1 00:00:00,333 --> 00:00:02,967 - An employer owed you back wages. - Yes, ma'am. 2 00:00:03,033 --> 00:00:05,967 You want to sue them for not paying you overtime, 3 00:00:06,033 --> 00:00:07,333 for having to work during lunch. 4 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:09,433 [Sean] Yeah. He just said he was a lawyer. 5 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:11,734 He said he couldn't get on the bar. 6 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:13,633 - So he's not a lawyer? - No, he's not. 7 00:00:13,700 --> 00:00:15,333 Do you have any history 8 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:17,834 of working as a paralegal? 9 00:00:17,900 --> 00:00:19,166 No. 10 00:00:19,233 --> 00:00:21,233 I think you're operating out of your league, sir. 11 00:00:21,300 --> 00:00:23,500 [announcer] This is Judy Justice. 12 00:00:23,567 --> 00:00:26,567 [theme music playing] 13 00:00:40,900 --> 00:00:43,967 [announcer] Retired Police Lieutenant, Charles White, 14 00:00:44,033 --> 00:00:47,200 is suing security guard, Sean Gibson, 15 00:00:47,266 --> 00:00:50,667 for advocacy services he provided to Sean. 16 00:00:51,533 --> 00:00:52,533 [Kevin] Court come to order. 17 00:00:53,867 --> 00:00:55,133 Be seated, please. 18 00:00:56,800 --> 00:00:59,333 Case 1115, White versus Gibson. 19 00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:00,700 - Thank you. - [Kevin] You're welcome. 20 00:01:01,867 --> 00:01:05,533 Mr. White, I'd like you to tell me something of your educational background. 21 00:01:05,600 --> 00:01:08,333 Yes, ma'am. I have a Master's Degree in criminal justice. 22 00:01:08,400 --> 00:01:10,433 - [Judge Judy] From where? - St. Louis University. 23 00:01:10,500 --> 00:01:12,333 [Judge Judy] Do you have any history 24 00:01:12,400 --> 00:01:14,900 of working as a paralegal? 25 00:01:14,967 --> 00:01:15,967 - No. - [Judge Judy] None? 26 00:01:16,033 --> 00:01:17,033 None. 27 00:01:17,100 --> 00:01:20,265 Now, this case involves a claim, 28 00:01:20,333 --> 00:01:23,567 you were hired by the defendant to do the paperwork 29 00:01:23,633 --> 00:01:26,500 that was necessary in a labor dispute that he had 30 00:01:26,567 --> 00:01:27,867 with a former employer. 31 00:01:27,934 --> 00:01:31,567 That labor dispute involved some $35,000 32 00:01:31,633 --> 00:01:32,866 in unpaid wages. 33 00:01:32,934 --> 00:01:35,467 These are the numbers that Mr. White came up with. 34 00:01:35,533 --> 00:01:37,265 - [Judge Judy] He came up with the number? - [Sean] Yes, ma'am. 35 00:01:37,333 --> 00:01:40,667 [Judge Judy] According to what I read, you met during a security job. 36 00:01:40,734 --> 00:01:41,967 - [Sean] Yes. - You were both doing security. 37 00:01:42,033 --> 00:01:43,033 - That's correct. - Yes, ma'am. 38 00:01:43,100 --> 00:01:44,600 [Judge Judy] You're a former police officer? 39 00:01:44,667 --> 00:01:45,667 Yes, ma'am. Police Lieutenant. 40 00:01:45,734 --> 00:01:47,366 - [Judge Judy] And you? - I'm a security guard. 41 00:01:47,433 --> 00:01:49,834 [Judge Judy] And during the course of that interaction, 42 00:01:49,900 --> 00:01:52,100 you must have relayed, Mr. Gibson, to Mr. White 43 00:01:52,166 --> 00:01:54,700 that you felt an employer owed you back wages. 44 00:01:54,767 --> 00:01:55,800 Yes, ma'am. 45 00:01:55,866 --> 00:01:57,734 - [Judge Judy] Another security company? - [Sean] Yes, ma'am. 46 00:01:57,800 --> 00:01:59,567 [Judge Judy] And in what years did you work for them? 47 00:01:59,633 --> 00:02:03,767 I worked for them from 2017 to 2020. 48 00:02:03,834 --> 00:02:06,433 And what period of time weren't you compensated? 49 00:02:06,500 --> 00:02:10,400 They did not pay me for any overtime. 50 00:02:10,467 --> 00:02:12,433 - [Judge Judy] Overtime? - Yeah, for my overtime. 51 00:02:12,500 --> 00:02:15,467 I had to take working lunches, unfair work conditions. 52 00:02:15,533 --> 00:02:18,400 And they also--they sent me a 1099, 53 00:02:18,466 --> 00:02:21,400 even though they've been taking taxes out of my check all year. 54 00:02:21,466 --> 00:02:23,533 Okay. And that was for the last year you worked for them? 55 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:26,533 - Yes, ma'am. - So you discussed that with Mr. White. 56 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:29,266 And Mr. White said I can help you fill out the paperwork, 57 00:02:29,333 --> 00:02:30,834 you're owed probably a lot of money. 58 00:02:30,900 --> 00:02:32,066 Yeah. He said he did that. 59 00:02:32,133 --> 00:02:34,934 He said uh he was a lawyer. 60 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:37,000 - And that... - [Judge Judy] He said he was a lawyer? 61 00:02:37,066 --> 00:02:39,333 He said he was a lawyer. This is at that first meeting. 