1 00:00:00,433 --> 00:00:01,867 {\an8}He got you into the store? 2 00:00:01,867 --> 00:00:03,934 {\an8}He was very aggressive and pushy. 3 00:00:03,934 --> 00:00:07,800 And the next thing, I knew, he was practically on top of me. 4 00:00:07,800 --> 00:00:10,400 And you said you felt as if you couldn't leave? 5 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:13,266 I've been held against my will before, and kidnapped. 6 00:00:13,266 --> 00:00:17,266 And I was literally traumatized at that point. 7 00:00:17,266 --> 00:00:19,834 This is Judy Justice. 8 00:00:35,767 --> 00:00:39,900 {\an8}Linda Bernardasci is suing salesman Eric West 9 00:00:39,900 --> 00:00:43,000 {\an8}for the cost of skin care products. 10 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:44,934 Court, come to order. All rise. 11 00:00:48,266 --> 00:00:49,700 Have a seat, please. 12 00:00:51,300 --> 00:00:52,433 {\an8}- Hello, Judge. - Hello, Kevin. 13 00:00:52,433 --> 00:00:54,800 {\an8}Case number 2114, Bernardasci versus West. 14 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:56,033 {\an8}- Thank you. - You're welcome. 15 00:00:57,734 --> 00:00:59,467 {\an8}Would you pronounce your last name for me? 16 00:00:59,467 --> 00:01:01,433 {\an8}- Bernardasci. - Bernardasci. 17 00:01:01,433 --> 00:01:04,166 {\an8}- Yes. - Well, I read your complaint. 18 00:01:04,166 --> 00:01:07,834 I somehow was taken back to my own experience 19 00:01:07,834 --> 00:01:12,633 just walking down any street that has a new cosmetic place. 20 00:01:12,633 --> 00:01:16,867 So I sort of, leave. I understand what your experience was, 21 00:01:16,867 --> 00:01:19,000 at least initially, with Mr. West. 22 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:20,867 Mr. West, you're a salesman for what company? 23 00:01:20,867 --> 00:01:22,333 And where are they located? 24 00:01:22,333 --> 00:01:24,000 {\an8}Well, they're all over the United States, 25 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:26,467 {\an8}but I worked for one in San Francisco. 26 00:01:26,467 --> 00:01:28,667 Where are the products manufactured? 27 00:01:28,667 --> 00:01:30,700 - In California, actually. - Where? 28 00:01:30,700 --> 00:01:32,133 Chatsworth, California. 29 00:01:32,133 --> 00:01:35,300 Okay. And they have brick-and-mortar stores 30 00:01:35,300 --> 00:01:37,300 - all over the country? - Mm-hmm. 31 00:01:37,300 --> 00:01:40,333 And they have many products, but under that one name? 32 00:01:40,333 --> 00:01:41,533 Yeah, they have many products. 33 00:01:41,533 --> 00:01:43,200 Many products, but they're all...? 34 00:01:43,200 --> 00:01:45,467 Yes. They have multiple products 35 00:01:45,467 --> 00:01:48,133 and multiple locations all through California, 36 00:01:48,133 --> 00:01:50,667 and it looks like a bit of Arizona as well. 37 00:01:50,667 --> 00:01:53,233 - How many? - Upwards of 20 locations. 38 00:01:53,233 --> 00:01:55,200 Okay. And can you tell me, Sarah, 39 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:57,300 - is it a corporation? - I'd assume so, 40 00:01:57,300 --> 00:01:58,867 their about page. 41 00:01:58,867 --> 00:02:00,467 How long have you worked for the company, sir? 42 00:02:00,467 --> 00:02:04,100 That company in that location, about three years. 43 00:02:04,100 --> 00:02:06,400 Where is the corporate headquarters for the company? 44 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:09,300 It's located in San Mateo. 45 00:02:09,300 --> 00:02:11,400 Do you know if the company was incorporated 46 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:12,900 in the State of California? 47 00:02:12,900 --> 00:02:15,033 - Yes, I believe it was. - Under that name? 48 00:02:15,033 --> 00:02:17,667 - Mm-hmm. - Uh-huh is not an answer. 49 00:02:17,667 --> 00:02:19,467 Oh. Yes. Sorry. My apologies. 50 00:02:19,467 --> 00:02:21,200 It look like it was 51 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:23,567 an LLC out of Oregon, 52 00:02:23,567 --> 00:02:26,367 but it is listed as inactive 53 00:02:26,367 --> 00:02:29,233 as of 12/22 of 2020. 54 00:02:29,233 --> 00:02:31,233 There's no company in California? 55 00:02:31,233 --> 00:02:33,900 It just says the jurisdiction in which the LLC was created 56 00:02:33,900 --> 00:02:35,600 is Oregon, that's as far as I could tell. 57 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:39,100 They have a company address that's listed 58 00:02:39,100 --> 00:02:41,300 in a head office in Portland, Oregon. 59 00:02:41,300 --> 00:02:43,166 What do you know about Portland, Oregon? 60 00:02:43,166 --> 00:02:45,233 It's a lot of, lot of, um, hippies. 61 00:02:45,233 --> 00:02:46,300 Lot of hippies. 62 00:02:46,300 --> 00:02:47,700 - What about your company? - Oh. 63 00:02:47,700 --> 00:02:49,600 Do you know anything about your company? 64 00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:52,700 Yes, um, I think it's probably another location there, as well. 65 00:02:52,700 --> 00:02:54,800 Do you know anything about the company 66 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:56,467 that you work for? Was it incorporated 67 00:02:56,467 --> 00:02:58,166 {\an8}in the State of Oregon? 68 00:02:58,166 --> 00:02:59,967 {\an8}No, it was incorporated in California, 69 00:03:00,100 --> 00:03:02,834 {\an8}and, um, I think Oregon, maybe, they, maybe, has a franchise? 70 00:03:02,834 --> 00:03:05,867 I can't tell from public records anything further. 71 00:03:05,867 --> 00:03:07,600 From the State of California? 