The plaintiffs brought a motion for default judgment after the defendants were noted in default in an action alleging fraudulent inducement to invest in purported real estate development projects.
The court reviewed the deemed admissions under Rule 19.02 and the evidentiary record to determine whether the facts established liability for fraudulent misrepresentation.
Default judgment was granted against one individual defendant and related corporate entities for specific investments where the plaintiffs proved reliance on knowingly false representations in promotional materials.
Claims relating to other investments and claims against another individual defendant were directed to proceed to an undefended trial due to insufficient pleaded or evidentiary support.
The court also awarded punitive damages against the primary individual defendant and directed further submissions on costs.
