1 00:00:00,433 --> 00:00:04,467 You are suing your friend, who you've known since seventh grade. 2 00:00:05,100 --> 00:00:08,734 Hunting him down like a dirty dog to look for rent every month. 3 00:00:08,800 --> 00:00:09,967 Completely nuts. 4 00:00:10,033 --> 00:00:11,800 You know, I call him 50,000 times. 5 00:00:12,433 --> 00:00:13,400 This is what I deal with. 6 00:00:14,100 --> 00:00:17,333 Seriously, both of you are acting like you're still in the seventh grade. 7 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:20,033 [announcer] Today on Tribunal Justice. 8 00:00:20,100 --> 00:00:23,100 [theme music playing] 9 00:00:41,166 --> 00:00:44,333 [announcer] This case was filed in Santa Ana, California. 10 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:46,800 [Byrd] Your Honor, this is case number 1151 on the calendar 11 00:00:46,867 --> 00:00:49,200 in the matter of Crawford versus Levy. 12 00:00:49,266 --> 00:00:51,633 Parties have been sworn in. You may be seated 13 00:00:51,700 --> 00:00:53,367 -[Acker] Thank you, Byrd. -Mm-hmm. 14 00:00:53,433 --> 00:00:54,400 Mr. Crawford. 15 00:00:54,734 --> 00:00:56,834 -Yes, Your Honor. -The reason you're here today 16 00:00:56,900 --> 00:00:59,667 is because you are suing your former friend, 17 00:00:59,734 --> 00:01:03,133 -who you've known since seventh grade. -Yes. 18 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:04,432 I won't ask what grade you're in now. 19 00:01:04,500 --> 00:01:06,166 I'll just say that was many grades ago. 20 00:01:06,233 --> 00:01:07,100 Tenth. 21 00:01:07,166 --> 00:01:09,333 [Laughs] Well done. 22 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:12,700 And you're suing him for $10,000 in back rent 23 00:01:12,767 --> 00:01:14,500 that you say that he owes you from a time 24 00:01:14,567 --> 00:01:17,166 when you shared a business premises together. 25 00:01:17,233 --> 00:01:20,667 Mr. Levy, you maintain that you do not owe the plaintiff any money 26 00:01:20,734 --> 00:01:25,567 because once upon a time you are the one who was carrying the bulk of the load. 27 00:01:25,633 --> 00:01:29,333 And, right now, because of his actions, he locked you out of the business. 28 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:32,767 According to you, you've lost $25,000 in revenue. 29 00:01:32,834 --> 00:01:34,000 -At least. -And it's your position 30 00:01:34,066 --> 00:01:36,934 that as a consequence of all that, you owe him nothing. 31 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:37,967 So, Mr. Crawford, 32 00:01:38,066 --> 00:01:40,567 once upon a time, you were a professional boxer 33 00:01:40,633 --> 00:01:43,934 -and you now manufacture boxing equipment. -Yes. 34 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:46,967 The defendant's a graphic artist and, then, in 2017, 35 00:01:47,033 --> 00:01:48,767 I believe it was, the two of you-- 36 00:01:48,834 --> 00:01:50,066 I don't want to say partnered up, 37 00:01:50,133 --> 00:01:51,300 as a business matter, 38 00:01:51,366 --> 00:01:52,400 but you shared space. 39 00:01:52,467 --> 00:01:53,900 [both] We shared space. 40 00:01:53,967 --> 00:01:56,567 You point out, sir, that your name was on the door, 41 00:01:56,633 --> 00:01:57,900 -Sure. -and you acknowledge 42 00:01:57,967 --> 00:01:59,800 that you were liable for half the rent. 43 00:01:59,866 --> 00:02:01,233 -Yes. -What was the rent? 44 00:02:01,300 --> 00:02:04,333 It started off his half would have been 650. 45 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:07,333 That went up to date would be 850 a month. 46 00:02:07,433 --> 00:02:10,265 Let's talk about this-- kind of cutting to the chase 47 00:02:10,333 --> 00:02:13,533 because you say that when he first moved in, everything was fine. 48 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:16,867 In 2018, payments were sporadic. 49 00:02:16,934 --> 00:02:20,500 And then in 2020, he just started to default altogether. 50 00:02:20,567 --> 00:02:21,466 Yes. 51 00:02:21,533 --> 00:02:27,466 So, part of your defense, Mr. Levy, is that between 2017 and 2018, 52 00:02:27,533 --> 00:02:28,767 according to your answer, 53 00:02:28,834 --> 00:02:33,033 you say the plaintiff, did not pay rent, so, you had to pay the entire rent? 54 00:02:33,133 --> 00:02:36,066 -Yes. -Between 2017 and 2018, sir, 55 00:02:36,133 --> 00:02:38,000 were you slow on rent? 56 00:02:38,066 --> 00:02:39,233 -Absolutely. -Light on cash. 57 00:02:39,333 --> 00:02:41,633 -Absolutely. -And, so, he was paying the rent. 58 00:02:41,700 --> 00:02:44,200 -I paid his-- -No. One at a time, one at a time. 59 00:02:44,734 --> 00:02:47,934 I mean, there's, obviously, you know, something that goes with that. 60 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:51,066 So, my girlfriend at the time, now, obviously, ex-girlfriend, 61 00:02:51,133 --> 00:02:53,466 she was running all my marketing. 62 00:02:53,533 --> 00:02:55,466 She was running my bank account. 63 00:02:55,533 --> 00:02:56,600 She had access to everything. 64 00:02:56,667 --> 00:02:57,734 I-I'm not a computer guy. 65 00:02:57,800 --> 00:02:59,867 I feel like this is going down a bad path. 66 00:02:59,934 --> 00:03:01,166 Bad path. Bad path. 67 00:03:01,233 --> 00:03:03,367 -So, she-- -And who was there to help you-- 68 00:03:03,433 --> 00:03:04,800 -[Acker] Shh, shh! -I had to, uh-- 69 00:03:04,867 --> 00:03:05,834 I couldn't pay. 70 00:03:05,900 --> 00:03:06,767 I ran out of money. 