Court Opinion

ID: 1040941
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-09-16 21:18:13.518511+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:27:36.747911
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

HYON PAK and TAM BUI, husband                 No. 68636-4-1
and wife and the marital community
comprised thereof,                            DIVISION ONE

                            Appellants,
                                                                               en
                                                                               to
                v.

DOMINIC SHIM,                                 UNPUBLISHED OPINION

                            Respondent,

CHANG SHIM, and the marital
community of DOMINIC SHIM and
CHANG SHIM,

              Third Party Defendants.          FILED: September 16, 2013

       Schindler, J. — Dominic Shim sued Hyon Pak for breach of fiduciary duty,

conversion and fraud. Pak contends the court erred in denying his motion to dismiss

and substantial evidence does not support the conclusion that he breached a fiduciary

duty and engaged in conversion and fraud. We affirm.

                                          FACTS

       Dominic Shim owned convenience stores in Arlington, Wenatchee, and Yakima.

Hyon Pak was an attorney. Beginning in 2003, Pak represented Shim in a number of
traffic infraction cases.
No. 68636-4-1/2

       In 2006, Shim and Pak decided to make investments and purchase real property

together. Shim refinanced his house and sold the Wenatchee convenience store to

fund the investments. Shim gave Pak eight checks totaling $431,716.23: a check from

the escrow trust account of Hanmi Law Offices at City Bank in Lynnwood for $56,076.20

payable to "Pak Law Offices;" four cashier's checks from Bank of America payable to

Pak, one in the amount of $16,000 and three in the amount of $40,000; and three

cashier's checks from Key Bank each in the amount of $79,880.01 and payable to Pak.

Pak deposited the eight checks in his individual checking account at Washington

Mutual.

       In late 2006 or early 2007, Pak told Shim about an opportunity to invest in a

privately held start-up technology company, Etelos, Inc. Pak agreed to purchase shares

in Etelos and transfer half of the shares to Shim. Pak testified that in March, June, and

October of 2007, he used $986,400 of his personal funds to purchase 2,266,000 shares

in Etelos at $0.40 per share. When Shim asked Pak to transfer half of the shares to

him, Pak told Shim for the first time that under federal securities laws, he could not

transfer any of the shares until 12 months after Etelos made a public offering.

       In March 2007, Shim and Pak established the "RAVE Kids Trust." Pak drafted

the trust documents. The trust designates Shim and Pak as the sole trustees and

beneficiaries. In early 2007, Pak entered into an agreement to purchase property in

Kingston. Pak signed the purchase and sale agreement for $573,399.46 as a trustee of

the RAVE Kids Trust. Pak paid $431,716.23 of the purchase price with the money from

Shim and the remaining $141,683.23 with his own funds. On April 16, 2007, the

Kingston property was conveyed by statutory warranty deed to the RAVE Kids Trust.
No. 68636-4-1/3

        In May 2007, Shim obtained a home equity line of credit (HELOC) in the amount

of $450,000. The HELOC was secured by a "Deed of Trust" on the Kingston property.

Sometime before the closing date of the HELOC, Pak designated Shim as a joint

account holder on his checking account at Washington Mutual. The proceeds from the

HELOC were deposited into the joint account. In June, Pak made an online banking

transfer of $275,000 from the joint account to his individual account at Washington

Mutual.

        In August or September 2007, Shim decided to sell the College Mart

convenience store in Yakima. Shim retained Pak as his escrow agent. The purchaser

agreed to pay $1,170,000 to buy College Mart. After the closing date in early October,

Pak drafted promissory notes to secure the sale.

       Acting as the escrow agent, Pak received two promissory notes from the

purchasertotaling $41,335.021 and cash payments totaling $480,372.38. Each ofthe
promissory notes state that "[t]his note shall be secured by a deed of trust on College

Mart." But Pak never recorded a deed of trust on College Mart. Pak gave Shim a check

for the proceeds from the College Mart sale. Pak deducted $30,000 from the proceeds

for the broker's fee. Shim told Pak he did not hire him as a broker and did not agree to

pay a broker's fee. Shim demanded a check for the full amount of the proceeds. Pak

continuously refused to transfer the funds to Shim for the College Mart sale.

