1 00:00:06,300 --> 00:00:08,834 [announcer] Previously on Tribunal Justice. 2 00:00:08,900 --> 00:00:11,333 - Did you ever pay her any rent? - No. 3 00:00:12,300 --> 00:00:15,100 She's burned bridges with other members of the family, 4 00:00:15,166 --> 00:00:18,400 and I believe that they've taken advantage of me. 5 00:00:18,467 --> 00:00:20,834 Who are you to live in somebody's house and not do anything? 6 00:00:21,834 --> 00:00:23,967 The more you don't do something with your own life, 7 00:00:24,033 --> 00:00:25,533 the more you're gonna sink into it. 8 00:00:26,834 --> 00:00:30,100 Unlike my colleagues, ha, I think you're the bad guy here. 9 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:34,900 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays] 10 00:00:52,967 --> 00:00:56,133 [announcer] Today's case was filed in Fredonia, Wisconsin. 11 00:00:56,200 --> 00:00:59,133 [Judge Levy] So when you say that you applied for Social Security 12 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:01,467 when she was 17, that was based upon 13 00:01:01,533 --> 00:01:04,533 your claim that she had this uncontrollable anxiety 14 00:01:04,599 --> 00:01:06,867 that prevented her from doing anything. 15 00:01:06,934 --> 00:01:07,934 - [Roberta] Yes. - And she needed money. 16 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:10,633 So you're looking for money from them for rent, back rent, right? 17 00:01:10,700 --> 00:01:14,500 That's why you took the disability payment that the government, 18 00:01:14,567 --> 00:01:17,433 let's call it what it is, the taxpayers, right, 19 00:01:17,500 --> 00:01:19,934 of this country were given to your granddaughter, 20 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:23,800 and you wanted those checks to reimburse you for rent. 21 00:01:23,867 --> 00:01:24,867 - Yeah. Yeah. - [Judge Levy] Right? 22 00:01:24,934 --> 00:01:28,467 [Judge Levy] Part of your $10,000 claim is in part for back rent, $7,200. 23 00:01:28,533 --> 00:01:29,834 I'm reading your complaint. 24 00:01:29,900 --> 00:01:31,000 - [Roberta] Yes. - [Judge Levy] Right? 25 00:01:31,066 --> 00:01:34,133 You see, the--your problem, one of your many problems in this case 26 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:38,433 is gonna be that you don't get rent in Wisconsin unless there's a written lease. 27 00:01:38,500 --> 00:01:40,533 Show me the written lease you have with them. 28 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:42,166 - I don't. - [Judge Levy] You don't have it. 29 00:01:42,233 --> 00:01:44,533 So you understand that's gone. 30 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:45,600 [Roberta] Yes, sir. 31 00:01:45,667 --> 00:01:47,133 It wasn't just rent, Your Honor. 32 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:49,800 - [Judge Levy] Meh. - There was hundreds of items 33 00:01:49,866 --> 00:01:50,866 that I purchased and... 34 00:01:50,934 --> 00:01:52,133 [Judge Levy] I don't care about hundreds of items. 35 00:01:52,200 --> 00:01:54,265 All I care about is what you gave us proof of. 36 00:01:54,333 --> 00:01:58,567 Part of your $10,000 claim is also for a computer. 37 00:01:58,633 --> 00:02:00,734 So where's the proof of the computer receipt? 38 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:02,166 Well, you can ask them. 39 00:02:02,233 --> 00:02:03,533 [Judge Levy] Where's the--where's the proof of the... 40 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:05,433 - I don't have... - [Judge Levy] Where's the proof 41 00:02:05,500 --> 00:02:07,600 for the furniture and moving expenses? 42 00:02:07,667 --> 00:02:10,166 Where's the proof for the $400 cell phone? 43 00:02:11,133 --> 00:02:13,333 - Well, I didn't know that... - [Judge Levy] Hold on. 44 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:16,000 What you gave us proof of today, by the way, 45 00:02:16,066 --> 00:02:19,233 was a paid receipt for Brooklyn, 46 00:02:19,300 --> 00:02:22,166 the defendant, for anxiety treatments. 47 00:02:22,233 --> 00:02:23,433 - [Roberta] Yes. - [Judge Levy] Did you know 48 00:02:23,500 --> 00:02:25,400 that she has given this to us today? 49 00:02:25,466 --> 00:02:26,767 I assumed. 