62 00:02:39,400 --> 00:02:40,533 He said he was a lawyer... 63 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:42,834 - Where did that meeting take place? - [Sean] While we were working. 64 00:02:42,900 --> 00:02:45,166 [Judge Judy] You mean when you first discussed it, it wasn't a meeting? 65 00:02:45,233 --> 00:02:47,567 Yeah, it wasn't a meeting. Yeah, we've just first discussed it. 66 00:02:47,633 --> 00:02:50,500 He said he hasn't gotten on the bar in California yet. 67 00:02:50,567 --> 00:02:52,233 [Judge Judy] Okay. So you knew he wasn't a lawyer? 68 00:02:52,300 --> 00:02:53,734 Yeah. I found out. Yes. 69 00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:55,734 - [Judge Judy] No, you knew that if he... - Oh, yeah, at the time. Yes. 70 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:57,033 [Judge Judy] ...you knew at the time that he wasn't a lawyer? 71 00:02:57,100 --> 00:02:58,100 - Yes, ma'am. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 72 00:02:58,166 --> 00:03:00,100 Did you make an arrangement with him? 73 00:03:00,166 --> 00:03:01,934 - Yes, ma'am. - [Judge Judy] What was the arrangement? 74 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:04,600 [Sean] The arrangement was if he was able 75 00:03:04,667 --> 00:03:06,767 to get some compensation for this, 76 00:03:06,834 --> 00:03:09,300 if you fill out those paperwork and do what he said he can do, 77 00:03:09,367 --> 00:03:12,066 - then he would get 20% of the... - [Judge Judy] Recovery? 78 00:03:12,133 --> 00:03:13,367 Yes. Yes, ma'am. 79 00:03:13,433 --> 00:03:15,367 So you told him to get started with the paperwork? 80 00:03:15,433 --> 00:03:17,900 - [Sean] Yes, I did. - In exchange for 20% 81 00:03:17,966 --> 00:03:19,966 - of whatever recovery you had? - Absolutely. 82 00:03:20,033 --> 00:03:21,333 [Judge Judy] And on what date was that? 83 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:24,133 [Sean] I believe December of 2019. 84 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:28,633 [Judge Judy] Okay. Mr. White, so far, are we in agreement of the following 85 00:03:28,700 --> 00:03:32,000 that you and Mr. Gibson entered into a contract, 86 00:03:32,066 --> 00:03:34,600 and that contract was that you would begin 87 00:03:34,667 --> 00:03:36,767 to process his case 88 00:03:36,834 --> 00:03:40,166 with the Labor Board against the security company, 89 00:03:40,233 --> 00:03:43,000 and you would be receiving as compensation, 90 00:03:43,066 --> 00:03:44,567 not a flat fee, 91 00:03:44,633 --> 00:03:48,466 but 20% of whatever recovery he got, 92 00:03:48,533 --> 00:03:50,667 - as a result of your efforts? - Yes, ma'am. 93 00:03:50,734 --> 00:03:54,333 And I assume you have copies of everything that you did for him. 94 00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:57,367 - Yes, ma'am. - I'd like to see the initial forms 95 00:03:57,433 --> 00:04:00,233 that you filled out and sent on his behalf. 96 00:04:00,300 --> 00:04:02,100 - [Charles] Okay. - There were two forms. 97 00:04:02,166 --> 00:04:03,200 [Judge Judy] Okay. 98 00:04:13,567 --> 00:04:15,533 Okay. One is a claim form, 99 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:17,733 and you say meal period wages 100 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:20,000 from September 7th, 2018 101 00:04:20,065 --> 00:04:22,300 to March 28th, 2020, 102 00:04:22,367 --> 00:04:24,900 $8,200 rest period wages, 103 00:04:24,967 --> 00:04:26,600 'cause he didn't get rest periods. 104 00:04:26,667 --> 00:04:30,600 So, you added that up, $20 an hour, you came up with another $8,200. 105 00:04:30,667 --> 00:04:32,834 Then it says others specify, 106 00:04:32,900 --> 00:04:36,300 September 7th, '18 to March 28th, 2020, 107 00:04:36,367 --> 00:04:38,500 $19,550. 108 00:04:38,567 --> 00:04:41,467 - What was that for? - That would include things such as... 109 00:04:41,533 --> 00:04:43,200 No. Where is it in the form? 110 00:04:43,266 --> 00:04:46,133 I see you write others specify, 111 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:48,933 but where is it specified what the 19,500 is? 112 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:50,767 It says specify, 113 00:04:50,834 --> 00:04:52,933 so just show me, I must have missed it. 114 00:04:54,133 --> 00:04:55,433 - [Sean] Well, you didn't, ma'am... - No. No. 115 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:57,600 Do I need help from you? 116 00:04:57,667 --> 00:04:59,433 - No. - [Judge Judy] So far. 117 00:04:59,500 --> 00:05:01,233 I may need help from you. 118 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:05,066 No, ma'am. I failed to include that in the packet. 