Michael Montgomery, V Dennis & Mia Montgomery ( 2017 )


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  •                                                                                                Filed
    Washington State
    Court of Appeals
    Division Two
    April 25, 2017
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
    DIVISION II
    MICHAEL D. MONTGOMERY,                                           No. 48761-6-II
    Respondent,
    v.
    DENNIS J. MONTGOMERY and MIA                               UNPUBLISHED OPINION
    MONTGOMERY, husband and wife,
    Appellants.
    WORSWICK, J. — Michael Montgomery filed a lawsuit against his father, Dennis
    Montgomery, and his stepmother, Mia Montgomery, following Dennis and Mia’s sale and
    disposal of Michael’s personal belongings.1 During the first jury trial, the trial court granted
    Michael’s motion for mistrial and imposed sanctions in the form of attorney fees and costs
    resulting from the mistrial. Before the second jury trial, the trial court granted Michael’s motion
    for partial summary judgment on the issue of liability. The case proceeded to trial on the issue of
    damages, and the jury returned an award of $24,000.
    Dennis and Mia appeal, arguing that the trial court erred by (1) granting Michael’s
    motion for mistrial, (2) imposing sanctions against Dennis and Mia for attorney fees and costs
    caused by the mistrial, (3) offering to impose sanctions against Dennis and Mia if Michael
    requested a mistrial, and (4) granting Michael’s motion for partial summary judgment. We
    affirm.
    1
    We refer to the Montgomerys by their first names for clarity and intend no disrespect.
    No. 48761-6-II
    FACTS
    I. BACKGROUND
    On December 27, 2012, Michael was sentenced in federal court to five years in prison
    and was unexpectedly taken into custody immediately following the sentencing hearing. After
    Michael’s sentencing hearing, his family, including Dennis, Mia, and Michael’s mother, Pamela
    Reed, met to determine how to manage Michael’s affairs. The family agreed that Dennis would
    travel to Michael’s residence in Colorado and move Michael’s personal belongings to Tacoma.
    Dennis returned from Colorado with Michael’s belongings on December 31. The next
    day, Dennis notified Reed that he planned to dispose of Michael’s belongings. Reed was able to
    retrieve some of Michael’s irreplaceable possessions. Dennis then stored Michael’s furniture in
    his garage and discarded the remainder of Michael’s possessions.
    On January 31, 2013, Dennis contracted with an auctioneer to sell Michael’s furniture
    housed in Dennis’s garage. Dennis received $3,395.75 from the auction and kept the proceeds.
    Michael did not give Dennis permission to dispose of his possessions or to keep the sale’s
    proceeds.
    Prior to Michael’s lawsuit, several events occurred that became important in the course of
    the first trial. Shortly after returning from Colorado with Michael’s belongings, Dennis had a
    brief stay in the hospital. Dennis was hospitalized from approximately January 9 until January
    17. While Dennis was in the hospital, Mia obtained a no-contact order against him. The no-
    contact order was granted on January 10 and terminated on January 24. Also, Reed became
    Michael’s power of attorney on January 22. The power of attorney permitted Reed to “buy, sell,
    2
    No. 48761-6-II
    mortgage, hypothecate, and in any and every way and manner deal in and with goods . . . and
    other property in possession or in action.” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 282.
    Michael filed a lawsuit against Dennis and Mia for conversion, fraud, trespass to chattels,
    and theft. The parties engaged in pretrial discovery. During his deposition, Dennis stated that he
    had control of Michael’s belongings and that he alone decided to sell and dispose of them.
    Dennis also stated that he intentionally disposed of Michael’s property. During Mia’s
    deposition, she stated that Dennis decided to auction Michael’s furniture because Reed would not
    take responsibility for the furniture.
    Dennis and Mia conducted very little discovery. Michael did not disclose Reed’s power
    of attorney during discovery because no such information was sought. However, Michael
    specifically asked Dennis and Mia about their authority to dispose of Michael’s property.
    During Dennis’s deposition, Michael’s counsel asked:
    [MICHAEL’S COUNSEL]: Okay. But it wasn’t your decision to get rid of that
    stuff only. It was a collective decision?
