Court Opinion

ID: 2754473
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-11-24 15:06:34.623233+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:26:32.092631
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Nguyen v. Chen, 2014-Ohio-5188.]

                                   IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

                          TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO

                                            BUTLER COUNTY

PHOUNG T. NGUYEN, et al.,                         :
                                                          CASE NO. CA2013-10-191
        Plaintiffs-Appellees,                     :
                                                               OPINION
                                                  :            11/24/2014
   - vs -
                                                  :

GONG CHEN, et al.,                                :

        Defendants-Appellants.                    :

            CIVIL APPEAL FROM BUTLER COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
                              Case No. CV 2010 04 1526

Dennis L. Adams, 10 Journal Square, Suite 400, Hamilton, Ohio 45012, for plaintiffs-
appellees

Scott N. Blauvelt, 246 High Street, Hamilton, Ohio 45011, for defendants-appellants

        M. POWELL, J.

        {¶ 1} Defendants-appellants, Gong Chen and Nhung Thi Dinh, appeal a decision

from the Butler County Court of Common Pleas granting judgment in favor of plaintiffs-

appellees, Phuong T. Nguyen and Uyen T. Luong, on their fraud and wrongful eviction

claims, and awarding damages and prejudgment interest to appellees.

                                               I. Facts
                                                                       Butler CA2013-10-191

       {¶ 2} This case arises out of the purported sale of a nail salon business, United Nails,

located in West Chester, Ohio. Appellants, Chen and Dinh, are married and currently

operate United Nails.    Appellees, Nguyen and Luong, are also married.            Luong met

appellants when she began working at United Nails in the late spring of 2008. The dispute

between the parties arises out of events occurring in June 2008 through January 2009.

Essentially, appellees claim there was a sale of the business, whereas appellants assert

there was only a loan agreement between the parties. On April 5, 2010, appellees filed a

complaint against appellants asserting six claims related to the purported sale of the

business, including claims for: (1) breach of contract; (2) breach of agreement; (3) wrongful

eviction; (4) conversion; (5) fraud; and (6) loss of business. Appellants answered the

complaint and also alleged four counterclaims: (1) loss of income; (2) breach of contract; (3)

conversion; and (4) tortious interference with business relations. Appellees never filed an

answer to the counterclaims. The case proceeded to a bench trial on March 5, 2013. At trial,

both sides provided drastically different accounts of the parties' business arrangement.

                             A. Appellees' Version of Events

       {¶ 3} At trial, Luong testified that she had been working at United Nails for a few

months when appellants approached her about purchasing the salon. Luong spoke to her

husband, Nguyen, about the offer. Nguyen testified that the four then began discussing a

potential sale. According to Nguyen, the parties ultimately agreed on a $65,000 purchase

price. Nguyen explained that he was unable to come up with the full $65,000 purchase price.

Consequently, appellants agreed to accept a $15,000 down payment in cash, and the

remaining funds would be paid at a later date. Based on the parties' agreement, Nguyen

testified all four went to a Fifth Third Bank location to execute a document to reflect the

$50,000 balance Nguyen and Luong owed appellants. Nguyen stated that a promissory note

was drawn up on June 16, 2008, by a Fifth Third Bank employee as dictated by Chen. The
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                                                                    Butler CA2013-10-191

document was entered into evidence and states: "We, Gong G. Chen and Nhung Dinh, have

agreed to lend Phuong Nguyen and To Uyen Luong $50,000 on June 16, 2008. We have

asked that Phuong Nguyen and To Uyen Luong repay the entire loan in full prior to April 16,

2009." All four parties signed this document and the signatures were notarized. There was

also some testimony regarding a second promissory note. This note was executed on

September 4, 2008, and was notarized and signed only by Nguyen and Dinh. It states: "I,

Nhung Dinh agree to lend Phuong Nguyen and [sic] $35,000 on September 4, 2008. I have

asked that Phuong Nguyen to [sic] repay the entire loan in full, prior to April 16, 2009."

Nguyen testified this second note was not a new note, but rather a replacement note

indicating that he only owed appellants $35,000 instead of $50,000 because he had already

paid $15,000 towards the $50,000 loan.

       {¶ 4} According to Nguyen, there was no loan as appellants never actually gave

appellees any money. After the June 16, 2008 note was executed, the parties went back to

the nail salon where Nguyen requested that the parties execute a sale and lease agreement

transferring the business to appellees. Nguyen testified that Chen indicated they would

execute those documents the following day. According to Nguyen, he agreed to this

arrangement because "they told me, you know, they let us owe them – they let us owe—owe

them $50,000, they don't worry why we worry, * * * we believed in them." However, the

following day, when Nguyen again asked about the sale and lease agreement, Chen

informed Nguyen that he was leaving the country in a few days, and his wife, Dinh, would

take of care of it since Dinh was the owner of the shop. Nguyen further testified that Chen

stated Dinh was the owner of the shop as she held the state license. Nguyen again agreed

to wait.