119 00:05:05,133 --> 00:05:08,700 Well, so the packet is incomplete, so that more 50% of the claim 120 00:05:08,767 --> 00:05:11,266 that you filed for him did not include 121 00:05:11,333 --> 00:05:14,233 the reason that you were asking for money. 122 00:05:14,300 --> 00:05:17,467 You, in total, asked for $35,000, right? 123 00:05:17,533 --> 00:05:19,900 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] And you've got 8,000, 124 00:05:19,967 --> 00:05:22,967 8,000, and then 19,500 for other. 125 00:05:23,033 --> 00:05:25,934 So, of the two documents that you filled out, 126 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:27,266 one of them was worthless, 127 00:05:27,332 --> 00:05:30,467 because it doesn't specify what it is that you're suing for. 128 00:05:30,533 --> 00:05:33,700 And the other one is a single page December 13th, 129 00:05:33,767 --> 00:05:35,533 is a letter that you sent to them, 130 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:39,633 that "...my services have been retained as his employee advocate. 131 00:05:39,700 --> 00:05:43,800 Mr. Gibson has signed this document to vindicate this letter as well. 132 00:05:43,867 --> 00:05:47,033 Please allow this letter to serve as a request for his employee records 133 00:05:47,100 --> 00:05:49,600 maintained by whatever company it was." 134 00:05:49,667 --> 00:05:50,767 And you signed it. 135 00:05:50,834 --> 00:05:52,367 - Did you sign it? - Yes, ma'am. 136 00:05:52,433 --> 00:05:55,400 Okay, so this--so far, his is your work product. 137 00:05:55,467 --> 00:05:56,967 What else did you do for him? 138 00:05:57,033 --> 00:06:00,200 Because they must have sent that back to you and said, it's incomplete. 139 00:06:00,266 --> 00:06:01,433 - No, ma'am. - They didn't? 140 00:06:01,500 --> 00:06:03,133 [Charles] No. I have a letter from the state 141 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:05,800 indicating that they accepted and received the document 142 00:06:05,867 --> 00:06:07,200 and his claim was in process. 143 00:06:07,266 --> 00:06:09,133 [Judge Judy] What state is that from? 144 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:11,767 - California. - Oh. [laughs] 145 00:06:15,133 --> 00:06:17,667 This country is in such trouble. 146 00:06:17,734 --> 00:06:20,233 You submit a form, that's--for a claim, 147 00:06:20,300 --> 00:06:22,567 and you don't specify what the claim is. 148 00:06:22,633 --> 00:06:23,900 And they accepted the form. 149 00:06:23,967 --> 00:06:26,266 That's what he's telling me. I'd love to see that letter. 150 00:06:26,332 --> 00:06:28,734 It's gonna go in the Guinness Book. 151 00:06:30,767 --> 00:06:32,266 - Ma'am? - [Judge Judy] What? 152 00:06:32,332 --> 00:06:35,867 I failed to include a copy of the details 153 00:06:35,933 --> 00:06:37,600 of the other in this packet. 154 00:06:37,667 --> 00:06:40,633 I did submit other with the claim, otherwise they wouldn't approve it. 155 00:06:40,700 --> 00:06:43,200 I just forgot to include it with this packet today. 156 00:06:43,266 --> 00:06:45,367 Well, that was necessary, this is your day. 157 00:06:45,433 --> 00:06:46,967 This is your day in court. 158 00:06:47,033 --> 00:06:49,200 You wanna show me something that's gonna help his case? 159 00:06:49,266 --> 00:06:50,266 No. 160 00:06:52,266 --> 00:06:54,700 - I do not. - I don't understand you. 161 00:06:54,767 --> 00:06:56,166 I'd like to see what he's got. 162 00:06:59,367 --> 00:07:01,467 This is a piece of paper from the state 163 00:07:01,533 --> 00:07:04,166 basically saying that the other was not accepted, 164 00:07:04,233 --> 00:07:06,433 and that he filed it in the wrong place. 165 00:07:08,834 --> 00:07:10,100 So the first one you signed? 166 00:07:10,166 --> 00:07:11,300 The first I signed. 167 00:07:11,367 --> 00:07:12,367 This one you did not? 168 00:07:12,433 --> 00:07:14,333 Yeah, the one with all the calculations on it. 169 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:18,266 Okay. Did you in fact, Mr. White, 170 00:07:18,332 --> 00:07:20,400 sign his name to this document? 171 00:07:25,300 --> 00:07:28,000 [theme music playing] 172 00:07:31,767 --> 00:07:34,533 [announcer] Retired Police Lieutenant, Charles White, 173 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:37,700 claims Security Guard, Sean Gibson, 174 00:07:37,767 --> 00:07:40,767 owes for the advocacy services he completed 175 00:07:40,834 --> 00:07:43,300 to help Sean in a labor dispute. 176 00:07:43,367 --> 00:07:47,633 Mr. Gibson, on May 4th of 2020, 177 00:07:47,700 --> 00:07:49,266 that's two weeks later, 178 00:07:49,332 --> 00:07:52,200 after you file these papers telling Mr. Gibson, 179 00:07:52,266 --> 00:07:53,767 "I'm a deputy assigned to your case. 180 00:07:53,834 --> 00:07:55,834 I've attached the claim filed. 