IN THE
Court of Appeals of Indiana Fike Investments, LLC, FILED Jim Fike, and Kim Fike, Jan 23 2025, 9:50 am
CLERK Appellants-Respondents, Indiana Supreme Court Court of Appeals and Tax Court
v.
Gregory L. Wilson, Sr., Executive Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, Appellee-Complainant.
January 23, 2025
Court of Appeals Case No. 24A-EX-3091
Appeal from the Indiana Civil Rights Commission
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 1 of 18 The Honorable Beth A. Butsch, Administrative Law Judge
Adrianne L. Slash, Chairperson Steven A. Ramos, Commissioner Holli Harrington, Commissioner Terry Tolliver, Commissioner
ICRC Nos. HOra15070510 HOrt15090649
Opinion by Senior Judge Najam Judges Pyle and Kenworthy concur.
Najam, Senior Judge.
Statement of the Case [1] Fike Investments, LLC, Jim Fike, and Kim Fike (collectively, the Fikes) appeal
the order of the Ultimate Authority of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission
(Commission) finding they violated both the Indiana Fair Housing Act (IFHA)
and the Indiana Civil Rights Law (ICRL), awarding damages for moving
expenses and emotional distress, and imposing a civil penalty. Concluding the
evidence supports the determination of liability, the award of damages, and the
imposition of the penalty, we affirm and remand with instructions.
Issues [2] The Fikes present three issues, which we restate as:
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 2 of 18 I. Whether the Ultimate Authority’s exemption determination is supported by substantial evidence.
II. Whether the award of emotional distress damages is supported by substantial evidence.
III. Whether the imposition of a civil penalty was arbitrary and capricious.
Statement of the Facts [3] Fike Investments is a limited liability company in which Jim Fike and his wife,
Kim, are the only members. Fike Investments owns a single-family residence
on Hamilton Street in Granger that was listed for rent on Zillow.com. John
Chubb found the rental listing on the website, submitted an application to rent
the property, and eventually entered into a residential lease.
[4] Thereafter, Chubb, who is disabled, requested Jim and Kim to modify his lease
to allow him to have a live-in caregiver and to waive the pet deposit and
monthly pet fee for his support animal as reasonable accommodations for his
disability. When Jim and Kim denied Chubb’s requests, he filed a complaint 1 with the Commission claiming he experienced discrimination by the Fikes.
Following the filing of that complaint, Jim and Kim initiated an eviction action
against Chubb. Chubb then filed a second complaint asserting retaliatory
eviction for the prior complaint, and the two complaints were subsequently
1 Under the IFHA, it is unlawful to discriminate based on disability. I.C. § 22-9.5-5-5.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 3 of 18 consolidated. The Commission investigated and determined that reasonable
cause existed to support both complaints.
[5] During the administrative proceedings, both parties moved for summary
judgment. The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issued two orders on
summary judgment collectively concluding that the Fikes discriminated and
retaliated against Chubb in violation of both the IFHA and the ICRL and that
the Fikes were not exempt from application of the IFHA. The ALJ also
awarded Chubb damages for moving expenses and determined he was entitled
to an award for emotional distress, the extent of which remained to be
determined.
[6] The ALJ held an evidentiary hearing to determine the amount of emotional
distress damages and whether any statutory penalties should be imposed. The
ALJ issued a Recommended Order awarding Chubb $25,000 for emotional
distress but not imposing any civil penalty against the Fikes. On Chubb’s
behalf, the Commission objected to the ALJ’s order arguing, in pertinent part,
that the award for emotional distress damages should be increased and that a
civil penalty should be imposed against the Fikes.
[7] The Ultimate Authority heard oral argument on the Commission’s objections
and issued its final order affirming the ALJ’s order with modifications, the most
substantial and pertinent being that it imposed a $10,000 civil penalty against
the Fikes. The Fikes now appeal.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 4 of 18 Discussion and Decision [8] Judicial review of an administrative agency’s action is governed by the Indiana
Administrative Orders and Procedures Act (AOPA). 255 Morris, LLC v. Ind.