    [DENNIS]: No. It was my decision . . . .
    ....
    [MICHAEL’S COUNSEL]: . . . “Who has control of [Michael’s] stuff,” . . . ?
    [DENNIS]: I had control of [Michael’s] stuff.
    [MICHAEL’S COUNSEL]: Through permission from [Reed] via [Michael]?
    [DENNIS]: No.
    CP at 424-26.
    II. FIRST JURY TRIAL
    The matter proceeded to a jury trial. During trial, the following exchange took place
    between Dennis and Mia’s attorney (defense counsel) and Reed:
    [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Who handles [Michael’s] affairs on the outside that need
    to be handled, is that you?
    3
    No. 48761-6-II
    [REED]: I would say pretty much, yeah.
    [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Do you have a power of attorney?
    [REED]: Yes, I do.
    ....
    [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: So if you spoke on his behalf, or particularly as it relates
    to anything that he owned or had, you were speaking for him?
    [REED]: I guess so.
    3 Verbatim Report of Proceedings (VRP) at 62-63.
    Dennis testified at trial that he e-mailed Reed, telling her that if she did not store
    Michael’s furniture by January 20, Dennis would sell the items.2 Dennis further testified:
    [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Between the time of the day unloading the truck, did
    anyone give you permission or Mia permission . . . to sell the property?
    [DENNIS]: Yes.
    [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Who?
    [DENNIS]: [Reed].
    [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: How do you know that?
    [DENNIS]: Mia told me.
    [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: At the time of this permission, what authority did [Reed]
    have to give permission for you to sell?
    [DENNIS]: I believe she had a power of attorney for [Michael].
    3 VRP at 84-85. During discovery, Dennis and Mia did not disclose any purported phone
    conversation between Reed and Mia.
    After Dennis’s trial testimony regarding Mia’s phone call to Reed, Michael’s counsel
    stated that “[t]his new twist with Mia is outrageous” and noted that the phone call was never
    mentioned during discovery, despite him asking Dennis and Mia about their permission to sell
    Michael’s belongings. VRP (May 11, 2015) at 6. The trial court then engaged in voir dire
    examination of Dennis:
    [THE COURT]: Mr. Montgomery, how did you find out that . . . Reed had a power
    of attorney?
    2
    Reed denied receiving this e-mail.
    4
    No. 48761-6-II
    [DENNIS]: It was one of the—[the day of Michael’s sentencing hearing], she said,
    I have to get a Power of Attorney.
    ....
    [THE COURT]: She didn’t have one.
    [DENNIS]: Not at that point, no.
    [THE COURT]: When did you find out that she had one? And how did you find
    out?
    [DENNIS]: I have a mind block. I don’t recall.
    ....
    [THE COURT]: When was the last time that you talked to . . . Reed before you
    sold the property or had the property sold?
    ....
    [DENNIS]: I recall [Reed] and I having a conversation before January 9th—before
    January 6th. . . .
    ....
    [THE COURT]: Did Mia tell you that Ms. Reed had a Power of Attorney?
    [DENNIS]: No. I don’t think that she understands what a Power of Attorney is.
    VRP (May 11, 2015) at 16-23.
    The court then attempted to clarify the date that Dennis became aware of the phone call
    where Reed told Mia to sell the remainder of Michael’s belongings:
    [THE COURT]: Did [Mia] say who called who?
    [DENNIS]: She said that she called [Reed].
    [THE COURT]: Did she say when she did this?
    [DENNIS]: I don’t recall.
    [THE COURT]: This is while you were in the hospital?
    [DENNIS]: Probably. Which phone call in the hospital?
    [THE COURT]: The phone call with Ms. Reed about selling the property.
    [DENNIS]: I believe that is when I was in the hospital.
    [THE COURT]: But Mia wasn’t able to tell you about any of this until after the
    restraining order was lifted.
    [DENNIS]: That’s correct.
    VRP (May 11, 2015) at 26-27. Dennis also testified that he did not communicate with Mia while
    the no-contact order was in place.
    After Dennis testified, defense counsel argued that Reed had authorized or consented to
    the sale of Michael’s belongings as his power of attorney. Dennis and Mia had not pleaded
    5
    No. 48761-6-II
    consent or authorization as affirmative defenses prior to trial, and defense counsel did not file an
    amended answer.
