Namenyi v. Tomasello , 2014 Ohio 4509 ( 2014 )

[Cite as Namenyi v. Tomasello, 2014-Ohio-4509.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
GREENE COUNTY
PAMELA E. NAMENYI, et al.
Plaintiffs-Appellees
v.
JAC TOMASELLO
Defendant-Appellee
Appellate Case No. 2013-CA-75
Trial Court Case Nos. 2012-CVG-1350
2012-CVH-1304
(Civil Appeal from
(Municipal Court)
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OPINION
Rendered on the 10th day of October, 2014.
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DOUGLAS D. BRANNON, Atty. Reg. No. 0076603, CARIN E. BIGLEY, Atty. Reg. No. 0090231,
130 West Second Street, Suite 900, Dayton, Ohio 45402
Attorneys for Plaintiffs-Appellees
DAVID GREER, Atty. Reg. No. 009090, 6 North Main Street, Suite 400, Dayton, Ohio 45402
Attorney for Defendant-Appellee
JACK HARRISON, 2222 Powers Lane, Dayton, Ohio 45440
Defendant-Appellant-Pro Se
.............
WELBAUM, J.
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{¶ 1} Appellant, attorney Jack Harrison, appeals pro se from the judgment of the
Xenia Municipal Court finding he violated Civ.R. 11 and R.C. 2323.51 as a result of filing
frivolous claims for damages on behalf of his client, Jac Tomasello. For the reasons outlined
below, the judgment of the trial court will be affirmed.
Facts and Course of Proceedings
{¶ 2} Harrison appeared as legal counsel for Tomasello in the middle of two
consolidated landlord/tenant cases pending in the Xenia Municipal Court. Both cases involved a
May 2012 lease agreement between Tomasello and Pamela and Emanuel Namenyi, in which the
Namenyis agreed to rent Tomasello a piece of residential real property, including a horse barn, in
exchange for monthly rental payments.
{¶ 3} The first case arising from the lease agreement–Case No. 12 CVH 1304–was
initiated by Tomasello on November 20, 2012. On that date, Tomasello filed a pro se
application to deposit his rental payments with the Clerk of Courts due to the Namenyis allegedly
failing their duties as landlords under R.C. 5321.
{¶ 4} The second case arising from the lease agreement–Case No. 12 CVG 1350–was
initiated by the Namenyis, who on December 4, 2012, filed a forcible entry and detainer action
and an action for damages against Tomasello. In the complaint, the Namenyis alleged that
Tomasello failed to timely pay his monthly rent and that they served Tomasello with a statutory
notice to leave the premises on November 18, 2012.
{¶ 5} On January 3, 2013, the two cases were consolidated for trial purposes.
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Thereafter, on January 23, 2013, Tomasello filed a pro se motion to dismiss the Namenyis’
complaint under Case No. 12 CVG 1350. The same day, Tomasello also filed a pro se pleading
under Case No. 12 CVH 1304 titled “Tenant’s Complaints to Landlord,” which alleged that the
Namenyis breached the terms of the lease agreement. Specifically, Tomasello alleged the
Namenyis: (1) failed to provide him possession of the property on the agreed upon move in date;
(2) left two of their horses on the premises; (3) kept two dilapidated boats, numerous pieces of
farm equipment, tools, and other household items on the property; (4) took hay from the property
that belonged to him; (5) failed to disclose problems with the property, such as flooding and
rodent infestation; (6) failed to reimburse him for repairs he made to the property; and (7) failed
to meet their maintenance and repair obligations. In addition, Tomasello requested the court to
consider damages for retaliatory eviction, but did not allege any actual damages or provide a
basis for the claim.
{¶ 6} Both cases were heard at a bench trial on April 9, 2013. At that time, Tomasello
was no longer appearing pro se, but was represented by attorney Griff Nowicki. Following trial,
the trial court issued a written decision under Case No. 12 CVH 1304 denying Tomasello’s
application to deposit rent with the Clerk of Court. In so holding, the trial court found that
Tomasello had failed to establish the Namenyis were in violation of any of their duties as
landlords under R.C. 5321.04 that would justify depositing rent with the court. The court also
issued a written decision under Case No. 12 CVG 1350 finding that Tomasello breached the lease
agreement by failing to timely make his November 2012 rental payment. Accordingly, the trial
court ordered restitution of the premises to the Namenyis, and a damages hearing was scheduled
for June 18, 2013.