181 00:07:55,900 --> 00:07:58,600 I have removed Mr. White from your case. 182 00:07:58,667 --> 00:08:00,333 Please answer a few questions. 183 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:01,867 Did you sign this form? 184 00:08:01,934 --> 00:08:04,000 Did Mr. White represent himself as an attorney? 185 00:08:04,066 --> 00:08:05,700 Do you wish to pursue this case? 186 00:08:05,767 --> 00:08:07,834 Please note the section on other 187 00:08:07,900 --> 00:08:10,433 is mostly not applicable to this department." 188 00:08:10,500 --> 00:08:13,767 What else did you do for the defendant? 189 00:08:13,834 --> 00:08:17,367 Show me pieces of paper that you did file, research, whatever you did. 190 00:08:23,667 --> 00:08:26,967 [Charles] Those are papers showing forth of Mr. Gibson's payroll records. 191 00:08:27,033 --> 00:08:29,500 I took his payroll records based off his information, 192 00:08:29,567 --> 00:08:31,900 and calculated how many rest breaks he missed, 193 00:08:31,967 --> 00:08:35,000 the amount that he should have been paid for in both categories. 194 00:08:35,066 --> 00:08:36,165 I asked you a question, 195 00:08:36,232 --> 00:08:39,700 - what other papers did you file for him? - Oh, those only two papers. 196 00:08:39,767 --> 00:08:41,366 I thought you said what work did I do for him. 197 00:08:41,433 --> 00:08:42,900 [Judge Judy] Did you ever sign his name 198 00:08:42,967 --> 00:08:44,433 - to a document? - No. 199 00:08:44,500 --> 00:08:46,266 [Judge Judy] Did he ever sign your name to a document? 200 00:08:46,333 --> 00:08:48,633 - Yes, ma'am. - Which document did he sign your name to? 201 00:08:48,700 --> 00:08:49,934 [Sean] It was to the wage claim. 202 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:52,500 The letter I just gave you when she was asking... 203 00:08:52,567 --> 00:08:54,700 did I sign this and do I wanna continue, 204 00:08:54,767 --> 00:08:56,867 the reason why I got that from her 205 00:08:56,934 --> 00:08:58,867 is because I--he never gave it to me. 206 00:08:58,934 --> 00:09:01,834 I asked him several times to give me a copy of it. 207 00:09:01,900 --> 00:09:04,133 - He absolutely... - Oh, you mean the one that says other? 208 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:05,233 I'll take that back. 209 00:09:05,300 --> 00:09:07,367 Do you know which one I'm talking about, Kevin? 210 00:09:07,433 --> 00:09:08,433 Yes. 211 00:09:10,367 --> 00:09:11,834 You're talking about this. 212 00:09:13,300 --> 00:09:14,467 [Kevin] Yeah. 213 00:09:14,533 --> 00:09:16,033 So the first one you signed? 214 00:09:16,100 --> 00:09:17,667 The first one I signed. 215 00:09:17,734 --> 00:09:19,000 This one you did not? 216 00:09:19,066 --> 00:09:21,133 Yeah, the one with all the calculations on it. 217 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:22,667 - With these? - [Sean] Correct. 218 00:09:22,734 --> 00:09:24,300 - I did not... - Eighty-two, Eighty-two, 219 00:09:24,367 --> 00:09:25,800 - and nineteen... - [Sean] Never seen it. 220 00:09:25,867 --> 00:09:27,433 - Never signed it. - Never saw it? 221 00:09:27,500 --> 00:09:29,533 [Sean] Never saw it. I asked him several times for it. 222 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:31,400 - He refused to give it to me. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 223 00:09:31,467 --> 00:09:34,500 Did you, in fact, Mr. White, 224 00:09:34,567 --> 00:09:37,066 sign his name to this document? 225 00:09:37,133 --> 00:09:38,333 No, ma'am. 226 00:09:41,266 --> 00:09:43,734 - Can I add somethin' to that, Judge Judy? - [Judge Judy] Uh-hmm. 227 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:46,033 Not only did I not sign his name to that document. 228 00:09:46,100 --> 00:09:50,233 Mr. Gibson also had signed a notarized authorization 229 00:09:50,300 --> 00:09:52,667 that if I needed to sign his name to a document, 230 00:09:52,734 --> 00:09:54,667 that I could sign his name. In that situation... 231 00:09:54,734 --> 00:09:57,033 [Judge Judy] I'm just asking you whether or not you signed his name. 232 00:09:57,100 --> 00:09:59,533 - Okay. No, ma'am. - Yeah, I think you did. 233 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:02,567 - [Charles] I did not do... - And let me tell you what I'm looking at. 234 00:10:02,633 --> 00:10:04,867 I'm looking at his sworn to answer, 235 00:10:04,934 --> 00:10:08,600 which he seems to put a dot 236 00:10:08,667 --> 00:10:12,500 in between the first letters of his last name. 237 00:10:12,567 --> 00:10:14,233 He did the same thing 238 00:10:14,300 --> 00:10:18,266 in December of--13th of 2019 239 00:10:18,333 --> 00:10:22,433 when he signed the request for employee records, 240 00:10:22,500 --> 00:10:24,066 those signatures are the same. 241 00:10:24,133 --> 00:10:27,367 The one for payment of wages, 242 00:10:27,433 --> 00:10:29,800 you claim you didn't sign, 243 00:10:29,867 --> 00:10:31,800 is different from those two. 244 00:10:31,867 --> 00:10:34,100 So the one that was signed today, 245 00:10:34,165 --> 00:10:37,266 and the one that was signed December of 2019, 246 00:10:37,333 --> 00:10:39,100 they're the same signature. 