Opinion ID: 1361341
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Disputed Monthly Statements & Account Information

Text: Leroy Miller (Miller) is Kakish's domestic partner, who cohabitated with Kakish at times. Miller invested in MSK, served on its board of directors, and allowed MSK to operate out of his property. He is also the sole owner, director, and employee of Leroy Miller Design, Inc. On August 18, 2004, Leroy Miller Design voluntarily petitioned for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and reported owning only a 0.6% interest in MSK. In early 2004, Miller had power of attorney for Kakish during the several months Kakish was out of the country. Miller, who was a board member, opened MSK's mail while Kakish was away. At this time, Miller noticed Wells Fargo was sending MSK statements, which referenced an outstanding balance as well as garnishment notices Wells Fargo served on Community First. In September 2004, Miller contacted Wells Fargo regarding the MSK account. A Wells Fargo officer told Miller he needed signed authorization before the bank could provide him any information regarding the MSK account. Miller informed Kakish. Kakish wrote a letter to Wells Fargo, dated September 20, 2004, stating: I hereby authorize Wells Fargo Bank to release information relating to MSK EyEs Ltd. and/or Muhannah S. Kakish and related accounts to Leroy Miller Design Inc. Miller then faxed Wells Fargo the following request on the company letterhead of Leroy Miller Design: Please provide a reference for MSK EyEs Ltd. and/or Muhannah Kakish. A release for the information should be on file at this time. Please fax information to Leroy Miller Design, Inc. On October 11, 2004, Wells Fargo faxed the following information to the fax number provided by Miller: the current balance ($31,750), opening balance ($35,000), opening date (April 5, 2001), interest rate (7.75%), maturity date (July 31, 2001) and the amount of monthly payments ($150). Wells Fargo included the following disclaimer: By accepting this information, you warrant that receipt by you is lawful, you agree that it will not be disclosed to anyone else or used in an unlawful manner, you acknowledge that its completeness and accuracy is not guaranteed, it may not disclose the entire relationship of the customer with the bank and is subject to change without notice, and you agree to indemnify and hold the bank harmless against all loss resulting from providing this information to you. Wells Fargo is not responsible for the information included in this fax being viewed by persons other than the intended recipient upon printing at this fax number. At the time Miller received the requested information, Leroy Miller Design had already filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and, thus, Miller was personally unable to invest additional funds in MSK. Miller stated in his deposition the only impact the receipt of this information had on him was to dampen his enthusiasm to seek new investors for MSK. He stated he did not know whether anyone new would have invested in MSK had Wells Fargo not disclosed the above information to him. After Miller received the account information from Wells Fargo, Kakish and Miller told other individuals  including directors, shareholders, consultants and potential investors in MSK  about the garnishment proceedings, which resulted from the Ramsey County litigation. They volunteered also that Wells Fargo continued to send MSK statements regarding the $35,000 loan, and was attempting to collect the debt. Appellants allege, as a result of their self-publication of Wells Fargo's actions against them, they have incurred damages in excess of $4.2 million dollars in lost profit.