1 00:00:06,300 --> 00:00:09,233 You were going to open up a game room. 2 00:00:09,967 --> 00:00:11,233 I withdrew the money 3 00:00:11,300 --> 00:00:13,433 and gave it to her at the bar. 4 00:00:13,500 --> 00:00:15,233 So where did her money go? 5 00:00:15,300 --> 00:00:16,767 What do you want me to-- what do you want me to say? 6 00:00:16,834 --> 00:00:18,133 What's your position? 7 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:20,200 We're too stupid to have a defense? 8 00:00:20,266 --> 00:00:22,000 I spent more money than she did. 9 00:00:22,066 --> 00:00:24,233 But yet I've gotten no receipts. 10 00:00:24,300 --> 00:00:25,700 I haven't seen the equipment. 11 00:00:25,767 --> 00:00:27,800 People don't question my word and my word's good. 12 00:00:27,867 --> 00:00:29,000 I question your word. 13 00:00:29,066 --> 00:00:30,066 They scammed you. 14 00:00:30,133 --> 00:00:33,266 [announcer] Now, on Tribunal Justice. 15 00:00:33,333 --> 00:00:36,867 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays] 16 00:00:55,033 --> 00:00:57,867 [announcer] Today's case was filed in Houston, Texas. 17 00:00:58,667 --> 00:01:01,300 Your Honor, this is case number 2045 on the calendar, 18 00:01:01,367 --> 00:01:03,400 in the matter of Steel versus Bowling. 19 00:01:03,467 --> 00:01:04,967 Parties have been sworn in. 20 00:01:05,033 --> 00:01:06,100 You may be seated. 21 00:01:06,166 --> 00:01:07,800 - [Judge Acker] Thank you, Byrd. - [Byrd] You're welcome, Judge. 22 00:01:07,867 --> 00:01:10,300 Ms. Steel and Ms. Bowling, 23 00:01:10,367 --> 00:01:13,266 once upon a time the two of you were very good friends. 24 00:01:13,333 --> 00:01:15,934 In fact, you were gonna go into business together. 25 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:19,033 You were going to open up a game room. 26 00:01:19,100 --> 00:01:21,300 Ms. Steel, according to your complaint, 27 00:01:21,367 --> 00:01:23,533 you gave the defendant $9,000 28 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:27,033 to purchase slot machines for this game room. 29 00:01:27,100 --> 00:01:28,734 The game room did not open. 30 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:30,834 You have not seen the slot machines. 31 00:01:30,900 --> 00:01:33,433 You have not received any money from this venture 32 00:01:33,500 --> 00:01:35,767 and you are now suing your former friend 33 00:01:35,834 --> 00:01:37,734 for that $9,000 back. 34 00:01:38,166 --> 00:01:41,300 Ms. Bowling, you maintained that this was simply a business deal 35 00:01:41,366 --> 00:01:43,633 where everyone lost. 36 00:01:43,700 --> 00:01:45,300 According to your answer, 37 00:01:45,366 --> 00:01:48,734 the landlord of the property shut it down, 38 00:01:48,800 --> 00:01:50,300 seized the property. 39 00:01:50,366 --> 00:01:54,433 Your witness Dan was able to recover the slot machines. 40 00:01:54,500 --> 00:01:57,033 She can get them if she wants them from Dan. 41 00:01:57,100 --> 00:01:58,400 You're no longer in it 42 00:01:58,467 --> 00:02:00,500 - and you owe her no money? - Yes, ma'am. 43 00:02:00,567 --> 00:02:02,367 How long did the two of you know each other 44 00:02:02,433 --> 00:02:04,367 before you went into this venture, ma'am? 45 00:02:04,433 --> 00:02:08,032 Um, we met at the, um, bar where Molly's bar... 46 00:02:08,100 --> 00:02:10,000 - [Judge Acker] Your friend's bar? - [Sandra] Uh-huh. 47 00:02:10,066 --> 00:02:11,867 Well, I used to work at the bar 48 00:02:11,934 --> 00:02:14,033 and I used to pick up supplies and things. 49 00:02:14,100 --> 00:02:16,100 And, uh, at one time, 50 00:02:16,166 --> 00:02:19,266 she had someone that requested some banana nut bread 51 00:02:19,333 --> 00:02:20,966 and she asked me to bake it. 52 00:02:21,033 --> 00:02:22,200 I said okay. I baked it. 53 00:02:22,266 --> 00:02:24,834 And the next day, uh, the lady picked it up 54 00:02:24,900 --> 00:02:26,734 and wanted to know could she get more? 55 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:28,533 - [laughs] - [Sandra] And so she asked me 56 00:02:28,600 --> 00:02:30,466 why didn't I start doing some baking, 57 00:02:30,533 --> 00:02:34,600 little things that--so she can offer like desserts after lunch. 58 00:02:34,667 --> 00:02:37,433 - Very nice. Banana bread and beer. - [Sandra] Yeah. 59 00:02:37,500 --> 00:02:39,233 - That sounds like a combination. - [Sandra] Beer and biscuits. 60 00:02:39,300 --> 00:02:41,000 - Do you work at the bar? - Yes, ma'am. 61 00:02:41,066 --> 00:02:43,166 And so you got to know the plaintiff 62 00:02:43,233 --> 00:02:45,934 because she's the cookie lady. 63 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:47,800 She's bringing her baked goods into the bar. 64 00:02:47,867 --> 00:02:49,667 So I wanna understand 65 00:02:49,734 --> 00:02:52,667 what this game room was going to be. 66 00:02:52,734 --> 00:02:54,900 Now, there was a meeting between you, 67 00:02:54,966 --> 00:02:58,066 - the plaintiff, and witness Dan, correct? - Yes, ma'am. 68 00:02:58,133 --> 00:03:00,166 And that is where the money 69 00:03:00,233 --> 00:03:01,433 - was transferred? - [Molly] Right. 70 00:03:01,500 --> 00:03:03,266 To whom did the plaintiff give the money? 71 00:03:03,333 --> 00:03:05,300 - She gave it to Dan. - [Judge Acker] That's not what you say. 72 00:03:05,367 --> 00:03:06,967 You say you gave it to her. 73 00:03:07,033 --> 00:03:08,300 I only knew Dan 74 00:03:08,367 --> 00:03:10,600 because he ordered baked goods from me. 75 00:03:10,667 --> 00:03:13,533 That's my only, uh, association with Dan. 76 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:15,767 And I would never give anybody money-- 77 00:03:15,834 --> 00:03:17,466 that amount of money that I knew 78 00:03:17,533 --> 00:03:19,533 - that ordered baked goods. - It was $9,000. 79 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:21,266 - Yes. - [Judge Acker] In fact, can we put up 80 00:03:21,333 --> 00:03:22,333 Exhibit 1? 81 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:23,767 Because we see, ma'am, 82 00:03:23,834 --> 00:03:26,567 that you did in fact take out this money. 