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JODY JACKSON vs DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES, DIVISION OF AGENT AND AGENCY SERVICES, 04-001844 (2004)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Bradenton, Florida May 21, 2004 Number: 04-001844 Latest Update: Dec. 17, 2004

The Issue The issue to be determined is whether Petitioner's application for licensure should be granted.

Findings Of Fact Respondent, Department of Financial Services, is the state agency responsible for the licensure of insurance agents in the State of Florida, pursuant to Chapter 626, Florida Statutes (2003). On November 11, 2003, Petitioner filed an on-line application with Respondent seeking licensure as a Resident Legal Expense Sales Representative. Petitioner answered "no" to the following question on that application: Have you ever been convicted, found guilty, or pled guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) to a crime punishable by imprisonment of one (1) year or more under the laws of any municipality, county, state, territory or country, whether or not adjudication was withheld or a judgment of conviction was entered? At the end of the on-line application, immediately above a space for the applicant's signature and in a section of the application titled "Applicant Affirmation Statement," appears the following language: I do solemnly swear that all answers to the foregoing questions and statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. . . . * * * Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have read the foregoing application for license and that the facts stated in it are true. I understand that misrepresentation of any fact required to be disclosed through this application is a violation of The Florida Insurance and Administrative Codes and may result in the denial of my application and/or the revocation of my insurance license(s). Pursuant to the instructions on the on-line form, Petitioner printed the "Applicant Affirmation Statement," signed it on November 28, 2003, and mailed it to Respondent. The criminal history records obtained by Respondent during the application process revealed that on August 4, 1987, Petitioner was arrested and charged with one felony count of Cultivation of Marijuana. A two-count information was filed against Petitioner in a case styled State of Florida v. Jody E. Jackson, Case No. 87-1871F, in the Manatee County Circuit Court. Petitioner ultimately pled nolo contendere to one felony count of Cultivation of Marijuana on January 27, 1988, and was placed on eighteen months of probation. In a letter to Respondent following denial of his application, Petitioner asserted that he misunderstood the question on the application because of the language "imprisonment of one (1) year" included in the question. Petitioner indicated that because he did not serve any time in prison, he thought he was justified in answering "no" to the question.

Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that a final order be entered finding that Petitioner violated Subsections 626.041(1) and 626.041(5), Florida Statutes (2003), and denying Petitioner's application for licensure, without prejudice for him to reapply as of February 5, 2005, as provided by Florida Administrative Code Rule 69B-211.042(4). DONE AND ENTERED this 29th day of October, 2004, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S WILLIAM R. PFEIFFER Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 29th day of October, 2004. COPIES FURNISHED: Dana M. Wiehle, Esquire Department of Financial Services 612 Larson Building 200 East Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0333 Jody Jackson 13327 Upper Manatee River Road Bradenton, Florida 34212 Honorable Tom Gallagher Chief Financial Officer Department of Financial Services The Capitol, Plaza Level 11 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0300 Pete Dunbar, General Counsel Department of Financial Services The Capitol, Plaza Level 11 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0300

Florida Laws (3) 120.569120.57642.043
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FLORIDA REAL ESTATE COMMISSION vs. PETER K. HOFMANN, 88-005541 (1988)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 88-005541 Latest Update: Mar. 22, 1989