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{¶ 7} On June 18, 2013, the trial court permitted attorney Nowicki to withdraw as
counsel for Tomasello. As a result, the damages hearing was continued. Approximately two
months later, Harrison substituted as counsel for Tomasello. On August 27, 2013, Harrison filed
a motion for damages on Tomasello’s behalf alleging for the first time that the Namenyis owed
him $99,274.32 in damages resulting from: (1) retaliatory eviction; (2) breach of contract; (3)
loss of consortium; and (4) loss of his security deposit.
{¶ 8} Under his claim alleging retaliatory eviction, Harrison argued that Tomasello
incurred significant costs for lodging, boarding horses, packing, moving, storage, and travel as a
result of being evicted from the Namenyis’ property. As it relates to Tomasello’s breach of
contract claim, Harrison alleged the same basic arguments that Tomasello had previously raised
as part of his January 23, 2013 pro se pleading in Case No. 12 CVH 1304. The loss of
consortium claim was based on allegations that the delay in taking possession of the property
caused bickering and arguing between Tomasello and his fiancé, Joan Malinoski. With respect
to Tomasello’s security deposit claim, Harrison argued that the Namenyis had failed to refund or
notify by itemization any charges or deductions from the security deposit as required by R.C.
5321.16. To that end, Harrison argued Tomasello was entitled to a refund of his $2,800 security
deposit and also attorney fees in the amount of $5,000.
{¶ 9} On August, 28, 2013, the trial court issued a written decision on the motion for
damages. In its decision, the trial court determined that Tomasello’s breach of contract and
retaliatory eviction claims were barred by res judicata, because those claims were resolved by the
court’s April 10, 2013 decision, in which the court found that Tomasello breached the parties’
rental agreement and granted restitution in favor of the Namenyis. The trial court further held
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that the loss of consortium claim failed because it was not available in a contract case and also
because Malinoski was not Tomasello’s spouse. However, the trial court permitted the security
deposit refund claim to proceed, because the court determined that the claim was not ripe for
consideration until after the court had granted the eviction.
{¶ 10} Following the trial court’s decision on the motion for damages, on September 3,
2013, the Namenyis filed a motion for sanctions under Civ.R. 11 and R.C. 2323.51 on grounds
that Harrison filed unreasonable and meritless claims for damages on behalf of Tomasello. The
next day, attorney David Greer substituted as counsel for Tomasello due to Harrison suffering
from a medical condition. The damages and sanctions hearing eventually went forward on
October 11, 2013. Although given notice of the hearing, Harrison did not attend the hearing nor
file any memorandum in opposition to the motion for sanctions.
{¶ 11} On November 8, 2013, the trial court issued a written decision detailing the
complex procedural history of the case and setting forth its factual findings and conclusions of
law. The court concluded, in part, that the motion for damages Harrison filed on behalf of
Tomasello was made in bad faith, frivolous, and subject to sanctions under Civ.R. 11 and R.C.
2323.51. The trial court explained that:
The filing involved claims for “Retaliatory Eviction” (the Court had
previously awarded a writ of restitution effective April 22, 2013), “Breach of
Contract” (the Court had previously ruled that Mr. Tomasello himself had
breached the parties’ contract by its DECISION; ENTRY AND ORDER filed
April 10, 2013), and “Loss of Consortium” (the record is absolutely void of any
evidence to support this claim). These three claims were totally without merit
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and could not be supported by evidence at hearing. By both the subjective bad
faith standard of Civ.R. 11 and the objective standard of ORC 2323.51, the court
finds attorney Harrison’s conduct in filing his claims against the Namenyis on
August 27, 2013, was frivolous and not in good faith. [Note: The Court allowed
one claim in said filing to proceed, to wit: the handling by the Namenyis of the
security deposit of $2,800. This fact does not negate the fact that overall, the
filing was frivolous and in bad faith. * * *.]