247 00:10:39,165 --> 00:10:42,834 But the one that was filed in 2020, and rejected, 248 00:10:42,900 --> 00:10:44,433 is not the same signature. 249 00:10:44,500 --> 00:10:46,834 So, if what you're telling me 250 00:10:46,900 --> 00:10:49,133 is he signed a power of attorney 251 00:10:49,200 --> 00:10:51,633 allowing you to sign his name, that's one thing. 252 00:10:51,700 --> 00:10:55,600 But if what you're telling me is that this is his signature, 253 00:10:55,667 --> 00:10:56,667 I don't think it is, 254 00:10:56,734 --> 00:10:59,500 based upon the two reasons that I just told you. 255 00:10:59,567 --> 00:11:01,600 Okay. When did he fire you? 256 00:11:01,667 --> 00:11:06,066 He fired me on April 21st, 2020. 257 00:11:06,133 --> 00:11:08,233 [Judge Judy] And it would be fair to say 258 00:11:08,300 --> 00:11:11,633 that up until April of 2020, 259 00:11:11,700 --> 00:11:14,200 you had filed two documents, 260 00:11:14,266 --> 00:11:15,667 one in December, 261 00:11:15,734 --> 00:11:19,967 - and one document in April of 2020... - Can I add a statement, ma'am? 262 00:11:20,033 --> 00:11:22,400 - Uh-hmm. - Okay. I'm not sure what Mr. Gibson 263 00:11:22,467 --> 00:11:24,700 presented to you a email from somebody, 264 00:11:24,767 --> 00:11:28,133 but what I presented was actually a letter from the state with a seal on it 265 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:31,100 that stated that they received the document, the wage claim, 266 00:11:31,166 --> 00:11:32,333 and was in process. 267 00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:36,233 Mr. Gibson present with you an email for somebody that may not be legitimate. 268 00:11:36,300 --> 00:11:38,400 [Judge Judy] Oh, I think probably it is. 269 00:11:38,467 --> 00:11:40,800 But I'd like to see the document that you have. 270 00:11:40,867 --> 00:11:41,867 Do I have it here? 271 00:11:41,934 --> 00:11:43,667 Yes, the paper that the state accepted has 272 00:11:43,734 --> 00:11:45,533 the California State seal on it. 273 00:11:45,600 --> 00:11:46,667 - And it's directly from the state... - [Judge Judy] Just says, 274 00:11:46,734 --> 00:11:49,734 "Dear Sir/Ma'am, your wage claim has been received 275 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:52,800 by Van Nuys Claim Adjuster Service." 276 00:11:52,867 --> 00:11:55,700 Would you show this, please, to Mr. White? 277 00:12:00,667 --> 00:12:01,667 [Charles] Thank you. 278 00:12:02,867 --> 00:12:05,166 [Judge Judy] The letter that you show me, sir, 279 00:12:05,233 --> 00:12:08,867 is dated April 21st of 2020. 280 00:12:08,934 --> 00:12:13,767 In May, the same person sent Mr. Gibson that email 281 00:12:13,834 --> 00:12:16,700 removing you as his attorney. 282 00:12:16,767 --> 00:12:17,967 Now I'll have it back. 283 00:12:19,967 --> 00:12:23,300 Mr. Gibson requested that I be removed from his claim 284 00:12:23,367 --> 00:12:25,633 on April 21st of 2020 285 00:12:25,700 --> 00:12:29,367 in a letter from his self, and also his attorney, 286 00:12:29,433 --> 00:12:31,333 I have those letters here. So... 287 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:32,633 I'd like to have them. 288 00:12:36,433 --> 00:12:37,934 So Ms. Thompson [indistinct] responded to... 289 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:39,834 - Just a second. Just a second. - Oh, okay. 290 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:47,600 Okay. Now Mr. Gibson, I'm gonna get to you. 291 00:12:47,667 --> 00:12:49,734 Clearly, at some point, 292 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:52,433 - you retained a law firm. - I did. 293 00:12:52,500 --> 00:12:54,333 But you had several matters 294 00:12:54,400 --> 00:12:55,900 - at that time. - Yes. 295 00:12:55,967 --> 00:12:57,967 [Judge Judy] What kind of matters did you have at that time? 296 00:12:58,033 --> 00:12:59,967 At the time, uh, when I first hired him? 297 00:13:00,100 --> 00:13:01,233 It was a TRO hearing. 298 00:13:01,300 --> 00:13:02,333 Filed by whom? 299 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:03,700 [Sean] By my former employer, 300 00:13:03,767 --> 00:13:06,233 filed four days after Charles 301 00:13:06,300 --> 00:13:09,200 had submitted the letter that, um, I intended. 302 00:13:09,266 --> 00:13:10,700 - [Judge Judy] You were suing him? - Yes, ma'am. 303 00:13:10,767 --> 00:13:14,533 Okay. So, were you the plaintiff or the defendant of the TRO? 304 00:13:16,200 --> 00:13:18,033 - TRO is a Temporary Restraining Order. - [Sean] Yeah. Yeah. It's... 305 00:13:18,100 --> 00:13:20,633 Somebody had to request it. Who requested a restraining order? 306 00:13:20,700 --> 00:13:22,233 - [Sean] My employer. - [Judge Judy] Your employer? 307 00:13:22,300 --> 00:13:25,600 They said I threatened my coworkers. 308 00:13:25,667 --> 00:13:27,333 - And they fired me. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 309 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:31,233 So, you hired this law firm to represent you on that matter? 310 00:13:31,300 --> 00:13:33,834 Yeah, I hired the law firm to represent me 311 00:13:33,900 --> 00:13:35,900 after going round and round with Charles 312 00:13:35,967 --> 00:13:38,333 about getting me the wage claim and stuff like that. 313 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:40,667 Then once they filed this TRO on me, 314 00:13:40,734 --> 00:13:42,133 and I said you can't help me with this. 315 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:44,165 Very good. Now, on what date 316 00:13:44,233 --> 00:13:47,600 was this matter settled with the security company? 317 00:13:47,667 --> 00:13:48,867 It's still ongoing. 318 00:13:48,934 --> 00:13:51,000 So, you haven't received any money? 319 00:13:51,066 --> 00:13:52,165 Not a penny. 320 00:13:52,233 --> 00:13:54,433 It was closed. As far as the wage claim, 321 00:13:54,500 --> 00:13:56,066 the wage claim was withdrawn. 322 00:13:56,133 --> 00:13:59,400 And as far as me suing my former employer, that's still ongoing. 323 00:13:59,467 --> 00:14:01,467 What are you suing the employer for? 324 00:14:01,533 --> 00:14:02,800 Wrongful termination. 325 00:14:05,667 --> 00:14:08,433 Right now, he hasn't collected anything. What are you suing for? 326 00:14:08,500 --> 00:14:09,967 The contract wasn't fulfilled. 327 00:14:10,033 --> 00:14:11,600 - Now I'll hear you. - Thank you. 328 00:14:11,667 --> 00:14:13,734 [Judge Judy] No, no, no. You respond to me. 329 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:15,700 - Oh, yes. Um... - Did he collect anything? 330 00:14:15,767 --> 00:14:17,433 - He told me he did. Yeah. - Oh. 331 00:14:24,066 --> 00:14:26,100 [theme music playing] 332 00:14:29,700 --> 00:14:32,767 [announcer] Retired Police Lieutenant, Charles White, 333 00:14:32,834 --> 00:14:36,033 has accused Security Guard Sean Gibson 334 00:14:36,100 --> 00:14:39,834 of canceling his service contract without paying him. 335 00:14:39,900 --> 00:14:42,567 Sean says Charles forged his signature 336 00:14:42,633 --> 00:14:44,333 on an official document. 337 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:46,967 Now, do you have any proof that you withdrew the wage claim? 338 00:14:47,033 --> 00:14:48,600 - Yes, ma'am. - [Judge Judy] I'd like to see it. 339 00:14:53,033 --> 00:14:54,266 Thank you. 340 00:15:03,500 --> 00:15:05,333 Yeah, he withdrew the complaint 341 00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:09,333 involving the State of California Department of Industrial Relations, 342 00:15:09,400 --> 00:15:10,600 Labor Commissioner Office. 343 00:15:10,667 --> 00:15:12,367 So, I don't know what this is about. 344 00:15:12,433 --> 00:15:16,567 But, Mr. White, this is a very simple matter. 345 00:15:16,633 --> 00:15:19,533 You are suing him for $7,000. 346 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:22,033 As you relayed your contract to me, 347 00:15:22,100 --> 00:15:26,266 he agreed to pay you 20% of anything he recovered 348 00:15:26,333 --> 00:15:28,600 as a result of his claim. Do you understand? 349 00:15:28,667 --> 00:15:30,500 Put your hand down. That's what you told me. 350 00:15:30,567 --> 00:15:32,165 That's why I have Whitney here. 351 00:15:32,233 --> 00:15:33,567 - [Charles] Yes. - [Judge Judy] Correct? 352 00:15:33,633 --> 00:15:37,300 He has not recovered anything unless you can prove the contrary to me. 353 00:15:37,367 --> 00:15:38,767 If he has a settlement, 354 00:15:38,834 --> 00:15:41,100 you may be able to put a lien on that settlement, 355 00:15:41,165 --> 00:15:43,600 because just because his lawyer says you're fired, 356 00:15:43,667 --> 00:15:46,100 if you had a valid contract with him, 357 00:15:46,165 --> 00:15:48,600 and you did work on that contract, 358 00:15:48,667 --> 00:15:51,633 and a subsequent lawyer took over the case from you, 359 00:15:51,700 --> 00:15:54,800 you might have some sort of a lien as an advocate 360 00:15:54,867 --> 00:15:57,233 against some portion of that settlement. 361 00:15:57,300 --> 00:15:59,266 But right now, he hasn't collected anything. 362 00:15:59,333 --> 00:16:00,567 What are you suing for? 363 00:16:00,633 --> 00:16:02,934 The contract wasn't fulfilled. 