72 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:10,533 I tried looking up their headquarter information, and all I got 73 00:03:10,533 --> 00:03:13,233 was this Cosmetics, LLC, from Oregon. 74 00:03:13,233 --> 00:03:15,867 And while I'm taking this information, I want you to take a look 75 00:03:15,867 --> 00:03:19,333 and see if there are any court cases. 76 00:03:19,333 --> 00:03:22,266 Let's try the State of California and the State of Oregon. 77 00:03:22,266 --> 00:03:23,834 - Sure. - And the only thing 78 00:03:23,834 --> 00:03:26,367 that you could find was the Oregon company under that name 79 00:03:26,367 --> 00:03:28,867 that is no longer active? 80 00:03:28,867 --> 00:03:31,667 It might not be... they might not be the same company, 81 00:03:31,667 --> 00:03:33,800 but it has the same name listed in Oregon, 82 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:36,300 so I would assume so, but there's no information 83 00:03:36,300 --> 00:03:38,600 on their website about their headquarter information. 84 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:41,467 Anyway, Ms. Bernardasci, try to think of the date 85 00:03:41,467 --> 00:03:43,500 that you made these purchases. What date was it? 86 00:03:43,500 --> 00:03:47,133 It was February the 21st, 2022. 87 00:03:47,133 --> 00:03:50,300 And you were shopping, you were walking with your dog? 88 00:03:50,300 --> 00:03:51,500 - Mm-hmm. - That a little dog? 89 00:03:51,500 --> 00:03:52,800 - Yes. - What kind of dog? 90 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:54,300 - A Shih Tzu. - A Shih Tzu? 91 00:03:54,300 --> 00:03:56,967 - My fave. - Oh, yeah, mine, too. 92 00:03:56,967 --> 00:03:58,300 She's my third one. 93 00:03:58,300 --> 00:04:00,834 You were walking in a mall, what mall and where? 94 00:04:00,834 --> 00:04:03,667 In Santa Clara, California. 95 00:04:03,667 --> 00:04:05,033 That's where you were working? 96 00:04:05,033 --> 00:04:06,000 - Mm-hmm. - How long 97 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:08,333 - had you been working there? - Three years. 98 00:04:08,333 --> 00:04:11,400 Okay, this is what the case is about, as far as I can tell. 99 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:13,500 You were walking, was it this gentleman 100 00:04:13,500 --> 00:04:15,233 who was standing outside? 101 00:04:15,233 --> 00:04:16,667 - No, it was not. - It was somebody else? 102 00:04:16,667 --> 00:04:18,400 - It was somebody else. - It was somebody else. 103 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:20,467 One of the other people who works at your business? 104 00:04:20,467 --> 00:04:22,266 I was the one who'd offered her a sample. 105 00:04:22,266 --> 00:04:25,333 - Outside? - No, in the front of the store. 106 00:04:25,333 --> 00:04:27,166 Well, but it's in the front of the store? 107 00:04:27,166 --> 00:04:28,800 {\an8}I didn't step outside of the store, 108 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:30,600 {\an8}I was in the front of our store, not outside of it, 109 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:32,967 {\an8}but inside the store, and I handed her a sample. 110 00:04:32,967 --> 00:04:34,200 Just a second. 111 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:36,400 {\an8}Sort of inconsistent with my life's experience 112 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:38,633 {\an8}of these things, but let's see. 113 00:04:38,633 --> 00:04:41,400 {\an8}- Had you gone to his store? - No. 114 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:43,433 {\an8}You're walking through the mall, is it an indoor mall 115 00:04:43,433 --> 00:04:44,767 {\an8}- or an outdoor mall? - Indoor. 116 00:04:44,767 --> 00:04:47,800 And when you passed that store, tell me what happened. 117 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:51,300 I was en route to a specific store. 118 00:04:51,300 --> 00:04:55,333 A man with a basket was standing in front of the store. 119 00:04:55,333 --> 00:04:57,400 So, there was a man outside with a basket? 120 00:04:57,400 --> 00:04:59,367 - With a basket, holding... - Where outside? 121 00:04:59,367 --> 00:05:01,834 Right outside of the store. 122 00:05:01,834 --> 00:05:04,433 - And it wasn't this gentleman? - No, it was not. 123 00:05:04,433 --> 00:05:05,467 Tell me what the person looked like, 124 00:05:05,467 --> 00:05:08,367 - who gave you this sample? - He was, he, I believe 125 00:05:08,367 --> 00:05:12,233 he was Caucasian. He was shorter than Eric. 126 00:05:12,233 --> 00:05:15,633 I believe he was partially bald, 127 00:05:15,633 --> 00:05:18,300 and I believe he wore glasses, but I can't be sure. 128 00:05:18,300 --> 00:05:20,767 I would know him if I saw him. 129 00:05:20,767 --> 00:05:23,166 Okay. And, so continue with your story. 130 00:05:23,166 --> 00:05:26,467 You're standing there with a basket of samples outside the store. 131 00:05:26,467 --> 00:05:27,867 - Okay. - It's totally consistent 132 00:05:27,867 --> 00:05:30,900 with my own personal experience. 133 00:05:30,900 --> 00:05:34,967 Okay. So, he offered me a sample 134 00:05:34,967 --> 00:05:38,367 of a product, and I said, "No, thank you, I'm not interested." 135 00:05:38,367 --> 00:05:41,834 And he said, "No, please," he said, "you'll like it." 136 00:05:41,834 --> 00:05:43,867 And I said, "I really, I'm in a hurry, 137 00:05:43,967 --> 00:05:46,800 and I'm not interested in any of your products." 138 00:05:46,800 --> 00:05:50,734 At that point, Eric walked a couple of steps out 139 00:05:50,734 --> 00:05:55,500 from the store, and started showering my dog 140 00:05:55,500 --> 00:05:57,200 and myself with compliments. 