Transcription
Today on America's Court with Judge Ross. You were not just displeased. You were angry.
>> Yes.
>> Because you felt what?
>> I felt betrayed. I felt like nothing was communicated. And I felt like she chose a guy over me again.
>> In my courtroom, it's about equity and fairness. Stop. Is that true? I don't want you to understand. I want you to overstand.
>> Yes, sir.
>> That's why they pay me the big bucks. Justice should be more than just some foreign concept. I actually want you to learn something. That's not going to happen. Not up in here. Not today. And boom goes the dynamite.
>> Fair, firm, compassionate. This is America's Court with Judge Ross.
Alyssa Gra claims her ex-friend turned their concert tickets deal grab and says she made a huge profit after selling their tickets.
All rise, remain standing and come to order. This court is now in session. The Honorable Judge Kevin Ross presiding.
>> Ladies and gentlemen, you may be seated.
>> Ms. Gra is suing Diana West in the amount of $2,64.
>> All parties been sworn, your honor.
>> Thomas, Miss Gra, tell me your story. So, my ex- best friend Diana and I bought tickets to see Bad Bunny, which is
>> I like Bad Bunny.
>> All right. Ex-friend. How long were you all friends?
>> Since we were three.
>> You friends? Since three.
>> Yeah.
>> And Bad Bunny has come between you all not being friends anymore. I can't believe that.
>> There's a little bit more to this.
>> Tell me more. Tell me more. Um, we planned after graduation to get an apartment together.
>> Okay.
>> Um, and then and after I started looking for apartments within her budget because that was like a big thing. So, I made sure it was like respectful that she could afford it. I offered to pay for furniture. I offered to put the deposit down. I did all of the work. Looked in locations that she was interested in.
>> Um, she
>> And what did you do, Miss West?
>> What did I do?
>> Yeah. if she's looking at uh furniture coverage and deposit and locations. Were you working? Were you preoccupied that you couldn't also assist with that?
>> I tried when I could but unfortunately after graduation I wasn't able to get a stable job like she did unfortunately and I had to move back in with my parents and my parents unfortunately charged me rent to move back in. So it was a little bit tough to be able to pay rent at with my parents and then also help look for furniture as well. Like I tried to do as much as I possibly could.
>> Did you guys end up being roommates?
>> No.
>> No.
>> And why was that?
>> She met a guy on Hinge and after a month of dating him.
>> What's Hinge?
>> Hinge is a dating app.
>> Okay.
>> And after a month of dating him decided to live with him instead.
>> I'm sorry. You said after a month of dating?
>> Yes.
>> After a month of dating?
>> Yes, sir.
>> Boy Hinge must really be the the the bee's knees, huh?
>> The bee's knees. For me, it was more of the if you know, you know, kind of love. Like, I've never felt like that about a person before. Like, I've dated guys before, but this one just kind of This my boyfriend, his name's Peter. A lot different than
>> with Peter right now.
>> Yes, sir.
>> And you guys are still living together?
>> Yes, sir.
>> All right. So, who how are your um bills and your costs being covered?
>> I work like a small part-time job and a part-time job on top of my internship so I can hopefully land a really good career.
>> Okay. And is Peter working or is he having someone cover his expenses?
>> He's working.
>> He's working. And when did you tell Miss Gra that you were not going to be roommates with him
>> about done all this ground work? And then
>> Yes, we I decided after a few months like I before we um found a place about a month before she had found her the place that we were going to live at, I I set her aside and said, "Hey, Peter found a place and we can move in together. He's very neat, very clean. And the whole reason there's a lot of underlying issues
>> such as
>> she grew up with a lot of money. She had a nanny and a maid. And
>> and why does that matter with this situation?
>> Cuz she doesn't know how to take care of herself because it did get all of the stuff that all of the the stuff growing up her maid would do. Like she didn't clean or pick up or anything.
>> That's all. That's true. Why is that?
>> Yes. I saw her dorm as a sophomore. So, is is what you're conveying more along the lines of you felt she would potentially take advantage of you because
>> she would
>> you were more of the person that would work and and handle things because as I'm hearing her talk, I didn't pick that up at all from her
>> at all. And did you come from more financially wealthy circumstances?
>> I did. Um, I did have a nanny growing up, but I still had expectations of from my parents growing up. Like I I think one of my biggest issues with this whole thing is that none of this was ever communicated. There was no, "Hey, I'm really concerned that when we move in together, you're going to be messy or there. It just there was none of that. I wasn't told any of these."
>> Did you tell her any of those things?
>> She I did tell what I could.
>> That's a no.
>> Coming up on America's Court. And then I decided that I needed to step away from the friendship.
>> Oh, you weren't you you were not just displeased, you were angry.
>> Yes.
>> And later,
>> you started by saying it's a gift.
>> Yes, sir.
>> So, why do you think you're entitled to get it back?
>> Well, I thought it was pretty obvious that I would be the one taking her on the trip, but instead she chooses Brad, her other boyfriend. If you'll be in the Los Angeles area and want to bring your case to court, call 1888-552-6878.