Alcohol & Tobacco Comm’n, 93 N.E.3d 1149, 1152-53 (Ind. Ct. App. 2018).
Under the version of the AOPA in effect during these proceedings, we may set
aside an agency action only if we determine the party seeking relief has been
prejudiced by such action that is “(1) arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of
discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law; (2) contrary to
constitutional right, power, privilege, or immunity; (3) in excess of statutory
jurisdiction, authority, or limitations, or short of statutory right; (4) without
observance of procedure required by law; or (5) unsupported by substantial 2 evidence.” Ind. Code § 4-21.5-5-14(d) (1987).
[9] Our review of an agency’s action is purposely limited in recognition of the
agency’s expertise in its field and the public’s reliance on its authority to govern
in that area. Brookston Res., Inc. v. Dep’t of Nat. Res., 243 N.E.3d 1127, 1139
(Ind. Ct. App. 2024) (quoting Moriarity v. Ind. Dep’t of Nat. Res., 113 N.E.3d 614,
619 (Ind. 2019)). Accordingly, when we review an agency’s decision, we do
not reweigh the evidence, judge witness credibility, or substitute our judgment
for that of the agency. Ind. Dep’t of Nat. Res. v. Prosser, 132 N.E.3d 397, 401
2 Effective July 1, 2024, Section 4-21.5-5-14(d)(5) was amended to require the party seeking judicial relief to demonstrate that the agency action is “unsupported by a preponderance of the evidence” rather than “unsupported by substantial evidence.”
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 5 of 18 (Ind. Ct. App. 2019), trans. denied. And we are bound by the agency’s findings
of fact if they are supported by substantial evidence. Id. The party seeking
judicial review bears the burden of demonstrating the invalidity of the agency’s
action. Id.; I.C. § 4-21.5-5-14(a).
I. Exemption Determination [10] The Fikes contend the Ultimate Authority’s exemption determination is not
supported by substantial evidence. The Ultimate Authority affirmed the ALJ’s
determination that the Fikes do not qualify for the exemption from application
of the IFHA. The Fikes, however, assert they fulfill the requirements of the
exemption set out in Indiana Code section 22-9.5-3-1(a) (1990).
[11] Indiana Code section 22-9.5-3-1(a) supplies, in certain circumstances, an
exemption under the IFHA. The statute provides, in pertinent part, that the
IFHA does not apply to:
(1) The sale or rental of a single-family house sold or rented by an owner if: (A) the owner does not: (i) own more than three (3) single-family houses at any one (1) time; or (ii) own any interest in, nor is there owned or reserved on the owner’s behalf, under any express or voluntary agreement, title to, or any right to any part of the proceeds from the sale or rental of more than three (3) single-family houses at any one (1) time; and (B) the house was sold or rented without: (i) the use of the sales or rental facilities or services of a real estate broker, an agent, or a salesman . . . .
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 6 of 18 Id. The Fikes claim the exemption applies to them because Fike Investments,
LLC is the owner of the house rented by Chubb, and it is the only property
owned by the company. In addition, the Fikes assert that the website
Zillow.com, on which they listed the house for rent, was not a real estate broker
at the time of their listing.
[12] As the party seeking the benefit of an exemption, the Fikes must demonstrate
they meet the terms of the exemption. See Ind. Dep’t of Nat. Res. v. Krantz Bros.
Const. Corp., 581 N.E.2d 935, 938 (Ind. Ct. App. 1991); see also U.S. v. Columbus
Country Club, 915 F.2d 877, 882 (3d Cir. 1990) (where defendant country club
claimed statutory exemption from Fair Housing Act, court stated: “Under
general principles of statutory construction, ‘[o]ne who claims the benefit of an
exception from the prohibition of a statute has the burden of proving that his
claim comes within the exception.’” (quoting Mills Music, Inc., v. Snyder, 469
U.S. 153, 188 n.20 (1985) (White, J., dissenting))).
[13] To fulfill the requirement of Section 22-9.5-3-1(a)(1)(A), the Fikes assert that
Fike Investments, LLC is the sole owner of the house that Chubb rented and
that Fike Investments, LLC owns no other houses. The Fikes explain that the
other three homes are owned either by Jim and Kim together or by Fike Rental
Investments, LLC and are not relevant to this action.