83 00:03:26,633 --> 00:03:28,767 It was a couple of years ago, wasn't it? 84 00:03:28,834 --> 00:03:30,000 [Sandra] It was. 85 00:03:30,066 --> 00:03:33,800 Uh, I withdrew the money and I took it back to the bar 86 00:03:33,867 --> 00:03:36,433 and gave it to her at the bar. 87 00:03:36,500 --> 00:03:37,567 [Judge Acker] According to you, 88 00:03:37,633 --> 00:03:41,266 you handed $9,000 in cash to the defendant. 89 00:03:41,333 --> 00:03:42,900 - According to the defendant... - Yeah. 90 00:03:42,966 --> 00:03:46,166 ... you handed $9,000 in cash to Dan. 91 00:03:46,233 --> 00:03:47,266 Let's talk to Dan. 92 00:03:47,333 --> 00:03:49,300 Sir, could you take the stand, please? 93 00:03:49,367 --> 00:03:51,934 You received $9,000 in cash? 94 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:54,734 Yes, ma'am. But I got it-- 95 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:56,333 I got it from Molly. 96 00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:57,667 - Okay. She... - [Judge Acker] So you just kind of... 97 00:03:57,734 --> 00:03:59,466 It was passed over from Sandy to Molly, 98 00:03:59,533 --> 00:04:00,600 and then, I picked it up from [indistinct]. 99 00:04:00,667 --> 00:04:02,367 Yeah, you just threw Molly-- you just threw Molly 100 00:04:02,433 --> 00:04:03,600 - under the bus a little bit? - We were all in the table together. 101 00:04:03,667 --> 00:04:04,900 - [Judge Acker] Because... - There was four of us 102 00:04:04,967 --> 00:04:05,967 - in the room together. - [Judge Acker] Hold on. Hold on. 103 00:04:06,033 --> 00:04:07,400 Because who got the money 104 00:04:07,467 --> 00:04:09,600 seems to be a big point of contention, 105 00:04:09,667 --> 00:04:11,567 because the plaintiff said she gave it to you. 106 00:04:11,633 --> 00:04:13,033 But the money ends up 107 00:04:13,100 --> 00:04:14,767 - in your hands Dan, correct? - Yes, ma'am. 108 00:04:14,834 --> 00:04:16,700 And you went to buy these slot machines? 109 00:04:16,767 --> 00:04:17,767 I bought the slot machines. 110 00:04:17,834 --> 00:04:19,166 [Judge Acker] From where did you purchase them? 111 00:04:19,233 --> 00:04:21,033 From slot machine vendor 112 00:04:21,100 --> 00:04:23,000 on--right down the road from the shop. 113 00:04:23,066 --> 00:04:26,100 May we put up Exhibit Number 7, please? 114 00:04:26,166 --> 00:04:28,767 Are these the slot machines that you purchased? 115 00:04:28,834 --> 00:04:29,834 Yes, ma'am. 116 00:04:29,900 --> 00:04:31,233 [Judge Acker] How much did they cost? 117 00:04:32,332 --> 00:04:36,567 Forty--uh, close to five grand altogether and... 118 00:04:36,633 --> 00:04:38,300 Close to five grand altogether. 119 00:04:38,367 --> 00:04:39,767 Well then that's a surprise 120 00:04:39,834 --> 00:04:42,467 because that seems like we've got $4,000 121 00:04:42,533 --> 00:04:44,700 - that vanished in the ether somewhere. - No. 122 00:04:44,767 --> 00:04:46,100 Where's the receipt for the machines, sir? 123 00:04:46,166 --> 00:04:47,600 - There's no receipt. - There's no receipt? 124 00:04:47,667 --> 00:04:49,734 - But that's... - No--hang on. Hang on. 125 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:51,200 I find it curious, my friend, 126 00:04:51,266 --> 00:04:52,633 that there's no receipt. 127 00:04:52,700 --> 00:04:55,800 The second curious fact is that you've just testified 128 00:04:55,867 --> 00:04:58,500 that these machines cost $5,000. 129 00:04:58,567 --> 00:05:00,100 And we established that the plaintiff 130 00:05:00,166 --> 00:05:02,867 gave the two of you $9,000. 131 00:05:03,266 --> 00:05:04,900 That's where the error is. 132 00:05:04,967 --> 00:05:06,000 - She didn't give... - [Judge Acker] Where is the error? 133 00:05:06,066 --> 00:05:07,500 ... the $9,000 to buy machine. 134 00:05:07,567 --> 00:05:09,967 She gave $9,000 for twelve and a half percent 135 00:05:10,033 --> 00:05:11,467 of the gross of the games. 136 00:05:11,533 --> 00:05:13,033 She wanted to be a partner. 137 00:05:13,100 --> 00:05:14,867 She did not buy the games. 138 00:05:14,934 --> 00:05:16,967 [Judge Acker] So your testimony is that 139 00:05:17,033 --> 00:05:19,533 - she was gonna get a 12% return? - [Daniel] Twelve and a half. Yes, ma'am. 140 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:22,867 [Judge Acker] So where's the contract that says for your $9,000 141 00:05:22,934 --> 00:05:25,233 you're getting 12% of the business? Where is that? 142 00:05:25,300 --> 00:05:26,800 We didn't--we didn't have one. 143 00:05:26,867 --> 00:05:29,467 So no documentation that verifies 144 00:05:29,533 --> 00:05:30,967 - your version of this deal? - [Daniel] Right. 145 00:05:31,033 --> 00:05:32,233 [Judge Acker] And Ms. Steel, 146 00:05:32,300 --> 00:05:34,200 - have you ever seen these machines? - No. 147 00:05:34,266 --> 00:05:35,266 [Judge Acker] Did you ever see a receipt 148 00:05:35,332 --> 00:05:36,332 - for them? - No. 149 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:38,633 - Ever get any proof of purchase of them? - [Sandra] No. 150 00:05:38,700 --> 00:05:41,900 Uh, Houston, Texas is in Harris County. 151 00:05:41,967 --> 00:05:44,600 Harris County requires a permit 152 00:05:44,667 --> 00:05:46,066 in order to open a game room. 153 00:05:46,133 --> 00:05:48,300 In fact, I think it's $1,000 154 00:05:48,367 --> 00:05:49,567 to apply for such a permit. 155 00:05:49,633 --> 00:05:51,033 Show me the permit application. 156 00:05:51,100 --> 00:05:52,300 We never--we never filled it out 157 00:05:52,367 --> 00:05:54,200 - because we're... - Never had a permit application? 158 00:05:54,266 --> 00:05:55,266 - [Daniel] It was within 25,000 foot... - So wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, 159 00:05:55,332 --> 00:05:56,332 wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. 160 00:05:56,400 --> 00:05:57,767 You got--you gotta stick with me. 161 00:05:57,834 --> 00:06:00,500 You're going into a business 162 00:06:00,567 --> 00:06:03,834 that by its very nature is heavily regulated. 163 00:06:03,900 --> 00:06:05,367 I know that in Texas, 164 00:06:05,433 --> 00:06:07,400 some counties require licenses. 165 00:06:07,467 --> 00:06:09,800 Some counties don't even permit game rooms. 166 00:06:09,867 --> 00:06:11,867 So where did her money go? 167 00:06:12,700 --> 00:06:14,700 So we also had a third person that couldn't be here and so that's... 168 00:06:14,767 --> 00:06:15,800 [Judge Acker] I'm not interested in the third person. 