50 00:02:26,834 --> 00:02:28,033 [Judge Levy] Why'd you assume that? 51 00:02:28,100 --> 00:02:29,500 Because I know she paid for it. 52 00:02:29,567 --> 00:02:31,333 And you had no problem with her giving this to us? 53 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:32,466 [Brooklyn] No. 54 00:02:32,533 --> 00:02:34,200 She can--she has access to us 55 00:02:34,266 --> 00:02:35,466 just because she's the one that paid for it, 56 00:02:35,533 --> 00:02:37,300 so she can show you-- she gets receipts of it. 57 00:02:37,367 --> 00:02:38,600 - [Judge Levy] It doesn't make... - But she doesn't have access 58 00:02:38,667 --> 00:02:39,966 to the medical record though. 59 00:02:40,033 --> 00:02:41,834 She saw other therapists. 60 00:02:41,900 --> 00:02:43,166 That was the treatment plan. 61 00:02:43,233 --> 00:02:44,800 [Judge Levy] Where's the proof? 62 00:02:44,867 --> 00:02:47,734 You said that the reasons why, in your complaint, 63 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:51,133 that she has anxiety is because of stuff that happened with her parents. 64 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:52,433 That's where it stems from. 65 00:02:52,500 --> 00:02:54,466 Long lasting. That's what you said, right? 66 00:02:54,533 --> 00:02:56,266 Well, yes. Yes. 67 00:02:56,333 --> 00:02:59,667 I got her when she was eight, and she had anxiety at that time. 68 00:02:59,734 --> 00:03:00,800 [Judge Levy] Exactly. 69 00:03:00,867 --> 00:03:03,567 So if you're claiming that she had anxiety at that time, 70 00:03:03,633 --> 00:03:07,667 where's the proof that she went to all these prior psychiatrists, 71 00:03:07,734 --> 00:03:09,266 psychologists, treatment? 72 00:03:09,333 --> 00:03:11,166 You didn't provide us any receipts. 73 00:03:11,233 --> 00:03:13,333 Did she have treatment back then? 74 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:14,467 Yes, she did. 75 00:03:14,533 --> 00:03:15,533 [Judge Levy] So why don't you give us those? 76 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:19,266 I didn't think that was the pertinent situation that we're... 77 00:03:19,333 --> 00:03:20,934 [Judge Levy] So why'd you give us this? 78 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:25,066 Because I was supposed to prove where the $10,000 79 00:03:25,133 --> 00:03:28,266 that I asked for back things. 80 00:03:28,333 --> 00:03:30,100 That was just one of them. 81 00:03:30,166 --> 00:03:34,133 My point is that it seems to me, from everything that I've reviewed, 82 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:37,633 in addition to the fact that you took that first check, by the way, 83 00:03:37,700 --> 00:03:40,600 and you applied it for back rent as in part. 84 00:03:40,667 --> 00:03:43,633 How many checks did you take from her, one or four? 85 00:03:43,700 --> 00:03:44,700 - One. - [Judge Levy] One. 86 00:03:44,767 --> 00:03:47,834 So this is the way SSI payments are run in Wisconsin. 87 00:03:47,900 --> 00:03:49,966 - You're the payee, right? - [Roberta] Yes, sir. 88 00:03:50,033 --> 00:03:53,266 [Judge Levy] When the payee receives past due benefits 89 00:03:53,333 --> 00:03:55,100 all at once in a lump sum, 90 00:03:55,166 --> 00:03:57,500 2,700 and whatever dollars, 91 00:03:57,567 --> 00:04:00,800 you, the payee, must first spend the money 92 00:04:00,867 --> 00:04:04,767 on the beneficiary's current needs, not for back rent, 93 00:04:04,834 --> 00:04:06,867 even if Wisconsin allowed that, which they don't, 94 00:04:06,934 --> 00:04:08,400 because you need a lease. 95 00:04:08,467 --> 00:04:11,834 So you had no right to take that money for back payments. 96 00:04:11,900 --> 00:04:15,367 That money is to be used for current payments for her. 97 00:04:15,433 --> 00:04:16,767 Current payments. 98 00:04:16,834 --> 00:04:17,867 I have nothing further. 99 00:04:17,934 --> 00:04:19,867 - Judge Acker. - [Judge Acker] Thank you, Judge. 100 00:04:19,934 --> 00:04:23,200 Brooklyn, how do you feel about hearing all of this today? 101 00:04:24,166 --> 00:04:25,500 Um, upset. 102 00:04:25,567 --> 00:04:27,200 [Judge Acker] What's upsetting to you? 103 00:04:27,266 --> 00:04:29,433 Um, I actually do have a disability. 104 00:04:29,500 --> 00:04:32,600 Well, what I'm really more interested in 105 00:04:32,667 --> 00:04:37,900 is what is it like hearing that testimony from your big brother? 106 00:04:38,500 --> 00:04:41,500 Um, upset. 107 00:04:41,567 --> 00:04:42,800 - Do you love him? - [Brooklyn] Yes. 108 00:04:42,867 --> 00:04:44,100 Do you think he loves you? 109 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:46,667 - Yeah. - [Judge Acker] Is it true what he said? 110 00:04:46,734 --> 00:04:47,767 - [Brooklyn] No. - [Judge Acker] Well, it's gotta be 111 00:04:47,834 --> 00:04:49,633 a little true because you yourself 112 00:04:49,700 --> 00:04:52,467 admitted that right now you're doing nothing. 