Opinion
NO. 01-14-00539-CV
02-07-2017
TAN DUC CONSTRUCTION LIMITED COMPANY, INC. AND HOANG-YEN THI DANG, Appellants v. JIMMY TRAN, Appellee
On Appeal from the 309th District Court Harris County, Texas
Trial Court Case No. 2010-48243
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Appellee Jimmy Tran has filed a motion for en banc reconsideration of our October 6, 2016 opinion and judgment. We withdraw our opinion and judgment of October 6, 2016, and issue this opinion and a new judgment in their stead. Accordingly, we dismiss the motion for en banc reconsideration as moot. See, e.g., Brookshire Bros. v. Smith, 176 S.W.3d 30, 41 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2005, pet. denied).
This appeal arises from common-law tort claims adjudicated as part of a divorce proceeding. Appellee Jimmy Tran petitioned for divorce from his wife, appellant Hoang-Yen Thi Dang. Tran also asserted fraud and other tort claims against Dang and Tan Duc Construction Limited Company, Inc. ("Tan Duc"), a company Tran alleged was controlled by Dang. The trial court entered a judgment based on the jury's findings that Dang committed fraud and awarded Tran damages to compensate him for the loss of his interest in their house in Piney Point, plus exemplary damages.
Dang challenges the trial court's judgment, contending, among other things, that (1) legally insufficient evidence supports the damages award, (2) Tran's damages expert's testimony was unreliable, and (3) the trial court erred by failing to submit a measure of damages. Tan Duc also appealed, arguing that the trial court improperly denied its request for attorney's fees.
Because the jury's award of actual damages was not supported by legally sufficient evidence, we reverse the portion of the judgment awarding actual and exemplary damages to Tran and render judgment that Tran take nothing on his causes of action against Dang. We affirm the remainder of the trial court's judgment.
Background
Tran and Dang were married in 2007, after they executed a premarital agreement. The agreement provided that all then-existing separate property would remain separate property, and that any assets or liabilities acquired by either party during the marriage would remain separate property. Each party waived any right to support from the other.
In 2010, Tran filed a petition for divorce and asserted claims for breach of the premarital agreement, common-law fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and civil conspiracy. Tran claimed that Dang breached the agreement by failing to give him a gift of cash, stock, real estate or other assets worth $1 million within 30 days of the consummation of the marriage. Tran also alleged that Dang committed fraud and breached her fiduciary duties to him with respect to several properties that the couple jointly owned during their marriage, including their house located at 11440 Memorial. Tran also sued Tan Duc, contending that it was controlled by Dang and had conspired with Dang to fraudulently transfer property.
The jury did not find any damages with respect to the commercial properties; accordingly, we focus on the claims and trial evidence pertaining to the couple's house.
Tran's tort claims were tried to a jury. At trial, Tran testified that in October 2007, shortly after he and Dang married, he transferred a 25% interest in the house to Dang and a 25% interest to each of Dang's two daughters. Tran did not allege that these transfers were induced by fraud. Around this same time, Tran mortgaged the house. He executed one promissory note for $2.5 million and another for $500,000. Both notes were personally guaranteed by him alone, and both were secured by the house.
Tran testified that in March of 2010, Dang told him that they should transfer their interests in the house to Tan Duc. According to Tran, Dang told him that the transfer would be financially advantageous and that he would still own his 25% interest in the house, either by gaining ownership in the entity that owned the house or by some other means. According to Tran, Dang told him that Tan Duc would pay the mortgages on the house. Tran transferred his 25% interest to Tan Duc in March 2010, and it is the ultimate loss of this 25% interest that forms the basis of Tran's fraud claim related to the house.
Dang's testimony conflicted with Tran's. Dang testified that in 2010 Tran wanted to transfer his ownership in the house to avoid foreclosure and avoid paying property taxes. According to Dang, Tran wanted Tan Duc to assume responsibility for the house because he could not pay for the notes that burdened it.
Tran, Dang, and Dang's two daughters executed a deed in March 2010 transferring each of their interests—in total, 100% of the interest in the house—to Tan Duc. According to a document executed in connection with the transfer, which Tran claims he never saw and is fraudulent, Tan Duc purchased the house for $5.77 million, $2.77 million of which was assuming the obligation to pay on Tran's two notes, which had remaining balances of $2.27 million and $500,000. Tan Duc initially made payments on the mortgages, but eventually ceased, causing a foreclosure in October 2011.
