Imen v. Glassford

201 Cal. App. 3d 898, 247 Cal. Rptr. 514, 1988 Cal. App. LEXIS 509

• Court: California Court of Appeal
• Decided: May 31, 1988
• Docket: D004896
• Status: Published

Opinions

Opinion

WIENER, Acting P. J.

In this atypical real estate transaction, defendant Harry Warner Glassford, a licensed real estate salesman, named himself as copurchaser with Barbara Ward on the written agreement to buy the residence owned by the plaintiffs, Mehdi and Goltaj Imen (the Imens), in order to generate a real estate commission for himself. Shortly after the close of escrow, Glassford quitclaimed his interest in the property to Ward who promptly defaulted on secured notes which represented substantially all of the purchase price. The Imens then filed this action against Glassford, his principal and others seeking damages caused by their fraud, negligence and breach of contract in inducing them to sell their property on terms which Glassford had no intention of performing.

The Real Estate Commissioner, also concerned with Glassford’s allegedly improper conduct, accused Glassford of violating his statutory duties. After a two-day hearing the administrative law judge found Glassford acted fraudulently—entering into a real estate contract with clients having no intention of performing his written promises. The Real Estate Commissioner adopted the findings of the administrative law judge and revoked Glass-ford’s licenses as a real estate salesman and broker. The Imens later relied on the commissioner’s decision in successfully moving for summary adjudication on the issue of Glassford’s fraud. In an evidentiary proceeding under Code of Civil Procedure sections 585 and 636 the court awarded the Imens $98,808.77 compensatory damages, $40,000 punitive damages and $20,000 attorneys’ fees.

Glassford appeals from the judgment entered on the court’s findings. He argues the court erred in relying on the doctrine of collateral estoppel to summarily adjudicate his fraud, the antideficiency statutes preclude an award of compensatory and punitive damages and there is no legal basis on which to award attorneys’ fees. We partially agree concluding the court applied the wrong measure of damages for Glassford’s fraud and had no authority to award attorneys’ fees. In computing damages Glassford is also entitled to the benefit of $17,500 representing the amount of the settlement paid to the Imens by the other defendants. We therefore reverse the judgment to permit a limited retrial on the issue of compensatory damages. In all other respects we affirm concluding in the circumstances of this case the doctrine of collateral estoppel was properly applied in summarily adjudicating Glassford’s fraud and the antideficiency statutes do not preclude an award of tort damages.

Procedural and Factual Background

I

The following verbatim recitation of part of the Real Estate Commissioner’s decision revoking Glassford’s licenses is not only to set out the details of the Imens’ sale to Glassford and Ward, but to highlight the issues decided in the administrative proceeding necessary for our later discussion of collateral estoppel.

“This matter came on regularly for hearing before Ronald M. Gruen, Administrative Law Judge of the Office of Administrative Hearings, at San Diego, California, on October 13, 14, 1983, at 9:00 a.m. Robert Howell, Counsel, Department of Real Estate, represented the complainant. Respondent Harry Warner Glassford appeared in person and was represented by John Pasto, Attorney at Law. Oral and documentary evidence having been received and the matter submitted, the Administrative Law Judge finds by clear and convincing proof the following facts:

“Í

“The Complainant, Carl Lewis, a Deputy Real Estate Commissioner of the State of California, filed the Accusation in his official capacity.

“in salesperson. On and after July 30, 1982, he was licensed by the Department as a real estate broker.

“At all times herein mentioned, respondent Glassford was licensed by the Department of Real Estate (hereinafter the Department) as a real estate

“Pauling Property [the Imens’ Property]

“V

“On or about May 22, 1981, Mehdi and Goltha Imen (hereinafter the Sellers) were the owners of certain real property located at 4606 Pauling Avenue, San Diego, California (hereinafter the Property).

“VI

“On May 22, 1981, [Glassford’s co-agent real estate salesman] Weiner obtained from the Sellers an Exclusive Authorization and Right to Sell agreement (hereinafter the Listing Agreement) under the terms of which, in relevant part, Weiner, on behalf of his employing broker, agreed to use diligence in procuring a purchaser for the Property; the Sellers agreed to pay a commission to Weiner’s broker in the amount of 6% of total sales price, and Weiner’s employing broker was authorized by the Seller to cooperate with subagents.

