1
00:00:00,233 --> 00:00:02,567
She gave you the money as a gift?

2
00:00:02,633 --> 00:00:07,333
She cheated on me, and she said please,
I want to help you with your situation.

3
00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:10,667
-She gave you money 'cause she's stupid.
-Yes.

4
00:00:10,734 --> 00:00:14,433
I was gonna leave,
and she begged me to stay with her.

5
00:00:14,500 --> 00:00:16,900
So far, you're not impressing me.
You understand that?

6
00:00:16,967 --> 00:00:19,633
[narrator]
This is Judy Justice.

7
00:00:19,700 --> 00:00:21,166
[theme music playing]

8
00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:40,834
[narrator]
Tonya Graziano is suing her ex-boyfriend

9
00:00:40,900 --> 00:00:45,000
Benny Shakta for unpaid personal loans.

10
00:00:45,066 --> 00:00:47,166
[Kevin]
Court, come to order. All rise.

11
00:00:48,433 --> 00:00:49,934
[Judy]
Have a seat, please.

12
00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:52,433
Judge, case 4080, Graziano versus Shakta.

13
00:00:52,500 --> 00:00:53,600
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.

14
00:00:53,667 --> 00:00:55,767
[Judy] Miss Graziano,
what do you do for a living?

15
00:00:55,834 --> 00:00:57,433
I'm a registered nurse, Your Honor.

16
00:00:57,500 --> 00:00:58,967
-You live alone?
-For the most part.

17
00:00:59,033 --> 00:01:01,033
Sometimes my mom comes
and stays with me.

18
00:01:01,100 --> 00:01:03,133
And being a nurse
is your only source of income?

19
00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:04,900
For the most part, yes, Your Honor.

20
00:01:04,967 --> 00:01:08,767
It is your claim that you made two loans
to Mr. Shakta.

21
00:01:08,834 --> 00:01:09,967
Yes.

22
00:01:10,033 --> 00:01:12,367
[Judy]
With whom you were involved romantically.

23
00:01:12,433 --> 00:01:13,500
Yes.

24
00:01:13,567 --> 00:01:16,265
One for $6,000, one for $5,000.

25
00:01:16,333 --> 00:01:19,800
The defendant said that you made
no loans to him, they were gifts.

26
00:01:19,867 --> 00:01:23,633
And you know what it's like to make a gift
and to make a loan,

27
00:01:23,700 --> 00:01:26,533
because you did, in fact,
make another loan to him

28
00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:31,133
in a substantial amount of money,
$325,000...

29
00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:32,633
-Correct.
-[Judy] ...more recently,

30
00:01:32,700 --> 00:01:35,233
and that was to buy
a piece of commercial property.

31
00:01:35,300 --> 00:01:38,400
Just for my own information,
so that I know where we are,

32
00:01:38,467 --> 00:01:40,066
did you inherit some money?

33
00:01:40,133 --> 00:01:42,967
Because you didn't get this $325,000

34
00:01:43,033 --> 00:01:45,000
-from being a registered nurse.
-No.

35
00:01:45,066 --> 00:01:49,633
No, but I've been doing investments too
since I was a young child.

36
00:01:49,700 --> 00:01:53,133
So, I had, you know, just invested money

37
00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:56,265
and I had some money.
I was trying to help him out.

38
00:01:56,333 --> 00:01:58,900
So, I did that business loan,
but that's separate.

39
00:01:58,967 --> 00:02:03,133
Okay. So now, tell me,
when did you make this first loan,

40
00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:06,834
which was allegedly for $6,000
to the defendant?

41
00:02:06,900 --> 00:02:09,199
That was on July 19th of last year.

42
00:02:09,265 --> 00:02:11,433
Were you living together at the time?

43
00:02:11,500 --> 00:02:15,734
That's the thing, it was off and on.
He was kind of living with me.

44
00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:18,400
-I was going--
-In July of 2023?

45
00:02:18,466 --> 00:02:20,500
Was he living with you,
is the question.

46
00:02:20,567 --> 00:02:23,266
-Yes.
-When you made this loan?

47
00:02:23,333 --> 00:02:24,934
-[Tonya] Yes.
-Of $6,000.

48
00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:29,333
Can you tell me the circumstances
surrounding making the loan of $6,000?

49
00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:34,033
I made him the loan
because he was in a financial hardship.

50
00:02:34,100 --> 00:02:38,000
And I wanted to help him out.
I've known him for a very long time.

51
00:02:38,066 --> 00:02:40,367
As a matter of fact, more than 30 years.

52
00:02:40,433 --> 00:02:42,867
And we had a friendship too, as well.

53
00:02:42,934 --> 00:02:47,600
And I had given him the loan because
he was trying to get back on his feet.

54
00:02:47,667 --> 00:02:52,966
He was going for his insurance license,
and he was waiting to obtain that.

55
00:02:53,033 --> 00:02:55,433
And so, that's why I gave him the loan.

56
00:02:55,500 --> 00:02:59,934
Okay. Do you have any proof
dating back to July of 2023

57
00:03:00,066 --> 00:03:02,100
that you made him a loan?

58
00:03:02,166 --> 00:03:04,767
-[Tonya] Yes, I do.
-I'd like to see it.