169 00:06:15,867 --> 00:06:17,433 Well, she has a lot of the documentation 170 00:06:17,500 --> 00:06:18,500 - that we couldn't get. - [Judge Acker] I don't-- 171 00:06:18,567 --> 00:06:20,400 I also find it curious 172 00:06:20,467 --> 00:06:23,734 that we are now mentioning a third person 173 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:26,233 who I don't recall ever being mentioned 174 00:06:26,300 --> 00:06:27,900 in any of these documents. 175 00:06:27,967 --> 00:06:30,934 Isn't that interesting that that third person isn't here? 176 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:34,332 I never had a meeting with three other people. 177 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:36,600 [Judge Acker] Curiouser and curiouser. 178 00:06:36,667 --> 00:06:38,332 Talk to me, Ms. Steel, 179 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:41,133 - about the defendant's witness... - Uh-hmm. 180 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:43,933 ... says that you paid the $9,000 181 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:45,633 not solely for the machines 182 00:06:45,700 --> 00:06:48,000 but for a 12% interest in the business. 183 00:06:48,066 --> 00:06:50,200 Was that your understanding of this deal? 184 00:06:50,266 --> 00:06:52,066 That's the first time I've heard 185 00:06:52,133 --> 00:06:54,967 any specific numbers about anything. 186 00:06:55,033 --> 00:06:59,200 The understanding was that I would buy the machines 187 00:06:59,266 --> 00:07:02,400 and they would lease the machines from me 188 00:07:02,467 --> 00:07:04,367 because they couldn't own them. 189 00:07:04,433 --> 00:07:08,433 So I said that I would give the money to Molly and I said, 190 00:07:08,500 --> 00:07:11,800 "So that you get the machines that you specifically want, 191 00:07:11,867 --> 00:07:14,700 get me the receipts. I'll be the owner." 192 00:07:14,767 --> 00:07:17,266 And they said they would lease them from me. 193 00:07:17,332 --> 00:07:19,700 In fact, I asked Molly repeatedly 194 00:07:19,767 --> 00:07:23,533 to please, let's sit down and document all of this 195 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:26,332 because my father used to always tell me, 196 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:28,233 "You need it in black and white. 197 00:07:28,300 --> 00:07:29,867 Six months from now, 198 00:07:29,934 --> 00:07:32,200 everybody's memory will be different." 199 00:07:32,266 --> 00:07:33,533 - Deals change. - [Sandra] It does. 200 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:36,834 It changes from here's $9,000 for four machines 201 00:07:36,900 --> 00:07:40,633 to $9,000 for 12% interest in a business 202 00:07:40,700 --> 00:07:43,066 that's based on machines of which we have no proof 203 00:07:43,133 --> 00:07:44,133 that anyone ever bought. 204 00:07:44,200 --> 00:07:45,300 Let's just keep it real. 205 00:07:45,367 --> 00:07:47,533 - There's pictures of them. - You mean the pictures 206 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:48,767 - that we put up earlier? - [Daniel] Yes, ma'am. 207 00:07:48,834 --> 00:07:50,567 Those are just pictures of some random machines. 208 00:07:50,633 --> 00:07:52,100 I don't know where they came from. 209 00:07:52,667 --> 00:07:54,033 [Daniel] What do you want me to-- what do you want me to say? 210 00:07:54,100 --> 00:07:55,332 I mean, there's the pictures of them. 211 00:07:55,400 --> 00:07:57,166 People don't question my word and my word's good. 212 00:07:57,233 --> 00:07:58,567 - I question your word. - Okay. I understand that. 213 00:07:58,633 --> 00:08:00,367 - And she questions your word. - [Daniel] Okay. 214 00:08:00,433 --> 00:08:02,800 [Judge Acker] You have no evidence of what you did with her money 215 00:08:02,867 --> 00:08:06,000 and she has never seen them one time. 216 00:08:06,066 --> 00:08:07,066 Judge DiMango. 217 00:08:07,133 --> 00:08:10,633 You know what doesn't require a license or a permit? 218 00:08:10,700 --> 00:08:11,834 A scam. 219 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:16,467 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 220 00:08:16,533 --> 00:08:19,367 You and Dan here were like two dopes 221 00:08:19,433 --> 00:08:20,800 in this whole thing it seems. 222 00:08:21,200 --> 00:08:22,734 So, I mean, what's your position? 223 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:25,066 We're too stupid to have a defense? 224 00:08:25,133 --> 00:08:26,633 [dramatic musical sting] 225 00:08:28,133 --> 00:08:29,900 [theme music plays] 226 00:08:29,967 --> 00:08:33,667 [announcer] Sandra Steel is suing Molly Bowling for $9,000. 227 00:08:33,734 --> 00:08:36,967 Sandra claim she gave her friend money to buy slot machines 228 00:08:37,033 --> 00:08:39,667 for a business venture that never existed. 229 00:08:39,734 --> 00:08:42,500 But Molly says the business simply failed 230 00:08:42,567 --> 00:08:44,700 and everyone lost money. 231 00:08:45,367 --> 00:08:48,533 To me, what I see here is a scam 232 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:50,567 being run on a woman who's got a head stuck 233 00:08:50,633 --> 00:08:52,500 - in the cookie dough. - No. 234 00:08:52,567 --> 00:08:53,800 [Judge DiMango] Yeah, I know you say no 235 00:08:53,867 --> 00:08:55,700 that's why you're here defending your case. 236 00:08:55,767 --> 00:08:56,767 But let me ask you a question. 237 00:08:56,834 --> 00:08:59,367 Can you just describe to me briefly 238 00:08:59,433 --> 00:09:01,367 what your storage room looks like? 239 00:09:01,433 --> 00:09:03,400 The storage room is--it's just a ten by-- 240 00:09:03,467 --> 00:09:05,066 whatever the measurements are. 241 00:09:05,133 --> 00:09:06,734 - It's just a ten building. - And these are the ones. 242 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:08,133 - They're in storage, right? - [Daniel] Right. 243 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:09,700 And you took these while they were in storage? 244 00:09:09,767 --> 00:09:10,767 - Right. - [Judge DiMango] Correct? 245 00:09:10,834 --> 00:09:12,967 So what is this door doing back there 246 00:09:13,033 --> 00:09:14,934 that looks like it's in a room, 247 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:16,100 if it's a storage? 