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[announcer]
Previously on Tribunal Justice.

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You and your husband run horse shows.

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I put on these shows
because we wanna help the community.

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- You didn't show up, right?
- I was very, very sick.

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She has continually lied to me.

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And she went off on you,

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- she went ballistic.
- Yes.

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- Ridiculous.
- She was pissed.

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[dramatic, percussive music]

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["Ride of the Valkyries" plays]

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[announcer] Today's case was filed
in Santa Ynez, California.

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[Judge Levy] All three of you,
nice, smart, business people.

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You're fighting over 293 bucks and $290.

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There's a lot more to it

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because you felt put off, you didn't feel
as though your time was being appreciated.

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You're working at the store one day,
you contact the defendant and say,

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"Hey, I can't find certain things,
can you let me know?"

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And she doesn't respond.

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So you've been messaging,
calling her for four hours.

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You're working at her store,
you're trying to make her money.

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And then, finally, at 5:41 that afternoon,

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she says, "Sorry, I fell asleep."

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And then, gives you a list of answers

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about what you were looking for from her.

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Do you remember that?

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I have two kids, I'm a single parent,
and I work another job as well.

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- [Judge Levy] I'm not saying--listen.
- I was really tired that day.

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- Listen, I get all--I get all that.
- [Christina] I was asleep.

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- Uh, I--listen.
- [Christina] It's a lot.

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I get all that.

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The text messages,
however, made it crystal clear

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that there were expectations put
on the plaintiff

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and that you were not following through.

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Even in September,
even after all of this goes on,

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she still says, "If your daughter wants
to continue riding, you can."

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You said, "I'm working on it."

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And then, she says to you,
"I've got to have your entry please,"

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capital PLEASE.

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"Per your commitment,
I'm holding you a spot."

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And then, at 9:00 a.m., two hours later,
you said, "I might have to work."

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There's a history
about you scheduling things with her

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- and then canceling, is that right?
- Yes, sir.

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I never committed to the horse show,
Your Honor.

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I just said I was trying
to possibly deal with it...

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[Judge Levy] I'm asking here, September.
Do you remember...

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- Yeah, I didn't commit.
- ... asking that your daughter

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hold a spot, and then you said
you can't make it 'cause you're working?

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- Yeah, I had to get called into my store.
- [Judge Levy] Okay.

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I didn't have someone to cover.
I had to work.

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- [Judge Levy] I got it.
- And I didn't commit to the show.

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And then, she knew moving in,
and I've been pooling out my store,

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and it's a flexible schedule,
I told her that.

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It's not a permanent
every Wednesday schedule.

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I told her that from the beginning.

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I said, "Typically, Wednesdays
are the days that I do need help

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but sometimes, I have to come
in Wednesday because Friday afternoon,

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my daughter needs me
and I have to change my schedule..."

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- [Judge Levy] Okay. So...
- "... and then I need you Friday."

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Did you forget your acknowledgment
and admission a few moments ago

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where you said the reason
on June 1st that you pretty much told her,

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"Hey, don't bother coming in today,"

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was because of the conversation
that you had with your mother...

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- No, I remember that. Yeah.
- ... about May--about May 31st.

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I didn't know how to react 'cause
I have had issues with Carole in the past

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and to be honest, how she treated
my mother who did let her know

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that her guy was stuck in a ditch
and had no reception,

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which is why he did not make it on time,

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she let Carole know that.

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And what happened,

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and Carole has also done this to me
as well in the past for other issues,

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that I was afraid to have her in my store

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and I needed to figure out
how to handle it,

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because I have a lot on my plate

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and I can't have an explosive personality

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in my store and around me.

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And it was my fault--I shouldn't have
tried to sign up for the last show.

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I knew I was gonna--
something was gonna happen,

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which is why I did not scratch
ahead of time.

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- And I...
- [Judge Levy] So you acknowledge

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- that you owe her that money?
- [Christina] Hundred percent.

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I never said I wouldn't pay her.
I was just saying, from my past shows,

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the ones I just did recently,
we had to scratch classes.

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You're not gonna get an--listen,
you're not gonna get an apology.

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You're not gonna get
an acknowledgment at all,

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because what you said was,
I believe it was your mom

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who told you that you should not be going
to the show on December 3rd, right?

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- [Julia] I...
- [Christina] I'm an avid...

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- Right?
- ... equestrian and I hate canceling

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because of sickness,
and I was trying so hard to make it.