113 00:04:52,533 --> 00:04:55,200 Judge DiMango said what do you do when you wake up? 114 00:04:55,266 --> 00:04:56,400 You said nothing. 115 00:04:56,467 --> 00:04:59,567 When I asked you what you wanted to do with yourself, 116 00:04:59,633 --> 00:05:01,400 you said, "I wanna be a CNA." 117 00:05:01,867 --> 00:05:04,066 How long does it take to become a CNA? 118 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:07,100 Um, a couple months. 119 00:05:07,166 --> 00:05:10,266 What have you done to start that process? 120 00:05:10,333 --> 00:05:12,066 I don't have money to start the process. 121 00:05:12,133 --> 00:05:15,367 [Judge Acker] You're getting benefits for precisely that reason. 122 00:05:15,433 --> 00:05:17,100 You're living with your brother. 123 00:05:17,166 --> 00:05:18,233 You're 19. 124 00:05:18,300 --> 00:05:20,533 You know, I don't know anything about this fellow. 125 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:22,934 You think he's gonna be supporting you in 20 years? 126 00:05:23,433 --> 00:05:24,433 I don't know. 127 00:05:24,500 --> 00:05:28,300 Do you think there's a reason your brother would stand here and lie? 128 00:05:28,367 --> 00:05:29,667 - Maybe. - [Judge Acker] Why? 129 00:05:29,734 --> 00:05:30,800 Tell me why. 130 00:05:30,867 --> 00:05:32,332 - [Brooklyn] I don't know. - [Judge Acker] He's letting you live 131 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:33,500 in his house. 132 00:05:33,567 --> 00:05:34,967 Your Honor, it's everybody's house. 133 00:05:35,033 --> 00:05:36,500 - We're all on the lease. - [Judge Acker] You're all on the lease. 134 00:05:36,567 --> 00:05:37,567 - [Reese] Yes. - [Judge Acker] Fair enough. 135 00:05:37,633 --> 00:05:39,266 So why would he come here and lie? 136 00:05:39,332 --> 00:05:41,266 Ma'am, I do not know that, but we pay our rent on time 137 00:05:41,332 --> 00:05:43,800 and me and Brooklyn are the only ones that do cleaning in the house. 138 00:05:43,867 --> 00:05:45,967 They never vacuum, never clean the living room. 139 00:05:46,033 --> 00:05:47,500 We--actually when they have their friends over, 140 00:05:47,567 --> 00:05:49,700 we're actually the ones cleaning up after their friends that come over. 141 00:05:49,767 --> 00:05:52,533 And when he says that he supports us, that's when he buys us food 142 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:54,567 that we never asked him to buy any grocery shopping for. 143 00:05:54,633 --> 00:05:56,600 [Judge Acker] Sir, could you come back up, please? 144 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:00,433 He's basically calling you a liar. 145 00:06:00,500 --> 00:06:01,967 Are you lying? 146 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:05,767 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 147 00:06:05,834 --> 00:06:08,900 You can't let go of her because without her, you're broke. 148 00:06:08,967 --> 00:06:10,533 You got nothing. 149 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:13,300 So if you think you're bad off, 150 00:06:13,367 --> 00:06:14,767 you're with more of a loser. 151 00:06:14,834 --> 00:06:16,367 [dramatic musical sting] 152 00:06:18,266 --> 00:06:19,967 [theme music plays] 153 00:06:20,033 --> 00:06:23,266 [announcer] Roberta Valerius is suing granddaughter Brooklyn Bruining 154 00:06:23,332 --> 00:06:26,500 and boyfriend Reese Mueller for $10,000. 155 00:06:26,567 --> 00:06:29,533 Roberta claims they owe her rent and reimbursement 156 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:31,967 for financial support when they lived with her 157 00:06:32,033 --> 00:06:34,600 but the teenagers claim that Roberta welcomed them, 158 00:06:34,667 --> 00:06:37,200 then became angry when they moved out 159 00:06:37,266 --> 00:06:40,066 and cut her off from government support. 160 00:06:40,133 --> 00:06:42,133 [Judge Acker] Sir, could you come back up, please? 161 00:06:44,300 --> 00:06:46,000 He's basically calling you a liar. 162 00:06:46,066 --> 00:06:47,233 Are you lying? 163 00:06:47,300 --> 00:06:48,332 I'm not, Your Honor. 