1 00:00:00,300 --> 00:00:03,633 The defendant opened a lounge, a bar below you. 2 00:00:04,600 --> 00:00:07,233 How many times did she complain about your business? 3 00:00:07,300 --> 00:00:08,567 - Every day. - She says, 4 00:00:08,633 --> 00:00:11,400 "The smoke was wafting up into her apartment." 5 00:00:12,433 --> 00:00:13,867 Would that be annoying to you? 6 00:00:13,934 --> 00:00:15,834 We had fans to push the smokes away. 7 00:00:15,900 --> 00:00:18,333 [laughs] $220 fans. 8 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:20,533 [announcer] This is Judy Justice. 9 00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:23,600 [theme music playing] 10 00:00:37,900 --> 00:00:41,200 [announcer] Cindy Sonboleh is suing hookah lounge owner, 11 00:00:41,266 --> 00:00:45,266 Mohammad Elamaireh, for moving cost and lost wages. 12 00:00:46,266 --> 00:00:47,467 [Kevin] Court come to order. 13 00:00:48,233 --> 00:00:49,233 [Judge Judy] Be seated, please. 14 00:00:50,166 --> 00:00:51,300 [Kevin] Hello, Judge. 15 00:00:51,367 --> 00:00:53,834 Case 1111 Sonboleh versus Elamaireh. 16 00:00:54,967 --> 00:00:56,266 Pronounce the first name. 17 00:00:56,333 --> 00:00:57,867 - Sonboleh. - [Kevin] Sonboleh. 18 00:00:57,934 --> 00:00:59,667 - Sonboleh. - Yes. Perfect. 19 00:00:59,734 --> 00:01:03,800 [Judge Judy] Ms. Sonboleh, the case is relatively simple in fact. 20 00:01:03,867 --> 00:01:05,432 You have an apartment, 21 00:01:05,500 --> 00:01:09,000 the apartment is over a commercial premises. 22 00:01:09,066 --> 00:01:12,433 The defendant opened a lounge, a bar below you. 23 00:01:12,500 --> 00:01:16,867 And it is your claim that the bar was not only a nuisance, 24 00:01:16,934 --> 00:01:19,033 but a health risk to you, 25 00:01:19,100 --> 00:01:21,433 causing you to have to move out of your apartment. 26 00:01:21,500 --> 00:01:23,700 I think you did in fact move out of your apartment. 27 00:01:23,767 --> 00:01:27,367 And you want him to pay for your doctor bills, 28 00:01:27,433 --> 00:01:31,033 moving cost, et cetera, and for being a public nuisance. 29 00:01:31,100 --> 00:01:32,834 The defendant has a counterclaim, 30 00:01:32,900 --> 00:01:35,567 the same amount of your claim, which is $10,000. 31 00:01:35,633 --> 00:01:40,233 And he says your behavior, and he does, in fact, 32 00:01:40,300 --> 00:01:44,066 refer to you in what I assume is a pejorative term. 33 00:01:44,133 --> 00:01:47,366 You caused distress to his customers, you caused him-- 34 00:01:47,433 --> 00:01:50,233 your behavior caused him to have to hire a new manager. 35 00:01:50,300 --> 00:01:51,700 The manager, he's got a counterclaim, 36 00:01:51,767 --> 00:01:53,500 all of which is probably nonsense. 37 00:01:54,133 --> 00:01:56,333 How long had you been living in your apartment? 38 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:57,800 - Five years. - [Judge Judy] When did you 39 00:01:57,866 --> 00:02:00,800 take control of the store 40 00:02:00,867 --> 00:02:02,667 below the plaintiff's apartment? 41 00:02:02,734 --> 00:02:05,166 - Last year in May. - [Judge Judy] May of 2020? 42 00:02:05,233 --> 00:02:06,967 - Yes. - And this was supposed to be 43 00:02:07,033 --> 00:02:09,300 - what kind of premises? - It's a cafe and hookah lounge. 44 00:02:09,366 --> 00:02:10,600 [Judge Judy] I know cafe. 45 00:02:10,667 --> 00:02:12,967 I have never personally been to a hookah lounge. 46 00:02:13,033 --> 00:02:15,400 - [Mohammad] Uh-hmm. - That--am I pronouncing that correctly? 47 00:02:15,467 --> 00:02:16,867 - Yeah. Correct. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 48 00:02:16,934 --> 00:02:20,900 So I want you to explain to me what that is. 49 00:02:20,966 --> 00:02:23,567 It's like a kind of a place, people can gather and... 50 00:02:23,633 --> 00:02:25,433 Well, it's a--it's a cafe. 51 00:02:25,500 --> 00:02:27,400 - A cafe, yeah. - [Judge Judy] That--where you smoke? 52 00:02:27,466 --> 00:02:29,466 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] What do you smoke? 53 00:02:29,533 --> 00:02:31,466 - It's tobacco. - Just tobacco? 54 00:02:31,533 --> 00:02:35,533 [Mohammad] Yeah. It's like-- in a hookah and based on kind of flavors. 55 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:38,300 - Okay. So there were no drugs in it? - No. 56 00:02:38,367 --> 00:02:41,466 [Judge Judy] And the main purpose of going there is to be able to smoke? 57 00:02:41,533 --> 00:02:45,400 [Mohammad] So to smoke, and relax, study, meet your friends, have coffee. 58 00:02:45,466 --> 00:02:47,700 - What city do you live in? - [Mohammad] San Diego. 59 00:02:47,767 --> 00:02:49,333 - In California? - [Mohammad] Yes. 60 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:53,400 So you must need a specific permit to open a hookah lounge. 61 00:02:53,466 --> 00:02:54,834 - Correct. - [Judge Judy] Because restaurants, 62 00:02:54,900 --> 00:02:56,500 I believe in California, 63 00:02:56,567 --> 00:02:58,900 if I'm not mistaken, don't allow smoking indoors. 64 00:02:58,966 --> 00:03:00,467 - Yes, it is. - [Judge Judy] Is that correct? 65 00:03:00,533 --> 00:03:01,734 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 66 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:03,333 [Mohammad] It's allowed to smoke inside the door. 67 00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:06,133 - [Judge Judy] You're allowed to smoke? - Yeah. As, as in the business. 