Tran's economic damages expert, Dr. Kenneth Lehrer, calculated Tran's damages from the alleged fraud. According to Lehrer, Tran's 25% interest in the house was worth approximately $800,000 when Lehrer prepared his report in 2013. Lehrer calculated this figure by determining the value of Tran's interest in the property at the time the premarital agreement was executed in 2007 and assuming a 20% increase in value each year. Lehrer testified that this figure would compensate Tran for the loss of the house to foreclosure in 2011. Lehrer testified that he did not account for any debt on the property and that he assumed that Tran had no obligation for any debt on the property at any point. Lehrer also did not calculate the value of the home at the time that Tran transferred his 25% interest in 2010.
Lehrer testified that Tran's interest could alternatively be valued by calculating 25% of the $2.62 million 2011 foreclosure sales price of the house, which was $655,000, or 25% of HCAD's assessed value of the house at the time of the foreclosure in 2011, which was $625,000. Tran also testified about the value of his interest based on the 2011 foreclosure price, calculating that his interest was worth 25% of that price, around $600,000.
The jury found that Dang did not breach the premarital agreement or breach a fiduciary duty to Tran, but found that Dang committed fraud against Tran. The jury awarded Tran $650,000 for fraud damages and $50,000 in exemplary damages. The jury found no liability on the part of Tan Duc.
Dang's Appeal
Dang asserts five issues in her appeal. She argues that (1) the trial court erred by admitting unreliable testimony from Tran's damages expert, (2) there is legally insufficient evidence to support the damages award, (3) the trial court erred by failing to submit a measure of damages for the fraud, (4) the jury's fraud and damages findings were rendered immaterial by others, and (5) the award of exemplary damages should be reversed because no evidence supports the actual damages award.
Sufficiency of the Evidence
In her second issue, Dang contends that legally insufficient evidence supports the $650,000 fraud damages award. Because this issue is dispositive, we address it first.
A. Standard of Review
In conducting a legal sufficiency review, we review the evidence presented below in a light most favorable to the jury's verdict, crediting favorable evidence if reasonable jurors could and disregarding contrary evidence unless reasonable jurors could not. Del Lago Partners, Inc. v. Smith, 307 S.W.3d 762, 770 (Tex. 2010); City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 827 (Tex. 2005). We set aside the verdict only if the evidence at trial would not enable reasonable and fair-minded people to reach the verdict under review. See City of Keller, 168 S.W.3d at 827. If more than a scintilla of evidence exists to support the finding, the legal sufficiency challenge fails. Haggar Clothing Co. v. Hernandez, 164 S.W.3d 386, 388 (Tex. 2005).
The evidence is legally insufficient only if (a) there is a complete absence of evidence of a vital fact; (b) the court is barred by rules of law or of evidence from giving weight to the only evidence offered to prove a vital fact; (c) the evidence offered to prove a vital fact is no more than a mere scintilla; or (d) the evidence establishes conclusively the opposite of the vital fact. See City of Keller, 168 S.W.3d at 810; King Ranch, Inc. v. Chapman, 118 S.W.3d 742, 751 (Tex. 2003). The trier of fact may choose to "believe one witness and disbelieve others" and "may resolve inconsistencies in the testimony of any witness." McGalliard v. Kuhlmann, 722 S.W.2d 694, 697 (Tex. 1986).
B. Applicable Law
There are two measures of direct damages in a fraud case: out-of-pocket and benefit-of-the-bargain. Formosa Plastics Corp. USA v. Presidio Eng'rs & Contractors, Inc., 960 S.W.2d 41, 49 (Tex. 1998) (citing Arthur Andersen & Co. v. Perry Equip. Corp., 945 S.W.2d 812, 817 (Tex. 1997)). Out-of-pocket damages measure the difference between the value paid and the value received. Id.; see Leyendecker & Assocs., Inc. v. Wechter, 683 S.W.2d 369, 373 (Tex. 1984) (out-of-pocket damages allow injured party "to recover the actual injury suffered measured by the difference between the value of that which he parted with, and the value of that which he has received"). Benefit-of-the-bargain damages measure the difference between the value as represented and the value received. Formosa Plastics Corp., 960 S.W.2d at 49. Both measures are determined at the time of the transfer of the interest induced by the fraud. Id.; Arthur Andersen, 945 S.W.2d at 817; Fazio v. Cypress/GR Houston I, L.P., 403 S.W.3d 390, 395 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2013, pet. denied). Furthermore, losses beyond the difference between the amount the plaintiff gave and the value he received can be recovered only as consequential damages, which must be explicitly premised on findings that the losses were foreseeable and directly traceable to the misrepresentation. See Arthur Andersen, 945 S.W.2d at 817; Fazio, 403 S.W.3d at 395.
