Opinion ID: 2408739
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: claims against gearhart

Text: The trial judge entered judgment for various sums against appellant Gearhart arising out of services and materials allegedly furnished for a building owned by Gearhart and McGuire. We have heretofore discussed the question whether there was sufficient evidence to sustain the judgment. Gearhart levels other attacks upon the judgment against him. He contends that the five-year statute of limitation bars recovery of $708.95 of the judgment and that there was no pleading seeking recovery of $433.95 allowed against him. Additionally, he urges that he was not named as a party defendant, individually, but only in his capacity as a member of the Board of Education. It is significant that early in the course of the trial it was disclosed that certain Board funds had found their way to Whitehurst in payment of obligations owed on the McGuire-Gearhart building. Gearhart specifically stated in the record that he had not known of this, but desired to repay any such sum or sums so paid. The original complaint did not seek specific recovery from Gearhart on these items, but an amended complaint did. The original complaint was well within the five-year period, but the amendment was too late. However, the representation by Gearhart of his desire to repay any such sums was made before the expiration of the limitation period. In light of the manner in which the parties treated these items, we conclude that CR 15.02 is controlling, and that the statute of limitations is inapplicable. We note that there was never any pleading seeking recovery of $433.95 against Gearhart. To the extent that the judgment against him permits recovery of that sum it is reversed, but it is affirmed in all other respects. We attach no significance to the claim that Gearhart was not named as a defendant. He was named. The fact that he was also designated as a member of the Board of Education did not serve to exclude his personal responsibility. The judgments in the consolidated cases are affirmed in part and reversed in part, with directions to enter new judgments conforming to this opinion.