The Court finds that the Namenyis incurred additional attorney fees by
attorney Harrison’s frivolous, bad faith filing and awards reasonable attorney fees
against attorney Harrison individually (not against Mr. Tomasello) in the amount
of $1,375.
Decision Entry & Order (Nov. 8, 2013), Xenia Municipal Court Case Nos. 12 CVG 1350, 12
CVH 1304, p. 18-19, ¶ D.
{¶ 12} Harrison appeals from the trial court’s judgment finding that three of the
damages claims he asserted on behalf of Tomasello were without good grounds and frivolous.
Harrison has raised two assignments of error for our review, and for purposes of convenience, we
will address both of his assignments of error together.
Assignments of Error Nos. I and II
{¶ 13} Instead of presenting a statement of his assignments of error as required by
App.R. 16, Harrison denominated his First Assignment of Error as “Frivolous Filing” and his
Second Assignment of Error as “Bad Faith.” We construe the arguments in his appellate brief as
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challenging the trial court’s judgment finding the claims for loss of consortium, breach of
contract, and retaliatory eviction to be without good grounds and frivolous in violation of Civ.R.
11 and R.C. 2323.51. In addition, Harrison challenges the trial court’s imposition of sanctions.
{¶ 14} “The imposition of a sanction under Civ. R. 11 requires a determination that the
attorney filing the pleading: (1) has read the pleading; (2) harbors good grounds to support it to
the best of his or her knowledge, information, and belief; and (3) did not file it for the purposes of
delay.” (Citation omitted.) Natl. Check Bur. v. Patel, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 21051,
2005-Ohio-6679, ¶ 14. “If any one of these requirements is not satisfied, the trial court must
then determine whether ‘the violation was “willful” as opposed to merely negligent.’ ” Ponder
v. Kamienski, 9th Dist. Summit No. 23270, 2007-Ohio-5035, ¶ 36, quoting Ceol v. Zion Indus.,
Inc., 81 Ohio App.3d 286, 290, 610 N.E.2d 1076 (9th Dist.1992). “If the trial court finds that
the violation was willful, it may impose an appropriate sanction.” (Citation omitted.) Id.{¶ 15} In contrast, the imposition of sanctions under R.C. 2323.51 requires a finding of
frivolous conduct. Specifically, R.C. 2323.51(B)(1) provides, in pertinent part, that:
[A]t any time not more than thirty days after the entry of final judgment in a civil
action or appeal, any party adversely affected by frivolous conduct may file a
motion for an award of court costs, reasonable attorney’s fees, and other
reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the civil action or appeal. The
court may assess and make an award to any party to the civil action or appeal who
was adversely affected by frivolous conduct * * *.
{¶ 16} Prior to awarding damages under R.C. 2323.51, the trial court must hold a
hearing “to determine whether particular conduct was frivolous, to determine, if the conduct was
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frivolous, whether any party was adversely affected by it, and to determine, if an award is to be
made, the amount of that award [.]” R.C. 2323.51(B)(2)(a). “[W]e note that ‘[t]he finding of
frivolous conduct under R.C. 2323.51 is determined without reference to what the individual
knew or believed.’ ” Mitchell v. Mid-Ohio Emergency Servs., L.L.C., 10th Dist. Franklin No.
10AP-374, 2010-Ohio-6350, ¶ 25, quoting Bikkani v. Lee, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 89312,
2008-Ohio-3130, ¶ 22. (Other citation omitted.)
{¶ 17} “Frivolous conduct” is the conduct of a party to a civil action or of the party’s
counsel that satisfies any of the following four criteria:
(i) It obviously serves merely to harass or maliciously injure another party to the
civil action or appeal or is for another improper purpose, including, but not
limited to, causing unnecessary delay or a needless increase in the cost of
litigation.
(ii) It is not warranted under existing law, cannot be supported by a good faith
argument for an extension, modification, or reversal of existing law, or cannot be
supported by a good faith argument for the establishment of new law.