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And she took one look at me
and she's like...

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[Judge Levy]
Well, let me ask you this, again...

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- [Christina] ... "What are you doing?"
- [Judge Levy] Again--and before--

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and before I stop,
you say you were so sick, right?

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- Yeah.
- [Judge Levy] And you've said no less

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- than 20 times how sick you were...
- [Christina] Yeah.

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... you know that that was the gravamen
of this case,

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and the easiest thing for you to have
done, as was indicated by my colleagues,

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was to simply come in
with some type of proof, anything.

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You say that you can't breathe,

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that you have fluid in your lungs,

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it was almost as though you needed
to be in the emergency room.

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And your daughter as well.

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That is inconsistent, Mom.

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Inconsistent with the doctor's note

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- that was provided from your...
- [Christina] That's all she would write.

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- That's all she would write.
- [Judge Levy] It's not that all

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- that she would write down.
- She didn't wanna get involved.

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She's like, "I have--that's all I can do."

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[Judge Levy] Understand something.
It's not that she wouldn't write you more.

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She wrote us plenty.

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What she said was there were
no restrictions for your daughter,

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notwithstanding her
not being able to breathe,

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notwithstanding the respiratory problems,

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notwithstanding anything
that could have ended her up in a bubble

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with oxygen in a hospital
like you want us to believe

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which would support your claim

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that was a good reason
that you canceled at the last minute.

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Your doctor,
her pediatrician says no restrictions.

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What about physical education?
What about actually running around?

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- What about a 1,600-pound horse...
- Hold on. Hold on.

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Her doctor, pediatrician, says nothing,
no restrictions on physical activity.

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Does that seem like it's less likely
that she was as sick

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as you say she is or more likely?

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She was out of school the whole week
and like I said, I should've said...

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All I'm looking at is what the proof...

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- [Christina] I know. And that was...
- Listen.

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[Christina]
... after the show the doctor wrote that.

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All I'm looking at is what the proof is.

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Medication required. I got three kids.

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They were like little germ factories.

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They get it at school, they come home,
they give it to you.

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I know exactly how it works.
You know what we had all over the place?

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- Medication.
- But she's not like that.

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- [Judge Levy] Medication.
- She's homeopathic.

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They don't do all of that. Unfortunately.

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[Judge Levy] Let me explain something
to you. Let me explain something to you.

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I don't care.

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I don't care, because the only evidence
that your daughter brought in

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that supported her claim
that she was justified

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in not paying the money
was a doctor's note for her daughter.

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It has nothing to do
with what type of doctor she sees.

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This is the proof, ma'am,
that your daughter brought in.

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And in this proof, it says, "Did your
daughter have to take any medication?"

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And the pediatrician said no.

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Nothing.

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[announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice.

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[Judge DiMango]
You've made a point several times

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about how you can't afford insurance.

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How do you afford horses?

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[dramatic musical sting]

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[theme music plays]

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[announcer] Horse event organizer
Carole Bennett is suing Christina Ciaccio

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for an unpaid $290
horse competition entry fee.

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Carole claims Christina canceled
at the last minute,

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but Christina says she was sick

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and is now countersuing
for a $293 balance owed on a saddle.

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This is the proof, ma'am,
that your daughter brought in.

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And in this proof, it says, "Did your
daughter have to take any medication?"

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And the pediatrician said no.

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Nothing.

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That most certainly
doesn't sound like, to me,

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that the child was nearly as sick
as the two of you want us to believe.

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- I was the one that was...
- And here's what happens,

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when you lie about one thing,

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then it makes me wonder
what else you're lying about.

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- No, I'm not a liar. This is...
- Can I be called upon?

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Because I feel like
I was brought here and...

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- [Judge Levy] Yeah, absolutely.
- And I have not been able to say

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- one word and, you know, I...
- I sure--I sure do.

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I believe all this is all out of context

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because I offered to pay
for the horse show, okay?

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She said she wanted to go
to this horse show and I said,

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"You should not be going with Carole."
They don't get along.

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I've already had my run-ins with her
and I'm a very responsible woman.

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I was on a plane to San Francisco,

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she knew that,
my contractor was supposed to go there,

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he couldn't make it,
I told her, she blew up, okay?

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And I was shaking, that's over with.

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But when I found out--
I went to another horse show

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with my other two granddaughters
and she was very rude

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to my 11-year-old granddaughter
and I saw that right away,

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and I'm like, "This isn't well."

