Court Opinion

ID: 5496372
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-10 02:52:51.873742+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:33:49.424011
License: Public Domain

Kennedy, J.
Action to recover pay for services rendered by the plaintiff for the defendant, and at his request. It appeared upon the trial that the plaintiff entered the employ of the defendant on the 12th day of April, 1886, and continued in such employ until March 30, 1887, and that by agreement he was to be paid $25 per month during said term. He was paid $49 only on account of such service. The defendant sought to avoid payment by showing a settlement, and produced upon the trial a receipt, signed by the plaintiff, acknowledging full payment and satisfaction for said services. The paper was executed on the 30th day of March. Evidence was given tending to show, and the jury found, that the plaintiff was induced to make said settlement and execute said release by duress per minas on the part of the defendant. The defendant charged the plaintiff with having embezzled and wrongfully appropriated to his own use money belonging to the former and received by the latter as his agent, and in and about the conduct of the business by him, and threatened him with imprisonment therefor. That, although innocent of the offense charged, and declaring such innocence, through threats and fear of imprisonment he was induced to execute the receipt or release, nothing being paid by the defendant therefor.
We think the evidence justified the finding that the alleged settlement was procured by fraud and duress on the part of the defendant. Foshay v. Ferguson, 5 Hill, 154; Haynes v. Rudd, 30 Hun, 237. The question was one of fact. Dunham v. Griswold, 100 N. Y. 224, 3 N. E. Rep. 76. The pleadings were sufficient to justify the recovery. The plaintiff counted on a contract for labor and services. The defendant set up a settlement and discharge as a defense. This was not a counter-claim, and required no reply. Upon *211the trial the plaintiff, to defeat the alleged settlement, showed it was obtained by fraud and duress, and without other consideration. Judgment and order appealed from affirmed, with costs. All concur.