“VII

“On or about July 15, 1981, respondent Glassford, a co-employee of Weiner working for the same employing broker, procured from Barbara Ward (hereinafter the Buyer) a Real Estate Purchase Contract and Receipt for Deposit (hereinafter the Offer), under the relevant terms of which the Buyer offered to purchase the Property for a total price of $132,500 under certain terms and conditions. The Buyer put down a $500 deposit as earnest money for the offer.

“VIII

“After negotiation, a bargain was struck under the relevant terms of which the sales price would be $133,500; Buyer’s down payment would be $500 cash and a $5,000 note payable in two years. Sellers would take back a third trust deed from Buyer in the amount of $36,150 at 12% interest and Sellers would obtain in their own name a $30,000 note and deed of trust secured by the Property, much of the proceeds of which would go for closing costs and commissions. Buyer would take the property subject to the above mentioned $30,000 trust deed and would assume the $62,350 first trust deed.

“IX

“When the Buyer failed to show that she could qualify for assumption of the $62,350 first trust deed, respondent Glassford promised Sellers to become a co-owner of the Property, together with the Buyer, in order to assist Buyer in qualifying for assumption of the first trust deed. Respondent Glassford also agreed with Sellers to guarantee payments on all three trust deeds. Escrow instructions were redrafted by respondent and Weiner to state falsely that the Buyer and respondent were putting $41,000 into escrow to induce the lender to allow assumption of the first trust deed by Buyer and respondent.

“Weiner was not shown to be a party to the false statement, in that he had no reason to know of or believe the false intentions on the part of the respondent.

“X

“Escrow closed September 15, 1981. On October 5, 1981, respondent Glassford executed a quit-claim deed granting his interest in the Property to the Buyer. Said deed went unrecorded until November 5, 1981. Shortly thereafter the Buyer defaulted on all loans.

“XI

“All actions of respondent Glassford were done for or in expectation of a compensation for performing acts for which a real estate license is required.

“XII

“At no time has respondent Glassford made any payments on any of the notes secured by the Property despite demands to do so.

“XIII

“At the time respondent Glassford agreed with Sellers that he would guarantee payment of the notes and would become a co-owner of the Property, he had no intention of performing the said promises.

“XIV

“Because of the conduct of the respondent, the Sellers were deprived of the benefit of their bargain and their security interest in the Property was placed in jeopardy of extinguishment. Further the lender secured by the 1st deed of trust was deceived into permitting the assumption of a loan they might not otherwise have done but for the conduct of the respondent.

“However, prior to foreclosure proceedings on the property by the secured lienholders, respondent and Weiner undertook to resell the property for the Sellers to a third party. The record is silent as to any financial or out-of-pocket loss to the Sellers as a result of such resale.

“XV

“Respondent contends that the only reason he promised Sellers to become co-owner of the property was to enable Barbara Ward to qualify for the assumption of the first trust deed loan, and that after escrow closed he intended to quit-claim his interest in the property to Ward or a third party investor. Respondent claims this was the understanding he had with Sellers and their agent Weiner, and further that Sellers knew that respondent had no intention of carrying through with his guarantee for payment on the three deeds of trust spelled out in the agreement between the parties.

“Such contentions are patently without merit and contrary to the clear weight of the evidence.”

II

In seeking a summary resolution of Glassford’s liability, the Imens asked the court to take judicial notice of the Real Estate Commissioner’s decision. The Imens also submitted a statement of material facts which were undisputed and supporting proofs in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure section 437c, subdivision (b). That statement, with appropriate references to the administrative decision, supporting declarations, or relevant depositions included the relationship between Glassford and his real estate broker, the details of Glassford’s July 15, 1981, offer from Ward, the Imens’ reliance on the offer and the later events resulting in Glassford’s receipt of a commission and his relinquishment of his interest in the property.

Glassford’s opposing declaration disagreed with the Imens’ characterization of the transaction and the propriety of using the administrative hearing as the means to decide controverted facts. Glassford’s opposing declaration explained that he was to “become a co-owner of the property in question along with Ms. Ward. . . . [intending] to only remain on title for a short period of time”; that he “never made any representations to the plaintiffs[²] that [he] would guarantee payment on any trust deeds”; and that he had “fully and completely explained to the plaintiffs that [he] would only remain on title until Ms. Ward found an investor.”

