Thackston v. Zembower , 2023 Ohio 1690 ( 2023 )


Menu:
  • [Cite as Thackston v. Zembower, 
    2023-Ohio-1690
    .]
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
    SEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
    MAHONING COUNTY
    CHARLES B. THACKSTON et al.,
    Plaintiffs-Appellants,
    v.
    MICHAEL P. ZEMBOWER, JR.,
    Defendant-Appellee.
    OPINION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
    Case No. 21 MA 0112
    Civil Appeal from the
    Court of Common Pleas of Mahoning County, Ohio
    Case No. 2020 CV 1493
    BEFORE:
    Carol Ann Robb, David A. D’Apolito, Mark A. Hanni, Judges.
    JUDGMENT:
    Affirmed in part, Reversed in part, and Remanded.
    Atty. James E. Lanzo, 4126 Youngstown Poland Rd., Youngstown, Ohio 44514 for
    Plaintiffs-Appellants and
    Atty. Christopher A. Maruca, The Maruca Law Firm, LLC, 201 East Commerce St., Ste.
    316, Youngstown, Ohio 44503 for Defendant-Appellee.
    Dated: May 18, 2023
    –2–
    Robb, J.
    {¶1}   Appellants, Charles B. Thackston and Samantha Thackston, appeal the trial
    court’s decision granting summary judgment in favor of Appellee, Michael P. Zembower,
    Jr.   Appellants argue the trial court erred by failing to consider unobjected to but
    noncompliant summary judgment evidence and that genuine issues of material fact
    remain. The trial court’s decision is affirmed in part, and reversed in part, and remanded.
    Statement of the Case
    {¶2}   In May of 2020, Appellants purchased a home from Appellee located in
    Poland Ohio. After moving in, Appellants allegedly experienced flooding in the basement,
    which was not disclosed on the residential property disclosure form.
    {¶3}   Appellants filed suit in September 2020. They claimed Appellee breached
    the residential purchase agreement and made misrepresentations in the residential
    property disclosure form. Appellants alleged the basement flooding led them to discover
    “serious deterioration in the foundation” which was also not disclosed. Appellants claimed
    the condition of the home was not in conformity with Appellee’s statements and
    representations in the residential property disclosure form. They also alleged Appellee
    affirmatively concealed existing water damage and the condition of the foundation. They
    requested compensatory and punitive damages. (Complaint.)
    {¶4}   The purchase agreement is attached to Appellants’ complaint. It indicates
    under section 11, “Residential Property Disclosure Form,” the “Buyer has reviewed and
    signed copy, attached.” The corresponding boxes are initialed by “ST” and “CT.” Under
    section 14, titled “Inspections,” the contract provides in part: “Buyer agrees to accept
    property in its ‘AS IS’ condition excepting that the Buyer shall have 0 calendar days after
    the date of written acceptance of the contract by both parties * * * to have an inspection *
    * *.” Thereafter, the boxes are initialed by the buyers next to the words “Buyer declines
    inspection”. (Complaint, Exhibit 1.)
    {¶5}   Exhibit 2, attached to Appellants’ complaint, is a copy of the residential
    property disclosure form signed by Appellee on May 21, 2020 and Appellants on May 25,
    2020. It contains no affirmative disclosures; each box is either marked “No” or “N/A” for
    not applicable. (Complaint, Exhibit 2.)
    Case No. 21 MA 0112
    –3–
    {¶6}   The potentially applicable disclosures on Appellee’s residential property
    disclosure form are section D and E, which provide: “D) WATER INTRUSION: Do you
    know of any previous or current water leakage, water accumulation, excess moisture
    or other defects to the property, including but not limited to any area below grade,
    basement or crawl space?” (Emphasis sic.) The corresponding box is checked “No.”
    The form then states: “If ‘Yes’, please describe and indicate any repairs completed * * *.”
    The adjacent lines are blank. (Complaint, Exhibit 2.)