(iii) The conduct consists of allegations or other factual contentions that have no
evidentiary support or, if specifically so identified, are not likely to have
evidentiary support after a reasonable opportunity for further investigation or
discovery.
(iv) The conduct consists of denials or factual contentions that are not warranted
by the evidence or, if specifically so identified, are not reasonably based on a lack
of information or belief.
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R.C. 2323.51(A)(2)(a)(i)-(iv).
{¶ 18} This Court has previously noted “that the frivolous conduct implicated by R.C.
2323.51(A)(2)(ii) involves proceeding on a legal theory which is wholly unwarranted in law.”
State Auto Mut. Ins. Co. v. Tatone, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 21753, 2007-Ohio-4726, ¶ 8.
“Whether a claim is warranted under existing law is an objective consideration.” (Citations
omitted.) Hickman v. Murray, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. CA 15030, 1996 WL 125916, *5 (Mar.
22, 1996). The test is “whether no reasonable lawyer would have brought the action in light of
the existing law. In other words, a claim is frivolous if it is absolutely clear under the existing
law that no reasonable lawyer could argue the claim.” Id.{¶ 19} “[N]o single standard of review applies in R.C. 2323.51 cases.” Wiltberger v.
Davis, 110 Ohio App.3d 46, 51, 673 N.E.2d 628 (10th Dist.1996). When the question regarding
what constitutes frivolous conduct calls for a legal determination, such as whether a claim is
warranted under existing law, an appellate court is to review the frivolous conduct determination
de novo, without reference to the trial court’s decision. Natl. Check Bur., 2d Dist. Montgomery
No. 21051, 2005-Ohio-6679 at ¶ 10; accord Riverview Health Inst., L.L.C. v. Kral, 2d Dist.
Montgomery No. 24931, 2012-Ohio-3502, ¶ 33. “Similarly, whether a party has good grounds
to assert a claim under Civ.R. 11 also involves a legal determination, subject to a de novo
standard of review.” (Citation omitted.) ABN AMRO Mtge. Grp., Inc. v. Evans, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 98777, 2013-Ohio-1557, ¶ 14.
{¶ 20} “In contrast, if there is no disputed issue of law and the question is factual, we
apply an abuse of discretion standard of review.” Riverview Health Inst., L.L.C. at ¶ 33, citing
Natl. Check Bur. at ¶ 11. Likewise, if the trial court determines that a violation under R.C.
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2323.51 or Civ.R. 11 exists, the trial court’s imposition of sanctions for said violation will not be
disturbed absent an abuse of discretion. State ex rel. Fant v. Sykes, 29 Ohio St.3d 65, 505
N.E.2d 966 (1987); Lewis v. Powers, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 15461, 1997 WL 335563, *4
(June 13, 1997).
{¶ 21} In this case, after holding a sanctions and damages hearing, the trial court
determined that the loss of consortium, breach of contract, and retaliatory eviction claims raised
in the motion for damages were frivolous and made in bad faith, because they were totally
without merit and could not be supported by evidence at the hearing. The trial court did not
include a detailed discussion concerning its findings, but its decision implies that it found the
breach of contract and retaliatory eviction claims to be unwarranted under existing law, and the
loss of consortium claim to be without any supporting evidence. Accordingly, the inquiry in this
case is one of both fact and law.
{¶ 22} After reviewing the record, we conclude that the trial court did not err in finding
the loss of consortium claim involving Tomasello and Malinoski, his fiancé, to be without any
supporting evidence. Loss of consortium “ ‘is a right which grows out of marriage, is incident to
marriage, and cannot exist without marriage. Because it is a marital right, the right of
consortium is not conferred upon partners to extramarital cohabitation.’ ” Reygaert v. Palmer,
2d Dist. Montgomery No. 9296, 1986 WL 1340, *4 (Jan. 29, 1986), quoting Haas v. Lewis, 8
Ohio App.3d 136, 137, 456 N.E.2d 512 (10th Dist.1982). In the motion for damages, Harrison
specifically referred to Tomasello’s fiancé and alleged damages for loss of consortium. Since
there was admittedly no marital relationship, there was indeed no evidence to support the loss of
consortium claim, and Harrison had absolutely no grounds to assert it. Accordingly, the claim
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was clearly frivolous under R.C. 2323.51.
