Court Opinion

ID: 2989838
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-23 02:51:20.006614+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:45:00.877946
License: Public Domain

Affirmed in Part and Reversed and Remanded in Part, and Memorandum Opinion
filed May 8, 2012.

                                         In The

                      Fourteenth Court of Appeals

                                 NO. 14-11-00338-CV
                                 NO. 14-11-00350-CV

 ROSE B. GARCIA, INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATRIX OF THE ESTATE OF
          RICHARD S. BARBOZA, DECEASED, Appellant/Cross-Appellee

                                           V.

                   IRMA G. GALVAN, Appellee/Cross-Appellant

                       On Appeal from the 55th District Court
                               Harris County, Texas
                         Trial Court Cause No. 2009-58820

                        MEMORANDUM OPINION

      Rose B. Garcia, in her capacity as the independent administratrix of the estate of
Richard S. Barboza, sued Irma G. Galvan for wrongful eviction. The trial court signed a
final judgment granting summary judgment in favor of Galvan and denying Galvan’s
motion for sanctions. Garcia challenges the grant of summary judgment on appeal, and
Galvan challenges the denial of sanctions. We reverse the summary judgment, affirm the
denial of sanctions, and remand for further proceedings.
                                           BACKGROUND

      In 1991, Galvan leased to Barboza a tract of land in downtown Houston for 99
years with an option to renew for another 99 years. A dispute arose about the payment of
property taxes, among other things. Galvan brought a forcible detainer action in a justice
court, and a de novo appeal was filed in the County Court at Law Number 4 (hereinafter
“County Court”).         Meanwhile, Galvan sued Barboza in the 280th District Court
(hereinafter “District Court”), and Barboza counter-sued. The County Court action was
abated pending proceedings in the District Court action.

      After a jury rendered a verdict in the District Court action, the County Court held a
bench trial. The County Court signed a final judgment on October 5, 2007, granting
immediate possession of the leased property to Galvan. Barboza died the following day.
The County Court signed an amended final judgment on October 30, 2007, stating in part
as follows:

      IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED, that IRMA G.
      GALVAN is entitled to immediate possession, from RICHARD S.
      BARBOZA and all occupants, of the leased property, fixtures, and
      improvements located at 22 ½ N. Chenevert, Houston, Texas 77002, which
      leased property, forms the basis of the lease entered into by and between
      the Irma G. Galvan, as Lessor, and Richard S. Barboza, as Lessee, on
      October 14, 1991, and which lease became effective on August 1, 1991,
      and on which leased property sits a metallic building occupied by Urban
      Metals and Construction, a company owned and operated by Richard S.
      Barboza.1

On November 2, 2007, the District Court signed a final judgment, stating that:

            the address of the leased property is 22 ½ N. Chenevert Street;

            Barboza is “obligated for and responsible to pay to and/or reimburse Lessor for
            all taxes levied against and/or for the leased premise;”

      1
          The County Court also awarded Galvan $9,500 in attorney’s fees and court costs.
                                                   2
          Barboza is liable for 44.3% of all property taxes charged for Galvan’s property
          at 22 N. Chenevert Street, which contains the leased property, “for the tax year
          2007 and each and every year thereafter on a go forward basis throughout the
          term of the Lease . . . on or before January 31st of each and every year
          thereafter for each and every subsequent tax year, during the entire term of the
          Lease;”

          Barboza is “responsible for and obligated to maintain the leased premises,
          which maintenance includes, but is not limited to obtaining an occupancy
          permit for the leased premises, and obtaining, maintaining, and complying with
          all . . . laws for and applicable, pertaining, and related to the leased premises
          and/or the business operated thereon, at all times during the term of the Lease;”

          Barboza is “obligated to and responsible for making any and all improvements,
          alterations, and/or additions to and for the leased premises, including those
          necessary and/or required to comply with the Lease and the law and/or as
          desired by Richard S. Barboza, all at his sole cost and expense;”

          Barboza is “entitled to the non-exclusive use of and access to water from the
          water tap identified in the Lease, through a line or hose, but not both;”

          Barboza has 30 days from the date of the judgment to bring the leased property
          into compliance with all codes, ordinances, and laws related to the leased
          premises or the business operated thereon;

          Barboza is to pay Galvan $2,380.01 for damages incurred as a result of
          Barboza’s failure to pay 2006 taxes;

          Barboza is to pay Galvan court costs and $65,000 in attorney’s fees;

          Barboza is to take nothing from Galvan.

The 280th District Court denied all other relief not granted in the judgment.

       Neither judgment was appealed. In November 2007, a constable served a writ of
possession on one of Barboza’s sons, who had conducted business on the property in a
partnership with Barboza. Barboza’s son and the business vacated the property.