141 00:05:57,200 --> 00:05:58,633 Just, like, over the top. 142 00:05:58,633 --> 00:06:01,333 And he said, "Why don't you come in my store? 143 00:06:01,333 --> 00:06:03,133 I've got a surprise for you. 144 00:06:03,133 --> 00:06:05,600 You are going to love me," he said. 145 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:07,800 - I said... - So he was doing 146 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:10,166 - his salesman shtick. - Yeah. Yeah. 147 00:06:10,166 --> 00:06:13,767 And from the smile on his face, it's exactly what he was doing, 148 00:06:13,767 --> 00:06:16,166 his salesman shtick. 149 00:06:16,166 --> 00:06:18,200 - Yeah, and pretty much... - You work on commission. 150 00:06:18,200 --> 00:06:20,633 - Yes. - Right. Okay. 151 00:06:20,633 --> 00:06:23,567 So now, he's showering both you and your little Shih Tzu 152 00:06:23,567 --> 00:06:26,567 with compliments, and how beautiful the Shih Tzu is, 153 00:06:26,567 --> 00:06:30,000 and how he's gonna give you things that are gonna take away this line 154 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:31,734 and that line, and this crease, whatever. 155 00:06:31,734 --> 00:06:35,700 And I'm such a sweet and kind person 156 00:06:35,700 --> 00:06:38,400 that, you know, he's got a surprise for me... 157 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:42,400 I got it. Okay. Go ahead. So he got you into the store. 158 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:46,300 Uh-huh. At that point, he asked me to have a seat. 159 00:06:46,300 --> 00:06:49,633 And again, I said, really, I'm not interested, 160 00:06:49,633 --> 00:06:50,633 I want to go. 161 00:06:50,633 --> 00:06:52,967 So then, someone took my dog... 162 00:06:52,967 --> 00:06:56,333 - Where was the dog? - On a leash in my hand. 163 00:06:56,333 --> 00:06:59,166 And, uh, he says, "Here, I'll take your dog. 164 00:06:59,166 --> 00:07:01,166 {\an8}And I said, "No, I'll hold her." 165 00:07:01,166 --> 00:07:03,834 {\an8}And he said, "No, I'm gonna take care of her." 166 00:07:03,834 --> 00:07:05,734 And I'm going, "Wait a minute." 167 00:07:05,734 --> 00:07:09,200 And next thing I knew, Eric was practically on top of me. 168 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:12,367 This chair was located in a position... 169 00:07:12,367 --> 00:07:15,400 Well, his chair was much higher than mine. 170 00:07:15,400 --> 00:07:18,433 So you were sitting in a chair like mine? 171 00:07:18,433 --> 00:07:22,667 Yeah. Well, a, a chair, just, like a... 172 00:07:22,667 --> 00:07:24,100 - A make-up chair? - Yeah. 173 00:07:24,100 --> 00:07:25,400 Or a hairdresser's chair? 174 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:28,300 Kind of like a, a make-up chair. 175 00:07:28,300 --> 00:07:31,066 And he was sitting on a chair or a stool? 176 00:07:31,066 --> 00:07:33,467 - A stool. - Stool. Is that right, Eric? 177 00:07:33,467 --> 00:07:35,500 - I'm talking to you. - Yes, Your Honor. 178 00:07:35,500 --> 00:07:37,133 Okay, that's a yes. Okay. 179 00:07:37,133 --> 00:07:39,834 And your stool was higher than her chair? 180 00:07:39,834 --> 00:07:41,934 That is incorrect. We both were sitting on stools. 181 00:07:41,934 --> 00:07:44,033 - The same stool? - The same stool. 182 00:07:44,033 --> 00:07:46,934 - Was yours higher? - No. It was the same size. 183 00:07:46,934 --> 00:07:48,166 Okay. Go ahead. 184 00:07:48,166 --> 00:07:53,333 So, at that point, he just started applying different products 185 00:07:53,333 --> 00:07:56,200 to my, I believe he started with my hand, 186 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:59,300 and then, uh, "Look here, let me try some of this on your face." 187 00:07:59,300 --> 00:08:01,367 And I'm looking around for my dog, 188 00:08:01,367 --> 00:08:02,800 like, what's going on here? 189 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:06,600 And, 'cause he was very aggressive and pushy and... 190 00:08:06,600 --> 00:08:10,600 Just tell me what he did, without trying to editorialize. 191 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:14,200 - Okay. So, basically, he... - Not basically. 192 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:18,433 He put on all this goop on your face, on your hands, 193 00:08:18,433 --> 00:08:21,300 somebody else in the store was holding your dog 194 00:08:21,300 --> 00:08:23,300 while he was putting this on you. 195 00:08:23,300 --> 00:08:26,100 He didn't force you into the chair, 196 00:08:26,100 --> 00:08:28,867 he aggressively coaxed you into the chair is what you're telling me 197 00:08:28,867 --> 00:08:30,300 by complimenting you. 198 00:08:30,300 --> 00:08:32,400 I mean, he didn't physically drag you into the store, 199 00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:34,533 - you walked in by yourself. - Right. 200 00:08:34,533 --> 00:08:39,633 Okay. He was using his best aggressive salesman routine. 201 00:08:39,633 --> 00:08:42,200 Not easy to get somebody in the store, right, Eric? 202 00:08:42,200 --> 00:08:45,266 I mean, it was never easy to get me in one of those stores, 203 00:08:45,266 --> 00:08:47,166 and I shop with her all the time. 204 00:08:47,166 --> 00:08:50,433 And she's got more lotions and potions 205 00:08:50,433 --> 00:08:55,433 and stuff on her counter than any other human being I know, 206 00:08:55,433 --> 00:08:59,133 and I've never seen anybody successful in giving her a free sample 207 00:08:59,133 --> 00:09:00,500 and getting her into the store. 208 00:09:00,500 --> 00:09:03,767 So you must be very good, 'cause we have a few of those stores 209 00:09:03,767 --> 00:09:05,300 right in the neighborhood. 