164 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:50,800 [Judge Acker] Do they give you half of the money for rent? 165 00:06:50,867 --> 00:06:53,633 So as I stated, they don't work at all. 166 00:06:53,700 --> 00:06:57,600 And I've never seen them, like, every time I come home. 167 00:06:57,667 --> 00:07:01,433 So at the last day, like, the last, like, four days late 168 00:07:01,500 --> 00:07:03,133 of, like, the actual due date, 169 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:05,967 they rely on my sister's Social--like, SSI check. 170 00:07:06,033 --> 00:07:09,200 Do you think that you're going to live for the rest of your life 171 00:07:09,266 --> 00:07:11,066 on Social Security benefits? 172 00:07:11,133 --> 00:07:13,133 - No. - [Judge Acker] Because frankly, 173 00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:15,433 I don't think that he's the one lying here. 174 00:07:15,500 --> 00:07:17,467 - I don't. - Your Honor, I get paid 175 00:07:17,533 --> 00:07:20,000 for a 40-hour week schedule every week regardless if I work or not. 176 00:07:20,066 --> 00:07:21,800 My dad's business have been slow recently, 177 00:07:21,867 --> 00:07:23,834 so he paid me regardlessly of the work 178 00:07:23,900 --> 00:07:25,700 even if I'm not there but whenever he does have work, 179 00:07:25,767 --> 00:07:29,500 which should start up hopefully in the middle of next month again. 180 00:07:29,567 --> 00:07:31,700 [Judge Acker] Well, I hope that is true 181 00:07:31,767 --> 00:07:35,266 but I also want you to digest what you just said. 182 00:07:35,332 --> 00:07:38,633 "My daddy is gonna pay me regardless of whether or not I work." 183 00:07:38,700 --> 00:07:40,667 Well, he has--he has--he has another employee that he also pays 184 00:07:40,734 --> 00:07:41,900 if they don't work. 185 00:07:41,967 --> 00:07:45,633 Why don't you try doing something where you actually have to work, 186 00:07:45,700 --> 00:07:48,800 where you get a paycheck for delivering value into the world? 187 00:07:48,867 --> 00:07:51,533 I have been. I've just applied at multiple Verizon stores that... 188 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:54,100 [Judge Acker] You think you guys are gonna get married? 189 00:07:54,166 --> 00:07:55,200 Well, I'd hope so. 190 00:07:55,266 --> 00:07:57,332 Really? And how are you gonna support each other? 191 00:07:58,266 --> 00:07:59,533 Well, if--I mean, I'm... 192 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:01,567 [Judge Acker] You move into a woman's house for free 193 00:08:01,633 --> 00:08:04,667 and then she has to sue you to get a little bit of money back. 194 00:08:04,734 --> 00:08:06,667 Your Honor, I pay my rent on time every month. 195 00:08:06,734 --> 00:08:10,233 We have five day, like, convenience time where we-- 196 00:08:10,300 --> 00:08:11,800 where it's not gonna be late. 197 00:08:11,867 --> 00:08:14,066 I pay my rent every Friday of the next month. 198 00:08:14,133 --> 00:08:17,300 So if that's on the 3rd, 4th, the 1st, that's when I pay. 199 00:08:17,367 --> 00:08:19,467 That's when I get my check. I pay my rent with that check. 200 00:08:20,066 --> 00:08:23,567 And I pay--Brooklyn gives me half her money I add to my bank account, 201 00:08:23,633 --> 00:08:25,000 and I pay our half of the rent. 202 00:08:25,066 --> 00:08:27,000 [Judge Acker] Listen, I'm gonna conclude this. 203 00:08:27,066 --> 00:08:30,500 You gotta find a different path, because if you were doing all of that, 204 00:08:30,567 --> 00:08:33,866 if you were handling your business the way you say you are, 205 00:08:33,933 --> 00:08:35,900 you wouldn't be here today. 206 00:08:35,967 --> 00:08:37,066 I don't have anything else. 207 00:08:37,133 --> 00:08:39,366 [Judge DiMango] Ms. Valerius, 208 00:08:39,433 --> 00:08:43,567 you say that November 22 was when you got the first check. 209 00:08:43,633 --> 00:08:45,266 - Did... - No, that is when I first applied 210 00:08:45,333 --> 00:08:46,500 for Social Security. 211 00:08:46,567 --> 00:08:47,900 [Judge DiMango] When did you get your first check? 212 00:08:47,967 --> 00:08:50,600 - The first check was November of 23. - [Judge DiMango] Okay. 213 00:08:50,667 --> 00:08:54,734 Now, after that, did Brooklyn and Reese continue to live with you? 214 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:59,033 [Roberta] No. They moved out, like, September 15th. 215 00:08:59,100 --> 00:09:01,300 [Judge DiMango] So they left before you got that first check? 216 00:09:01,367 --> 00:09:02,967 - Okay. - Before she was awarded the money... 217 00:09:03,033 --> 00:09:04,033 - [Judge DiMango] Okay. All right. - ... they moved out. 218 00:09:04,100 --> 00:09:06,000 How they were going to survive without... 