$3.1 Million Awarded in Negligent Hiring of Woman Connected to Organized Crime
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The National Law Journal, May 29, 1995 Notable Verdict Case Type: Personal Injury In 1990, Sammy Cho started the Mayan nightclub in Los Angeles, says Mr. Cho's attorney, John C. Taylor. Claudius Ma was so impressed by the place, says Mr. Taylor, that he became a major investor and tried to acquire a larger interest in the club. Mr. Ma sued Mr. Cho and in July 1991, this litigation was settled. In November 1991, in order to "resolve bad feelings," Mr. Taylor says, Mr. Ma tried to arrange a meeting with Mr. Cho. But, the woman sent to pick up Mr. Cho for the meeting was connected to the Chinese Triad United Bamboo. "Cho was forced at gunpoint to get into the car and abducted. He jumped out of the car while it was moving," Mr. Taylor says. Then, he adds, a man in the car shot Mr. Cho, grazing the back of Mr. Cho's neck. This shooter, Mr. Taylor says, was a member of United Bamboo. He was caught, then released when he agreed to a deal to give favorable testimony in a case in Texas. The shooter never showed up in Texas, however. Mr. Cho sued Mr. Ma, charging negligence in hiring a woman connected to organized crime to arrange the meeting, as well as conspiracy to batter and commit false imprisonment. On March 14, a Los Angeles jury found Mr. Ma negligent and awarded Mr. Cho $3.1 million. The defendant has moved for a new trial. |