59
00:03:04,834 --> 00:03:09,867
So, what I'll be presenting to you is,
I have proof of the check that was cashed.

60
00:03:09,934 --> 00:03:15,467
Also, if you like, I have bank statements
for both times I gave him a loan.

61
00:03:18,734 --> 00:03:21,600
[Judy]
Okay. I see a check for $6,000,

62
00:03:21,667 --> 00:03:25,600
July 19th, 2023.

63
00:03:25,667 --> 00:03:29,433
You have any communication
with him via text or anything else

64
00:03:29,500 --> 00:03:31,300
about this $6,000?

65
00:03:31,367 --> 00:03:33,633
[Tonya] I have both loans.
We just generally talked

66
00:03:33,700 --> 00:03:35,867
that he was gonna
pay me back the money.

67
00:03:35,934 --> 00:03:37,300
I'm asking you a question.

68
00:03:37,367 --> 00:03:42,667
Do you have any text or emails
about this check for $6,000?

69
00:03:42,734 --> 00:03:45,800
Not specifically that one check.
It was both checks.

70
00:03:45,867 --> 00:03:47,500
When was the second check?

71
00:03:47,567 --> 00:03:51,466
The second check was in December.
December 19th, 2023.

72
00:03:51,533 --> 00:03:54,300
I assume you have that canceled check
for me as well.

73
00:03:54,367 --> 00:03:56,533
-[Tonya] Yes.
-I'd like to see that.

74
00:04:03,734 --> 00:04:07,266
Okay. This is for $5,000,
and that's in December.

75
00:04:07,333 --> 00:04:10,767
So, my first question to you is,
how was he supposed

76
00:04:10,834 --> 00:04:14,667
to repay the July $6,000 loan?

77
00:04:14,734 --> 00:04:16,966
The payment plan was verbally.
He said when--

78
00:04:17,033 --> 00:04:19,600
No-no. What was the payment plan?

79
00:04:19,667 --> 00:04:24,266
When was he supposed to start
to pay you back this $6,000?

80
00:04:24,332 --> 00:04:26,000
There was no specific date.

81
00:04:26,066 --> 00:04:27,734
[Judy]
Okay. So, that's the answer.

82
00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:31,433
And I assume that
between July and December,

83
00:04:31,500 --> 00:04:34,867
he made no payments on the $6,000?

84
00:04:34,933 --> 00:04:36,734
-No.
-So, in December,

85
00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:39,400
-you gave him another $5,000?
-Yes.

86
00:04:39,467 --> 00:04:41,266
You want to tell me why?

87
00:04:41,332 --> 00:04:44,300
Because he was making every attempt
to start working.

88
00:04:44,367 --> 00:04:46,300
And he got his insurance license,

89
00:04:46,367 --> 00:04:49,767
and he had an employer as well,
that he was working for.

90
00:04:49,834 --> 00:04:52,166
He was making every effort.
So, I was thinking--

91
00:04:52,233 --> 00:04:54,933
[Judy] What effort was he making?
He hadn't given you any money.

92
00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:57,300
Just a second.
He hadn't given you any money

93
00:04:57,367 --> 00:05:01,567
between July and December.
So, what is the every effort that he made?

94
00:05:01,633 --> 00:05:03,867
He didn't give you $100,
he didn't give you $50.

95
00:05:03,934 --> 00:05:06,567
He gave you nothing.
Were you living with him in December?

96
00:05:06,633 --> 00:05:07,633
Yes.

97
00:05:07,700 --> 00:05:10,633
Were you living with him
between July and December?

98
00:05:10,700 --> 00:05:13,600
-Yes.
-So, no effort was made by him

99
00:05:13,667 --> 00:05:18,166
between July and December
to make any payment on the $6,000 loan.

100
00:05:18,233 --> 00:05:22,266
And in December, around holiday time,
you gave him another $5,000.

101
00:05:22,332 --> 00:05:26,233
Now, you want to tell me why
you gave him another $5,000

102
00:05:26,300 --> 00:05:29,700
when he hadn't given you a penny
on the first money that you gave him?

103
00:05:29,767 --> 00:05:31,867
Because he was making every effort
to try--

104
00:05:31,934 --> 00:05:34,400
-[Judy] What is every effort?
-He was going--

105
00:05:34,467 --> 00:05:36,066
Just a second.
He's living with you.

106
00:05:36,133 --> 00:05:37,800
-[Tonya] Mm-hmm.
-[Judy] Who's paying the rent?

107
00:05:37,867 --> 00:05:39,467
-Rent, mortgage...
-Me.

108
00:05:39,533 --> 00:05:41,533
He's working for an insurance company?

109
00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:44,433
Yes. And then,
he was also working Uber.

110
00:05:44,500 --> 00:05:46,967
He was trying to get
a few couple hundred dollars.

111
00:05:47,033 --> 00:05:50,066
Great, very nice. That's all very good,
and he's living with you.

112
00:05:50,133 --> 00:05:51,600
And you're paying the bills.

113
00:05:51,667 --> 00:05:53,867
And he's made absolutely
no payment to you

114
00:05:53,933 --> 00:05:55,867
despite the fact
that he's making money.