71 00:03:06,834 --> 00:03:08,700 Business ran out of money so I couldn't pay her. 72 00:03:08,767 --> 00:03:12,367 I had to pay her for her service even though she was my girlfriend. 73 00:03:12,433 --> 00:03:17,767 Soon as the money stopped the day of it, She, literally, shut all my stuff down. 74 00:03:17,834 --> 00:03:20,266 She lived with me and she shut all my down. 75 00:03:20,333 --> 00:03:22,033 I had to, you know, kick her out-- 76 00:03:22,100 --> 00:03:23,500 -Shady Lady. -Shady Lady. 77 00:03:23,567 --> 00:03:27,533 And then he carried the shop for one year, that you didn't pay. 78 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:31,166 And you say that you paid for two years that he didn't pay. 79 00:03:31,233 --> 00:03:32,900 Well, I gave him an option. 80 00:03:32,966 --> 00:03:35,433 The option was we both had to get out 81 00:03:35,500 --> 00:03:39,533 because the lease is in my name and my CFO's name. 82 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:40,900 I told him, we have to get out. 83 00:03:40,966 --> 00:03:45,033 We have to vacate the premises today because I have no more money. 84 00:03:45,100 --> 00:03:47,400 I can't pay. I said, "We have to go." 85 00:03:47,466 --> 00:03:49,200 He said. "Well, I can't leave. 86 00:03:49,266 --> 00:03:50,567 I'll have to pay the rent." 87 00:03:50,633 --> 00:03:51,567 When was this? 88 00:03:51,667 --> 00:03:52,900 This was in 2017. 89 00:03:52,966 --> 00:03:55,633 -[Acker] So in 2017-- -The day that all my stuff got shut down, 90 00:03:55,700 --> 00:03:56,767 I couldn't make any sales-- 91 00:03:56,834 --> 00:04:00,934 Is the import of the story that you wanted to leave the premises, 92 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:04,233 but he encouraged you to stay there and then he paid rent for that year? 93 00:04:04,333 --> 00:04:05,033 Absolutely. 94 00:04:05,100 --> 00:04:07,834 I said, "We have to go. We have to pack our stuff and we have to get out today." 95 00:04:07,900 --> 00:04:10,166 Yeah, that doesn't help you from my perspective 96 00:04:10,233 --> 00:04:11,834 in the way that you'd like it to, 97 00:04:11,900 --> 00:04:17,033 because, by your own concession, I only see one year in dispute. 98 00:04:17,100 --> 00:04:21,600 Now, let me ask you something, both of you, because I can sense 99 00:04:21,667 --> 00:04:24,600 the, like, it doesn't take a rocket science 100 00:04:24,667 --> 00:04:26,700 to sense the tension between the two of you, 101 00:04:26,767 --> 00:04:28,900 -Right. -and it's the type of tension that occurs 102 00:04:28,967 --> 00:04:32,332 when somebody who you've known since seventh grade, sues you, 103 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:35,200 or when somebody who you've known since seventh grade 104 00:04:35,266 --> 00:04:37,933 takes advantage of you, which is what I think he's feeling. 105 00:04:38,367 --> 00:04:41,467 What happened to the friendship? 106 00:04:41,533 --> 00:04:44,066 And I tell you this, I was surprised that 107 00:04:44,166 --> 00:04:47,000 there weren't more communications between the two of you. 108 00:04:47,066 --> 00:04:50,433 I was surprised not to see text messages between two guys who've known each other 109 00:04:50,500 --> 00:04:51,967 -for decades. -I erased them all. 110 00:04:52,033 --> 00:04:55,867 He might have them. I erased them all because I got so tired of looking at him. 111 00:04:55,933 --> 00:04:57,066 I was pissed off. 112 00:04:57,133 --> 00:05:03,133 Hunting him down like a dirty dog to look for rent every month like a like a child. 113 00:05:03,233 --> 00:05:05,533 -He's a fifty-year-old child -He's taking advantage? 114 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:07,767 -Absolutely. -But you also conceded, 115 00:05:07,834 --> 00:05:09,300 just a few minutes ago-- 116 00:05:09,367 --> 00:05:10,600 -I did not concede-- -Shh! 117 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:16,200 We're far away, so I don't have to worry about your lethal weapon hands. 118 00:05:16,266 --> 00:05:17,734 I'm just kidding. You would never do violence. 119 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:19,900 -[sighs] No. -I hope. 120 00:05:19,967 --> 00:05:23,000 Um, you admitted 121 00:05:23,066 --> 00:05:25,500 that there was a year where he paid. 122 00:05:25,567 --> 00:05:28,000 You know he's not a total dirty dog. 123 00:05:28,066 --> 00:05:29,934 Like some of these receipts that you-- 124 00:05:30,300 --> 00:05:33,200 You know, where you're making notes of the money that he owes you. 125 00:05:33,266 --> 00:05:34,533 And I did. I counted them. 126 00:05:34,633 --> 00:05:35,967 I don't know that I saw 24 months. 127 00:05:36,033 --> 00:05:37,332 That's because he couldn't pay. 128 00:05:37,400 --> 00:05:39,700 He's still working and didn't pay me my money, period. 129 00:05:39,767 --> 00:05:41,100 -But-- -He's working. 130 00:05:41,166 --> 00:05:44,933 I call him on the phone where-- you know, I call him 50,000 times 131 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:46,300 and he doesn't answer the phone. 132 00:05:46,367 --> 00:05:48,200 And then when he does answer, "Oh, I'm working." 133 00:05:48,266 --> 00:05:52,332 Oh, if you're working, how do you not have any money to pay the rent? 134 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:55,033 If you're working, you're so busy, you can't even answer my calls. 135 00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:57,834 And you're working, you have money. 