1 00:00:06,700 --> 00:00:08,367 One of his movers dropped the couch. 2 00:00:08,433 --> 00:00:12,266 "My company didn't drop or damage anything." 3 00:00:12,333 --> 00:00:16,433 That's what you signed under oath when you knew that that was false. 4 00:00:16,500 --> 00:00:18,300 - Why'd you do that? - I didn't do nothing. 5 00:00:18,367 --> 00:00:20,033 Why did he write that? 6 00:00:20,100 --> 00:00:22,333 Oh, you're throwing him under the bus! 7 00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:25,133 We did not break his sofa. 8 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:27,433 [announcer] Now on Tribunal Justice. 9 00:00:27,500 --> 00:00:30,900 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays] 10 00:00:48,567 --> 00:00:52,567 [announcer] Today's case was filed in Panama City, Florida. 11 00:00:52,633 --> 00:00:55,800 Your Honor, this is case number 2006 on the calendar 12 00:00:55,867 --> 00:00:58,800 in the matter of Taylor and Taylor versus Bendion. 13 00:00:58,867 --> 00:01:00,567 Parties have been sworn in. 14 00:01:00,633 --> 00:01:02,367 Sir, you can have a seat. 15 00:01:02,433 --> 00:01:03,433 - There you go. - Thank you, Byrd. 16 00:01:03,500 --> 00:01:04,632 You're welcome, Judge. 17 00:01:04,700 --> 00:01:06,266 - Mr. and Mrs. Taylor... - [Omar] Yeah. 18 00:01:06,333 --> 00:01:08,233 - ... you are husband and wife... - Yes, ma'am. 19 00:01:08,300 --> 00:01:10,433 [Judge DiMango] ... you hired the defendant's moving company. 20 00:01:10,500 --> 00:01:12,834 - Mr. Bendion, is that you, sir? - Yes, ma'am. 21 00:01:12,900 --> 00:01:14,333 And it's your moving company 22 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:17,433 and it's called Bendion Best Movers, 23 00:01:17,500 --> 00:01:18,934 - correct? - Correct, Your Honor. 24 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:21,033 [Judge DiMango] And you were hired by the plaintiffs 25 00:01:21,100 --> 00:01:23,500 to pack and to load their moving truck. 26 00:01:23,567 --> 00:01:26,400 You said that in the course of doing this, they damaged your property. 27 00:01:26,467 --> 00:01:29,233 He promised to make good then he reneged on that promise, 28 00:01:29,300 --> 00:01:31,767 and basically, you want him to put his money where his mouth is 29 00:01:31,834 --> 00:01:36,667 and pay up that 5,000 that it cost you to remedy the damages he caused. 30 00:01:36,734 --> 00:01:39,265 What you say, sir, is "We didn't damage their property, 31 00:01:39,333 --> 00:01:43,265 we are a fully licensed, fully bonded national moving company," 32 00:01:43,333 --> 00:01:45,866 and that when the property got to the location, 33 00:01:45,934 --> 00:01:47,265 another company unwrapped it. 34 00:01:47,333 --> 00:01:50,467 So it could've been anybody basically, but not you. 35 00:01:50,533 --> 00:01:51,667 Correct, Your Honor. 36 00:01:51,734 --> 00:01:56,333 All right. Show us why it wasn't anybody else but him. 37 00:01:56,400 --> 00:02:00,834 Well, we first met, uh, Q, uh, when my wife was moving 38 00:02:00,900 --> 00:02:03,266 from Birmingham to Panama City to start school. 39 00:02:03,333 --> 00:02:05,567 Just to clear the record, your name is Quinton 40 00:02:05,633 --> 00:02:08,032 and they're calling you Q, that's what you go by? 41 00:02:08,100 --> 00:02:09,166 - Correct. - I'm sorry. 42 00:02:09,233 --> 00:02:11,032 And in that first move, 43 00:02:11,100 --> 00:02:13,867 me and a couple of relatives loaded the truck 44 00:02:13,934 --> 00:02:18,233 and we had Quinton to unload the truck in Panama City. 45 00:02:18,300 --> 00:02:21,433 Had a great experience with him, no problems at all. 46 00:02:21,500 --> 00:02:23,800 Sir, is it true that everybody went away happy, 47 00:02:23,867 --> 00:02:24,867 - correct? - Correct. Yes. 48 00:02:24,934 --> 00:02:26,233 They reached out to you again 49 00:02:26,300 --> 00:02:27,667 - about a year later... - Correct. 50 00:02:27,734 --> 00:02:29,600 ... 'cause your schooling and job requires 51 00:02:29,667 --> 00:02:31,934 that you pretty much have to keep moving around. 52 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:33,900 This time, what was your responsibility? 53 00:02:33,966 --> 00:02:38,100 This time, our responsibility was to just bring it down, 54 00:02:38,166 --> 00:02:40,900 simply wrap it, put it in the truck. 55 00:02:40,966 --> 00:02:42,266 - That was it. - [Judge DiMango] Okay. 56 00:02:42,333 --> 00:02:45,700 - And one of those items is your couch. - Yes, ma'am. 57 00:02:45,767 --> 00:02:47,066 [Judge DiMango] So I believe 58 00:02:47,133 --> 00:02:48,966 - that you've submitted a video. - [Omar] Yes, ma'am. 59 00:02:49,033 --> 00:02:53,266 So we have a video of the reclining and semi-reclining couch 60 00:02:53,333 --> 00:02:54,433 - at this point. - [Omar] Yes, ma'am. 61 00:02:55,767 --> 00:02:59,433 The couch is not working on the right side. 62 00:03:00,066 --> 00:03:04,934 - As you can see, she can lift let it out. - [Judge DiMango] That works. 63 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:06,834 - And she's gonna move... - I feel like I'm watching a commercial. 64 00:03:06,900 --> 00:03:08,266 [Omar] ... to the side that don't work. 65 00:03:08,967 --> 00:03:11,967 She's pressing the button and it won't come out. 66 00:03:12,033 --> 00:03:14,200 In moving, him--uh, Quinton 67 00:03:14,266 --> 00:03:16,966 and one of his movers dropped the couch. 68 00:03:17,033 --> 00:03:18,633 They were trying to lift it up, 69 00:03:18,700 --> 00:03:20,767 didn't have a good grip on it, and it dropped. 