Opinion ID: 1924721
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Improperly Obtained Jury Verdict

Text: CEC contends that Mokrzycki gave false or deliberately misleading testimony with respect to his 1990 income tax return. CEC asserts that this alleged misleading testimony amounts to a misrepresentation and is grounds for setting aside the judgment based on the jury verdict, under Rule 60(b)(3), A.R.Civ.P. Under Rule 60(b)(3), a court may relieve a party from a final judgment for fraud, misrepresentation, or other misconduct of an adverse party. To obtain relief under Rule 60(b)(3), the party asserting that an adverse party improperly obtained a verdict through fraud, misrepresentation, or other misconduct must prove, by clear and convincing evidence, that: 1) the adverse party engaged in fraud or other misconduct, and 2) the misconduct prevented the moving party from fully and fairly presenting his or her case. Pacifico v. Jackson, 562 So.2d 174, 179 (Ala.1990) (citing Montgomery v. Hall, 592 F.2d 278, 279 (5th Cir.1979)). The trial court must exercise its discretion in determining whether the party seeking relief under Rule 60(b)(3) met these requirements. On review, our only inquiry is whether the trial court abused its discretion. Pacifico, at 179. CEC contends that Mokrzycki obtained the jury verdict by convincing the jury that he was honest and that he did so through fraud, misrepresentation, or misconduct. At trial, CEC argued that Mokrzycki lacked credibility and was unworthy of belief. As one example of Mokrzycki's alleged dishonesty, CEC attempted to demonstrate that Mokrzycki had failed to report approximately $9,000 of military income. On direct examination by CEC's counsel, Mokrzycki stated that the income in question had been reported on an amended form. However, evidence presented during a post-trial hearing indicates that Mokrzycki did not amend his tax returns and report his military income until approximately four weeks after the conclusion of the trial. On cross-examination, Mokrzycki explained that he had given the necessary forms to his accountant and that he thought the amendment had been filed or would be filed within the three-month deferment granted to all military personnel who served in Operation Desert Shield. CEC contends that Mokrzycki's misrepresentation at trial, that he had already amended his tax returns when, in fact, he had not, prevented CEC from fully and fairly presenting its case, specifically from portraying Mokrzycki as lacking credibility. However, the record reveals that CEC did present arguments regarding Mokrzycki's lack of trustworthiness, based on this example and others. The jury heard Mokrzycki's testimony and had the opportunity to assess his credibility. CEC was not prevented from impeaching Mokrzycki's honesty by Mokrzycki's alleged misrepresentation. Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying CEC's post-judgment motion to set aside the verdict on the basis of fraud, misrepresentation, or other misconduct.