    III. MOTION FOR MISTRIAL
    Following its voir dire examination of Dennis, the trial court broached the topic of a
    mistrial with sanctions, and Michael moved for a mistrial along with sanctions for attorney fees
    and costs caused by the mistrial. Michael stated:
    [T]here were multiple instances where the defense or the counsel could have
    informed me of this defense. . . . For the integrity of our system here, when a person
    is asked specifically, did you have any authority to sell those goods? And the
    answer is “no.” Or, you know, did [Reed] ever contact you or Michael about
    whether to sell these things? Not that I know of. . . .
    Judge, to be misleading and potentially perjury, especially in my
    interrogatories and my deposition questions, it is a problem. I feel like the
    defendants haven’t been very upfront and honest about this case. It is putting me
    in a really tough spot to proceed.
    VRP (May 11, 2015) at 38-39.
    Michael argued that he was disadvantaged because he had no prior notice that Dennis
    was going to assert that Reed gave permission or that Dennis would use Reed’s power of
    attorney as a defense, and he noted that the defense was not raised until the fifth day of trial.
    Defense counsel argued that Dennis and Mia did not actively withhold evidence because neither
    Dennis nor Mia understood the legal significance of Reed’s power of attorney. Defense counsel
    also stated that he did not disclose the phone conversation between Mia and Reed in discovery
    because the conversation “had absolutely no legal impact whatsoever on the defenses available
    to [Dennis].” VRP (May 11, 2015) at 44.
    The trial court granted Michael’s motion for mistrial. The court determined that Michael
    was prejudiced and that there had been “misconduct by the defense in terms of its lack of
    6
    No. 48761-6-II
    forthrightness during discovery.” VRP (May 11, 2015) at 55. The court also noted that the
    defense failed to plead all affirmative defenses. The court awarded Michael $10,115 in attorney
    fees and $600 in costs as a result of the mistrial.
    IV. MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON LIABILITY
    Prior to the second jury trial, Michael moved for partial summary judgment, arguing that
    Dennis was a gratuitous bailee and was liable for the sale and disposal of Michael’s belongings
    because of Dennis’s gross negligence and conversion of Michael’s property. Michael argued
    that no genuine issue of material fact existed regarding Dennis and Mia’s liability because
    Reed’s power of attorney was irrelevant and no other defenses applied. Dennis and Mia
    disagreed, contending that Michael abandoned his property when Reed failed to secure his
    belongings and that Michael consented to the sale of his belongings when Reed gave permission
    to Mia, even though Dennis and Mia testified that Reed never told them that she was Michael’s
    power of attorney.
    The trial court granted Michael’s motion for partial summary judgment. The case then
    proceeded to trial regarding damages owed to Michael. The jury returned an award of $24,000.
    Dennis and Mia appeal.
    ANALYSIS
    I. MISTRIAL
    Dennis and Mia argue that the trial court erred in granting Michael’s motion for mistrial
    because Michael was not prejudiced by Dennis and Mia’s failure to disclose evidence regarding
    Reed’s purported authorization of Dennis and Mia’s sale of Michael’s personal property. We
    disagree.
    7
    No. 48761-6-II
    A trial court’s decision to grant or deny a motion for mistrial is reviewed for abuse of
    discretion. Adkins v. Aluminum Co. of Am., 
    110 Wn.2d 128
    , 136-37, 
    750 P.2d 1257
     (1988). A
    trial court abuses its discretion when its decision is “‘manifestly unreasonable, or exercised on
    untenable grounds, or for untenable reasons.’” Breckenridge v. Valley Gen. Hosp., 
    150 Wn.2d 197
    , 203, 
    75 P.3d 944
     (2003) (quoting State ex rel. Carroll v. Junker, 
    79 Wn.2d 12
    , 26, 
    482 P.2d 775
     (1971)). A trial court has broad discretion in conducting trial and dealing with irregularities
    that arise. State v. Wade, 
    186 Wn. App. 749
    , 773, 
    346 P.3d 838
    , review denied, 184 Wn.2d
    (2015). A trial court should grant a mistrial only when the harmed party has been so prejudiced
    that only a new trial can remedy the error. See 186 Wn. App. at 773.