70 00:03:20,834 --> 00:03:23,400 Were you helping with that particular move, sir? 71 00:03:23,466 --> 00:03:25,066 Yes, Your Honor, I was. 72 00:03:25,133 --> 00:03:26,633 [Judge DiMango] Did that sofa drop? 73 00:03:27,633 --> 00:03:29,900 Oh, it dropped. It dropped. 74 00:03:30,333 --> 00:03:31,700 - Can I say? I was [indistinct]. - Come on. When you do that with the, 75 00:03:31,767 --> 00:03:33,734 "Oh, let me just say"--how much of this 76 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:35,100 - am I going to admit to? - Three times, Your Honor. 77 00:03:35,166 --> 00:03:37,600 I have a lot of energy. Can I show you a little bit right here 78 00:03:37,667 --> 00:03:40,367 how, um--so he picks up the couch 79 00:03:40,433 --> 00:03:42,934 and my man is like, "Oh, oh, it's slipping." 80 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:46,500 He's right here looking, this is-- they're both right here, boom. 81 00:03:46,567 --> 00:03:48,667 And I--as the owner, I'm getting embarrassed, 82 00:03:48,734 --> 00:03:50,934 I'm like, "Come on, this is embarrassing." 83 00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:52,700 So he gets it again. 84 00:03:52,767 --> 00:03:55,533 And you should--ought to see the way we dropped it down, 85 00:03:55,600 --> 00:03:57,233 we dropped it on its fours. 86 00:03:57,300 --> 00:03:58,934 [Judge DiMango] I got it. You dropped it. 87 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:00,900 Let's talk the washer and dryer. 88 00:04:00,967 --> 00:04:02,800 What happened with the washer-dryer? 89 00:04:02,867 --> 00:04:07,233 Okay. So my wife was washing the linens that were pulled off the bed to be moved 90 00:04:07,300 --> 00:04:08,333 'cause she didn't wanna carry 91 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:10,133 - any dirty... - Who washes their clothes 92 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:11,633 - and their linens... - Washed the linens. 93 00:04:11,700 --> 00:04:15,533 ... while there's a moving company moving your property? 94 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:19,600 I mean, that made no sense to me at all and almost didn't sound credible. 95 00:04:19,667 --> 00:04:21,533 Almost made it sound like you were telling us that 96 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:24,166 so that you could have some evidence that it worked. 97 00:04:24,233 --> 00:04:25,233 - [Omar] Uh, no, no, no. - [Kenyatta] No, ma'am. 98 00:04:25,300 --> 00:04:27,700 I was moving to a different location 99 00:04:27,767 --> 00:04:30,600 and I just didn't wanna take any dirty clothes with us. 100 00:04:30,667 --> 00:04:32,400 I didn't know how long it was gonna take me to unpack 101 00:04:32,467 --> 00:04:33,667 once I got to my new location. 102 00:04:33,734 --> 00:04:37,867 And so I wanna say he made a comment about it as well 103 00:04:37,933 --> 00:04:40,000 - but... - So was the washer-dryer working? 104 00:04:40,066 --> 00:04:42,567 Were they washing their sheets? No? 105 00:04:43,700 --> 00:04:44,900 - Okay. They were being washed. - I don't... 106 00:04:44,967 --> 00:04:46,667 - Got that one too. - Uh, I... 107 00:04:46,734 --> 00:04:48,367 - All right. Is that... - They was--no. No, no, no. 108 00:04:48,433 --> 00:04:49,734 - No, you took too long. - No. They... 109 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:51,266 - Come on. No, no, no, no, no. - [Quinton] They--she's definitely lying. 110 00:04:51,332 --> 00:04:52,667 - You know why I'm saying no? - [Quinton] She's lying. 111 00:04:52,734 --> 00:04:55,166 She's lying because water would be all on our hands 112 00:04:55,233 --> 00:04:56,933 and if I called all my guys here, 113 00:04:57,000 --> 00:05:00,066 nobody remember her-- I cannot remember her washing. 114 00:05:00,133 --> 00:05:02,033 I would remember water dripping on us... 115 00:05:02,100 --> 00:05:04,066 - [Judge DiMango] But Let me stop you... - ... from carrying it down the steps. 116 00:05:04,133 --> 00:05:06,934 ... from this--it took you too long to remember the water on you, 117 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:10,467 which you just said you would remember if in fact that's the deal. 118 00:05:10,533 --> 00:05:12,633 I'm just pointing it out, you don't have to go any further. 119 00:05:12,700 --> 00:05:14,367 - I just make some points and leave it. - Yes, ma'am. 120 00:05:14,433 --> 00:05:17,767 My question to you is, you say in the course of moving 121 00:05:17,834 --> 00:05:20,834 that the washing machine fell down the steps, correct? 122 00:05:20,900 --> 00:05:22,266 - Yes. Right. - It says here, 123 00:05:22,332 --> 00:05:24,233 "We are staying on the second floor 124 00:05:24,300 --> 00:05:28,033 and it bounced down 15 steps." 125 00:05:28,100 --> 00:05:29,734 [Omar] Okay. So to clarify that, 126 00:05:29,800 --> 00:05:32,933 they had the washer and dryer on a dolly that we rented from U-Haul, 127 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:34,867 but in bringing it down the steps, 128 00:05:34,933 --> 00:05:38,066 every step is a bump 15 times... 129 00:05:38,133 --> 00:05:39,332 - [Judge DiMango] What... - ... down that step. 130 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:41,667 But you didn't take a picture of any dents or anything, 131 00:05:41,734 --> 00:05:42,933 - did you? - [Omar] No, ma'am. 132 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:45,400 And that's the washing machine, but what about the dryer? 