Glassford also declared: “I never made any representations to the plaintiffs that were not true. They were fully informed that I would only remain on title briefly and they indicated they had to sell the property no matter what the possible consequences were, [fl] I never made any statements that I had no intention of performing my legal obligations incurred from the transaction in question. As a real estate broker at that time I was fully aware of my legal responsibilities in becoming a co-signor on a note and trust deed. [1]] I did not make any representations of any kind to the plaintiffs which were not true. No representations were made to induce them to go forward with the purchase which were not true.”

The court used the findings contained in the administrative decision in summarily adjudicating Glassford’s liability based on fraud. Following this determination the Imens settled with the other defendants and gave Glass-ford notice of the court date in which they intended to establish their damages for fraud. Glassford, acting as his own counsel, appeared at that hearing. Both he and Mehdi Imen testified. Based on the evidence presented the court awarded damages as set forth above.

Discussion

Relying on Parklane Hosiery Co. v. Shore (1979) 439 U.S. 322 [58 L.Ed.2d 552, 99 S.Ct. 645] and his state constitutional right to a trial by jury (Cal. Const., art. I, § 16), Glassford contends that summary adjudication of his liability is simply wrong. In making this argument Glassford overlooks the rationale of Parklane and ignores California precedent which must control our decision.

We first wish to acknowledge that the application of the doctrine of collateral estoppel is not the sine qua non for efficient use of the courts. Obviously there are times when its application will promote the sound public policy of limiting litigation by preventing a party who has had one fair trial on an issue from again drawing that issue into controversy (Bernhard v. Bank of America (1942) 19 Cal.2d 807, 811 [122 P.2d 892]) and by avoiding inconsistent judgments which are contrary to our perception of the judicial system (People v. Taylor (1974) 12 Cal.3d 686, 695 [117 Cal.Rptr. 70, 527 P.2d 622]). There are other occasions, however, when the need for efficiency and judicial economy must be subordinated to a party’s right to a fair adversary hearing in which the party will be given the opportunity to fully present his or her case.

In Parklane Hosiery Co. v. Shore, supra, 439 U.S. 322, the United States Supreme Court emphasized that courts must go through a careful weighing process to determine the fairness of applying the doctrine of collateral estoppel. In explaining the problems associated with the offensive use of collateral estoppel contrasted with its defensive use, Parklane cautioned that offensive use may be both inefficient and unfair to a defendant.

“If a defendant in the first action is sued for small or nominal damages, he may have little incentive to defend vigorously, particularly if future suits are not foreseeable. [Citations.] Allowing offensive collateral estoppel may also be unfair to a defendant if the judgment relied upon as a basis for the estoppel is itself inconsistent with one or more previous judgments in favor of the defendant. Still another situation where it might be unfair to apply offensive estoppel is where the second action affords the defendant procedural opportunities unavailable in the first action that could readily cause a different result.” (At pp. 330-331 [58 L.Ed.2d at pp. 561-562].)

Parklane nonetheless held that the offensive use of collateral estoppel was permitted in the broad discretion of the trial court except in certain circumstances including the situation when its application “would be unfair to a defendant.” (Ibid.; italics added.)

In reaching this conclusion Parklane stated that in considering whether the earlier finding could be used “the presence or absence of a jury as factfinder is basically neutral.” (Id. at p. 332, fn. 19 [58 L.Ed.2d at p. 563].)

In People v. Sims (1982) 32 Cal.3d 468 [186 Cal.Rptr. 77, 651 P.2d 321] the California Supreme Court expressed concerns similar to those articulated in Parklane in discussing whether a decision reached in an administrative proceeding could serve as the basis for collateral estoppel in a later trial. Relying on federal precedent (United States v. Utah Const. Co. (1966) 384 U.S. 394 [16 L.Ed.2d 642, 86 S.Ct. 1545]) Sims held that the decision to use collateral estoppel turns on whether the administrative agency acted in a judicial capacity and resolved disputed issues of fact which the parties had an adequate opportunity to litigate. (Sims at p. 479.) In determining whether the agency had acted in a “judicial capacity” the court must consider the presence of “factors indicating that the administrative proceedings and determination possessed a ‘ “judicial” character.’ ” (Ibid.) These factors include whether (1) the administrative hearing was conducted in a judicial-like adversary proceeding; (2) the proceedings required witnesses to testify under oath; (3) the agency determination involved the adjudicatory application of rules to a single set of facts; (4) the proceedings were conducted before an impartial hearing officer; (5) the parties had the right to subpoena witnesses and present documentary evidence; and (6) the administrative agency maintained a verbatim record of the proceedings. (Id. at pp. 479-480.) Additional factors include whether the hearing officer’s decision was adjudicatory and in writing with a statement of reasons. Finally, was that reasoned decision adopted by the director of the agency with the potential for later judicial review. (Ibid; see also 7 Witkin, Cal. Procedure (3d ed. 1985) Judgment, § 241, pp. 677-680.)