        1With respect to the promissory notes, the purchaser of College Mart executed one promissory
note for $20,000 plus interest at 12 percent, due and payable in full to Shim on December 30, 2007; and
a second promissory note for $21,335.02 plus interest at 12 percent, due and payable in full to Shim on
March 25, 2008.
No. 68636-4-1/4

       In February 2008, Pak sent a letter to Shim telling him that Etelos planned to

make a public offering in April 2008, and that Shim would receive stock certificates 12

months later. The letter states, in pertinent part,

       Etelos is currently a privately held company that will go public in April
       2008. The shares, which you own, are part of a larger block of founder
       shares that cannot be trade[d] until at least 12 months after the public
       offering. When the founder shares are open for trading, you and your wife
       will receive stock certificates issued in your names by Etelos, Inc.

       In April 2008, Etelos stock sold at an opening price of $1.50 per share, with a

three-to-one stock split of its common shares. Pak did not transfer the Etelos shares to

Shim 12 months later as promised. Pak transferred 411,000 shares to Shim in early

2010 after the share price had plummeted in value.

       On February 17, 2010, Shim filed a complaint against Pak alleging breach of

fiduciary duty, conversion and fraud.2 Shim and Pak testified during the two-day bench

       2The complaint alleges, in pertinent part:
       A.      Conversion

       47.     Defendant Hyon Pak's acceptance of Mr. Shim's money interfered with his right
       to his money from October, 2007 up to the present time.

       49.      Defendant Hyon Pakfs] receipt and possession of funds from a line of credit. ..
       interfered with Mr. Shim's right to those funds.
       50.      Defendant Hyon Pak's purchase, on behalf of Mr. Shim, of shares of Etelos, Inc.
       stock interfered with his right to possession of the stock.
       51.      Defendant Hyon Pak possessed intent to interfere with Mr. Shim's right of
       possession to his property.
       52.      The actions of the Defendant Hyon Pak caused the deprivation of Mr. Shim's
       right of possession to his property.

       B.      Fraud

       55.     Defendant Hyon Pak falsely represented his intention to fulfill his duty as escrow
       agent to transfer the proceeds of the sale of College Mart to Mr. Shim following the sale.
       56.     Defendant Hyon Pak knowingly made these false representations to Mr. Shim
       with respect to his role as escrow agent in the sale of College Mart.

       58.     Defendant Hyon Pak knowingly made false representations to Mr. Shim
       regarding the line of credit....
No. 68636-4-1/5

trial, and the court admitted into evidence over 150 exhibits. At the close of Shim's

case, Pak moved to dismiss the lawsuit for failure to name the real party in interest.

The trial court denied the motion to dismiss.

       At the conclusion of the trial, the court ruled that Pak breached a fiduciary duty

and committed conversion and fraud with respect to the HELOC and College Mart

transactions.3 The court entered extensive and detailed written findings of fact and

conclusions of law that address each business transaction in chronological order and

employ a running total to determine the amount owed.

        59.     Defendant Hyon Pak knowingly made false representations and refused to
        provide an accounting to Mr. Shim regarding the details of the shares of stock of Etelos,
        Inc.
        60.      Defendant Hyon Pak's intent in making these false representations was to gain
        Mr. Shim's assent to enter into the fraudulent agreements.
        61.   Mr. Shim was entirely ignorant of Defendant Hyon Pak's deceit at the time of the
        agreements and relied on the truth of Defendant Hyon Pak's representations.
        62.    Mr. Shim was acting in good faith, and was within right, in his reliance on
        Defendant Hyon Pak's representations.
        63.      Damages incurred to Mr. Shim are the direct result of Defendant Hyon Pak's
        fraudulent representations.

        C.       Breach of Fiduciary Duty

        66.     The agreement between Defendant Hyon Pak and Mr. Shim for Defendant Hyon
        Pak to fulfill his duties as escrow agent in the sale of College Mart gave rise to a fiduciary
        duty on the part of Defendant Hyon Pak.