133 00:05:45,467 --> 00:05:46,633 - The dryer was good, right? - [Kenyatta] The dryer was... 134 00:05:46,700 --> 00:05:47,734 - [Kenyatta] Yes, ma'am. - [Judge DiMango] Okay. 135 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:50,767 Because you submitted a bill for a washer and a dryer, 136 00:05:50,834 --> 00:05:51,834 - correct? - Yes, ma'am. 137 00:05:51,900 --> 00:05:53,867 So now, you get everything packed up. 138 00:05:53,933 --> 00:05:57,166 You two drive this U-Haul to Florida, right? 139 00:05:57,233 --> 00:05:58,233 I did, yes. 140 00:05:58,300 --> 00:05:59,633 How long did that take? 141 00:05:59,700 --> 00:06:01,700 - About five hours. - [Judge DiMango] Five hours? 142 00:06:01,767 --> 00:06:05,367 And then when you get to your location, who removes the property? 143 00:06:05,433 --> 00:06:07,667 Uh, my father-in-law had a different company 144 00:06:07,734 --> 00:06:09,867 - that he contacted on our behalf. - [Judge DiMango] Another company? 145 00:06:09,934 --> 00:06:11,166 - Yes, to unload. - And they removed... 146 00:06:11,233 --> 00:06:12,633 - [Omar] Everything. - ... everything from the truck 147 00:06:12,700 --> 00:06:14,500 - and brought it into the home? - Yes, ma'am. 148 00:06:14,567 --> 00:06:15,633 [Judge DiMango] I have a question for you. 149 00:06:15,700 --> 00:06:19,332 'Cause you say that you are bonded, licensed, and insured, 150 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:22,800 and in support of that position, you submitted this document. 151 00:06:22,867 --> 00:06:26,033 This is a certificate of liability insurance. 152 00:06:26,100 --> 00:06:27,867 Their move was what date? 153 00:06:28,233 --> 00:06:29,800 - August 1st, 2022. - [Judge DiMango] What-- 154 00:06:29,867 --> 00:06:32,367 this insurance liability policy says 155 00:06:32,433 --> 00:06:34,066 that this was in effect 156 00:06:34,133 --> 00:06:36,933 from May 11th, '23 157 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:39,933 until May 11th, '24. 158 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:43,867 Their move was August 1st, '22. 159 00:06:44,266 --> 00:06:45,633 [Quinton] I think we gave y'all the wrong one. 160 00:06:45,700 --> 00:06:47,266 I had--I can provide... I... 161 00:06:47,332 --> 00:06:49,066 - We--we've--we... - Can I answer that for him? 162 00:06:49,133 --> 00:06:50,533 - [Judge DiMango] Step up. Sure. - Yes, ma'am. 163 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:52,867 [Judge DiMango] Just out of curiosity, who are you, sir? 164 00:06:52,933 --> 00:06:55,332 I'm John Mitchell, I'm his, uh, general manager. 165 00:06:55,400 --> 00:06:57,166 - You're the general manager? Okay. - Yes, ma'am. 166 00:06:57,233 --> 00:06:59,834 Our insurance renews annually. 167 00:06:59,900 --> 00:07:01,533 It's the same insurance company. 168 00:07:01,600 --> 00:07:02,834 [Judge DiMango] I'd love to take your word for it. 169 00:07:02,900 --> 00:07:05,200 - Might have to pull it up from somewhere. - [Quinton] Can we pull that up? 170 00:07:05,266 --> 00:07:06,900 [Judge DiMango] You might, but not at this moment. 171 00:07:06,967 --> 00:07:08,266 I just wanna continue with my questioning. 172 00:07:08,333 --> 00:07:10,734 'Cause this was--meant to me that you were not insured 173 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:12,233 because you were jerking them around. 174 00:07:12,300 --> 00:07:15,166 You were. Every time they'd say, "What are you gonna do?" 175 00:07:15,233 --> 00:07:17,133 You'd say, "Oh, yeah, don't worry about it. 176 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:19,700 We've put in a claim for our insurance company. 177 00:07:19,767 --> 00:07:21,433 It's all gonna be taken care of." 178 00:07:21,500 --> 00:07:23,633 - Right? Am I right? Did you say that? - Your Honor, can I explain that, please? 179 00:07:23,700 --> 00:07:28,200 All I told her is, "We will take care of that if we damaged it. Yes, I will." 180 00:07:28,266 --> 00:07:32,332 And it got outrageous. It went to her washer and dryer. 181 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:35,900 And then it went to pay her for the fees that--she's like, 182 00:07:35,967 --> 00:07:38,367 - "I'm washing my clothes every day." - Yes. 183 00:07:38,433 --> 00:07:40,834 When he found out about that, he's like, 184 00:07:40,900 --> 00:07:42,933 "You are not going to tell customers 185 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:44,467 that we're paying for something 186 00:07:44,533 --> 00:07:46,166 - we did not damage." - [Omar] Q, you owe [indistinct] money. 187 00:07:46,233 --> 00:07:48,800 Your Honor, I've told Q from the beginning, 188 00:07:48,867 --> 00:07:52,967 we didn't--we weren't really necessarily expecting the dryer at that time. 189 00:07:53,033 --> 00:07:54,667 Well, you shouldn't be expecting the dryer 190 00:07:54,734 --> 00:07:56,500 - because he didn't damage it. - Correct. 191 00:07:56,567 --> 00:07:58,332 - Well, he's saying... - So why would you submit a bill 192 00:07:58,400 --> 00:07:59,933 for something they didn't do 193 00:08:00,066 --> 00:08:02,633 and then expect them to be all nice and fuzzy with you? 194 00:08:02,700 --> 00:08:04,400 - Judge Levy. - [Kenyatta] Oh, it was a set. 195 00:08:04,467 --> 00:08:06,000 That's why it's submitted together. 196 00:08:06,066 --> 00:08:08,066 [Judge Levy] It--I understand that. I got that. 197 00:08:08,133 --> 00:08:10,100 I got a question for you, Mr. Bendion. 198 00:08:10,166 --> 00:08:12,667 What you just said to Judge DiMango a moment ago was, 199 00:08:12,734 --> 00:08:15,800 "I told her, we will pay for it if we damaged it." 200 00:08:15,867 --> 00:08:17,500 - Correct, sir, Your Honor. - [Judge Levy] Here's the problem. 