    The trial court is in the best position to gauge the prejudicial impact of counsel’s conduct
    on the jury. State v. Lord, 
    117 Wn.2d 829
    , 887, 
    822 P.2d 177
     (1991). When the grounds for
    granting a mistrial involve the assessment of misconduct during the trial and its potential impact
    on the jury, we give the trial court “great deference.” Levea v. G. A. Gray Corp., 
    17 Wn. App. 214
    , 226, 
    562 P.2d 1276
     (1977). We will not “substitute our own judgment for the trial court’s
    judgment in evaluating the scope and effect of . . . misconduct.” Teter v. Deck, 
    174 Wn.2d 207
    ,
    226, 
    274 P.3d 336
     (2012).
    Here, Dennis testified in his deposition that he had control of Michael’s belongings and
    that he alone decided to sell and dispose of them. Dennis also stated that he intentionally
    disposed of Michael’s property. Mia stated during her deposition that Dennis decided to auction
    Michael’s furniture because Reed would not take responsibility for the furniture. Mia’s
    purported phone conversation with Reed was not disclosed during discovery. Dennis and Mia
    had not pleaded consent or authorization as affirmative defenses before trial.
    8
    No. 48761-6-II
    Then, during the first jury trial, defense counsel elicited testimony that Reed became
    Michael’s power of attorney and that Reed called Mia, telling her to sell Michael’s belongings.
    Dennis and Mia then argued that Reed had authorized them to sell Michael’s belongings and that
    she had abandoned the belongings by not securing them prior to their sale.
    Michael moved for mistrial, arguing that he was not prepared to defend against these new
    defenses and noting that these issues were not raised until the fifth day of trial. The trial court
    agreed and granted Michael’s motion. The court determined that Michael was prejudiced and
    that there had been “misconduct by the defense in terms of its lack of forthrightness during
    discovery.” VRP (May 11, 2015) at 55. The trial court also noted that defense counsel failed to
    adhere to his obligation to plead all affirmative defenses. The court continued: “I don’t think
    plaintiff gets a fair trial here even if all of this stuff was hashed out and presented in front of the
    jury because it was sprung as a surprise and it shouldn’t have been.” VRP (May 11, 2015) at 55.
    We give great deference to the trial court’s conclusion that a mistrial was necessary due
    to defense counsel’s failure to disclose Mia’s purported phone call and failure to plead consent
    and authorization as affirmative defenses. We also defer to the trial court’s appraisal that these
    failures prejudiced Michael. Under these circumstances, it was reasonable for the trial court to
    conclude that Michael was so prejudiced by defense counsel’s failure to disclose the phone call
    and to plead consent or authorization that a new trial was his only remedy. Therefore, the trial
    court did not abuse its discretion in granting Michael’s motion for mistrial.
    II. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS
    Dennis and Mia also argue that the trial court erred in imposing sanctions against them
    for attorney fees and costs caused by the mistrial. We disagree.
    9
    No. 48761-6-II
    The decision to impose sanctions is within the sound discretion of the trial court.
    Woodhead v. Disc. Waterbeds, Inc., 
    78 Wn. App. 125
    , 133, 
    896 P.2d 66
     (1995). “The purposes
    of sanctions orders are to deter, to punish, to compensate and to educate. Where compensation
    to litigants is appropriate, then sanctions should include a compensation award.” Wash. State
    Physicians Ins. Exch. & Ass’n v. Fisons Corp., 
    122 Wn.2d 299
    , 356, 
    858 P.2d 1054
     (1993)
    (plurality opinion).
    During the first jury trial, defense counsel elicited testimony from Dennis that Reed told
    Dennis and Mia to sell Michael’s belongings. Mia’s purported phone conversation with Reed
    was not disclosed during discovery, despite Michael’s request for Dennis’s authority to dispose
    of Michael’s belongings. Michael moved for mistrial and for an award of sanctions for attorney
    fees and costs caused by the mistrial. Michael noted that five days of trial could have been
    avoided and that he could not afford a mistrial if he was not awarded sanctions. The trial court
    determined there had been “misconduct by the defense in terms of its lack of forthrightness
    during discovery,” and it awarded Michael $10,115 in attorney fees and $600 in costs. VRP
    (May 11, 2015) at 55.