{¶ 23} We also conclude that the breach of contract claim was frivolous due to being
unwarranted under existing law on res judicata grounds. “ ‘[R]es judicata precludes a party from
relitigating issues already decided by a court or raising matters that the party should have brought
in a prior action.’ ” SunTrust Bank v. Wagshul, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 25567,
2013-Ohio-3931, ¶ 8, quoting Am. Tax Funding, L.L.C. v. Whitlow, 2d Dist. Montgomery No.
24559, 2012-Ohio-3839, ¶ 9. Pursuant to R.C. 1923.03 forcible entry and detainer judgments do
not bar a tenant from bringing a later action between the same parties growing out of the same
subject matter; however, such judgments do bar “relitigation of issues that were actually and
necessarily decided in the [forcible entry and detainer] action.” (Citations omitted.) Great
Lakes Mall, Inc. v. Deli Table, 11th Dist. Lake No. 93-L-154, 1994 WL 587559, *2 (Sept. 16,
1994); Marous/Church, LLC v. Stanich, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2000-L-188, 2001 WL 1561107, *2
(Dec. 7, 2001).
{¶ 24} Here, the breach of contract claim had been raised and ruled upon prior to
Harrison filing the motion for damages, as Tomasello raised the same basic claim in his January
23, 2013 pro se filing in Case No. 2012 CVH 1304. Following trial, the trial court issued
written decisions finding that Tomasello was in breach of the lease agreement and that he failed
to establish the Namenyis breached their obligations as landlords. Because the breach of
contract issue was actually and necessarily ruled upon after trial, res judicata barred it from being
relitigated during the damages proceeding. Accordingly, the claim was unwarranted under
existing law and thus frivolous.
{¶ 25} As for the retaliatory eviction claim, we note that the trial court determined in its
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August 28, 2013 decision on the motion for damages, as well as in its November 8, 2013 decision
on the motion for sanctions, that res judicata barred the claim from being raised in the motion for
damages, because the court had previously found the Namenyis’s eviction request to be proper
and awarded the Namenyis restitution of the premises in the forcible entry and detainer action.
The trial court’s conclusion is correct if the issue of retaliatory eviction was litigated and decided
during the forcible entry and detainer action. See Great Lakes Mall, Inc. at *2; Marous/Church,
LLC at *2 (“a forcible entry and detainer action bars relitigation of issues that were actually and
necessarily decided in the former action”); see also Reck v. Whalen, 114 Ohio App.3d 16, 19-20,
682 N.E.2d 721 (2d Dist.1996) (finding that an evicted tenant’s counterclaim alleging retaliatory
eviction was protected from the doctrine of res judicata because the trial court made no express
finding whether there was a retaliatory eviction during the forcible entry and detainer
proceedings).
{¶ 26} In this case, we cannot determine from the record whether the issue of retaliatory
eviction was litigated and decided upon during the forcible entry and detainer action. The trial
court did not discuss retaliatory eviction in its written decision granting restitution of the
premises to the Namenyis, and Harrison failed to file a transcript of the April 9, 2013 forcible
entry and detainer trial. In Knapp v. Edwards Laboratories, 61 Ohio St.2d 197, 400 N.E.2d 384(1980) the Supreme Court of Ohio stated that:
The duty to provide a transcript for appellate review falls upon the appellant. This
is necessarily so because an appellant bears the burden of showing error by
reference to matters in the record. See State v. Skaggs (1978), 53 Ohio St.2d 162,
372 N.E.2d 1355. This principle is recognized in App.R. 9(B), which provides,
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in part, that “ * * * the appellant shall in writing order from the reporter a
complete transcript or a transcript of such parts of the proceedings not already on
file as he deems necessary for inclusion in the record * * *.” When portions of
the transcript necessary for resolution of assigned errors are omitted from the
record, the reviewing court has nothing to pass upon and thus, as to those assigned
errors, the court has no choice but to presume the validity of the lower court’s
proceedings, and affirm.