136 00:05:57,900 --> 00:06:00,967 It's just-- It's-It's-- It's clearcut. 137 00:06:01,033 --> 00:06:02,967 So, I'm going to give this a minute to air 138 00:06:03,033 --> 00:06:06,900 because I think that this is really less about the money, 139 00:06:06,967 --> 00:06:08,233 even though it's quite a bit of money. 140 00:06:08,300 --> 00:06:10,100 -[Crawford] It's all about the money. -I don't wanna say it's not about money. 141 00:06:10,166 --> 00:06:12,867 -It's 100% about the money. -Hold on, sir. Hold on. 142 00:06:12,934 --> 00:06:15,266 -Control yourself -Screwed my whole business up. 143 00:06:15,333 --> 00:06:19,166 It seems that part of what is animating 144 00:06:19,233 --> 00:06:22,433 this lawsuit in this case is your friend's feeling 145 00:06:22,500 --> 00:06:25,633 that not only were you not paying your share of the rent, 146 00:06:25,700 --> 00:06:27,734 but you weren't communicating with him. 147 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:31,500 Now, was there a moment where you just were not communicating? 148 00:06:32,467 --> 00:06:34,533 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 149 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:38,300 We need Mom Cassandra and Daddy Byrd 150 00:06:39,100 --> 00:06:42,834 to handle these boys who are acting like they're still in seventh grade. 151 00:06:42,900 --> 00:06:47,467 So, now I'm going to pass you over to hall monitor Judge DiMango. 152 00:06:47,533 --> 00:06:48,633 [spectators laugh] 153 00:06:48,700 --> 00:06:51,433 And, then, after that, you might have to see the school principal. 154 00:06:51,533 --> 00:06:52,667 So, watch it. 155 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:03,967 Jeff Crawford is suing his longtime friend Jason Levy 156 00:07:04,066 --> 00:07:06,200 for several months of unpaid rent. 157 00:07:06,767 --> 00:07:10,700 Jason said he helped Jeff in the past when times were tough 158 00:07:10,767 --> 00:07:12,266 and owes him nothing. 159 00:07:13,066 --> 00:07:16,500 Was there a moment where you just were not communicating? 160 00:07:16,567 --> 00:07:19,533 I'm an artist. I don't like to be bothered when I'm working. 161 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:20,433 I know, but you have a rental obligation. 162 00:07:20,500 --> 00:07:22,400 -Business is business. -[Acker] Shh-shh! 163 00:07:22,467 --> 00:07:23,934 Hold on, dude. 164 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:25,734 -Um... -[Acker] You had an obligation. 165 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:28,433 -Friends know business. -[Acker] Shh! 166 00:07:28,900 --> 00:07:30,600 -Pay me my money. -This is what I deal with 167 00:07:30,667 --> 00:07:31,600 when he-- when I call. 168 00:07:31,667 --> 00:07:33,367 Yeah, but you know what? 169 00:07:33,433 --> 00:07:35,500 Don't get too self-righteous 170 00:07:35,567 --> 00:07:37,500 -It's-- -because you stopped paying rent 171 00:07:37,567 --> 00:07:39,200 and your name was on the door. 172 00:07:39,266 --> 00:07:40,533 -Okay. Can I-- -How many months 173 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:42,066 do you admit that you did not pay? 174 00:07:42,133 --> 00:07:43,600 He's suing you for 24 months. 175 00:07:43,667 --> 00:07:46,133 Maybe four or five months. 176 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:49,867 Was no 24 months. He's completely nuts. 177 00:07:49,933 --> 00:07:52,867 -I did not see evidence-- -[Crawford] Out of those 24 months, 178 00:07:52,933 --> 00:07:54,667 -Sir, I've been super-patient, -17 months. 179 00:07:54,734 --> 00:07:56,200 And I think I'm being kind 180 00:07:56,300 --> 00:08:00,066 because I think it's hard to be suing somebody who you've known a long time. 181 00:08:00,133 --> 00:08:01,367 But you've really got to stop 182 00:08:01,433 --> 00:08:02,867 -[Britt] You do. -I apologize, Your Honor. 183 00:08:02,934 --> 00:08:03,834 Thank you. 184 00:08:04,567 --> 00:08:06,066 You had an obligation. 185 00:08:06,567 --> 00:08:09,834 You were liable and responsible for half of this threat. 186 00:08:09,900 --> 00:08:11,767 So, artist-- I don't care if you're an artist. 187 00:08:11,867 --> 00:08:13,333 I don't care if you're a zookeeper. 188 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:16,900 Why does that give you the right to ignore someone 189 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:19,867 who is looking to you to satisfy an obligation. 190 00:08:20,033 --> 00:08:22,332 -That's not why I ignored him. -So, why did you ignore him? 191 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:24,700 I ignored him, uh, 192 00:08:24,767 --> 00:08:26,300 'cause I was busy, but-- 193 00:08:26,367 --> 00:08:27,633 If you were so busy, where was the rent money? 194 00:08:27,700 --> 00:08:30,867 It was at the beginning-- At the beginning of this whole situation-- 195 00:08:30,934 --> 00:08:32,165 Where was the rent money? 196 00:08:33,667 --> 00:08:36,100 I-- I don't know. 197 00:08:36,165 --> 00:08:38,165 So, I'll say this to you, Mr. Crawford. 198 00:08:39,366 --> 00:08:41,400 He covered you for a period, to be sure-- 199 00:08:41,467 --> 00:08:44,433 But-- And, you know, you may want to give that short shrift. 200 00:08:44,533 --> 00:08:45,600 I don't know 201 00:08:45,667 --> 00:08:47,967 that it's going to take him as far as he would like it, 202 00:08:48,033 --> 00:08:49,800 but I'm not going to ignore it either. 