219 00:09:06,066 --> 00:09:07,633 [Judge DiMango] Okay. No, I just needed to know that. 220 00:09:07,700 --> 00:09:09,266 - [Roberta] Okay. - When you get up 221 00:09:09,333 --> 00:09:11,133 and do nothing, do you get high? 222 00:09:11,200 --> 00:09:13,533 Do you drink? Do you do anything like that, you guys? 223 00:09:13,600 --> 00:09:14,600 - Do you... - No. 224 00:09:14,667 --> 00:09:15,767 I quit smoking weed. 225 00:09:15,834 --> 00:09:18,100 Okay. From--for lack of funds or just because 226 00:09:18,166 --> 00:09:19,166 - your brain was melting? - [Reese] No, just because I just 227 00:09:19,233 --> 00:09:20,667 don't like the feeling of it anymore. 228 00:09:20,734 --> 00:09:22,266 [Judge DiMango] Drinking, no drinking? 229 00:09:22,333 --> 00:09:23,600 [Reese] Just once in a while. 230 00:09:23,667 --> 00:09:24,700 - Just at--just at night. - [Judge DiMango] What about you, Brook? 231 00:09:24,767 --> 00:09:25,767 Once in a while. 232 00:09:25,834 --> 00:09:27,400 [Judge DiMango] How much is the rent in total? 233 00:09:27,467 --> 00:09:29,200 - [Blake] 1,700... - [Reese] 1,720. 234 00:09:29,266 --> 00:09:30,867 [Judge DiMango] 1,720. It's easier for me since 235 00:09:30,934 --> 00:09:33,133 there's three of you to just make it 1,800 236 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:35,000 and that would be $600 each? 237 00:09:35,066 --> 00:09:38,500 Well, he has his girlfriend that pays his other half of that as well. 238 00:09:38,567 --> 00:09:41,667 Okay. You divide it in four and that's why you pay 239 00:09:41,734 --> 00:09:43,567 four and a change, four and a quarter, I think you said. 240 00:09:43,633 --> 00:09:45,100 - Yeah. - [Judge DiMango] Okay. 241 00:09:45,165 --> 00:09:46,633 You said you had no money for school. 242 00:09:46,700 --> 00:09:48,967 Isn't your check 2,000 and change? 243 00:09:49,033 --> 00:09:50,600 What is your check for when you get it? 244 00:09:50,667 --> 00:09:52,700 Um, 793. 245 00:09:52,767 --> 00:09:54,033 [Judge DiMango] 793? 246 00:09:54,100 --> 00:09:55,934 [Reese] Are you talking about the back pay or the monthly? 247 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:57,767 No, the pay you're getting now. 248 00:09:57,834 --> 00:09:59,300 - [Brooklyn] Monthly, yeah. - [Judge DiMango] Each monthly pay. 249 00:09:59,367 --> 00:10:01,700 You're still getting back pay as well? 250 00:10:01,767 --> 00:10:03,633 Uh, no, I don't get back pay. 251 00:10:03,700 --> 00:10:06,100 [Judge DiMango] Okay. Who pays for the food in the house? 252 00:10:06,734 --> 00:10:07,967 - Correct? - Yes, ma'am. 253 00:10:08,033 --> 00:10:09,633 [Judge DiMango] Okay. So to stay home and do nothing, 254 00:10:09,700 --> 00:10:12,233 you have 300 and some odd dollars change, correct? 255 00:10:12,300 --> 00:10:13,300 That's what you have. 256 00:10:13,367 --> 00:10:16,533 And if you just saved it for two months, 257 00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:19,367 you could go to school and you wouldn't be broke, would you? 258 00:10:20,166 --> 00:10:22,100 - No. - [Judge DiMango] And, Reese, 259 00:10:22,166 --> 00:10:25,467 if you didn't have the luck of your father at this point 260 00:10:25,533 --> 00:10:27,233 just giving you money to stay home, 261 00:10:27,300 --> 00:10:29,967 you wouldn't have anything to live on but her money. 262 00:10:30,033 --> 00:10:32,734 You live off of her. You need her. 263 00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:34,300 You see how you're holding on to her? 264 00:10:34,367 --> 00:10:35,667 See that, like, you got that symbiotic... 265 00:10:35,734 --> 00:10:37,200 [Reese] Well, I'm just trying to comfort her, Your Honor. 266 00:10:37,266 --> 00:10:39,633 Yeah, well, the thing is you can't let go of her 267 00:10:39,700 --> 00:10:42,100 because without her, you're broke. 268 00:10:42,165 --> 00:10:44,266 You got nothing. 269 00:10:44,333 --> 00:10:46,934 So if you think you're bad off, 270 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:49,165 you're with more of a loser, 271 00:10:49,233 --> 00:10:50,700 because he's got less than that. 272 00:10:51,467 --> 00:10:53,133 I don't have any other questions of you. 273 00:10:53,967 --> 00:10:55,300 - Are we good to go? - [Judge Acker] Uh-hmm. 274 00:10:55,367 --> 00:10:57,066 Then we are going to retire to deliberate. 275 00:10:57,133 --> 00:10:58,600 You can resume your seat in the audience. 