    The trial court determined that sanctions were appropriate to compensate Michael for the
    costs associated with the first trial. Additionally, the trial court found that sanctions were
    necessary to punish defense counsel for his lack of forthrightness during discovery. Because it
    was reasonable for the trial court to impose sanctions on Dennis and Mia under these
    circumstances, the court did not abuse its discretion.
    10
    No. 48761-6-II
    III. TRIAL COURT OFFERING SANCTIONS
    Dennis and Mia briefly argue that the trial court abused its discretion by offering to
    award sanctions against Dennis and Mia if Michael requested a mistrial. However, Dennis and
    Mia fail to cite to authority or provide analysis in support of this argument. Failure to provide
    argument and citation to authority in support of an assignment of error precludes appellate
    consideration. RAP 10.3(a)(6); Escude ex rel. Escude v. King County Pub. Hosp. Dist. No. 2,
    
    117 Wn. App. 183
    , 190 n.4, 
    69 P.3d 895
     (2003). Accordingly, we do not address this issue.
    IV. PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON LIABILITY
    Dennis and Mia also argue that the trial court erred in granting Michael’s motion for
    partial summary judgment on liability because a genuine issue of material fact existed regarding
    whether Dennis was liable for the sale of Michael’s property as a gratuitous bailee. We disagree.
    A.     Standard of Review
    We review a trial court’s decision to grant or deny a motion for summary judgment de
    novo. Lakey v. Puget Sound Energy, Inc., 
    176 Wn.2d 909
    , 922, 
    296 P.3d 860
     (2013). When
    reviewing an order of summary judgment, we view the evidence, and all reasonable inferences
    allowed by that evidence, in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. 
    176 Wn.2d at 922
    .
    Summary judgment is appropriate when, viewing the facts in the light most favorable to the
    nonmoving party, there are no genuine issues of material fact and the moving party is entitled to
    a judgment as a matter of law. CR 56(c). “A material fact is one upon which the outcome of the
    litigation depends in whole or in part.” Atherton Condo. Apartment–Owners Ass’n Bd. of Dirs.
    v. Blume Dev. Co., 
    115 Wn.2d 506
    , 516, 
    799 P.2d 250
     (1990).
    11
    No. 48761-6-II
    “Summary judgment is subject to a burden-shifting scheme.” Ranger Ins. Co. v. Pierce
    County, 
    164 Wn.2d 545
    , 552, 
    192 P.3d 886
     (2008). The moving party bears the initial burden of
    showing that no material fact exists. Vallandigham v. Clover Park Sch. Dist. No. 400, 
    154 Wn.2d 16
    , 26, 
    109 P.3d 805
     (2005). If the moving party satisfies its burden, the nonmoving
    party must present evidence demonstrating that material facts are in dispute. 
    154 Wn.2d at 26
    .
    If the nonmoving party fails to show that there is a dispute of material fact, summary judgment is
    proper. 
    154 Wn.2d at 26
    .
    B.     Gratuitous Bailment
    Prior to the second jury trial, Michael filed a motion for partial summary judgment,
    arguing that Dennis was liable as a gratuitous bailee because he (1) acted with gross negligence
    and (2) converted Michael’s belongings when he disposed of and sold them. Dennis and Mia
    argue that genuine issues of material fact exist regarding Dennis’s liability as a gratuitous bailee
    for the sale of Michael’s belongings because Reed, as Michael’s power of attorney, authorized
    the conversion of Michael’s belongings.3 We disagree with Dennis and Mia and hold that the
    partial summary judgment was proper.
    3
    Dennis and Mia also appear to argue that Reed abandoned Michael’s belongings by failing to
    secure them before they were sold at auction. However, Dennis and Mia do not provide an
    analysis of abandonment or citation to authority regarding abandonment’s application in any
    instance, let alone where the issue is whether an attorney in fact can abandon the property of its
    principal. We will not consider an inadequately briefed argument or an argument unsupported
    by citation to authority and, therefore, do not address this argument. Cowiche Canyon
    Conservancy v. Bosley, 
    118 Wn.2d 801
    , 809, 
    828 P.2d 549
     (1992); Norcon Builders, LLC v.
