Carpenter v. Roberts

56 How. Pr. 216

• Court: New York Supreme Court
• Decided: October 15, 1878
• Status: Published

Opinion

Van Vorst, J.

Greavs agt. Gouge (69 N. Y., 154) justifies this action in the form in which it is brought (S. C., 49 How. P. R., 79).

The plaintiff sues not only for himself but also in behalf of all other stockholders.

The corporation, of which the defendant Boberts is a trustee, and the money and property of which he has converted to his own use, declines, upon application of the plaintiff a stockholder, to bring an action for its recovery, and it is made a defendant.

Under such circumstances, the plaintiff, a stockholder, is justified in bringing an action, for himself, and all others similarly situated, to obtain appropriate redress, in the form in which this actioh is brought.

It would be a reproach to the administration of justice and equity, if there was no remedy for wrongs of this nature.

Fortunately there is (Russel agt. Wakefield, L. R., 20 Equity, 474; Allen agt. The New Jersey So. R. R. Co., 49 How. Pr. R., 14 and cases cited ).

The decree, if this cause goes to final judgment, will adequately protect all interests.

The defendants argue that the complaint discloses no special damage to the plaintiff. The damage to the plaintiff, and the other stockholders, appears in the fact alleged, that the assets of the corporation have been taken by the defendant Eoberts and converted to his own individual use, illegally, wrongfully and fraudulently. This is a direct irijury to all the stockholders, and they can only be made good through a recovery to them, or to the corporation, of the amount of the property so illegally converted.

There should be judgment for the plaintiff on the demurrer, with liberty to the defendant to answer on payment of costs.