        68.     The agreement between Defendant Hyon Pak and Mr. Shim for Defendant Hyon
        Pak to fulfill his duties as acquirer of an investment property located in Kingston, WA
        gave rise to a fiduciary duty on the part of Defendant Hyon Pak.
        69.     The agreement between Defendant Hyon Pak and Mr. Shim for Defendant Hyon
        Pak to fulfill their duties as acquirer of shares of Etelos, Inc. stock gave rise to a fiduciary
        duty on the part of the Defendant Hyon Pak.
        70.     Defendant Hyon Pak breached his duties to Mr. Shim, with respect to his role as
        escrow agent in the sale of College Mart.

        72.      Defendant Hyon Pak breached his duties to Mr. Shim by liquidating the line of
        credit in his name . . . .
        73.       Defendant Hyon Pak breached his duties to Mr. Shim by improperly holding and
        failing to provide an accounting of the shares of Etelos, Inc. stock.
        74.       Mr. Shim suffered damages as a result of Defendant Hyon Pak's breach of
        fiduciary duties.
        3The court also concluded Pak breached a fiduciary duty to Shim with respect to the purchase of
the Etelos shares.
No. 68636-4-1/6

       The court found that following the purchase of the Kingston property and the

HELOC transaction, Pak owed Shim $311,720.74. The court offset that amount against

the value of the Etelos stock that Pak transferred to Shim. The court found that

following the sale of College Mart, Pak then owed Shim $521,707.40. After accounting

for payments that Pak made to Shim, the court found that the total amount that Pak

owed Shim was $520,972. The court also found that Shim and Pak jointly owned the

Kingston property. The court entered a judgment against Pak for $520,972 at 12

percent interest, and ordered the parties to "determine the appropriate method for

transferring the [Kingston] property from one to the other." Pak appeals.4

                                                ANALYSIS

Motion to Dismiss

       Pak contends the trial court erred in denying his motion to dismiss the claims

related to the College Mart transaction. Pak asserts the real party in interest is College

Mart, not Shim. We review the trial court's decision on a motion to dismiss for abuse of

discretion. Sprague v. Sysco Corp., 97 Wn. App. 169, 171-72, 982 P.2d 1202 (1999).

       CR 17(a) states that every action shall be brought in the name of the real party in

interest.5 But where a defendant fails to timely raise a real party in interest defense, the
defense is waived. Nw. Indep. Forest Mfrs. v. Dep't of Labor & Indus., 78 Wn. App.

       4 The trial court denied Pak's motion for reconsideration.
       5CR 17(a) provides:
       Real Party in Interest. Every action shall be prosecuted in the name of the real party in
       interest. An executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, trustee of an express trust, a party
       with whom or in whose name a contract has been made for the benefit of another, or a
       party authorized by statute may sue in his own name without joining with him the party for
       whose benefit the action is brought. No action shall be dismissed on the ground that it is
       not prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest until a reasonable time has been
       allowed after objection for ratification of commencement of the action by, or joinder or
       substitution of, the real party in interest; and such ratification, joinder, or substitution shall
       have the same effect as if the action had been commenced in the name of the real party
       in interest.
No. 68636-4-1/7

707, 716, 899 P.2d 6 (1995); see also Goqolin & Stelter v. Karn's Auto Imports. Inc.,

886 F.2d 100, 102 (5th Cir. 1989); Heflev v. Jones. 687 F.2d 1383, 1388 (10th Cir.

1982).6 Because Pak did not raise the real party in interest defense until the close of

Shim's case, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying the motion to dismiss.

Substantial Evidence

       Pak argues substantial evidence does not support the trial court's conclusion that

he breached a fiduciary duty and engaged in conversion and fraud.