248 00:09:16,166 --> 00:09:17,166 - This isn't a storage room. - [Daniel] No, I didn't say I took those-- 249 00:09:17,233 --> 00:09:18,233 I didn't say I took those pictures 250 00:09:18,300 --> 00:09:19,300 - in a storage room. - [Judge DiMango] Yeah, you did. 251 00:09:19,367 --> 00:09:20,367 - I said I took the pictures... - [Judge DiMango] You said you took it 252 00:09:20,433 --> 00:09:21,934 - in the storage... - ... down in a storage room. 253 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:23,500 Oh. So you moved them from one storage place... 254 00:09:23,567 --> 00:09:24,567 [Daniel] No, those pictures are before. 255 00:09:24,633 --> 00:09:26,433 This isn't even a storage room. 256 00:09:26,500 --> 00:09:28,033 They are in a storage room. 257 00:09:28,100 --> 00:09:29,700 That's in my house before we moved them there. 258 00:09:29,767 --> 00:09:31,533 I spent more money than she did. 259 00:09:31,600 --> 00:09:32,667 - And have I cried about it? - Oh, I'm so sorry for you. 260 00:09:32,734 --> 00:09:33,834 [Daniel] No, I didn't. No, I'm not. 261 00:09:33,900 --> 00:09:35,233 - [Judge DiMango] I'm so sorry for you. - [Daniel] So there's no scam here. 262 00:09:35,300 --> 00:09:36,333 [Judge DiMango] There is a scam 263 00:09:36,400 --> 00:09:38,200 and that's too bad if you think you lost more money. 264 00:09:38,266 --> 00:09:39,900 I have no proof you lost any money. 265 00:09:39,967 --> 00:09:42,734 All I have proof of based on the testimony in here. 266 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:44,533 Your testimony is that 267 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:48,567 you have extra $4,000 in your pocket to go around 268 00:09:48,633 --> 00:09:51,600 and try to get five cherries on someone else's machine. 269 00:09:51,667 --> 00:09:55,100 Now, they were opening a business basically. 270 00:09:55,165 --> 00:09:57,533 And you were gonna be a partner in this business to some extent 271 00:09:57,600 --> 00:09:59,433 'cause you were gonna get lease money back, correct? 272 00:09:59,500 --> 00:10:03,200 Yes. And I was negligent in not having all of this in writing... 273 00:10:03,266 --> 00:10:04,266 - [Judge DiMango] Yes. I know... - ... before I did it. 274 00:10:04,333 --> 00:10:05,700 [Judge DiMango] ...'cause your father said the same thing. 275 00:10:05,767 --> 00:10:08,767 My father said and probably everyone in the room's father said. 276 00:10:08,834 --> 00:10:10,967 See I don't know why your head was in the cookie dough. 277 00:10:11,033 --> 00:10:12,867 - Why? - [Sandra] I--Molly-- 278 00:10:12,934 --> 00:10:13,934 - I talked... - Is it greed? 279 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:15,867 Well, I talked with Molly repeatedly 280 00:10:15,934 --> 00:10:18,200 throughout 2022. 281 00:10:18,266 --> 00:10:21,433 She had quite a hectic year that year. 282 00:10:21,500 --> 00:10:23,433 She had the loss of a son. 283 00:10:23,500 --> 00:10:24,800 - A tragic loss. - Okay. Well, that's very-- 284 00:10:24,867 --> 00:10:26,333 that's difficult. That's sad. 285 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:27,900 So the bottom line is, was it a gift? 286 00:10:27,967 --> 00:10:30,533 Did you decide to give her a gift of $9,000? 287 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:31,600 No. And I said that to her 288 00:10:31,667 --> 00:10:33,367 when I asked her about the money. 289 00:10:33,433 --> 00:10:36,467 I said this was not a gift. 290 00:10:36,533 --> 00:10:38,367 But yet I've gotten no receipts. 291 00:10:38,433 --> 00:10:40,033 I haven't seen the equipment. 292 00:10:40,100 --> 00:10:42,233 - This is not working out. - [Judge DiMango] How--two years. 293 00:10:42,300 --> 00:10:44,066 How could you go two years? 294 00:10:44,133 --> 00:10:45,867 What would make you give over the money? 295 00:10:45,934 --> 00:10:47,900 And this guy here has got no personality, 296 00:10:47,967 --> 00:10:48,967 I mean he's nasty. 297 00:10:49,033 --> 00:10:50,834 So you knew both of them? 298 00:10:50,900 --> 00:10:52,767 [Sandra] I knew him to bake for him. 299 00:10:52,834 --> 00:10:54,200 - I did not originally... - [Judge DiMango] But you did? 300 00:10:54,266 --> 00:10:55,767 ... know he was involved in it. 301 00:10:55,834 --> 00:10:57,133 [Judge DiMango] I think you did personally. 302 00:10:57,200 --> 00:10:58,633 I think you knew everybody was involved. 303 00:10:58,700 --> 00:11:01,033 But that doesn't mean that you don't get your money back. 304 00:11:01,100 --> 00:11:03,133 - So you tell me, Molly. - [Molly] Yes, ma'am. 305 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:05,000 [Judge DiMango] What did you do towards all of this? 306 00:11:05,066 --> 00:11:08,133 Well, so I was like the least of involved in the whole thing 307 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:09,900 from the very beginning, and Sandy also knew that. 308 00:11:09,967 --> 00:11:12,533 I wasn't there for any of the rentals, any of that. 309 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:14,233 - I put the money in his... - So was it all him? 310 00:11:14,300 --> 00:11:15,767 - No. It was not all him. - Ah. 311 00:11:15,834 --> 00:11:17,066 Who was it? The person that's not here? 312 00:11:17,133 --> 00:11:18,133 Yes, ma'am. That was her-- 313 00:11:18,200 --> 00:11:19,600 it was her idea to start, of course, 314 00:11:19,667 --> 00:11:21,000 - and then, we all went [indistinct]. - What were your efforts to get her to-- 315 00:11:21,066 --> 00:11:22,367 what were your efforts to get her here? 316 00:11:22,433 --> 00:11:24,900 How come you didn't bring her in as a third party in this lawsuit? 317 00:11:24,967 --> 00:11:27,066 Well, we asked her certainly to be here and she wouldn't come. 318 00:11:27,133 --> 00:11:28,467 - So, I mean that's... - Yeah. I don't believe you 319 00:11:28,533 --> 00:11:30,433 - less than I believe him. - [Molly] Okay. 320 00:11:30,500 --> 00:11:32,266 [Judge DiMango] Where is the lease for the premises? 321 00:11:32,333 --> 00:11:34,000 - She has it. - [Judge DiMango] Oh. 322 00:11:34,066 --> 00:11:35,100 And she leased the building 323 00:11:35,165 --> 00:11:36,500 - when we showed up and saw that it was... - [Judge DiMango] She leased everything. 324 00:11:36,567 --> 00:11:37,767 [indistinct] I couldn't believe it. 325 00:11:37,834 --> 00:11:39,367 But she--it was-- this is her idea to begin with 326 00:11:39,433 --> 00:11:41,233 - and we supported our friend. - Her idea. Her lease. 327 00:11:41,300 --> 00:11:42,667 - Her $9,000. - [Molly] Uh-hmm. 328 00:11:42,734 --> 00:11:45,800 You and Dan here were like two dopes 329 00:11:45,867 --> 00:11:47,133 in this whole thing, it seems. 330 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:48,567 - Okay. - [Judge DiMango] Imagine that. 331 00:11:48,633 --> 00:11:49,633 So, I mean, what's your position? 332 00:11:49,700 --> 00:11:52,533 We're too stupid to have a defense? 333 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:54,433 She's suing the wrong person is the thing. 334 00:11:54,500 --> 00:11:55,500 - [Judge DiMango] So I tell you what. - I mean, she knows that. 335 00:11:55,567 --> 00:11:57,600 If you lose and it's not you, 336 00:11:57,667 --> 00:11:58,934 sue the other lady. 337 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:00,300 Come on. You can do that. 338 00:12:00,367 --> 00:12:01,834 You're a smart woman. 339 00:12:01,900 --> 00:12:02,900 Judge Levy? 340 00:12:02,967 --> 00:12:04,533 [Judge Levy] When was the last time you spoke to her? 341 00:12:04,600 --> 00:12:06,734 This person, this mastermind who's behind all this? 342 00:12:06,800 --> 00:12:08,433 I spoke to her within the last few days. 343 00:12:08,500 --> 00:12:10,433 - And you, sir? - [Daniel] Man, not since taxes. 344 00:12:10,500 --> 00:12:11,734 She does my taxes. 345 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:13,000 - She's an accountant? - [Daniel] Yes. 346 00:12:13,066 --> 00:12:14,166 Where does she live? 347 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:17,200 - I don't know where she lives. - [indistinct]. 348 00:12:17,266 --> 00:12:18,400 [Daniel] She's not actually an accountant. 349 00:12:18,467 --> 00:12:19,667 She does the accounting for an-- 350 00:12:19,734 --> 00:12:21,667 she does the paperwork for an accountant. 351 00:12:21,734 --> 00:12:23,233 She's an accountant. 352 00:12:23,300 --> 00:12:24,500 She's not an accountant. 353 00:12:24,567 --> 00:12:27,000 I haven't spoken to her. I did speak to her. 354 00:12:27,066 --> 00:12:28,367 Why didn't you go to the police? 355 00:12:29,066 --> 00:12:30,767 - [Sandra] Why didn't I go to the police? - [Judge Levy] Yeah. 356 00:12:30,834 --> 00:12:32,600 [Sandra] I didn't know all of this was occurring. 357 00:12:32,667 --> 00:12:34,533 Well, no. No, no. Hold on. Hold on. 358 00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:36,900 Judge DiMango already made it pretty clear. 359 00:12:36,967 --> 00:12:38,433 They scammed you. 360 00:12:38,500 --> 00:12:39,600 That's [bleep]. 361 00:12:39,667 --> 00:12:42,165 You know that that's what this looks like, right? 362 00:12:42,233 --> 00:12:44,300 From the way you're putting it-- y'all are putting it, yes, sir. 363 00:12:44,367 --> 00:12:46,033 - It could look like that. - [Judge Levy] Okay. 364 00:12:46,100 --> 00:12:48,266 You took $9,000 in cash. 365 00:12:48,333 --> 00:12:51,667 You never got any document whatsoever from this place 366 00:12:51,734 --> 00:12:55,433 that corroborates your claim that you bought them. 367 00:12:55,500 --> 00:12:56,967 - You understand that? - [Daniel] Yes. 368 00:12:57,033 --> 00:13:00,467 [Judge Levy] You knew that she filed a lawsuit against you, 369 00:13:00,533 --> 00:13:02,400 that in essence you took her money 370 00:13:02,467 --> 00:13:04,700 and you gave her absolutely nothing for it. 371 00:13:04,767 --> 00:13:06,233 And the way it appears 372 00:13:06,300 --> 00:13:10,266 is that you both committed with each other grand larceny. 373 00:13:10,333 --> 00:13:12,200 - [bleep]. - [Judge Levy] That's just--hold on, sir, 374 00:13:12,266 --> 00:13:14,567 look at me. I'm not saying it's true. 375 00:13:14,633 --> 00:13:17,300 I'm saying you know that's the way it looks. 376 00:13:17,367 --> 00:13:19,200 So why didn't you then go back 377 00:13:19,266 --> 00:13:22,200 to the slot machine company and get a receipt? 378 00:13:22,266 --> 00:13:24,900 These are the most--as Judge Acker said, 379 00:13:24,967 --> 00:13:27,767 the most heavily-regulated commodities 380 00:13:27,834 --> 00:13:28,967 in Texas. 381 00:13:29,033 --> 00:13:30,400 Slot machines. 382 00:13:30,467 --> 00:13:32,667 The records that are kept on who buys them, 383 00:13:32,734 --> 00:13:36,266 who sells them are mandated by the state. 384 00:13:36,333 --> 00:13:38,967 So explain to me how you think it looks 385 00:13:39,033 --> 00:13:40,700 when you come in here 386 00:13:40,767 --> 00:13:43,767 without any evidence whatsoever 387 00:13:43,834 --> 00:13:45,567 to corroborate your claim 388 00:13:45,633 --> 00:13:49,133 that you bought slot machines consistent with what the agreement was 389 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:51,300 as opposed to taking that nine grand, 390 00:13:51,367 --> 00:13:53,133 whacking it up amongst yourselves, 391 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:54,700 and calling it a day. 392 00:13:55,133 --> 00:13:56,200 Why didn't you do it? 393 00:13:57,000 --> 00:13:59,500 Because that's what the police are gonna be asking you. 394 00:13:59,567 --> 00:14:02,166 The statute of limitations in Texas, ma'am, 395 00:14:02,233 --> 00:14:06,100 for this type of a felony crime is three years. 396 00:14:06,166 --> 00:14:08,000 You better hurry. 397 00:14:08,066 --> 00:14:09,800 Because you as a senior-- 398 00:14:09,867 --> 00:14:10,934 and I don't mean to say that 399 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:12,500 - with any disrespect. - [chuckles] No. 400 00:14:12,567 --> 00:14:15,433 [Judge Levy] I saw--I saw your age on that paperwork. 401 00:14:15,500 --> 00:14:16,734 They're gonna treat this case 402 00:14:16,800 --> 00:14:18,834 a little differently because of your age. 403 00:14:18,900 --> 00:14:21,600 - Do you work or are you retired? - [Sandra] Retired. 404 00:14:21,667 --> 00:14:23,400 What kind of savings do you have? 405 00:14:23,900 --> 00:14:25,233 - Not a lot now. - [Judge Levy] Uh-hmm. 406 00:14:25,300 --> 00:14:29,433 I'm disabled and I--and I can't work now. 407 00:14:29,500 --> 00:14:32,367 If you, ma'am, don't do something, 408 00:14:32,433 --> 00:14:34,667 they're gonna do it to somebody else. 409 00:14:35,133 --> 00:14:36,433 That's gonna be on you, 410 00:14:36,500 --> 00:14:38,867 if you don't file a criminal charge. 