210 00:09:05,300 --> 00:09:07,367 You must be really talented. 211 00:09:07,367 --> 00:09:09,233 - He is. - Just a second, 212 00:09:09,233 --> 00:09:11,333 so before we finish with her, 213 00:09:11,333 --> 00:09:14,100 and since you originally started, Mr. West, with, 214 00:09:14,100 --> 00:09:15,934 "No, it was me outside", 215 00:09:15,934 --> 00:09:18,767 it wasn't you outside initially, it was somebody else. 216 00:09:18,767 --> 00:09:21,233 You came out afterwards. Well, actually, I believe her. 217 00:09:21,233 --> 00:09:23,633 So, I want you to understand 218 00:09:23,633 --> 00:09:28,533 that her description of the person who initially approached her 219 00:09:28,533 --> 00:09:32,633 was so specific, and then, the fact that you 220 00:09:32,633 --> 00:09:36,467 came out and joined that person, because then you became a tag team, 221 00:09:36,467 --> 00:09:39,700 is totally convincing to me. 222 00:09:39,700 --> 00:09:41,500 I want you to understand that. 223 00:09:44,500 --> 00:09:48,233 I didn't feel that I was going to be able to leave the store. 224 00:09:48,233 --> 00:09:50,667 I've been held against my will before and kidnapped. 225 00:09:50,667 --> 00:09:54,166 And I was literally traumatized at that point. 226 00:09:54,166 --> 00:09:56,367 When were you held against your will and kidnapped? 227 00:10:07,667 --> 00:10:11,300 {\an8}Linda Bernardasci claims salesman, Eric West, 228 00:10:11,300 --> 00:10:15,533 {\an8}owes her a refund for skin care products she never wanted. 229 00:10:15,533 --> 00:10:17,300 Do you have family, Eric? 230 00:10:17,300 --> 00:10:18,667 Yes, I do, Your Honor. 231 00:10:18,667 --> 00:10:19,767 Living family? 232 00:10:19,767 --> 00:10:21,567 - Yes, I do. - Okay. 233 00:10:21,567 --> 00:10:24,000 You don't want to make a fool out of yourself here, right? 234 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:25,333 - Absolutely not. - Great. 235 00:10:25,333 --> 00:10:29,934 So I want you to understand that I believe the plaintiff 236 00:10:29,934 --> 00:10:33,433 when she tells me you weren't the initial person 237 00:10:33,433 --> 00:10:36,567 out there who stopped her with a free sample. 238 00:10:36,567 --> 00:10:38,266 I was the only one working that day, Your Honor. 239 00:10:38,266 --> 00:10:39,967 - I don't believe you. - Okay. 240 00:10:39,967 --> 00:10:43,000 Because you couldn't have got her where you got her to, 241 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:44,967 which is the story she's gonna finish, 242 00:10:44,967 --> 00:10:46,934 'cause by the time she got out of the store, 243 00:10:46,934 --> 00:10:49,367 she had $8,000 worth of your products. 244 00:10:49,367 --> 00:10:52,333 Which is also not accredited by the Better Business Bureau 245 00:10:52,333 --> 00:10:55,133 and has multiple complaints out against them. 246 00:10:55,133 --> 00:10:56,533 So, just for the record. 247 00:10:56,533 --> 00:10:58,333 No, that's an important record. 248 00:10:58,333 --> 00:11:00,767 Keep looking. 249 00:11:01,700 --> 00:11:04,000 {\an8}Okay, so, at that point, 250 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:08,433 {\an8}I decided I'm going to leave, and take my dog, 251 00:11:08,433 --> 00:11:09,633 {\an8}and get out of here. 252 00:11:09,633 --> 00:11:11,467 And I attempted to get up, 253 00:11:11,467 --> 00:11:14,066 and he was sitting higher up than I was, 254 00:11:14,066 --> 00:11:16,500 and in such close proximity, 255 00:11:16,500 --> 00:11:19,500 that I was unable to fully stand up. 256 00:11:19,500 --> 00:11:22,767 And as he saw me attempting, 257 00:11:22,767 --> 00:11:25,800 he comes back over with another product. 258 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:27,834 He was across the store, and... 259 00:11:27,834 --> 00:11:31,200 Well, if he was across the store, Ms. Bernardasci, 260 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:34,166 if he was across the store, then he wasn't hovering over you. 261 00:11:34,166 --> 00:11:38,500 So, what I tried to tell you before is, I want you to tell me 262 00:11:38,500 --> 00:11:41,734 not what you think is best for your case, 263 00:11:41,734 --> 00:11:44,367 either he's standing over you so you couldn't get up, 264 00:11:44,367 --> 00:11:46,266 or he's across the room. 265 00:11:46,266 --> 00:11:49,100 If he's across the room, 'cause he went to get another product, 266 00:11:49,100 --> 00:11:50,467 you could've gotten up and left. 267 00:11:50,467 --> 00:11:52,900 No, actually, he wasn't across the room, 268 00:11:52,900 --> 00:11:55,133 he was just, like, I think it was at the desk behind... 269 00:11:55,133 --> 00:11:57,533 Whatever, he wasn't right on top of you. 270 00:11:57,533 --> 00:11:59,567 - Uh, no, but... - You don't understand, 271 00:11:59,567 --> 00:12:04,633 I don't believe that you were held against your will 272 00:12:04,633 --> 00:12:06,266 in the store. 273 00:12:06,266 --> 00:12:08,934 I don't believe that they did that. 274 00:12:08,934 --> 00:12:12,967 I think he was overly aggressive, and he chose a target. 275 00:12:12,967 --> 00:12:14,133 - Yeah, and I... - Okay. 276 00:12:14,133 --> 00:12:18,066 And at what point did you purchase all of this product? 277 00:12:18,066 --> 00:12:22,233 Which is the subject of this case, because you want your money back. 278 00:12:22,233 --> 00:12:25,600 {\an8}I didn't feel that I was going to be able to leave the store. 279 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:28,500 {\an8}I've been held against my will before and kidnapped. 280 00:12:28,500 --> 00:12:32,000 And I was literally traumatized at that point. 