203 00:08:49,867 --> 00:08:53,165 Let's talk about the case that you have to finish proving. 204 00:08:53,233 --> 00:08:57,066 I looked at the receipts where I see twelve months 205 00:08:57,133 --> 00:09:02,166 of your paying, I think, at least $1600 a month for the rent. 206 00:09:02,233 --> 00:09:04,300 -Where is the balance? -I mean, Your Honor, 207 00:09:04,367 --> 00:09:07,600 I have every receipt here with notes on them. 208 00:09:07,667 --> 00:09:10,967 Yeah, some of the notes are: "He's a loser. He blew me off." 209 00:09:11,033 --> 00:09:13,166 Like, you have all kinds of notes on the receipts. 210 00:09:13,233 --> 00:09:14,400 I just want to find the dates. 211 00:09:14,500 --> 00:09:17,367 Facts are facts. I mean, I got them from the lease agreement place. 212 00:09:17,433 --> 00:09:19,166 You can see what was paid with check. 213 00:09:19,233 --> 00:09:20,667 -I'm gonna-- -I never wrote a check in my life. 214 00:09:20,734 --> 00:09:22,533 -Listen, I need you to calm down. -[sighs] 215 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:24,200 -It's just so-- -I just need you to calm down. 216 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:27,233 These little exclamations aren't helping you, 217 00:09:27,767 --> 00:09:30,400 -so, just try to stay still and focus. -I never paid in 2022. 218 00:09:30,467 --> 00:09:31,967 And you need to stop. 219 00:09:32,033 --> 00:09:35,266 Seriously. Both of you are acting like you're still in the seventh grade. 220 00:09:35,333 --> 00:09:36,867 Sir, sir. 221 00:09:36,934 --> 00:09:38,834 [indistinct] 222 00:09:38,900 --> 00:09:42,165 -I'm sorry. Absolutely, -You need to focus. 223 00:09:42,233 --> 00:09:44,600 -Absolutely. -'Cause it's gonna go wrong. 224 00:09:44,667 --> 00:09:45,667 -Absolutely. -All right? 225 00:09:45,734 --> 00:09:47,500 -We needed two bailiffs. -[indistinct conversations] 226 00:09:47,567 --> 00:09:53,000 We need-- We need Mom Cassandra and Daddy Byrd 227 00:09:53,367 --> 00:09:57,333 to handle these boys who are acting like they're still in seventh grade. 228 00:09:57,934 --> 00:10:01,033 So, now, I'm going to pass you over to hall monitor 229 00:10:01,100 --> 00:10:03,400 -Judge DiMango. -[spectators laugh] 230 00:10:03,467 --> 00:10:06,400 And, then, after that, you might have to see the school principal. 231 00:10:06,500 --> 00:10:07,633 So, watch it. 232 00:10:07,700 --> 00:10:09,066 [spectators laugh] 233 00:10:09,133 --> 00:10:10,834 -Judge. -Thank you. 234 00:10:11,500 --> 00:10:14,433 First of all, you, Mr. Levy, 235 00:10:14,500 --> 00:10:16,233 you must have a death wish because he's mad. 236 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:18,600 -Yeah. He's mad. -I mean, he's mad 237 00:10:18,667 --> 00:10:20,100 He's always mad. 238 00:10:20,166 --> 00:10:22,467 Yeah. Well, the thing is, that's what he does for a living. 239 00:10:22,533 --> 00:10:23,433 Right. 240 00:10:23,500 --> 00:10:29,800 Okay, so, you should have the common sense to not want to get in the ring with him. 241 00:10:29,867 --> 00:10:32,800 But you are. You are. 242 00:10:32,867 --> 00:10:35,200 You talk when you're not being spoken to. 243 00:10:35,266 --> 00:10:36,633 You hear that he's ticked off. 244 00:10:36,700 --> 00:10:38,734 I think you like that he gets mad at you. 245 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:41,333 You know, some people like when somebody's mad. 246 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:43,433 It lets them know they're alive. 247 00:10:43,500 --> 00:10:45,767 But you're going to end up in another place. 248 00:10:45,867 --> 00:10:47,066 So, stop it. 249 00:10:47,133 --> 00:10:51,333 Now, you, Mr. Crawford, this is our ring. 250 00:10:52,300 --> 00:10:53,367 And we do it verbally. 251 00:10:53,433 --> 00:10:54,934 -So, calm down. -Yes. 252 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:55,667 -Okay? -Yes. 253 00:10:55,734 --> 00:10:58,500 So, let me ask you one question, 254 00:10:58,567 --> 00:11:02,166 in the year that you couldn't pay, 255 00:11:02,633 --> 00:11:06,000 and you said, sir, "I'm out of here. I'm out of here"-- 256 00:11:06,066 --> 00:11:08,800 Remember that year when you said, "Listen, she took everything. 257 00:11:08,867 --> 00:11:10,600 I'm out of here. I can't do this." 258 00:11:10,667 --> 00:11:12,767 That year. What year was that? 259 00:11:12,834 --> 00:11:13,867 Uh, 2017. 260 00:11:13,934 --> 00:11:15,834 -In 2017, when he opened-- -It wasn't-- 261 00:11:16,633 --> 00:11:17,300 Like, Your Honor, 262 00:11:17,367 --> 00:11:18,667 I wasn't like, "Oh, I'm out of here." 263 00:11:18,734 --> 00:11:19,667 It was like, "We can't pay, bro. 264 00:11:19,767 --> 00:11:21,166 I gotta-- you know, I don't know what to do. 265 00:11:21,266 --> 00:11:24,600 I know I'm not going to able to pay, so, I don't want you to pay." 266 00:11:24,700 --> 00:11:26,433 But he wanted to pay. 267 00:11:26,500 --> 00:11:28,500 Okay, and that's where I'm going with this question. 268 00:11:28,567 --> 00:11:34,367 My question to you is, did you say to him at that point, "Stay here. 269 00:11:34,433 --> 00:11:36,000 I'm going to pay the rent for the year"? 270 00:11:36,066 --> 00:11:39,367 Did you take on that obligation to pay that year? 271 00:11:39,433 --> 00:11:40,767 -Did you do that? Honestly. -I never said 272 00:11:40,834 --> 00:11:42,433 I was going to pay for a whole year. No. 273 00:11:42,500 --> 00:11:46,300 Excuse me. But if he let you know, I cannot do this. 274 00:11:46,367 --> 00:11:48,233 -I have been taken advantage-- -Don't know when I will-- 275 00:11:48,300 --> 00:11:50,066 -[Byrd] Shh, shh! -advantage of 276 00:11:50,133 --> 00:11:53,066 by this woman who has now shut down everything. 