Findings Of Fact Respondent is and at all material times has been licensed as a real estate broker, Florida license number 0388729. Respondent was licensed with United Farm Agency of Florida, Inc. United Farm Agency of Florida operated two offices relevant to this proceeding, one office in Live Oak, the other in Lake City. Both offices were headed by William Goff, another licensed broker. During the summer of 1985, Goff, desiring to retire, made arrangements with United Farm Agency, through his supervisor, Steve Goddard, to withdraw from the operations of the offices. Goff left the Lake City office in July, 1985, and left the Live Oak office in October, 1985. Respondent was employed by United Farm Agency, through supervisor Steve Goddard, in July, 1985, when he took over operation of the Lake City office, which Goff had already vacated. Prior to Goff's retirement, Goff and Goddard verbally agreed that Goff would receive a portion of the commission paid to the seller of existing property listings Goff had obtained. This agreement was relayed by Goddard to Respondent, who verbally agreed to pay the fee on listings which were given to Hofmann. The agreed sum, referred to as a "listing fee," was to be 30% of the Respondent's 60% share of the total commission. The fee was to be paid to Goff, if and when Respondent sold property which remained under a valid Goff-executed listing contract. Goff and the Respondent did not directly discuss the arrangement, but relied on Goddard to act as the mediator. On or about June 26, 1985, Goff listed for sale, property owned by the Lewandowski family. The listing contract stated that the listing contract was to remain effective for a period of one year; however the expiration date was mistakenly entered on the contract as June 26, 1985. The contract expiration date should have been stated as June 26, 1986. The evidence did not indicate that the contract was intended to have been effective for only one day. While the Goff listing remained effective, the Lewandowskis allegedly entered into a second listing contract, this time with the Respondent. Respondent stated that he did not believe the Goff listing contract to be valid due to the mistaken expiration date. The Lewandowskis did not sign a cancellation of the Goff listing contract. Goff, not yet fully retired, continued to show the property to prospective purchasers, but did not inform Respondent that he continued to show the property. During the time the original Goff listing was effective, the Respondent found a buyer for the Lewandowski property. The agreed sales price was $240,000. The Respondent's share of the commission was about $8,640. The Respondent retained the full commission, and refused to pay the "listing fee" to Goff. Goff contacted Goddard, who reminded the Respondent of the agreement to pay the fee. Respondent refused to pay the listing fee, claiming that he had not been given the listing when he became employed by United Farm Agency. Goff proceeded to file suit to collect the fee. In May 1987, a Final Judgement was entered in Columbia County Court, Case No 86-845-CC, finding Respondent liable for payment of the listing fee and directing Respondent to pay to Goat the sum of $4,320.00, plus $604.92 interest, and $50.00 costs. Respondent has failed and refuses to pay the judgement.

Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED: that the Department of Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate, enter a Final Order suspending the licensure of Peter K. Hofmann for a period of two years. DONE and ENTERED this 22nd day of March, 1989, in Tallahassee, Florida. WILLIAM F. QUATTLEBAUM Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 22nd day of March, 1989. APPENDIX TO RECOMMENDED ORDER, CASE NO. 88-5541 The following constitute rulings on proposed findings of facts submitted by the parties. Petitioner The Petitioner's proposed findings of fact are accepted as modified in the Recommended Order except as follows: 1-5. Accepted. 6-7. Accepted, as modified in the Findings of Fact. Rejected, irrelevant. Accepted. Respondent The Respondent's proposed findings of fact are accepted as modified in the Recommended Order except as follows: 1-3. Accepted. 4. Rejected, not supported by the weight of the evidence. 5-6. Rejected insofar as mere restatement of testimony, otherwise accepted, as modified in the Findings of Fact. COPIES FURNISHED: Steven W. Johnson, Esquire Department of Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate 400 West Robinson Street Post Office Box 1900 Orlando, Florida 32802 Peter K. Hofmann 73 Quinlan Drive, #1 Greenville, South Carolina 29611 Darlene F. Keller, Executive Director Department of Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate Post Office Box 1900 Orlando, Florida 32802 Kenneth E. Easley, Esquire Department of Professional Regulation 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0750

Florida Laws (2) 120.57475.25
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CREATIVE DESIGNS AND INTERIORS, INC. vs. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, 89-000894F (1989)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 89-000894F Latest Update: May 18, 1989