[14] The Ultimate Authority concluded the Fikes are not exempt from application of
the IFHA because they collectively “owned four separate single family
residential properties.” Appellants’ App. Vol. 2, p. 26 (Appealed Order,
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 7 of 18 Conclusion of Law #6). Specifically, the Ultimate Authority determined that
Kim owns or has a pecuniary interest in the rental proceeds from a total of four
single-family properties, which exceeds the mandatory limit provided in Section
22-9.5-3-1(a)(1)(A). See id. The Ultimate Authority based its determination on
the evidence that shows Kim owns two houses with Jim, is a member of Fike
Investments, LLC which owns the house at issue here, and is a member, the
president, and the registered agent of Fike Rental Investments, LLC which
owns another house. Appellants’ App. Vol. 3, pp. 61-62 (March 26, 2021 Order
Granting Indiana Civil Rights Commission’s Motion for Summary Judgment 3 and Notice of Final Prehearing Conference, Findings of Fact ## 11, 13, 15-17,
21).
[15] Nevertheless, a detailed analysis of Kim’s interest in these four properties is not
necessary to determine whether the Fikes are entitled to the exemption in this
case. Rather, the application of the exemption here turns on the language of the
statute. The first requirement in the exemption statute is that the house must be
rented by the owner. See I.C. § 22-9.5-3-1(a)(1). While the evidence shows that
Fike Investments, LLC is the record owner of the Hamilton Street house,
Appellee’s App. Vol. II, p. 149 (Quitclaim Deed), the evidence does not show
that the house was rented by Fike Investments.
3 The Appealed Order specifically incorporated all findings of fact from both the March 26, 2021 Order Granting Indiana Civil Rights Commission’s Motion for Summary Judgment and Notice of Final Prehearing Conference and the May 9, 2022 Order on Parties’ Cross Motions for Summary Judgment. Appellants’ App. Vol. 2, p. 24 (Appealed Order, Findings of Fact ## 1, 2).
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 8 of 18 [16] The Fikes assert that “[a]t all times we have been acting as agents of Fike
Investments, LLC, and not as individuals.” Appellants’ App. Vol. 2, p. 41 (Aff.
in Support of Summary Judgment, ¶4). But “a person’s belief or understanding
is not an objective fact,” and “[u]nder the objective theory of contracts, the
intent relevant in contract matters is not a party’s subjective intent but the
outward manifestation of it.” Akin v. Simons, 180 N.E.3d 366, 377 (Ind. Ct.
App. 2021). The Fikes’ contention that they were acting as agents of Fike
Investments, LLC and not as individuals is merely a self-serving statement of
their belief. It is not a statement of objective fact manifested in their lease, the
Pet Addendum, or the eviction action against Chubb.
[17] The first sentence of Chubb’s lease states: “THIS LEASE made this 28th day of
April 2015, between Jimmy W. Fike and Kimberly A. Fike, the ‘Landlord’ herein,
and . . . John Chubb the ‘Tenant’ herein.” Appellee’s App. Vol. III, p. 6
(emphasis added). And Jim and Kim did not sign the lease in their capacities as
members of the LLC but, instead, signed the lease as “Landlord” without any
further designation. See id. at 10. Further, the lease makes no reference at all to
Fike Investments. See id. at 6-10. Similarly, a Pet Addendum that was
executed the same day as the lease, identifies Jim and Kim as the landlords,
bears their signatures without any designation of their corporate capacities, and
contains no reference to Fike Investments. Appellee’s App. Vol. II, p. 65 (Pet
Addendum). And in the eviction action against Chubb, Jim and Kim are
designated as the plaintiffs with no mention of Fike Investments or indication
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 9 of 18 they are members of the LLC acting on its behalf. See id. at 97, 98 (Aff. for
Immed. Poss’n.; Notice of Claim).
[18] If Jim and Kim intended to act as agents for the LLC and bind it to the lease,
they should have signed the lease in their corporate capacities. See Blackwell v.