    {¶7}   The next disclosure question under Section D) WATER INTRUSION states:
    “Do you know of any water or moisture related damage to floors, walls or ceilings as a
    result of flooding, moisture seepage, moisture condensation; ice damming; sewer
    overflow/backup; or leaking pipes, plumbing fixtures, or appliances?” The corresponding
    box is checked “No.” Immediately thereafter, the form provides: “If yes, please describe
    and indicate any repairs completed * * *.” The lines after this query are blank. (Complaint,
    Exhibit 2.)
    {¶8}   Section E states:
    E)       STRUCTURAL             COMPONENTS             (FOUNDATION,
    BASEMENT/CRAWL SPACE, FLOORS, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR
    WALLS): Do you know of any previous or current movement, shifting,
    deterioration, material cracks/settling (other than visible minor cracks or
    blemishes) or other material problems with the foundation, basement/crawl
    space, floors, or interior/exterior walls?
    (Emphasis sic.) The corresponding box is marked “No.” And the corresponding lines that
    advise the seller to “describe and indicate any repairs, alterations or modifications to
    control the cause or effect of any problem identified (but not longer than 5 years)” is blank.
    (Complaint, Exhibit 2.)
    {¶9}   The parties agreed to have the case decided by the magistrate pursuant to
    Civ.R. 53(A)(C)(2). (January 28, 2021 Entry.) After the exchange of discovery, Appellee
    moved for summary judgment in October of 2021. Appellee urged the court to find he
    was entitled to summary judgment because Appellants purchased the home as is. The
    only evidence offered in support was his affidavit, in which Appellee avers in part: “6. I
    never knowingly lied on the disclosure form or with any disclosures or statements made
    Case No. 21 MA 0112
    –4–
    at any time in the process of the sale. [And] 7. I never attempted to conceal any history
    of water damage on the premises.” (October 4, 2021 Summary Judgment Motion,
    Zembower Affidavit.)
    {¶10} Appellants opposed summary judgment and submitted the affidavit of
    Appellant Samantha Thackston in support. It states in part: “4. If Defendant provided
    accurate statements regarding the history of water intrusion at the residence, my husband
    and I would have rescinded our previous agreement to purchase said property under R.C.
    5302.30(K)(2).”
    {¶11} Attached to Samantha’s affidavit is what appears to be an estimate for
    repairs to the residence secured by Appellee dated before the home was sold to
    Appellants. This document seems to be an internal document from a waterproofing
    company. It states in part that the owner “reported water in basement on heavy rains.” It
    lists Appellee’s name and address as the owner. While the document appears to be
    signed, it is not notarized or authenticated.     There is no corresponding affidavit or
    testimony by an individual with personal knowledge attesting to its contents or creation.
    (November 8, 2021, Response, Exhibit A.)
    {¶12} The trial court subsequently granted summary judgment in Appellee’s favor.
    The magistrate’s decision explained in detail why it did not consider Plaintiff’s exhibit A,
    the estimate purportedly secured by Appellee:
    [T]he document itself appears to have been completed by an
    inspector and there is little, if any, legible reference to “Callow Basement
    Waterproof.” This Exhibit “A” submitted by Plaintiff * * * appears to be
    inadmissible hearsay that the Magistrate will not consider * * *.
    To the extent that the Exhibit contains statements of the Defendant,
    himself, the same would be admissible as the admission of a party opponent
    pursuant to Evid.R. 801(D)(2) which statements are not hearsay. However,
    neither the affidavit nor the Exhibit to which it refers bears any information,
    which would authenticate the document as the statement of the Defendant,
    and * * * the Affidavit of Samantha Thackston is unable to authenticate it as
    such. A qualified representative of “Callow Basement Waterproof” would
    Case No. 21 MA 0112
    –5–
    likely be possessed of sufficient personal knowledge to be competent to
    authenticate this document.