277 00:11:53,667 --> 00:11:55,200 What did you say to him? 278 00:11:56,133 --> 00:11:58,600 -I didn't say nothing of the sort. -Honestly. 279 00:11:58,667 --> 00:11:59,667 Nothing of the sort. 280 00:11:59,734 --> 00:12:00,700 -What did you say? -But I did-- 281 00:12:00,767 --> 00:12:03,000 But I did say I'd help him out. And I did. 282 00:12:03,066 --> 00:12:06,433 So, when-- Tell me what you said. What did you say to him? 283 00:12:06,500 --> 00:12:09,066 I-i can't recall exactly what I said to him. 284 00:12:09,133 --> 00:12:10,100 Okay, that's bad. 285 00:12:10,166 --> 00:12:13,567 For me, that's bad because he stayed and he's telling you-- 286 00:12:13,633 --> 00:12:15,033 -And I believe him. -But he never-- 287 00:12:15,100 --> 00:12:18,233 He never said that we had to get out of there. 288 00:12:18,300 --> 00:12:20,800 -When I moved in there-- -Well, well, wait. That's the point. 289 00:12:20,867 --> 00:12:24,734 He said to you, he's got to get out. He can't do this. 290 00:12:24,800 --> 00:12:26,200 You didn't want to get out. 291 00:12:26,266 --> 00:12:27,867 -No-- -Correct or not? 292 00:12:27,934 --> 00:12:30,033 -You didn't want to leave? -Not correct at all. 293 00:12:30,100 --> 00:12:31,300 You wanted to leave. 294 00:12:31,367 --> 00:12:33,100 -I just-- -Did you wanna leave? 295 00:12:33,967 --> 00:12:35,500 -Because you didn't leave. -I just moved in there. 296 00:12:36,165 --> 00:12:38,967 That doesn't matter. The question-- I didn't ask you how long were you there. 297 00:12:39,033 --> 00:12:42,567 -I said when he came to you-- -He never said that. 298 00:12:42,633 --> 00:12:45,300 So, you're telling me right now... 299 00:12:46,133 --> 00:12:48,467 there was no conversation like this ever. 300 00:12:48,533 --> 00:12:49,567 That's what you're saying. 301 00:12:49,633 --> 00:12:50,533 You never said to him, 302 00:12:50,600 --> 00:12:52,300 "Hey, how come you're not paying me any rent?" 303 00:12:52,367 --> 00:12:55,000 You're full of it. You had to have a conversation with him. 304 00:12:55,066 --> 00:12:56,200 Now back to you. 305 00:12:56,266 --> 00:12:58,667 So, what happens from 2018 to 2020? 306 00:12:58,734 --> 00:13:03,266 'Cause nobody in their papers talks about 2018 to 2020. 307 00:13:03,333 --> 00:13:07,633 So, I'm going to assume that you guys didn't get into any fights. 308 00:13:07,700 --> 00:13:09,533 -Everything was fine for those two years. -We split the rent. 309 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:11,767 -So, now we're in 2020. -[Jason Levy] Right. 310 00:13:11,834 --> 00:13:13,133 So, everybody is moving along. 311 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:15,367 Nobody's saying, "I paid this. You paid that." 312 00:13:15,433 --> 00:13:18,033 You guys are still, you know, not punching each other, 313 00:13:18,133 --> 00:13:20,600 you know, in the face and you're still moving along. 314 00:13:20,667 --> 00:13:23,533 And in November of 2022, you guys part ways. 315 00:13:23,600 --> 00:13:24,533 Would that be correct? 316 00:13:24,600 --> 00:13:25,600 -Right -Would that be correct? 317 00:13:25,667 --> 00:13:27,467 -Yeah. -That's how I'm looking at it. 318 00:13:27,533 --> 00:13:30,300 At this point, I'm kind of synthesizing. 319 00:13:30,367 --> 00:13:31,934 -Judge Levy. -Thank you, 320 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:33,200 Mr. Crawford, um... 321 00:13:33,266 --> 00:13:38,233 [sighs] instead of us having to rely on your representation-- 322 00:13:38,300 --> 00:13:41,800 And let me make it clear, you've been super-upfront and honest up to this point. 323 00:13:41,867 --> 00:13:43,000 And I thank you for that. 324 00:13:43,300 --> 00:13:46,100 You've acknowledged that you didn't pay any rent in 2017. 325 00:13:46,165 --> 00:13:47,333 You didn't have to do that. 326 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:48,433 So, thank you. 327 00:13:48,500 --> 00:13:51,233 A lot of people come in here and don't tell the truth. 328 00:13:51,300 --> 00:13:54,967 But my question is, um, instead of us having to rely 329 00:13:55,033 --> 00:13:58,200 on your representation as to how much rent was, 330 00:13:58,266 --> 00:13:59,667 and then when it increased-- 331 00:13:59,734 --> 00:14:01,133 You know, it's a courtroom. 332 00:14:01,200 --> 00:14:03,567 We need proof of what the rent actually is 333 00:14:03,633 --> 00:14:06,567 that you were paying to your landlord, right? 334 00:14:06,633 --> 00:14:09,533 -Correct. -Why didn't you provide the lease? 335 00:14:09,600 --> 00:14:10,500 How come you didn't bring that? 336 00:14:10,567 --> 00:14:11,734 [sputters] 337 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:13,834 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 338 00:14:13,900 --> 00:14:16,633 Are you acknowledging that you made no payments? 339 00:14:16,700 --> 00:14:17,400 -Is that it? -No. 340 00:14:17,467 --> 00:14:20,100 That there is one check stub right there. 341 00:14:20,166 --> 00:14:21,000 Is that it? Just one? 342 00:14:21,066 --> 00:14:23,800 -I have some more in here, but-- -I haven't seen any. 343 00:14:23,867 --> 00:14:26,266 I haven't put any dates on them, 344 00:14:26,333 --> 00:14:29,467 not all of them, like an idiot, but that's me. 345 00:14:38,667 --> 00:14:42,500 Why didn't you provide the lease? How come you don't bring that? 346 00:14:42,567 --> 00:14:44,300 [sputters] 347 00:14:45,367 --> 00:14:48,400 I completely forgot. 