276 00:10:58,667 --> 00:11:02,233 You both can stay connected like the symbiotic twins and you're okay there. 277 00:11:02,300 --> 00:11:04,166 [Byrd] Court now stands in recess. 278 00:11:04,233 --> 00:11:06,800 Parties are excused. 279 00:11:06,867 --> 00:11:09,467 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 280 00:11:09,533 --> 00:11:11,066 The only reason this thing went sideways 281 00:11:11,133 --> 00:11:13,133 is because the boyfriend got involved 282 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:16,834 and that took away potential money from the grandmother. 283 00:11:16,900 --> 00:11:18,500 [dramatic musical sting] 284 00:11:20,433 --> 00:11:22,667 [dramatic musical sting] 285 00:11:22,734 --> 00:11:25,000 The plaintiff is seeking back rent. 286 00:11:25,066 --> 00:11:27,000 I don't think she's entitled to that. 287 00:11:27,066 --> 00:11:29,900 Not only was there no written lease, there was never an agreement. 288 00:11:29,967 --> 00:11:31,433 - Correct. - [Judge Acker] Right? For any amount. 289 00:11:31,500 --> 00:11:34,233 With respect to the classes and the therapy 290 00:11:34,300 --> 00:11:37,033 and the other expenses, I don't think 291 00:11:37,100 --> 00:11:41,667 that she ever had a legitimate expectation of repayment for those items. 292 00:11:41,734 --> 00:11:46,266 I think that in fact if you read her complaint and hear her testimony, 293 00:11:46,333 --> 00:11:49,567 which I did credit, she waited so late to apply 294 00:11:49,633 --> 00:11:54,500 for the benefits so that Brooklyn would have some money for herself going forward. 295 00:11:54,567 --> 00:11:55,567 [Judge DiMango] Correct. 296 00:11:55,633 --> 00:11:57,266 [Judge Acker] Here, though, is what I'm toying with, 297 00:11:57,333 --> 00:11:59,934 because there is that year-long period 298 00:12:00,066 --> 00:12:02,533 during which the government is doing its thing, 299 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:04,467 taking its time, making the evaluation. 300 00:12:04,533 --> 00:12:07,500 They ultimately make a determination in Brooklyn's favor. 301 00:12:07,567 --> 00:12:09,166 They've already moved out. 302 00:12:09,233 --> 00:12:12,066 I know, Adam, you touched on the rule 303 00:12:12,133 --> 00:12:15,800 regarding how the payments have to go to her current maintenance. 304 00:12:15,867 --> 00:12:17,233 Which is what I was trying to get from her 305 00:12:17,300 --> 00:12:19,000 when I said when did she kind of come and go. 306 00:12:19,066 --> 00:12:21,767 Yeah, but I'm gonna say this-- we are not administrative law judges. 307 00:12:21,834 --> 00:12:24,100 And I don't think we're bound by that. 308 00:12:24,166 --> 00:12:27,967 I would let the plaintiff hold on to that $2,742 check 309 00:12:28,033 --> 00:12:32,200 that was made out to her and then simply dismiss the balance of the case. 310 00:12:32,266 --> 00:12:33,834 [Judge DiMango] I kind of feel the way you do. 311 00:12:33,900 --> 00:12:36,266 I know it's not the legal way to go, but I think it's the equitable... 312 00:12:36,333 --> 00:12:37,734 Well, it's not--it's not illegal. We're not making it up. 313 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:39,100 [Judge DiMango] No, no, it's the equitable way to go. 314 00:12:39,165 --> 00:12:41,467 She got 2,740 something dollars, the plaintiff. 315 00:12:41,533 --> 00:12:42,533 [Judge Acker] But it's not cashed. 316 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:44,066 She hasn't cashed that check. 317 00:12:44,133 --> 00:12:46,800 She can keep it. She can cash it. Otherwise, we dismiss. 318 00:12:46,867 --> 00:12:48,900 She's--listen, she's already cashed that check. 319 00:12:48,967 --> 00:12:51,266 She's already cashed that check. She's the payee. 320 00:12:51,333 --> 00:12:54,467 There is absolutely no way that she's been holding on to that check. 321 00:12:54,533 --> 00:12:55,600 She's been holding on to it. 322 00:12:55,667 --> 00:12:58,033 [Judge Levy] There is no way. I don't believe it for a second. 323 00:12:58,100 --> 00:13:01,200 The fact is that the grandmother and the granddaughter, 324 00:13:01,266 --> 00:13:05,333 they had a plan, in my opinion, to file for Social Security benefits 325 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:06,667 when she turned 18. 326 00:13:06,734 --> 00:13:09,400 And that the only reason this thing went sideways 327 00:13:09,467 --> 00:13:11,266 is because the boyfriend got involved 328 00:13:11,333 --> 00:13:13,400 and decided to move out with the daughter. 