    (November 29, 2021 Magistrate’s Decision.) After expressly holding it would not consider
    this exhibit, the magistrate found no genuine issues of material fact existed for trial and
    Appellee was entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The trial court entered judgment
    consistent with the magistrate’s decision. Civ.R. 53(C)(2).
    {¶13} Appellants raise one assignment of error on appeal.
    Assignment of Error: Summary Judgment
    {¶14} Appellants’ sole assignment of error contends:
    “The trial court erred in failing to consider the affidavit and attached documents of
    the Plaintiffs-Appellants as even if the same were hearsay it went unobjected to and
    should have been considered.”
    {¶15} Appellants’ assignment of error consists of two arguments. First, they
    contend the trial court erred by not considering the waterproofing estimate attached to
    Samantha’s affidavit because Appellee did not object.          Second, Appellants argue
    because Appellee did not deny having knowledge of a prior water intrusion or failing to
    disclose his knowledge on the residential property disclosure form, summary judgment
    was not warranted because genuine issues of fact remain for trial. We agree in part.
    {¶16} Appellate courts review decisions awarding summary judgment de novo.
    Northeast Ohio Apt. Assn. v. Cuyahoga Cty. Bd. of Commrs., 
    121 Ohio App.3d 188
    , 191,
    
    699 N.E.2d 534
     (8th Dist.1997). We review the trial court's decision independently and
    without deference, pursuant to the standards in Civ.R. 56(C). Brown v. Scioto Cty. Bd. of
    Commrs., 
    87 Ohio App.3d 704
    , 711, 
    622 N.E.2d 1153
     (4th Dist.1993).
    {¶17} Summary judgment is appropriate when (1) no genuine issue as to any
    material fact exists; (2) the party moving for summary judgment is entitled to judgment as
    a matter of law; and (3) viewing the evidence most strongly in favor of the nonmoving
    party, reasonable minds can reach only one conclusion adverse to the nonmoving party.
    Holliman v. Allstate Ins. Co., 
    86 Ohio St.3d 414
    , 415, 
    715 N.E.2d 532
     (1999). The initial
    burden is on the moving party to set forth specific facts demonstrating that no issue of
    material fact exists and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
    Dresher v. Burt, 
    75 Ohio St.3d 280
    , 29-293, 
    662 N.E.2d 264
     (1996). If the movant meets
    Case No. 21 MA 0112
    –6–
    this burden, the burden shifts to the nonmoving party to establish that a genuine issue of
    material fact exists for trial. 
    Id.
    {¶18} A “material fact” for summary judgment depends on the type of claim being
    litigated. Hoyt, Inc. v. Gordon & Assocs., Inc., 
    104 Ohio App.3d 598
    , 603, 
    662 N.E.2d 1088
     (8th Dist.1995), citing Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 
    477 U.S. 242
    , 247-248, 
    106 S.Ct. 2505 (1986)
    .
    {¶19} Appellants asserted claims for breach of contract and fraudulent
    misrepresentation and fraudulent concealment.             To assert a successful breach of
    contract claim, one must prove: “(1) the existence of a contract; (2) performance on the
    part of appellant; (3) breach by appellees; and (4) damages.” Huffman v. Kazak Brothers,
    11th Dist. Lake No. 2000-L-152 (Apr. 12, 2002), citing Doner v. Snapp, 
    98 Ohio App.3d 597
    , 600, 
    649 N.E.2d 42
     (1994).
    To establish a cause of action for fraudulent misrepresentation or
    concealment, a plaintiff must prove: (1) a representation or, when a duty to
    disclose exists, concealment of a fact, (2) material to the transaction at
    hand, (3) made falsely, with knowledge of its falsity or with such utter
    disregard and recklessness as to whether it is true or false that knowledge
    may be inferred, (4) with the intent to mislead another into relying upon it,
    (5) justifiable reliance upon the representation or concealment, and (6) a
    resulting injury proximately caused by the reliance. See Burr v. Stark Cty.