348 00:14:48,467 --> 00:14:50,367 You know that you're coming into a courtroom-- 349 00:14:50,467 --> 00:14:54,567 And, listen, I get a sense that you don't go into very many courtrooms. 350 00:14:54,633 --> 00:14:58,800 I don't go into very many boxing rings, and that's just our business. 351 00:14:58,867 --> 00:15:00,200 -But you knew enough-- -Preparation. 352 00:15:00,266 --> 00:15:02,867 Yeah, but you knew enough to know 353 00:15:02,934 --> 00:15:05,834 that when you come into court, you've got to prove your case. 354 00:15:05,900 --> 00:15:09,467 And, so, that lease would have been important 355 00:15:09,533 --> 00:15:14,133 to show us what the rent was at any given time and then when it increased. 356 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:18,066 And, so, what you're saying is that it was just a lack of preparation? 357 00:15:18,133 --> 00:15:20,700 Your Honor, um, I-I do have the-- 358 00:15:20,767 --> 00:15:23,433 I mean it's-- it's not the lease, 359 00:15:23,500 --> 00:15:26,934 but it's a printout that I got from the lease 360 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:30,367 of all the months and the years that, you know-- 361 00:15:30,467 --> 00:15:31,867 -No, no, no. -They were paid with check 362 00:15:31,934 --> 00:15:33,934 -and were paid with cash. -I get all that. 363 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:36,133 I don't need that. It's the lease I'm asking about. 364 00:15:36,200 --> 00:15:37,967 So, you don't have it, and the reason why 365 00:15:38,033 --> 00:15:39,834 is you just really don't have a reason 366 00:15:39,900 --> 00:15:41,967 except It was just a mistake on your part. 367 00:15:42,033 --> 00:15:44,667 So, showing just that he's not on the lease or-- 368 00:15:44,734 --> 00:15:47,300 -No, no. Just the lease to say-- -The agreement. 369 00:15:47,367 --> 00:15:48,934 -Don't-- Don't talk to him. -Sorry. 370 00:15:50,133 --> 00:15:51,033 I'm going to tell you the reason why 371 00:15:51,100 --> 00:15:52,500 I don't think you brought the lease. 372 00:15:53,200 --> 00:15:55,165 I don't think you brought the lease because you know 373 00:15:55,233 --> 00:15:59,200 that in the lease with your landlord, there's a prohibition against you 374 00:15:59,266 --> 00:16:00,433 subletting. 375 00:16:00,500 --> 00:16:02,967 So, you knew that you weren't supposed to sublet to anyone 376 00:16:03,033 --> 00:16:05,333 without the landlord's permission, right? 377 00:16:06,667 --> 00:16:07,834 I have no idea. 378 00:16:08,667 --> 00:16:10,567 Well, you-- You read the lease, right? 379 00:16:11,500 --> 00:16:15,867 Most leases, both commercial and residential, have a clause in it 380 00:16:15,934 --> 00:16:20,533 that says you're not allowed to sublet without the landlord's permission. 381 00:16:21,333 --> 00:16:26,467 That is something that I'm going to presume that there was a no sublet. 382 00:16:26,533 --> 00:16:29,200 So, in essence, you had an illegal agreement 383 00:16:29,266 --> 00:16:31,166 with the defendant to contribute. 384 00:16:31,233 --> 00:16:34,400 Could I call the leasing office and find that out real quick? 385 00:16:34,467 --> 00:16:36,767 Well, you know, we're here. 386 00:16:36,834 --> 00:16:40,033 And the answer that you get, Mr. Crawford, wouldn't be the one that you want. 387 00:16:40,567 --> 00:16:42,165 It would just further support my position. 388 00:16:42,233 --> 00:16:44,633 I'm telling you, we've been doing this for a while. 389 00:16:44,700 --> 00:16:47,367 I've never seen a commercial lease that does not have 390 00:16:47,433 --> 00:16:49,066 a no-sublet provisions in it 391 00:16:49,133 --> 00:16:50,800 and, again, doesn't mean you can't, 392 00:16:50,967 --> 00:16:53,367 it just means you have to get the landlord's permission. 393 00:16:53,433 --> 00:16:56,567 The problem is that you would have known that in 2017. 394 00:16:56,633 --> 00:16:59,667 In 2018, when you're signing up again, 395 00:16:59,734 --> 00:17:01,767 you would have said at that point to the landlord, 396 00:17:01,834 --> 00:17:04,767 "Oh, by the way, I have someone else who's renting space with me. 397 00:17:04,834 --> 00:17:07,333 Can we just include him on the lease too?" 398 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:08,367 You could have done that. 399 00:17:08,433 --> 00:17:11,532 You would have done that, except for whatever reason, 400 00:17:11,599 --> 00:17:14,567 you didn't do that, and that creates a legal issue. 401 00:17:14,633 --> 00:17:16,133 But I'm not saying-- I'm not saying-- 402 00:17:16,200 --> 00:17:18,266 My CFO handled all that part. 403 00:17:18,333 --> 00:17:19,666 I didn't do any of that part. 404 00:17:19,733 --> 00:17:21,233 -But you understand my position? -Yes. 405 00:17:21,300 --> 00:17:23,900 Yeah, and, again, that doesn't mean he wins, 406 00:17:23,967 --> 00:17:27,000 because even though there might have been a prohibition against it, 407 00:17:27,066 --> 00:17:29,800 he's still benefited from being in your space 408 00:17:29,867 --> 00:17:32,100 and benefiting from that arrangement. 409 00:17:32,166 --> 00:17:34,800 So, I'm not saying that that that's going to cause you to lose right away. 410 00:17:34,867 --> 00:17:38,033 Okay? I just I want to bring that up as a potential point. 