364 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:04,133 Now I'll hear you. 365 00:16:04,200 --> 00:16:06,767 - Thank you. - No, no, no, you respond to me. 366 00:16:06,834 --> 00:16:08,767 - [Charles] Oh, yes. Um... - Did he collect anything? 367 00:16:08,834 --> 00:16:10,300 He told me he did. Yeah. 368 00:16:10,367 --> 00:16:13,100 [Judge Judy] Oh, you mean you can't verify that? 369 00:16:13,166 --> 00:16:15,633 You're an advocate. You can't verify with the state 370 00:16:15,700 --> 00:16:17,967 - how much he received? - Once he removed me from the claim, 371 00:16:18,033 --> 00:16:21,767 I had no more authority to inquire about the details of the claim. 372 00:16:21,834 --> 00:16:23,700 - So he's trying to... - Did you collect any money 373 00:16:23,767 --> 00:16:26,400 - from the wage claim? - No, I withdrew the claim. 374 00:16:26,467 --> 00:16:28,300 Anything that had his name on it, I withdrew. 375 00:16:28,367 --> 00:16:32,934 Just a second. Did you collect any money? 376 00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:34,400 - No, Your Honor. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 377 00:16:34,467 --> 00:16:37,100 But the case that you have is still ongoing. 378 00:16:37,165 --> 00:16:39,266 [Sean] Not the wage claim case, that's dead. 379 00:16:39,333 --> 00:16:40,567 [Judge Judy] But you are proceeding 380 00:16:40,633 --> 00:16:43,033 with regard to a wrongful termination case. 381 00:16:43,100 --> 00:16:44,333 - Yes, ma'am. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 382 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:46,700 Do you understand? You weren't advocating for him 383 00:16:46,767 --> 00:16:48,266 in a wrongful termination case, 384 00:16:48,333 --> 00:16:50,367 you were advocating for him for three things. 385 00:16:50,433 --> 00:16:53,500 One thing, I don't know, because you didn't put it in the papers. 386 00:16:53,567 --> 00:16:55,633 And that was other. 387 00:16:55,700 --> 00:16:58,433 I know lunch breaks and overtime. 388 00:16:58,500 --> 00:16:59,600 Do you understand? 389 00:16:59,667 --> 00:17:02,934 So your case is dismissed, we're finished. 390 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:04,567 - What? - On my contract 391 00:17:04,633 --> 00:17:06,200 between me and Mr. Gibson, 392 00:17:06,266 --> 00:17:10,133 it states that I will be paid either 20% of the amount recovered 393 00:17:10,200 --> 00:17:12,433 or $2,000, whichever is the higher. 394 00:17:12,500 --> 00:17:13,500 Show me. 395 00:17:15,934 --> 00:17:19,099 Just a second. What you just told me is that presupposes 396 00:17:19,165 --> 00:17:21,867 there was some sort of financial remuneration 397 00:17:21,934 --> 00:17:23,266 coming to the defendant. 398 00:17:23,333 --> 00:17:24,666 - Page two on number... - [Judge Judy] Just a second. 399 00:17:24,733 --> 00:17:26,000 - I'm gonna read it. - Okay. 400 00:17:31,867 --> 00:17:34,467 [Judge Judy] Okay, Mr. Gibson, did you sign this contract with him? 401 00:17:34,533 --> 00:17:36,100 - I don't know. Which one? - [Judge Judy] I'm gonna show it to you. 402 00:17:36,166 --> 00:17:39,700 And then I want you to look at number six under compensation. 403 00:17:39,767 --> 00:17:42,567 I want you to look at this contract, and tell me if you signed it. 404 00:17:48,734 --> 00:17:49,800 [Sean] No, ma'am. 405 00:17:49,867 --> 00:17:51,467 I don't even know what this is exactly. 406 00:17:51,533 --> 00:17:53,500 - [Judge Judy] Did you ever see it? - [Sean] I don't recall it. 407 00:17:53,567 --> 00:17:55,367 But I know that's not my signature. 408 00:17:55,433 --> 00:17:56,433 [Judge Judy] Can I have that, please? 409 00:17:57,533 --> 00:17:59,333 I also have a e-sign confirmation 410 00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:01,700 that he did receive that and send that to me. 411 00:18:04,533 --> 00:18:08,233 Yes, ma'am. His email to my email signed by Adobe Sign. 412 00:18:10,834 --> 00:18:12,934 It shows service agreement at the very bottom. 413 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:14,266 [Sean] If I could, Your Honor, 414 00:18:14,333 --> 00:18:18,400 the reason why I fired Mr. White outside of just forging my name 415 00:18:18,467 --> 00:18:21,867 on documents is this was the type of stuff he always did. 416 00:18:21,934 --> 00:18:25,367 He always lied, confused, and tried to change things. 417 00:18:25,433 --> 00:18:27,900 [Judge Judy] Well, just a second. Mr. White, 418 00:18:27,967 --> 00:18:32,967 the signature on this document that you give me 419 00:18:33,033 --> 00:18:36,367 is not the same signature of the defendant's, 420 00:18:36,433 --> 00:18:39,500 either the initial document that was his 421 00:18:39,567 --> 00:18:42,600 or his answer today. 