twany kitaen

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PtaintiffTAWNY KITAEN alleges:
2
INTRODUCTION
3
4
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andrnodel,thoughtshehadfinally
TawnyKitaen,a well-knownacfress
5 foundthemanof ber dreamsin Philip Cyburt, Shebelievedthis wasa manshecouldtrust,
6 dependon, and shareher life with. Sheneverimaginedthis seeminglyhonestandcaringman
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woulcslitheriilto herlife only to rob herof overthreemillion dollarsduriugthecourseof
E their1bur-yearrelationship.
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2.
TawnyKitaenandPhilipCyburt'srelationsbip
blossomed,
andby
r0 Auguit 2002theywereliving togetherandsharingin everyaspectof eachothers'lives;they
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celebrated
birthdaysandho)idaystogether,markedmilestonesin their children'slives,and
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favel:d togeth€r.TawnyKitaencameto totallytrustPhilip Cyburt,andhe becameinvolved
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in every facetof her life. Shcbelievedtheyhadbecometruc partners.
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3.
Tragically,theloyaltyanduust TawnyKitaenhadin Philip Cyburtwas
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shatte:edwhenshediscovered
that,withoutherknowledge,he hadbeenusingher creditcards,
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signingher nafle on checks,withdrawiugmoneyfrom her irccounts,andsellingher realestate
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holdirgs, for his personalbenefit,andultimatelydefraudingher of over threemillion dollars.
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tt
THE PARTIES
4.
ThePtaintiff,TAWNY KITAEN ("Kitaen"),is, andat all materialtimcs
hasbeen,an individualresidingin theCountyof Los Angeles,California.
5.
Plaintiffis informedandbelieves,
andbasedihereonallegesthat
23 DefenJant,
PHILIPW. CYBURT("Cyburt"),is, andat all relevanrmarerialtimeshasbeen,
24 anindrvidualresidingin theCountyof LosAngeles,Caiifornia,
i:+
75
6.
Plaintiff is informedandbelieves,and basedthereonallegesrhat
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26 pursuantto Codeof Civil Proceduresection474, that fictitiously-namedDefendartssued
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27 hereinas DOES I through50, inclusive,andeachof thern,were in somemannerresponsible
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?A or leg.lly liable for the actions, evenr, damages,transactionsand circuursuncesalleged
K;\a 129-2PLe\COMPLAtNf. ypd
COMPLAINT
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hereir. Thetruenamesandcapacities
of suchfictitiously-narned
whether
Defendant$,
2 indivdual, corporale,associate
or otherwise,arepresentlyunknownto PlaintiffandPlaintiff
3 will seekleaveof Courtto arnendthisComplaintto assertthelrue namesandcapacities
of
4 suchhctitiously-named
Defendants
whenthesamehavebeenascertairtedFor convenience,
(
to a named-defendant
each:eference
hereinshallalsorefer to theDOE Defendants.
andeach
6 of thcm.
7
7.
Plaintiffis informedandbelieves,
that
andbasedthereonalleges,
andeachof them,includingwithoutlimiratiorrthoseDefendants
E Defer.dants,
hereinsuedas
9 DOEii, wereactingin ccrrcertor participationwilh eachother,or werejoint participants
and
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joint-ventwers,owners,
collatoratorsin theacmcomplained
of, or wereco-conspirators,
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principals,partners,agentsor employees
of theothersin doingtheactscornplained
of herein,
1 2 anderLch
and all of themwereactingwithin thecouse and scopeof saidagency,partnership,
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ownershi.p
emplcyment,conspi.racy,
, or joint venture,andeachandall of themwereactingin
14 concertonewith the other,andall togetber,Plaintiffis furtherinformedandbelievesand
15 basedthereonallegesthattheactsandconducthercinallegedof eachsuchDefendant
were
16 knowt to, authorizedby, and/orratiFred
by theotherDefendants,
andeachof them. When
17 Plaintfi ascertains
thetruenalnesandcapacities
of DOESI through50, inclusive,it will seek
IE leaverf this Court to amendhis Complainrby settingfortb the same.