329 00:13:13,467 --> 00:13:17,800 And that took away potential money from the grandmother. 330 00:13:17,867 --> 00:13:19,600 That's the reason the grandmother is here. 331 00:13:19,667 --> 00:13:22,467 It's because the boyfriend got in the middle of their scam. 332 00:13:22,533 --> 00:13:25,100 And the problem is for administrative law judges 333 00:13:25,166 --> 00:13:28,567 and for appellate courts who have to deal with this in the federal system, 334 00:13:28,633 --> 00:13:32,633 they have to put aside those legitimate cases to deal with these nonsense cases. 335 00:13:32,700 --> 00:13:35,033 And that's the reason I wanted to speak to her brother. 336 00:13:35,100 --> 00:13:37,600 If in fact the grandmother said that she was so bad 337 00:13:37,667 --> 00:13:39,834 because of the mother's issues that she had growing up, 338 00:13:39,900 --> 00:13:42,667 we would have a long history of it, and we don't. 339 00:13:42,734 --> 00:13:46,567 So listen, as far as the $10,000 claim, 340 00:13:46,633 --> 00:13:49,000 we ran through what the grandmother is asking for, 341 00:13:49,066 --> 00:13:51,900 and I don't think that she gets a nickel out of any of that. 342 00:13:51,967 --> 00:13:54,100 She has the $2,700 check. 343 00:13:54,165 --> 00:13:56,467 I think she cashed it. You don't think she cashed it. 344 00:13:56,533 --> 00:13:59,900 I don't care. It doesn't have anything to do with the case as far as I see. 345 00:13:59,967 --> 00:14:02,600 I'm not prepared to say it's a scam. 346 00:14:02,667 --> 00:14:05,333 I think that the grandmother didn't get money 347 00:14:05,400 --> 00:14:07,867 for precisely the reason she said, because she was working. 348 00:14:07,934 --> 00:14:10,367 She falls under that sliver of the population 349 00:14:10,433 --> 00:14:11,900 - that while she's cleaning... - [Judge DiMango] Yeah. She has a job. 350 00:14:11,967 --> 00:14:13,867 [Judge Acker] Yeah. While she's cleaning hospital rooms, 351 00:14:13,934 --> 00:14:15,433 the government says, you know what, you're gonna do 352 00:14:15,500 --> 00:14:17,133 all the rest of this on your own. 353 00:14:17,200 --> 00:14:19,033 But that's not--but that's not how the system works. 354 00:14:19,100 --> 00:14:21,266 See, I don't think--I don't--but I don't think a young girl who drops out of school 355 00:14:21,333 --> 00:14:23,867 is not showing any indicia of a mental health issue. 356 00:14:23,934 --> 00:14:26,500 I think that that's pretty obvious mental health issue 357 00:14:26,567 --> 00:14:29,433 that something is going on, and a lot of things don't pop up 358 00:14:29,500 --> 00:14:33,400 and show themselves fully unless you're with somebody 24/7, 359 00:14:33,467 --> 00:14:36,767 and apparently you can be with these two because they don't go anywhere for 24/7. 360 00:14:36,834 --> 00:14:37,834 Excuse me. 361 00:14:37,900 --> 00:14:40,133 So, you know, a lot of these things don't show. 362 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:43,266 So I don't dispute that she's got issues, and I'm not willing to say 363 00:14:43,333 --> 00:14:46,567 that she has none because I think that anybody could stay home every day 364 00:14:46,633 --> 00:14:48,233 and do nothing must have some issue. But... 365 00:14:48,300 --> 00:14:49,834 It doesn't really touch on the verdict actually. 366 00:14:49,900 --> 00:14:50,967 - [Judge DiMango] No. - Because to Adam's point, 367 00:14:51,033 --> 00:14:52,165 we're just dismissing. 368 00:14:52,233 --> 00:14:54,165 - We're unanimous as to the verdict. - [Judge DiMango] Correct. 369 00:14:54,233 --> 00:14:56,200 - And that's to dismissing the complaint. - I agree. 370 00:14:56,266 --> 00:14:57,266 - We are. - Very good. 371 00:14:57,333 --> 00:14:58,467 All right. 372 00:14:58,533 --> 00:15:01,367 [dramatic musical sting] 373 00:15:01,433 --> 00:15:02,734 [Byrd] Court is back in session. 374 00:15:02,800 --> 00:15:04,734 Parties are reminded you're still under oath. 375 00:15:04,800 --> 00:15:06,166 - [Judge Acker] Thank you, Byrd. - [Byrd] Uh-hmm. 376 00:15:06,233 --> 00:15:09,734 [Judge Acker] We have deliberated and we've reached a unanimous verdict. 377 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:12,033 Blake, do you wanna come up and stand with your family? 378 00:15:12,100 --> 00:15:13,200 [Blake] Yes. 379 00:15:13,266 --> 00:15:17,567 [Judge Acker] Brooklyn, your big brother is a man and he cares about you. 380 00:15:17,633 --> 00:15:20,867 And your grandmother took you in 381 00:15:20,934 --> 00:15:24,433 when you were eight, so you didn't have to go live with strangers. 