Shohat

FACTS

On March 9, 2020, plaintiff Sandra Shohat filed a complaint against defendant and others for breach of contract, fraud, conversion, and quiet title. The complaint alleged defendant, in conjunction with another person, convinced plaintiff to loan defendant $85,000 so he could avoid foreclosure on a residential property he owned. It was purportedly promised defendant would finalize a refinancing that was in process for another property and repay plaintiff within approximately one week. A written loan agreement allegedly signed by defendant promised repayment would occur no later than December 1, 2019, and pledged as security for the loan two properties—one located in Huntington Beach, the other located in Long Beach. When plaintiff attempted to cash a check provided to her as repayment, it was rejected for insufficient funds. Over a series of months, defendant allegedly made a variety of false statements as to why payment was or was not forthcoming. Plaintiff was unsuccessful in getting her money back. Among other relief, the complaint prayed for a monetary award of $85,000, plus late charges, interest and costs, a declaration of

2 plaintiff’s entitlement to an $85,000…