This is America's Court with Judge Ross, Emmy nominated for outstanding legal courtroom program. America's Court is back with the case of Alyssa Grath, who is suing Diana West for reimbursement of funds.
>> Now you're left in somewhat of a bind. Is that what happened? So, we bought the Bad Bunny tickets in September. Um, we both got on the queue so that whoever got the tickets first, we could like absolutely make sure that somebody got them.
>> Um, regardless, they were on my credit card. So, she got on the queue first, but I gave her my credit card and we used my money to pay for the tickets.
>> Okay.
>> Up front.
>> Were you going to pay her back?
>> Of course.
>> Okay. Was that the understanding that you were going to be paid back?
>> Yes.
>> Okay. Who ends up getting in the queue to actually purchase the tickets? That was me.
>> Okay. So, you purchase
>> Yes.
>> You use her credit card.
>> Everything's hunky dory.
>> Yes.
>> And then what?
>> And then the that whole situation with the apartment happened after we' bought the tickets. And then I decided that I needed to step away from the friendship.
>> Oh, you weren't you you were not just displeased, you were angry.
>> Yes.
>> Because you felt what?
>> Well, we had planned this for almost our whole lives
>> being these in this room. I felt like nothing was communicated and I felt like she chose a guy over me again.
>> Oh, it's happened before.
>> All the time.
>> But you were like, "Okay, I'm done with you."
>> Okay. And she told you this?
>> Yes.
>> Okay. So, you sold the tickets?
>> Of course.
>> All right.
>> I Venmoed her the money and that was that.
>> And the tickets cost how much?
>> The tickets were 336 for both.
>> So, she Venmoed you the money? A few weeks go by and I was stalking her on Instagram because this was my friend of so many years and I see her posting pictures from a vacation in like the Caribbean and I was so surprised because you know I mean we talked about wanting to travel together. We talked about all these things but she didn't have money for the tickets and she didn't have money to live with me. So I was like where did this come from? Okay.
>> And then I texted our mutual friend, Taylor, and Taylor told me that she actually sold the tickets for $2,400.
>> But I thought you wanted to go.
>> I sold my ticket cuz I I couldn't go without her. She She was and is She's not my best friend, but she was my best friend, and I can't do that to her to go by myself. It would It would ruin the concert, not just for us two, but just in general.
>> And after you sold, so the tickets were $1,200. Yes.
>> A piece that you were able to sell them for, but you bought them for $168.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. Any particular reason why you wouldn't have given her $1,200?
>> She she given me permission to sell some tickets? Like she had asked me personally just sell the tickets and give me the money back. So, I sold the tickets and gave her the money back. I
>> So, where does $2,64 come from? Well, first of all, she sold the tickets, but she didn't give me the money she got from the sale,
>> right?
>> She just gave me what she thought.
>> What you what she was charged,
>> right?
>> Okay.
>> And the problem with that is
>> because the tickets were on my card,
>> but you got your money back.
>> But they were my tickets under my card.
>> But you told her to sell them.
>> But I didn't tell her sell them and like don't give me the pro. I didn't say I want $336 back. I said, "You can sell them and then give me the money."
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Was the understanding that whatever they sell for, I want half of that.
>> Yeah. I mean, it was
>> Is that was that conveyed? Was that in a text? Was it written?
>> I have the I have text.
>> Sure.
>> Now, is the text before she sells it or is the text after she sells everything?
>> It's after when I found out that it was
>> Okay.
>> And this is from You found out because you were stalking her.
>> Well, I found out from my friend Taylor,
>> right? after you decided to stalk her.
>> Yeah.
>> So, both tickets total cost $336, right? It was charged.
>> Yes.
>> You were holding on to the tickets. She said sell them.
>> You sold them. You gave her back the 336. What's the legal reason why she's obligated to pay you more than the 336? Um,
>> I understand from a morality issue,
>> but legally, is she obligated to pay you back
>> for half those tickets?
>> First time in court. But what it feels like is that because I paid for the tickets, they were my tickets. She hadn't paid me back for them. They were mine property.
>> And you were compensated for your tickets,
>> right? Because had she undersold them, you would have still expected 336,
>> right?
>> So based on the evidence and the testimony before this court, the gavl has to come down in favor of the defendant that she made a profit because she could have even kept her own ticket.
>> But she was like, "Okay, well, if she doesn't want them, I did what she asked." But to have someone in your life that long and not even say, "Well, you know what? Maybe I can at least give you some of the additional monies. Legally, you're not entitled to, but it really says a lot about the type of person that you are knowing how you left her feel. Otherwise, your matter's dismissed. That is the order. Case closed.
>> All eyes.
>> Judge Ross has ruled in favor of the defendant. The plaintiff's claim has been dismissed.
>> Never wanted this to happen, and I'm sorry. I didn't want it to happen either, but I guess here we are.
Coming up on America's Court with Judge Ross.
>> Mr. Richardson, what's your story, sir? Are you a part of this open relationship?
>> I am, sir. I am.