68 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:07,934 - You serve alcohol? - [Mohammad] No. 69 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:09,400 - None? - None. 70 00:03:09,467 --> 00:03:13,100 - [Judge Judy] Do you serve food? - Yes, but simply plates--small plates. 71 00:03:13,166 --> 00:03:15,233 - So it's a restaurant as well? - Yes, it is. 72 00:03:15,300 --> 00:03:17,033 [Judge Judy] Have you applied for a liquor license? 73 00:03:17,100 --> 00:03:18,934 - Yes, I did. - [Judge Judy] So you will be serving 74 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:20,900 - both food and alcohol? - [Mohammad] Yes. 75 00:03:20,966 --> 00:03:22,400 [Judge Judy] In California, 76 00:03:22,466 --> 00:03:24,633 restaurants permit or don't permit 77 00:03:24,700 --> 00:03:26,333 without a special permit. 78 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:28,466 Smoking indoors is my question. 79 00:03:28,533 --> 00:03:32,900 It's my understanding that most places now don't allow indoor smoking. 80 00:03:32,966 --> 00:03:34,333 [Sarah] Smoking and vaping indoors 81 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:36,200 in restaurants is banned by California Law. 82 00:03:36,266 --> 00:03:37,166 Right. 83 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:39,934 So there must be a special permit for you 84 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:44,266 to have a place where people go purposely to smoke? 85 00:03:44,333 --> 00:03:45,333 Yes. 86 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:47,266 [Judge Judy] Sarah is gonna verify that and give me 87 00:03:47,333 --> 00:03:48,767 - a shout when you... - Uh-hmm. 88 00:03:48,834 --> 00:03:50,066 [Judge Judy] ...verify that. Okay. 89 00:03:50,133 --> 00:03:52,934 So May 2020, you moved into this premises. 90 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:56,934 And what kind of business had been there before? 91 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:58,834 - Furniture store. - Ever had any trouble 92 00:03:58,900 --> 00:03:59,934 with the furniture store? 93 00:04:00,567 --> 00:04:02,066 - Don't shake your head. - No, ma'am. 94 00:04:02,133 --> 00:04:04,166 This is an actually walky, and a talky, 95 00:04:04,233 --> 00:04:06,400 - and a visual, so you have to answer. - No, Your Honor. 96 00:04:06,467 --> 00:04:09,166 [Judge Judy] Okay. Did you have to do any construction? 97 00:04:09,233 --> 00:04:11,333 - Yes, I did. - What kind of construction 98 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:14,800 did you have to do? Because this case is a simple one. 99 00:04:14,867 --> 00:04:17,233 I had to build a grease trap and folly kitchen, 100 00:04:17,300 --> 00:04:20,600 - and some decoration stuff. - [Judge Judy] And decorations. 101 00:04:20,667 --> 00:04:22,000 - Don't cross your arms. - [Mohammad] Uh, sorry. 102 00:04:23,166 --> 00:04:24,600 [Judge Judy] You had to build a grease strap, 103 00:04:24,667 --> 00:04:26,767 a kitchen, and some decorations? 104 00:04:26,834 --> 00:04:29,166 Yeah. Like, completely-wise from scratch, actually. 105 00:04:29,233 --> 00:04:30,400 When did you open? 106 00:04:30,467 --> 00:04:32,533 [Mohammad] I opened 20th of September, 2020. 107 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:34,066 [Judge Judy] While you were building, 108 00:04:34,133 --> 00:04:36,100 did you meet the plaintiff? 109 00:04:36,166 --> 00:04:38,200 [Mohammad] So she came and asked me, like, 110 00:04:38,266 --> 00:04:40,266 uh, "What are you gonna do here?" I didn't answer her. 111 00:04:40,332 --> 00:04:42,767 I just like, said, "You have--you need to ask my people who's working here. 112 00:04:42,834 --> 00:04:45,066 - I'm just the owner here." - What, what kind of answer is that? 113 00:04:45,133 --> 00:04:47,400 [Mohammad] I'm telling you why, she came out and she asked me where I'm from. 114 00:04:47,467 --> 00:04:49,133 - I said, "I'm from Jordan." And... - [Judge Judy] No, no. 115 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:52,166 She came and said to you, "What kind of business are you putting in here?" 116 00:04:52,233 --> 00:04:55,000 And your answer to her, which you said first was, 117 00:04:55,066 --> 00:04:57,000 "I don't know. You have to ask the workers. 118 00:04:57,066 --> 00:04:59,033 I'm just the owner here." That's what you just said to me. 119 00:04:59,100 --> 00:05:00,934 - Would you read that back? - [Whitney] He said, 120 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:03,800 "Yes. She came and asked me, 'What are you going to do here?' 121 00:05:03,867 --> 00:05:06,967 I didn't answer her. I said, 'You need to ask my people who work here, 122 00:05:07,033 --> 00:05:09,033 - I'm just the owner here.'" - Can I say why? 123 00:05:09,100 --> 00:05:10,867 [Judge Judy] You wanna tell me why you answered her that way? 124 00:05:10,934 --> 00:05:12,033 - [Mohammad] Yeah. Because... - [Judge Judy] I don't care why 125 00:05:12,100 --> 00:05:13,333 you answered her that way. 126 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:15,166 Was that the first time you met her? 127 00:05:15,233 --> 00:05:18,500 - That's either a yes or a no. - Uh, she came--she was recording me. 128 00:05:18,567 --> 00:05:19,633 [Judge Judy] I asked you a simple question. 129 00:05:19,700 --> 00:05:22,967 - [Mohammad] Okay. Yes. That--yes. - That's either a yes or a no. 130 00:05:23,033 --> 00:05:25,900 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] When did you put in 131 00:05:25,967 --> 00:05:27,500 a ventilation system? 