       We review the trial court's findings of fact and conclusions of law to determine

whether substantial evidence supports the findings of fact and, in turn, whether the

findings support the conclusions of law. Scott v. Trans-Svs., Inc., 148 Wn.2d 701, 707-

08, 64 P.3d 1 (2003). Substantial evidence is the quantum of evidence sufficient to

persuade a rational, fair-minded person that the premise is true. Wenatchee Sportsmen

Ass'n v. Chelan Countv. 141 Wn.2d 169, 176, 4 P.3d 123 (2000). The court views the

evidence and all reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the prevailing

party. Korstv.McMahon. 136 Wn. App. 202, 206, 148 P.3d 1081 (2006).

        We defer to the trial court's determination regarding conflicting evidence and

credibility of the witnesses. Weyerhaeuser v. Tacoma-Pierce Countv Health Dep't, 123

Wn. App. 59, 65, 96 P.3d 460 (2004); Fisher Props.. Inc. v. Arden-Mavfair, Inc., 115

Wn.2d 364, 369-70, 798 P.2d 799 (1990).

        Where there is substantial evidence, this court will not substitute its judgment for

that of the trial court, "even though we might have resolved a factual dispute differently."

Korst. 136 Wn. App. at 206.

        6 Because the text of the state and federal rules is identical, federal case law interpreting the
federal rule is persuasive authority for interpreting the state rule. See Rinke v. Johns-Manville Corp., 47
Wn. App. 222, 225, 734 P.2d 533 (1987).
No. 68636-4-1/8

         "The party challenging a finding of fact bears the burden of showing that it is not

supported by the record." Panorama Vill. Homeowners Ass'n v. Golden Rule Roofing,

Inc., 102 Wn. App. 422, 425, 10 P.3d 417 (2000). RAP 10.3(g) provides that "[a]

separate assignment of error for each finding of fact a party contends was improperly

made must be included with reference to the finding by number."7 Unchallenged
findings are verities on appeal. Moreman v. Butcher, 126 Wn.2d 36, 40, 891 P.2d 725

(1995).

         Pak contends substantial evidence does not support the conclusion that he

engaged in conversion of the HELOC funds. " '[Conversion is the act of willfully

interfering with any chattel, without lawful justification, whereby any person entitled

thereto is deprived of the possession of it.'" Westview Invs., Ltd. v. U.S. Bank Nat'l

Ass'n, 133 Wn. App. 835, 852, 138 P.3d 638 (2006)8 (quoting Pub. Util. Dist. No. 1 of
Lewis Countv v. Wash. Pub. Power Supply Svs., 104 Wn.2d 353, 378, 705 P.2d 1195

(1985)). Money may be the subject of conversion in Washington where " 'it was

wrongfully received by the party charged with conversion, or.. . such party was under

obligation to return the specific money to the party claiming it.'" Westview, 133 Wn.

App. at 852 (quoting Wash. Pub. Power, 104 Wn.2d at 378).

         The court found that Shim obtained the HELOC in his individual capacity and that

without Shim's consent, Pak transferred $275,000 of the HELOC funds from the joint

account to his individual account. The findings state, in pertinent part:

         17.   On or about May 26, 2007, two months after the Kingston Property
         was purchased, Plaintiff Shim knowingly signed a Washington Mutual
         Home Equity Line of Credit ("HELOC") in his individual capacity in the

          7Here, Pak did not separately identify and assign errorto the findings of fact made by the trial
court.
         8(Alteration in original.)

                                                       8
No. 68636-4-1/9

        amount of $450,000.00. Plaintiff Shim is the party solely liable to repay
        the HELOC under the HELOC documents.

        20.    The proceeds of the HELOC were directly deposited into [the
        Washington Mutual] Joint Account.

        24.    On June 4, 2007, an online banking transfer of $275,000.00 of the
        HELOC funds was transferred from the Joint Account into one of
        Defendant Pak's individual Washington Mutual accounts without the
        consent of Plaintiff Shim.

        The evidence supports the findings. The undisputed evidence established that

Shim obtained a HELOC in the amount of $450,000 and was solely responsible for

repaying the HELOC. Shim testified that he contributed the $450,000 from the HELOC

to the joint investment pool and the RAVE Kids Trust. Shim said that he did not agree

to place the HELOC funds into the joint account and was unaware that Pak transferred

funds from the joint account to Pak's personal account.