    Bd. of Commrs., 
    23 Ohio St.3d 69
    , 
    491 N.E.2d 1101
     (1986), paragraph two
    of the syllabus.
    Hubbard Family Tr. v. TNT Land Holdings, LLC, 
    2014-Ohio-772
    , 
    9 N.E.3d 411
    , ¶ 22 (4th
    Dist.).
    {¶20} In his summary judgment motion, Appellee argued that even if he made a
    misstatement on the residential property disclosure form, he is not liable to Appellants
    because the sale was as is.
    The inclusion of an ‘as is’ clause relieves the seller of the duty to disclose
    any defects for an action of fraudulent nondisclosure against the seller and
    for breach of contract claims. Tutolo v. Young, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2010-L-
    118, 
    2012-Ohio-121
    , ¶ 51-52, citing Massa v. Genco, 11th Dist. Lake No.
    Case No. 21 MA 0112
    –7–
    89-L-14-162, 
    1991 WL 26761
    , *2 (Mar. 1, 1991). “The doctrine of caveat
    emptor precludes recovery in an action by the purchaser for a structural
    defect in real estate where (1) the condition complained of is open to
    observation or discoverable upon reasonable inspection, (2) the purchaser
    had the unimpeded opportunity to examine the premises, and (3) there is
    no fraud on the part of the vendor.”
    Layman v. Binns, 
    35 Ohio St.3d 176
    , 
    519 N.E.2d 642
    , syllabus (1988), citing Traverse v.
    Long, 
    165 Ohio St. 249
    , 
    135 N.E.2d 256
     (1956).
    {¶21} Thus, as Appellee contends and the trial court found, the parties’ inclusion
    of the as-is clause in the purchase agreement precludes Appellants’ recovery for breach
    of contract. 
    Id.
     Consequently, summary judgment in Appellee’s favor was proper for this
    cause of action. However, to the extent Appellants also asserted certain fraud-based
    claims, summary judgment is not appropriate via the doctrine of caveat emptor. Id.;
    Tutolo at ¶ 51, citing Brewer v. Brothers, 
    82 Ohio App.3d 148
    , 151, 
    611 N.E.2d 492
     (12th
    Dist.1992); Loya v. Howard Hanna Smyth, Cramer Co., 9th Dist. Summit No. 24378,
    
    2009-Ohio-448
    , ¶ 13.
    {¶22} Three types of fraud claims may arise from real estate transactions:
    fraudulent     misrepresentation,      fraudulent     concealment,    and     fraudulent
    nondisclosure. Decaestecker v. Belluardo, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 22218, 2008-Ohio-
    2077, ¶ 37, citing Kaye v. Buehrle, 
    8 Ohio App.3d 381
    , 
    457 N.E.2d 373
     (1983). Here,
    Appellants assert claims for fraudulent concealment and fraudulent misrepresentation.
    These claims are closely related and based on similar facts, but must be separately
    addressed based on the distinct allegations and summary judgment evidence.
    {¶23} Appellants’ claim for fraudulent concealment contends Appellee took
    “affirmative steps to conceal evidence of water intrusion at the residence” and that they
    justifiably relied on the concealment to their detriment.
    {¶24} In his motion for summary judgment and affidavit, Appellee denies
    “attempt[ing] to conceal any history of water damage on the premises.” (October 4, 2021
    Summary Judgment Motion, Zembower Affidavit.) In response, Appellants did not come
    forward with competing evidence tending to show that Appellee took affirmative steps to
    Case No. 21 MA 0112
    –8–
    conceal water damage consistent with their fraudulent concealment claim, and as such,
    summary judgment was proper in Appellee’s favor on this cause of action.