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I'm an equestrian,
I show all over the country.

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I've been to all the horse shows.

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I've scratched classes 20 minutes prior.

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I came down with hay fever,
throwing up, diarrhea, whatever.

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And you know what?
They let you go.

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I was just at a horse show last week
and they let you go because...

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- [Judge Levy] That's not her policy.
- It doesn't matter.

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We're happy to pay this woman.

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That's what--no one's understanding.

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But then, why didn't you?

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The reason why--we're happy to pay for it,

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but the problem they had
is their communication.

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I don't know what happened.
I'm not in the middle.

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But I am this.

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I am the grandma,
my granddaughter was very sick.

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I didn't want her riding a 1,200-pound
animal who is basically green,

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is not trained in their size.

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My daughter was supposed
to ride this horse.

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She couldn't get up at 5:00 a.m.
to get the horse to the trailer.

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Granted, yes, maybe their communication
is completely off.

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Obviously, we all see that.

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But don't tell me I'm a liar.

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- I'm not a part of this. All I am is...
- [Judge Levy] I didn't say--first--ma'am,

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let me explain something.

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You came in to support
your daughter's case.

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You knew that your daughter was coming in
with absolutely no evidence, zero.

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[Julia] They don't go to the doctors.

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- [Judge Levy] Okay.
- Okay?

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- [Judge Levy] I got it.
- She doesn't have health insurance.

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I can't--but all I know is,
my granddaughter was very sick.

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I told her she has to get her
to the doctor. She was very sick.

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Stop saying your granddaughter
was very sick.

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You could say it a thousand times,
it's not...

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- [Julia] I can't take her to the doctor.
- It is not going to change

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what the pediatrician said.

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Nothing was wrong with her.

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Nothing, zero.

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So you could say it 10,000 times,
it still doesn't make a difference.

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I have nothing further.

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I think Judge Levy was right to point out

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that there is such
an emotional undercurrent here

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that this case is about way more
than the 290 and the 293.

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But I wanna get my head around
the bases for those claims for relief.

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Now, you are suing her for $290
because you say that's the amount

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that she owes you for the class
and that includes office fees.

228
00:09:54,033 --> 00:09:56,900
In your text messages, Ms. Ciaccio,

229
00:09:56,967 --> 00:10:01,300
you indicated that you were willing to pay
the $90 office fee...

230
00:10:01,367 --> 00:10:03,367
- I did pay it.
- [Judge Acker] ... but you continued

231
00:10:03,433 --> 00:10:07,233
to dispute your liability for the $200
because you didn't show up.

232
00:10:07,300 --> 00:10:08,934
- [Christina] Yes.
- And you paid that $90?

233
00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:11,033
- [Christina] We paid the 90.
- Did you receive the $90?

234
00:10:11,100 --> 00:10:12,266
I just got it yesterday
and I didn't cash it.

235
00:10:12,333 --> 00:10:13,600
- [Christina] I sent a Certified Mail.
- [Judge Acker] Okay.

236
00:10:13,667 --> 00:10:16,700
So then--so we're amending
your request for relief to $200...

237
00:10:16,767 --> 00:10:18,333
- Fine.
- ... from the 290.

238
00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:21,100
With respect to the $293

239
00:10:21,166 --> 00:10:23,233
that you claim
she owes you for the saddle.

240
00:10:23,300 --> 00:10:26,300
Now your accounting firm's,
uh, spreadsheet indicated

241
00:10:26,367 --> 00:10:29,700
that the sales tax was only $93

242
00:10:29,767 --> 00:10:32,333
and that she paid you $1,200.

243
00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:35,300
Um, the checks added up
to a thousand, Your Honor.

244
00:10:35,367 --> 00:10:37,734
[Judge Acker] The check--
the checks added up to a thousand,

245
00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:41,200
but the issue that I have
with that interpretation

246
00:10:41,266 --> 00:10:44,667
because I can do the math, it says $293.

247
00:10:44,734 --> 00:10:47,533
But then the text exchanges
between the two of you,

248
00:10:47,600 --> 00:10:49,734
you were asking her for the tax.

249
00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:52,000
You weren't asking her for $293.

250
00:10:52,066 --> 00:10:53,266
- [Christina] So, um...
- [Judge Acker] You were saying,

251
00:10:53,333 --> 00:10:55,400
- "You owe me another $93."
- [Christina] Correct.