       {¶ 5} On June 24, 2008, in accordance with his earlier discussion with Chen, Nguyen

testified he and Dinh went back to Fifth Third Bank to have the "sale agreement" executed.

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This document states: "I, Nhung Thi Dinh, have sold my salon business United Nails * * * to

Phuong T. Nguyen and To Uyen T. Luong for the price of $15,000." This document is

notarized and is signed by Dinh, Nguyen, and Luong. According to Nguyen, Dinh dictated

the document to the Fifth Third employee. Nguyen explained that this document provided for

a $15,000 purchase price rather than the agreed $65,000 because appellants did not "want

to pay too much tax." Nguyen also testified that he and Luong made additional payments to

appellants. Specifically, Nguyen testified the following payments were made: (1) $5,000 by

check on July 31, 2008; (2) $7,900 by two checks on September 3, 2008; (3) $3,000 in cash

sometime in September or October 2008; and (4) $2,100 appellants received in credit card
                                                                          1
revenue from the first few days appellees owned the salon.                    Appellees introduced as

exhibits the three canceled checks to support these payments. According to Nguyen, the

payments to appellants, including the $15,000 down payment, totaled $33,000.

        {¶ 6} Nguyen further testified that on June 17, 2008, he began running United Nails

as its new owner. As the new owner, Nguyen testified he conducted activities such as

opening up a business checking account, setting up a new credit card machine and account,

filing incorporation documents with the Ohio Secretary of State for a limited liability company

entitled, "Phuong Nguyen, LLC," applying for and receiving an Employer Identification

Number from the IRS for "Phuong Nguyen, LLC, United Nail," hiring employees and issuing

W-2's, paying utilities, and paying rent.

        {¶ 7} In August 2008, a representative of R.L. Deville Enterprises Cincinnati, LLC

(Deville), the landlord for the building where the nail salon was located, came looking for

Chen. Nguyen indicated he was the new owner of the salon. Nguyen was provided with a

1. Nguyen testified that although he opened up a credit card account for the salon on June 17, 2008, the day
after the purported purchase, the account took several days to process. According to Nguyen, he and Chen
agreed that Nguyen would use Chen's prior credit card account during that time and that the funds received
during that time would be applied to the balance of the loan.
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document which indicated the shop was past due on rent for the months of June, July, and

August. Nguyen expressed confusion as he had submitted payments to Deville for those

months' rent. At trial, Nguyen submitted as exhibits, copies of monthly rent checks for July

2008 through January 2009 paid to and cashed by Deville. When Nguyen confronted Chen

regarding the past due rent, Nguyen testified Chen told him not to contact Deville and he

would take care of the matter. Nguyen attempted to have the lease transferred to him.

Deville indicated a transfer of the lease was not possible until the account was brought

current. Nguyen testified that he told Chen he would not make any additional payments until
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appellants signed over the lease and took care of the past due rent.

        {¶ 8} According to Nguyen, Nguyen and Luong operated United Nails as its owners

until January 2009. In January 2009, appellants demanded the remaining balance of the

$65,000 purchase price despite the parties' understanding that it was not due until April 16,

2009.    On January 6, 2009, appellants presented appellees with a "Notice to Leave

Premises." On January 10, 2009, appellees closed the salon as usual, and appellants came

by and changed the locks on the front and back doors. At trial, appellees submitted an

exhibit of the personal property they claim remained in the salon when appellants changed

the lock on January 10, 2009.

                               B. Appellants' Version of the Events

        {¶ 9} Appellants contend they never sold the salon to appellees. Chen testified that

he and Dinh agreed to loan appellees $50,000. According to Chen, they agreed to provide

the loan because "they say they work for me as my loyal employees and asked me to trust

them; loan them the sum of money so that they can invest in [real estate] – back home in

Vietnam." According to Chen, the agreement was that appellees would manage United Nails

2. The record at trial does not indicate if, or how, the dispute with Deville regarding past due rent was ever
resolved.
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                                                                       Butler CA2013-10-191

while he was out of the country caring for his father in China. Chen testified he left for China

in the afternoon on June 16, 2008, after the loan agreement was executed. Chen further

testified that there were never any discussions about selling the business. Rather, Chen

agreed he would pay appellees a commission for running his business, where appellees

were permitted to use business revenues to pay rent and other expenses of the business on

Chen's behalf and the remaining revenue would be divided as a "60 and 40 percent split."

Chen also testified that he was not present on June 17, 2008, when an employee of PNC

Bank came to the salon and changed the credit card machine to an account belonging to

Nguyen. Chen stated that he never gave Nguyen permission to "leave all the money in his

account." As to the June 24, 2008 sale agreement signed by Dinh, Chen testified that he

never agreed to sell the salon, he was unaware that Dinh had been asked to sign the

agreement, and did not learn of it until after it had been signed by the parties. Both Chen

and Dinh testified that she did not read or write English. Dinh further testified that she was

unaware of the contents of the documents she signed on June 24, 2008 and September 4,

2008. Dinh stated that Nguyen told her the documents were necessary to secure credit for

their investment back in Vietnam.