        Shim said that Pak told him that he deposited the money into several different

accounts but would not provide Shim with any information about the accounts.

        He didn't give me the record of the, where the trust money was. When I, I
        . . . keep asking him for it and, uh, he said he put it into the, several
        different accounts so he cannot provide it right away. He . . . said he was
        going to give it to me and come up with some sort of excuse to put it off
        and put it off. So I wasn't sure where the money was.

        Substantial evidence supports the finding which in turn supports the conclusion

that Pak engaged in conversion by withdrawing $275,000 of the HELOC funds from the

joint account without Shim's consent.9
        Pak also contends substantial evidence does not support the conclusion that he

breached a fiduciary duty by failing to place the funds from the College Mart sale in an

        9Because substantial evidencesupports the conclusion that Pak converted the HELOC funds,
we need not address Pak's arguments as to breach of fiduciary duty and fraud with respect to the HELOC
transaction.

                                                  9
No. 68636-4-1/10

escrow account, refusing to transfer the proceeds of the sale to Shim, and failing to

provide a timely accounting.

       An escrow agent occupies a fiduciary relationship with all parties to the escrow.

Nat'l Bank of Wash, v. Equity Investors, 81 Wn.2d 886, 909-10, 506 P.2d 20 (1973),

superceded by statute on other grounds. Laws of 1973, 1st Ex. Sess., ch. 47, § 3.

Escrow agents must act strictly in accordance with the provisions of the escrow

agreement; they must comply with the instructions of the parties, and it is their duty to

exercise ordinary skill and diligence, and due or reasonable care in their employment.

Equity Investors. 81 Wn.2d at 910. Acting in a fiduciary capacity, escrow agents must

also conduct the affairs with which they are entrusted with scrupulous honesty, skill, and

diligence. Eouitv Investors, 81 Wn.2d at 910.

        Here, the evidence supports the conclusion that Pak breached his fiduciary duty

as an escrow agent because he "failed to obtain written escrow instructions, failed to

negotiate an escrow fee, failed to deposit funds in a trust account, and failed to make a
timely accounting of the proceeds," and "has continuously refused to transfer the funds

from the proceeds of the sale" to Shim.10
        Shim testified that Pak "didn't give me any papers" during the closing of the

College Mart sale.

        Q:       So you never received any of the closing documents?
        A:       I did not. Or title insurance, or anything like that. I haven't received
        anything.
        Q:       Do you know where the originals are?

        10 The evidence establishing that Pak breached his fiduciary duty as an escrow agent also
supports the trial court's conclusion that Pak engaged in conversion and fraud as to the College Mart
transaction. To prove fraud, a claimant must establish (1) representation of an existing fact, (2)
materiality, (3) falsity, (4) knowledge thatthe statement is false, (5) intent that it should be acted on by the
person to whom it is made, (6) ignorance ofits falsity, (7) reliance on the truth ofthe representation, (8)
the right to rely on it, and (9) damage. Adams v. King Countv. 164 Wn.2d 640, 662, 192 P.3d 891 (2008).

                                                      10
No. 68636-4-1/11

        A:      I don't know.

        Shim testified that after he refused to pay Pak a $30,000 brokerage fee, Pak did

not deliver the proceeds of the sale.

        Q:    So did Mr. Pak ever give you the funds?
        A:    He brought a cashier's check. I asked him to bring me the
        cashier's check. He brought a cashier's check. Had the brokerage fee
        taken out and I refused to take that cashier's check. I asked him to
        include that $30,000 [that Pak withheld as a broker's fee] in [the cashier's
        check amount].
        Q:    So you never instructed him to hold it for you?
        A:      No.
        Q:   So that-- so did he ever-- after you told him to give you the proper
        amount of the cashier's check did he ever try to give you the funds?
        A:      He did not.

        Q:      So you have not received anything from this transaction?
        A:      No. He didn't give it to me again.

        Q:   Have you asked the defendant for, for money to pay- for the
        money from this transaction?
        A:   Yes, I have. Many times.