Findings Of Fact Petitioner is a small business party within the meaning of Subsection 57.111(3)(d), Florida Statutes (1987). Petitioner was required to relocate its business in 1986 as the result of a public taking of the property where the business was situated. Petitioner sought relocation benefits from Respondent's relocation assistance program. The program is operated by Respondent in accordance with authority contained in Sections 339.09(4) and 421.55(3), Florida Statutes. Various requests by Petitioner for payment of relocation benefits in accordance with the Uniform Relocation Act were denied by Respondent. In DOAH Case No. 88-0778T, Petitioner sought a formal administrative hearing pursuant to Section 120.57, Florida Statutes concerning Respondent's denial of the requested reimbursements. At the final hearing in DOAH Case No. 88-0778T, evidence was presented regarding Respondent's denial of benefit payments of $1,324 for advertisement expense in a telephone directory; $1,370 for installation of an exhaust fan at the new facility; $2,405 for fees for consultative services from an attorney; $1,200 for the alleged loss of employee time spent in conferences with Respondent personnel regarding relocation; $1,500 for expense of a second search for a suitable relocation site; and $1,035 for consultation fees associated with design of a product display area in the new facility. With the exception of Respondent's denial of the claim for $1,035 for consultant fees, Respondent's denials were found to be appropriate in DOAH Case No. 88-0778T. Such a finding of appropriateness also equates to a finding of substantial justification for denial for purposes of this proceeding. A recommended order was issued in DOAH Case No. 88-0778T, finding denials of all requested reimbursements to be appropriate with the exception of Respondent's denial of the request for $1,035 for consultation fees associated with design of a product display area. Payment of this latter amount was recommended as constituting an authorized reimbursement under legal provisions governing the relocation program. On December 26, 1988, Respondent entered a final order awarding Petitioner $1,035 for this consultation fee expense. Other claims for reimbursement by Petitioner in the amount of $10,414.17 were paid by Respondent, prior to the final hearing in DOAH Case No. 88-0778T, in the course of proceedings in the Circuit Court for Broward County, Florida. That court adopted a settlement stipulation of the parties regarding those claims which expressly reserved attorney fees in regard to those issues for later determination by that court. Petitioner presented no evidence with regard to those claims at the final hearing in DOAH Case No. 88-0778T. At the final hearing in the present proceeding, Respondent offered testimony that confusion concerning payment of those claims resulted from the death of the attorney handling the case for Respondent. Respondent initially denied the claims in the absence of the deceased attorney's records in the mistaken belief that the matter had been resolved earlier in the circuit court condemnation proceeding. Upon learning such was not the case, payment of the claim and effectuation of settlement of the issue was made in the circuit court case and occurred shortly after Petitioner's request for hearing in DOAH Case No. 88- 0778T. The circumstances surrounding the initial denial of payment of this benefit by Respondent substantially justify Respondent's denial and constitute a sufficient basis to deny Petitioner's recovery of fees or costs related to this payment recovery in this administrative proceeding. The proof submitted at the final hearing in this cause establishes that Petitioner's counsel expended between 55 and 70 hours of time in his representation of Petitioner's attempts to recover all denied benefits in DOAH Case No. 88-0778T. Counsel's average hourly rate was $125. However, the fee arrangement between client and counsel was a "modified or combined contingency fee" permitting any recoverable attorney fees to serve as the primary source of payment of counsel's fees. Petitioner was not bound by the agreement to pay counsel's fees beyond amounts determined to be appropriate by the hearing officer in the administrative case or the judge in the circuit court matter. To that extent, attorney fees in this cause that have been incurred by Petitioner may be considered "contingent." Documentation submitted by Petitioner includes an affidavit from its president which simply recites the status of Petitioner as a small business party, but sets forth no specifics of a fee arrangement with counsel. The affidavit of Petitioner's counsel establishes a minimum number of hours (55) and dates of work performed by counsel, and states that his hourly rate is $125. Calculating the number of hours by the hourly rate, one reaches a total fee amount of $6,875. Counsel's affidavit does not address which of the various benefits sought to be recovered was the subject of any particular expenditure of time. Although the relocation benefits sought to be recovered were separable subjects, allocation of time expended with regard to a particular benefit recovery effort is not established by the evidence. Testimony of William Robert Leonard was also offered by Petitioner to support the reasonableness of a legal fee amount of $10,000 for Petitioner's counsel. While Mr. Leonard opined that he normally would not support a $10,000 attorney fee as reasonable for a $1,000 recovery, the circumstances of this case were different because "[y]ou are arguing with the state." Petitioner attempted to establish through further testimony of Leonard that the enormity of the resources of the government of the State of Florida justify such a fee because cost considerations prevent private litigants from engaging in costly and protracted proceedings in matters of limited recovery. Leonard did not address allocation of the requested attorney fee among the various benefits for which recovery was sought, choosing instead to premise his opinion regarding reasonableness of a $10,000 attorney fee upon "the amount of time counsel was required to respond to a state agency." Leonard's testimony is not credited with regard to reasonableness of a $10,000 fee for recovery of the $1,035 relocation benefit due to his professed lack of knowledge of certain administrative law procedures; the failure of his testimony to address the nature or difficulty of tasks performed by counsel for Petitioner; and his concurrence with the assertion that his opinion of such a fee was based in part upon a "gut reaction." No evidence was submitted to support the reasonableness of the cost amount of $250 requested as a witness fee for Mr. Leonard's participation in the proceeding. Petitioner seeks recovery of $448.50 in costs associated with the transcript of final hearing had in DOAH Case No. 88-0778T and a $480 expert witness fee in conjunction with testimony of E. Scott Golden, an attorney, at that final hearing. The testimony of Mr. Golden in that proceeding related to his provision of relocation site advice to Petitioner and drafting of legal documents for Petitioner. Petitioner did not prevail with regard to recovery of relocation benefits related to the expense of Mr. Golden's services.