         {¶ 10} According to Chen, it was Luong who was primarily hired by appellants. He

further stated that once he became aware that Nguyen was involved in running the business,

that bills were not being paid, and that utility bills were being transferred out of his name,

Chen attempted to contact appellees. However, appellees refused to speak with Chen and

would only speak with Dinh. In order to fire appellees and remove them from the business,

Chen testified that he handed them the "Notice to Leave the Premises" letter. The letter

directed appellees to leave the premises on or before January 10, 2009. When appellees

refused to leave on January 10, 2009, that is when appellants changed the locks on the

salon.

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                                                                       Butler CA2013-10-191

                                  C. Trial Court's Decision

       {¶ 11} On September 26, 2013, the trial court entered its decision and entry finding in

favor of appellees as to their claims for wrongful eviction and fraud. As to damages, the trial

court awarded $6,129.73 on the wrongful eviction count and $33,900 on appellees' fraud

claim. The trial court also awarded prejudgment interest in the amount of six percent
                                                                           3
beginning on January 10, 2009. The trial court denied the remaining claims. Appellants

timely appealed and raise five assignments of error for our review.

                                         II. Analysis

                               A. Appellees' Claim of Fraud

       {¶ 12} Assignment of Error No. 1:

       {¶ 13} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF APPELLANTS IN

RENDERING A VERDICT FINDING APPELLANTS LIABLE FOR COUNT FIVE-FRAUD,

AND FOR AWARDING DAMAGES THEREON.

       {¶ 14} In their first assignment of error, appellants claim the trial court erred because

the theory of fraud upon which appellees recovered was not pleaded in their complaint and

because the evidence did not support such an award. We find no merit to these arguments.

                                  1. Unplead Claim of Fraud

       {¶ 15} Appellants assert that the theory of fraud alleged in the complaint was fraud in

the removal of appellees from the nail salon and appellants' representation that they were

"rightful owners." Accordingly, appellants argue the trial court was not permitted to find them

liable for fraud in the sale of the business as such fraud was never pleaded. Although

appellees agree that this particular theory of fraud was an unpleaded issue, appellees

contend the trial court did not err because fraud in the sale of the business was tried by the

implied consent of the parties.

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        {¶ 16} Civ.R 15(B) allows for the amendment of the pleadings to conform to evidence

3. At the close of appellees' evidence at trial, appellees withdrew their claim for loss of business.
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                                                                         Butler CA2013-10-191

presented at trial, and therefore, "treats issues that were not raised in the pleadings as if they

were so raised, as long as they were tried with the express or implied consent of the parties

and substantial prejudice will not arise from the result." Aztec Internatl. Foods, Inc. v.

Duenas, 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2012-01-002, 2013-Ohio-450, ¶ 25; State ex rel. Evans

v. Bainbridge Twp. Trustees, 5 Ohio St.3d 41 (1983), paragraph one of the syllabus. "The

rule expresses a liberal policy toward the allowance of amendments * * * [and] was

promulgated to provide the maximum opportunity for each claim to be decided on its merits

rather than on procedural niceties." Stafford v. Aces & Eights Harley-Davidson LLC, 12th

Dist. Warren No. CA2005-06-070, 2006-Ohio-1780, ¶ 21, quoting Hall v. Bunn, 11 Ohio St.3d

118, 121 (1984).

       {¶ 17} "Under Civ.R. 15(B), implied consent is not established merely because

evidence bearing directly on an unpleaded issue was introduced without objection; it must

appear that the parties understood the evidence was aimed at the unpleaded issue."

Stafford at ¶ 25, quoting Evans at paragraph one and two of the syllabus. In determining

whether the parties impliedly consented to litigate an issue, various factors should be

considered, including: "whether [the parties] recognized that an unpleaded issue entered the

case; whether the opposing party had a fair opportunity to address the tendered issue or

would offer additional evidence if the case were to be tried on a different theory; and, whether

the witnesses were subjected to extensive cross-examination on the issue." Textiles, Inc. v.

Design Wise, Inc., 12th Dist. Madison Nos. CA2009-08-015 and CA2009-08-018, 2010-Ohio-

1524, ¶ 18, quoting Evans at paragraphs one and two of the syllabus.

       {¶ 18} A trial court is permitted to sua sponte consider whether an unpleaded issue

was tried by the consent of the parties, as long as the decision to do so complies with Civ.R.

15(B). Stafford at ¶ 22 (affirming the trial court's decision to sua sponte apply Civ.R. 15(B)

and amend pleadings even though the parties never moved to amend their pleadings); see
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also Textiles at ¶ 17. Whether the parties impliedly consented to try an unpleaded issue is a

decision left to the sound discretion of the trial court and, therefore, will not be reversed

absent an abuse of discretion. Textiles at ¶ 17. An abuse of discretion is more than an error

of judgment; it means that the trial court was unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable in its

ruling. Motorists Mut. Ins. Co. v. Roberts, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2013-09-089, 2014-Ohio-

1893, ¶ 12, citing Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219 (1983).

