Opinion ID: 329996
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: payments from max selzer

Text: 14 Max Selzer had been the president of Selzer-Ivice Sales, a manufacturer's representative company, since 1971. SelzerIvice represented a company called Airtex Products which had approximately $400,000.00 worth of sales per year to International Harvester. 15 In approximately mid-year, 1970, Selzer and Bryza had a luncheon meeting. During the luncheon, Bryza mentioned that he was working for I-H for under $11,000 per year and he further noted that manufacturer's representatives made a great deal of money. Approximately one month later, at another luncheon meeting between Bryza and Selzer, Bryza again stated that his I-H yearly salary was under $11,000. He also mentioned that other companies were making efforts to secure the I-H account which Airtex then enjoyed. Selzer responded that he was very grateful to have Bryza's good will and wanted to work out some plan to remunerate Bryza. 16 Approximately two weeks later, Bryza and Selzer had another luncheon date. During the luncheon, Selzer said that he had worked out a plan of remuneration and he offered to pay Bryza one-half of one percent of the commission he received for selling Airtex products to I-H. Bryza accepted the proposal and suggested that the monies be paid to him as consultation fees. Bryza said he would contact Selzer later to advise him as to how the payments should be made. Several weeks later, Bryza called Selzer and told him that the payments should be made to the Searsport Company. In March, 1971, Selzer made his first payment to Bryza, through Searsport, and he continued to make the payments until August, 1973. 17 During the period from 1971-1973 Selzer paid approximately $4,500 to the Searsport Company. This amount represented the agreed upon percentage of the commissions Selzer-Ivice was receiving from Airtex Products. 18 From 1969 through 1973 the volume of business Airtex did with International Harvester remained relatively constant. According to Selzer, we gave them the very best value that we could. The payments to Bryza apparently had no effect on increasing the sales to I-H. Selzer made other attempts to sell other products to International Harvester through Bryza but was unsuccessful in getting any further business. 19 Selzer believed that Bryza always acted in a very professional manner and described the defendant as a good buyer. Selzer did not believe that his conduct was illegal and thought that he was acting in an honorable way. When Bryza and Selzer reached agreement on the payments, Selzer requested and received the defendant's social security number so that he could prepare the proper tax forms. He acted in this manner because, in his own words, I did not want to be involved in any illegal activities. 20 Max Selzer was indicted with the defendant in case No. 74 CR 437. In return for his guilty plea and his cooperation with the government concerning other purchasing agents Selzer was paying, the prosecution recommended that he not be imprisoned. He received three years probation and a $4,000 fine. 21 Selzer-Ivice remains as the manufacturer's representative for Airtex Products in their dealings with International Harvester. 22