    {¶25} On the other hand, Appellants’ fraudulent misrepresentation claim contends
    they relied on Appellee’s statements made on his property disclosure form which
    indicated he was not aware of prior water intrusions or flooding and not aware of material
    problems regarding the foundation.          Appellants contend these misstatements or
    nondisclosures were material to the transaction and they relied on them to their detriment.
    They claim that had Appellee disclosed prior flooding and his knowledge about the
    deterioration of the foundation, they would have sought to rescind the purchase
    agreement. (Samantha Thackston Affidavit.)
    {¶26} Sellers of residential property are required to complete and deliver to
    prospective purchasers a property disclosure form disclosing various “material matters
    relating to the physical condition of the property” and “any material defects in the property
    that are within the actual knowledge of the transferor.” R.C. 5302.30(C) & (D).
    {¶27} Appellants contend they would have sought to rescind the agreement had
    Appellee truthfully disclosed the prior flooding and condition of the foundation. As they
    allege, R.C. 5302.30(K) provides a buyer with a three-day right of rescission after
    receiving the property disclosure form if it is received after executing the purchase
    agreement.
    If a seller fails to disclose a material fact on a residential property disclosure
    form with the intention of misleading the buyer, and the buyer relies on the
    form, the seller is liable for any resulting injury. Wallington v. Hageman, 8th
    Dist. No. 94763, 
    2010-Ohio-6181
    , ¶ 18, citing Pedone v. Demarchi, 8th Dist.
    No. 88667, 
    2007-Ohio-6809
    , 
    2007 WL 4442660
    , ¶ 31. In other words, the
    “as is” clause is inapplicable if the property disclosure form contains
    misrepresentations. Wilfong v. Petrone, 9th Dist. No. 26317, 2013-Ohio-
    2434, 
    2013 WL 2718452
    , ¶ 32. When a buyer has had the opportunity to
    inspect the property, however, “he is charged with knowledge of the
    conditions that a reasonable inspection would have disclosed.” Wallington;
    Pedone at ¶ 33.
    Case No. 21 MA 0112
    –9–
    Hubbard Family Tr. v. TNT Land Holdings, LLC, 
    2014-Ohio-772
    , 
    9 N.E.3d 411
    , ¶ 26 (4th
    Dist.); Evon v. Walters, 11th Dist. Geauga No. 2020-G-0266, 
    2021-Ohio-3475
    , ¶ 17.
    Accord Cadle v. Kehl, 9th Dist. No. 17CA011205, 
    2018-Ohio-5266
    , 
    127 N.E.3d 477
    , ¶ 14
    (“even under circumstances where there is an ‘as is’ clause in a real estate contract, a
    seller may pursue a claim for fraudulent misrepresentation for failure to disclose a known
    material defect on the residential property disclosure form.”)
    {¶28} Here, Appellee does not deny in his affidavit that he failed to disclose
    material facts regarding prior water intrusion or flooding at the home and/or knowledge of
    foundation deterioration (despite the duty to disclose).         Conspicuously absent from
    Appellee’s affidavit is a statement that he did not know about a history of water damage,
    prior flooding, or intrusion. Instead, he states he “never knowingly lied on the disclosure
    form.” His affidavit leaves open the issue of whether Appellee had knowledge of prior
    water intrusion, flooding, and/or foundation deterioration when he executed the property
    disclosure form. (October 4, 2021 Summary Judgment Motion, Zembower Affidavit.)
    {¶29} Further, assuming Appellee had prior knowledge of water intrusion and/or
    foundation issues at the time he executed the property disclosure form, his affidavit fails
    to explain why he did not disclose these facts. Although Appellee denies “knowingly
    [lying] on the disclosure form,” this is not the applicable standard. Instead, to succeed on
    a fraudulent misrepresentation claim, a plaintiff must show the statement was “made
    falsely, with knowledge of its falsity, or with such utter disregard and recklessness as to
    whether it is true or false that knowledge may be inferred * * *.” (Emphasis added.) Davis
    v. Montenery, 
    173 Ohio App.3d 740
    , 
    2007-Ohio-6221
    , 
    880 N.E.2d 488
    , ¶ 53 (7th Dist.).
