The trial court imposed a sanction of $7,000 on BG. On appeal, this court affirmed the contempt judgment and the sanctions award. Watters v. Department of Social Services, 02-1425 (La.App. 4 Cir. 6/4/03), 849 So.2d 734, writ denied, 03-1854 (La.9/26/03), 854 So.2d 372 ( Watters II). In November 2001, the DSS, with the approval of the DOA, terminated its 1998 lease.
South East Auto Dealers Rental Ass'n, Inc. v. EZ Rent To Own, Inc., 09–0011, p. 8 (La.App. 4 Cir. 6/30/10), 42 So.3d 1094, 1099, Watters v. Dep't of Social Services, 02–1425, p. 4 (La.App. 4 Cir. 6/4/03), 849 So.2d 734, 737. Appellate courts use the manifest error rule when reviewing the propriety of civil contempt orders. Joseph v. Entergy, 05–0263, p. 6 (La.App.
South East Auto Dealers Rental Ass'n, Inc. v. EZ Rent to Own, Inc., 09–0011, p. 8 (La.App. 4 Cir. 6/30/10), 42 So.3d 1094, 1099,Watters v. Dep't of Social Services, 02–1425, p. 4 (La.App. 4 Cir. 6/4/03), 849 So.2d 734, 737. In its reasons for judgment, the trial court explained that he was holding Peter in contempt for not making the ordered repairs within sixty days as ordered.
A trial court is vested with great discretion in determining whether circumstances warrant holding a party in constructive contempt of court pursuant to La.C.C.P. article 224 for willful disobedience of a court order. Watters v. Department of Social Services, 2002-1425, p. 4 (La.App. 4 Cir. 6/4/03), 849 So.2d 734, 737. We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in holding EZ in constructive contempt for violation of the April 1, 2008 preliminary injunction order.
Horton v. McCary, 93-2315 (La. 4/11/94), 635 So.2d 199, 205 (J. Kimball dissents, citing Stobart v. State Through Dept. of Transportation and Development, 617 So.2d 880 (La. 1993)). Watters v. Department of Social Services 2002-1425 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2003), 849 So.2d 734. The district court found the appellants in constructive contempt of court for failing to provide a full defense for Eagle after the "clear mandate to counsel for the insurers in open court, on the record, on April 16, 2004, and their refusal to obey that judgment."