Florida Laws (6) 120.57120.68339.09414.17421.5557.111
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MARIA RODRIGUEZ vs DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, 05-002571 (2005)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Orlando, Florida Jul. 18, 2005 Number: 05-002571 Latest Update: Jul. 03, 2024
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STACY LEWIS vs JIM HORNE, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, 07-004191FC (2007)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Tallahassee, Florida Sep. 17, 2007 Number: 07-004191FC Latest Update: Jan. 05, 2009

The Issue The issue is the amount of attorney's fees and costs to which Petitioner is entitled by Order of the appellate court pursuant to Subsection 120.595(5), Florida Statutes (2007).1

Findings Of Fact On February 9, 2005, the Commissioner of Education (the Commissioner) filed an Administrative Complaint against Ms. Stacy Stinson, now Ms. Stacy Lewis. Ms. Stinson requested an administrative hearing pursuant to Subsection 120.57(1) (a 120.57 proceeding). The Commissioner referred the matter to DOAH to conduct the 120.57 proceeding. DOAH opened the 120.57 proceeding as Jim Horne, as Commissioner of Education v. Stacy Stinson, Case No. 05-0504PL (DOAH August 11, 2005) (the underlying proceeding). The Recommended Order in the underlying proceeding recommended the entry of a final order finding the respondent in the underlying proceeding not guilty of the charges against her and imposing no penalty against her teaching certificate. On January 5, 2006, the Educational Practices Commission (EPC) entered a Final Order rejecting or modifying some findings of fact in the Recommended Order, reprimanding the respondent, imposing a two-week suspension of her teaching certificate, and placing her on probation for three years. On January 5, 2006, the respondent in the underlying proceeding filed a notice of administrative appeal to the First District Court of Appeal. The initial brief was filed on March 16, 2006. The answer was filed on May 1, 2006. On May 15, 2006, the respondent filed a reply brief, motion for attorney's fees, and request for oral argument. On August 22, 2006, the appellate court issued its order in Stinson v. Winn, 938 So. 2d 554 (Fla. 1st DCA 2006). The appellate court concluded that the EPC improperly rejected or modified factual findings and legal conclusions of the ALJ and remanded the matter for entry of a final order dismissing the Administrative Complaint and finding the respondent in the underlying proceeding not guilty of the allegations, consistent with the Recommended Order. The appellate court also granted the motion for attorney's fees, pursuant to Subsection 120.595(5), and remanded the case to DOAH to determine the amount of fees. The instant proceeding ensued. Respondent does not contest the reasonableness of costs in the amount of $3,484.95. Petitioner seeks an award of costs in the amount of $3,954.95. Petitioner is entitled to costs in the amount of $3,484.95. Petitioner seeks attorney's fees for the underlying proceeding and the appellate proceeding in the amount of $94,104.45, plus interest. The amount of fees is based on 360.6 hours at an hourly rate of $250.00. Respondent claims the correct amount of attorney's fees is $22,680.00. The amount of fees is based on 252 hours at an hourly rate of $90.00. An hourly rate of $90.00 is reasonable. The $90.00- rate is the rate established in the fee agreement reached between Petitioner and her attorney. Judicial decisions discussed in the Conclusions of Law hold that in no case should the court-awarded fee exceed the fee agreement reached by the attorney and her client. The number of hours reasonably expended is 283.15 hours. The hours claimed by Petitioner in the amount of 360.6 should be reduced by 62.8 hours based on credible and persuasive testimony of Respondent's expert. The subtotal of 297.8 hours includes 34.9 hours billed, from June 6 through July 5, 2005, to prepare the PRO in the underlying proceeding. The total time billed for preparing the PRO includes 19.2 hours for what is labeled, in part, as research undertaken to prepare the PRO. The 2.7 hours for research pertaining to penalties, bearing an entry date of June 27, 2005, is reasonable because the research is reflected in the PRO. The remaining legal research undertaken to prepare the PRO is not reflected in the PRO. The amount billed for preparation of the PRO is reduced from 34.9 hours to 20.25 hours, a reduction of 14.65 hours. The Conclusions of Law in the PRO consist of 33 paragraphs numbered 17 through 49. Apart from administrative proceedings pertaining to penalties, the 33 paragraphs cite three appellate decisions, one of which may be fairly characterized as a "boiler-plate" citation for the burden of proof. The remainder of the 33 paragraphs consists of naked argument. A principal purpose of a PRO is to inform the ALJ of relevant judicial decisions, to distinguish between supporting and contradicting decisions, and to explain why, in the context of the facts at issue, the supporting decisions seize the day for the client. That is the proper role of an attorney in the adversarial process at the trial level. The PRO does not reflect that effort.3 Economic reality is not lost on the fact-finder. It may be that the fee-sensitivity of a client in a particular case precludes an attorney from fully researching and discussing a relevant legal issue. In the instant case, however, the attorney billed 34.9 hours for a PRO with two citations to appellate decisions beyond the burden of proof. Novel and difficult questions of fact and law were present in the underlying proceeding. The factual issues involved a so-called trial by deposition in a penal proceeding. The legal issues involved a literal conflict between a so-called adopted rule and a statute in a 120.57 proceeding. However, the PRO filed in the underlying proceeding provided no legal research concerning either novel question. Judicial decisions discussed in the Conclusions of Law hold that reasonable attorney's fees are determined by multiplying the number of hours reasonably expended by a reasonable hourly rate. The mathematical product is the lodestar. The lodestar in this proceeding is $25,483.50, determined by multiplying 283.15 hours by an hourly rate of $90.00. The lodestar is not increased or decreased by the results obtained or risk factor. There is no evidence of a "risk factor" attributable to contingency or other factors. There is no increase for the results obtained. Although the results were favorable, the favorable results turned principally on issues of fact and law for which relevant judicial decisions exist and were found through independent research by the ALJ without any assistance from legal research evidenced in the PRO.

