Rotello v. Scott

In an action for negligent misrepresentation of a material fact in a commercial real estate transaction, the Circuit Court of Winnebago County, after a bench trial, found defendants guilty and awarded plaintiffs $5,700 in damages. From this verdict, defendants appeal.

In October of 1977, Jasper and Pamela Rotello (plaintiffs), who were then operating a soft-serve ice cream business in the city of Rockford, contacted Lee Johnson, a realtor, to seek his help in finding a new location for their business. In December, plaintiffs notified Johnson that they were interested in a piece of property at…