115
00:05:55,933 --> 00:05:58,367
So, in December,
you gave him another $5,000.

116
00:05:58,433 --> 00:06:02,834
Well, what did he need another $5,000 for
if he's living with you?

117
00:06:02,900 --> 00:06:04,433
I'm not getting it.

118
00:06:04,500 --> 00:06:06,967
[dramatic music playing]

119
00:06:07,033 --> 00:06:09,900
You were gonna break up with her
and instead, she gave you money.

120
00:06:09,967 --> 00:06:11,967
-Is that what you're telling me?
-Yes.

121
00:06:12,033 --> 00:06:15,500
[all laugh]

122
00:06:15,567 --> 00:06:17,500
She gave you money 'cause she's stupid.

123
00:06:17,567 --> 00:06:19,500
'Cause I was in love with the guy.

124
00:06:19,567 --> 00:06:21,600
She gave you money 'cause she's stupid.

125
00:06:24,266 --> 00:06:26,967
[theme music playing]

126
00:06:31,133 --> 00:06:34,834
[narrator]
Tonya Graziano claims her ex-boyfriend

127
00:06:34,900 --> 00:06:38,867
Benny Shakta refuses
to pay back personal loans.

128
00:06:38,933 --> 00:06:43,834
Benny is countersuing, claiming Tonya
wrongfully kept his personal property.

129
00:06:43,900 --> 00:06:46,332
What did he need another $5,000 for?

130
00:06:46,400 --> 00:06:49,667
He needed some money to pay his debt,
is what he told me.

131
00:06:49,734 --> 00:06:52,266
Okay. Now, I'm gonna see
what proof you have

132
00:06:52,332 --> 00:06:54,633
that he acknowledges that this was a loan.

133
00:06:54,700 --> 00:06:57,800
Because he says both of these checks
that you gave him were gifts.

134
00:06:57,867 --> 00:06:59,332
He told me on several occasions--

135
00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:01,033
[Judy]
Not told you. I want to see--

136
00:07:01,100 --> 00:07:03,333
-I have the texts.
-Can I see them, please?

137
00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:12,867
When did you receive this text?

138
00:07:12,934 --> 00:07:16,332
That one was March 8th of 2024.

139
00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:19,266
[Judy] Mr. Shakta, you want to tell me why

140
00:07:19,332 --> 00:07:23,300
you took $6,000 from her in July of 2023?

141
00:07:23,367 --> 00:07:26,000
Be very careful with what you tell me.
Very careful.

142
00:07:26,066 --> 00:07:28,367
-[Benny] Yes.
-'Cause I'm reading things.

143
00:07:28,433 --> 00:07:29,767
When we started dating--

144
00:07:29,834 --> 00:07:31,533
July, 2023!

145
00:07:31,600 --> 00:07:36,332
Okay. Because I had been helping her
with her remodeling her home,

146
00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:38,700
dealing with all the contractors and--

147
00:07:38,767 --> 00:07:40,867
-Just a second.
-Opening doors--

148
00:07:40,933 --> 00:07:42,000
Where were you living?

149
00:07:42,066 --> 00:07:44,367
-At her house.
-You were living with her?

150
00:07:44,433 --> 00:07:46,767
-[Benny] Yes.
-Where had you been living before her?

151
00:07:46,834 --> 00:07:49,000
In my house in Bakersfield.

152
00:07:49,066 --> 00:07:51,000
And what did you do with that house?

153
00:07:51,066 --> 00:07:52,367
I still have it.

154
00:07:52,433 --> 00:07:53,800
What were you living with her for?

155
00:07:53,867 --> 00:07:55,800
Because we were planning
on getting married.

156
00:07:55,867 --> 00:07:57,600
[Judy]
Who was living in Bakersfield?

157
00:07:57,667 --> 00:08:01,033
[Benny] I own a home in Bakersfield.
My parents moved in with me

158
00:08:01,100 --> 00:08:02,300
to my home.

159
00:08:02,367 --> 00:08:04,967
So, your parents live
in the Bakersfield house.

160
00:08:05,033 --> 00:08:07,000
-I live with them.
-Now?

161
00:08:07,066 --> 00:08:08,000
I always have.

162
00:08:08,066 --> 00:08:09,500
Where were your parents living before?

163
00:08:09,567 --> 00:08:10,900
-Moved with--
-[Judy] Careful!

164
00:08:10,967 --> 00:08:13,000
-They lived with--
-No, careful.

165
00:08:13,066 --> 00:08:15,300
Where were your parents living

166
00:08:15,367 --> 00:08:18,233
before you purchased the house
in Bakersfield?

167
00:08:18,300 --> 00:08:21,033
They also lived in Bakersfield
in their home.

168
00:08:21,100 --> 00:08:23,900
-They sold their home?
-They sold their home.

169
00:08:23,967 --> 00:08:27,166
-[Judy] And they sold their home?
-And--

170
00:08:27,233 --> 00:08:30,000
And I told my mom and dad
to move in with me

171
00:08:30,066 --> 00:08:32,100
in my home 'cause I lived by myself.

172
00:08:32,165 --> 00:08:35,033
They sold their home.