201 00:08:17,567 --> 00:08:20,033 You can stand up, Mr. Mitchell, I'm gonna ask you some questions in a minute 202 00:08:20,100 --> 00:08:22,400 but I'm not done with Mr. Bendion yet. 203 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:26,133 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 204 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:27,400 [Judge Acker] Did you give them any money? 205 00:08:27,467 --> 00:08:30,400 Yup. 'Cause she called me over there and asked me to do some free service, 206 00:08:30,467 --> 00:08:32,066 but I'm this bad guy all of a sudden. 207 00:08:32,133 --> 00:08:33,767 That is so not responsive 208 00:08:33,834 --> 00:08:35,667 - of my question. - And so--it's so--it's so frustrating. 209 00:08:35,734 --> 00:08:37,600 - They're lying on me, ma'am. - I know. It's so frustrating 210 00:08:37,667 --> 00:08:40,767 - when you don't answer my question. - [Quinton] Okay. 211 00:08:40,834 --> 00:08:42,033 [dramatic musical sting] 212 00:08:44,033 --> 00:08:45,867 [theme music plays] 213 00:08:45,934 --> 00:08:49,600 [announcer] Omar and Kenyatta Taylor claim Quinton Bendion's moving company 214 00:08:49,667 --> 00:08:51,767 broke their washer and couch. 215 00:08:51,834 --> 00:08:54,700 But Quinton denies breaking anything. 216 00:08:54,767 --> 00:08:56,433 [Judge Levy] I got a question for you, Mr. Bendion. 217 00:08:56,500 --> 00:08:59,000 What you just said to Judge DiMango a moment ago was, 218 00:08:59,066 --> 00:09:02,200 "I told her, we will pay for it if we damaged it." 219 00:09:02,266 --> 00:09:03,900 - Correct, sir, Your Honor. - [Judge Levy] Here's the problem. 220 00:09:03,967 --> 00:09:06,367 You can stand up, Mr. Mitchell, I'm gonna ask you some questions in a minute 221 00:09:06,433 --> 00:09:08,734 but I'm not done with Mr. Bendion yet. 222 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:11,367 'Cause Mr. Bendion, you went through the whole thing 223 00:09:11,433 --> 00:09:14,166 about how you saw the whole thing, right? 224 00:09:14,233 --> 00:09:15,233 Correct, Your Honor. 225 00:09:15,300 --> 00:09:16,767 [Judge Levy] And when you came in here today, 226 00:09:16,834 --> 00:09:20,033 you put down in writing what you claim happened, right? 227 00:09:20,100 --> 00:09:21,934 - Yes, sir, Your Honor. - [Judge Levy] Great. 228 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:24,567 Here's your answer with respect to whether or not 229 00:09:24,633 --> 00:09:26,734 your company did any damage 230 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:28,900 during the move on August 1st. 231 00:09:28,967 --> 00:09:33,734 "My company didn't drop or damage anything." 232 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:38,400 That's what you signed under oath when you knew that that was false. 233 00:09:38,467 --> 00:09:39,467 Why'd you do that? 234 00:09:40,266 --> 00:09:42,500 Honestly, I didn't do nothing. 235 00:09:42,567 --> 00:09:45,867 Why did he write that? I over--like, what I did, I own... 236 00:09:45,934 --> 00:09:48,133 - Oh, you're throwing him under the bus! - [Quinton] No. 237 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:50,734 I own--I own this company. He works for me. 238 00:09:50,800 --> 00:09:54,400 So it's like, what I did was messed up by not checking this 239 00:09:54,467 --> 00:09:56,467 - but I am not agreeing... - [Judge Levy] All right. All right. 240 00:09:56,533 --> 00:09:58,633 - No, because this is serious to me. - Mr. Bendion, I got that. 241 00:09:58,700 --> 00:09:59,967 - I'm not gonna agree--if I put... - Mr. Bendion, I... 242 00:10:00,033 --> 00:10:01,934 If I put--if I lied to y'all, I'm gonna step up 243 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:03,000 - and be a big boy, and say I lied. - Mr. Bendion, 244 00:10:03,066 --> 00:10:04,066 I'm not asking whether you lied... 245 00:10:04,133 --> 00:10:05,500 - But no, I didn't do this. - [Judge Levy] Mr. Bendion... 246 00:10:05,567 --> 00:10:08,433 We did not break his sofa. 247 00:10:08,500 --> 00:10:10,600 - Did we drop it? Yes, sir, we did. - [Judge Levy] How about this? 248 00:10:10,667 --> 00:10:15,233 There were also some emails, an August 24th, 2022 email 249 00:10:15,300 --> 00:10:16,700 from Quinton Bendion, 250 00:10:16,767 --> 00:10:19,900 subject, damages and cashier's check. 251 00:10:20,333 --> 00:10:23,066 "Good afternoon, Mrs. Taylor, this is John," 252 00:10:23,133 --> 00:10:24,834 - Mr. Mitchell... - [Omar] John. Yes. 253 00:10:24,900 --> 00:10:28,100 [Judge Levy] ... "Mr. Bendion has authorized the check 254 00:10:28,166 --> 00:10:32,233 and it is being sent from Wells Fargo in Panama City." 255 00:10:32,300 --> 00:10:34,533 - That's what you wrote, right? - Yes, sir. 256 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:36,100 [Judge Levy] Were you lying to them in that email? 257 00:10:36,165 --> 00:10:37,200 - No, sir. - No, 258 00:10:37,266 --> 00:10:41,200 because Mr. Bendion in fact told you, as you indicated, 259 00:10:41,266 --> 00:10:43,233 that he was gonna cut that check, right? 260 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:45,100 - [John] Yes, sir. - [Quinton] Yes, sir, Your Honor. 261 00:10:45,165 --> 00:10:48,700 After I got it through, you know, the right way, took it through him, 262 00:10:48,767 --> 00:10:50,700 let him get it to the insurance people, 263 00:10:50,767 --> 00:10:54,333 - but I did agree after once this... - Whoa, whoa, whoa. 264 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:57,233 Did you just say that you sent this through the insurance people? 