252
00:10:55,467 --> 00:10:57,767
So the fact that you're missing it
doesn't mean she didn't pay it.

253
00:10:57,834 --> 00:10:58,834
[Carole] That's for sure.

254
00:10:58,900 --> 00:10:59,967
[Christina] Right.
We don't have it, though.

255
00:11:00,100 --> 00:11:01,934
It wasn't cashed, um, so I--

256
00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:03,000
Maybe Carole can look at
her own texts.

257
00:11:03,066 --> 00:11:04,066
I don't know if Carole left it
[indistinct] working--

258
00:11:04,133 --> 00:11:05,200
- I don't care.
- [Judge Acker] No, no, no, hold on.

259
00:11:05,266 --> 00:11:06,800
- Hold on, everybody.
- Sorry.

260
00:11:06,867 --> 00:11:09,333
I think that I'm going to be finished here

261
00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:11,533
and let all of you do some meditation.

262
00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:12,934
- I don't blame you.
- [Judge DiMango] I have a question.

263
00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:15,567
Because you've made a point several times

264
00:11:15,633 --> 00:11:19,700
about how you can't afford insurance,
right?

265
00:11:19,767 --> 00:11:22,400
Yeah. Um, I wasn't making enough
at my own store

266
00:11:22,467 --> 00:11:23,700
and it's been really hard...

267
00:11:23,767 --> 00:11:25,934
How do you afford horses?

268
00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:27,166
You have horses.

269
00:11:27,233 --> 00:11:29,567
- You have saddles, you have rides...
- Good point. Good point.

270
00:11:29,633 --> 00:11:32,800
... you have dressage, you have races...

271
00:11:32,867 --> 00:11:34,500
- [Christina] My mom would help me.
- [Judge DiMango] ... you have feeding.

272
00:11:34,567 --> 00:11:36,066
[Christina]
And I have health insurance now.

273
00:11:36,133 --> 00:11:39,200
Um, I had a few tight months with,
um, the store and not doing very well.

274
00:11:39,266 --> 00:11:41,233
Do you--and during that time, Mom,

275
00:11:41,300 --> 00:11:44,300
I mean, because you really
are a hands-on mother and...

276
00:11:44,367 --> 00:11:46,300
There's a time
we have to let the kids grow up

277
00:11:46,367 --> 00:11:48,033
- and let them do their thing.
- [Judge DiMango] But insurance?

278
00:11:48,100 --> 00:11:50,500
I've supported her her whole life.

279
00:11:50,567 --> 00:11:51,567
You shouldn't have bought her a saddle.

280
00:11:51,633 --> 00:11:52,633
You should've given her
the insurance money.

281
00:11:52,700 --> 00:11:53,700
[Julia] I didn't buy her a saddle.

282
00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:55,934
But the thing is,
is I have to step back as a mom.

283
00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:58,333
I can't tell her what to do
with her horses and her kids.

284
00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:00,734
That's not my place,
and I have four grandkids.

285
00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:02,033
There's a time
where I have to step back...

286
00:12:02,100 --> 00:12:03,567
- I fully support myself...
- [Judge DiMango] I get your point

287
00:12:03,633 --> 00:12:05,233
that there's a time
when you've got to step back.

288
00:12:05,300 --> 00:12:06,300
[Julia] I don't have a choice.

289
00:12:06,367 --> 00:12:08,800
[Judge DiMango]
But my question to you also is

290
00:12:08,867 --> 00:12:11,834
you didn't want your granddaughter
riding a green horse as you said it.

291
00:12:11,900 --> 00:12:15,266
No, I did not want her riding
at that show, she wasn't ready.

292
00:12:15,333 --> 00:12:17,000
She could've done dressage if she rode it.

293
00:12:17,066 --> 00:12:18,400
But she couldn't, she was too sick.

294
00:12:18,467 --> 00:12:19,834
And you don't even get on a pony
if you're sick.

295
00:12:19,900 --> 00:12:22,900
Because you can't mentally ride this horse

296
00:12:22,967 --> 00:12:26,233
and do what you're supposed to be doing
and articulate and be safe.

297
00:12:26,300 --> 00:12:28,133
You have to be safe
when you're on these horses.

298
00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:30,166
- I've had plenty of accidents, okay?
- [Judge DiMango] Okay.

299
00:12:30,233 --> 00:12:31,500
So knowing that to be true,
because the whole issue...