173
00:08:35,100 --> 00:08:39,700
And what did they do with the proceeds
of the sale of their home?

174
00:08:39,767 --> 00:08:43,033
Careful with me.
I'm not as dumb as I look.

175
00:08:43,100 --> 00:08:45,967
Did they give you money
to buy your house?

176
00:08:46,033 --> 00:08:47,734
No. No.

177
00:08:47,800 --> 00:08:50,033
[Judy]
When was the Bakersfield house purchased?

178
00:08:50,100 --> 00:08:51,533
[Benny]
Two thousand one.

179
00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:55,100
So, your parents have been living
in that house for how long?

180
00:08:55,165 --> 00:08:57,567
Since I purchased it.

181
00:08:57,633 --> 00:08:59,934
-[Judy] So, for over 20 years?
-Yes.

182
00:09:00,066 --> 00:09:03,166
Okay. Now, you move in with the plaintiff.

183
00:09:03,233 --> 00:09:05,266
And when you moved in with the plaintiff,

184
00:09:05,333 --> 00:09:08,900
were you paying any part of the expenses
of the house?

185
00:09:08,967 --> 00:09:12,266
-No.
-So, she was having it remodeled.

186
00:09:12,333 --> 00:09:15,800
And you were there
directing the contractors?

187
00:09:15,867 --> 00:09:17,233
Correct.

188
00:09:17,300 --> 00:09:20,367
You weren't hammering nails in
or taking down plasterboard?

189
00:09:20,433 --> 00:09:23,900
-Actually, I was sometimes.
-[Judy] What else were you doing?

190
00:09:23,967 --> 00:09:26,533
I was helping her with, uh--

191
00:09:26,600 --> 00:09:29,166
What were you doing for yourself?
Were you working?

192
00:09:29,233 --> 00:09:30,667
[Benny]
No, I was not working.

193
00:09:30,734 --> 00:09:32,200
Well, you gotta do something.

194
00:09:32,266 --> 00:09:34,333
So you were hanging around
with the contractors.

195
00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:36,500
-No, I was--
-[Judy] I want you to tell me

196
00:09:36,567 --> 00:09:41,165
why she gave you $6,000 in July?

197
00:09:41,233 --> 00:09:43,467
Because I'd been helping her and I--

198
00:09:43,533 --> 00:09:45,567
-[Judy] I don't believe that.
-Uh...

199
00:09:45,633 --> 00:09:48,333
I don't believe that,
so come up with something different.

200
00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:51,266
When it comes down to it,
she gave me that money

201
00:09:51,333 --> 00:09:54,233
because she cheated on me
with her ex-boyfriend

202
00:09:54,300 --> 00:09:58,100
and I was gonna leave,
and she begged me to stay with her.

203
00:09:58,165 --> 00:10:01,667
And she said, please,
I want to help you with your situation.

204
00:10:01,734 --> 00:10:06,433
Here's $6,000 to help you pay off
your credit card bills.

205
00:10:06,500 --> 00:10:08,500
And please, don't leave me.

206
00:10:08,567 --> 00:10:11,467
Why did you have credit card bills?
Why weren't you working?

207
00:10:11,533 --> 00:10:15,433
My business shut down during COVID.
And I was at home,

208
00:10:15,500 --> 00:10:18,667
for two years, trying to figure out
what I'm going to do with myself.

209
00:10:18,734 --> 00:10:22,867
And I got my insurance license.
And as you know, it takes time.

210
00:10:22,934 --> 00:10:26,400
You don't just become
a big insurance guy,

211
00:10:26,467 --> 00:10:30,367
you have to build up your clientele.
I have a few clients that I'm working.

212
00:10:30,433 --> 00:10:34,133
And it's growing.
But she gave me the money to help me out.

213
00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:36,000
Because I had been helping her out.

214
00:10:36,066 --> 00:10:39,033
$6,000. Now, let's get to the $5,000.

215
00:10:39,100 --> 00:10:41,233
Um, before that-- Sorry.

216
00:10:41,300 --> 00:10:45,900
Here is an email that she sent me
requesting the $6,000

217
00:10:45,967 --> 00:10:48,934
the day that, uh,
after I broke up with her.

218
00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:51,367
And then, we got back together
the following day

219
00:10:51,433 --> 00:10:53,800
because she begged me
to come back to her.

220
00:10:53,867 --> 00:10:57,934
And she says, "I'm kidding.
I'm rescinding this letter."

221
00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:01,066
Can I see what she's talking about
and can I see...

222
00:11:01,133 --> 00:11:02,900
[Tonya]
Yeah, I'll show you that.

223
00:11:02,967 --> 00:11:05,066
Your Honor, in regards to that--

224
00:11:05,133 --> 00:11:06,667
[Judy]
Shh, just a second.

225
00:11:08,467 --> 00:11:10,967
What? What, are you nuts?

226
00:11:11,033 --> 00:11:12,266
No.

227
00:11:12,333 --> 00:11:16,967
"I lent you money in the amount
of $6,000 on July 19, 2023,

228
00:11:17,033 --> 00:11:22,100
and I am requesting the money back."
This was in October of 2023.

