The plaintiff brought a civil action following the breakdown of a romantic relationship, alleging repayment of loans, conversion of personal property, unjust enrichment, and intentional infliction of mental suffering.
The defendant did not defend the action and was noted in default.
The court held that funds advanced during the relationship were loans rather than gifts and ordered repayment.
It further found the defendant liable for conversion of the plaintiff’s truck and unjust enrichment arising from home renovations paid by the plaintiff.
Although the claim for intentional infliction of mental suffering was rejected in law in the family relationship context, the court awarded punitive damages for the defendant’s exploitative and reprehensible conduct.