411 00:14:38,934 --> 00:14:39,934 How about that? 412 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:42,433 I don't want that on my conscience. 413 00:14:43,100 --> 00:14:44,734 Well, how about if you don't want something on your conscience, 414 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:47,367 why don't you tell them that I offered to give you that money back? 415 00:14:47,433 --> 00:14:49,400 Did he do that? Did he offer you to give the money back? 416 00:14:49,467 --> 00:14:51,700 Molly told me that he was-- 417 00:14:51,767 --> 00:14:53,233 pay some of my mortgage 418 00:14:53,300 --> 00:14:55,266 or pay some of my bills. 419 00:14:55,333 --> 00:14:57,133 I don't have a mortgage. 420 00:14:57,200 --> 00:15:00,266 Uh, and I didn't wanna accept any money 421 00:15:00,333 --> 00:15:03,867 - that wasn't the full amount because... - [Judge Levy] Is that right? 422 00:15:03,934 --> 00:15:05,266 Did you offer to give her all the money back? 423 00:15:05,333 --> 00:15:06,734 [Daniel] I offered to give her the money back 424 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:08,533 and then she said that she was gonna lose her house. 425 00:15:08,600 --> 00:15:10,367 I said, "I'll pay your house note," 426 00:15:10,433 --> 00:15:11,600 because I didn't want her in a bind 427 00:15:11,667 --> 00:15:13,633 because I felt bad the way things happened. 428 00:15:13,700 --> 00:15:16,467 But I didn't scam nobody and I offered to give her money back. 429 00:15:16,533 --> 00:15:19,734 So--and I get that, and I believe him. 430 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:21,400 I believe that he offered that to you. 431 00:15:21,467 --> 00:15:22,867 - That's what scammers do. - No. 432 00:15:22,934 --> 00:15:25,200 If you would've said, "Yeah, I want the money back," 433 00:15:25,266 --> 00:15:28,033 some excuse would've come up, didn't have it, 434 00:15:28,100 --> 00:15:30,700 "I promise it to you tomorrow or Tuesday." 435 00:15:30,767 --> 00:15:32,633 That's what they do, they're real smart. 436 00:15:32,700 --> 00:15:35,800 My suspicion is that it's not their first time. 437 00:15:35,867 --> 00:15:37,667 Because if it was their first time, 438 00:15:37,734 --> 00:15:38,834 the last thing they would wanna do 439 00:15:38,900 --> 00:15:40,867 is come here and expose all this. 440 00:15:40,934 --> 00:15:42,834 The reason that they feel so emboldened 441 00:15:42,900 --> 00:15:44,967 is because they're good at it. 442 00:15:45,033 --> 00:15:46,734 They've been doing it for a while. 443 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:48,165 - [Sandra] Yes. - [Judge Levy] I got nothing further. 444 00:15:48,233 --> 00:15:49,500 [Judge Acker] I have a few more. 445 00:15:49,567 --> 00:15:52,633 Can we please put up Exhibit Four? 446 00:15:52,700 --> 00:15:54,700 It's the affidavit. 447 00:15:54,767 --> 00:15:59,200 Now, you signed this affidavit, ma'am. 448 00:15:59,266 --> 00:16:00,867 And in this affidavit, 449 00:16:00,934 --> 00:16:04,867 you indicate that the plaintiff's $9,000 450 00:16:04,934 --> 00:16:07,467 went to purchase not four machines 451 00:16:07,533 --> 00:16:10,333 and a 12% interest in the business, 452 00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:13,934 but that her $9,000 went to you 453 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:16,200 to purchase two machines 454 00:16:16,266 --> 00:16:19,734 - with the value of nine grand. - [Molly] Those are... 455 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:23,500 Now, now, now, before we dig into these statements, 456 00:16:23,567 --> 00:16:26,500 I just wanna revisit the earlier testimony 457 00:16:26,567 --> 00:16:28,667 that there were four machines. 458 00:16:28,734 --> 00:16:31,166 - They were about $5,000. - [Molly] Right. But we... 459 00:16:31,233 --> 00:16:33,233 Plus there was a 12% interest 460 00:16:33,300 --> 00:16:35,165 in this imaginary business 461 00:16:35,233 --> 00:16:37,200 that the plaintiff was supposed to receive. 462 00:16:37,567 --> 00:16:40,100 How do I square the testimony 463 00:16:40,165 --> 00:16:42,333 that the two of you gave in court today 464 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:45,100 with this affidavit that completely contradicts 465 00:16:45,165 --> 00:16:47,300 - everything that you said this morning? - [Molly] That's because... 466 00:16:47,367 --> 00:16:48,700 Tell me how I square that. 467 00:16:48,767 --> 00:16:50,467 - ... Sandy wrote this. - [Judge Acker] And you signed it? 468 00:16:50,533 --> 00:16:52,533 And she brought it to my work while I was working, 469 00:16:52,600 --> 00:16:54,834 followed me around with it until I finally just signed it. 470 00:16:54,900 --> 00:16:56,834 I mean--and that's my bad for doing that. 471 00:16:56,900 --> 00:16:58,200 - [Judge Acker] Was this at the bar? - [Molly] Yes, ma'am. 472 00:16:58,266 --> 00:17:01,667 Why was it important for you, ma'am, 473 00:17:01,734 --> 00:17:04,165 to have her sign this affidavit? 474 00:17:04,233 --> 00:17:06,599 Because we had had a meeting 475 00:17:06,666 --> 00:17:07,967 but it was a lunch meeting, 476 00:17:08,032 --> 00:17:09,767 and it was at a barbecue place 477 00:17:09,834 --> 00:17:12,400 the end of 2022. 478 00:17:13,099 --> 00:17:16,433 And they had told me that they had a place 479 00:17:16,500 --> 00:17:17,934 to put the machines, 480 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:19,032 but it didn't happen, 481 00:17:19,099 --> 00:17:21,200 and I asked Molly every month 482 00:17:21,266 --> 00:17:23,000 about where they were putting them, 483 00:17:23,066 --> 00:17:26,599 and then Dan was gonna have some modifications made to them. 484 00:17:26,666 --> 00:17:29,333 - I went to her... - At this point, by the way, 485 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:31,367 you still haven't seen the machines, correct? 486 00:17:31,433 --> 00:17:32,934 - [Sandra] No. No. I... - You still haven't see them, 487 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:34,133 saw no receipt, 488 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:36,266 but you're hearing about the location 489 00:17:36,333 --> 00:17:39,000 and the modifications and all of that. 490 00:17:39,066 --> 00:17:41,266 So, according to the defendant, 491 00:17:41,333 --> 00:17:43,600 you were kind of stalking her at the bar 492 00:17:43,667 --> 00:17:45,433 trying to force her to sign a document, 493 00:17:45,500 --> 00:17:46,667 is that what happened? 494 00:17:47,767 --> 00:17:50,433 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 495 00:17:50,500 --> 00:17:51,633 You were gonna buy the machines, 496 00:17:51,700 --> 00:17:53,233 they were gonna lease them from you. 497 00:17:53,300 --> 00:17:54,400 Why was that? 498 00:17:54,467 --> 00:17:57,300 They had legal problems in their past. 499 00:17:57,367 --> 00:17:59,433 Right. And what legal problems did they have? 500 00:17:59,500 --> 00:18:01,200 [dramatic musical sting] 501 00:18:02,800 --> 00:18:04,533 [theme music plays] 502 00:18:04,600 --> 00:18:07,567 [announcer] Sandra Steel claims former friend Molly Bowling 503 00:18:07,767 --> 00:18:09,900 convinced her to invest in slot machines 504 00:18:09,967 --> 00:18:13,667 for a new business venture that never existed. 505 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:17,266 But Molly says everyone involved lost money, 506 00:18:17,333 --> 00:18:19,633 so she owes Sandra nothing. 507 00:18:19,700 --> 00:18:21,133 According to the defendant, 508 00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:23,100 you were kind of stalking her at the bar 509 00:18:23,166 --> 00:18:25,233 trying to force her to sign a document. 510 00:18:25,300 --> 00:18:26,300 Is that what happened? 511 00:18:26,367 --> 00:18:28,233 I went into the bar 512 00:18:28,300 --> 00:18:30,934 because that's where I usually I could see her 513 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:32,133 when she was at work. 514 00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:35,533 What I said to her was if anything, 515 00:18:35,600 --> 00:18:37,900 God forbid, should happen to you, 516 00:18:37,967 --> 00:18:40,600 I have no record of ever having 517 00:18:40,667 --> 00:18:42,467 even given you this money. 518 00:18:42,533 --> 00:18:44,300 And if you do this, 519 00:18:44,367 --> 00:18:46,667 I'll at least have some sort of record. 520 00:18:46,734 --> 00:18:49,266 And she said, "No, I don't mind signing it." 521 00:18:49,333 --> 00:18:52,700 And she later told me that Dan was furious 522 00:18:52,767 --> 00:18:54,100 that she signed it. 523 00:18:54,166 --> 00:18:55,867 Did she, at any point, say, 524 00:18:55,934 --> 00:18:58,867 "What do you mean $9,000 for two machines?" 525 00:18:58,934 --> 00:19:01,767 - No. - "It was $9,000 for a 12% interest 526 00:19:01,834 --> 00:19:03,000 and four machines." 527 00:19:03,066 --> 00:19:04,233 - Did she say that? - No. 528 00:19:04,300 --> 00:19:07,266 [Judge Acker] I think I have heard quite enough. Judge? 529 00:19:07,333 --> 00:19:08,934 - I don't have any other questions. - [Judge Levy] Just two. 530 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:10,467 So again, Ms. Steel, 531 00:19:10,533 --> 00:19:12,367 on your testimony a few moments ago, 532 00:19:12,433 --> 00:19:14,667 you said that the deal was that 533 00:19:14,734 --> 00:19:16,166 you were gonna buy the machines, 534 00:19:16,233 --> 00:19:17,800 they were gonna lease them from you 535 00:19:17,867 --> 00:19:20,233 because they could not buy them. 536 00:19:20,300 --> 00:19:21,467 Why was that? 537 00:19:21,900 --> 00:19:27,367 Um, they had some, um, legal problems in their past. 538 00:19:27,433 --> 00:19:29,900 [Judge Levy] Right. And what legal problems did they have? 539 00:19:29,967 --> 00:19:31,934 That they had felonies. 540 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:33,433 [Judge Levy] Who told you that? 541 00:19:33,500 --> 00:19:36,900 I knew Molly had a felony 542 00:19:36,967 --> 00:19:39,834 because, uh, when she went to work, 543 00:19:39,900 --> 00:19:41,800 and I got to know her, 544 00:19:41,867 --> 00:19:43,266 that was not a secret. 545 00:19:43,333 --> 00:19:44,867 I didn't know about Dan 546 00:19:44,934 --> 00:19:46,700 until much, much later. 547 00:19:46,767 --> 00:19:48,233 [Judge Levy] What felonies did they tell you 548 00:19:48,300 --> 00:19:50,166 that they had been convicted of? 549 00:19:50,233 --> 00:19:53,400 [Sandra] Um, I don't know what Dan was convicted of. 550 00:19:54,233 --> 00:19:57,233 Um, Molly was in, I believe, 551 00:19:57,300 --> 00:19:59,467 for, uh, drug abuse. 552 00:19:59,533 --> 00:20:01,533 - [Judge Levy] Was that right? - Yes. 553 00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:02,800 And is that right, sir? 554 00:20:02,867 --> 00:20:04,100 [Daniel] What? 555 00:20:04,166 --> 00:20:05,266 [Judge Levy] What? About the history. 556 00:20:05,333 --> 00:20:07,633 - About what she just testified. - I ran over a cop. 557 00:20:07,700 --> 00:20:09,567 - [Judge Levy] I'm sorry? - I ran over a cop. 558 00:20:09,633 --> 00:20:13,400 The police will take your charge and the DA will prosecute it. 559 00:20:13,467 --> 00:20:15,166 And a jury will convict them. 560 00:20:15,834 --> 00:20:18,567 And you will protect the next person from being victimized. 561 00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:20,133 - You understand? - Yes. 562 00:20:20,200 --> 00:20:21,367 [Judge Levy] I got nothing further. 563 00:20:21,433 --> 00:20:23,734 We're gonna retire to deliberate. Thank you both. 564 00:20:23,800 --> 00:20:25,567 You can take your seat, please. 565 00:20:25,633 --> 00:20:27,133 [Byrd] Court now stands in recess. 566 00:20:27,200 --> 00:20:28,600 Parties are excused. 567 00:20:32,800 --> 00:20:37,300 She gives them $9,000 to open a game room-- 568 00:20:37,367 --> 00:20:39,100 to buy slot machines to open a game room, 569 00:20:39,166 --> 00:20:42,000 there's no evidence that they purchased the slot machines. 570 00:20:42,066 --> 00:20:43,166 They did nothing that 571 00:20:43,233 --> 00:20:44,967 - was necessary in order to... - Do you believe those pictures? 572 00:20:45,033 --> 00:20:47,934 - Uh, you know, for some reason... - [Judge DiMango laughs] 573 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:50,200 ... they just--they just didn't grab me, Patricia. 