       {¶ 19} After a review of the record, we find there is evidence from which the trial court

could rationally conclude that the parties impliedly consented to try the fraud claim premised

upon the sale of the business. In their complaint, appellees first set forth the factual

allegations related to their breach of contract claim, including the allegation that appellants

offered to sell the business to appellees and appellees later made payments to appellants

based on this "agreement." Appellees' fraud count was pleaded after the breach of contract

claim and specifically incorporated all the preceding allegations. The incorporation of all the

prior allegations, specifically, those related to the breach of contract claim, and sale of the

business, sufficiently notified appellants that the evidence related to the purported sale of the

business served a dual purpose and would be relied upon in the prosecution of both

appellees' breach of contract claim and fraud claim. Furthermore, the record demonstrates

that appellants never challenged the particularity of appellees' pleaded fraud claim under

Civ.R. 9(B), never requested a more definite statement pursuant to Civ.R. 12(E), and never

moved to dismiss the fraud count under Civ.R. 12(B)(6). Had appellants wished to challenge

the specificity of the fraud claim as pleaded, they certainly could have done so. Accordingly,

the record indicates appellants were aware of the claim of fraud in the sale of the business.

       {¶ 20} Furthermore, the record demonstrates that appellants were given a fair

opportunity to address the issue of fraud as it related to the purported sale of the business

and to cross-examine witnesses on the matter at trial. The testimony at trial centered
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completely around the two parties' versions of the transaction between them. In particular,

Nguyen provided detailed testimony regarding the purported sale of United Nails. Appellants

were entitled and did, in fact cross-examine Nguyen regarding his testimony. Moreover,

appellants presented their own case and claimed that the transaction was merely a loan.

While no one said the magic words "fraud in the sale of the business" in their pre-trial

statement, opening statement, or closing argument, it is evident from the record that the

parties were aware and tried the issue of appellants' alleged fraud in the sale of the business.

       {¶ 21} In this particular circumstance, and under the facts presented in this case, we

find that the theory of fraud in the sale of the business was tried by the implied consent of the

parties such that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it amended the pleadings

under Civ.R. 15(B) and granted judgment in favor of appellees.

                            2. Manifest Weight of the Evidence

       {¶ 22} Appellants also assert within their first assignment of error that the trial court's

judgment is against the manifest weight of the evidence. Appellants claim there was

insufficient evidence regarding appellees justifiable reliance on any alleged representation

made by Chen or Dinh. Specifically, appellants assert "it was wholly unreasonable for

[a]ppellees to rely on any claimed representation that this business was being sold and to

pay money toward the purchase."

       {¶ 23} When evaluating whether a judgment is against the manifest weight of the

evidence in a civil case, the standard of review is the same as in the criminal context.

Duenas, 2013-Ohio-450 at ¶ 35, citing Eastley v. Volkman, 132 Ohio St.3d 328, 2012-Ohio-

2179, ¶ 17. "[W]e weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility

of witnesses, and determine whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the finder of fact

'clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the [judgment]

must be reversed and a new trial ordered.'" Marinich v. Lumpkin, 12th Dist. Warren No.
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                                                                       Butler CA2013-10-191

CA2011-11-124, 2012-Ohio-4526, ¶ 20, quoting Eastley at ¶ 20. In weighing the evidence,

we are mindful of the presumption in favor of the finder of fact. Eastley at ¶ 21. If the

evidence presented to the trial court is susceptible to more than one interpretation, we are

bound to give it the construction that is consistent with the trial court's judgment and finding

of facts. Jones v. Homes, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2012-07-133, 2013-Ohio-448, ¶ 24. "A

reviewing court should not reverse a decision simply because it holds a different opinion

concerning the credibility of the witnesses and evidence submitted before the trial court."

Duenas at ¶ 35, quoting Seasons Coal Co., Inc. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 81 (1984).

       {¶ 24} In order to establish a claim for fraud, appellees were required to demonstrate

the following elements:

              (a) a representation or, where there is a duty to disclose, a
              concealment of a fact, (b) which is material to the transaction at
              hand, (c) made falsely, with knowledge of its falsity, or with such
              utter disregard and recklessness as to whether it is true or false
              that knowledge may be inferred, (d) with the intent of misleading
              another into relying upon it, (e) justifiable reliance upon the
              representation or concealment, and (f) a resulting injury
              proximately caused by the reliance.

Duenas at ¶ 36, quoting Groob v. KeyBank, 108 Ohio St.3d 348, 2006-Ohio-1189, ¶ 47.

       {¶ 25} Appellants have specifically challenged the trial court's finding of justifiable

reliance on the part of appellees. "The question of justifiable reliance is one of fact and

requires an inquiry into the relationship between the parties." Crown Property Dev., Inc. v.