300
00:12:31,567 --> 00:12:33,867
[Julia] But she should've obviously
given her more notice, okay?

301
00:12:33,934 --> 00:12:35,767
I wasn't involved in all that, okay?

302
00:12:35,834 --> 00:12:38,600
She should've given her more notice
and we're happy to pay for it.

303
00:12:38,667 --> 00:12:39,967
We're fine.

304
00:12:40,033 --> 00:12:43,233
We don't need this aggravation.
But I don't like her attacking or...

305
00:12:43,300 --> 00:12:45,700
[Judge DiMango] When we will walk out
of here, we could say,

306
00:12:45,767 --> 00:12:49,066
okay, the two of you, in tandem,

307
00:12:49,133 --> 00:12:51,433
agreed to pay $290.

308
00:12:52,433 --> 00:12:55,033
[announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice.

309
00:12:55,100 --> 00:12:56,600
I never said I wouldn't pay her.

310
00:12:56,667 --> 00:12:58,165
I mean, you said throughout
everything you weren't gonna pay.

311
00:12:58,233 --> 00:12:59,700
Why do you keep doing that?

312
00:12:59,767 --> 00:13:01,400
You didn't wanna pay it.

313
00:13:01,467 --> 00:13:03,133
- Why don't you just say it?
- [Christina] Because she--okay.

314
00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:04,400
Just stop.

315
00:13:04,467 --> 00:13:06,100
And I'm just here for support.

316
00:13:06,166 --> 00:13:07,367
[dramatic musical sting]

317
00:13:09,300 --> 00:13:11,166
[theme music plays]

318
00:13:11,233 --> 00:13:14,767
[announcer] Horse event organizer
Carole Bennett is suing Christina Ciaccio

319
00:13:14,834 --> 00:13:16,767
for an unpaid entry fee

320
00:13:16,834 --> 00:13:19,200
after Christina canceled the last minute.

321
00:13:19,266 --> 00:13:22,367
But Christina claims
she was too sick to ride

322
00:13:22,433 --> 00:13:25,433
and is countersuing
for a balance owed on a saddle

323
00:13:25,500 --> 00:13:28,633
Carole bought from Christina's store.

324
00:13:28,700 --> 00:13:30,834
When we walk out of here, we could say,

325
00:13:30,900 --> 00:13:35,667
okay, the two of you, in tandem,
agree to pay 290.

326
00:13:35,734 --> 00:13:38,200
Absolutely. And I never--
sorry, 200 is what I would owe her.

327
00:13:38,266 --> 00:13:39,767
200, because you paid the 90
that you have.

328
00:13:39,834 --> 00:13:40,900
[Christina] I paid her the 90.

329
00:13:40,967 --> 00:13:43,000
- I never said I would not...
- I haven't cashed it. I just got it.

330
00:13:43,066 --> 00:13:45,200
I mean, you said throughout
everything you weren't gonna pay.

331
00:13:45,266 --> 00:13:46,600
Why do you keep doing that?

332
00:13:46,667 --> 00:13:48,800
You--the same thing you did
with the insurance, you keep saying,

333
00:13:48,867 --> 00:13:50,967
"I never said that."
I could read you 10 pages here.

334
00:13:51,033 --> 00:13:52,433
- Here. Right here.
- I'm sorry, I misspoke.

335
00:13:52,500 --> 00:13:54,066
- I misspoke. I'm sorry.
- I'm gonna take you to court.

336
00:13:54,133 --> 00:13:55,333
- Plus...
- [Julia] Stop.

337
00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:59,266
I can't pay, every show ends like that,
we'll call it even at $90.

338
00:13:59,333 --> 00:14:00,800
You didn't wanna pay it!

339
00:14:00,867 --> 00:14:02,767
- Why don't you just say it?
- [Julia] Just stop.

340
00:14:03,533 --> 00:14:05,000
- Just stop.
- All right.

341
00:14:05,066 --> 00:14:06,667
And I'm just here for support.

342
00:14:06,734 --> 00:14:08,000
[Judge DiMango] You did very well.

343
00:14:08,066 --> 00:14:10,233
When did you make that last payment?

344
00:14:10,300 --> 00:14:13,066
There's a text message
where you suggest to her

345
00:14:13,133 --> 00:14:14,300
you owe her another hundred dollars.

346
00:14:14,367 --> 00:14:16,400
- [Carole] Yeah, and I went [indistinct].
- And then she said,

347
00:14:16,467 --> 00:14:18,367
"That would only be $1,200."