574 00:20:50,266 --> 00:20:51,467 They just didn't grab me. 575 00:20:51,533 --> 00:20:52,767 You know, if you wanna open a game room 576 00:20:52,834 --> 00:20:54,300 in this jurisdiction, at a minimum, 577 00:20:54,367 --> 00:20:57,333 you pay $1,000 to the sheriff, you get a permit. 578 00:20:58,033 --> 00:20:59,400 According to them, 579 00:20:59,467 --> 00:21:02,233 they're all proceeding with this opening, 580 00:21:02,300 --> 00:21:04,900 they found a space, no lease, by the way, 581 00:21:04,967 --> 00:21:06,700 and the landlord just shuts them down 582 00:21:06,767 --> 00:21:09,066 and the mysterious slot machines 583 00:21:09,133 --> 00:21:10,266 are in storage somewhere. 584 00:21:10,333 --> 00:21:12,166 I mean, what a load of nonsense. 585 00:21:12,233 --> 00:21:14,900 I think she trusted them and they scammed her. 586 00:21:14,967 --> 00:21:16,967 I mean, to me, it couldn't be more clear. 587 00:21:17,033 --> 00:21:18,333 Oh, no. I totally agree with you. 588 00:21:18,400 --> 00:21:20,633 - Nothing that they said rang true. - [Judge Levy] Reasonable. 589 00:21:20,700 --> 00:21:23,533 You know, I think that your position here about the prosecution 590 00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:25,800 is that they would look into this as elder abuse, 591 00:21:25,867 --> 00:21:27,834 which they do take very seriously, 592 00:21:27,900 --> 00:21:30,834 especially now in Texas involving these machines and all-- 593 00:21:30,900 --> 00:21:32,967 which are also an issue of sensitivity. 594 00:21:33,033 --> 00:21:36,367 Bottom line is, she's entitled to her $9,000 back 595 00:21:36,433 --> 00:21:38,400 and they found somebody they could scam. 596 00:21:38,467 --> 00:21:39,633 That's the sad part. 597 00:21:39,700 --> 00:21:41,066 [Judge Levy] I agree. I would just ask though, 598 00:21:41,133 --> 00:21:42,467 when you give the verdict, 599 00:21:42,533 --> 00:21:43,834 make sure that she understands 600 00:21:43,900 --> 00:21:46,100 just because there's a verdict in her favor 601 00:21:46,166 --> 00:21:49,433 does not lessen her social responsibility 602 00:21:49,500 --> 00:21:51,400 of doing what she said that she was gonna do, 603 00:21:51,467 --> 00:21:53,000 which is go and file that charge. 604 00:21:53,066 --> 00:21:55,133 - I think that's a very good point. - I appreciate that. 605 00:21:55,200 --> 00:21:56,400 Okay, we've got a verdict. 606 00:22:00,633 --> 00:22:02,033 Court is back in session. 607 00:22:02,100 --> 00:22:03,967 Parties are reminded you're still under oath. 608 00:22:04,033 --> 00:22:05,100 - Thank you, Byrd. - Uh-hmm. 609 00:22:05,166 --> 00:22:06,200 We have deliberated 610 00:22:06,266 --> 00:22:08,667 and we've reached a unanimous verdict. 611 00:22:08,734 --> 00:22:09,767 Here we are. 612 00:22:10,133 --> 00:22:11,567 We've got a witness 613 00:22:11,633 --> 00:22:14,033 who talks about running over a cop 614 00:22:14,100 --> 00:22:15,800 without missing a beat. 615 00:22:15,867 --> 00:22:17,600 The mild note of menace in it-- 616 00:22:17,667 --> 00:22:19,934 I don't know if that was intended to be threatening. 617 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:22,033 We have a defendant 618 00:22:22,100 --> 00:22:25,033 who signs an affidavit and says, 619 00:22:25,100 --> 00:22:27,834 "Oh, but she was so scared of you in that bar." 620 00:22:27,900 --> 00:22:30,567 You just stalked her and stalked her 621 00:22:30,633 --> 00:22:32,233 into giving a version of events 622 00:22:32,300 --> 00:22:33,834 that's completely at odds 623 00:22:33,900 --> 00:22:36,033 with what she's testified to today. 624 00:22:36,100 --> 00:22:38,834 And that picture is why because you trusted her, 625 00:22:38,900 --> 00:22:40,767 and you thought you had a friendship. 626 00:22:40,834 --> 00:22:42,500 You were taken advantage of. 627 00:22:42,567 --> 00:22:44,400 You were in fact scammed. 628 00:22:44,467 --> 00:22:46,967 And I wanna point something out to you, Ms. Steel, 629 00:22:47,033 --> 00:22:48,200 when we were in deliberations, 630 00:22:48,266 --> 00:22:51,600 Judge Levy asked me to remind you 631 00:22:51,667 --> 00:22:53,500 that you will do what you said you would do 632 00:22:53,567 --> 00:22:57,066 in order to ensure that others aren't also victimized 633 00:22:57,133 --> 00:22:59,500 by this sort of scandalous conduct. 634 00:22:59,567 --> 00:23:02,700 Judgment in this case is in your favor for $9,000. 635 00:23:02,767 --> 00:23:03,834 - Good luck to you, ma'am. - [gavel bangs] 636 00:23:03,900 --> 00:23:04,900 Thank you. 637 00:23:04,967 --> 00:23:06,133 [Byrd] This case is now concluded. 638 00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:07,266 Parties are excused. 639 00:23:07,333 --> 00:23:08,367 You may step out. 640 00:23:11,934 --> 00:23:14,066 We didn't scam her or anybody else for that matter. 641 00:23:14,133 --> 00:23:15,700 The truth prevailed. 642 00:23:15,767 --> 00:23:18,533 She wanted to be a part of it and we wanted her to be. 643 00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:21,400 Uh, I'm sorry that I was taken advantage of. 644 00:23:21,467 --> 00:23:23,934 The judges worded the situation 645 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:25,633 to where it played in her favor 646 00:23:25,700 --> 00:23:27,300 like she's an innocent old lady. She's not. 647 00:23:27,367 --> 00:23:29,500 No. I never saw anything, 648 00:23:29,567 --> 00:23:32,166 even any proof that the machines existed. 649 00:23:32,233 --> 00:23:33,600 As far as scamming somebody, 650 00:23:33,667 --> 00:23:35,166 I lost way more money than she did. 651 00:23:35,233 --> 00:23:37,266 I'm sorry that the friendship 652 00:23:37,333 --> 00:23:39,066 I thought we had wasn't real. 653 00:23:39,133 --> 00:23:40,934 I mean, it breaks my heart that we're not friends anymore, 654 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:42,567 but obviously we weren't friends to begin with. 655 00:23:42,633 --> 00:23:43,734 Makes me sad. 656 00:23:43,800 --> 00:23:45,400 Business and friends don't mix. 657 00:23:45,834 --> 00:23:47,300 [announcer] Have you been scammed? 658 00:23:47,367 --> 00:23:49,700 Let the majority rule in your favor 659 00:23:49,767 --> 00:23:51,633 on Tribunal Justice. 660 00:23:51,700 --> 00:23:53,867 Find us on social media. 661 00:23:53,934 --> 00:23:56,867 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays]