Opinion ID: 3011076
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Summary Judgment on Counterclaim

Text: The district court entered summary judgment for Exxon on its counterclaim, which alleged that Carter owed Exxon for purchases of gasoline under the agreement.5 The district court held that Carter had not contested his liability as to the items in question. While the court lacked documentation as to amounts, it found it appropriate to grant Exxon's motion for summary judgment on the issue of liability. The parties later stipulated the amount of this debt as $40,000. The Carters argue the debt arose almost entirely from the loads of gasoline used to hold the tanks down during repair. Luciano, Exxon's employee, testified that the indebtedness arose from the hold-down gasoline used for the three tanks. The Carters further argue that they did not expressly or impliedly promise to pay for the hold-down loads as they did not order the gasoline; thus, Exxon could only recover in quasi-contract, a theory of recovery Exxon did not allege. The franchise agreement states that [Gasoline] shall be delivered by Seller to Buyer at the premises in the quantities ordered by Buyer. Carter testified that he did not order the hold-down loads. Luciano testified that the Carters disputed the amount of the debt. O'Connor testified that there was a dispute regarding monies allegedly due for fuel used in the tank replacement. Applying the standards stated above, we conclude this _________________________________________________________________ 5. Exxon also asserts that the Carters' alleged failure to pay the debt is a basis for granting summary judgment in its favor on the Carters' Petroleum Act claim. The district court did not base its grant of summary judgment on the Petroleum Act claim upon this debt; thus, we do not address it in relation to the Petroleum Act claim. 11 evidence compels the rejection of summary judgment on Exxon's counterclaim.