       Garcia filed the current suit against Galvan in September 2009 and asserted a
claim for wrongful eviction. Galvan filed a traditional motion for summary judgment
arguing that (1) “the plaintiff’s claim lacks merit;” and (2) “the plaintiff’s claim is barred
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by collateral estoppel and issue preclusion.” Under the first argument, Galvan contended
that “[t]here is no legal basis for [Garcia’s] claims against Galvan” because Garcia cannot
claim that the judgments in the County Court or District Court actions “were wrongfully
entered, which appears to be the crux of [Garcia’s] case. Those [j]udgments are final and
not appealable.” Galvan quoted from Garcia’s original petition, which claimed that the
wrongful eviction was predicated on Galvan’s conduct as follows:

       a. obtaining a final judgment in the County Court Case which provided
          that Galvan was entitled to immediate possession of the leased
          premises;

       b. obtaining Writ of Eviction in the County Court Case; and

       c. causing to be served upon Barboza such Writ of Eviction evicting him
          from the demised premises.

Regarding collateral estoppel, Galvan contended that for Garcia to prevail on the
wrongful eviction claim, “the Court would have to make new findings on the issue of
Barboza’s obligations under the Lease Agreement, whether or not Barboza was in
compliance with all terms and obligations of the parties’ Lease Agreement when the
previous lawsuits were litigated, and whether or not Galvan was entitled to immediate
possession of the premises, all of which were already determined in [the County Court
and District Court actions] in 2007.”

       As summary judgment evidence, Galvan attached the final judgments in the
County Court and District Court actions. Garcia also filed summary judgment evidence
including the lease agreement, an amended final judgment in the County Court action, the
writ of possession, and Galvan’s “Affirmative Defenses and First Supplemental Original
Petition” from the District Court action. Galvan’s petition from the District Court action
reveals that Galvan had claimed “breach of lease” and further requested declarations that
(1) Barboza breached the lease; and (2) “the lease is void and/or voidable and/or
unenforceable for lack of consideration, because it is unconscionable, and/or violates the
Rule Against Perpetuities.”
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        The trial court granted a final summary judgment for Galvan. Galvan moved for
sanctions arguing that Garcia’s claim was frivolous and brought in bad faith. The trial
court denied the sanctions motion. Both parties appealed.

                                                   ANALYSIS

        In two issues, Garcia argues that the trial court erred by granting the final
summary judgment for Galvan because the eviction was wrongful as a matter of law, the
County Court and District Court judgments did not bar his claim, and a genuine issue of
material fact precluded summary judgment. Galvan contends that (1) Garcia’s “wrongful
eviction claim lacks merit;” and (2) “taken together, the County Court and District Court
Judgments bar [Garcia’s] Wrongful Eviction claim.” Galvan further contends that the
trial court erred by refusing to award her sanctions.

        Galvan cited no authority in the trial court or on appeal to support the contention
that Garcia’s claim “lacks merit,”2 and this ground for summary judgment essentially
presents the same argument as the second issue: collateral estoppel.3 Accordingly, we
must determine whether Garcia’s claim for wrongful eviction is barred by the final
judgments signed in the County Court and District Court actions. We hold that Garcia’s
claim is not barred, and thus, the trial court correctly denied sanctions.

I.      Standard of Review

        We review de novo the trial court’s decision to grant a summary judgment.
Ferguson v. Bldg. Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009). The
movant for a traditional summary judgment must show that there is no genuine issue of
material fact and that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Tex. R. Civ. P.
        2
            See Tex. R. App. P. 38.1(i), 38.2(a)(1) (brief must contain citations to authorities).
        3
          For example, Galvan argues under the “lacks merit” issue that (1) “The facts and circumstances,
made the basis of [Garcia’s] claim, have been fully and finally adjudicated, thereby barring [Garcia’s]
attempt to now prosecute a wrongful eviction claim against [Galvan];” and (2) “[Garcia] cannot . . . claim
those judgments were wrongfully entered, which appears to be the crux of [Garcia’s] claim in the
underlying case. Those judgments are final and not appealable, nor were they appealed in the time frame
permitted for such appeals.”
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166a(c); Mann Frankfort Stein & Lipp Advisors, Inc. v. Fielding, 289 S.W.3d 844, 848
(Tex. 2009). Summary judgment is proper if the movant conclusively establishes an
affirmative defense. Frost Nat’l Bank v. Fernandez, 315 S.W.3d 494, 508 (Tex. 2010).
Collateral estoppel is an affirmative defense. Sysco Food Servs., Inc. v. Trapnell, 890
S.W.2d 796, 802 (Tex. 1994).

       We consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmovant, indulging
reasonable inferences and resolving doubts in the nonmovant’s favor. Kane v. Cameron
Int’l Corp., 331 S.W.3d 145, 147 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2011, no pet.). We
credit evidence favorable to the nonmovant if reasonable jurors could and disregard
contrary evidence unless reasonable jurors could not. Mann Frankfort, 289 S.W.3d at
848.