Omega Oil Co., 113 Ohio App.3d 647, 657 (12th Dist.1996). "The factors a court should

consider include the nature of the transaction, the materiality of the representation or fact

concealed, the parties' relationship, and their respective intelligence, experience, age, mental

and physical condition, knowledge, and means of knowledge." Duenas at ¶ 47. Reliance is

justified if the representation does not appear unreasonable on its face and if, under the

circumstances, there is no apparent reason to doubt the veracity of the representation.

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Crown Property Dev., Inc. at 657.

       {¶ 26} After a review of the record, we find the trial court's finding of fraud is supported

by the manifest weight of the evidence. Nguyen testified that in June 2008, appellants

offered to sell United Nails to him and Luong for $65,000. The parties ultimately agreed to an

arrangement in which appellees would provide a $15,000 cash down payment and repay the

remaining balance of $50,000 on or before April 16, 2009. Based on this agreement, the

parties executed the June 16, 2008 note. On appeal, appellants claim it was unreasonable

for appellees to rely on the representations that a legitimate sale was being offered in light of

the lack of formalities surrounding the transaction. Specifically, appellants argue that the first

note in no way mentions the sale of the business and that the June 24, 2008 sale agreement

stated the business was sold for $15,000 rather than the agreed $65,000. Accordingly,

appellants assert there was no justifiable reliance in this case. However, as noted by the trial

court, appellants should not benefit from their deliberate lack of formalities.

       {¶ 27} Rather, we find the totality of the circumstances in this case demonstrates that

Nguyen and Luong had no apparent reason to doubt the veracity of the appellants'

representations regarding the sale of United Nails. The record indicates that the relationship

between the parties was such that they "trusted" one another and were not overly concerned

with formalizing their agreement.      Moreover, although the record indicates Chen has

previously operated several nail salons, the record does not demonstrate that either of the

parties were familiar with the requirements necessary to effectuate a legal sale of a business.

In addition, appellees took substantial steps in order to establish their own business. For

instance, Nguyen provided testimony that he opened a business checking account, set up a

new credit card machine and account, filed incorporation documents with the Ohio Secretary

of State for Phuong Nguyen, LLC, applied for and received an Employer Identification

Number from the IRS, hired employees and issued W-2s, and paid the rent and utilities for
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the salon. As of August 2008, Chen at the very least was aware that the credit card machine

and the utilities for the salon had been changed into Nguyen's name. At no time prior to

January 2009 did Chen ever object to any of the actions taken by Nguyen and Luong in

operating United Nails as the new owners. Accordingly, we find it was not unreasonable for

appellees to believe appellants' representation that they were selling them the business.

Although Chen and Dinh provided conflicting testimony, asserting that they never offered to

sell the business to Nguyen and Luong, the trial court, as the trier of fact, was in the best

position to weight the credibility of the witnesses. In light of the facts and circumstances of

this case, we find the trial court clearly did not lose its way and create such a manifest

miscarriage of justice such that its judgment finding appellants liable for fraud must be

reversed.

        {¶ 28} As the issue of fraud in the sale of the business was tried by the consent of the

parties and the finding of fraud is supported by the weight of the evidence, we overrule

appellants' first assignment of error.

                             B. Appellees' Wrongful Eviction Claim

        {¶ 29} Assignment of Error No. 2:

        {¶ 30} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF APPELLANTS IN

RENDERING A VERDICT FINDING APPELLANTS LIABLE FOR COUNT THREE-

WRONGFUL EVICTION, AND FOR AWARDING DAMAGES THEREON.

        {¶ 31} In their second assignment of error, appellants assert the trial court erred in

granting judgment on appellee's wrongful eviction claim. Appellants take issue with the trial
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court's award of damages for the wrongful eviction of appellees from the premises.

4. In their issue presented for review, appellants state that "the evidence failed to demonstrate a sublease
between the parties." Beyond this statement, appellants fail to provide any argument, citation to authority, or
references to the record to support this claim. Accordingly, we decline to address this argument. See App.R.
16(A); App.R. 12(A); Kitchen v. Teeters, 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2011-06-048, 2012-Ohio-4343, ¶ 15.
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Appellants assert that the trial court's judgment on the wrongful eviction claim and

subsequent award of damages was inconsistent with its decision to deny appellees'

conversion claim. Appellants contend that in denying appellees' conversion claim the trial

court concluded that appellants did not exercise wrongful control over property belonging to

appellees. Yet, in awarding damages on the wrongful eviction claim, the trial court

necessarily concluded that certain property did in fact belong to appellees and appellees

suffered a loss of such property in the amount of $6,129.73. Appellants argue that even if

appellees owned the property subject to this damages award, appellees were not entitled to

recover any damages because appellees abandoned such property.

       {¶ 32} The determination of damages is within the discretion of the trial court and will

be sustained by a reviewing court unless the award is against the manifest weight of the

evidence. City of Hamilton v. Abcon Const., 12th Dist. Warren No. CA97-03-027, 1997 WL

727641, *2 (Nov. 24, 1997).