    GMP Homes VG, LLC, 
    161 Wn. App. 474
    , 486, 
    254 P.3d 835
     (2011).
    12
    No. 48761-6-II
    1. Legal Principles
    A bailment generally arises when a bailor delivers his personal property to the bailee for
    a specific purpose, pursuant to an express or implied contract to fulfill that purpose. Eifler v.
    Shurgard Capital Mgmt. Corp., 
    71 Wn. App. 684
    , 689, 
    861 P.2d 1071
     (1993). Inherent in the
    bailment relationship is the requirement that the bailee return the property to the bailor when the
    purpose of the bailment is accomplished or keep the property until it is reclaimed by the bailor.
    
    71 Wn. App. at 689
    .
    When a bailment is for the sole benefit of the bailor or as a personal favor to the bailor,
    the bailment is gratuitous. Corwin v. Grays Harbor Washingtonian, Inc., 
    159 Wash. 92
    , 96, 
    292 P. 412
     (1930). Here, it is undisputed that Dennis was a gratuitous bailee. When a bailment is
    gratuitous, the bailee is only liable for gross negligence or bad faith. Maitlen v. Hazen, 
    9 Wn.2d 113
    , 123, 
    113 P.2d 1008
     (1941). “[G]ross negligence connotes the absence of slight care or
    diligence.” 
    9 Wn.2d at 123
     (quoting 8 C.J.S. Bailments § 28, at 278 (1938)). The bailee is
    presumed to be negligent when he does not return the bailed property to the bailor. Chaloupka v.
    Cyr, 
    63 Wn.2d 463
    , 466, 
    387 P.2d 740
     (1963). However, the bailee can rebut this presumption if
    he can show that he exercised due care. 
    63 Wn.2d at 467
    .
    A bailee also may be held liable for conversion when he fails to return the bailor’s
    property. 8A AM. JUR. 2D Bailments § 66 (2017). “‘Conversion is the unjustified, willful
    interference with a chattel which deprives a person entitled to the property of possession.’” In re
    Marriage of Langham & Kolde, 
    153 Wn.2d 553
    , 564, 
    106 P.3d 212
     (2005) (quoting Meyers Way
    Dev. Ltd. P’ship v. Univ. Sav. Bank, 
    80 Wn. App. 655
    , 674-75, 
    910 P.2d 1308
     (1996)).
    Accordingly, conversion occurs when a bailee wrongfully delivers the bailor’s property to a third
    13
    No. 48761-6-II
    party. 8A AM. JUR. 2D Bailments § 71 (2017). Neither the bailee’s well-founded belief that the
    delivery was within his legal rights nor his exercise of any degree of care constitutes a defense.
    8A AM. JUR. 2D Bailments § 71 (2017).
    2. Gross Negligence
    Michael moved for partial summary judgment, arguing that Dennis was grossly negligent
    for selling and disposing of Michael’s belongings. We agree that the trial court’s order granting
    Michael partial summary judgment was proper.
    The evidence shows that Dennis acted with gross negligence in disposing of Michael’s
    property. In his deposition, Dennis said that he had control of Michael’s belongings and that he
    alone decided to sell and dispose of them. Dennis also stated that he intentionally gave away
    Michael’s property. Mia stated during her deposition that Dennis decided to auction Michael’s
    furniture because Reed would not take responsibility for the furniture.
    Additionally, Dennis is presumed to have acted with gross negligence because he sold
    and disposed of Michael’s belongings. Chaloupka, 
    63 Wn.2d at 466
    . Dennis and Mia fail to
    rebut this presumption with evidence of due care. It is undisputed that Michael did not give
    Dennis permission to sell or dispose of his belongings. Dennis acted without slight care or
    diligence because he did not contact Michael and did not determine whether he would authorize
    the sale and disposal.
    Dennis and Mia argue that Dennis did not act with gross negligence when he sold
    Michael’s belongings because Reed, as Michael’s power of attorney, authorized the sale. Reed
    had obtained power of attorney on January 22, 2013. The power of attorney permitted Reed to
    14
    No. 48761-6-II
    “buy, sell, mortgage, hypothecate, and in any and every way and manner deal in and with goods
    . . . and other property in possession or in action.” CP at 282.
    However, Dennis and Mia did not produce any evidence that Reed authorized the sale
    after January 22, 2013. At the first trial, Dennis testified that Mia called Reed while he was in
    the hospital and that Reed gave Mia permission to sell Michael’s furniture. But Dennis was
    discharged from the hospital before January 22. Mia submitted a declaration stating that Reed
    told her to sell Michael’s furniture “at or about the time that [Reed] received the power of
    attorney from Michael.” CP at 528. But this statement makes it clear that Mia did not know
    exactly when she called Reed and is not evidence that Reed gave permission after January 22.4
    Therefore, Reed’s alleged call cannot create a genuine issue of material fact regarding whether
    Reed authorized the sale.
    Dennis and Mia fail to present competent evidence that either Michael or Reed, in her
    capacity as Michael’s power of attorney, authorized the sale and disposal of Michael’s
    belongings. Viewing the evidence and all reasonable inferences from that evidence in a light
    most favorable to Dennis and Mia, there are no genuine issues of material fact regarding
    Dennis’s liability for selling and disposing of Michael’s belongings. Thus, Michael was entitled
    4
    “‘When a party has given clear answers to unambiguous [deposition] questions which negate
    the existence of any genuine issue of material fact, that party cannot thereafter create such an
    issue with an affidavit that merely contradicts, without explanation, previously given clear
    testimony.’” Marshall v. AC&S, Inc., 
    56 Wn. App. 181
    , 185, 
    782 P.2d 1107
     (1989) (alteration in
    original) (quoting Van T. Junkins & Assocs., Inc. v. U.S. Indus., Inc., 
    736 F.2d 656
    , 657 (11th
    Cir. 1984)). Mia’s subsequent declaration contradicts her prior deposition testimony that only
    Dennis decided to sell Michael’s furniture. Thus, Mia’s declaration cannot create a genuine
    issue of material fact through her subsequent declaration. Klontz v. Puget Sound Power & Light
    Co., 
    90 Wn. App. 186
    , 192, 
    951 P.2d 280
     (1998).
    15
    No. 48761-6-II
    to judgment as a matter of law, and the trial court did not err in granting his motion for partial
    summary judgment on this basis.
    3. Conversion
    Michael also moved for partial summary judgment, arguing that Dennis converted
    Michael’s property. We agree that the trial court’s order granting partial summary judgment on
    this basis was proper.
    In his deposition, Dennis acknowledged that he “had control of [Michael’s] stuff” after
    returning from Colorado and that it was his decision to dispose of Michael’s belongings. CP at
    426. Dennis contacted an auctioneer to sell Michael’s furniture on January 31. Michael did not
    give Dennis permission to dispose of or sell his belongings. Dennis received $3,395.75 from the
    auction of Michael’s furniture and did not transfer the proceeds of the sale to Michael.
    It is undisputed that Dennis sold Michael’s belongings without Michael’s permission and
    kept the proceeds. This is conversion. Dennis’s assertion that he believed Reed authorized the
    sale is of no consequence and is not a defense because his belief, even if well-founded, that the
    sale was legally authorized does not constitute a defense to conversion.
    Viewing the evidence and all reasonable inferences from that evidence in a light most
    favorable to Dennis and Mia, there are no genuine issues of material fact regarding Dennis’s
    liability for conversion of Michael’s belongings. Therefore, Michael is entitled to judgment as a
    matter of law, and the trial court did not err in granting his motion for partial summary judgment.
    CONCLUSION
    We affirm the mistrial and award of sanctions, and we affirm the partial summary
    judgment.
    16
    No. 48761-6-II
    A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
    Washington Appellate Reports but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW
    2.06.040, it is so ordered.
    Worswick, J.
    We concur:
    Maxa, A.C.J.
    Sutton, J.
    17