382 00:15:24,500 --> 00:15:25,700 She loves you. 383 00:15:25,767 --> 00:15:28,266 You're wasting your life. 384 00:15:28,333 --> 00:15:30,767 And if you don't wanna end up on the street, 385 00:15:30,834 --> 00:15:33,266 you are going to have to make changes. 386 00:15:33,333 --> 00:15:36,967 You have the world in front of you and you have an opportunity to do better. 387 00:15:37,033 --> 00:15:38,900 Reese, you say you love her. 388 00:15:38,967 --> 00:15:41,767 You say you're working. You say you're doing all of these things. 389 00:15:41,834 --> 00:15:44,300 Man up. Be like her big brother. 390 00:15:44,367 --> 00:15:46,500 Blake, in what branch of the military did you serve? 391 00:15:46,567 --> 00:15:47,567 I was in the Army. 392 00:15:47,633 --> 00:15:49,367 [Judge Acker] Thank you very much for your service. 393 00:15:49,433 --> 00:15:52,467 Your country thanks you and your family should thank you. 394 00:15:53,133 --> 00:15:56,667 Mrs. Valerius, we are unanimous in dismissing your case 395 00:15:56,734 --> 00:15:58,133 and here's why. 396 00:15:58,200 --> 00:16:00,934 It's because when you did these things, 397 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:02,867 when you laid out these monies, 398 00:16:02,934 --> 00:16:05,300 you had no reasonable expectation of repayment. 399 00:16:05,367 --> 00:16:07,000 I mean, you said it kind of at the outset. 400 00:16:07,066 --> 00:16:09,333 We didn't really have an agreement 401 00:16:09,400 --> 00:16:12,567 but you want them at some point to adult up. 402 00:16:12,633 --> 00:16:16,700 The legal pieces of your case don't allow us 403 00:16:16,767 --> 00:16:18,800 to give you any kind of award like that. 404 00:16:18,867 --> 00:16:22,400 We can't compensate you for what they should've done 405 00:16:22,467 --> 00:16:26,567 just out of being adults, responsible, moral adults. 406 00:16:26,633 --> 00:16:27,867 We can't do that. 407 00:16:27,934 --> 00:16:29,967 But you did what a lot of grandmothers do. 408 00:16:30,033 --> 00:16:33,133 You opened up your home to try to provide a safer space 409 00:16:33,200 --> 00:16:34,633 for people who needed it. 410 00:16:34,700 --> 00:16:36,100 And it's a good thing you did that. 411 00:16:36,165 --> 00:16:38,500 You need to repair your relationship with your grandmother 412 00:16:38,567 --> 00:16:41,165 and you need to love her and you need to be grateful. 413 00:16:41,233 --> 00:16:42,300 You got that? 414 00:16:42,367 --> 00:16:43,367 Yes. 415 00:16:43,433 --> 00:16:45,033 That's the judgment of the court. 416 00:16:45,100 --> 00:16:46,165 Everybody, good luck. 417 00:16:46,967 --> 00:16:48,367 [Byrd] Court has now concluded. 418 00:16:48,433 --> 00:16:50,567 Parties are excused. You may step out. 419 00:16:50,633 --> 00:16:53,900 [theme music plays] 420 00:16:53,967 --> 00:16:56,165 After they called the police on me, 421 00:16:56,233 --> 00:16:59,367 I felt there's consequences for everybody's actions. 422 00:17:00,633 --> 00:17:01,633 I had no clue. 423 00:17:01,700 --> 00:17:04,266 It made for many sleepless nights. 424 00:17:04,333 --> 00:17:06,099 I cried about it numerous times. 425 00:17:06,165 --> 00:17:07,800 It's just--I don't think it'll affect us. 426 00:17:07,867 --> 00:17:08,900 It's just part of life. 427 00:17:08,967 --> 00:17:10,967 They literally are almost like two peas in a pod, 428 00:17:11,032 --> 00:17:13,532 like, they're kind of, like, mirrors of each other. 429 00:17:13,599 --> 00:17:15,733 Ever since we moved out, I've been supporting her, helping her, 430 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:17,599 taking her to all her-- all her appointments. 431 00:17:17,666 --> 00:17:20,165 Life is not easy and you need to step up to the plate 432 00:17:20,233 --> 00:17:21,834 and get a job and pay your own weight. 433 00:17:21,900 --> 00:17:24,300 Just because my dad's company is going slow does not mean I'm not working. 434 00:17:24,367 --> 00:17:27,300 I work whenever he has work for both of us. 435 00:17:27,367 --> 00:17:30,734 I do forgive her and I wish her the very best. 436 00:17:30,800 --> 00:17:32,300 [announcer] Got family drama? 437 00:17:32,367 --> 00:17:35,500 Let Tribunal Justice decide your case. 438 00:17:35,567 --> 00:17:39,767 Find us on social media at Tribunal Justice. 439 00:17:39,834 --> 00:17:43,033 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays]