Goldgar v. Jetter

Stolz, Judge. William A. Jetter sued Northside Air Terminal, Inc., a Georgia corporation (Northside); and Mike Goldgar, individually, for $5,000 principal, $1,500 attorney fees, plus interest and costs in the State Court of DeKalb County. At all times pertinent, Goldgar was the president and principal stockholder in Northside. The plaintiff was interested in renting space in a building which Northside had charge of, but did not own. The desired space was occupied by another tenant whom Goldgar was desirous of removing. The plaintiff gave the corporation a signed blank check as a "good faith deposit,” not a lease deposit or security deposit. It was mutually agreed that the check would be filled in for $5,000. Subsequently, the desired space was not made available. The "good faith deposit” was commingled with other corporate funds and depleted. The plaintiff demanded the return of his money, but was given a $5,000 promissory note on Northside, which became insolvent. The case was tried before the judge without a jury, resulting in a judgment against both defendants. Goldgar appeals. Submitted May 21, 1975 Decided September 2, 1975. Lynwood A. Maddox, for appellant. Langford, Staples & Staples, L. Boyal Langford, Rose Higby Staples, for appellees. 1. The judgment of the trial judge sitting without a jury will be affirmed if there is any evidence to support it. Lester Colodny Const. Co. v. Allen, 129 Ga. App. 545 (199 SE2d 917) and cits. 2. Goldgar relies on King v. Foreman, 71 Ga. App. 75 (30 SE2d 214), as the basis for a reversal in this case. The material distinction between that case and the case before us is that in King there was no evidence that the general manager acted in the transaction or received or retained any money other than as general manager and agent of the corporation; whereas, in the case before us, Goldgar, as principal stockholder (80%) of Northside, was the "alter ego” of the corporation. Neither the corporation nor Goldgar gave anything for the money and in good conscience should not be permitted to retain it. See Magyer v. Brown, 116 Ga. App. 498, 501 (157 SE2d 825) and cits. Judgment affirmed. Deen, P. J., concurs. Evans, J., concurs specially.