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8,
Plaintiffis informedandbelieves,andbasedthereonalleges,
thatat all
20 timeshereinmentioned
eachof theDefendants
was,andis, the agent,co-conspirator,
servant,
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alter egoand/orernployee
of eachof the otherDefendants,
andall of thethingsallegedto have
22 beenconeby saidDefendants
weredonein a capacityof an agent,co-conspirator,
servanlr
23 alteregoand/oremployeeof andfor theorherDefendanrs.
24
9,
Unlessotherwise
atlegedherein,all of theev€ntsandoccurrences,
and
i-'r: 25 the
co.tductof thepartiesheteto,ashereinsetforth,(ookplacein theCountyof LosAngeles,
= i!
€
26 Statet,f California.
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i"r
Kr\4|2')-2'PLE\COMPLAINT.c BI
COMPLAINT
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causingher to
1 bightr price with Kilaen'sfunds,againwithouther knowledgeor authorization,
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damages.In total,PhilipCyburtsbsconded
suffe:significant
with no lessthanthree
e@nornic
3 rnillirn dollars($3,000,000.00)
of Ms. Kitaen'smoney.
4
14.
On multipleoccasions,
includinga formaldemandon Augustl, 2097,
Kiraendemanded
Cyburtreturnthefundsheconverrcd.He hasrefused.
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FIRSTCAUSEqF ACTION
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(For Breachof Fiduciary Dut-v)
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15.
adoptsandincorporates
by reference,
Kitaenrealleges,
eachandevery
contained
in Paragraphs
I through14,inclusive,asthoughfully setforthherein.
9 allegi,tions
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16.
KitaenandCyburt'sfour and th yearlive-in relationshipcreateda
t7 fiducary relationshipbetweenrheparties. Cyburthadan obligationto act in thebestinterest
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andrnakefull disclosure
of all materialfactswithinhis knowledge
relalingto
of Kir:aen,
in whichthepartieswereinvolved.
13 trans:rctiors
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L7.
Clburt breached
his fiduciaryduty to Kitaenby convertingthefollowing
r5 fundsfor his own usewithouther knowledgeor consent:chargestotalingoveronchundred
76 thousrnddollars($100,000.00)
totalingover
on Kiaen'sAmericanExpressAccount:charges
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on Kitaen'sVisaSignature
over
thirty-fivethousand
dollars($35,000.00)
card;redeeodng
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of Kitaen'sAmericanExpressairlinemileswithouther approval;withdrawals
$140,000.00
dollars($300,000,00)
t9 totalirrgoverthreehundredthousand
from Kitaen'sMerrill Lynch
20 Accounqfraudulentlysigningchecksin Kitaen'snane totalingover {ifty thousand
dollars
2l
($50,ti00.00X
sellingof Kitaen'srealestateholdingsandthendiverting
andtheunauthorized
for his own use,andthensubs€quently
22 the profits frorn thesesalesto his accounts
repurchasing
23 therealestateholdingsat a higherpricewith Kitaen'sfunds,againwirhoutherknowledge
or
24 conseflt,resultingin significant
economic
lossesfor Kitaen.
F; 2s
18.
As a directandproximate
resultof Cyburt'sbreachof bis fiduciaryduty,
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in anamountthathasnot yet beenfully ascertained,
but which is
:=,'' 26 Kitae:rhasbeendarnaged
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f:
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plusapplicable
interestbelieredto beno lessthanthreemilliondollars($3,000,000.0O),
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COMPLAINT
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19.
Cyburt'sactsallegedabovewerewillful, wanton,rnalicious,and
oppr(rssive,
with theintentto defraudKitaen,andjustify theawardirtgof
andwereundertaken
andpunitivedamages.
3 exsmplary
4
SECQNDCAUSEOF ACTIOIJ
5
(For Conversion)
6
20.
by reference,
adoptsandincorporarcs
Kitaenrealleges,
eachandevery
I through14, inclusive,as thoughfully setforth berein.