411 00:17:38,967 --> 00:17:42,200 The arrangement that you had with him in 2017, though, 412 00:17:42,266 --> 00:17:45,433 was it always that however long you were in that space, 413 00:17:45,500 --> 00:17:48,800 that you were going to split the rent? 414 00:17:48,867 --> 00:17:49,967 Was it always agreed upon? 415 00:17:50,033 --> 00:17:51,233 -Yes. -Yes. 416 00:17:51,300 --> 00:17:54,800 So, in other words, you and he had agreed in 2017 417 00:17:54,867 --> 00:17:57,533 that for however long you were there-- 418 00:17:57,600 --> 00:17:58,967 And it was an oral agreement, right? 419 00:17:59,066 --> 00:17:59,934 -Yes. -A handshake. 420 00:18:00,066 --> 00:18:01,333 -Yes. -And handshakes 421 00:18:01,433 --> 00:18:02,900 should be good enough, they should be. 422 00:18:03,400 --> 00:18:05,900 But when you have people who won't return your phone calls 423 00:18:05,967 --> 00:18:08,533 and who are ditching you, it makes it difficult. 424 00:18:08,867 --> 00:18:11,500 So, you have in 2017 an agreement with him 425 00:18:11,567 --> 00:18:15,100 that for however long you're there-- and it turned out to be about five years. 426 00:18:15,166 --> 00:18:18,300 So, you have a potential statute of frauds problem. 427 00:18:18,367 --> 00:18:20,667 Statute of frauds say that if you have an agreement with someone 428 00:18:20,734 --> 00:18:23,133 that's not going to finish within a year period, 429 00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:24,467 that it has to be in writing. 430 00:18:24,533 --> 00:18:25,900 And it's an oral agreement. 431 00:18:25,967 --> 00:18:27,900 And it's something else that we're going to have to consider. 432 00:18:28,633 --> 00:18:29,600 Did you consider that at all? 433 00:18:29,700 --> 00:18:31,266 Did you speak to your CFO about that? 434 00:18:32,433 --> 00:18:34,033 Listen, you're a boxer. 435 00:18:34,100 --> 00:18:36,834 I am sure you make fantastic boxing equipment. 436 00:18:37,400 --> 00:18:38,734 You would have no reason to know that. 437 00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:40,500 The CFO might, but there's no reason 438 00:18:40,567 --> 00:18:41,700 for you to know that, and don't take it-- 439 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:45,667 And maybe-- maybe if it was somebody besides somebody I know, 440 00:18:45,767 --> 00:18:47,000 -then, yes, -That's it. 441 00:18:47,066 --> 00:18:50,100 that's where it gets lost In many things. 442 00:18:50,166 --> 00:18:51,867 -I get it. I get it. -Sure. 443 00:18:52,300 --> 00:18:54,033 So, let me now turn to you, Mr. Levy. 444 00:18:54,100 --> 00:18:56,000 By the way, there's no relation between you and I, right? 445 00:18:56,066 --> 00:18:57,333 -No. -That you're aware of, right? 446 00:18:57,400 --> 00:18:58,100 -Yeah. -Yeah. 447 00:18:58,734 --> 00:19:03,066 So, Mr. Levy, I want you to indicate to me and show me where 448 00:19:03,133 --> 00:19:05,767 in 2022, you made any payments. 449 00:19:05,867 --> 00:19:08,800 Are you acknowledging that you made no payments? 450 00:19:08,900 --> 00:19:09,567 -Is that it? -No, 451 00:19:09,633 --> 00:19:12,800 That-- There is one check stub right there. 452 00:19:12,867 --> 00:19:13,600 Is that it? Just one? 453 00:19:13,700 --> 00:19:15,433 I have some more in here, but-- 454 00:19:15,500 --> 00:19:16,567 I haven't seen any. 455 00:19:16,633 --> 00:19:19,567 I haven't put any dates on them, 456 00:19:19,633 --> 00:19:22,800 not all of them, like an idiot, but that's me. 457 00:19:24,066 --> 00:19:27,266 -I'm kind of bad at bookkeeping. -Here are some receipts. 458 00:19:27,333 --> 00:19:28,567 I have all your receipts. 459 00:19:28,633 --> 00:19:30,133 I have every one of your receipts. 460 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:33,033 Thank you. You came prepared, in that respect. 461 00:19:33,266 --> 00:19:35,133 -Yeah. I did not come-- -Yeah, you did not. 462 00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:37,467 -All right. I have nothing. -But I do-- I do have this. 463 00:19:37,700 --> 00:19:41,300 And you provided-- You provided that to us prior to coming in today? 464 00:19:41,367 --> 00:19:42,600 -No, I did not. -Mm. 465 00:19:43,166 --> 00:19:45,633 Yeah, I have nothing further. I don't need to see it. 466 00:19:45,700 --> 00:19:46,633 -Your Honor, may I ask-- -[bailiff, indistinct] 467 00:19:46,700 --> 00:19:48,166 Hold on one second. You have one-- 468 00:19:48,233 --> 00:19:49,667 You have one last thing to add? Yeah, go. 469 00:19:49,734 --> 00:19:53,633 I was just a question with the receipts saying that he did not pay-- 470 00:19:53,700 --> 00:19:56,033 Well, you prepared those receipts, right? 471 00:19:56,100 --> 00:19:58,166 -Those-- -I just took a picture of the receipts 472 00:19:58,233 --> 00:19:59,533 that the leasing office gave me. 473 00:19:59,600 --> 00:20:00,867 And who made the notations 474 00:20:00,934 --> 00:20:03,100 that Judge Acker indicated, a moment ago, were on them, 475 00:20:03,166 --> 00:20:04,834 like, "He's not paying." "He's a deadbeat." 476 00:20:04,900 --> 00:20:06,633 Stuff like that. Who made those notes? 477 00:20:06,700 --> 00:20:08,066 -That's for my reference. -Ri-- 478 00:20:08,567 --> 00:20:09,467 -You made those notes. -Proof. 479 00:20:09,834 --> 00:20:10,967 -You made those notes. -Right. 480 00:20:11,033 --> 00:20:12,300 I got it, Mr. Crawford. Thank you. 481 00:20:12,367 --> 00:20:14,300 We're going to retire to deliberate at this point. 482 00:20:14,367 --> 00:20:15,633 Thank you, gentlemen. I think we've heard enough. 