    “In proving a fraud claim, a person's intent to mislead another into relying on a
    misrepresentation * * * of a material fact generally must be inferred from the totality of the
    circumstances since a person's intent is rarely provable by direct evidence.” Fairbanks
    Mobile Wash, Inc. v. Hubbell, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2007-05-062, 
    2009-Ohio-558
    , ¶
    22, citing Leal v. Holtvogt, 
    123 Ohio App.3d 51
    , 76, 
    702 N.E.2d 1246
    , (2d Dist.1998).
    {¶30} Thus, genuine issues of material fact exist as to whether Appellee had
    knowledge of the prior water intrusion, flooding, and issues regarding the foundation, and
    if he did have prior knowledge, whether he was reckless in his nondisclosure.              
    Id.
    Consequently, since Appellee did not come forward with evidence demonstrating that no
    Case No. 21 MA 0112
    – 10 –
    issue of material fact exists and he is entitled to judgment as a matter of law, the burden
    never shifted to Appellants, the nonmoving party, on this claim. Dresher v. Burt, 
    75 Ohio St.3d 280
    , 292-293, 
    662 N.E.2d 264
     (1996).
    {¶31} Thus, we conclude summary judgment was not warranted in Appellee’s
    favor on Appellants’ fraudulent misrepresentation claim. Welco Industries, Inc. v. Applied
    Cos., 
    67 Ohio St.3d 344
    , 346, 
    617 N.E.2d 1129
     (1993) (“Courts should award summary
    judgment with caution, being careful to resolve doubts and construe evidence in favor of
    the nonmoving party.”)
    {¶32} As for the second aspect of Appellants’ assignment of error, i.e., the trial
    court’s decision not to consider Plaintiff’s exhibit A, the unauthenticated estimate attached
    to Samantha’s affidavit, we find no error.
    {¶33} Under      Civ.R.   56(C),    only    “pleadings,   depositions,    answers    to
    interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits, transcripts of evidence in the pending case,
    and written stipulations of fact” are permitted to support a motion for summary judgment.
    Civ.R. 56(C). “Although Civ.R. 56 does not directly refer to evidentiary exhibits, such
    evidence may be considered when it is incorporated by reference into a properly framed
    affidavit pursuant to Civ. R. 56(E).” (Citation omitted.) Citibank N.A. v. Ogunduyile, 2d
    Dist. Montgomery No. 21794, 
    2007-Ohio-5166
    , ¶ 10. Civ.R. 56(E) states the requirements
    for authentication:
    Supporting and opposing affidavits shall set forth such facts as would be
    admissible in evidence, and shall show affirmatively that the affiant is
    competent to testify to the matters stated in the affidavit. Sworn or certified
    copies of all papers or parts of papers referred to in an affidavit shall be
    attached to or served with the affidavit.
    {¶34} As stated, Appellants contend the trial court should have considered the
    exhibit in light of the fact that Appellee did not object to its authenticity or admissibility.
    Samantha’s affidavit states in part:
    5. The Defendant, MICHAEL P. ZEMBOWER, JR., contacted Callow
    Basement Waterproof and requested an inspection due to water intrusion
    in the basement during heavy rains. A copy evidencing said request is
    attached hereto and * * * marked Exhibit “A” for identification purposes.
    Case No. 21 MA 0112
    – 11 –
    6. To the best of my knowledge, Exhibit “A” attached hereto is a true and
    accurate copy of the inspection request made by the Defendant to Callow
    Basement Waterproof * * *.