348
00:14:18,433 --> 00:14:20,633
So clearly I know $1,100 was paid.

349
00:14:20,700 --> 00:14:22,133
When did you make that,
uh, hundred dollar payment?

350
00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:25,066
[Carole] She told me--I don't--
I'd have to go back and look.

351
00:14:25,133 --> 00:14:26,633
It was a while ago.

352
00:14:26,700 --> 00:14:28,033
Because I said to her actually,

353
00:14:28,100 --> 00:14:30,333
"I'll pay you the rest of the saddle
when the house sells."

354
00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:33,667
The house sold,
and the next day I went over to her store.

355
00:14:33,734 --> 00:14:35,567
I said, "Here's the hundred dollars."

356
00:14:35,633 --> 00:14:38,867
And she said, "Great."
I said, again, specifically,

357
00:14:38,934 --> 00:14:42,200
"Are we clear? Are we done? Are we good?"

358
00:14:42,266 --> 00:14:43,266
And she said yes.

359
00:14:43,333 --> 00:14:47,367
So she's saying she paid the whole 1,200,
you're saying she didn't.

360
00:14:47,433 --> 00:14:49,033
Um, I think I'm good for now.

361
00:14:49,100 --> 00:14:50,400
We're ready.
We're gonna retire to deliberate.

362
00:14:50,467 --> 00:14:52,367
Mom, you can take your seat again,
if you'd like.

363
00:14:52,433 --> 00:14:54,300
[Byrd] Court now stands in recess.

364
00:14:54,367 --> 00:14:55,767
Parties are excused.

365
00:14:55,834 --> 00:14:59,734
[dramatic musical sting]

366
00:14:59,800 --> 00:15:02,133
The plaintiff's request for relief

367
00:15:02,200 --> 00:15:05,300
amended now to $200 is super easy for me.

368
00:15:05,367 --> 00:15:06,867
She says she was sick.

369
00:15:06,934 --> 00:15:09,200
She hasn't really provided any evidence
of being sick.

370
00:15:09,266 --> 00:15:11,033
And frankly, even if she had,

371
00:15:11,100 --> 00:15:13,033
I think in this circumstance,
it's immaterial.

372
00:15:13,100 --> 00:15:17,333
I mean, unless she had leprosy
or some wildly contagious thing,

373
00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:20,200
you cannot run a business
if people can say,

374
00:15:20,266 --> 00:15:22,433
"Oh, I'm gonna hold a spot
but then not pay for the spot

375
00:15:22,500 --> 00:15:24,700
and then not show up
because I don't feel well."

376
00:15:24,767 --> 00:15:29,000
So I think the plaintiff
is easily entitled to that $200.

377
00:15:29,066 --> 00:15:32,100
As to the defendant's request for $293.

378
00:15:32,165 --> 00:15:34,667
Now she showed us
her accountant spreadsheet.

379
00:15:34,734 --> 00:15:37,967
That spreadsheet suggests
that only a thousand dollars was paid.

380
00:15:38,033 --> 00:15:40,867
But in the earlier contemporaneous
text messages,

381
00:15:40,934 --> 00:15:44,333
the defendant acknowledges
receiving $1,100.

382
00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:47,734
The plaintiff says
that she paid her the full $1,200.

383
00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:50,433
I'm just gonna throw this out there
as between the two of them,

384
00:15:50,500 --> 00:15:54,400
the plaintiff may be kind of excitable
but I also found her credible.

385
00:15:54,467 --> 00:15:57,800
So I'm entitled to credit her
for that $1,200 payment,

386
00:15:57,867 --> 00:16:01,066
that she owes the defendant
$93 in sales tax,

387
00:16:01,133 --> 00:16:03,800
the defendant owes the plaintiff $200.

388
00:16:03,867 --> 00:16:06,133
We do the math and that's how
I would do the judgment.

389
00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:07,934
Hundred percent
my judgment of this as well.

390
00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:11,266
First of all, I think she put off paying
because there's a lot going on here.

391
00:16:11,333 --> 00:16:12,867
And there was this back and forth.

392
00:16:12,934 --> 00:16:16,667
I almost think that the not showing up,
maybe if they didn't have this bad blood,

393
00:16:16,734 --> 00:16:18,400
she might've made a better effort
to show up

394
00:16:18,467 --> 00:16:20,100
or at least put her daughter in the show,

395
00:16:20,166 --> 00:16:23,367
but they decided with the mother's help
not to do that.