        Pak also contends substantial evidence does not support the conclusion that he

committed legal malpractice because there is no evidence of an attorney-client

relationship in 2007 when the parties began to carry out their joint investments, and

Shim did not introduce expert testimony on breach of the duty of care. But Shim did not

allege legal malpractice in the complaint and the court did not address legal

malpractice. The issue at trial was whether Pak breached a fiduciary duty to Shim as

his escrow agent, not as his attorney.11

        11 Without citation to authority, Pak challenges the trial court's conclusion that he breached a
fiduciary duty for failing to account for the purchase of Etelos stock because no accounting was required
until the stock became transferable 12 months after Etelos issued a public offering. We do not consider
issues that are not supported by citation of authority. RAP 10.3(a)(6); McKee v. Am. Home Prods. Corp.,
113Wn.2d701, 705, 782 P.2d 1045(1989).

                                                     11
No. 68636-4-1/12

Admission of Evidence

       Pak also contends that the trial court erred in admitting copies of two of the Key

Bank cashier's checks. Shim testified that he gave Pak three cashier's checks from Key

Bank each in the amount of $79,880.01. The court admitted photocopies of the

cashier's checks and used the amount of the checks in calculating the total amount

owed. Pak claims admission of the copies of the cashier's checks violated the best

evidence rule.

       We review a trial court's decision to admit an exhibit into evidence for abuse of

discretion. Salas v. Hi-Tech Erectors. 168 Wn.2d 664, 668, 230 P.3d 583 (2010). A

trial court abuses its discretion when its decision is manifestly unreasonable or based

upon untenable grounds or reasons. Salas. 168 Wn.2d at 668-69. A duplicate of a

written instrument is admissible to the same extent as an original unless there is a

genuine question raised as to the authenticity of the original, or it would be unfair to

admit the duplicate. ER 1003. The requirement of authenticity is satisfied by evidence

sufficient to support that the evidence is what its proponent claims. ER 901 (a). When a

witness with knowledge identifies the evidence as being what it is claimed to be, the

authenticity requirement is satisfied. ER 901(b)(1).

       The evidence at trial showed Exhibit 20 and Exhibit 23 were the best available

copies of the cashier's checks. Shim testified that he purchased three cashier's checks

from Key Bank with money from refinancing his house and gave the checks to Pak.

Pak challenges admission of two of the three Key Bank cashier's checks, Exhibit 20

check number 001494010 and Exhibit 23 check number 001494012. Pak does not

challenge the admission of Exhibit 21 check number 00149011. Shim testified that he

                                             12
No. 68636-4-1/13

purchased all three of the Key Bank cashier's checks at the same time and they were

each for the same amount, $79,880.01. The checks are numbered sequentially. The

amount of $79,880.01 is clearly legible on Exhibit 21 check number 001494011.

Further, Pak's signature is clearly legible on the back of each of the Key Bank cashier's

checks in the sequence. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting two of

the Key Bank cashier's checks and including the amounts of those checks in its

calculation of the total amount owed.12

       We conclude substantial evidence supports the trial court's conclusion that Pak

breached a fiduciary duty and engaged in conversion and fraud.13
       We affirm.

                                                                    1. A^-eQ &
WE CONCUR:

      vL*-cO*#(            CS

        12 Pak also contends the trial court erred by including in its calculations of the total amount owed
a checkwritten by Shim's brother for $30,000 payable to Pak. But the trial court did not admit the check
into evidence, and there is no evidence that the court used the check amount in determining the total
amount owed.
        13 Because Shim does not provide argument or citation to authority to support his request for
attorney fees, we decline to award attorney fees. RAP 18.1(b); Wilson Court Ltd. P'ship v. Tony Maroni's,
Inc., 134 Wn.2d 692, 710-11 n.4, 952 P.2d 590 (1998) ("The rule requires more than a bald request for
attorney fees on appeal. Argument and citation to authority are required under the rule to advise us ofthe
appropriate grounds for an award of attorney fees as costs." (Internal citations omitted.)).

                                                     13