Superior Safe Rooms LLC, 174 N.E.3d 1082, 1094 (Ind. Ct. App. 2021)
(observing principle that identity of parties to contract is ascertained from
examining written contract itself), trans. denied. However, they signed the lease
as individuals, not as representatives of Fike Investments LLC. Once they
executed the lease in this manner, the exemption was inapplicable because they
are not the owners of the property. Further, while the evidence shows that Jim
and Kim may have interacted with Chubb at subsequent times as
representatives of the LLC, see Appellee’s App. Vol. II, pp. 75, 79, 88 (Letters
and Notice to Leave Premises), the fact remains that the LLC, the owner of the
property, did not lease the property to Chubb as required for the exemption to 4 apply under Section 22-9.5-3-1(a)(1). In sum, in this transaction Jim and Kim
confused and conflated themselves with their LLC.
4 We observe that even if Kim and Jim had signed the lease as agents of the LLC, their status as members of the LLC would not preclude their personal liability for their own acts. The Indiana Business Flexibility Act controls the creation and operation of LLCs in our state. With regard to the personal liability of an LLC member, this act provides:
A member, a manager, an agent, or an employee of a limited liability company is not personally liable for the debts, obligations, or liabilities of the limited liability company, whether arising in contract, tort, or otherwise, or for the acts or omissions of any other member, manager, agent, or employee of the limited liability company. A member, a
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 10 of 18 [19] Thus, having determined that the Fikes are not entitled to the Section 22-9.5-3-1
exemption, we conclude the Ultimate Authority’s exemption determination is
supported by substantial evidence. Accordingly, we need not address whether
Fike Investments LLC owns or has an interest in more than three single-family
houses or whether Zillow.com was a real estate broker at the time of this listing.
II. Emotional Distress Damages [20] The Fikes next assert the evidence does not support the award of emotional
distress damages to Chubb. Particularly, they claim that Chubb submitted no
evidence of emotional distress and that the award was based solely on
presumptions and conclusory statements.
[21] As with our evaluation of the exemption determination, our review of this
decision is limited such that we do not reweigh the evidence, judge witness
credibility, or substitute our judgment for that of the agency. Ind. Dep’t of Nat.
Res., 132 N.E.3d at 401. We are bound by the agency’s findings of fact if they
are supported by substantial evidence. Id. And, as before, the Fikes have the
manager, an agent, or an employee of a limited liability company may be personally liable for the person’s own acts or omissions.
Ind. Code § 23-18-3-3(a) (1993) (emphasis added). Given the evidence of Jim and Kim’s actions in this case as individuals rather than members of the LLC, they would be personally liable for any obligations arising therefrom. See, e.g., Pazmino v. Bose McKinney & Evans, LLP, 989 N.E.2d 784, 786-87 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013) (applying plain language of I.C. § 23-18-3-3(a) to determine whether evidence established that employee of LLC requested firm’s services on his own behalf or if he requested firm’s services on behalf of LLC).
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 11 of 18 burden of showing the invalidity of the agency’s action. See id.; I.C. § 4-21.5-5-
14(a).
[22] In fashioning a remedy under the ICRL, the Commission is authorized to
award damages for emotional distress, Ind. Code § 22-9-1-6(j)(1) (2014); Ind.
Civil Rts. Comm’n v. Alder, 714 N.E.2d 632, 637 (Ind. 1999); yet there is a dearth
of case law from our state courts on the subject. Nevertheless, we may look to
federal statutes, cases, and policy statements for guidance as the IFHA borrows
heavily from the federal Fair Housing Act and explicitly declares that one of its
purposes is “[t]o provide rights and remedies substantially equivalent to those
granted under federal law.” Furbee v. Wilson, 144 N.E.3d 801, 806 (Ind. Ct.
App. 2020); Ind. Code § 22-9.5-1-1(3) (1990). Accordingly, we turn to a federal
decision often cited for guidance.