In the absence of an objection to the court's charge, we evaluate the sufficiency of the evidence in light of the court's charge as given to the jury. Osterberg v. Peca, 12 S.W.3d 31, 55 (Tex. 2000). Where a party does not complain that the charge's measure of damages was improper or provide a proper measure of damages, an appellate court measures the sufficiency of the evidence for damages based on the language in the jury charge that was given. See Faucette v. Chantos, 322 S.W.3d 901, 912 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2010, no pet.).
C. The Charge and Charge Conference
Tran's fraud theory at trial was that Dang fraudulently induced him to transfer his 25% interest in the house to Tan Duc in 2010. Question 13, the damages question, asked the jury:
What sum of money, if any, if paid now in cash, would fairly and reasonably compensate Jimmy Tran for his damages, if any, that resulted from the conduct of Hoang-Yen Thi Dang?
If you answered "No" to Question 7, related to fiduciary duty, you must further find that any resultant damages were "proximately caused" by Hoang[-]Yen Thi Dang.
"Proximate cause" means a cause that was a substantial factor in bringing about an event, and without which cause such event would not have occurred. In order to be a proximate cause, the act or omission complained of must be such that a person using the degree of care required of him would have foreseen that the event, or some similar event, might reasonably result therefrom. There may be more than one proximate cause of any event.
Consider the following elements of damages, if any, and none other.
Do not add any amount for interest on damages, if any.
Answer separately in dollars and cents for damages, if any, related to each of the following at the time of the failure to comply or fraud:
| 1. 11440 Memorial | Answer $ 650,000 |
|---|---|
| 2. Venus Plaza. LP | Answer $ 0 |
| 3. Venus Park Subdivision | Answer $ 0 |
| 4. Furniture and Fixtures | Answer $ 0 |
|---|---|
| 5. Gift (Question 4) | Answer $ 0 |
Although Tran's theory of the case was that Dang defrauded him in March 2010 when she persuaded him to transfer his 25% interest in the house to Tan Duc, her proposed instruction at the charge conference focused on the house's value in October 2011. Dang requested that the jury be instructed that the proper measure of fraud damages was "the difference between the value of the property in question at the date of foreclosure [in 2011] and the remaining balance due on the indebtedness [in 2011]." The trial court thus correctly denied this request. See Formosa Plastics Corp., 960 S.W.2d at 49 (out-of-pocket damages measure difference between value paid and received and benefit-of-the-bargain damages measure difference between value represented and received; both are determined at time of transfer of interest induced by fraud); Arthur Andersen, 945 S.W.2d at 817 (same); Fazio, 403 S.W.3d at 394-95 (same).
Dang did not otherwise object to the damages question in the charge. Accordingly, we will measure the sufficiency of the evidence of fraud damages based on the language in the jury charge that was given. See Faucette, 322 S.W.3d at 912 (where party fails to provide proper measure of damages, appellate court measures sufficiency based on language in jury charge as given).
D. Analysis
With respect to fraud damages, Question 13 told the jury to assess fraud damages "at the time of the . . . fraud." The jury was instructed that:
Fraud occurs when—Thus, the jury was instructed to measure fraud damages at the time that Tran acted on Dang's alleged misrepresentation—which, according to Tran, was when he transferred his 25% interest to Tan Duc in March 2010. See Arthur Andersen, 945 S.W.2d at 817 (fraud damages are measured at time of sale induced by fraud); Fazio, 403 S.W.3d at 395 (fraud, and fraud damages, occur at time plaintiff transfers his interest due to fraud, and "not at some future time").
1. A party makes a material misrepresentation, and
2. The misrepresentation is made with knowledge of its falsity or made recklessly without any knowledge of the truth and as a positive assertion, and
3. The misrepresentation is made with the intention that it should be acted on by the other party, and
4. The other party relies on the misrepresentation and thereby suffers injury.
Tran argues that the damages award is supported by evidence of the house's value at various points in time, including when the parties first married in 2007, when the house was foreclosed in October 2011, and when Lehrer prepared his expert report in 2013. But in order to show that he was damaged by the fraud, Tran was required to put on damages evidence regarding the value of the home in March 2010, when he was purportedly fraudulently induced to transfer his interest. See Formosa Plastics Corp., 960 S.W.2d at 49; Arthur Andersen, 945 S.W.2d at 817; Fazio, 403 S.W.3d at 395. Tran put on no such evidence. Neither Tran nor Lehrer testified about the value of the house in 2010. Thus, Tran did not adduce any evidence to permit the jury to calculate damages based on the allegedly fraudulently induced transfer.