Knapp at 199.
{¶ 27} Here, Harrison failed his duty to provide a transcript for appellate review that is
necessary for determining whether he was barred from raising the retaliatory eviction claim in the
motion for damages. Accordingly, we must presume the validity of the trial court’s decision
finding that the claim was barred as a result of the previous forcible entry and detainer judgment.
Based on this finding, we conclude the retaliatory eviction claim raised in the motion for
damages was unwarranted under existing law and thus frivolous.
{¶ 28} In finding Harrison’s conduct frivolous, it is unnecessary to discuss whether his
conduct was also a violation of Civ.R. 11, as sanctions are already appropriate under R.C.
2323.51.
{¶ 29} With respect to the imposition of sanctions, we note that no recording of the
sanctions hearing was made, thus leaving no transcript for review. Additionally, Harrison
failed to file an acceptable alternative statement of the evidence or proceedings as permitted by
App.R. 9(C). By failing to file an acceptable alternative to a transcript, Harrison has failed his
burden of showing error by reference to matters in the record. Without an App.R. 9(C)
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statement, it is impossible for us to address whether the trial court abused its discretion in
imposing sanctions in the amount of $1,375. Accordingly, we must presume the regularity of
the proceedings and find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion. See Beer v. Beer, 10th
Dist. Franklin No. 04AP-93, 2004-Ohio-4559, ¶ 9 ("absent a transcript, or some acceptable
alternative, pursuant to App.R. 9(C), we are guided by the presumption that the decision of the
trial court is correct"); Palmer v. Palmer, 5th Dist. Licking No. 92-CA-36, 1992 WL 396314, *1
(Dec. 21, 1992) (finding it is impossible to conclude whether the trial court abused its discretion
in ordering Appellant to pay $800 because appellant failed to file a transcript of the proceedings
or a statement of the evidence as permitted by App.R. 9(C) ).
{¶ 30} Harrison’s First and Second Assignments of Error are overruled.
Conclusion
{¶ 31} Having overruled both of Harrison’s assignments of error, the judgment of the
trial court is affirmed.
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HALL, J., concurs.
FROELICH, P.J., concurring:
{¶ 32} In Reygaert v. Palmer, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 9296, 1986 WL 1340 (Jan. 29,
1986), we acknowledged that “some affianced couples may establish as deep and significant a
relationship as a married couple.” Id. at *4. While Reygaert did “not abrogate Ohio’s
well-settled rule that only a married individual has standing to sue for loss of consortium,” Judge
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Brogan found “strong logic” in case law which expanded the rule in certain situations. Id. at *4.
See also Aloni, Deprivative Recognition, 61 UCLA L.Rev. 1276 (2014), for a more current
analysis of the issue.
{¶ 33} I agree that any “change in Ohio law based upon such circumstances may not be
made by this Court,” Reygaert at *4. I would not necessarily hold that making a loss of
consortium claim for a fiancé is per se frivolous in a case drafted to make its way to the Supreme
Court; this is not such a case.
{¶ 34} The fact that the security deposit claim was continued or that the loss of
consortium claim could arguably be “supported by the good faith argument for the establishment
of new law,” R.C. 2323.51(A)(2)(a)(i), does not mean that the trial court abused its discretion in
finding a violation of R.C. 2323.51 for the claims of retaliatory eviction and/or breach of
contract. R.C. 2323.51(A)(1)(a) defines “conduct” as “the assertion of a claim, defense, or other
position in connection with a civil action. . . .” It does not require that the entire pleading or
motion or that all the claims be frivolous as that is defined in R.C. 2323.51(A)(2).
{¶ 35} Further, I agree with the majority that the amount of the sanctions cannot be
successfully challenged on this record.
..........
Copies mailed to:
Douglas D. Brannon
Carin E. Bigley
David Greer
Jack Harrison
Hon. Michael K. Murry