Starkey v. Bell

Cureton, Judge:

Roscoe and Lou Mae Bell appeal a jury verdict of $115,000 actual damages rendered against them in this action for fraud and deceit in connection with the sale of their restaurant to respondents, Chauncey and Norma Starkey. We affirm the judgment entered on the jury’s verdict.

The Starkeys, residents of Maryland, purchased the Bells’ restaurant in Calabash, North Carolina, on May 11,1977. They were initially attracted to it by a newspaper ad which listed a purchase price of $249,000. The ad also stated that the restaurant had an annual gross of $250,000 with a net income of…