229
00:11:22,166 --> 00:11:25,400
"Despite my many efforts to contact you
without success,

230
00:11:25,467 --> 00:11:29,033
I have not received a call back
from you to discuss this matter.

231
00:11:29,100 --> 00:11:30,900
I'm trying to resolve this amicably.

232
00:11:30,967 --> 00:11:34,900
You can make payments by Zelle
by November 14, 2023."

233
00:11:34,967 --> 00:11:39,734
Okay. So, you say he can
make the payments by Zelle.

234
00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:44,633
November of 2023.
He doesn't pay you any money.

235
00:11:44,700 --> 00:11:47,867
So, in December, you lent him
another $5,000.

236
00:11:47,934 --> 00:11:50,367
Yes, because we got back together.

237
00:11:50,433 --> 00:11:52,000
And?

238
00:11:52,066 --> 00:11:55,467
A month later, you gave him
another $5,000.

239
00:11:55,533 --> 00:11:59,433
Yes, 'cause he told me
he needed the money to help him out.

240
00:11:59,500 --> 00:12:00,633
[Judy groans]

241
00:12:00,700 --> 00:12:02,667
Anything else anybody wants to tell me?

242
00:12:02,734 --> 00:12:04,333
-Yes.
-[Judy] What?

243
00:12:04,400 --> 00:12:08,033
Here's a text message for her saying
that her mom got mad at her

244
00:12:08,100 --> 00:12:10,033
because she gave me the money.

245
00:12:10,100 --> 00:12:13,967
Yeah, she says my mom's getting mad at me.
I want the money back.

246
00:12:14,033 --> 00:12:16,767
'Cause when I wanted to break up with her,
she wanted her money back.

247
00:12:16,834 --> 00:12:18,400
And then, also--

248
00:12:18,467 --> 00:12:20,700
She must be seeing something
that I certainly don't see.

249
00:12:20,767 --> 00:12:23,600
-I'm blind-- I'm blinded by the light.
-[Benny laughs]

250
00:12:26,233 --> 00:12:28,300
Something that's invisible to me.

251
00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:32,467
Every pot has a cover, I suppose.

252
00:12:32,533 --> 00:12:34,867
-You want me to see something, sir?
-[Benny] Yes.

253
00:12:34,934 --> 00:12:37,500
So far, you're not impressing me.
You understand that.

254
00:12:37,567 --> 00:12:39,200
-You understand that?
-[Benny] Yes.

255
00:12:39,266 --> 00:12:41,800
Yeah, you understand.
You're a big boy, a grown-up boy.

256
00:12:41,867 --> 00:12:42,934
-Right?
-Yes.

257
00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:45,700
Your mother and father live in your house.
How old are you?

258
00:12:45,767 --> 00:12:47,000
I'm 46.

259
00:12:47,066 --> 00:12:49,600
It's about time you could
pay your own bills.

260
00:12:49,667 --> 00:12:51,033
-[Benny] Uh--
-[Judy] Uh.

261
00:12:51,100 --> 00:12:52,700
It's about time you pay your own bills.

262
00:12:52,767 --> 00:12:54,100
[Benny]
Yes, it is.

263
00:12:54,165 --> 00:12:58,300
And if what you're telling me is
you took money from the plaintiff

264
00:12:58,367 --> 00:13:02,033
because you were gonna break up with her
and instead, she gave you money.

265
00:13:02,100 --> 00:13:04,233
-Is that what you're telling me?
-Yes.

266
00:13:04,300 --> 00:13:07,367
[all laugh]

267
00:13:07,433 --> 00:13:09,767
She gave you money 'cause she's stupid.

268
00:13:09,834 --> 00:13:12,500
Yes. 'Cause I was in love with the guy.

269
00:13:12,567 --> 00:13:14,800
She gave you money 'cause she's stupid.

270
00:13:14,867 --> 00:13:17,000
I'm gonna tell you my view.

271
00:13:17,066 --> 00:13:19,900
Women have a need to nest.

272
00:13:19,967 --> 00:13:25,734
And sometimes, they don't care
if the nest is dirty, if it's diseased,

273
00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:29,700
if it's short, if it's tall,

274
00:13:29,767 --> 00:13:33,033
if it's fat or it's thin.

275
00:13:33,100 --> 00:13:36,066
They don't care, they just want to nest.

276
00:13:36,133 --> 00:13:39,533
And sometimes, I can actually see it.
You know, I can understand.

277
00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:43,000
She's a lady, she's managed
to put away a couple of bucks.

278
00:13:43,066 --> 00:13:44,633
You've been single all your life?

279
00:13:44,700 --> 00:13:47,667
No, I was married before
but I had a pre-nup, Your Honor.

280
00:13:47,734 --> 00:13:49,533
I've done everything on my own.

281
00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:53,033
Got it. Women have a need to nest.

282
00:13:53,100 --> 00:13:58,333
Just sometimes, it blows my mind
with how low they'll go.

283
00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:00,967
[dramatic music playing]

284
00:14:01,033 --> 00:14:03,734
There were two conditions,
according to your complaint,

285
00:14:03,800 --> 00:14:05,567
for this $6,000.

286
00:14:05,633 --> 00:14:09,934
He would pay me back once
he was financially stable again.