281 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:34,000 When were you held against your will and kidnapped? 282 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:38,100 Oh, this was like... 15 years ago, maybe. 283 00:12:38,100 --> 00:12:40,967 Well, I would remember that, whether it was 15 years ago. 284 00:12:40,967 --> 00:12:43,767 I want you to tell me about that. That forms part of who you are, 285 00:12:43,767 --> 00:12:45,967 and who the person is that I have to consider 286 00:12:45,967 --> 00:12:50,533 with regard to whether or not this was a forced sale, 287 00:12:50,533 --> 00:12:53,100 or just an overly aggressive salesman. 288 00:12:53,100 --> 00:12:55,400 So I want you to tell me, was there a police report 289 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:58,600 of a prior kidnapping? There was. 290 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:01,567 - Yes. - And did they actually find people 291 00:13:01,567 --> 00:13:02,934 - who kidnapped you? - Yes. 292 00:13:02,934 --> 00:13:05,367 Was there a trial with regard to those people? 293 00:13:05,367 --> 00:13:09,500 I don't believe so, because the guy was on parole, 294 00:13:09,500 --> 00:13:12,834 and so he didn't want to go to trial. 295 00:13:12,834 --> 00:13:15,400 So, he violated his parole, and he went back to prison? 296 00:13:15,400 --> 00:13:17,800 - Yes. - And that was in California? 297 00:13:17,800 --> 00:13:18,934 Yes. But... 298 00:13:18,934 --> 00:13:20,500 So, when you were in the store, 299 00:13:20,500 --> 00:13:23,233 and you said felt as if you couldn't leave, 300 00:13:23,233 --> 00:13:25,567 you were under pressure, how many people were in the store? 301 00:13:25,567 --> 00:13:28,767 Uh, well, there was Eric, and the gentleman that was standing 302 00:13:28,767 --> 00:13:30,433 outside of the store, 303 00:13:30,433 --> 00:13:35,233 and then a woman came from behind the register, 304 00:13:35,233 --> 00:13:37,967 in the back room. And he was telling me 305 00:13:37,967 --> 00:13:41,266 how this woman is a world-renowned, 306 00:13:41,266 --> 00:13:45,767 uh, facial beauty massage, uh, whatever, expert, 307 00:13:45,767 --> 00:13:49,433 running drag on me, pretty much, let's just put it that way. 308 00:13:49,433 --> 00:13:50,734 Anyway, uh... 309 00:13:50,734 --> 00:13:52,734 Now you're up from your chair. 310 00:13:52,734 --> 00:13:55,400 I want to know how the sale came about. 311 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:58,433 Well, because I didn't feel that I was going to be able to leave. 312 00:13:58,433 --> 00:14:00,266 Okay, so tell me what happened. 313 00:14:00,266 --> 00:14:04,767 {\an8}Okay, so, I said, "Look, I don't even have any money to cover this." 314 00:14:04,767 --> 00:14:07,166 - And I'm looking... - To cover what? 315 00:14:07,166 --> 00:14:09,133 - He asked me for my identification... - To cover what? 316 00:14:09,133 --> 00:14:11,266 To cover the cost of these beauty products 317 00:14:11,266 --> 00:14:12,700 he wanted to sell me. 318 00:14:12,700 --> 00:14:13,934 Okay, how many were there? 319 00:14:13,934 --> 00:14:15,433 There was four or five 320 00:14:15,433 --> 00:14:17,200 - different... uh... - Creams. 321 00:14:17,200 --> 00:14:19,400 Creams, and then there was a device 322 00:14:19,400 --> 00:14:21,867 that, I don't know what you call 'em, 323 00:14:21,867 --> 00:14:24,400 but it was a device that he had used on me 324 00:14:24,400 --> 00:14:26,200 while I was sitting in the chair. 325 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:29,367 And you know, telling me, "Look in the mirror, 326 00:14:29,367 --> 00:14:32,233 doesn't this, you know, can't you tell a big difference?" 327 00:14:32,233 --> 00:14:35,734 He even took my phone and took a picture, a couple pictures of me, 328 00:14:35,734 --> 00:14:38,934 he says, "Lookit," I said, "I can tell a little bit of a difference, 329 00:14:38,934 --> 00:14:42,433 but it's not worth the money, and again, I don't even have the money, 330 00:14:42,433 --> 00:14:43,667 so I really need to go." 331 00:14:43,667 --> 00:14:47,000 So, he asked for my driver's license 332 00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:49,967 to register the product, and then he told me I... 333 00:14:49,967 --> 00:14:52,533 - To register the product? - The product that I bought. 334 00:14:52,533 --> 00:14:55,867 Oh, so you did say you would buy the device? 335 00:14:55,867 --> 00:14:57,734 - Yeah, uh, I... - Just... 336 00:14:57,734 --> 00:14:59,800 You did say you would buy the device? 337 00:14:59,800 --> 00:15:01,467 And how much was the device? 338 00:15:01,467 --> 00:15:04,533 {\an8}It was just shy of $8,000. 339 00:15:04,533 --> 00:15:06,700 {\an8}- I've got the receipts... - I'd like to see it. 340 00:15:07,633 --> 00:15:08,967 Do you have it with you? 341 00:15:08,967 --> 00:15:10,200 - Oh, the device? - Yeah. 342 00:15:10,200 --> 00:15:12,266 No, I wish I would've brought it with me, 343 00:15:12,266 --> 00:15:14,500 but I didn't, hasn't been opened. 344 00:15:14,500 --> 00:15:17,133 I still have it. I haven't touched it. 345 00:15:17,133 --> 00:15:19,000 You wanted to see the receipts? 346 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,300 - Yes. - Okay. They're right here. 347 00:15:23,066 --> 00:15:26,133 By the way, what time of day did you go to the store? 348 00:15:26,133 --> 00:15:30,700 This was approximately 6:30, 'cause it was near closing time. 349 00:15:30,700 --> 00:15:32,734 Oh, here's, here's the rest of them, I'm sorry. 350 00:15:34,667 --> 00:15:37,533 Yeah, I was going specifically for one lipstick, 351 00:15:37,533 --> 00:15:40,400 that was, that was all I was at the mall for. 352 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:41,700 And it was almost closing there. 353 00:15:41,700 --> 00:15:42,734 - Sarah Rose? - Yeah? 354 00:15:42,734 --> 00:15:44,834 Take a look under that name. 355 00:15:45,700 --> 00:15:48,000 I didn't find the device on their website. 356 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:49,934 - I already looked if that's what... - You looked at this? 357 00:15:49,934 --> 00:15:52,166 3D ultrasound and face, body...? 358 00:15:52,166 --> 00:15:55,333 I just found six products that are creams 359 00:15:55,333 --> 00:15:57,633 for face and body on the website. 360 00:15:57,633 --> 00:16:01,900 I'd like to see what this 3D ultrasound is, 361 00:16:01,900 --> 00:16:05,533 this $8,000 piece of equipment that you sold her. 362 00:16:05,533 --> 00:16:07,200 You have a picture of it? 363 00:16:08,266 --> 00:16:10,333 Okay. Could you get that for me? 364 00:16:10,333 --> 00:16:14,367 He's gonna give it to Sarah. Sarah's gonna look up this nonsense. 365 00:16:15,233 --> 00:16:16,700 Thank you. 366 00:16:16,700 --> 00:16:18,133 Some more receipts. 367 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:23,333 So, what I see that you did was spread some of this 368 00:16:23,333 --> 00:16:25,633 around different credit cards. 369 00:16:25,633 --> 00:16:27,800 - Yes. - And you want to tell me, 370 00:16:27,800 --> 00:16:29,834 how did that happen? 371 00:16:29,834 --> 00:16:32,633 {\an8}Well, I said, these aren't even my credit cards. 372 00:16:32,633 --> 00:16:34,166 {\an8}My roommate's. 373 00:16:34,166 --> 00:16:38,066 {\an8}And he says, "Well, you could put half on your roommate's credit card," 374 00:16:38,066 --> 00:16:40,533 {\an8}and I says, "No, I am not gonna do that." 375 00:16:40,533 --> 00:16:43,166 And, uh, he says, "Yeah, make him pay for it." 376 00:16:43,166 --> 00:16:45,900 And I'm looking at this guy, like, what's going on... 377 00:16:45,900 --> 00:16:47,900 What are you doing with your roommate's credit cards? 378 00:16:47,900 --> 00:16:51,600 {\an8}Because he's an older gentleman. I've got the power of attorney, 379 00:16:51,600 --> 00:16:55,200 {\an8}and I shop for him. He's not able to do all that. 380 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:58,066 Is he a roommate, or are you a caregiver? 381 00:16:58,066 --> 00:17:01,233 Uh, he's a roommate. We've lived together for 30 years. 382 00:17:01,233 --> 00:17:03,934 - Anyway, just as... - He hasn't been old and sick 383 00:17:03,934 --> 00:17:05,400 for 30 years. 384 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:07,066 - Well, he's kind of... - [chuckles] He may be old 385 00:17:07,066 --> 00:17:10,233 and sick now, but he wasn't old and sick for 30 years. 386 00:17:10,233 --> 00:17:11,834 Oh, well, no, I mean, we were... 387 00:17:11,834 --> 00:17:14,233 Do you live together as a couple for 30 years? 388 00:17:14,233 --> 00:17:16,567 Do you live together as an almost couple? 389 00:17:16,567 --> 00:17:18,900 No. He's like my father, almost. 390 00:17:18,900 --> 00:17:20,967 We each have our separate rooms, 391 00:17:20,967 --> 00:17:24,567 and I pretty much take care of his house and cook for him, 392 00:17:24,567 --> 00:17:27,433 and he doesn't go many places, 393 00:17:27,433 --> 00:17:29,200 he's pretty much a recluse. 394 00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:31,433 He doesn't like to go to the store. 395 00:17:31,433 --> 00:17:35,200 And, uh, so I do all the grocery shopping and everything. 396 00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:36,333 Okay. 397 00:17:39,266 --> 00:17:40,333 Who hired you? 398 00:17:40,333 --> 00:17:41,467 It wasn't a hire. 399 00:17:41,467 --> 00:17:42,800 I was in business with him. 400 00:17:42,800 --> 00:17:44,967 Okay, well, it's getting more interesting. 401 00:17:44,967 --> 00:17:48,100 Who leases the store where you are... 402 00:17:48,100 --> 00:17:49,834 Don't look up in the air. 403 00:17:49,834 --> 00:17:51,867 It... it's gonna get only worse. 404 00:18:03,433 --> 00:18:05,133 Linda Bernardasci 405 00:18:05,133 --> 00:18:10,166 {\an8}is accusing salesman, Eric West, of holding her against her will, 406 00:18:10,166 --> 00:18:12,834 and selling her an unwanted skin care wand. 407 00:18:12,834 --> 00:18:15,233 Do we have a picture of that thing? 408 00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:18,000 "Rejuven..." 409 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:20,133 it's... it's... 410 00:18:20,133 --> 00:18:21,567 - Yeah, I have it. - What? 411 00:18:21,567 --> 00:18:25,166 I have it. It looks like this. 412 00:18:25,700 --> 00:18:27,400 And it's got this on one side, 413 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:29,567 and then, I don't know what this is trying to show you. 414 00:18:29,567 --> 00:18:33,000 "Ultrasound face and body... slimming." 415 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:34,066 - Yeah. - She doesn't look like 416 00:18:34,066 --> 00:18:35,100 she needs slimming. 417 00:18:35,100 --> 00:18:38,133 {\an8}She asked for something that would tighten her skin, 418 00:18:38,133 --> 00:18:40,200 {\an8}as she said that in her younger years, 419 00:18:40,200 --> 00:18:41,600 {\an8}she had a lot of issues with drug abuse, 420 00:18:41,600 --> 00:18:43,533 {\an8}when we had our conversations, 421 00:18:43,533 --> 00:18:45,800 {\an8}and she's asking for something that can actually help her 422 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:49,233 {\an8}look more youthful, and help her skin tighten. 