[23] In U.S. v. Balistrieri, 981 F.2d 916, 932 (7th Cir. 1992), the court clarified that an
injured person’s testimony may, by itself, provide sufficient evidence of
emotional distress. The court explained that:
in determining whether the evidence of emotional distress is sufficient to support an award of damages, we must look at both the direct evidence of emotional distress and the circumstances of the act that allegedly caused that distress. The more inherently degrading or humiliating the defendant’s action is, the more reasonable it is to infer that a person would suffer humiliation or distress from that action; consequently, somewhat more conclusory evidence of emotional distress will be acceptable to support an award for emotional distress.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 12 of 18 Id. (internal citation omitted) (emphasis added). Further, the court noted that
the factfinder, which in this case was the ALJ:
is in the best position to evaluate both the humiliation inherent in the circumstances and the witness’s explanation of his injury. Moreover, the [factfinder] is able to examine the witness personally . . . [and] may glean as much if not more about a witness’s emotional state from the witness’s demeanor than from his attempts to explain the nature of his injury in words.
Id. at 933.
[24] At the evidentiary hearing, Chubb testified that when he was evicted he rented
two storage units because he had no place to go. Tr. Vol. 2, p. 17. He moved
his belongings into one unit, and he lived in the other. Id. at 18. The storage
units had no running water or plumbing, and, because residing in a storage unit
is not permitted, he arrived to the unit late and left early. Id. at 18, 19. He lived
this way for two and one-half weeks. Id. at 19. Chubb testified that “it was
very difficult to find another place to live, especially when you have eviction on
your record.” Id. at 18. When questioned by his attorney about how Jim and
Kim’s behavior and the eviction made him feel, Chubb explained:
Q. Let's talk about the Fikes’ behavior during this eviction. How did -- how do you feel the -- how did the Fikes’ behavior make you feel?
A. Well, I felt -- what is the word? I felt hated, because they wouldn't talk to me, they would only talk to [Chubb’s roommate].
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 13 of 18 ....
Q. So, can you explain to us how you felt having -- after the eviction and having to live in the trailer -- or at a storage unit at that time?
A. How I felt?
Q. And how you --
A. After I got a copy of the hearing, I went through it again trying to figure out what happened, and I was just a miserable wreck. I don’t know how to explain. I really don’t.
Id. at 34, 25.
[25] Based on the evidence, the ALJ found, and the Ultimate Authority later
adopted, that:
8. Chubb surreptitiously lived in the second storage unit for a period of two and a half weeks with no toilet or running water as he was unable to rent affordable housing for a period of time, due to his limited income and the eviction proceeding on his credit record.
9. Chubb suffered inconvenience, embarrassment and emotional distress caused by living in the storage unit for two and a half weeks. A person without an emotional or mental disability would find such living circumstances challenging and degrading. A person suffering from panic disorder, syncope, post-traumatic stress disorder and agoraphobia, such as Chubb, would find such living circumstances especially challenging and upsetting.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 14 of 18 Appellants’ App. Vol. 2, pp. 25-26 (Appealed Order, Findings of Fact ##8, 9).
As a result of these findings, the Ultimate Authority determined that Chubb
was entitled to damages for emotional distress and awarded him $25,000 “as
compensation for emotional distress caused by living in a storage unit for two
and a half weeks because of the unlawful and retaliatory eviction.” See id. at 28
(Appealed Order, Conclusion of Law #18); id. at 29 (Appealed Order, ¶3).
[26] Contrary to the Fikes’ assertions, Chubb’s testimony provides direct evidence of
his emotional distress. He felt “hated” and was a “miserable wreck.” Tr. Vol.
2, pp. 34, 25. And, as acknowledged by the ALJ, there is a logical and
permissible inference that it would be distressing for anyone in good mental
health to live in a storage unit for two and one-half weeks without plumbing or
running water, much less someone with mental health issues. This evidence
supports the award for emotional distress.
[27] Moreover, our review of the record reveals additional distressing circumstances.
Chubb submitted a letter to the Fikes from his treating physician confirming his
need for an emotional support animal, and in response, Jim and Kim told
Chubb they “‘would not take that BS from your doctor.’” Appellee’s App. Vol.
