Gerke v. Burton Enterprises, Inc.

Plaintiffs brought this action for fraud in their purchase of a motel from defendants. Defendants moved for a directed verdict at the conclusion of plaintiffs’ case and after all of the evidence had been presented. The court denied the motions. The jury returned a verdict for plaintiffs for $360,000 general damages and $100,000 punitive damages. On defendants’ motion, the court granted a judgment n.o.v. as to punitive damages. The court also awarded plaintiffs $75,000 attorney fees and granted them an equitable setoff against the contract balance as of August 14, 1981, the date of the…