423 00:18:49,233 --> 00:18:51,066 And this is something that she discussed with me when we were sitting 424 00:18:51,066 --> 00:18:53,166 - at the table. - What's your educational experience? 425 00:18:53,166 --> 00:18:56,300 - High school, college. - Where? 426 00:18:56,300 --> 00:18:58,834 I went to, like, a couple film and television schools. 427 00:18:58,834 --> 00:19:00,900 I asked you what college you went to. 428 00:19:00,900 --> 00:19:04,567 Oh. Um... Olympic College. In Washington State. 429 00:19:04,567 --> 00:19:07,266 - And was that a four-year program? - Two-year. 430 00:19:07,266 --> 00:19:08,500 - Two-year? - Mm-hmm. 431 00:19:08,500 --> 00:19:10,367 Is that a brick-and-mortar college, 432 00:19:10,367 --> 00:19:12,533 - or is that an online college? - It's brick-and-mortar. 433 00:19:12,533 --> 00:19:13,934 And what did you study there? 434 00:19:13,934 --> 00:19:15,734 - Just the basics. - What basics? 435 00:19:15,734 --> 00:19:18,367 G... Gen eds, you know, your associates, your gen eds. 436 00:19:18,367 --> 00:19:20,967 And it had nothing to do with my sales and skin care, 437 00:19:20,967 --> 00:19:22,967 but my sales and skin care... 438 00:19:22,967 --> 00:19:25,367 I... I actually deal with every client fairly. 439 00:19:25,367 --> 00:19:26,567 - And I pride myself... - Don't tell me 440 00:19:26,567 --> 00:19:28,333 that you deal with every client fairly. 441 00:19:28,333 --> 00:19:30,000 She wanted her money back the next day. 442 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:31,033 She didn't want her money back the next day. 443 00:19:31,033 --> 00:19:32,400 She didn't even come back the next day. 444 00:19:32,400 --> 00:19:33,500 When did she come back? 445 00:19:33,500 --> 00:19:37,266 It was, like, a week or two later. She came back to the store 446 00:19:37,266 --> 00:19:39,100 {\an8}and wanted a refund, and I said, 447 00:19:39,100 --> 00:19:41,367 {\an8}- "Well, you... - No, no, just a second. 448 00:19:41,367 --> 00:19:45,367 She came into the store on February 21st, 2022. 449 00:19:45,367 --> 00:19:48,467 - Mm-hmm. - You get home with all these products. 450 00:19:48,467 --> 00:19:50,633 You spread it around. 451 00:19:50,633 --> 00:19:54,033 Let's say this is aggressive salesmanship. 452 00:19:54,033 --> 00:19:55,433 Now, you're home. 453 00:19:55,433 --> 00:19:59,166 You had a previous experience with being taken against your will, 454 00:19:59,166 --> 00:20:02,233 and held against your will, according to what you told me. 455 00:20:02,233 --> 00:20:03,633 - Yes. - So you know, 456 00:20:03,633 --> 00:20:05,500 that when that happens, the police get involved. 457 00:20:05,500 --> 00:20:07,133 You didn't go to the police. 458 00:20:07,133 --> 00:20:08,533 - No, not... - When you left... 459 00:20:08,533 --> 00:20:10,834 to say, you know, "I was held against my will," 460 00:20:10,834 --> 00:20:13,300 you took the products, and you took the products home. 461 00:20:13,300 --> 00:20:15,533 - Right? - Well, I didn't go directly home, 462 00:20:15,533 --> 00:20:18,166 I went to my friend's house, she lives two blocks from there. 463 00:20:18,166 --> 00:20:20,400 I was so traumatized, I couldn't drive. 464 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:22,700 And I was beside myself. 465 00:20:22,700 --> 00:20:25,100 Okay. That was February 21st. 466 00:20:25,100 --> 00:20:27,567 - Yes. - So, what did you do 467 00:20:27,567 --> 00:20:30,567 - next with regard to Mr. West? - Okay. 468 00:20:30,567 --> 00:20:34,100 So, by that time it was about 9:00 at night, 469 00:20:34,100 --> 00:20:35,800 ten, when I got home. 470 00:20:35,800 --> 00:20:39,166 {\an8}And, uh, I thought, well, I'll call tomorrow 471 00:20:39,166 --> 00:20:41,200 {\an8}to tell him I want a refund. 472 00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:45,233 Actually, I called him and told him that, and he says 473 00:20:45,233 --> 00:20:46,867 "Well, you're supposed to be down here..." 474 00:20:46,867 --> 00:20:49,000 When the next... when did you call him 475 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:50,834 and tell him you wanted a refund? 476 00:20:50,834 --> 00:20:53,800 It was, uh, the next day. 477 00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:57,233 When he called me. I'm sorry, he called me the next day. 478 00:20:57,233 --> 00:20:58,767 And says, "Where are you?" 479 00:20:58,767 --> 00:21:00,467 And I says, "I'm at home." 480 00:21:00,467 --> 00:21:02,333 And he says, "Well, how come you're not here 481 00:21:02,333 --> 00:21:05,567 for your free 12 facials that I offered you?" 482 00:21:05,567 --> 00:21:08,800 And I says, "I don't want anything from you," 483 00:21:08,800 --> 00:21:11,633 and I didn't ask for anything from him. 484 00:21:11,633 --> 00:21:13,700 So he called you to come in for a free facial? 485 00:21:13,700 --> 00:21:15,200 - Yes. - And? 486 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:19,400 And, and I says, "I don't plan on coming in for any of the facials, 487 00:21:19,400 --> 00:21:21,400 much less 12 of them. 488 00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:25,867 What I'd like to come in for is a refund on these products 489 00:21:25,867 --> 00:21:29,367 that I don't need, and I felt pressured 490 00:21:29,367 --> 00:21:32,266 into buying yesterday, and I can't, 491 00:21:32,266 --> 00:21:33,633 - you know, I don't want them." - Okay. 492 00:21:33,633 --> 00:21:35,200 You say that didn't happen for a week? 493 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:39,266 {\an8}Your Honor, she had a contract with us for six months worth of treatments, 494 00:21:39,266 --> 00:21:42,467 {\an8}hydrafacials that she, that we included in her purchase, 495 00:21:42,467 --> 00:21:45,333 {\an8}- that she signed. And... - I'd like to see what she signed. 