132 00:05:27,567 --> 00:05:29,200 [Mohammad] I don't remember exactly the date. 133 00:05:29,266 --> 00:05:32,300 When did you put in a ventilation system 134 00:05:32,367 --> 00:05:34,500 in your place of business? 135 00:05:34,567 --> 00:05:37,133 - When we started having the problem. - [Judge Judy] That's a--that's a date. 136 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:38,633 - Listen to me. - [Mohammad] I, uh... 137 00:05:38,700 --> 00:05:39,600 That's a date. 138 00:05:39,667 --> 00:05:42,700 That's either September, 139 00:05:42,767 --> 00:05:45,200 - October, November. - October. 140 00:05:45,266 --> 00:05:48,100 [Judge Judy] So in October. How much did that cost you? 141 00:05:48,166 --> 00:05:50,033 Like almost $6,000. 142 00:05:50,100 --> 00:05:52,967 [Judge Judy] Now, you were in the premises from May 143 00:05:53,033 --> 00:05:55,533 until September 20th 144 00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:58,567 when you say you opened the hookah lounge 145 00:05:58,633 --> 00:06:01,300 with a lot of smoke, because that's why people come there. 146 00:06:01,367 --> 00:06:03,900 They come there because they can't go anyplace else 147 00:06:03,967 --> 00:06:06,367 to smoke tobacco, and eat, 148 00:06:06,433 --> 00:06:08,333 and drink, so they come to you. 149 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:12,100 But you didn't put in a ventilation system 150 00:06:12,166 --> 00:06:15,867 to deal with all that smoke until after you opened. 151 00:06:15,934 --> 00:06:18,600 So the answer is you opened first 152 00:06:18,667 --> 00:06:21,166 and then put in a ventilation system. 153 00:06:21,233 --> 00:06:24,000 We had fans to push the smokes away. 154 00:06:24,066 --> 00:06:26,266 [laughs] You want to answer my question. 155 00:06:26,332 --> 00:06:27,867 That's either a yes or a no. 156 00:06:27,934 --> 00:06:31,934 You opened first and then put in a $6,000 ventilation system 157 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:34,467 instead of $220 fans. 158 00:06:38,166 --> 00:06:39,533 Now, you're gonna show me proof 159 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:41,734 that her whole objective 160 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:43,700 - was to blackmail you for money. - [Mohammad] All right. 161 00:06:43,767 --> 00:06:46,633 Sure. So, uh, the thing is from the beginning I started... 162 00:06:46,700 --> 00:06:48,767 [Judge Judy] I don't wanna know of your story from the beginning. 163 00:06:48,834 --> 00:06:50,667 - I know the story. - [Mohammad] If I have... 164 00:06:50,734 --> 00:06:54,300 Now, nine, ten million people hopefully will know the story. 165 00:06:59,066 --> 00:07:01,834 [theme music playing] 166 00:07:05,266 --> 00:07:08,567 [announcer] Cindy Sonboleh says hookah lounge owner, 167 00:07:08,633 --> 00:07:12,800 Mohammad Elamaireh owes for her moving cost and lost wages. 168 00:07:13,467 --> 00:07:15,066 Mohammad is countersuing, 169 00:07:15,133 --> 00:07:19,133 claiming Cindy caused him to lose business at his hookah lounge. 170 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:20,934 - You understand where I'm going, sir? - [Mohammad] I understand. 171 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:22,667 Okay. And I say that to you-- 172 00:07:22,734 --> 00:07:24,033 I say that... 173 00:07:25,100 --> 00:07:25,967 Hands. 174 00:07:26,033 --> 00:07:27,834 I say that to you, 175 00:07:27,900 --> 00:07:31,433 because I was pretty distressed about your answer. 176 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:33,967 And I was distressed about it, 177 00:07:34,033 --> 00:07:36,367 because you referred to her 178 00:07:36,433 --> 00:07:40,433 as a name that I actually didn't know what that meant, 179 00:07:41,233 --> 00:07:43,767 because as people around me know, 180 00:07:43,834 --> 00:07:46,233 I'm operating in a different century, 181 00:07:46,300 --> 00:07:48,100 still in the 20th Century, 182 00:07:48,166 --> 00:07:49,567 not the 21st Century. 183 00:07:50,233 --> 00:07:52,233 So, her case is simple. 184 00:07:52,300 --> 00:07:54,900 She says the smoke was wafting up 185 00:07:55,467 --> 00:07:58,433 into her apartment where she had lived for five years 186 00:07:58,500 --> 00:08:00,667 and she complained to you about it. 187 00:08:00,734 --> 00:08:04,000 Tell me the first time that the plaintiff complained to you 188 00:08:04,066 --> 00:08:07,967 about the smoke that was coming up into her apartment. 189 00:08:08,033 --> 00:08:11,233 Do you recall the month and date? 190 00:08:11,300 --> 00:08:15,734 So on September or--ended of-- ending of, uh, August, 191 00:08:15,800 --> 00:08:19,033 I used to come to the lounge to check up on the construction work. 192 00:08:19,100 --> 00:08:20,400 - Okay. - [Mohammad] So Ms. Cindy, 193 00:08:20,467 --> 00:08:22,400 she comes down to me when she see my car, 194 00:08:22,467 --> 00:08:25,500 and started to record me by her phone for no reason. 195 00:08:26,266 --> 00:08:28,967 And she came up to me and she asked me that about-- 196 00:08:29,033 --> 00:08:30,867 "What are you gonna do here?" I told her like, 197 00:08:30,934 --> 00:08:33,232 "You need to ask my employees. I'm just the owner." 198 00:08:33,299 --> 00:08:36,533 That's what my answer. So, she started recording me after that, 199 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:39,834 she came up again to me, and she said, "What kind of business it is?" 200 00:08:39,900 --> 00:08:41,767 I said, "It's a hookah and cafe shop." 201 00:08:41,834 --> 00:08:43,567 And she comes back again, next day, 202 00:08:43,633 --> 00:08:46,165 and the day after, every day, she recording me, 203 00:08:46,233 --> 00:08:48,100 trying to, to go inside the lounge, 204 00:08:48,165 --> 00:08:50,233 making a problem with me and the employees, 205 00:08:50,300 --> 00:08:51,900 screaming and yelling for no reason. 206 00:08:51,967 --> 00:08:53,867 [Judge Judy] Oh, were you there when she was screaming? 207 00:08:53,934 --> 00:08:54,967 - Yes, I was. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 208 00:08:55,033 --> 00:08:56,967 - Now, she's recorded you... - [Mohammad] Uh-hmm. 209 00:08:57,033 --> 00:08:58,400 ...right? Going in and out of the store? 210 00:08:58,467 --> 00:09:00,300 So evidently, you're pretty savvy, 211 00:09:00,367 --> 00:09:01,967 did you record her doing the screaming and yelling? 212 00:09:02,033 --> 00:09:03,533 - No, I, I never record. - [Judge Judy] Just a second. 213 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:06,133 Did you ever record her doing the screaming 214 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:08,033 and yelling at you and your employees? 215 00:09:08,100 --> 00:09:11,333 I never--I, I have a footage from the camera of the business. 216 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:13,567 - Oh, I'd like to see that. - [Mohammad] So I have-- 217 00:09:13,633 --> 00:09:15,433 - that was after the opening. - [Judge Judy] I'm not talking 218 00:09:15,500 --> 00:09:17,734 about after the opening. I'm talking about before the opening. 219 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:18,800 - [Mohammad] Before the opening? - [Judge Judy] You said that there was 220 00:09:18,867 --> 00:09:21,467 - a problem with her before. - So I wasn't like even had space. 221 00:09:21,533 --> 00:09:24,000 I didn't wanna talk to her, like, I was--I don't want to be like in, 222 00:09:24,066 --> 00:09:26,633 - in the situation. - You have to understand something, sir. 223 00:09:26,700 --> 00:09:29,633 You're opening up an annoying business. 224 00:09:29,700 --> 00:09:32,200 - [Mohammad] Okay. - [Judge Judy] It's an annoying business, 225 00:09:32,266 --> 00:09:35,367 not to people who live 10 blocks away, 226 00:09:35,433 --> 00:09:38,133 but it's potentially an annoying business 227 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:42,165 for someone who has a home for five years above that business, 228 00:09:42,233 --> 00:09:44,400 - you do understand that, sir? - I do understand. 229 00:09:44,467 --> 00:09:45,367 [Judge Judy] Okay. 230 00:09:45,433 --> 00:09:47,133 Do you have a home or do you have an apartment? 231 00:09:47,200 --> 00:09:49,567 - Apartment. - [Judge Judy] Do you know your neighbors? 232 00:09:49,633 --> 00:09:50,867 No, I don't. 233 00:09:50,934 --> 00:09:52,300 Are they quiet? 234 00:09:52,367 --> 00:09:54,266 - Very quiet. - [Judge Judy] If you have a lounge, 235 00:09:54,333 --> 00:09:56,433 you must sleep a good time during the day, 236 00:09:56,500 --> 00:09:58,567 so that you can be at your lounge, restaurant. 237 00:09:58,633 --> 00:10:00,500 - I have other businesses too. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 238 00:10:00,567 --> 00:10:02,600 - When do you sleep? - At night. 239 00:10:02,667 --> 00:10:04,300 - [Judge Judy] At night, regularly? - Yes. 240 00:10:04,367 --> 00:10:05,700 [Judge Judy] Regular businesses. 241 00:10:05,767 --> 00:10:08,967 Now, I want you to think if they leased, 242 00:10:09,033 --> 00:10:12,533 or rented, or sold the apartment that's next door to you 243 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:14,133 to a piano school, 244 00:10:14,200 --> 00:10:17,066 to somebody who is living in the apartment 245 00:10:17,133 --> 00:10:21,000 and decides to give piano lessons in their apartment. 246 00:10:21,066 --> 00:10:23,800 And they give their piano lessons after they work. 247 00:10:24,633 --> 00:10:27,100 So 8:00 at night, 9:00 at night, 248 00:10:27,166 --> 00:10:29,233 10:00 at night, 11:00 at night, 249 00:10:29,300 --> 00:10:32,734 sometimes early in the morning before kids go to school. 250 00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:35,000 They have a 7:30 piano lesson 251 00:10:35,066 --> 00:10:36,800 and that goes on all the time. 252 00:10:36,867 --> 00:10:38,900 Would that you be annoying to you? 253 00:10:38,967 --> 00:10:40,834 - That's either a yes or a no. - Yes, it would be annoying. 254 00:10:40,900 --> 00:10:42,433 [Judge Judy] Of course, it would be annoying. 255 00:10:42,500 --> 00:10:44,400 Do you rent your apartment or do you own it? 256 00:10:44,467 --> 00:10:46,033 - I own it. - [Judge Judy] So you would go 257 00:10:46,100 --> 00:10:48,500 to the board because you're a smart guy and you would say, 258 00:10:48,567 --> 00:10:50,567 "The person who lives next door to me 259 00:10:50,633 --> 00:10:53,834 is doing piano teaching on the side, 260 00:10:53,900 --> 00:10:56,266 doing it at all hours of the day and night. 261 00:10:56,333 --> 00:10:59,165 I want you to stop them from doing that." 262 00:10:59,233 --> 00:11:00,800 - That's what you would do, right? - [Mohammad] Right. 263 00:11:00,867 --> 00:11:02,233 Been there, done that. 264 00:11:03,533 --> 00:11:05,200 And you would think that you were in the right 265 00:11:05,266 --> 00:11:08,033 because someone was invading your quiet, 266 00:11:08,100 --> 00:11:10,633 - enjoyment of your property. - Correct. 