       {¶ 33} In instant case, the trial court found appellees were damaged as a result of

appellants wrongfully evicting them from the premises and thereafter awarded appellees

damages in the amount of $6,129.73. The trial court indicated this damage award was

based on figures listed in Exhibit 17 and 18. At trial, Nguyen testified that Exhibit 17 was a

list of all the equipment in the nail salon when he purchased the business. According to

Nguyen, the items listed in Exhibit 17 were all initially purchased by appellants but ownership

transferred to him when he and Luong purchased the business. As to Exhibit 18, Nguyen

testified it was a list of items, including materials and supplies, which were left in the shop on

January 10, 2009, and never returned. Exhibit 18 contained corresponding receipts and

invoices for the items listed. The total for the items contained in Exhibit 18 is $6,129.73.

       {¶ 34} From this record, it is clear that although the trial court referenced Exhibit 17 in

its award for damages on the wrongful eviction count, the trial court only relied upon Exhibit
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18 to determine the value of the loss appellees suffered as a result of the wrongful eviction.

We find no inconsistencies in this result. As indicated previously, the trial court found

appellees to be more credible than appellants. At trial, Nguyen conceded that the items

listed in Exhibit 17 were originally purchased by Chen. In denying, the conversion claim, the

trial court found that given the lack of formalities in the parties' business arrangement, it was

unable to determine whether parties converted each other's property. It is apparent that the

property the trial court was referring to in denying the conversion claim is the property listed

in Exhibit 17. Exhibit 18, however, contains personal property that appellees testified that

they purchased and stored at the nail salon premises. Such property was never returned and

therefore was withheld as a result of the wrongful eviction. Accordingly, we find the trial

court's judgment is not inconsistent and the weight of the evidence supports the trial court's

conclusion that the precipitous actions of appellants in locking appellees out of the premises

and the refusal to return the items listed in Exhibit 18 caused damages in the amount of

$6,129.73.

       {¶ 35} Moreover, we find that the record does not support appellants' assertion that

appellees abandoned the property. "In order for an abandonment to exist, affirmative proof

of the intent to abandon coupled with acts or omissions implementing the intent must be

shown." Hamilton v. Harville, 63 Ohio App. 3d 27, 30 (12th Dist.1989). The record indicates

that appellees, after being locked out of the business, contacted appellants and requested

that their personal belongings be returned. Nguyen testified that the police were present at

the time and they were told it was a civil matter and advised to obtain an attorney.

Thereafter, Nguyen stated that he did not contact appellants regarding the return of the

property and left it up to the lawyers. Based on this record, we do not find that appellees

intended to abandon their property, but rather chose to pursue legal remedies for its return.

       {¶ 36} In the present case, we find no abuse of discretion and the trial court's
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damages award for wrongful eviction is supported by the weight of the evidence.

Consequently, appellants' second assignment of error is overruled.

                  C. Appellants' Counterclaim for Breach of Contract

       {¶ 37} Assignment of Error No. 3:

       {¶ 38} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF APPELLANTS IN

RENDERNIG A VERDICT DENYING APPELLANTS' CLAIM FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT.

       {¶ 39} In their third assignment of error, appellants assert the trial court erred in

denying their claim that appellees breached the parties' June 16, 2008 contract. Appellants

first contend that because appellees failed to answer the counterclaim, the allegations

contained in the counterclaim should have been deemed admitted and the trial court was

required to grant judgment in their favor. Appellants also assert the trial court violated the

parol evidence rule by admitting evidence outside the written terms of the June 16, 2008

note. Finally, appellants assert the trial court's decision was against the manifest weight of

the evidence. Appellants contend they presented sufficient evidence to support their breach

of contract claim as they demonstrated the existence of a "duly executed agreement stating

that [appellees] had borrowed $50,000.00 from [a]ppellants to be paid back" by April 16,

2009. We find no merit to appellants' arguments.

       {¶ 40} As an initial matter, we note that appellants waived any arguments regarding

appellees' failure to answer the counterclaim. The failure to pursue a default judgment

motion in the trial court when an answer is not filed or is untimely filed constitutes a waiver.

Aey Elec. v. Battaglini, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 03 MA 64, 2004-Ohio-6501, ¶ 27-31 (finding

appellant was not entitled to a directed verdict on his counterclaim based on Civ.R. 8(D)

where appellant failed to request a default judgment in advance of trial); Maier v. Shields,

10th Dist. Franklin No. 07-CA-21, 2008-Ohio-3874, ¶ 59. The record reflects that appellants

never made a motion under Civ.R. 55(A) for a default judgment based on appellees' failure to
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"plead or otherwise defend" against the counterclaim for breach of contract. There is also no

indication in the record that appellants ever filed a motion for summary judgment based on

appellees' failure to file an answer to the counterclaim. Thus, the trial court never considered

finding the allegations in the counterclaim admitted or entering a default judgment on

appellants' breach of contract counterclaim. Accordingly, such claims are waived on appeal.

       {¶ 41} Moreover, we find no error in the trial court's decision to admit evidence of the

alleged oral agreement of the parties which varied the terms of the June 16, 2008 note. The

decision whether to admit or exclude evidence is left to the sound discretion of the trial court

and will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion. Roberts, 2014-Ohio-1893 at ¶ 12.

The parol evidence rule only bars the admission of evidence of an oral agreement when

there is a final written integration of the parties' agreement. Galmish v. Cicchini, 90 Ohio St.

3d 22, 28 (2000) ("[t]he parol evidence rule applies * * * only to integrated writings").

Integration is the act of embodying the complete terms of an agreement in a writing. Id. at

27. In the present case, both Nguyen and Chen testified that the June 16, 2008 note did not

include all the terms agreed upon by the parties. Consequently, on this record, we find no

violation of the parol evidence rule.

       {¶ 42} Finally, we find the trial court's decision finding no contract between the parties

is supported by the weight of the evidence. As stated above, in conducting a manifest weight

analysis, we weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of

witnesses and determine whether, in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the finder of fact

clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the judgment must

be reversed. Eastley, 2012-Ohio-2179 at ¶ 20.

       {¶ 43} To set forth a claim for breach of contract, a plaintiff must prove: (1) the

existence of a contract, (2) plaintiff fulfilled its contractual obligations, (3) defendant failed to

fulfill its contractual obligations, and (4) plaintiff incurred damages as a result. Valley Paint &
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                                                                        Butler CA2013-10-191

Body v. Natl. Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2010-08-060,

2011-Ohio-1308, ¶ 19. Essential elements of a contract include an offer, acceptance,

contractual capacity, consideration, a manifestation of mutual assent, and legality of object

and consideration. Artisan Mechanical Inc. v. Beiser, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2010-02-039,

2010-Ohio-5427, ¶ 26. Mutual assent or "a meeting of the minds" means that both parties

have reached an agreement on the contract's essential terms. Beiser at ¶ 27.

       {¶ 44} At trial, appellants claimed the parties reached a loan agreement as evidenced

by the June 16, 2008 note. Chen testified that although some payments on the loan had

been made, appellees still owed appellants $18,000. After hearing all the evidence, the trial

court found appellants' contention that they loaned appellees $50,000 was not credible and

denied their claim for breach of contract. In denying this claim, the trial court also found that

there was no meeting of the minds. After a review of the record, we find no error in the trial

court's decision. At trial, both Nguyen and Luong testified they never actually received

$50,000 from Chen and Dinh. Rather, according to appellees, the June 16, 2008 note

represented the remaining balance they owed on the purchase of United Nails. Moreover,

although appellants testified they gave $50,000 to appellees as a loan, they were unable to

corroborate this testimony with any documentary evidence such as receipts or checks.

Finally, as the parties provided diametrically opposed versions of the terms of the agreement,

the trial court justifiably determined there was no meeting of the minds on the contract's

essential terms. Based on the foregoing, we find the trial court clearly did not lose its way

and create such a manifest miscarriage of justice such that its judgment denying appellants'

breach of contract claim must be reversed.

       {¶ 45} Appellants' third assignment of error is overruled.

                       D. Appellants' Counterclaim for Conversion

       {¶ 46} Assignment of Error No. 4:
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       {¶ 47} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF APPELLANTS IN

RENDERING A VERDICT CONTRARY TO APPELLANTS' CLAIM FOR CONVERSION.

       {¶ 48} In appellants' fourth assignment of error, they assert the trial court's decision

denying their claim for conversion was against the manifest weight of the evidence. As in

their third assignment of error, appellants also contend the allegations in their counterclaim

should have been deemed admitted based on appellees failure to file an answer, and as a

result, the trial court should have granted judgment in their favor on the conversion claim.

       {¶ 49} As noted above, appellants waived any argument based on appellees' failure to

file an answer to their counterclaim. Appellants never sought judgment on their counterclaim

for conversion due to this failure to plead or otherwise defend. See Civ.R. 55(A). Rather,

appellants proceeded with a trial on the merits where the parties presented their respective

versions of the dealings of the parties. Consequently, as appellants failed to raise this issue

to the trial court, we find it has been waived on appeal. See Battaglini, 2004-Ohio-6501 at ¶

30; Maier, 2008-Ohio-3874 at ¶ 59.

       {¶ 50} Appellants also argue within their fourth assignment of error that they presented

sufficient evidence which established appellees took wrongful control of the business's

monthly revenue of approximately $10,000 for seven months. Appellants assert they

established appellees "took wrongful control and possession of money belonging to

appellants by changing appellant Chen's credit account and diverting funds to their own

account." Consequently, appellants argue the trial court's finding that appellees were not

liable for conversion was against the manifest weight of the evidence.

       {¶ 51} In the present case, both parties brought conversion claims. The trial court

determined that based on the lack of formalities regarding the parties business arrangement,

it was unable to determine which party actually had the ownership interest in the claimed

property. Accordingly, the trial court found "[t]here was no evidence presented by either party
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that the parties exercised wrongful control over each other's property," and thereafter denied

the conversion claims.

