Opinion ID: 1957633
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Fraudulent conduct

Text: ¶ 63. I agree with the majority that the record contains sufficient evidence to support both negligent and fraudulent misrepresentation. Several times on March 7, 2000, the Dorseys and Mr. Stewart questioned whether they qualified for financing. There was testimony that both Billy Gray and Bob Hobbs assured them not only that they were qualified for financing, but that they would be financed. ¶ 64. Hobbs testified that the Dealership's policy was to keep documents generated from its efforts to obtain financing for customers. However, he could not explain why the dealership did not have any documents showing that it indeed had attempted to obtain financing from various institutions. (Part of the Dorseys' claim is that the Dealership never submitted a financing application based on both the Dorseys.) The only document presented by the Dealership which indicates it ever sought financing on behalf of the Dorseys was the facsimile from Arcadia Financial Limited, denying credit to Shelia Dorsey. Even though the Dealership received this facsimile an hour or two prior to execution of the contracts and delivery of the vehicle to the Dorseys, they were not informed of it. Instead, the Dealership assured them that financing was not a problem. ¶ 65. During his deposition, Hobbs testified that once Arcadia declined financing he knew the Dorseys would be unable to get financing. Hobbs did not explain, however, why he did not communicate this to the Dorseys. ¶ 66. In his trial testimony Hobbs disputed many of the Dorseys' claims, especially those regarding whether Mr. Dorsey was present on March 7, 2000. However, Mr. Dorsey's signature appears on both the credit application and the retail installment contract. Hobbs testified that Mr. Dorsey came in at a later date to sign the documents. Other than his equivocal testimony, however, there was no evidence presented to support Hobbs's claim. Also, Hobbs testified that a credit check was run on Mr. Dorsey, but he was unable to explain the lack of documents which would support this claim. ¶ 67. The Dealership represented that financing could be obtained, but later admitted that clearly, this was not the case. The Dealership only submitted one application for credit and it was only on behalf of Mrs. Dorsey. The record indicates that this is the case, despite the fact that the Dealership represented that it would seek financing based on both Mr. and Mrs. Dorseys's credit. ¶ 68. Based upon this record, a reasonable jury could easily have concluded that Dealership engaged in fraudulent conduct.