In this case each factor identified in Sims as important to a determination of “judicial capacity” is present.

Business and Professions Code section 10100 provides that before suspending or revoking any real estate license the real estate department must proceed under the provisions relating to administrative adjudication set out in Government Code section 11500 et seq. By definition Glassford received an adjudicatory hearing (Gov. Code, § 11500, subd. (f)). An adjudicatory hearing requires that testimony must be received under oath, the right to cross-examine and confront adversary witnesses, the right to representation and a formal decision. (Gov. Code, § 11500, subds. (f)(l)(2)(3) and (4)). After the hearing the administrative law judge makes recommendations to the commissioner who may accept or reject them. (Gov. Code, § 11517; Rylander v. Karpe (1976) 60 Cal.App.3d 317, 320 [131 Cal.Rptr. 415].) In addition a licensee dissatisfied with the administrative decision can compel judicial review (Gov. Code, § 11523; see Ryander v. Karpe, supra.) Thus the statutory scheme permits and Glassford exercised each of his statutory rights. He was represented by counsel; he presented oral and documentary evidence; he cross-examined witnesses. Glassford received a fair hearing.

Of equal importance is that Parklane’s legitimate concern that the defendant may “have little incentive to defend vigorously” is absent. Glass-ford was certainly motivated to participate in the administrative hearing. He wanted to protect his license—the source of his income.

It is also significant that in no way does our conclusion applying the doctrine of collateral estoppel interfere with the statutory scheme governing real estate licensees. The revocation of a professional licensee should not be viewed by either the professional organization or the licensee as an insignificant proceeding treated in a cavalier fashion. As we have noted above the application of specified administrative procedures insulates the licensee from arbitrary action by the licensing entity. This statutory purpose is served when the licensee has further reason to vigorously contest an accusation which can result in financial liability beyond the scope of the hearing. Thus our holding has no detrimental affect on other public policy considerations that may in other situations work against application of the doctrine of collateral estoppel. (See e.g. Standefer v. United States (1980) 447 U.S. 10, 25 [64 L.Ed.2d 689, 701, 100 S.Ct. 1999]; Rest. 2d, Judgments, §§ 29, com. b and 83, subds. (3) and (4).)

We therefore hold that consistent with both California and United States Supreme Court precedent that on the facts of this case Glassford received a constitutionally fair hearing in the administrative proceeding permitting the trial court to later summarily adjudicate his fraud on the basis of the real estate commissioner’s decision.

Glassford asserts that notwithstanding the fairness of the earlier proceeding, a different issue was resolved in the administrative proceeding than was presented in his civil case. He says the Real Estate Commissioner’s accusation did not charge him with whether the Imens reasonably relied upon any of his promises and accordingly the decision could not have decided that issue. Not only is this assertion contrary to the express finding made by the administrative law judge, but it is contrary to the uncontroverted declaration of Mehdi Imen.

The administrative law judge decided the identical questions which were raised by the Imens’ complaint. The court was thus justified in summarily deciding those factual issues in a similar fashion. Glassford’s conduct constituted fraud.

III-V

*

Disposition

The judgment is reversed to permit a limited retrial on the issue of compensatory damages consistent with this opinion. Following retrial the amount of the judgment shall be reduced by $17,500 and shall not include attorneys’ fees. In all other respects the judgment is affirmed. The defendant Harry Warner Glassford shall bear all costs for this appeal.

Todd, J., concurred.

2 For some reason the declaration of Harry Warner Glassford uses the singular possessive where clearly the plural nonpossessive is intended. For the sake of clarity we have corrected each of these references in the quotations.

See footnote 1, ante, page 898.