267 00:11:10,700 --> 00:11:12,567 [Judge Judy] So it would seem to me 268 00:11:12,633 --> 00:11:16,100 that if someone wanted to give piano lessons next door, 269 00:11:16,166 --> 00:11:19,300 the person who owns the apartment next door gets a letter, 270 00:11:19,367 --> 00:11:22,500 cease and desist from giving piano lessons 271 00:11:22,567 --> 00:11:26,467 unless you can build in your apartment 272 00:11:26,533 --> 00:11:28,667 a soundproof room 273 00:11:28,734 --> 00:11:31,133 where you're gonna give those piano lessons, 274 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:33,133 so it's not gonna bother your neighbor, 275 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:34,633 - does that sound reasonable? - Yes. 276 00:11:34,700 --> 00:11:36,734 [Judge Judy] And then if somebody said to you, 277 00:11:36,800 --> 00:11:39,300 your board said to you, "We told them that they either had 278 00:11:39,367 --> 00:11:42,967 to stop or build a soundproof room, 279 00:11:43,033 --> 00:11:45,700 so that the neighbor wouldn't be disturb by that." 280 00:11:45,767 --> 00:11:48,367 You're a reasonable guy and you said, "I'll try it." 281 00:11:48,433 --> 00:11:50,934 And then they built a soundproof room. 282 00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:53,734 You would have actually-- 'cause all this is taking time 283 00:11:53,800 --> 00:11:56,934 and while this is taking time, while the board is convening, 284 00:11:57,000 --> 00:11:59,165 and while you're giving evidence, 285 00:11:59,233 --> 00:12:00,900 and while you're complaining, 286 00:12:00,967 --> 00:12:05,233 you're still being--'cause nobody's told them to stop playing piano. 287 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:08,400 They're still playing piano and you're still not sleeping. 288 00:12:08,467 --> 00:12:11,834 Finally, they build a soundproof room 289 00:12:11,900 --> 00:12:13,767 and that takes time. 290 00:12:13,834 --> 00:12:15,700 How long did it take you 291 00:12:15,767 --> 00:12:18,834 to put in this $6,000 system 292 00:12:18,900 --> 00:12:21,066 - that you put in? - Actually, I bought more than that. 293 00:12:21,133 --> 00:12:22,967 - I bought soundproofing about... - [Judge Judy] Just a second. 294 00:12:23,033 --> 00:12:25,867 - Okay. - Let's start with the $6,000 295 00:12:25,934 --> 00:12:28,533 ventilation system that you put in 296 00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:30,133 after you opened. 297 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:32,500 Now, you'd been working on the property, 298 00:12:32,567 --> 00:12:34,467 so we already know what this is about. 299 00:12:34,533 --> 00:12:37,066 It's all about being a good neighbor. 300 00:12:37,133 --> 00:12:39,900 - Correct. - [Judge Judy] That is lost today. 301 00:12:39,967 --> 00:12:42,266 You were working, am I correct, Whitney-- 302 00:12:42,333 --> 00:12:45,200 since you took the lease in May of 2020. 303 00:12:45,266 --> 00:12:48,200 - Yes, May of 2020. - [Judge Judy] And you didn't open 304 00:12:48,266 --> 00:12:51,200 until late September, 305 00:12:51,266 --> 00:12:52,867 - September 20th? - Right. 306 00:12:52,934 --> 00:12:55,567 [Judge Judy] And you knew about her because she came in August. 307 00:12:55,633 --> 00:12:57,900 She said, "By the way, I live up stairs." 308 00:12:57,967 --> 00:13:01,467 - What's the capacity of your cafe? - One hundred fifty. 309 00:13:01,533 --> 00:13:05,000 "I'm gonna have 150 people whose sole purpose 310 00:13:05,066 --> 00:13:06,734 in coming to my place 311 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:10,400 is to smoke and drink indoors. 312 00:13:11,166 --> 00:13:13,800 So, before I put up my decorations, 313 00:13:13,867 --> 00:13:15,834 I better check the ventilation system, 314 00:13:15,900 --> 00:13:18,066 because there are people who live in this building." 315 00:13:18,133 --> 00:13:20,800 - We did check. - Evidently not good enough. 316 00:13:20,867 --> 00:13:23,266 I have proof from the air quality center. 317 00:13:23,333 --> 00:13:24,934 [Judge Judy] Not in her apartment. 318 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:27,133 - Because if it's all good... - It's all the building upstairs... 319 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:29,100 [Judge Judy] Listen to me. If it's all good, 320 00:13:29,166 --> 00:13:31,433 then a businessman like you would not put in 321 00:13:31,500 --> 00:13:34,266 a $6,000 system after you moved in. 322 00:13:34,967 --> 00:13:36,433 - Do you understand? - I understand. 323 00:13:36,500 --> 00:13:38,066 [Judge Judy] All right. You're a business guy, 324 00:13:38,133 --> 00:13:41,165 and if everything was 100% efficient 325 00:13:41,233 --> 00:13:44,266 and there was no smoke going up into her apartment, 326 00:13:44,333 --> 00:13:47,400 there is no way that you would've invested $6,000 327 00:13:47,467 --> 00:13:50,100 in another ventilation system after you moved in. 328 00:13:50,165 --> 00:13:51,900 Now, you started to say, 329 00:13:51,967 --> 00:13:55,667 "I not only put in a $6,000 ventilation system 330 00:13:55,734 --> 00:13:58,867 after I moved in, but I also soundproofed it." 331 00:13:58,934 --> 00:14:01,000 - Yes. - You're gonna have to show me proof. 332 00:14:01,066 --> 00:14:03,800 - [Mohammad] Uh-hmm. - What month did you soundproof it? 333 00:14:03,867 --> 00:14:05,567 - So... - [Judge Judy] What--not a so. 334 00:14:05,633 --> 00:14:07,166 So is not a month. 335 00:14:07,233 --> 00:14:10,133 January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September... 336 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:11,467 [Mohammad] So we closed--we closed--we closed... 337 00:14:11,533 --> 00:14:13,133 - Month. A month. - [Mohammad] Okay. We closed the-- 338 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:15,300 we closed the business for three months due to the COVID. 339 00:14:15,367 --> 00:14:16,367 - [Judge Judy] Just a second. - Okay. 340 00:14:16,433 --> 00:14:17,533 Month! 341 00:14:18,066 --> 00:14:21,467 - January. - [Judge Judy] So January of 2021... 342 00:14:21,533 --> 00:14:22,967 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] ...is when you... 343 00:14:23,033 --> 00:14:25,867 (laughs) Do you understand where I'm going, sir? 344 00:14:25,934 --> 00:14:28,000 - I completely understand... - You put in a ventilation system, 345 00:14:28,066 --> 00:14:31,333 you had three months to put up decorations. 346 00:14:31,400 --> 00:14:33,767 You were having a hundred and fifty people 347 00:14:33,834 --> 00:14:37,834 whose sole reason to be in your club is to smoke. 348 00:14:37,900 --> 00:14:39,300 Otherwise, if you're a non-smoker, 349 00:14:39,367 --> 00:14:42,200 you stay as far away from smoke as possible. 350 00:14:42,266 --> 00:14:45,433 And you had somebody who came to you, according to you 351 00:14:45,500 --> 00:14:48,233 in August, and said, 352 00:14:48,300 --> 00:14:50,967 "What kind of business are you putting here?" 353 00:14:51,033 --> 00:14:54,934 Your response to her is, "I don't know. Ask my employees. I'm just the owner." 354 00:14:59,165 --> 00:15:01,600 You chose to renovate your place, 355 00:15:01,667 --> 00:15:04,800 put on all the bells and whistles for a hundred and fifty people, 356 00:15:04,867 --> 00:15:08,533 but didn't contemplate that a hundred and fifty people smoking 357 00:15:08,600 --> 00:15:11,233 could filter up, and the noise from that-- 358 00:15:11,300 --> 00:15:12,800 - do you also play music? - Yes, we do. 359 00:15:12,867 --> 00:15:15,367 [Judge Judy] Yes. And you didn't think that that would be annoying? 360 00:15:15,433 --> 00:15:18,233 - I did think. - [laughter] 361 00:15:21,633 --> 00:15:24,700 [theme music playing] 362 00:15:28,300 --> 00:15:31,633 [announcer] Cindy Sonboleh is accusing business owner, 363 00:15:31,700 --> 00:15:34,633 Mohammad Elamaireh, of forcing her to move 364 00:15:34,700 --> 00:15:36,467 after he opened his hookah lounge. 365 00:15:37,033 --> 00:15:41,000 Mohammad claimed Cindy regularly harassed him and his customers. 366 00:15:41,066 --> 00:15:43,800 Now, I want you to think about you're living 367 00:15:43,867 --> 00:15:45,700 in your apartment that you own. 368 00:15:45,767 --> 00:15:47,467 How much did you pay for your apartment? 369 00:15:47,533 --> 00:15:49,500 - Half a million dollar. - [Judge Judy] Half a million dollars? 370 00:15:49,567 --> 00:15:52,467 Now, you're living in your half a million dollar piece of real estate 371 00:15:52,533 --> 00:15:55,066 and you see your next door neighbor moving in four pianos, 372 00:15:55,133 --> 00:15:57,066 and you walk up, and you say, 373 00:15:57,133 --> 00:15:59,700 "Gee, that's sort of-- why are you moving in"-- 374 00:15:59,767 --> 00:16:02,533 not one, not four, two pianos. 375 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:05,767 So if you ask your neighbor, "Why do you need two pianos?" 376 00:16:05,834 --> 00:16:07,867 And they said to you, "It's none of your business." 377 00:16:07,934 --> 00:16:10,700 And then they proceeded to give piano lessons to people 378 00:16:10,767 --> 00:16:13,600 in the apartment on the side for cash. 379 00:16:13,667 --> 00:16:16,800 It would annoy you because you have a half a million dollar investment 380 00:16:16,867 --> 00:16:19,033 in your property. And the reason I'm coming down 381 00:16:19,100 --> 00:16:22,200 as hard as I am about you, sir, is she complained reasonably. 382 00:16:22,266 --> 00:16:24,300 She had been living there quietly for five years 383 00:16:24,367 --> 00:16:28,133 and you didn't soundproof this hundred and fifty person facility 384 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:30,700 until January of 2021, 385 00:16:30,767 --> 00:16:34,300 and you opened it in September of 2020, 386 00:16:34,367 --> 00:16:37,767 and you didn't vent it until, if I believed you, October... 387 00:16:37,834 --> 00:16:39,667 - But we haven't... - [Judge Judy] ...of 2020. 388 00:16:39,734 --> 00:16:41,633 The issue we haven't had any complaints 389 00:16:41,700 --> 00:16:43,834 from the tobacco or any music lounge 390 00:16:43,900 --> 00:16:46,033 only from her among of all the residents. 391 00:16:46,100 --> 00:16:49,300 Maybe only other one, but so far-- since she left... 392 00:16:49,367 --> 00:16:52,400 [Judge Judy] Just a second. I very rarely ask this question, sir. 393 00:16:52,467 --> 00:16:54,500 - [Mohammad] Sure. - Because trained lawyers 394 00:16:54,567 --> 00:16:56,467 don't ask this kind of question, sir. 395 00:16:56,533 --> 00:16:59,233 She's been living in her apartment for five years. 396 00:16:59,300 --> 00:17:01,367 - Why do you think she moved? - She wants money. 397 00:17:01,433 --> 00:17:02,467 [Judge Judy] No, no, no, no, no. 398 00:17:02,533 --> 00:17:04,300 You mean she moved because she wants money? 399 00:17:04,367 --> 00:17:06,467 - [Mohammad] Yes. - [laughs] 400 00:17:06,532 --> 00:17:08,300 - [Mohammad] I have proof. - [Cindy] Oh. 401 00:17:09,165 --> 00:17:10,733 [Judge Judy] [indistinct] because she asked you for money? 402 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:12,433 - She asked... - [Judge Judy] Yes, she asked? 403 00:17:12,500 --> 00:17:14,066 I'll put it to you this way. 404 00:17:14,133 --> 00:17:17,500 You think if the furniture store was still there, she would have moved? 405 00:17:18,165 --> 00:17:19,633 I'm asking you a question. 406 00:17:19,700 --> 00:17:22,333 Do you think if the furniture store was still there, 407 00:17:22,400 --> 00:17:23,633 she would have moved? 408 00:17:23,700 --> 00:17:25,633 If, if she did [indistinct] she wouldn't move. 409 00:17:25,700 --> 00:17:28,532 [Judge Judy] How many times did she complain about your business? 410 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:30,367 - All--every day. - [Judge Judy] Every day? 411 00:17:30,433 --> 00:17:32,667 How many times did she call the authorities to your business? 412 00:17:32,734 --> 00:17:33,867 Every single day. 413 00:17:33,934 --> 00:17:35,200 [Judge Judy] How many times do you think 414 00:17:35,266 --> 00:17:38,667 she called the authorities when the furniture store was there? 415 00:17:38,734 --> 00:17:42,166 [Mohammad] Because there was nobody there, so there was--so it's very obvious, 416 00:17:42,233 --> 00:17:43,800 - a nuisance to the area. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 417 00:17:43,867 --> 00:17:45,133 Now, you're gonna show me proof 418 00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:49,400 that her whole objective was to blackmail you for money. 419 00:17:49,467 --> 00:17:51,533 [Mohammad] Sure. So the, uh, the thing is 420 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:53,900 - from the beginning I started... - I don't wanna know your story 421 00:17:53,967 --> 00:17:54,900 from the beginning. 422 00:17:54,967 --> 00:17:56,667 I know the story. 423 00:17:56,734 --> 00:18:00,166 Now, nine, ten million people hopefully will know the story. 424 00:18:01,066 --> 00:18:02,633 Proof. Don't say anything. 425 00:18:02,700 --> 00:18:03,934 Show me proof. 426 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:06,166 [Mohammad] So she moved the day after we banned her 427 00:18:06,233 --> 00:18:07,100 from the lounge to come in. 428 00:18:08,700 --> 00:18:10,567 - What did he just say? - [Whitney] He said he banned her 429 00:18:10,633 --> 00:18:12,433 from the lounge to come in. (laughs) 430 00:18:17,266 --> 00:18:20,033 [Sarah] And there is a special permit for hookah lounges, 431 00:18:20,100 --> 00:18:23,033 but they differ county by county, the regulations. 432 00:18:23,100 --> 00:18:25,500 [Judge Judy] Okay. What is this that you're showing me? 433 00:18:25,567 --> 00:18:28,333 [Mohammad] So, she-- she's been banned, February 25th-- 434 00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:31,100 [Judge Judy] I don't care if this is a letter written by somebody, 435 00:18:31,166 --> 00:18:32,734 - operations manager. - [Mohammad] Yes. 436 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:35,600 [Judge Judy] You were going to show me, you said she's... 437 00:18:37,533 --> 00:18:39,867 Can I say something-- and I--for two minutes? 438 00:18:39,934 --> 00:18:43,800 So what happened is she's protesting for the liquor license of my lounge. 439 00:18:44,567 --> 00:18:49,066 So, I came to the landlord, we--me and him we had a conversation about Ms. Cindy. 440 00:18:49,133 --> 00:18:51,266 I don't want to hear anything about a conversation 441 00:18:51,333 --> 00:18:52,600 - you had with the landlord. - [Mohammad] Okay. I offered her money-- 442 00:18:52,667 --> 00:18:55,567 I offered her money for almost $2,000 to move out 443 00:18:55,633 --> 00:18:57,767 - from her apartment. - [Judge Judy] You offered her money 444 00:18:57,834 --> 00:18:59,500 - to move out of her apartment? - Yes, ma'am. 445 00:18:59,567 --> 00:19:01,000 [Judge Judy] And she said, "I want more money?" 446 00:19:01,066 --> 00:19:02,433 She said, "I will take the money first." 447 00:19:02,500 --> 00:19:05,100 But after we prepared documents and everything, 448 00:19:05,166 --> 00:19:07,000 we send it out to her house to sign it, 449 00:19:07,066 --> 00:19:09,400 she said, "No." She first said yes for the money, 450 00:19:09,467 --> 00:19:11,700 but she wanted more money to sign the documents. 451 00:19:11,767 --> 00:19:13,266 - She said, "No." - You were giving her 452 00:19:13,333 --> 00:19:15,000 how much money to move out? 453 00:19:15,066 --> 00:19:16,500 - She asked for 2,000. - [Judge Judy] No-- 454 00:19:16,567 --> 00:19:19,200 and that's what you were gonna give her, $2,000 for moving amount. 455 00:19:19,266 --> 00:19:21,934 - Yes. $2,000. Yes. - What was your rent in this apartment? 456 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:24,033 - 1,080. - [Judge Judy] How big was it? 457 00:19:24,100 --> 00:19:26,400 It's a little bit over 400 square feet. 458 00:19:26,467 --> 00:19:29,600 - What kind of place do you have now? - [Cindy] It's half the size, (laughs) 459 00:19:29,667 --> 00:19:32,166 but it's quiet and there's no smoking. 460 00:19:32,233 --> 00:19:33,700 How much do you pay in rent? 461 00:19:33,767 --> 00:19:36,667 - (sighs) 1,275. - [Judge Judy] Do you understand? 