Conclusions For Petitioner: Anthony D. Demma, Esquire Meyer and Brooks, P.A. Post Office Box 1547 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 For Respondent: Todd Resavage, Esquire Brooks, LeBoef, Bennett, Foster & Gwartney, P.A. 909 East Park Avenue Tallahassee, Florida 32301

Florida Laws (4) 120.56120.57120.595120.68

Other Judicial Opinions A party who is adversely affected by this Final Order is entitled to judicial review pursuant to Section 120.68, Florida Statutes. Review proceedings are governed by the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. Such proceedings are commenced by filing the original Notice of Appeal with the agency clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings and a copy, accompanied by filing fees prescribed by law, with the District Court of Appeal, First District, or with the District Court of Appeal in the Appellate District where the party resides. The notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days of rendition of the order to be reviewed.

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DIVISION OF REAL ESTATE vs JORGE RIVERA, JR., 97-000135 (1997)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Orlando, Florida Jan. 10, 1997 Number: 97-000135 Latest Update: Jul. 24, 1997

The Issue The issue in this case is whether Respondent violated Section 475.25(1)(b), Florida Statutes (1995) (hereinafter, "Florida Statues"), by engaging in dishonest dealing by trick, scheme or device, culpable negligence, or breach of trust in any business transaction.

Findings Of Fact Petitioner is the state agency responsible for regulating the practice of real estate. Respondent is licensed as a real estate sales person pursuant to license number 0590475. Respondent was last licensed as an inactive sales person located at 6752 Longmeade Lane, Orlando, Florida 32822. In 1993, Mr. Efrain and Mrs. Luz Rivera (the "Riveras") approached Respondent to represent them in purchasing a house. Respondent agreed to represent the Riveras as a buyer's agent. The Riveras are not related to Respondent. While Respondent was representing the Riveras as a buyer's agent, Respondent asked the Riveras for a loan. Respondent wanted the loan to assist him in the establishment and publication of a real estate magazine entitled, La Casa. Respondent had gained the Riveras' trust while representing them as their real estate agent. The Riveras loaned Respondent $2,500 from the money they needed for a down payment on the house they sought to purchase. Respondent published La Casa for a brief period. Then the business closed. Respondent paid the Riveras $250 as a partial payment on the loan. Respondent has not paid the Riveras any other amounts. The Riveras were unable to purchase a house without the $2,500 they loaned to Respondent. In January 1995, the Riveras filed suit to recover the money they loaned Respondent. The court entered a final judgment of $3,598.98. Respondent has not satisfied any portion of the final judgment against him.

Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Commission enter a Final Order finding Respondent guilty of violating Section 475.25(1)(b) and suspending Respondent's license for three years from the date of this Recommended Order.RECOMMENDED this 5th day of May, 1997, in Tallahassee, Florida. COPIES FURNISHED: Henry M. Solares, Director Department of Business and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate 400 West Robinson Street Post Office Box 1900 Orlando, Florida 32802-1900 DANIEL MANRY Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (904) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (904) 921-6847 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 5th day of May, 1997. Lynda Goodgame, General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation Northwood Center 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792 Daniel Villazon, Esquire Department of Business and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate 400 West Robinson Street Post Office Box 1900 Orlando, Florida 32802 Jorge Rivera, Jr., pro se 6752 Longmeade Lane Orlando, Florida 32822

Florida Laws (1) 475.25
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DIVISION OF REAL ESTATE vs. DOROTHY KINCEL ASHLEMAN, 78-001669 (1978)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 78-001669 Latest Update: May 07, 1979

Findings Of Fact On June 6, 1975, respondent entered into a written agreement with John R. Lovett, III, a real estate salesman. Among other things, this agreement provided: When Salesman performs any service whereby a commission is earned, the commission when collected, shall be divided between the Broker and Salesman in the manner as set out in Schedule attached hereto, or the office policy manual of the broker. The agreement also specified that a [s]alesman's right to commissions or divisions thereof, which accrued prior to the termination of this contract shall not be divested by the termina- tion hereof. The parties stipulated that no written schedule or office policy manual ever existed but that, under an oral agreement between respondent and Mr. Lovett, respondent would have paid Mr. Lovett $441.00 if he had been employed when the Oliver-Kelly transaction closed and had otherwise performed the duties of a listing salesman. Mr. Lovett and respondent never discussed what would happen as to listing commissions when he left her employ. While employed by respondent, Mr. Lovett obtained for the firm the exclusive right to sell a home belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Oliver. Thereafter, Mr. Lovett facilitated execution of a contract between the Olivers and the Kellys in which the Kellys agreed to buy the house for $34,000.0 "contingent upon purchaser qualifying for a VA insured loan in the amount specified." On August 11, 1975, the property was appraised at less than $34,000.00; and a "VA insured loan in the amount specified" proved unavailable to the Kellys. About the time this contract fell through, Mr. Lovett said he was going to Mt. Dora to look for work. The last week of August, 1975, Mr. Lovett spent in Orlando looking for a job. At the end of the week, Mr. Lovett returned to respondent's office, cleaned out his desk and announced that he was leaving. Respondent heard him say this before she left town for a long weekend. The following Tuesday, when the office reopened after Labor Day, respondent wrote petitioner, advising that Mr. Lovett was no longer associated with her as of the date of the letter. Mr. Oliver, who had moved to Georgia, returned to Brevard County for the Labor Day weekend and contacted respondent's office. Respondent's son, who was working as a real estate salesman for his mother, reopened discussions with the Kellys. As a result, the Kellys agreed a second time to buy the Olivers' house, this time at a price of $31,500.00. This second agreement, styled an "Amendment" (sic) to the first contract, was reduced to writing and signed by the principals on August 30, 1975. This second agreement provided that respondent's office be paid a commission of $2,205.00. The transaction closed the following month. Respondent originally refused Mr. Lovett's demands for commissions on account of the Oliver-Kelly sale. After Mr. Lovett left respondent's office, however, respondent paid him both listing and sales commissions on account of another transaction which closed before he left respondent's employ. After Mr. Lovett enlisted the aid of petitioner, respondent paid Mr. Lovett $220.00 in settlement of his claim for the listing commission on account of the Oliver- Kelly sale.

Recommendation Upon consideration of the foregoing, it is RECOMMENDED: That petitioner dismiss the administrative complaint against respondent. DONE and ENTERED this 7th day of May, 1979, in Tallahassee, Florida. ROBERT T. BENTON, II Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 530, Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 COPIES FURNISHED: John Huskins, Esquire Post Office Box 1900 Orlando, Florida 32802 Charles Holcomb, Esquire Post Office Box 1657 Cocoa, Florida 32922

Florida Laws (2) 475.25475.42
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ZGS BROADCASTING HOLDINGS, INC. vs DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, 05-003970 (2005)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Tallahassee, Florida Oct. 21, 2005 Number: 05-003970 Latest Update: Jul. 03, 2024
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