Opinion ID: 2368850
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Principal and Agent

Text: The parties stipulated at trial, and the evidence is consistent therewith, that Mr. Dubuc was acting as Mrs. Dubuc's agent during the course of the negotiations for, and ultimate consummation of, the sale of her property to the Crowleys. Even though she testified that she was aware of the repairs to the structure's foundations, there was no evidence whatsoever which indicated that Mrs. Dubuc personally had any knowledge of her husband's misrepresentations to the Crowleys, either before or after the misrepresentations were made. Thus, her liability in the case at bar is based solely on her husband's misconduct. The trial Justice correctly held Mrs. Dubuc accountable to the Crowleys in compensatory damages, since, under Maine law, a principal is liable for the fraudulent misrepresentations made by his agent within the scope of the agent's authority, whether or not the principal knows or is unaware of his agent's misconduct. Leavitt v. Seaney, 113 Me. 119, 122, 93 A. 46, 47-48 (1915); Restatement (Second) of Agency § 257 (1958). [2]