The only record evidence pertaining to the value of the home in 2010 is a document allegedly executed in connection with the transfer which states that Tan Duc paid $5.77 million for the home. Tran maintained throughout trial, on appeal, rehearing, and in his motion for reconsideration en banc that this document is a sham, fraudulent, and cannot be relied upon for any purpose. Dr. Lehrer did not testify about or rely upon this document in any way when opining regarding Tran's damages.
Viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the jury's verdict, crediting favorable evidence if reasonable jurors could and disregarding contrary evidence unless reasonable jurors could not, there is no legally sufficient evidence of the value of the home in March 2010 at the time that Tran transferred his 25% interest. See City of Keller, 168 S.W.3d at 810. Accordingly, we hold that the evidence is legally insufficient to support the $650,000 fraud damages award. See id. at 827; see, e.g., Fazio, 403 S.W.3d at 395-96 (legally insufficient evidence supported damages award based upon evidence of property value three years after fraud, and trial court properly disregarded jury's finding and awarded $0 in fraud damages). Because Tran did not adduce evidence regarding the value of the home at the time that he transferred his interest due to the alleged fraud, we will render judgment that Tran take nothing by his fraud claim. See Guevara v. Ferrer, 247 S.W.3d 662, 669-70 (Tex. 2007).
We sustain Dang's second issue.
Exemplary Damages
In her fifth issue, Dang argues that the award of $50,000 in exemplary damages to Tran must be reversed because the underlying actual damages award is supported by legally insufficient evidence. Exemplary damages may not be awarded without an award of actual tort damages. See Twin City Fire Ins. Co. v. Davis, 904 S.W.2d 663, 665 (Tex. 1995). Because we hold that legally insufficient evidence supports the award of actual damages, we must also reverse the award of exemplary damages. See id.; see also Paradigm Oil, Inc. v. Retamco Operating, Inc., 242 S.W.3d 67, 75 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2007, pet. denied) (reversing award of exemplary damages because insufficient evidence supported award of actual damages).
We sustain Dang's fifth issue.
Because we have concluded that the awards of actual and exemplary damages must be reversed and a take-nothing judgment rendered, we do not reach Dang's first, third, and fourth issues, which would afford her no greater relief.
In her first issue, Dang contends that the trial court erred by admitting Tran's damages expert's testimony. In her third issue, Dang contends that the trial court erred by failing to submit a measure of damages. In her fourth issue, Dang argues that the jury's findings regarding fraud and fraud damages were rendered immaterial by the jury's negative response to a question regarding the basis for Tran's decision to deed his interest in the house to Tan Duc.
Tan Duc's Appeal
In four issues, Tan Duc argues that the trial court erred by denying it attorney's fees. Tan Duc contends that it timely counterclaimed for attorney's fees and costs and timely submitted a motion requesting fees to the trial court. Although the record contains a petition with a counterclaim for fees, Tan Duc does not identify any motion for fees in the appellate record, and we have found none. Because the record does not reflect that Tan Duc asked the trial court to award attorney's fees on any of the bases raised in its brief on appeal, we hold that it has waived its appellate arguments regarding fees. See TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1 (to preserve complaint for appellate review, record must show that party made request to trial court and that trial court ruled on request); Enter. Leasing Co. of Houston v. Barrios, 156 S.W.3d 547, 549-50 (Tex. 2004) (party bears burden to request items in clerk's record not included pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 34.5); Christiansen v. Prezelski, 782 S.W.2d 842, 843 (Tex. 1990) (burden is on appellant to present sufficient record to show error requiring reversal).
We overrule Tan Duc's four issues.
Conclusion
We reverse the portion of the judgment awarding $650,000 in actual damages and $50,000 in exemplary damages to Tran and render judgment that Tran take nothing on his causes of action against Dang. We affirm the trial court's judgment as to Tan Duc. The remainder of the trial court's judgment, which no party attacked on appeal, is undisturbed. The clerk of the trial court shall release Dang from further liability on the supersedeas bond she filed in the case.
Rebeca Huddle
Justice Panel consists of Chief Justice Radack and Justices Higley and Huddle.