Opinion ID: 2520297
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: did the evidence support the jury's verdict?

Text: Durkin argues the evidence does not support the jury's verdict. On appeal, questions of fact decided by the jury supported by substantial, competent evidence will not be disturbed. Boel v. Stewart Title Guar. Co., 137 Idaho 9, 43 P.3d 768, 771 (2002). By substantial, it is not meant that the evidence need be uncontradicted. All that is required is that the evidence be of such sufficient quantity and probative value that reasonable minds could conclude that the verdict of the jury was proper. It is not necessary that the evidence be of such quantity or quality that reasonable minds must conclude, only that they could conclude. Mann v. Safeway Stores, Inc., 95 Idaho 732, 736, 518 P.2d 1194, 1198 (1974).
Durkin argues the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to support the jury's finding that he committed fraud with regard to the April 4, 2000 change order for $26,000. VFP contends the jury correctly found Durkin liable for fraud because the change order was not for a change in conditions in which the payee, Kriezenbeck was entitled to $26,000. The evidence at trial showed that subcontractor Kreizenbeck destroyed a private resident's trailer during construction on the Federal Way project. After housing the resident in a hotel, Dakota purchased a $26,000 replacement trailer for the resident. Kreizenbeck reimbursed Dakota the $26,000. Dakota/Durkin submitted a change order requiring VFP to reimburse Kreizenbeck for an unspecified change in general conditions. Tom Bauwens, a civil engineer who worked for Dakota on the Federal Way project, testified that he thought the change order was to reimburse Kreizenbeck for replacing a mobile home they destroyed during construction on the Federal Way project. However, on cross-examination, Brauwens testified he didn't have any conversations with VFP about the change order. The jury could have found, based upon the evidence, that Durkin committed fraud by submitting a false change order for change in general conditions to VFP. There was substantial, competent evidence supporting the jury's finding that Durkin committed fraud in submitting change order number four (4) to VFP for $26,000.
Durkin argues the evidence presented to the jury did not support a finding that Durkin committed intentional interference with the Fred Meyer-VFP contract. Durkin contends Dakota should be solely liable for the failure to turnover two progress payments and the transformer check to VFP. Durkin contends that because the money taken benefited the corporation and not himself exclusively, he cannot be held personally liable. We disagree. Durkin fails to understand the necessity or the theory behind VFP's piercing the corporate veil argument. The jury could have disregarded the corporate entity and held Durkin personally liable for the corporation's actions, in this case wrongfully taking and keeping Fred Meyer's money. There was substantial competent evidence to support the jury's finding that Durkin should be personally liable for taking Fred Meyer's two progress payments and the transformer check.