462 00:19:36,734 --> 00:19:39,800 She moved into an apartment that's either the same size 463 00:19:39,867 --> 00:19:42,200 or smaller than she had. She's paying an extra, 464 00:19:42,266 --> 00:19:45,800 almost $300 a month in rent to get away from you. 465 00:19:45,867 --> 00:19:48,300 - Not to get away from me. - [Judge Judy laughs] 466 00:19:48,367 --> 00:19:50,000 - [Mohammad] Because there were... - [Judge Judy] Just a second. 467 00:19:50,066 --> 00:19:52,734 [Mohammad] The [indistinct] smoking weed every day in the same building. 468 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:54,700 - What? - [Mohammad] They smoking weed. 469 00:19:54,767 --> 00:19:57,000 The residents, at the place every single day. 470 00:19:57,066 --> 00:19:58,533 I can smell it from my, my lounge. 471 00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:00,834 And I see them party on the balcony every single day 472 00:20:00,900 --> 00:20:02,934 with drinking and I told the landlord too about it. 473 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:05,300 Just a second. (laughs) So, what you're telling me you complained 474 00:20:05,367 --> 00:20:08,600 to the landlord because you saw other tenants in the building smoking weed. 475 00:20:08,667 --> 00:20:11,500 - Um, well, she... - You can't tell me that, sir, 476 00:20:11,567 --> 00:20:13,834 because you don't have witnesses here. 477 00:20:13,900 --> 00:20:16,800 - They are--they can't... - You don't have witnesses here. 478 00:20:16,867 --> 00:20:18,900 She didn't have any problem before. 479 00:20:18,967 --> 00:20:23,200 What I'm saying to you is you chose to renovate your place, 480 00:20:23,266 --> 00:20:26,400 put on all the bells and whistles for a hundred and fifty people, 481 00:20:26,467 --> 00:20:29,800 but didn't contemplate that a hundred and fifty people smoking 482 00:20:29,867 --> 00:20:33,000 could filter up and the noise from that-- 483 00:20:33,066 --> 00:20:35,000 do you also play music in your club? 484 00:20:35,066 --> 00:20:36,367 - Yes, we do. - [Judge Judy] And you didn't think 485 00:20:36,433 --> 00:20:37,967 - that that would be annoying? - I did think. 486 00:20:38,033 --> 00:20:41,266 (laughs) Judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $10,000. 487 00:20:41,333 --> 00:20:43,000 Your counterclaim is dismissed. We're done. 488 00:20:43,066 --> 00:20:44,166 [Kevin] Court is adjourned. 489 00:20:45,967 --> 00:20:49,166 Yeah, I did go down and said something, but it wasn't how he said it. 490 00:20:49,233 --> 00:20:52,767 I already offered her money, but she was more, like, greedy. 491 00:20:52,834 --> 00:20:54,633 I'm so glad I'm out. 492 00:20:54,700 --> 00:20:57,533 And, and she keep calling the police, we're doing illegal stuff in the lounge. 493 00:20:57,600 --> 00:21:00,967 We have the police came up and inspected all the lounge a couple of times, 494 00:21:01,033 --> 00:21:02,200 but was--nothing is wrong. 495 00:21:04,400 --> 00:21:07,066 [Judge Judy] You know, having had a life experience, 496 00:21:07,133 --> 00:21:08,834 you bring as a judge 497 00:21:08,900 --> 00:21:10,867 whatever life experience that you have, 498 00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:15,233 and I can only remember one life experience 499 00:21:15,300 --> 00:21:17,533 that I had that was this kind of acute. 500 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:19,934 We were living in a--in a home, 501 00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:23,133 and a neighbor of ours had a couple of kids, 502 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:26,500 and their kids didn't make the lacrosse team at school. 503 00:21:26,567 --> 00:21:29,667 So, what this neighbor decided to do was flatten a mountain 504 00:21:29,734 --> 00:21:33,066 without permits to build a lacrosse field 505 00:21:33,133 --> 00:21:35,934 on his property and make his own lacrosse team. 506 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:39,800 The only problem is he didn't put in proper drainage, 507 00:21:39,867 --> 00:21:44,166 so my house was flooded with mud and debris. 508 00:21:44,233 --> 00:21:46,100 And when I complained, 509 00:21:46,166 --> 00:21:49,000 well, then I was called a bad neighbor, 510 00:21:49,066 --> 00:21:51,300 because after all you were doing this for the kids. 511 00:21:51,367 --> 00:21:54,600 I said, "Well, I have a swimming pool that's now half full of mud." 512 00:21:54,667 --> 00:21:58,467 Eventually, the matter was resolved in my favor. 513 00:21:58,533 --> 00:22:02,033 You did something to interfere with a quiet enjoyment 514 00:22:02,100 --> 00:22:03,333 of your neighbor's property. 515 00:22:03,400 --> 00:22:06,734 There were 200 people like that gentleman who says, 516 00:22:06,800 --> 00:22:10,000 "You're not my problem. I don't have to think about you. 517 00:22:10,066 --> 00:22:13,233 And what I do, how it's going to impact on you." 518 00:22:13,300 --> 00:22:15,100 I think it's all about an attitude change 519 00:22:15,166 --> 00:22:17,300 and I think that you have to be a responsible citizen 520 00:22:17,367 --> 00:22:19,467 - and make good choices. - Responsible behavior 521 00:22:19,533 --> 00:22:22,367 is something that better come back into vogue. 522 00:22:22,433 --> 00:22:23,834 (laughs) I agree. 523 00:22:25,400 --> 00:22:28,800 [announcer] Want Justice? Go to judyjustice.tv. 524 00:22:32,133 --> 00:22:35,133 [theme music playing]