Opinion ID: 1255013
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Relief in equity.

Text: Garner complains that Wolf was negligent in not screening Gee's employment history more carefully. He points to evidence that Gee earlier had been terminated from employment with another jewelry business, presumably because of a drug abuse problem, and that he had been hospitalized while he was employed by Wolf. Garner contends that had Wolf inquired about the reason for hospitalization, it would have discovered Gee's dependence on alcohol and drugs. Moreover, Garner argues, Wolf's failure to more closely pursue payment of the outstanding account after September 1979 was negligence, the consequences of which that should not be passed on to Garner. The application of doctrines of clean hands or other such equitable defenses rests in the sound discretion of the trial court. Home Savings & Loan Ass'n v. Bates, 76 N.M. 660, 417 P.2d 798 (1966). Absent a clear abuse of discretion, the trial court's exercise thereof will not be disturbed on appeal. Flinchum Const. Co. v. Central Glass & Mirror Co., 94 N.M. 398, 611 P.2d 221 (1980). Since it cannot be said that the court exceeded the bounds of reason, all circumstances before it being considered, Independent Steel & Wire Co. v. New Mexico Cent. R.R. Co., 25 N.M. 160, 178 P. 842 (1919), we do not find an abuse of discretion in the trial court's refusal to absolve Garner's participation in Gee's dishonest conduct by imposing the blame on Wolf's alleged negligence. The decision and judgment of the district court is affirmed. RIORDAN and STOWERS, JJ., concur.