396
00:16:23,433 --> 00:16:26,033
And I bet you if she would've paid
in advance, she would've shown.

397
00:16:26,100 --> 00:16:27,233
That's what I really believe.

398
00:16:27,300 --> 00:16:29,734
So the only thing left is the $93

399
00:16:29,800 --> 00:16:32,200
which really was the plaintiff's complaint
all along.

400
00:16:32,266 --> 00:16:33,967
- I shouldn't've had to pay tax.
- [Judge Acker] Right.

401
00:16:34,033 --> 00:16:37,100
But the reality is, she does have
to pay the tax, so it's $93...

402
00:16:37,165 --> 00:16:39,066
- Everybody's gotta pay the rabbi.
- Total...

403
00:16:39,133 --> 00:16:41,000
- [laughter]
- Everybody's gotta pay the rabbi.

404
00:16:41,066 --> 00:16:43,834
- Total here $107 to the plaintiff.
- To the plaintiff.

405
00:16:43,900 --> 00:16:45,165
[Judge Levy] I agree.

406
00:16:45,233 --> 00:16:47,165
The aggravation, the agita,

407
00:16:47,233 --> 00:16:49,667
that all three of them felt

408
00:16:49,734 --> 00:16:54,266
for the last nine months
was not worth $107.

409
00:16:54,333 --> 00:16:56,700
And I think that if they just would've
taken a step back

410
00:16:56,767 --> 00:16:59,800
and said,
"Okay, let's try to resolve it amicably"

411
00:16:59,867 --> 00:17:02,200
and someone else
could've helped them along.

412
00:17:02,266 --> 00:17:04,133
But if they couldn't,
you come here, we'll do it for you.

413
00:17:04,200 --> 00:17:05,767
At this point,
you should be our group guru.

414
00:17:05,834 --> 00:17:06,834
- Yeah.
- I was gonna say,

415
00:17:06,900 --> 00:17:10,367
my advice would be don't settle it,
fight it out to the last minute.

416
00:17:10,433 --> 00:17:12,066
- File in small claims court.
- And come here.

417
00:17:12,133 --> 00:17:13,333
And we'll be picking it up.

418
00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:14,666
That's my advice to them.

419
00:17:14,733 --> 00:17:15,934
[laughs] We're unanimous.

420
00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:17,467
- Way to go.
- Trust me.

421
00:17:17,532 --> 00:17:19,500
- Always thinking of the best.
- [laughter]

422
00:17:19,567 --> 00:17:22,867
[dramatic musical sting]

423
00:17:22,934 --> 00:17:24,099
[Byrd] Court is back in session.

424
00:17:24,165 --> 00:17:26,099
I'll remind parties,
you're still under oath.

425
00:17:26,165 --> 00:17:27,767
[Judge Acker] Thank you, Byrd.

426
00:17:27,834 --> 00:17:31,000
So Ms. Bennett, you indicated

427
00:17:31,066 --> 00:17:34,367
that you wanted to say something
before I render the verdict.

428
00:17:34,433 --> 00:17:35,834
And you said it was going to be nice.

429
00:17:35,900 --> 00:17:37,000
[Carole] It is nice.

430
00:17:37,066 --> 00:17:42,066
I want you to know
that even after the altercation

431
00:17:42,133 --> 00:17:43,934
with working for the mom,

432
00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:47,567
Christina and her daughter
were always invited to do the next show.

433
00:17:47,633 --> 00:17:50,533
I would never penalize a junior

434
00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:53,367
that wants to show or her mother.

435
00:17:53,433 --> 00:17:55,400
Because that's separate.

436
00:17:55,467 --> 00:17:56,967
This is a community

437
00:17:57,033 --> 00:17:59,967
and we support each other
in the equine world.

438
00:18:00,100 --> 00:18:03,967
And there was no way
I was gonna punish them

439
00:18:04,033 --> 00:18:05,834
because she and I had an altercation.

440
00:18:05,900 --> 00:18:08,000
And I think
that's a very noble thing to do

441
00:18:08,066 --> 00:18:11,834
because it does bear noting
that after all of this drama

442
00:18:11,900 --> 00:18:13,834
around the store and the hours,

443
00:18:13,900 --> 00:18:15,667
- you still signed up for the show.
- [Christina] Yes.

444
00:18:15,734 --> 00:18:17,500
[Judge Acker]
And I've never ridden dressage.

445
00:18:17,567 --> 00:18:19,600
I've ridden a little bit,
and it's so relaxing.

446
00:18:19,667 --> 00:18:21,600
I feel like you all just need to, like.

447
00:18:21,667 --> 00:18:23,834
get on a horse
and then go have a glass of wine,

448
00:18:23,900 --> 00:18:26,700
and then just let it all, like, wash off.

449
00:18:26,767 --> 00:18:30,867
So do that afterwards, but first
with respect to your case in chief, ma'am,

450
00:18:30,934 --> 00:18:32,166
you amended your complaint

451
00:18:32,233 --> 00:18:35,800
because you acknowledged receiving the $90
from the defendant.

452
00:18:35,867 --> 00:18:39,700
And so you're therefore suing her for $200
for the balance of the class.

453
00:18:39,767 --> 00:18:41,233
We think she owes you all of that.

454
00:18:41,300 --> 00:18:42,967
Whether or not you were sick,

455
00:18:43,333 --> 00:18:47,066
somebody else couldn't get that space
because she held it for you.

456
00:18:47,133 --> 00:18:50,333
It just isn't right. So we're gonna
make you pay the balance of that $200.

457
00:18:50,400 --> 00:18:53,934
With respect to what she owes you
for the saddle,

458
00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:56,033
now it seems there is some discrepancy

459
00:18:56,100 --> 00:18:58,934
because your accounting statement
indicates

460
00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:00,900
that she only paid a thousand dollars.

461
00:19:00,967 --> 00:19:04,200
However, when we look at
the contemporaneous text messages,

462
00:19:04,266 --> 00:19:05,900
it's clear she paid you more than that.

463
00:19:05,967 --> 00:19:10,900
And the dispute was really only over
that $93 in tax, which you owe.

464
00:19:10,967 --> 00:19:12,633
- You gotta pay the sales tax.
- No problem.

465
00:19:12,700 --> 00:19:17,433
[Judge Acker] So when we do the math,
judgment is in your favor for $200.

466
00:19:17,500 --> 00:19:20,367
Judgment is in your favor for $93.

467
00:19:20,433 --> 00:19:22,066
- There's an offset there.
- Uh-hmm.

468
00:19:22,133 --> 00:19:24,266
So the ultimate judgment in this court,

469
00:19:24,333 --> 00:19:25,934
and it is a unanimous verdict,

470
00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:29,533
is for $107 in favor of the plaintiff.

471
00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:30,633
- That's our verdict.
- [gavel bangs]

472
00:19:30,700 --> 00:19:31,834
[Carole] Thank you.

473
00:19:31,900 --> 00:19:34,166
[Byrd] This case is now concluded.
Parties are excused.

474
00:19:34,233 --> 00:19:35,433
You may step out.

475
00:19:35,500 --> 00:19:38,233
[theme music plays]

476
00:19:38,300 --> 00:19:42,767
I don't know why she was so angry
and abusive about this whole thing.

477
00:19:42,834 --> 00:19:46,300
Would you be down here in LA for $290

478
00:19:46,367 --> 00:19:48,166
if it weren't about principle?

479
00:19:48,233 --> 00:19:49,633
That's all it is.

480
00:19:49,700 --> 00:19:52,367
My granddaughter was very sick,
she was very sick,

481
00:19:52,433 --> 00:19:54,600
and I'm the one that told them,
"Don't go to the horse show."

482
00:19:54,667 --> 00:19:55,700
But don't let her fool you

483
00:19:55,767 --> 00:19:57,900
that her daughter
is some shrinking violet on a pony.

484
00:19:57,967 --> 00:19:59,133
I've seen her ride.

485
00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:01,066
We will [indistinct]
in more of the rated shows

486
00:20:01,133 --> 00:20:03,166
where the management
are actually can be held accountable

487
00:20:03,233 --> 00:20:04,734
- for how they treat people.
- Yeah.

488
00:20:04,800 --> 00:20:07,200
We're almost done.
We're moving to South Carolina anyway.

489
00:20:07,266 --> 00:20:09,033
[announcer] Are you being sued?

490
00:20:09,100 --> 00:20:12,300
Let Tribunal Justice decide your case.

491
00:20:12,500 --> 00:20:16,700
Find us on social media
at Tribunal Justice.

492
00:20:16,767 --> 00:20:19,867
["Ride of the Valkyries" plays]