7 allegirtiomcontainedin Paragraphs
I
I
21.
herein,Kitaenwas,andstill is, thesoleow:ler,
At all timesrnentioned
andauthoriry,of herArnericanExpressAccount,her
andi:l wasentitledto solepossession
10 AmericanExpressAirlhe miles,her Merrill LynchAccount,herVisaSignature
Card,andher
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12
realestateholdings,
22.
his fiduciaryduty to
Between20V2and2006,Cyburtdisregardod
thefollowingfundsfor his ownusewithoutherknowledge
or conseot:
13 Kirael, andconverted
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dollars($100,000.00)
on Kitaen'sAmerican
chargestotalingoveronehundredthousand
ts
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totalingoverthirty-fivethousand
dollars($35,000.00)
on Kitaen's
Exprr:ss
Account;charges
Visa iignaturecardlredeemirrg
of Kitaen'sAmericanExpressairlinemiles
over$140,000.00
L1 withouther approval;withdrawalstotatingoverthreehundredthousanddollars($300,000.00)
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frour Kitaen'sMertill LynchAccounqfraudulenrlysigningchecksin Kitaen'snametotaling
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over :iftythousand
andtheunauthorized
sellingof Kitaen'srealestate
dollars($50,000.00);
20 holdirrgsandthendivertingthepro{itsfrom thesesalesto hls accountsfor his own use,again
2T wihout her knowledgeor consent,rcsuttingin significanteconomiclossesfor Kiaen.
22
23.
On multipleoccasions,
includinga forrnaldemandon AugustI,2m7,
23 Kitaerrdemanded
Cyburtreturnthefirndshe convertod.He hasrefused.
24
24.
Cyburt'sacrsallegedabovewerewillful, wanton,malicious,and
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25 oppressive,
wirh the intentto defraudKiaen, andjustify theawardingof
andwereundercaken
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26 exem'rlary
andpunitivedamages.
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K:\4 | 29. l\PLE\COMPLAINT opd
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COMPI.AINT
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THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION
2
(For Accounting/Destructlve Ttust)
3
25.
Kitaen realleges,adoptsand incorporatesby reference,eachand every
4 allegitions containedin ParagraphsI through 14, inclusive, as though fully scl forth herein.
5
26,
Kitaen's and Cyburt's four and Vz year live-in relationship, createda
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fiduciary relationshipbetweenthe parties. Cyburt had an obligation to act in the bestinterest
7
of Kitaen, and make full disclosureof alt material facts within his knowledgerelating to
I
trans,rctions
in which thc partieswere involved,
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27.
Cyburr breachedhis fiduciary dury to Kitaen by converdng the following
10 firndr for his own use wilhout her knowledgsor consent:chargestotaling over one hundred
11 thousanddollars ($t00,000.00)on Kitaen'sArnericanExpressAccount;chargestotalingover
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rhirty-five thousanddollars ($35,000.00)on Kihen's Visa Signaturecard; redeemingover
13 $140 000.00 of Kitaen's ArnericanExpressairline miles without her approval;withdrawals
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totali:rg over three hurrdredthousanddollars ($3Q0,000.00)from Kitaen's Merrill Lynch
1 5 Accolmt; fraudulentlysigningchecksin Kitaen'snametotaling over fifty thousanddollars
16 ($50,)00,00);andth.eunauthorizedsellingof Kiuen's real estateholdingsand thendiverting
T7 thc profits from thesesalesto his accountsfor his own use, and then subsequentlyrcpurchasing
1.8 the real estateholdings at a higlrcr price with Kitaen's funds, againwithoucher lcrowledgeor
1 9 consed, resultingin significanteconomiclossesfor Kitaen.
20
28.
As a direct and proximate result of Cyburt's breachof tris fiduciary duty,
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Kitaerrhas been darnagedin al arnountthu hasnot yet been fully ascertained,and an
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accourting of Cyburt's financial accountsand information from Cybun regardingtlre saleand
21 repurr:haseof Kitaen's real estateholdings is necessaryin order to obtain this inforrnation,
u
Kitaerris informed and believesand thereonallegesthat the amount,owed is not lessthan three
)E
millio r doilars($3,000,000.00).
