Onita Pacific Corp. v. Trustees of Bronson

This is a misrepresentation case. As a jury found, the Erwin joint venture (Erwin) represented to the Dante joint venture (Dante) that a large number of lots in the Wildhorse real estate development would be released to Dante when Dante paid $200,000 to the benefit of Erwin. Acting in reliance on that representation, Dante (also called “Onita” by the majority) borrowed and paid the $200,000 to Erwin’s benefit. 1 Dante also paid $850,000 worth of real estate for the *167buyer’s interest under a land sale contract covering Wild-horse Meadows and Plains.

But Erwin refused to release the lots. After…