287
00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:12,133
-Are you financially stable?
-No.

288
00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:13,834
Do you have a full time job?

289
00:14:13,900 --> 00:14:15,700
-No.
-What a hero.

290
00:14:15,767 --> 00:14:17,867
Oh, my God. What a gem.

291
00:14:20,500 --> 00:14:24,467
[theme music playing]

292
00:14:27,166 --> 00:14:31,667
[narrator] Tonya Graziano
is accusing her ex-boyfriend

293
00:14:31,734 --> 00:14:35,767
Benny Shakta of refusing
to pay back personal loans.

294
00:14:35,834 --> 00:14:39,667
Benny is countersuing Tonya
for his personal property.

295
00:14:39,734 --> 00:14:44,165
So, the first $6,000 I understand, madam.
The other five, I don't.

296
00:14:44,233 --> 00:14:47,233
-Your Honor--
-[Judy] I'm gonna tell you why I don't.

297
00:14:47,300 --> 00:14:51,400
Because you could be stupid,
but if you loaned somebody money,

298
00:14:51,467 --> 00:14:55,567
and they make absolutely no effort
to pay you back,

299
00:14:55,633 --> 00:14:59,300
and you're dumb enough to give them
another big chunk of money,

300
00:14:59,367 --> 00:15:00,867
that would be on you.

301
00:15:00,934 --> 00:15:03,800
Now, you want to show me
some other documentation

302
00:15:03,867 --> 00:15:09,567
that is gonna make me happy
about why you don't owe her $6,000?

303
00:15:09,633 --> 00:15:11,100
-Yes.
-[Judy] Show me.

304
00:15:11,166 --> 00:15:12,734
Okay. Can I just state--

305
00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:15,166
No. I don't want you
to talk to me anymore.

306
00:15:15,233 --> 00:15:17,266
I was helping her with the home.

307
00:15:17,333 --> 00:15:19,066
[Judy]
I don't want to hear--

308
00:15:19,133 --> 00:15:20,900
Here's the text that says
she gave me the money.

309
00:15:20,967 --> 00:15:22,367
-Here is--
-Just a second.

310
00:15:22,433 --> 00:15:24,166
-Don't give me a whole stack of papers.
-Okay.

311
00:15:24,233 --> 00:15:27,734
You want to show me a text
that she gave you the money as a gift.

312
00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:28,867
Yes.

313
00:15:28,934 --> 00:15:30,567
[Judy]
May I see that, please?

314
00:15:30,633 --> 00:15:34,100
And that's the proof
that she gave you the money as a gift?

315
00:15:34,165 --> 00:15:35,834
-The $6,000.
-Yes.

316
00:15:35,900 --> 00:15:38,000
[Judy]
Just be careful what you show me.

317
00:15:38,066 --> 00:15:41,100
I'm old, my life is short,
the journey's practically over.

318
00:15:41,165 --> 00:15:43,133
I don't like to waste my time.

319
00:15:46,834 --> 00:15:48,633
[laughs]

320
00:15:48,700 --> 00:15:51,266
"My mom thinks I'm stupid and weak

321
00:15:51,333 --> 00:15:54,567
and you think I'm disrespectful,
disloyal and rude.

322
00:15:54,633 --> 00:15:57,834
She saw my checks and she knows
about the money.

323
00:15:57,900 --> 00:16:02,166
I guess you're not going to say anything.
I really hate my life right now."

324
00:16:02,233 --> 00:16:04,734
Then, the next day she says,
"Good morning, call me."

325
00:16:04,800 --> 00:16:08,133
What a hero. Oh, my God, what a gem.

326
00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:10,266
A regular Sir Lancelot.

327
00:16:10,333 --> 00:16:12,333
It still doesn't answer my question,
madam.

328
00:16:12,400 --> 00:16:14,900
Can I say something too?

329
00:16:14,967 --> 00:16:16,767
[Judy]
Sure. Say something to me.

330
00:16:16,834 --> 00:16:19,000
So, I've known him for a very long time.

331
00:16:19,066 --> 00:16:22,967
And so, I had the thing
that I wanted to help him out.

332
00:16:23,033 --> 00:16:25,900
I understand I should've probably
not given him the second check,

333
00:16:25,967 --> 00:16:27,767
but I really cared about him.

334
00:16:27,834 --> 00:16:31,266
And I thought we were gonna have,
you know, a long-term relationship.

335
00:16:31,333 --> 00:16:33,667
If that's what you're saying to me,
you're not getting anything.

336
00:16:33,734 --> 00:16:34,900
No. But as far as--

337
00:16:34,967 --> 00:16:38,333
You have to understand something.
If that's what you're telling me,

338
00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:40,967
that you gave him the checks
because you really thought

339
00:16:41,033 --> 00:16:43,200
you were going to have
a long-term relationship,

340
00:16:43,266 --> 00:16:46,834
and marry and live as a family,
then these were not--

341
00:16:46,900 --> 00:16:48,834
Just a second. Then, these were not loans.