422 00:18:42,667 --> 00:18:44,467 Look, he never collected any money. 423 00:18:44,533 --> 00:18:48,734 The lawsuit on which you base your claim is an unfulfilled contract. 424 00:18:48,800 --> 00:18:51,834 If in fact, he did sign that contract, then I'm not so sure. 425 00:18:51,900 --> 00:18:53,667 If Mr. White, Mr. Gibson, 426 00:18:53,734 --> 00:18:56,033 had in fact retained another attorney 427 00:18:56,100 --> 00:18:58,467 on the same matter that he retained you on, 428 00:18:58,533 --> 00:19:02,433 as I said, and he got money, you would have had been, in my view, 429 00:19:02,500 --> 00:19:06,100 entitled to a portion of that money consistent with the work that you did, 430 00:19:06,166 --> 00:19:09,333 which was two pages, one page that you filed, 431 00:19:09,400 --> 00:19:11,300 and one document that you filed, 432 00:19:11,367 --> 00:19:13,266 which was inaccurate and incomplete, 433 00:19:13,333 --> 00:19:16,333 and on which you actually did forge his signature. 434 00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:19,066 So, I would have to base it on that one page document 435 00:19:19,133 --> 00:19:21,133 that you did in fact file for him. 436 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:23,633 But there is no indication that he ever received any money 437 00:19:23,700 --> 00:19:25,767 with regard to the wages claim 438 00:19:25,834 --> 00:19:29,066 that was the thrust of what you were hired to do for him. 439 00:19:29,133 --> 00:19:30,867 So, your case is dismissed. We're finished here. 440 00:19:30,934 --> 00:19:32,533 [Kevin] Court is adjourned. 441 00:19:34,300 --> 00:19:36,533 He signed an affidavit, notarized, 442 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:38,934 and stated that I could make a signature if I needed to. 443 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:42,934 Plaintiff, fraudulently signed my name on two different documents. 444 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:45,266 Some of those were e-sign documents and the e-sign 445 00:19:45,333 --> 00:19:48,333 was different than his wet signature, and that's all it was. 446 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:50,767 When we first met, he said he was a lawyer. 447 00:19:50,834 --> 00:19:52,867 He couldn't afford the attorney for his criminal cases. 448 00:19:52,934 --> 00:19:57,633 But he does not do lawyer. He doesn't--hasn't passed the bar here. 449 00:19:57,700 --> 00:20:01,467 So, he went ahead and he gave me award percentage through the attorney. 450 00:20:01,533 --> 00:20:04,500 I fired him immediately, soon as I find out. 451 00:20:04,567 --> 00:20:06,333 I've actually already changed them slightly, 452 00:20:06,400 --> 00:20:08,333 but everything should work out pretty good. 453 00:20:08,400 --> 00:20:11,900 You know, but that's what it is, you know, you're right--you lay down with dogs, 454 00:20:11,967 --> 00:20:13,033 you wake up with fleas. 455 00:20:14,400 --> 00:20:16,266 [Judge Judy] You know what I've always said, Sarah, 456 00:20:16,333 --> 00:20:18,667 - that people should stay in their lane? - Yeah. 457 00:20:18,734 --> 00:20:21,700 [Judge Judy] It was clear to me in that case 458 00:20:21,767 --> 00:20:24,200 that the plaintiff was out of his lane, 459 00:20:24,266 --> 00:20:25,834 because I'm certainly not an expert. 460 00:20:25,900 --> 00:20:28,967 I don't know what you know about filing wage claims. 461 00:20:29,033 --> 00:20:33,633 But when half of your claim is about other specify, 462 00:20:33,700 --> 00:20:35,967 - (laughs) and you don't do that... - Uh-hmm. 463 00:20:36,033 --> 00:20:38,367 - ...you're supposed to stay in your lane. - Major oversight. 464 00:20:38,433 --> 00:20:42,033 [Judge Judy] Yeah. And clearly, the defendant got a lawyer 465 00:20:42,100 --> 00:20:44,834 who convinced him that these claims 466 00:20:44,900 --> 00:20:47,867 were gonna be dismissed because they had no validity. 467 00:20:47,934 --> 00:20:49,767 And the only real claim that he might have 468 00:20:49,834 --> 00:20:51,633 - is wrongful termination. - Uh-hmm. 469 00:20:51,700 --> 00:20:53,500 [Judge Judy] I have a feeling there's a whole lot more to that case 470 00:20:53,567 --> 00:20:55,900 with Temporary Restraining Orders, and everything else. 471 00:20:55,967 --> 00:20:58,533 I was already dizzy with the case itself. In any event, 472 00:20:58,600 --> 00:21:01,000 I didn't believe that the contract was fulfilled. 473 00:21:01,066 --> 00:21:02,800 He filed two pieces of paper, one was wrong, 474 00:21:02,867 --> 00:21:06,900 one single piece of paper certainly wasn't worth $7,000, or two. 475 00:21:06,967 --> 00:21:08,266 Exactly. 476 00:21:09,900 --> 00:21:13,367 [announcer] Want justice? 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