483 00:20:15,700 --> 00:20:17,100 [Byrd] Court now stands in recess. 484 00:20:17,166 --> 00:20:18,767 Parties are excused. 485 00:20:20,367 --> 00:20:24,066 It's clear the defendant didn't pay at least a year. 486 00:20:24,133 --> 00:20:25,133 -Correct. Mm-hmm. -Right? 487 00:20:25,200 --> 00:20:27,967 I'd be content even without the lease, 488 00:20:28,033 --> 00:20:29,600 because I'll take the plaintiff's testimony. 489 00:20:29,667 --> 00:20:31,066 I take him at his word on these points. 490 00:20:31,133 --> 00:20:34,967 And, plus, the defendant admits that he got the benefit of the premises. 491 00:20:35,033 --> 00:20:36,800 So, I see a year? 492 00:20:36,867 --> 00:20:37,800 [DiMango] Yes, I agree. 493 00:20:37,867 --> 00:20:40,533 -A year at 850. -Correct. He's never paid, 494 00:20:40,600 --> 00:20:42,200 -so, they're all 50-- $50 -Correct. 495 00:20:42,266 --> 00:20:45,500 So, twelve months at 850 is where I would be. 496 00:20:45,567 --> 00:20:48,133 Because I agree. The first year is a wash, the second-- 497 00:20:48,200 --> 00:20:50,700 From two years they said that everything was good. 498 00:20:50,767 --> 00:20:52,433 -Yeah, I'm good with the 10,000. -[Acker] Judge Adam? 499 00:20:52,500 --> 00:20:54,166 Listen, I agree with your math. 500 00:20:54,266 --> 00:20:58,700 My only issue was the failure of the plaintiff to come in with the leases. 501 00:20:58,767 --> 00:21:04,567 Uh, having said that, the defendant clearly benefited from that arrangement. 502 00:21:04,967 --> 00:21:08,500 Um, he never disputed the amount of rent that was required. 503 00:21:08,567 --> 00:21:09,533 So, I agree with your math. 504 00:21:09,600 --> 00:21:11,700 I believe a judgment in favor of the plaintiff 505 00:21:11,767 --> 00:21:14,100 for $10,000 would be appropriate. 506 00:21:14,166 --> 00:21:16,133 And I just found that the plaintiff's so credible. 507 00:21:16,200 --> 00:21:17,233 -Super-credible. -I mean, 508 00:21:17,300 --> 00:21:19,700 he really tried to answer our questions 509 00:21:19,767 --> 00:21:21,100 It was the defendant who was bobbing and weaving. 510 00:21:21,166 --> 00:21:22,500 Oh, yeah. Absolutely. 511 00:21:22,567 --> 00:21:23,500 -Huh? -Skillful! Well done. 512 00:21:24,567 --> 00:21:25,233 Well done. 513 00:21:25,367 --> 00:21:26,100 He was the liar for sure. 514 00:21:26,166 --> 00:21:28,000 -We are unanimous. -Okay. 515 00:21:30,800 --> 00:21:31,900 [Byrd] Court is back in session. 516 00:21:31,967 --> 00:21:34,000 I remind parties you're still under oath. 517 00:21:34,066 --> 00:21:35,200 -Thank you, Byrd. -You're welcome. 518 00:21:35,266 --> 00:21:37,800 We've deliberated, and we've reached a unanimous verdict. 519 00:21:38,233 --> 00:21:42,100 And, to some extent, this case, is very obvious, right? 520 00:21:42,166 --> 00:21:46,433 Like, things started to go south in 2020, and, unfortunately, 521 00:21:46,500 --> 00:21:48,467 you never really picked up the ball again. 522 00:21:48,533 --> 00:21:51,834 And you really just left him hanging with no good reason. 523 00:21:51,900 --> 00:21:54,033 Great artist, though you may be, 524 00:21:54,100 --> 00:21:57,300 you were not a great partner in this venture. 525 00:21:57,367 --> 00:21:58,266 Mr. Crawford, 526 00:21:58,333 --> 00:22:01,000 you, by contrast, did a very, very good job 527 00:22:01,100 --> 00:22:03,367 of presenting your evidence and of making your case. 528 00:22:03,433 --> 00:22:06,867 There were some things, to be sure, that in a case like this, 529 00:22:06,934 --> 00:22:09,133 you should have had, like the lease, for instance. 530 00:22:09,200 --> 00:22:11,100 But we credited your testimony. 531 00:22:11,166 --> 00:22:13,300 We found you incredibly candid and honest. 532 00:22:13,900 --> 00:22:18,133 We have found evidence that he owes you for twelve months of rent 533 00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:20,367 and that brings us to $10,000. 534 00:22:20,433 --> 00:22:23,000 So, that's the unanimous verdict of this court. 535 00:22:23,066 --> 00:22:23,734 -Good luck to you. -[Crawford] Thank you, Your Honor. 536 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:25,800 -And good luck to you, too, sir. -[Jason Levy] Thank you, Your Honor. 537 00:22:25,867 --> 00:22:27,467 -I hope business gets better. -Appreciate it. 538 00:22:27,533 --> 00:22:28,900 This case is now concluded. 539 00:22:28,967 --> 00:22:29,867 Parties are excused. 540 00:22:29,934 --> 00:22:30,867 You may step out. 541 00:22:32,900 --> 00:22:34,900 I was very helpful to this guy. 542 00:22:34,967 --> 00:22:36,233 He's one of my good friends. 543 00:22:36,300 --> 00:22:39,133 I would never do him wrong like that. 544 00:22:39,200 --> 00:22:42,633 We've helped each other out, so, that's-- you know, that's one thing. 545 00:22:43,066 --> 00:22:46,233 And paying, you know, rent is a whole 'nother thing. 546 00:22:46,300 --> 00:22:48,900 So, you know, It ain't "show friends" it's "show business." 547 00:22:48,967 --> 00:22:50,033 I didn't stab him in the back. 548 00:22:50,100 --> 00:22:51,266 If anybody got stabbed him back, 549 00:22:51,333 --> 00:22:52,300 I got stabbed in the back. 550 00:22:52,367 --> 00:22:55,467 You put your boot on and you boot 'em. 551 00:22:56,333 --> 00:22:58,433 [announcer] Have you been falsely accused? 552 00:22:58,500 --> 00:23:01,667 Let Tribunal Justice decide your case. 553 00:23:01,734 --> 00:23:04,767 Find us on social media at Tribunal Justice. 554 00:23:04,834 --> 00:23:07,834 [theme music playing]