Opinion ID: 2738168
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Donald Miller’s Testimony

Text: From 2005 to 2008, Defendant and her family were involved in another store named Devotice & La’Char. Defendant’s husband Donald3 testified that he decided to open the store with Charlene Dawkins because he wanted something to do after he retired, which did not occur until 2009. The Ohio Secretary of State’s records indicate that the store was registered to Miller and Dawkins. Insurance for the store was procured in Dawkins’ name. Miller testified at trial that Devotice & La’Char was his store. He stated that he used the inventory from the store previously owned by Defendant’s Daughter—Devotice—to start a women’s clothing store of his own. During this time, he also worked full-time as a machinist. He explained that after opening the store, he entered into a partnership with Dawkins. He testified that he often brought his wife along on trips where he would purchase clothing for the store, but that he never went to New York City for a buying trip. He and Defendant went on a buying trip to Las Vegas, and he explained that Defendant only came along for a vacation. The record contains identification badges from one of these trips, one of which identified Defendant as a “guest” and the other identified Miller as “retailer.” He claimed that during the relevant time period, his wife only visited the store to socialize, not for employment purposes. He also stated that he brought his wife along when he met with one of the landlords, but that she did not take part in discussion of the lease terms.