Novogroder v. NOM Lima Shawnee LLC

Case Summary: 07-cv-1284

On March 30, 2007, plaintiff George Novogroder filed a verified complaint for injunction, specific performance, declaratory judgment, and breach of contract against defendant NOM Lima Shawnee LLC in the Allen County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas, which was removed to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on the basis of federal diversity jurisdiction. The complaint alleged that plaintiff and defendant entered into a contract for the sale of property and that defendant, the owner of the property, breached the contract by notifying plaintiff that it would not sell the property to him. Defendant denied the allegations and filed counterclaims for slander of title, intentional interference with business relationships, and quiet title.

Prior to the filing of plaintiff's complaint, defendant had filed a suit in an Alabama state court. The federal district court stayed plaintiff's action, permitting the Alabama suit to proceed first. The Alabama court held, in a final and binding judgment, that the parties did not have a contract for the sale and purchase of the property. As such, all of plaintiff's claims and defendant's claim for quiet title were precluded.

A jury trial was held from November 15, 2011 through November 18, 2011 on defendant's counterclaims for slander of title and intentional interference with business relationships. The jury returned a verdict on November 18, 2011, finding in favor of plaintiff. The court entered judgment on November 29, 2011.

Case Highlights

• Notice of Removal from Allen County [Doc # 1]
• Answer [Doc #5]
• Jury Trial Held on 11/15/2011-11/18/2011
• Jury verdict: redacted on 11/18/2012
  • In favor of plaintiff Novogroder
• Judgment Entry [Doc # 160]
  • Does not include substance of opinions or verdict

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