342
00:16:48,900 --> 00:16:54,900
Not even the first one. If your intention
in giving him that first $6,000 check

343
00:16:54,967 --> 00:16:59,300
was because you believed that you
were going to be together permanently--

344
00:16:59,367 --> 00:17:02,467
No, that's not. But look,
he said he was gonna pay me back.

345
00:17:02,533 --> 00:17:03,700
[Judy]
Show me.

346
00:17:03,767 --> 00:17:05,200
I showed you on the text.

347
00:17:05,266 --> 00:17:08,233
I have a witness, my mother.
He told my mom as well

348
00:17:08,300 --> 00:17:11,900
that he was gonna pay me back the money,
all $11,000.

349
00:17:11,967 --> 00:17:15,032
On what date did he tell that
to your mother?

350
00:17:15,099 --> 00:17:17,867
It was the beginning of March, 2024.

351
00:17:17,934 --> 00:17:19,433
Where?

352
00:17:19,500 --> 00:17:21,467
At the house, here in Los Angeles.

353
00:17:21,532 --> 00:17:23,266
-[Judy] At your house?
-Yes.

354
00:17:23,333 --> 00:17:26,165
What was he doing there
in March of 2024?

355
00:17:26,233 --> 00:17:30,033
He had an interview beforehand,
before he came to the house.

356
00:17:30,100 --> 00:17:32,533
[Judy] What do you mean
he had an interview before--

357
00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:35,934
He was trying to get another job,
you know, in LA to be close.

358
00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:37,767
-[Judy] Be close to what?
-To me.

359
00:17:37,834 --> 00:17:40,200
-That was in March of 2024.
-[Tonya] Mm-hmm.

360
00:17:40,266 --> 00:17:42,667
He was interviewing before that.
He had--

361
00:17:42,734 --> 00:17:44,600
But you weren't living together then.

362
00:17:44,667 --> 00:17:46,800
It was off and on, Your Honor.

363
00:17:48,433 --> 00:17:52,767
Anybody want to show me any other proof
that this first $6,000 was a loan?

364
00:17:52,834 --> 00:17:54,934
Can I say something? Okay.

365
00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:57,066
Tonya is not a dumb business woman.

366
00:17:57,133 --> 00:17:59,734
She's very good,
she's a shrewd business woman.

367
00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:01,967
She knows how to write a loan document.

368
00:18:02,033 --> 00:18:04,033
We have a loan together
for three hundred--

369
00:18:04,100 --> 00:18:05,934
I already heard-- Listen to me.

370
00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:07,800
-I already heard that.
-[Benny] Okay.

371
00:18:07,867 --> 00:18:11,600
I said that at the beginning. If you
remember, at the beginning of this case,

372
00:18:11,667 --> 00:18:17,200
I said that she loaned you $325,000

373
00:18:17,266 --> 00:18:20,834
for some sort of
a business venture of yours.

374
00:18:20,900 --> 00:18:24,500
Yes, to help him. To help him 'cause
they were gonna foreclose on the property.

375
00:18:24,567 --> 00:18:26,934
She's making interest on it.
It's not like it was a help.

376
00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:28,633
She's making seven percent interest.

377
00:18:28,700 --> 00:18:30,200
No, I'm not. It's six percent.

378
00:18:30,266 --> 00:18:31,900
Would you stop talking to each other?

379
00:18:31,967 --> 00:18:36,200
Anybody have any other evidence
with regard to this $6,000?

380
00:18:36,266 --> 00:18:38,967
He just needs to be a man of his word,
Your Honor.

381
00:18:39,033 --> 00:18:41,633
He knows it was a loan.
Come on, Benny.

382
00:18:42,667 --> 00:18:44,266
[Judy]
Anybody have any other proof?

383
00:18:44,333 --> 00:18:48,233
Miss Graziano, I am satisfied
that the first $6,000 you gave him,

384
00:18:48,300 --> 00:18:52,233
you gave him with the idea
that he was going to pay you back.

385
00:18:52,300 --> 00:18:53,533
That's what it says.

386
00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:56,934
The second one in December,
I'm not even contemplating.

387
00:18:57,000 --> 00:19:00,600
Somebody to make a loan
and there is absolutely no payment,

388
00:19:00,667 --> 00:19:03,333
and you're living together,
and then, there's another check

389
00:19:03,400 --> 00:19:06,567
six months later for another $5,000.

390
00:19:06,633 --> 00:19:10,033
-Was that $325,000 a loan--
-That was in the middle.

391
00:19:10,100 --> 00:19:11,700
-[Judy] What?
-That was in the middle.

392
00:19:11,767 --> 00:19:13,533
That was in August of 2023.

393
00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:15,433
-In the middle?
-[Tonya] Mm-hmm.

394
00:19:15,500 --> 00:19:18,633
[Judy] And then, after that,
you gave him another $5,000?

395
00:19:18,700 --> 00:19:20,734
-Just-- Okay.
-Yes.

396
00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:22,400
You're very lucky, Miss Graziano.

397
00:19:22,467 --> 00:19:26,433
I'm being more than accommodating
to this position of yours.

398
00:19:26,500 --> 00:19:29,333
-I cared about him, Your Honor.
-[Judy] I don't give a rat's behind

399
00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:32,567
whether you cared about him or not.
When I read your papers,

400
00:19:32,633 --> 00:19:35,900
what you say in your paper was,
"We made a verbal agreement

401
00:19:35,967 --> 00:19:40,834
that he would pay me back once he was
financially stable with a full time job."

402
00:19:40,900 --> 00:19:42,934
-He is working, Your Honor.
-[Judy] Just a second.

403
00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:46,967
I'm reading you what you said.
And where we're going now,

404
00:19:47,033 --> 00:19:50,967
is in a direction that unfortunately,
you don't want to go in.

405
00:19:51,033 --> 00:19:54,967
Because there were two conditions,
according to your complaint,

406
00:19:55,033 --> 00:19:59,233
for this $6,000.
"He would pay me back

407
00:19:59,300 --> 00:20:03,800
once he was financially stable again."
Are you financially stable?

408
00:20:03,867 --> 00:20:05,967
-No.
-[Judy laughs]

409
00:20:06,033 --> 00:20:07,934
-[Benny] Can I--
-Don't say anything.

410
00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:11,133
-Okay.
-[Judy] But are you financially stable?

411
00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:14,500
With a full time job.
Do you have a full time job?

412
00:20:14,567 --> 00:20:16,667
-No.
-[Judy] Okay. Very good.

413
00:20:16,734 --> 00:20:19,400
Your complaint says
that you had a verbal agreement

414
00:20:19,467 --> 00:20:23,367
that he would pay you back when he's
financially stable with a full time job.

415
00:20:23,433 --> 00:20:24,600
You need to prove that.

416
00:20:24,667 --> 00:20:27,767
I don't know, because we
lost track of each other, unfortunately.

417
00:20:27,834 --> 00:20:31,066
Then, if you don't have proof,
you don't have a case.

418
00:20:31,133 --> 00:20:32,633
You should've stopped when you were ahead.

419
00:20:32,700 --> 00:20:33,900
Your case is dismissed.

420
00:20:33,967 --> 00:20:35,367
[Kevin]
This court is adjourned.

421
00:20:35,433 --> 00:20:36,433
But uh...

422
00:20:36,500 --> 00:20:38,667
[Judy] You have
a ridiculous counterclaim. Goodbye!

423
00:20:38,734 --> 00:20:40,367
-[Benny] I have a--
-Goodbye!

424
00:20:40,433 --> 00:20:41,834
Okay. Bye.

425
00:20:41,900 --> 00:20:44,367
[theme music playing]

426
00:20:47,867 --> 00:20:50,433
I'm happy with it.
I'm just glad this is all over.

427
00:20:50,500 --> 00:20:55,367
And I hope to never have to deal
with that woman again.

428
00:20:55,433 --> 00:20:58,266
Everything pointed to the fact
that it was a loan.

429
00:20:58,333 --> 00:21:02,700
He said he was gonna pay me back,
and he should've been a man of his word.

430
00:21:02,767 --> 00:21:05,133
If you have someone calling you,
going to your gym,

431
00:21:05,200 --> 00:21:08,100
going to your church, going to your work,
you'll say anything.

432
00:21:08,166 --> 00:21:11,066
I've known him a long time.
I was trying to help him out.

433
00:21:11,133 --> 00:21:14,233
I thought he knew that and
that he was gonna pay me back.

434
00:21:14,300 --> 00:21:17,500
'Cause every time she cheated on me
I got a check from her.

435
00:21:17,567 --> 00:21:19,133
Yeah, I'm done with him.

436
00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:23,967
You know, when I have a need to nest,
I go to Target.

437
00:21:24,033 --> 00:21:26,967
And it's a much safer way
to fulfill that need

438
00:21:27,033 --> 00:21:29,600
than to write checks for six
and five thousand dollars.

439
00:21:29,667 --> 00:21:31,433
You mean, you do retail therapy.

440
00:21:31,500 --> 00:21:34,767
Retail therapy. Target, Home Goods,
TJ Maxx. There are options, ladies.

441
00:21:34,834 --> 00:21:39,300
When you feel that need, come on.
Especially at holiday season.

442
00:21:39,367 --> 00:21:42,567
You know, it really fulfills that.
You don't have to be writing these checks

443
00:21:42,633 --> 00:21:46,233
to these men to fulfill your need to nest.
But hey, to each their own.

444
00:21:46,300 --> 00:21:48,600
But the problem is, she said it right.

445
00:21:48,667 --> 00:21:50,867
She said, I gave him this money because

446
00:21:50,934 --> 00:21:52,900
I thought we were going
to have a life together.

447
00:21:52,967 --> 00:21:54,667
-Mm-hmm.
-And that's not a loan.

448
00:21:54,734 --> 00:21:57,467
-Yeah.
-If a life together doesn't come together,

449
00:21:57,533 --> 00:22:00,233
-that doesn't make a gift a loan.
-True.

450
00:22:00,300 --> 00:22:03,834
Write it down if it's a loan,
irrespective of who it is.

451
00:22:05,367 --> 00:22:07,367
[narrator]
Are you a victim of a scam?

452
00:22:07,433 --> 00:22:09,200
Go to JudyJustice.tv.

453
00:22:13,867 --> 00:22:16,533
[theme music playing]