Joe Wieland v. Dana Freeman ( 2022 )

RENDERED: JANUARY 21, 2022; 10:00 A.M.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Court of Appeals
NO. 2021-CA-0534-MR
JOE WIELAND AND HOT RODS &
BBQ, LLC APPELLANTS
APPEAL FROM HENRY CIRCUIT COURT
v. HONORABLE JERRY CROSBY, II, JUDGE
ACTION NO. 18-CI-00171
DANA FREEMAN; BEN FREEMAN;
AND FREEMAN’S KOUNTRY
KORNER KAFE, LLC APPELLEES
OPINION
AFFIRMING
** ** ** ** **
BEFORE: CALDWELL, GOODWINE, AND LAMBERT, JUDGES.
GOODWINE, JUDGE: Tenant brought action against landlord for claims of
wrongful eviction and defamation. The Henry Circuit Court granted judgment in
favor of landlord. Based on our review, finding no error, we affirm.
On January 30, 2018, Hot Rods & BBQ, LLC (“Hot Rods”) signed a
commercial lease with Dana Freeman (“Dana”). Joe Wieland (“Wieland”)
contends he was the sole member of Hot Rods.1 Dana and Ben Freeman (“Ben”)
are a married couple and the owners of Freeman’s Kountry Korner Kafe, LLC
(“Kountry Korner”). Ben also owned First and Last Liquor Store. An amendment
to the lease entitled Ben to obtain ice for his liquor store from Hot Rods at no cost.
R. at 195.
On June 18, 2018, Smith called Ben informing him Wieland changed
the locks on the leased restaurant, and Ben would be unable to retrieve ice for his
business.2 The same day, Ben entered Hot Rods’ premises through the back door.
Although the restaurant was closed, an employee was present. Wieland called the
state police, and all parties were told to leave the premises until the matter could be
resolved in court.
Upon learning of these events, Dana went to the Henry County
Courthouse to obtain information regarding evicting Hot Rods from the building.
Pursuant to the information she received, Dana wrote out an eviction notice
1
The commercial lease contains two signature pages; one purportedly signed solely by Wieland
and the other signed by Wieland and Bobby Smith (“Smith”). The page purported signed solely
by Wieland is attached to Wieland’s complaint. Record (“R.”) at 12. The page purportedly
signed by both Wieland and Smith is attached to multiple pleadings. R. at 141 and R. at 194.
2
Although the nature of the relationship between Smith and Wieland was disputed, Ben believed
Smith was in business with Wieland because Smith purportedly signed the lease as an officer of
Hot Rods. Wieland’s attorney later informed Dana by letter that Smith had no interest in Hot
Rods, and Wieland was the sole member of the LLC. R. at 237.
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informing Hot Rods it would be evicted from the premises in 30 days from June
18, 2018 and posted it on the door of the restaurant.
On June 27, 2018, Dana contacted Wieland’s attorney to discuss the
spoiling food in the restaurant. Wieland’s attorney informed Dana that Wieland
would not be returning to the property, and she should clean the restaurant. Ben
texted Wieland asking him to meet them at the restaurant the next day to clean
things out, but Wieland did not appear.
On July 3, 2018, counsel for Appellees sent a letter entitled Notice of
Eviction to Hot Rods, instructing it to remove its belongings no later than July 18,
2018. The letter alleged Hot Rods failed to pay rent for June and July 2018,
maintain insurance on the premises, pay for utilities, and Wieland failed to use the
premises for restaurant business only as he was living in the building.
On July 18, 2018, a different attorney for Hot Rods and Wieland
responded to the eviction notice requesting Appellees provide copies of the written
notices for each default as required under the commercial lease, time for Wieland
to cure the default, and proof the default currently existed. If they could not
provide proof, Wieland’s attorney requested he be permitted to conduct business as
usual with quiet, exclusive use of the premises.
In response, Appellees sent a letter on July 23, 2018, stating it served
notice of default by Hot Rods and/or Wieland under the lease, and Hot Rods had
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ten days to cure the default. The notice identified the following defaults: (1)
failure to pay June and July 2018 rent; (2) failure to pay for utilities in violation of
the “Utilities and Services” provision; (3) Wieland resided on the premises at least
during April and June 2018 in violation of the “Use of Premises” provision; and
(4) failure to pay taxes in violation of the “Taxes” provision.
On August 2, 2018, Appellees sent a letter informing Hot Rods it
failed to cure the defaults identified in the July 23, 2018 letter. Pursuant to the
lease Dana was permitted to take immediate possession of the premises without
further notice, without prejudicing her right to damages, and could elect to cure
any defaults herself. The cost of her action would be added to Hot Rod’s financial
obligations under the lease. The letter informed Hot Rods that Dana would take
possession of the premises at the close of business on August 2, 2018.
Thereafter, the parties’ attorneys negotiated dates and times for
Wieland to retrieve his personal property, equipment, and liquor. On August 31,
2018, Wieland met Dana and picked up his personal property from the premises.
He signed a receipt for those items. On September 21, 2018, Wieland met Dana to
pick up his liquor that was still on the premises, and he signed a receipt for those
items.
On September 24, 2018, Wieland and Hot Rods filed a complaint
against Dana, Ben, and Kountry Korner in the Henry Circuit Court. Appellants
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raised claims of tortious interference with quiet enjoyment, wrongful eviction, and
defamation per se. There is some dispute as to whether a breach of contract claim
was alleged. Appellants attached the July 3, 2018, July 23, 2018, and August 2,
2018 letters from Appellees to the complaint.
The circuit court held a hearing on December 19, 2018, regarding
some of Hot Rods’ personal property. The video recording was not made part of
the record on appeal. However, the hearing did not pertain to any of the issues on
appeal, so it is unnecessary for our review.
On January 9, 2020, Wieland and Hot Rods moved for summary
judgment on the issue of wrongful eviction citing no case law in support of their
written argument. On February 6, 2020, Appellees filed an opposing motion for
summary judgment. Appellees argued Wieland was not a party to the lease and
had no legal standing to obtain damages. They further noted Hot Rods cited no
legal authority in support of its motion. Finally, Appellees argued Hot Rods had
no viable legal claim against them, so that the action must be dismissed as a matter
of law.
On September 15, 2020, the circuit court entered an order granting
summary judgment in favor of Appellees on the wrongful eviction claim. The
court stated Hot Rods cited no relevant case law in support of its argument. The
court found no wrongful eviction occurred as no forcible detainer action was filed
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nor did the landlord physically enter and remove Hot Rods’ possessions from the
property.
Hot Rods moved for reconsideration. The court treated it as a motion
under CR3 54.02. The court acknowledged some confusion as to what claims were
made in the complaint. The court found Hot Rods and Wieland failed to raise any
new legal or factual argument and denied the motion.
On October 9, 2020, Dana, Ben, and Kountry Korner moved for
judgment on the pleadings to dismiss the claim of defamation per se.
On December 11, 2020, the circuit court entered an order providing
the parties an opportunity to inform the court what issues remained so a final order
could be entered. As stated above, there was confusion regarding what claims
were raised in the complaint. Wieland and Hot Rods did not inform the court that
it had a pending breach of contract claim. Therefore, the only remaining issue was
defamation per se.
On April 22, 2021, the circuit court granted Appellees’ motion to
dismiss the defamation per se claim. The court found Wieland had no claim for
defamation per se because the letters were addressed to Hot Rods and not him
personally. The court further found the letters did not amount to per se defamation
against Hot Rods because there was not a conclusive presumption of malice and
3
Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure.
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damage. Additionally, the circuit court found the letters and notice fell under the
judicial statements privilege. The circuit court made the order final and
appealable.
On appeal, Wieland and Hot Rods argue: (1) the circuit court erred in
granting summary judgment on the wrongful eviction claim; (2) the circuit court
erred in dismissing their defamation per se claim; (3) the circuit court failed to
adjudicate the contract claim; and (4) Wieland had standing to pursue claims
individually.4 “This appeal presents for resolution primarily issues of law. We
review these questions of law de novo, respectfully owing no deference to the legal
determinations of the courts below.” Phillips v. Rosquist, 628 S.W.3d 41, 45 (Ky.
2021) (footnote omitted).
First, Appellants argue the circuit court erred in granting summary
judgment on the wrongful eviction claim. The circuit court stated a valid claim for
wrongful eviction must be based on either: (1) a forcible detainer action filed
without meeting statutory requirements under Shinkle v. Turner, 496 S.W.3d 418(Ky. 2016), or (2) a landlord’s physical, forcible entry into a leased premises and
4
Appellants’ brief does not “contain at the beginning of the argument a statement with reference
to the record showing whether the issue was properly preserved for review” in violation of CR
76.12(4)(c)(v). Because Appellants’ arguments clearly fail on the merits, we elect “to ignore the
deficiency and proceed with [our] review.” Hallis v. Hallis, 328 S.W.3d 694, 696 (Ky. App.
2010).
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physically turning the tenant out onto the streets with their possessions under
Maddix v. Gammon, 293 Ky. 540, 169 S.W.2d 594 (1943). The circuit court found
no forcible detainer action was filed, nor did any of the Appellees physically
remove Hot Rods and/or its property from the premises. Therefore, the court
found there was no basis for Appellants’ claim for wrongful eviction as a matter of
law.
Below, Appellants cited Kearns v. Sparks, 296 S.W.2d 731 (Ky.
1956) in support of their argument, but the circuit court found the case
inapplicable. In Kearns, while the tenant left town for a business trip, the landlord
removed the tenant’s property from his office and demolished it. Id. at 732. On
appeal, the Court held the landlord “must be held responsible for the natural and
probable consequences of her wrongful act in evicting the plaintiff.” Id. at 733.
Here, we agree with the circuit court that Hot Rods was not
wrongfully evicted. Dana never filed a forcible detainer action against Hot Rods
nor did she physically remove Hot Rods or its property from the premises. Instead,
Hot Rods changed the locks on the restaurant in violation of the lease, and he had
the key. Hot Rods’ attorney informed Dana that Wieland had no intention of
returning to the restaurant or continuing with the lease. Although Dana posted an
eviction notice on the door of the restaurant, sent a letter to Hot Rods’ registered
agent, and sent a letter informing the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Hot Rods
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had been evicted on June 18, 2018, mere statements do not meet either legal
standard for eviction. Additionally, Dana did not physically remove Hot Rods or
its property from the premises. Rather, the parties mutually agreed on dates and
times for Wieland to retrieve his personal property, equipment, and liquor and
signed receipts for same. Thus, we conclude the circuit court correctly granted
summary judgment against Hot Rods on the wrongful eviction claim.
Second, Appellants argue the circuit court erred in dismissing their
defamation per se claim. To prevail on a claim for defamation, a plaintiff must
prove four elements: “(a) a false and defamatory statement concerning another; (b)
an unprivileged publication to a third party; (c) fault amounting at least to
negligence on the part of the publisher; and (d) either actionability of the statement
irrespective of special harm or the existence of special harm caused by the
publication.” Toler v. Süd-Chemie, Inc., 458 S.W.3d 276, 282 (Ky. 2014)
(footnotes omitted) (quoting RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS § 558 (1977)). An
alleged defamatory statement is “actionable per se when there is a conclusive
presumption of both malice and damage.” Id. (citation omitted). Appellants argue
the statements contained in the eviction notice posted to the door of Hot Rods and
the three letters sent by Appellees were defamatory per se because they amount to
“conduct which is incompatible with his business, trade, profession, or office.”
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Gilliam v. Pikeville United Methodist Hosp. of Kentucky, Inc., 215 S.W.3d 56, 61
(Ky. App. 2006) (quoting RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS, supra § 570).
Appellants argue the statements in the eviction notice posted to the
door of Hot Rods and the three letters sent by Appellees are false. However,
Appellants do not point out which statements are false, nor did they provide any
evidence proving the statements were false. The notice posted to the door simply
informed Hot Rods that it was to vacate the premises, and the owners of the
building must be present for its property to be removed. The letters allege Wieland
lived at the property, failed to maintain insurance, failed to pay for utilities, failed
to pay rent, failed to pay taxes, failed to obtain a food license, and changed the
locks in violation of the lease. Appellants bore the burden of proving the
statements were defamatory, but they never provided any evidence of their falsity.
Toler, 458 S.W.3d at 285. Because Appellants failed to submit any proof the
statements at issue were false, we do not reach the issue of actionability.
Furthermore, we need not address the circuit court’s finding that the statements
were subject to the judicial statements privilege because Appellants clearly failed
to prove even the first element of defamation. Thus, we hold the circuit court
correctly dismissed Appellants’ defamation per se claim.
Third, Appellants argue the circuit court failed to adjudicate the
breach of contract claim. The circuit court told Appellants multiple times that their
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pleadings were confusing, and their claims were not discernable. On December
11, 2020, the court entered an order giving the parties an opportunity to inform the
court of what issues remained, so it could enter a final order. Appellants failed to
respond to that order indicating that any issues remained.
This issue was never raised before the circuit court, nor do Appellants
cite any legal authority on appeal in support of their argument the case should be
remanded to litigate a breach of contract claim. “As Kentucky’s appellate courts
are fond of saying, ‘appellants will not be permitted to feed one can of worms to
the trial judge and another to the appellate court.[’]” Royal Consumer Products,
LLC v. Saia Motor Freight Line, Inc., 520 S.W.3d 753, 758 (Ky. App. 2016)
(quoting Elery v. Commonwealth, 368 S.W.3d 78, 97 (Ky. 2012)). We also will
not “go on a fishing expedition to find support for . . . underdeveloped arguments.”
Curty v. Norton Healthcare, Inc., 561 S.W.3d 374, 379 (Ky. App. 2018).
Although Appellants assert they alleged a breach of contract claim in the
complaint, they failed to raise the issue in response to the circuit court’s December
11, 2020 order. Thus, Appellants waived this claim. As they failed to argue below
that they had a cognizable contract claim, they failed to preserve this argument for
appeal.
Finally, Wieland argues he had standing to pursue the claims
individually. Above we held there was no legal basis for the wrongful eviction
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claim or the defamation claim. Even if Wieland had standing to bring these
claims, they are not legally viable. Thus, we decline to address the merits of
whether Wieland had individual standing to bring these claims.
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the judgment of the Henry
Circuit Court.
ALL CONCUR.
BRIEFS FOR APPELLANT: BRIEF FOR APPELLEE:
Kirk Hoskins Ruth H. Baxter
Louisville, Kentucky Carrollton, Kentucky
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