265 00:10:57,300 --> 00:10:59,934 I spoke with our insurance agent and... 266 00:11:00,066 --> 00:11:01,800 [Judge Levy] I'm not interested in what people say, 267 00:11:01,867 --> 00:11:03,967 I'm interested in what documents show. 268 00:11:04,033 --> 00:11:08,934 So did you submit any evidence, documents, incident reports 269 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:12,533 to your insurance company in August of 2022 270 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:14,233 - regarding this claim? - No, sir. 271 00:11:14,300 --> 00:11:16,133 - [Judge Levy] Okay. I got that. - According to our contract, 272 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:19,734 if anything that is damaged in transit, it's not our responsibility. 273 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:21,700 That's the agreement that they signed with us 274 00:11:21,767 --> 00:11:23,133 because we just provided the labor. 275 00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:26,400 [Judge Levy] Okay. August 4th, 2022. 276 00:11:26,467 --> 00:11:27,967 - This is Mrs. Taylor. - [Kenyatta] Yes. 277 00:11:28,033 --> 00:11:30,500 [Judge Levy] "Omar had to call an appliance man 278 00:11:30,567 --> 00:11:32,633 to fix our washing machine. 279 00:11:32,700 --> 00:11:35,000 The drum is out of balance. 280 00:11:35,066 --> 00:11:38,033 The washer was functioning before the move." 281 00:11:38,100 --> 00:11:41,734 And this is then what Mr. Bendion replied, 282 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:45,900 "Even if you have to have a new washer, 283 00:11:45,967 --> 00:11:48,667 it will be taken care of. 284 00:11:48,734 --> 00:11:49,734 Give me a call. Thank you." 285 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:51,600 So why don't you tell me then, Mr. Bendion, 286 00:11:51,667 --> 00:11:53,266 as the owner of this business, 287 00:11:53,333 --> 00:11:56,800 why you would be offering to pay for a brand new washing machine 288 00:11:56,867 --> 00:12:00,066 for damage that neither you nor your guys did? 289 00:12:00,900 --> 00:12:02,633 - I don't know, Your Honor. - [Judge Levy] Got nothing further. 290 00:12:02,700 --> 00:12:03,800 Thank you. Judge Acker. 291 00:12:03,867 --> 00:12:05,133 I know why. 292 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:08,600 Because you two were inflating the damage. 293 00:12:08,667 --> 00:12:11,433 We already established with Judge DiMango 294 00:12:11,500 --> 00:12:14,767 that it was the washing machine that was broken, not the dryer. 295 00:12:14,834 --> 00:12:17,767 And then you start sending him receipts for a new dryer 296 00:12:17,834 --> 00:12:21,266 and I want you to pay for the time I had to go to the Laundromat 297 00:12:21,333 --> 00:12:22,867 and this and that. 298 00:12:22,934 --> 00:12:26,000 I mean, to me, I think it's really dishonest 299 00:12:26,066 --> 00:12:29,934 to try to get someone to pay for something when they didn't break it. 300 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:31,900 - [Omar] Your Honor... - No, I never told him 301 00:12:31,967 --> 00:12:33,100 he had to pay for the dryer. 302 00:12:33,165 --> 00:12:37,767 I told Q from the beginning, "I want a matching set." 303 00:12:37,834 --> 00:12:39,767 We only submitted him the receipt 304 00:12:39,834 --> 00:12:42,667 because that's the way it was purchased, was together. 305 00:12:42,734 --> 00:12:44,900 We didn't find--couldn't find a watcher-- 306 00:12:44,967 --> 00:12:48,300 washer exactly match what I already had previously. 307 00:12:48,734 --> 00:12:51,033 I'm with you. I like things to look good. 308 00:12:51,100 --> 00:12:54,734 I like to walk into my laundry room and I like to see things to match. 309 00:12:54,800 --> 00:12:59,400 However, what's the real harm here? Where does liability end? 310 00:12:59,467 --> 00:13:02,000 I mean, there's a thing called consequential damages. 311 00:13:02,066 --> 00:13:04,600 So that means, "You know what? He broke my washing machine. 312 00:13:04,667 --> 00:13:06,200 He owes you a new washing machine." 313 00:13:06,266 --> 00:13:08,934 Because I couldn't do the washing machine in my house, 314 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:12,333 I incurred extra costs by having to go to the Laundromat. 315 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:14,300 - [Kenyatta] Yes. - You might have something there. 316 00:13:14,367 --> 00:13:19,100 But, I then walk into my laundry room and they don't exactly match 317 00:13:19,166 --> 00:13:24,100 and I am damaged from having to look at a nonmatching set of appliances. 318 00:13:24,166 --> 00:13:27,767 Now, I'm with you, Martha Stewart. It is not a good look. 319 00:13:27,834 --> 00:13:30,867 But I'm not sure that there's legal liability there. 320 00:13:30,934 --> 00:13:33,500 And I think that, just as a matter of fact, 321 00:13:33,567 --> 00:13:37,533 when people feel like you're overreaching, then they start to back up. 322 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:40,600 But we never expected him to pay for the dryer, honestly. 