496 00:21:45,333 --> 00:21:47,967 It's actually on my phone, I didn't print out a, a copy, because... 497 00:21:47,967 --> 00:21:49,367 - uh, because... - Why not? 498 00:21:49,367 --> 00:21:51,400 'Cause I was rushing this morning and I was... 499 00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:53,934 You were rushing this morning, you knew you were coming to court for days. 500 00:21:53,934 --> 00:21:55,467 What do you mean, you didn't print out a contract? 501 00:21:55,467 --> 00:21:57,767 Do you have a copy of a contract that you signed? 502 00:21:57,767 --> 00:21:59,900 - Yes, I do. - Fine. 503 00:21:59,900 --> 00:22:02,033 - I'll take a look at your... - I also have a police re... 504 00:22:02,033 --> 00:22:04,266 - Do you want to see the police... - I'd like to see a police report, 505 00:22:04,266 --> 00:22:06,100 and I'd like see a copy of the contract you signed. 506 00:22:06,100 --> 00:22:10,166 Okay. And here's some fictitious businesses that he's got as well. 507 00:22:10,166 --> 00:22:13,567 I can't hear, just hand me the stuff. 508 00:22:20,266 --> 00:22:23,166 Okay, this is the police report, I want to see the contract, 509 00:22:23,166 --> 00:22:26,767 I'll read the police report while you're looking for it. 510 00:22:26,767 --> 00:22:28,567 Here's the contract. 511 00:22:38,900 --> 00:22:40,567 Skin care, is that your company? 512 00:22:40,567 --> 00:22:42,600 - Is that the product you're referring to? - Yes. 513 00:22:42,600 --> 00:22:46,300 Those are the medical devices that we actually retail in the store. 514 00:22:46,300 --> 00:22:48,467 And we demonstrate them on the clients. 515 00:22:48,467 --> 00:22:50,367 And then typically, clients, when they see a difference, 516 00:22:50,367 --> 00:22:51,867 they're, like, [gasps] "wow!" 517 00:22:51,867 --> 00:22:54,900 I, listen, you're not selling me, sir. You know, stop making... 518 00:22:54,900 --> 00:22:56,667 This is not a sales pitch to me. 519 00:22:56,667 --> 00:22:59,934 What's your commission when you sell an $8,000 light 520 00:23:00,066 --> 00:23:02,500 to make your skin nice? What's your commission? 521 00:23:02,500 --> 00:23:03,934 Twenty percent. 522 00:23:03,934 --> 00:23:06,066 So yours personally is 20 percent? 523 00:23:06,066 --> 00:23:08,200 - How much do they buy them for? - I'm not sure. 524 00:23:08,200 --> 00:23:09,133 What do you think? 525 00:23:09,133 --> 00:23:10,333 - I have no... - What do you think? 526 00:23:10,333 --> 00:23:13,133 Take a good guess, you've been working for them for three years. 527 00:23:13,133 --> 00:23:14,867 I don't know, and I think that you'd have to factor in, 528 00:23:14,867 --> 00:23:17,533 like, the rent for the establishment, and all of those things, 529 00:23:17,533 --> 00:23:20,100 so I don't really know what the profit margin would be. 530 00:23:20,100 --> 00:23:23,900 Your Honor, on their website, they say that each individually-owned 531 00:23:23,900 --> 00:23:27,000 brick-and-mortar store is not affiliated with them, 532 00:23:27,000 --> 00:23:28,934 - that they run their own store. - So it's franchises? 533 00:23:28,934 --> 00:23:31,734 It's a... it's sort of a franchise-sque situation. 534 00:23:31,734 --> 00:23:33,533 Who owns your store? 535 00:23:33,533 --> 00:23:35,066 Or is it a franchise? 536 00:23:35,066 --> 00:23:38,667 - It's a franchise? - No, d-d, it's not a question. 537 00:23:38,667 --> 00:23:41,367 Sounds like you were asking me a question. 538 00:23:41,367 --> 00:23:45,400 Is it a company-owned store, or is it a franchise? 539 00:23:45,400 --> 00:23:47,400 There's a company that owns the store. 540 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:50,633 - But it's a franchise. - Yes, I believe so. 541 00:23:50,633 --> 00:23:54,166 I'm not familiar with the legalities of the location, 542 00:23:54,166 --> 00:23:56,633 - and all the business agreements that... - Who hired you? 543 00:23:56,633 --> 00:24:00,467 Um... it wasn't a hire. I was, I was in business with him. 544 00:24:00,467 --> 00:24:02,467 Okay, well, it's getting more interesting. 545 00:24:02,467 --> 00:24:04,367 Okay. So it wasn't a hire, 546 00:24:04,367 --> 00:24:07,500 you're in business with a man whose name is what? 547 00:24:07,500 --> 00:24:09,400 - Um... - Don't think about it. 548 00:24:09,400 --> 00:24:11,033 - I don't... - If you're in business with somebody... 549 00:24:11,033 --> 00:24:12,533 - Yeah. - You're a smart boy. 550 00:24:12,533 --> 00:24:14,333 I don't know how to pronounce his last name. 551 00:24:14,333 --> 00:24:15,400 You went to a two-year college. 552 00:24:15,400 --> 00:24:17,467 What's the name of your business partner? 553 00:24:17,467 --> 00:24:20,300 Um, I'm not, I don't know how to pronounce the last name. 554 00:24:20,300 --> 00:24:21,233 What? 555 00:24:21,233 --> 00:24:22,567 I don't know how to pronounce the last name. 556 00:24:22,567 --> 00:24:24,266 - Spell it. - I don't actually know 557 00:24:24,266 --> 00:24:25,700 - how to spell it. - Mm-hmm. 558 00:24:25,700 --> 00:24:28,900 - I'm sorry. - And who leases the store 559 00:24:28,900 --> 00:24:31,300 where you... don't look up in the air. 560 00:24:31,300 --> 00:24:33,233 Y... It, it's gonna get only worse. 561 00:24:35,333 --> 00:24:37,166 To be continued... 562 00:24:39,133 --> 00:24:42,700 {\an8}Want justice? Go to JudyJustice.tv.