       {¶ 52} Conversion is the "wrongful exercise of dominion over property to the exclusion

of the rights of the owner, or withholding it from his possession under a claim inconsistent

with his rights." DLK Co. of Ohio v. Meece, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2012-07-060, 2013-

Ohio-860, ¶ 27. The essential elements of conversion are: (1) plaintiff's ownership or interest

in the property; (2) plaintiff's actual or constructive possession or immediate right to

possession of the property; (3) defendant's wrongful interference with plaintiff's property

rights; and (4) damages. Id.

       {¶ 53} Based on our review of the record, we find there is competent, credible

evidence to support the trial court's factual findings and its decision was not against the

manifest weight of the evidence. At trial, Nguyen testified that as the new owners of United

Nails he and Luong were entitled to the revenue generated by the business from July 2008

through January 2009. However, both Chen and Dinh testified that they only agreed to

permit appellants to manage the business. Chen further stated that he and Luong had only

agreed to allow appellants to keep a portion of the revenue, but the rest of the money had to

be forwarded to Chen. The trial court did not find appellants' version of the events credible.

The trial court, as the trier of fact, was in the best position to weigh the credibility of the

witnesses and resolve conflicts in the evidence. Accordingly, the trial court's conclusion that

appellants failed to demonstrate their ownership interest in the revenue and whether

appellees exercised "wrongful control over" this property was supported by the weight of the

evidence. On this record, the trial court clearly did not lose its way and create such a

manifest miscarriage of justice such that its judgment denying appellants' conversion claim

must be reversed

       {¶ 54} Appellants' fourth assignment of error is overruled.
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                             E. Prejudgment Interest Award

      {¶ 55} Assignment of Error No. 5:

      {¶ 56} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ORDERING APPELLANTS TO PAY

PREJUDGMENT INTEREST ON THE AWARD OF MONETARY DAMAGES.

      {¶ 57} In their fifth and final assignment of error, appellants assert the trial court erred

in ordering prejudgment interest on the monetary damages awarded to appellees. Appellants

contend that the prejudgment interest was improper and failed to meet the requirements of

R.C. 1343.03(C). Specifically, appellants assert appellees did not request prejudgment

interest in their complaint or in a motion and there was no hearing on the issue. Appellees

concede that the trial court erred in awarding prejudgment interest. However, appellees

request the court reverse and remand for further proceedings so that they may file a motion

requesting prejudgment interest pursuant to R.C. 1343.03(C).

      {¶ 58} Upon a review of the record, we agree with the parties that the trial court erred

in awarding prejudgment interest in this case. Pursuant to R.C. 1343.03(C), a trial court may

award prejudgment interest, "upon motion of any party to a civil action that is based on

tortious conduct," if the court "determines at a hearing held subsequent to the verdict or

decision in the action that the party required to pay the money failed to make a good faith

effort to settle the case and that the party to whom the money is to be paid did not fail to

make a good faith effort to settle the case." R.C. 1343.03(C). "[T]he plain terms of the

statute require that a hearing be held." Pruszynski v. Reeves, 117 Ohio St.3d 92, 2008-Ohio-

510, ¶ 14. Subsection (C) of the statute is equally clear that an award of prejudgment

interest must be made upon a motion of one of the parties, and only after the trial court has

determined that such an award is proper based on the good faith efforts of the parties to

settle the case. R.C. 1343.03(C).

      {¶ 59} In the present case, the trial court awarded prejudgment interest sua sponte.
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There was no motion filed by appellees after the decision in their favor which requested an

award of prejudgment interest.5 Moreover, the trial court failed to hold a hearing. "By the

explicit terms of R.C. 1343.03(C)(1), trial courts do not have discretion to decide whether a

hearing must be held. The language is quite clear that trial courts must conduct a hearing,

and, * * * the hearing must be an evidentiary hearing." Prusznski at ¶ 19. Based on the

foregoing, we find the trial court erred when it circumvented the requirements of R.C.

1343.03(C) and awarded appellees prejudgment interest.                          Therefore, appellants' fifth

assignment of error is sustained. The prejudgment interest award is reversed and vacated.

The matter is remanded for further proceedings consistent with the requirements set forth in

R.C. 1343.03(C).

                                               III. Conclusion

        {¶ 60} In light of the foregoing, to the extent the trial court's decision awarded

prejudgment interest, the judgment is reversed and the matter remanded for further

proceedings consistent with this opinion. In all other respects, the judgment of the trial court

is affirmed.

        {¶ 61} Judgment affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded for further

proceedings.

        RINGLAND, P.J., and S. POWELL, J., concur.

5. The trial court's sua sponte grant of prejudgment interest rendered the filing of such a motion futile.
Therefore, we find that the failure to file such a motion does not constitute a waiver of prejudgment interest under
the circumstances of this case.
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