III, p. 184 (May 9, 2022 Order on Parties’ Cross Motions for Summary
Judgment, Finding of Fact ##8, 12). We find this comment to be inherently
degrading and humiliating, making it more reasonable to infer that Chubb
suffered emotional distress as a result of Jim and Kim’s actions. We conclude
there is substantial evidence supporting the award of damages for emotional
distress to Chubb.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 15 of 18 III. Civil Penalty [28] Lastly, the Fikes argue the Ultimate Authority acted arbitrarily and capriciously
by imposing a civil penalty, and they urge us to reverse the determination. “‘A
decision is arbitrary and capricious when it is made without consideration of
the facts and lacks any basis that may lead a reasonable person to make the
decision made by the administrative agency.’” Am. Senior Cmtys. v. Ind. Fam. &
Soc. Servs. Admin., 206 N.E.3d 495, 499 (Ind. Ct. App. 2023) (quoting Ind. Real
Estate Comm’n v. Martin, 836 N.E.2d 311, 313 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005), trans.
denied), trans. denied. As before, the burden of demonstrating the invalidity of
the agency action is on the party who asserts the invalidity. See Ind. Dep’t of Nat.
Res., 132 N.E.3d at 401; I.C. § 4-21.5-5-14(a).
[29] Following oral argument, the Ultimate Authority modified the Recommended
Order of the ALJ, in part, by:
Adding a new Paragraph to the Decision and Order section to issue a civil penalty under IC 22-9.5-6-15 against [the Fikes] in the amount of $10,000.00 based on the findings of fact, the arguments presented at oral argument, and its desire to be consistent with previous decisions rendered by the Commission for similar cases.
Appellants’ App. Vol. 2, p. 33 (ICRC Attachment A to Appealed Order, ¶3).
As cited by the Ultimate Authority, Indiana Code section 22-9.5-6-15 (1990)
provides for a civil penalty, stating in relevant part:
(a) If the commission determines at a hearing under section 14 of this chapter that a respondent has engaged in or is about to
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 16 of 18 engage in a discriminatory housing practice, the commission may order the appropriate relief, including actual damages, reasonable attorney’s fees, court costs, and other injunctive or equitable relief.
(b) To vindicate the public interest, the commission may assess a civil penalty against the respondent in an amount that does not exceed the following:
(1) Ten thousand dollars ($10,000) if the respondent has not been adjudged by order of the commission or a court to have committed a prior discriminatory housing practice.
[30] In the argument section of their brief, the Fikes make allegations regarding the
Ultimate Auhtority’s assessment of a civil penalty, but they fail to show that the
decision was made without consideration of the facts and that it lacks any basis
that would lead a reasonable person to make such a decision. See Am. Senior
Communities, 206 N.E.3d at 499.
[31] The Ultimate Authority’s authorization to assess a civil penalty is grounded in
statutory language that is clear on its face and, thus, it cannot be said there was
no reasonable basis for the action. Accordingly, we conclude that imposition of
the civil penalty was not arbitrary and capricious.
[32] Given that Jim and Kim signed the lease as individuals and not as agents of
Fike Investments, LLC, they are personally liable for their actions and
omissions under the lease. Accordingly, Jim and Kim, not the LLC, are
responsible for the damages and penalties imposed by the Ultimate Authority.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 17 of 18 Conclusion [33] Based upon the foregoing, we conclude that the Ultimate Authority’s
exemption determination and award of damages for emotional distress are both
supported by substantial evidence. Additionally, we conclude the Ultimate
Authority’s assessment of a civil penalty was not arbitrary and capricious, and
we determine that Jim and Kim Fike are personally liable for the damages and
civil penalty imposed by the Ultimate Authority.
[34] Affirmed and remanded with instructions that the Ultimate Authority modify
its final order to provide that the determination of liability, the award of
damages, and the imposition of the penalty are against only Jim Fike and Kim
Fike.
Pyle, J., and Kenworthy, J., concur.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANTS Robert J. Palmer May Oberfell Lorber Mishawaka, Indiana
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE Theodore E. Rokita Attorney General of Indiana
Abigail R. Recker Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 24A-EX-3091 | January 23, 2025 Page 18 of 18