323 00:13:40,667 --> 00:13:42,667 We really didn't. And I told him that. 324 00:13:42,734 --> 00:13:46,633 Um, the repair guy that came back, when he came out, 325 00:13:46,700 --> 00:13:49,500 he said that with the HE washers and stuff, 326 00:13:49,567 --> 00:13:51,433 you have to bolt those down. 327 00:13:51,500 --> 00:13:52,767 He did not do that. 328 00:13:52,834 --> 00:13:56,433 And if you're supposed to be a bonded reputable company, 329 00:13:56,500 --> 00:13:58,000 then you should know 330 00:13:58,066 --> 00:14:01,333 about an HE dryer--washer and dryer, how long have those been out 331 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:04,400 and that they should be bolted down, but he did not bolt it down. 332 00:14:04,467 --> 00:14:06,367 [Judge Acker] I don't think you're just making up a story. 333 00:14:06,433 --> 00:14:07,500 - [Kenyatta] Yes, ma'am. - [Judge Acker] I think 334 00:14:07,567 --> 00:14:09,900 that there's a credibility contest here, sir. 335 00:14:09,967 --> 00:14:12,867 You came to court saying nothing was dropped 336 00:14:12,934 --> 00:14:16,166 and then your witness still has tire tracks on his back 337 00:14:16,233 --> 00:14:18,767 from the way you were about to throw him under the bus. 338 00:14:18,834 --> 00:14:20,400 I thought you were gonna fire him right here... 339 00:14:20,467 --> 00:14:22,133 - [Quinton] No. Never. - ... just because he told the truth. 340 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:26,700 Did you ever give them any compensation, whatsoever, 341 00:14:26,767 --> 00:14:30,533 for anything that they accused you of having damaged? 342 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:31,900 - Did you give them any money? - [Quinton] Yup, 343 00:14:31,967 --> 00:14:34,700 'cause she called me over there one time when her husband was gone. 344 00:14:34,767 --> 00:14:37,900 It was kind of after hours, didn't hit my assistant up, 345 00:14:37,967 --> 00:14:39,900 and asked me to do some free service. 346 00:14:39,967 --> 00:14:44,600 And I came over her house and took heavy weight up there. 347 00:14:44,667 --> 00:14:47,333 And it's like--but I'm this bad guy all of a sudden. 348 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:49,500 - And she used... - [Judge Acker] Okay. I think you-- 349 00:14:49,567 --> 00:14:51,467 - that is so not responsive... - It's so--it's so... 350 00:14:51,533 --> 00:14:53,165 - [Judge Acker] ... of my questions. - ... it's so frustrating in my end. 351 00:14:53,233 --> 00:14:55,734 - I know. You know, it's so frustrating. - It's like they're lying on me, ma'am. 352 00:14:55,800 --> 00:14:59,567 It's so frustrating when you don't answer my question. 353 00:14:59,633 --> 00:15:03,633 Okay. Yes, Your Honor. And I'm sorry. 354 00:15:03,700 --> 00:15:05,166 Did you give them any money? 355 00:15:05,233 --> 00:15:07,000 - No, ma'am. - [Judge Acker] That's all. 356 00:15:07,066 --> 00:15:08,700 I do have a couple of questions. 357 00:15:08,767 --> 00:15:11,200 What did you do with the working dryer that you had? 358 00:15:12,700 --> 00:15:15,000 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 359 00:15:15,066 --> 00:15:16,867 So if it was only a drum 360 00:15:16,934 --> 00:15:21,066 and the drum could be replaced for 50 bucks, 361 00:15:21,133 --> 00:15:24,734 you don't get a brand-new one because you got to fix it for 50 bucks. 362 00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:26,333 [dramatic musical sting] 363 00:15:28,233 --> 00:15:29,934 [theme music plays] 364 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:31,433 [announcer] Quinton Bendion denies 365 00:15:31,500 --> 00:15:35,300 that his moving company broke any of Omar and Kenyatta's property 366 00:15:35,367 --> 00:15:36,533 during a move. 367 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:39,900 Quinton claims that the Taylors are taking advantage of him 368 00:15:39,967 --> 00:15:41,600 and his company. 369 00:15:41,667 --> 00:15:44,500 What did you do with the working dryer that you had? 370 00:15:44,567 --> 00:15:46,533 - Donated it. - [Judge DiMango] You donated it? 371 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:47,633 - Yeah. - Yes, ma'am. 372 00:15:47,700 --> 00:15:49,800 How long had you had the washer-dryer 373 00:15:49,867 --> 00:15:51,367 - before this problem? - Um, five years. 374 00:15:51,433 --> 00:15:52,433 - [Judge DiMango] Five years? - Yes, ma'am. 375 00:15:52,500 --> 00:15:55,967 Because there's a thing in the law called amortizing, amortization, 376 00:15:56,033 --> 00:16:00,100 which means that it wasn't new at the point that it was damaged, 377 00:16:00,166 --> 00:16:03,433 so that even if we were to find a responsibility 378 00:16:03,500 --> 00:16:05,800 by the defendants to you, 379 00:16:05,867 --> 00:16:10,900 we might have to amortize the value that you're asking for by the five years. 380 00:16:10,967 --> 00:16:13,200 And though you have said in here 381 00:16:13,266 --> 00:16:16,967 that you might have told them they weren't responsible for the dryer, 382 00:16:17,033 --> 00:16:18,934 there's no text message to that effect. 383 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:22,967 And in all the papers we have and in your statement to us, 384 00:16:23,033 --> 00:16:26,433 you were clear you wanted the washer-dryer set. 385 00:16:26,867 --> 00:16:30,367 That might have ticked them off in some way as well. 386 00:16:30,433 --> 00:16:32,834 And with that, I don't have any other questions. 387 00:16:32,900 --> 00:16:34,400 [Judge Levy] I have a couple of matters. 388 00:16:34,467 --> 00:16:37,600 Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, I know how my wife would react, 389 00:16:37,667 --> 00:16:40,767 bringing in a washer-dryer in my home that didn't match. 390 00:16:40,834 --> 00:16:42,633 I know exactly how that would be. 391 00:16:42,700 --> 00:16:45,600 But the law doesn't care about what my wife says. 392 00:16:45,667 --> 00:16:48,934 What the law cares about and what the law says 393 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:53,100 is that you have a right to be put in the position you were in 394 00:16:53,165 --> 00:16:56,000 before someone else's negligence. 395 00:16:56,066 --> 00:16:58,200 So if it was only a drum 396 00:16:58,266 --> 00:17:02,600 and the drum could be replaced for 50 bucks, 397 00:17:02,667 --> 00:17:06,467 you don't get a brand-new one because you got to fix it for 50 bucks. 398 00:17:06,532 --> 00:17:11,165 But it didn't cost you 50 bucks to fix the drum, did it? 399 00:17:11,233 --> 00:17:12,233 - [Kenyatta] No. - [Omar] No. 400 00:17:12,300 --> 00:17:15,333 He said that the unit is too costly to repair, sir. 401 00:17:15,400 --> 00:17:19,633 You got an estimate of what it was gonna cost to fix the washer, 402 00:17:19,700 --> 00:17:22,233 $1,059. 403 00:17:22,300 --> 00:17:25,233 You provided that to us in your evidence packet, 404 00:17:25,300 --> 00:17:26,467 - right? - [Omar] Yeah. Yes. 405 00:17:26,532 --> 00:17:30,000 Now, in my house, I had the very same problem 406 00:17:30,066 --> 00:17:33,000 with washer, dryer, and a refrigerator. 407 00:17:33,066 --> 00:17:36,734 And what you're telling me is the same exact thing 408 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:40,233 that my people told me when my stuff was broken too. 409 00:17:40,300 --> 00:17:41,700 - Yes, sir. - [Judge Levy] I'm done. 410 00:17:41,767 --> 00:17:44,533 We're going to retire to deliberate. Thank you guys very much. 411 00:17:44,600 --> 00:17:48,133 Court stands in recess. Parties are excused. 412 00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:51,433 [dramatic musical sting] 413 00:17:51,500 --> 00:17:54,800 All right. I think whatever award we give, if we give any, 414 00:17:54,867 --> 00:17:57,100 has to be amortized over the five years, 415 00:17:57,166 --> 00:18:00,066 which I'm not quite exactly sure how we would do that 416 00:18:00,133 --> 00:18:01,500 other than maybe divide it by five 417 00:18:01,567 --> 00:18:03,867 and dropping over the course of the years. 418 00:18:03,934 --> 00:18:08,033 I'm not inclined to, uh, give anything for the dryer. 419 00:18:08,100 --> 00:18:09,100 I'm just not. 420 00:18:09,166 --> 00:18:11,600 And then amortize the washer by itself. 421 00:18:11,667 --> 00:18:14,000 And the love seat, which is $3,000. 422 00:18:14,066 --> 00:18:15,700 I don't find the defendants credible 423 00:18:15,767 --> 00:18:17,767 on almost everything that they were talking about. 424 00:18:17,834 --> 00:18:20,033 Interesting that they didn't submit information 425 00:18:20,100 --> 00:18:24,100 regarding their status at the time of the damages. 426 00:18:24,166 --> 00:18:27,066 So we're talking 1,400, 1,600, 427 00:18:27,133 --> 00:18:30,433 probably somewhere around $1,700, if not a little more, 428 00:18:30,500 --> 00:18:32,600 I'm not adding-- I'm just adding it up quickly. 429 00:18:32,667 --> 00:18:34,633 [Judge Levy] If we find that the defendant was negligent 430 00:18:34,700 --> 00:18:36,567 and his workers, which I believe we are, 431 00:18:36,633 --> 00:18:38,533 then the law requires us to put the plaintiff 432 00:18:38,600 --> 00:18:41,433 in the position that he and she were in before, 433 00:18:41,500 --> 00:18:45,533 and that is with a matching washer and dryer. 434 00:18:45,600 --> 00:18:47,934 There's no ifs, ands, or buts about that in my opinion. 435 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:49,633 They did nothing wrong. 436 00:18:49,700 --> 00:18:51,633 They tried to negotiate in good faith 437 00:18:51,700 --> 00:18:53,967 with the defendant who just strung them along. 438 00:18:54,033 --> 00:18:57,600 And for us to give them anything less than their full amount, 439 00:18:57,667 --> 00:18:59,233 I think is a slap in their face. 440 00:18:59,300 --> 00:19:03,233 And quite frankly, the law does not require us, as it does, 441 00:19:03,300 --> 00:19:05,867 to put them in the same position they were before the negligence, 442 00:19:05,934 --> 00:19:07,066 to amortize. 443 00:19:07,133 --> 00:19:11,066 That washer was working before and it was broken after. 444 00:19:11,133 --> 00:19:15,233 The parts themselves are $1,059. 445 00:19:15,300 --> 00:19:20,700 Do you want to spend $1,059 on parts for a $600 washing machine 446 00:19:20,767 --> 00:19:22,400 or do you wanna get a new one? 447 00:19:22,467 --> 00:19:23,700 I just did that. 448 00:19:23,767 --> 00:19:28,433 So I believe that anything less than $5,000 is just not warranted, 449 00:19:28,500 --> 00:19:30,433 and it's not consistent with justice. 450 00:19:30,500 --> 00:19:31,600 [Judge Acker] I agree with you. 451 00:19:31,667 --> 00:19:35,000 I don't think that we have an obligation to amortize. 452 00:19:35,066 --> 00:19:36,233 I mean, think about it. 453 00:19:36,300 --> 00:19:38,400 Somebody breaks your appliance, 454 00:19:38,467 --> 00:19:42,734 and then you're only given money for the value of your old used appliance. 455 00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:45,867 Does that mean you've got to go out and buy like a used washing machine? I... 456 00:19:45,934 --> 00:19:47,934 No, no, no. No, I think they should have bought a new one. 457 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:49,500 I--I'm not questioning that at all. 458 00:19:49,567 --> 00:19:51,934 I was considering the amortization, 459 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:53,233 - which I'm not uncomfortable... - Yeah. I... 460 00:19:53,300 --> 00:19:54,533 [Judge DiMango] ... with being persuaded out of, 461 00:19:54,600 --> 00:19:56,633 but I am--I'm not on board with giving them the dryer. 462 00:19:56,700 --> 00:19:58,400 - I'm sorry. - But--so I think though, 463 00:19:58,467 --> 00:19:59,633 as a practical matter, 464 00:19:59,700 --> 00:20:03,500 they're seeking $1,629 for a new washer and dryer set. 465 00:20:03,567 --> 00:20:06,166 They have submitted evidence 466 00:20:06,233 --> 00:20:08,867 that just the washing machine alone 467 00:20:08,934 --> 00:20:12,834 - to replace would have been 1,500 or so. - Right. 468 00:20:12,900 --> 00:20:15,133 [Judge Acker] You know, I think for that $100 469 00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:18,133 and given the fact that they have been inconvenienced, 470 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:21,100 - I would give them that. - I'm just gonna give them $800 471 00:20:21,166 --> 00:20:23,300 and $815 for a washing machine. 472 00:20:23,367 --> 00:20:24,734 - I'm gonna give them half the... - Oh, you're gonna just-- 473 00:20:24,800 --> 00:20:25,867 - you're gonna split it in half? - I'm gonna split it. 474 00:20:25,934 --> 00:20:27,867 I'm gonna split it, half the set. 475 00:20:27,934 --> 00:20:31,633 And the love seat, if--I don't mind if we don't amortize, 476 00:20:31,700 --> 00:20:33,767 so that would be $3,000. 477 00:20:33,834 --> 00:20:36,400 The cost of going back and forth to the Laundromat 478 00:20:36,467 --> 00:20:38,633 for three months, $285, 479 00:20:38,700 --> 00:20:40,567 and for the repairman, $85. 480 00:20:40,633 --> 00:20:41,633 [Judge Acker] I think I'm with Adam. 481 00:20:41,700 --> 00:20:43,367 I would give them everything they're seeking. 482 00:20:43,433 --> 00:20:44,767 [Judge DiMango] I'm up at $4,100. 483 00:20:44,834 --> 00:20:45,934 - I'm sorry, I can't. - I'm going to join you at 5,000. 484 00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:47,367 - Can't find myself with that. - Okay. 485 00:20:47,433 --> 00:20:51,200 [dramatic musical sting] 486 00:20:51,266 --> 00:20:52,734 [Byrd] Court is back in session. 487 00:20:52,800 --> 00:20:54,934 Parties are reminded you're still under oath. 488 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:56,000 - [Judge DiMango] Thank you, Byrd. - [Byrd] Uh-hmm. 489 00:20:56,066 --> 00:20:59,934 I understand, sir, that you were able to find on your phone the insurance 490 00:21:00,066 --> 00:21:02,066 that was in effect at the time of the incident. 491 00:21:02,133 --> 00:21:04,133 - Yes, ma'am. - Would you please hand that 492 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:05,633 to Officer Byrd, please? 493 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:14,633 So for my colleagues' benefits, this was in effect from March 9th, '22 494 00:21:14,700 --> 00:21:16,300 to March 9th, '23. 495 00:21:16,367 --> 00:21:19,300 This was the certificate of liability insurance. 496 00:21:19,367 --> 00:21:21,166 - Thank you. - Thank you, sir. 497 00:21:21,233 --> 00:21:26,133 Okay. So, we deliberated and we were kind of not all in agreement. 498 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:27,533 I'm the dissent here. 499 00:21:27,600 --> 00:21:33,333 Judges Acker and Levy found in favor of you, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, 500 00:21:33,400 --> 00:21:37,133 that you had proved your case by preponderance of the evidence, 501 00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:42,000 and that you'd be entitled to all $5,000 that you have requested. 502 00:21:42,066 --> 00:21:46,900 And we all agree that the damages here were caused by you and your employee. 503 00:21:46,967 --> 00:21:50,467 However, the difference is I did not think you were also entitled 504 00:21:50,533 --> 00:21:51,667 to the value of the dryer. 505 00:21:51,734 --> 00:21:54,467 - However, Judge Acker and Judge Levy... - Yes, ma'am. 506 00:21:54,533 --> 00:21:56,700 ... they said, "Listen, you had a matching set. 507 00:21:56,767 --> 00:21:58,166 You get a matching set back." 508 00:21:58,233 --> 00:22:01,467 And they think that that's what's warranted under the law. 509 00:22:01,533 --> 00:22:05,567 So therefore, you will get the $5,000 that you have requested in your complaint. 510 00:22:05,633 --> 00:22:07,467 - And that is the verdict of the court. - [gavel bangs] 511 00:22:07,533 --> 00:22:08,734 - Thank you, Your Honor. - Thank you all so much. 512 00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:10,934 [Byrd] This case has now concluded. Parties are excused. 513 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:12,900 You may step out. 514 00:22:12,967 --> 00:22:16,700 [theme music plays] 515 00:22:16,767 --> 00:22:20,500 Sometimes you can still, um, win even when you lose. 516 00:22:20,567 --> 00:22:21,667 Check the reviews. 517 00:22:21,734 --> 00:22:24,233 - Yes, yes, check the reviews. - I will learn. 518 00:22:24,300 --> 00:22:26,066 - Thank you, Tribunal Justice. - Thank you, Tribunal Justice. 519 00:22:26,133 --> 00:22:27,567 Justice has been served. 520 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:29,900 [announcer] Feel like suing someone? 521 00:22:29,967 --> 00:22:34,066 Let the majority rule in your favor on Tribunal Justice. 522 00:22:34,133 --> 00:22:36,367 Find us on social media. 523 00:22:36,433 --> 00:22:39,567 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays]