Samuel D. Pitman, II, Individually and as Personal Representative of the Estate of Samuel D. Pitman, the Estate of Samuel D. Pitman, and Steven Pitman v. Stanley Pitman (mem. dec.) ( 2018 )


Menu:
  • MEMORANDUM DECISION                                                FILED
    Feb 22 2018, 7:30 am
    Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this
    Memorandum Decision shall not be regarded as                       CLERK
    Indiana Supreme Court
    precedent or cited before any court except for the                Court of Appeals
    and Tax Court
    purpose of establishing the defense of res judicata,
    collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.
    ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT                                   ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
    Jason R. Delk                                             Gregory A. Neibarger
    Daniel J. Gibson                                          Briana L. Clark
    Delk McNally LLP                                          Meaghan Klem Haller
    Muncie, Indiana                                           Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    John H. Brooke
    Brooke-Stevens, P.C.
    Muncie, Indiana
    IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
    Samuel D. Pitman, II,                                     February 22, 2018
    Individually and as Personal                              Court of Appeals Case No.
    Representative of the Estate of                           18A04-1701-PL-185
    Samuel D. Pitman, the Estate of                           Appeal from the Delaware Circuit
    Samuel D. Pitman, and Steven                              Court.
    The Honorable Marianne L.
    Pitman,                                                   Vorhees, Judge.
    Appellants-Plaintiffs,                                    Trial Court Cause No.
    18C01-1304-PL-15
    v.
    Stanley Pitman, Selena Hall,
    Drury Hall, and SDP
    Manufacturing, Inc.,
    Appellees-Defendants.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A04-1701-PL-185 | February 22, 2018   Page 1 of 13
    Shepard, Senior Judge
    [1]   Samuel D. Pitman, II, individually and as the executor of the Estate of Samuel
    D. Pitman, the Estate itself, and Steven Pitman appeal the trial court’s
    judgment in favor of Stanley Pitman, Selena Hall, Drury Hall, and SDP
    Manufacturing, Inc. We affirm.
    [2]   SDP is a family-owned, closely-held corporation. It was originally incorporated
    in 1992. SDP manufactures digging devices that are used to install telephone
    poles and similar equipment in hard-to-navigate areas such as utility easements.
    [3]   SDP’s original incorporators were Samuel Pitman, his wife Dixie Pitman,
    attorney John Brooke, and Samuel and Dixie’s children: Samuel D. Pitman II
    (who we will refer to as David to avoid confusion), Steven Pitman, Stanley
    Pitman, Selena Hall, and Scott Pitman. All of the children worked at SDP at
    various times over the years. Later, an ownership share was granted to Selena’s
    husband, Drury Hall.
    [4]   Samuel Pitman left SDP in 1995, retaining his two ownership shares in the
    company. David also left the company in 1995, retaining his one share. Before
    they left SDP, Samuel and David started S.D. Pitman, Inc., which competes
    with SDP. Steven left SDP in 1998, but he also retains his ownership share.
    [5]   Stanley, Selena, and Drury have continued to run SDP, and Scott is an
    employee. In 1998, SDP created a deferred compensation plan and trust for
    key management employees. That same year, Stanley and Selena incorporated
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A04-1701-PL-185 | February 22, 2018   Page 2 of 13
    Easement Equipment Specialists (EES), a separate entity which purchased
    manufacturing equipment that was in turn leased to SDP. In 2003, SDP
    created a second deferred compensation plan and trust, which was intended to
    keep Scott as an employee. Also in 2003, Stanley, Selena, and Scott
    incorporated SSS Land Group, which purchased land and leased it to SDP.
    Stanley and Selena also created Southpaw Enterprises, which was a pass-
    through entity through which SDP’s laborers were paid.
    [6]   From 1995 through today, the siblings (and Dixie and Samuel, prior to her
    death in 1996 and his death in 2011) have disputed the way SDP and its assets
    are managed, including SDP’s intellectual property and SDP’s deferred
    compensation plans. In 1995, SDP, Stanley, Selena, Steven, and Dixie sued
    David, Samuel, and S.D. Pitman, Inc. in Blackford Circuit Court, alleging
    claims that included theft of trade secrets. Steven was dismissed from the
    lawsuit at his request after he left SDP. David and Samuel asserted
    counterclaims such as breach of fiduciary duty. As we discuss in more detail
    below, David and Samuel argued that Stanley, Selena, and Scott were
    managing SDP for their own personal benefit, to the detriment of SDP’s other
    shareholders.
    [7]   The Blackford Circuit Court dismissed the case with prejudice in 2005, per the
    parties’ agreement. No money was exchanged as part of the dismissal. Instead,
    the parties agreed “to stop all the court proceedings and be able to go on our
    separate ways.” Tr. Vol. II, p. 141.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A04-1701-PL-185 | February 22, 2018   Page 3 of 13
    [8]    Meanwhile, in 1998, Samuel, David, and Steven sued SDP in Delaware
    County, seeking a court-ordered shareholders’ meeting. They claimed the
    shareholders had failed to schedule a required meeting, in violation of SDP’s
    bylaws. They later sought to amend their complaint to request SDP’s
    dissolution, arguing the shareholders had “conducted a sham Annual Meeting.”
    Tr. Ex. Vol. II, p. 238. They further alleged the “incumbent Directors,”
    referring to Stanley, Selena, and Drury, were “motivated by a fraudulent desire
    to maintain their corporate authority.” 
    Id. at 242.
    This case was later
    dismissed without prejudice. See also Pitman v. Pitman, 
    717 N.E.2d 627
    (Ind. Ct.
    App. 1999) (dispute between Steven and Stanley over Steven’s failure to return
    an SDP-owned backhoe that he had borrowed).
    [9]    The current case began in 2013, when David, Samuel’s estate, and Steven (who
    we collectively refer to as David) sued Stanley, Selena, Drury, and SDP (who
    we collectively refer to as Stanley), along with the two employee benefit trusts.
    David claimed Stanley breached a fiduciary duty to manage the company fairly
    and in good faith for the benefit of all shareholders. David further claimed
    Stanley engaged in constructive fraud by paying inflated salaries and bonuses to
    SDP’s officers and by granting dividends to Stanley, Selena, and Drury that
    were not paid to other shareholders.
    [10]   Stanley filed an answer denying the alleged breach of fiduciary duty and a
    motion to dismiss the claim of constructive fraud. Among other defenses,
    Stanley argued David’s complaint was “barred, in whole or in part, by the
    doctrines of estoppel, equitable estoppel, release, waiver, accord and
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A04-1701-PL-185 | February 22, 2018   Page 4 of 13
    satisfaction, and payment.” Appellants’ App. Vol. II, p. 94. The court denied
    Stanley’s motion to dismiss. Stanley next filed an amended answer in which he
    restated his defenses of estoppel and equitable estoppel.
    [11]   On June 6, 2014, Stanley filed a motion for partial summary judgment. David
    responded, and Stanley replied. On January 13, 2015, the court granted the
    motion as to the two employee benefit trusts, dismissing them from the case.
    [12]   The parties attempted to mediate their case but were unsuccessful. On June 1,
    2016, Stanley filed another motion for summary judgment, alleging David’s
    claims were barred by res judicata or collateral estoppel. Stanley also filed a
    motion to amend his answer to add a defense of res judicata. The court granted
    the motion to amend, stating David would not be prejudiced. After a bench
    trial limited to the issues of res judicata and collateral estoppel, the court issued
    findings of fact and conclusions thereon, concluding David’s claims were
    barred. This appeal followed.
    [13]   David first argues the court erred in allowing Stanley to amend his answer to
    add an affirmative defense of res judicata, claiming Stanley waived that defense
    by failing to include it in his initial answer to the complaint and instead waiting
    three years to request the amendment.
    [14]   When a party seeks to amend a responsive pleading after the deadline has
    elapsed, the amendment is allowed “only by leave of court or by written
    consent of the adverse party; and leave shall be given when justice so requires.”
    Ind. Trial Rule 15(A). It is within the trial court’s sound discretion to grant a
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A04-1701-PL-185 | February 22, 2018   Page 5 of 13
    party leave to amend an answer to add an affirmative defense. Shewmaker v.
    Etter, 
    644 N.E.2d 922
    (Ind. Ct. App. 1994), adopted by Supreme Court, 
    659 N.E.2d 1021
    (1995). In general, leave to amend should be given unless the
    amendment would result in prejudice to the opposing party. Fowler v. Brewer,
    
    773 N.E.2d 858
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2002) (quotation omitted), trans. denied.
    [15]   David argues the amendment prejudiced him because he had already spent
    hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees and expert witness fees
    litigating the case when the amendment occurred. We disagree. David cannot
    claim to be surprised by the issue because Stanley’s initial answer raised
    “estoppel” as a defense, which should have put him on notice that past conduct
    was at issue. Appellant’s App. Vol. II, p. 94. Further, the trial court allowed
    the parties to conduct additional discovery on the newly-added affirmative
    defense, allowing David time to investigate and adjust his strategy. For these
    reasons, the trial court acted within its discretion by allowing the amendment.
    [16]   David next argues the court erred in admitting certain evidence during the
    evidentiary hearing, claiming the court considered evidence that was irrelevant
    to the parties’ claims. Stanley responds that David waived this argument by
    failing to timely object during trial. We disagree with Stanley because David
    objected on grounds of relevance at several points during the hearing. See Reply
    Br. p. 22 (listing objections in transcript).
    [17]   A ruling regarding the admission or exclusion of evidence is reviewed for an
    abuse of discretion. Carlson v. Warren, 
    878 N.E.2d 844
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2007).
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A04-1701-PL-185 | February 22, 2018   Page 6 of 13
    We reverse only when the decision is clearly against the logic and effect of the
    facts and circumstances. 
    Id. [18] In
    general, relevant evidence is admissible and irrelevant evidence is not
    admissible. Indiana Evid. Rule 402. Evidence is relevant if:
    (a) it has any tendency to make a fact more or less probable than
    it would be without the evidence; and
    (b) the fact is of consequence in determining the action.
    Ind. Evidence Rule 401.
    [19]   David claims Stanley presented irrelevant evidence as to: (1) the creation of
    one of the employee benefit trusts and the incorporation of EES and SSS Land
    Group; and (2) the circumstances under which Samuel, David, and Steven left
    SDP. Having reviewed the evidence, and keeping in mind that the main claim
    on appeal is the applicability of res judicata, we conclude the trial court did not
    abuse its discretion in admitting the evidence. The timing and circumstances of
    the creation of the trusts and the corporations are relevant to whether David
    could have addressed those issues in the Blackford County litigation. Similarly,
    evidence pertaining to the circumstances under which Samuel, David and
    Steven left SDP are relevant to establishing David’s knowledge of how the
    defendants ran SDP and compensated executives during the Blackford County
    litigation. The trial court did not abuse its discretion.
    [20]   The final issue is whether the trial court erred in granting judgment to Stanley
    on grounds of res judicata. The court entered findings of fact and conclusions
    thereon, and our standard of review is two-tiered. Briles v. Wausau Ins. Cos., 858
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A04-1701-PL-185 | February 22, 2018   Page 7 of 
    13 N.E.2d 208
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2006). We review for clear error whether the
    evidence supported the findings, then whether the findings supported the
    judgment. Elwood v. Parker, 
    77 N.E.3d 835
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2017), trans. denied.
    Error is clear when our review of the record leaves us firmly convinced that a
    mistake has been made. 
    Id. We do
    not reweigh evidence and consider only the
    evidence favorable to the trial court’s judgment. Stevenson v. Cty. Comm’rs of
    Gibson Cty., 
    3 N.E.3d 1062
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2014), trans. denied.
    [21]   Res judicata serves to prevent repetitious litigation of disputes that are
    essentially the same. Hilliard v. Jacobs, 
    957 N.E.2d 1043
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2011),
    trans. denied. A claim is precluded under res judicata if these four requirements
    are met:
    (1) the former judgment must have been rendered by a court of
    competent jurisdiction;
    (2) the former judgment must have been rendered on the merits;
    (3) the matter now in issue was, or could have been, determined
    in the prior action; and
    (4) the controversy adjudicated in the prior action must have
    been between the same parties to the present suit or their privies.
    Richter v. Asbestos Insulating & Roofing, 
    790 N.E.2d 1000
    , 1002 (Ind. Ct. App.
    2003), trans. denied. A dismissal with prejudice is conclusive of the rights of the
    parties and is res judicata as to any claims that might have been litigated. 
    Id. In determining
    whether res judicata applies, it is useful to inquire whether
    identical evidence will support the issues in both actions. 
    Id. Court of
    Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A04-1701-PL-185 | February 22, 2018   Page 8 of 13
    [22]   The crucial dispute here is whether David’s current claims were determined, or
    could have been determined, in the Blackford County case, which was litigated
    from 1995 to 2005. In the Blackford County case, David and Samuel filed a
    counterclaim alleging “breach of fiduciary duty” by Stanley, Selena, and Scott.
    Tr. Ex. Vol. I, p. 222. Specifically, David and Samuel claimed Stanley, Selena,
    and Scott stood “in a fiduciary relationship to [SDP] and to other shareholders”
    and were not permitted to “promote their self interest in derogation of their
    fiduciary duty.” 
    Id. at 221.
    They further alleged Stanley, Selena, and Scott had
    “caused to be issued” three shares of SDP stock to an employee deferred
    compensation trust, which had the effect of advancing their own interests to the
    detriment of SDP, David, and Samuel. 
    Id. at 221-22.
    David and Samuel
    argued Stanley, Selena, and Scott had “seize[d] control of the corporation by
    diluting the stock of the counterclaimants, [froze] out other shareholders and
    diminish[ed] the value of their interest in [SDP].” 
    Id. at 222.
    David and
    Samuel requested compensatory damages and “remediation” of Stanley,
    Selena, and Scott’s acts. 
    Id. [23] David
    and Samuel pursued discovery in the Blackford County case, sending
    146 interrogatories to the plaintiffs. In addition, they requested a protective
    order to prohibit SDP’s board of shareholders from meeting, claiming Stanley,
    Selena, and Scott were acting “for their exclusive benefit and for the purpose of
    enabling them to acquire a controlling interest in the corporation.” 
    Id. at 229.
    David and Samuel also accused them of “fraudulent” behavior “as to the other
    shareholders of [SDP].” 
    Id. In 2002,
    David and Samuel informed the court
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A04-1701-PL-185 | February 22, 2018   Page 9 of 13
    they were “in the process of pursuing their claims, but need[ed] additional time
    in which to complete discovery and complete their preparation for trial, if the
    case cannot be settled.” 
    Id. at Vol.
    II, p. 36.
    [24]   SDP’s board of shareholders met while the Blackford County case progressed.
    During a meeting in 1998, David accused the board of misconduct including
    “fail[ure] to maintain proper corporate records, [failure to] properly conduct
    meetings, . . . issu[ing] cash bonuses and other sorts of misuse.” 
    Id. at 190.
    Further, David, Samuel and Steven filed a case in Delaware County in 1998
    accusing SDP of failing to hold regularly scheduled shareholders’ meetings and
    engaging in fraudulent behavior intended to freeze them out of the
    corporation’s operations.
    [25]   In summary, during the long-running Blackford County litigation, David and
    Samuel argued that Stanley, Serena, and Scott breached their fiduciary duties as
    shareholders of SDP and engaged in fraudulent behavior to gain control of
    SDP, dilute the value of David and Samuel’s shares, and enrich themselves
    through deferred compensation plans and undisclosed cash payments. David
    and Samuel further claimed Stanley, Serena and Scott had damaged the value
    of their shares in SDP. They pursued discovery as to the plaintiffs’ claims and
    had ample opportunity to seek information about their counterclaims.
    [26]   In the current case, David alleged in his complaint that Stanley “took control
    over the operations of [SDP] to the complete exclusion of Samuel David
    Pitman, Samuel David Pitman II, and Steven Pitman.” Appellants’ App. Vol.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A04-1701-PL-185 | February 22, 2018   Page 10 of 13
    II, p. 69. He further alleged that Stanley created a deferred compensation trust
    to “dilute the ownership interest” of David, Steven, and their father and
    exclude them from control of SDP. 
    Id. David also
    claimed SDP’s shareholders
    had not held regular meetings and refused to provide him with information as
    to salaries and bonuses for officers, as well as dividends or distributions.
    [27]   David further accused Stanley of breaching his fiduciary duties by:
    a.       Freezing Plaintiffs out of the management and operation
    of the Corporation;
    b.       Freezing Plaintiffs out of the fruits and benefits of their
    shareholder/ownership interests in the Corporation,
    including compensation, benefits, distributions and
    dividends;
    c.       Failing to deal with Plaintiffs in a fair, honest and open
    manner with respect to the business and operation of the
    Corporation;
    d.       Failing to apprise Plaintiffs of certain significant
    management and financial decisions related to the
    Corporation;
    e.       Failing to make proper distributions of profits, earnings,
    and/or dividends to Plaintiffs;
    f.       Failing to follow corporate formalities with respect to the
    notice and meeting requirements for the shareholders and
    board of directors;
    g.       Improperly diluting the shareholder interest of Plaintiffs
    for an improper purpose and without following proper
    procedures;
    h.       Improperly withholding profits, earnings, dividends and
    distributions to Plaintiffs by diverting earnings of the
    Corporation back to the Individual Defendants in the form
    of inflated salaries, bonuses and corporate perks; and
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A04-1701-PL-185 | February 22, 2018   Page 11 of 13
    i.       Engaging in self-dealing by providing Individual
    Defendants with unreasonable compensation in an effort
    to prevent earnings from passing to the remaining
    shareholders.
    [28]   
    Id. at 74-75.
    David further alleged in the complaint that Stanley committed
    constructive fraud by deceiving him about SDP’s income while paying himself
    “inflated salaries and bonuses,” thus engaging in self-dealing. 
    Id. at 76.
    [29]   Here, the trial court did not err in determining that David’s claims of breach of
    fiduciary duty and constructive fraud could have been resolved during the
    Blackford County case and were thus barred by res judicata. The same issues –
    alleged hiding of information, self-dealing, improper salaries and bonuses –
    arose in both cases. Further, the specific acts David complains of, including the
    establishment of the deferred compensation trusts and the new companies that
    are owned by Stanley and sell equipment or rent land to SDP, occurred during
    the Blackford County case. David had ample opportunity to conduct discovery
    to develop his claims of breach of fiduciary duty and fraud in that case, during
    which he would have learned of SDP’s method for calculating salaries, the
    existence of the deferred compensation trusts, and the existence of EES and SSS
    Land Group. See Hilliard, 
    957 N.E.2d 1043
    (claims including breach of
    fiduciary duty and constructive fraud barred by res judicata; claims could have
    been raised in prior case involving the same contract).
    [30]   David argues that if res judicata bars his claims, then Stanley is free to commit
    new breaches of his fiduciary duties or additional acts of constructive fraud
    without being held accountable. He further states res judicata does not bar
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A04-1701-PL-185 | February 22, 2018   Page 12 of 13
    claims based on acts that occurred after the prior litigation ended. As a general
    principle David is surely correct, but in this case he has not pointed to any
    actions that he could not have discovered and addressed in the Blackford
    County case. The record supports the trial court’s findings that SDP has used
    the same formula to calculate directors’ salaries since the 1990s. Further, there
    is no indication that SDP’s agreements with EES and SSS Land Group have
    changed from the days of the Blackford County case. In addition, David and
    Steven separately and repeatedly expressed concerns about lack of access to
    SDP financial information while the Blackford County case was pending. The
    same evidence would have been used in both cases. Cf. Afolabi v. Atlantic Mortg.
    & Inv. Corp., 
    849 N.E.2d 1170
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2006) (mortgage foreclosure action
    not barred by res judicata due to prior foreclosure case; plaintiff alleged and
    demonstrated new wrong acts based on different evidence, specifically a new
    failure to make timely mortgage payments).
    [31]   We need not address the parties’ arguments as to collateral estoppel. For the
    reasons stated above, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
    [32]   Affirmed.
    Vaidik, C.J., and Baker, J., concur.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A04-1701-PL-185 | February 22, 2018   Page 13 of 13