>> You are. And everybody's on the same page that this is what we're doing up in here. Up in here.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> This is America's Court with Judge Ross, Emmy nominated for outstanding legal courtroom program. William Charleston claims his girlfriend pushed their open relationship too far and says she took another man on the cruise that he paid for instead of him. Mr. Charleston is suing Rebecca Barkley in the amount of $3,600. Talk to me, Mr. Charleston. What's going on here, sir?
>> Yes, sir. I'm suing the defendant here, Rebecca, my ex-girlfriend. Now,
>> how long at the two of you been in a relationship?
>> For two years.
>> For two years. And the $3,600 reflects what, Mr. Charleston?
>> Well, sir, the $2,000 was first for her birthday gift. It was two cruise tickets.
>> Okay.
>> Well, what happened is we met two years ago, two and a half years now.
>> Okay.
>> And we were dating and she told me straight from the beginning that she wanted to be in a uh was in an ethical non- monogamous relationship.
>> What does that mean?
>> Polyamorous. Um we can see other people.
>> Okay. You started by saying it's a gift.
>> Yes, sir.
>> So, why do you think you're entitled to get it back?
>> Well, I thought it was pretty obvious that I would be the one taking her on the trip, but instead she chooses Brad, her other boyfriend.
>> Okay,
>> sir. Come on up. And your last name?
>> Richardson.
>> Mr. Richardson, what's your story, sir? Are you a part of this open relationship?
>> I am, sir. I am.
>> You are. And everybody's on the same page that this is what we are doing up in here. Up in here.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. You had a birthday and and Mr. Charleston wanted to honor your birthday.
>> And uh specifically, he said on this birthday card, I will show that to you when you Yes.
>> Did you give her a birthday card?
>> Yes, sir.
>> Deputy Thomas,
>> read for me what's in the card.
>> Sure.
>> You want to get
>> Yes. And there's I've also got more evidence. Uh, cheers to your birthday. Go crazy, sweetheart. Have the best birthday ever. All on me. And you gave this to her. And you say, "Go crazy. All on me."
>> Yes, sir.
>> What is it that she did that was wrong?
>> She brought Brad. Coming up on America's Court.
>> As soon as he found out that I was taking Brad, he just he went crazy. And
>> how'd he find out?
>> Well, I told him.
>> You told him before the trip?
>> Yes.
>> Is that true? Yes, sir.
This is America's Court with Judge Ross, Emmy nominated for outstanding legal courtroom program. America's Court is back with the case of William Charleston, who is suing Rebecca Barklay for property loss.
>> Okay, correct me if I'm wrong, cuz I don't see anywhere on this card that says, "But you can't take Brad."
>> Okay, the $2,000 was for the tickets, $1,000 each. A week after she gets back, I get a bill on the credit card that I put her name on for an extra $1,600 for the bar for poolside for for what is it? Rock climbing.
>> Climbing.
>> Now, Mr. Richardson, let me go back to you.
>> Okay.
>> Did you have any interaction, Mr. Charleston, before going on the trip?
>> Yes, but not too much time. Just kind of in passing. when I dropped her off at his house. When he dropped her off at my house.
>> He would drop her off at your house.
>> Yeah.
>> As soon as he found out that I was taken Brad, he just he went crazy. And
>> how'd he find out?
>> Well, I told him.
>> You told him before the trip?
>> Yes.
>> Is that true?
>> Yes, sir.
>> And what was your response?
>> I didn't like it, and I made that very clear. But I mean,
>> he said fine.
>> She
>> He said fine.
>> Yeah. Just
>> Did you say fine? I've said fine as in I give
>> Was it fine or was it fine?
>> Second one.
>> Second one.
>> Yes, sir.
>> But he said fine.
>> But he said fine.
>> I mean I I agree.
>> Well, let me help you out here. We know that the tickets cost $2,000. We know the tickets were a gift.
>> Yes, sir.
>> So, you already know how I'm going to rule about that $2,000. So now let's focus on the 1600 because the 1600 seems like it's more of an area where we have to sort of figure out what we should do here. Why not just compensate him for some of the money?
>> Well, when we first went on this cruise, I told her, I don't feel good about putting so and uh the drinks, the casino, all this stuff on his credit card. But she told me, she said, "Look at this card. It says go crazy. Go all out. In the past, I've bought her tickets to go see Hamilton, and instead of taking me, she took him.
>> I had no problem with
>> Is that true?
>> Yes, sir.
>> Okay.
>> Judge Ross' verdict when America's Court returns. Promotional consideration provided by this is America's Court with Judge Ross, Emmy nominated for outstanding legal courtroom program. It's a good thing you brought him because based on the evidence and the testimony before this court, the gavl has to come down in favor of the defendant.
>> I mean, this there's reciprocity going back and forth here. There's all sorts of situations where we have you could have just said, "You can't go. I'm getting a refund on the tickets. I'm not letting you use the credit card." It's like all that happened and at no time did you say stop. Hold up. You didn't put a limit on the amount she could spend.
>> I thought we were going to be together.
>> Your matter is dismissed. Case closed.
>> Judge Ross has ruled in favor of the defendant. The plaintiff's claim has been dismissed.
>> I'm sorry it came down to this, but could I do?
>> Yeah, we can always do it again. Let's go make it final. This has been a production of Allen Media Group.