II.    Garcia’s Wrongful Eviction Claim is Not Barred by Collateral Estoppel

       When, as here, a defendant asserts collateral estoppel based on the plaintiff’s
status as a party in a prior suit, the defendant must prove that (1) the facts sought to be
litigated were fully and fairly litigated in the prior suit, and (2) those facts were essential
to the judgment in the prior suit. Johnson & Higgins of Tex., Inc. v. Kenneco Energy,
Inc., 962 S.W.2d 507, 519 (Tex. 1998). The facts sought to be litigated on a wrongful
eviction claim include (1) the existence of an unexpired lease; (2) the tenant’s occupancy
of the premises; (3) the landlord’s eviction of the tenant; and (4) damages suffered by the
tenant and attributable to the eviction. See McKenzie v. Carte, 385 S.W.2d 520, 528
(Tex. Civ. App.—Corpus Christi 1964, writ ref’d n.r.e.); Reavis v. Taylor, 162 S.W.2d
1030, 1034 (Tex. Civ. App.—Eastland 1942, writ ref’d w.o.m.); McCutchin v. Addison
Tex. Tumbleweed, Inc., No. 05-98-01918-CV, 2001 WL 910940, at *4 (Tex. App.—
Dallas Aug. 13, 2001, pet. denied) (not designated for publication); 52A C.J.S. Landlord
& Tenant § 1065 (2012); 49 Tex. Jur. 3d Landlord and Tenant § 310 (2009).

       We first address the County Court judgment. “An action for forcible detainer is
intended to be a speedy, simple, and inexpensive means to obtain immediate possession
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of property.” Marshall v. Hous. Auth. of San Antonio, 198 S.W.3d 782, 787 (Tex. 2006).
“Judgment of possession in a forcible detainer action is not intended to be a final
determination of whether the eviction is wrongful; rather, it is a determination of the right
to immediate possession.” Id. Thus, a judgment for a landlord in a forcible detainer
action does not bar a tenant’s suit for wrongful eviction. See Magcobar N. Am. v.
Grasso-Oilfield Servs., Inc., 736 S.W.2d 787, 797 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1987)
(“[T]he rule is settled that successful prosecution of a forcible entry and detainer suit does
not bar a later action for wrongful eviction.”), appeal dism’d as moot, 754 S.W.2d 646
(Tex. 1988); Johnson v. Highland Hills Drive Apartments, 552 S.W.2d 493, 494 (Tex.
Civ. App.––Dallas 1977) (tenant’s claim for wrongful eviction was not barred by the
prior judgment in a forcible detainer action, which awarded possession to the landlord),
writ ref’d n.r.e., 568 S.W.2d 661 (Tex. 1978).4 Therefore, the County Court judgment
does not bar Garcia’s wrongful eviction claim.

        Similarly, the District Court judgment does not negate the existence of an
unexpired lease between Barboza and Galvan. The District Court judgment specifically
contemplated the continued existence of the lease by providing for the payment of taxes
“for the tax year 2007 and each and every year thereafter on a go forward basis
throughout the term of the Lease.” The District Court also gave Barboza 30 days from
the date of the judgment to bring the property into compliance with all applicable codes,
ordinances, and laws. According to Galvan’s first supplemental petition in the District
Court action, she sought declarations that Barboza breached the lease and that the lease
        4
          See also Tex. Prop. Code Ann. § 24.008 (Vernon 2000) (“An eviction suit does not bar a suit for
trespass, damages, waste, rent, or mesne profits.”); Tallwater v. Brodnax, 137 Tex. 604, 156 S.W.2d 142,
143–44 (1941) (tenant could bring a wrongful eviction claim even though the landlord evicted the tenant
pursuant to a writ of possession lawfully issued during the pendency of the landlord’s forcible entry and
detainer action); Lofton v. Garden Ridge Apartments, No. 05-94-00972-CV, 1995 WL 634541, at *4
(Tex. App.—Dallas Oct. 26, 1995, no writ) (not designated for publication) (tenant could bring a
wrongful eviction claim when the landlord evicted the tenant pursuant to a properly issued writ of
possession and judgment in the landlord’s favor in a forcible entry and detainer action); cf. Ethan’s Glen
Cmty. Ass’n v. Kearney, 667 S.W.2d 287, 290 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1984, no writ) (judgment
against the plaintiff in a forcible entry and detainer action did not bar the plaintiff’s trespass to try title
suit).
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was void, voidable, or unenforceable.               The District Court denied this relief.   The
summary judgment evidence does not show that the District Court action resulted in
termination of the lease or that Galvan sought termination based on Barboza’s breach.
Thus, Galvan has failed to conclusively establish that the facts sought to be litigated in
this matter were fully and fairly litigated in the prior suit or essential to the judgment in
the prior suit.

       The trial court erred by granting a final summary judgment for Galvan, and
Garcia’s issues are sustained. Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by
denying Galvan’s motion for sanctions, and Galvan’s issue is overruled.

                                              CONCLUSION

       We reverse the trial court’s final summary judgment, affirm the trial court’s denial
of sanctions, and remand for further proceedings.

                                                  /s/       William J. Boyce
                                                            Justice

Panel consists of Justices Seymore and Boyce and Senior Justice Mirabal.i

       i
           Senior Justice Margaret Garner Mirabal sitting by assignment.

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