error:
{¶21} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GRANTING SUMMARY JUDGMENT
TO THE PLAINTIFF DESPITE THE EXISTENCE OF A GENERAL ISSUE OF MATERIAL
FACT AS TO WHETHER PLAINTIFF TOOK AFFIRMATIVE ACTION TO PREVENT
DAMAGES.”
Standard of Review
{¶22} With regard to summary judgment, this Court applies a de novo standard of
review and reviews the evidence in the same manner as the trial court. Smiddy v. The
Wedding Party, Inc., 30 Ohio St.3d 35, 36, 506 N.E.2d 212 (1987). We will not give any
deference to the trial court’s decision. Brown v. Scioto Cty. Bd. of Commrs., 87 Ohio
App.3d 704, 711, 622 N.E.2d 1153 (4th Dist.1993). Under Civ.R. 56, a trial court may grant
summary judgment if it determines: (1) no genuine issues as to any material fact remain
to be litigated; (2) the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law; and (3) it
appears from the evidence that reasonable minds can come to but one conclusion and
viewing such evidence most strongly in favor of the party against whom the motion for
summary judgment is made, that conclusion is adverse to that party. Temple v. Wean
United, Inc., 50 Ohio St.2d 317, 327, 364 N.E.2d 267, 274 (1977).
{¶23} The record on summary judgment must be viewed in the light most
favorable to the party opposing the motion. Williams v. First United Church of Christ, 37
Ohio St.2d 150, 151, 309 N.E.2d 924 (1974).
Stark County, Case No. 2021 CA 00058 5
{¶24} The moving party bears the initial responsibility of informing the trial court
of the basis for the motion and identifying those portions of the record before the trial court
which demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of fact on a material element of the
nonmoving party’s claim. Dresher v. Burt, 75 Ohio St.3d 280, 292, 662 N.E.2d 264 (1996).
Once the moving party has met the burden, the nonmoving party then has a reciprocal
burden of specificity and cannot rest on the allegations or denials in the pleadings, but
must set forth “specific facts” by the means listed in Civ.R. 56(C) showing that a “triable
issue of fact” exists. Mitseff v. Wheeler, 38 Ohio St.3d 112, 115, 526 N.E.2d 798, 801
(1988).
I.
{¶25} In Appellant’s sole Assignment of Error, Appellant argues the trial court
erred by granting Appellee’s Motion for Summary Judgment as a genuine issue of
material fact exists as to whether Appellee could have prevented damages by reasonable
affirmative action. We disagree.
{¶26} In Ohio, the failure to mitigate is an affirmative defense. Young v. Frank’s
Nursery & Crafts, Inc. (1991), 58 Ohio St.3d 242, 244, 569 N.E.2d 1034. The burden of
proving failing to mitigate damages lies with the party asserting the defense. Hines v.
Riley (1998), 129 Ohio App.3d 379, 717 N.E.2d 1133. The Ohio Supreme Court in Jim’s
Steak House, Inc. v. Cleveland, 81 Ohio St.3d 18, 688 N.E.2d 506 (1998), provides that
a defendant waives an affirmative defense if it is not raised in a pleading or an amended
pleading. See also Civ.R.8.
{¶27} In the case sub judice, Appellant did not assert Appellee’s failure to mitigate
damages in his answer or through an amended pleading. Appellant first argued
Stark County, Case No. 2021 CA 00058 6
Appellee’s failure to mitigate damages in his Memorandum in Opposition to Appellee’s
Motion for Summary Judgment. Because Appellant did not assert Appellee’s failure to
mitigate damages as an affirmative defense in the pleadings, we find Appellant has
waived this issue pursuant to Civ.R.8(C).
{¶28} Appellant also asserts as an issue presented for review “WHETHER THE
COURT ERRED OR ABUSED ITS DISCRETION WHEN IT DENIED THE
DEFENDANT/APPELLANT’S MOTION FOR CHANGE OF VENUE?” However,
Appellant fails to brief on this issue.
{¶29} An appellate court is empowered to disregard an assignment of error
presented for review due to lack of briefing by the party presenting that assignment. State
v. Watson (1998), 126 Ohio App.3d 316, 710 N.E.2d 340, discretionary appeal disallowed
in (1998), 82 Ohio St.3d 1413, 694 N.E.2d 75.
{¶30} Accordingly, we find with regard to the issue presented that Appellant failed
to comply with App.R. 16(A) because he failed to present reasons in support of his
contentions and for his lack of briefing on this issue.
Stark County, Case No. 2021 CA 00058 7
{¶31} Appellant’s sole Assignment of Error is overruled.
{¶32} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of
Stark County, Ohio, is hereby affirmed.
By: Wise, J.
Baldwin, P. J., and
Delaney, J., concur.
JWW/br 0104