    {¶35} This “inspection request” lists “Mike Zembower” and the address for the
    residence that Appellants purchased from him.           It is dated March 14, 2017.      The
    document states at the bottom that it is an “in house worksheet on inspection done
    3/16/2017” and appears to be signed by a company representative.               However, the
    document is not authenticated by someone with personal knowledge of its authenticity
    and the affidavit to which it is attached does not demonstrate Samantha has personal
    knowledge of its creation or contents. There is no corresponding testimony by a person
    verifying its contents or confirming it is what Appellants contend it to be.
    {¶36} Although a party can waive an objection to evidence that does not comply
    with the requirements of Civ.R. 56(C), and a court “may” consider it, there is no rule
    requiring it to do so. That decision resides in the trial court’s discretion. Biskupich v.
    Westbay Manor Nursing Home, 
    33 Ohio App.3d 220
    , 222, 
    515 N.E.2d 632
     (1986); Armaly
    v. City of Wapakoneta, 3rd Dist. Auglaize No. 2-05-45, 
    2006-Ohio-3629
    , ¶ 17; State ex
    rel. Gilmour Realty, Inc. v. Mayfield Heights, 
    122 Ohio St.3d 260
    , 
    910 N.E.2d 455
    , 2009-
    Ohio-2871, ¶ 17; Bank of Am. v. Bobovyik, 7th Dist. Columbiana No. 
    13 CO 54
    , 2014-
    Ohio-5499, ¶ 27.
    {¶37} When a trial court decides not to consider nonconforming evidence,
    appellate courts review its decision for an abuse of discretion; we can find error only if the
    trial court acted in an unreasonable, unconscionable, or arbitrary manner. Chamberlin v.
    The Buick Youngstown Co., 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 02-CA-115, 
    2003-Ohio-3486
    , ¶ 6-7.
    {¶38} Because the exhibit attached to Samantha’s affidavit is not in a form that
    may be used to support or oppose a motion for summary judgment and there is nothing
    showing it is otherwise admissible, we find the trial court did not abuse its discretion by
    not considering it. See Powell v. Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease, 
    131 Ohio App.3d 681
    ,
    685, 
    723 N.E.2d 596
     (10th Dist.1998). Thus, this aspect of Appellants’ assigned error
    lacks merit.
    Case No. 21 MA 0112
    – 12 –
    Conclusion
    {¶39} Based on the foregoing, the trial court was well within its discretion by not
    considering the noncompliant summary judgment evidence.              Thus, this aspect of
    Appellants’ assigned error lacks merit.
    {¶40} As stated, we affirm the trial court’s grant of summary judgment in
    Appellee’s favor as to Appellants’ breach of contract claim and fraudulent concealment
    claims since no genuine issue of material fact exists.
    {¶41} However, when considering the evidence in the light most favorable to
    Appellants, we conclude that genuine issues of fact exist regarding their fraudulent
    misrepresentation cause of action. Upon viewing the evidence most strongly in favor of
    the Appellants, we cannot conclude that reasonable minds can reach only one
    conclusion. Thus, this aspect of Appellants’ assignment of error has merit. We reverse
    the trial court’s judgment in part and remand to the trial court for further proceedings on
    Appellants’ fraudulent misrepresentation claim.
    {¶42} The trial court’s decision is affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.
    D’Apolito, P. J., concurs.
    Hanni, J. concurs.
    Case No. 21 MA 0112
    [Cite as Thackston v. Zembower, 
    2023-Ohio-1690
    .]
    For the reasons stated in the Opinion rendered herein, it is the final judgment and
    order of this Court that the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Mahoning County,
    Ohio, is affirmed in part, and reversed in part. We hereby remand this matter to the trial
    court for further proceedings on Appellants’ fraudulent misrepresentation claim according
    to law and consistent with this Court’s Opinion. Costs to be taxed against the Appellee.
    A certified copy of this opinion and judgment entry shall constitute the mandate in
    this case pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. It is ordered that a
    certified copy be sent by the clerk to the trial court to carry this judgment into execution.
    NOTICE TO COUNSEL
    This document constitutes a final judgment entry.