25
29.
ln 20O4,Kitaen demandedthat Cybutt accountfor the aforementioned
27 rnoniei, andpay the amountfound due to Kitaen, but Cyburt has failed and refused,and
28 continJesto fail and tefuse, to renderan accountingand pay Kitaen.
K:\{ | 2?-2,PLACOMPLAI NT.rvnd
4' d
COMPII,INT
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30.
By virtueof Cyburt'swrongfulacts,he holdstheconverted
funds,in an
amountno lessthanthreemilliondollars($3,000,000.00),
as a constructive
trusl€efor the
3 beot,fltof Kitaen.
4
FqURTH C-AUSEOF ACTION
5
(ForFraud)
6
31.
Kiuen realleges,
adoptsandincorporates
by reference,eachandevery
7 allegations
contai$edin Paragraphs
I througb14, inclusive"asthoughfully setfurth herein,
E
I
32.
Kitaen'sandCyburt'sfour and t/zyearlive-in reluionship,creareda
Frdur
iary relationshipbetweentheparties. Cyburthadan obligationto act in thebestintere$t
10 of K taen,andmakefull disclosureof all malerialfactswithin his knowledgerelatingto
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t2
transactions
in whichthepartieswereinvolved.
33.
DespiteCybruthavingvoluntarilyaccepted
thetrustandconfidence
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repoledon him by Kitaen,andio violationof this relationshipof tnst andconfidencc,Cyburt
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abusrdthetust andconfidence
of Kitaenby convertingthefollowing fundsfor his ownuse
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wilhr'uther knowledgeor consent:chatgestotalingover onehundredthousand
dollars
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($10(t,000.Ct0)
on Kitaen'sAmericanExpressAccount;chargestotalingover thirty-five
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thousand
dollars($35,00000)on Kitaen'sVisaSignature
card;redeemiag
over$140,000.00
18 of Ki aen'sAmericanExpressaitlinemileswjthouthcr approval
totalingover
I withdrawals
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threebundredthousand
dollars($300,000.00)
fromKitaen'sMerrill LynchAccount;
20 fraudrlentlysigningchecksin Kitaen'snametotalingoverfifty rhousand
dollars($50,000.00);
2l
andtlreunauthorized
setlingof Kitaen'srealeslateholdingsandthendivertingtheprofitsfrom
J1
thesesalesto his accounts
for his ownuse,andthcnsubsequently
repurchasing
therealestate
23 hotdirgsat a higherpricewith Kinen's funds,againu,ithouther knowledge
or consett,
24 resultng in significanteconomiclossesfor Kitaen. No part of thesesumshasbeenrerurnedto
25 Kitaerr,despiteKitaen'sdernand
therefor.
26
27
34.
Cyburt did the actsherein allegedwith the intent to deceiveand defraud
and Cyburt ernployeddevicx to concealfrom Kitaen rhe fact that he had convertedher
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K :\4 | 29-2 iPLE\COMPLA lNT. t1d
COMPLATNT
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fundsfor his own use. Cyburtdid theseactswitlr theintentto inducerelianceby Kitaenin his
2 contiruing ftdelity.
3
35.
and reliancein Cyburt,until on or
Kitaendid in factplaceconfidence
the true factsconcerningthewithdrawalsand
4 aboutDecember2005,whenshediscovered
s
croditcardchargesmadeby Cybur(for his ownuse,asallegedabove.Kitaenreasonably
6 reliedon Cybrutbasedon theirrelationship,
36.
7
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As a resultof Cyburt'sfraudasallegedhereln,Kitaenhasbeendamaged
in an lmountof no lessthandrreemilliondollars($3,000,000.00).
37.
9
Cybuft'sactsallegedabovewerewillful, wanton,malicious,and
with theintentto defraudKitaen,andjustify tbe awardingof
10 opprersive,andwereundertaken
11 exemlrlaryandpunicivedamages.
1Z
WHEREF'ORE,Kitaenpraysfor judgmentas follows:
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t4 AS TI} TTIE FIRST CAUSEOF ACTIOIY:
1.
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in the amountof no lessthantbreemillion dollrs
For generaldamages
or according
to proo{ pluspre andpostjudgmentinterestthereonat thelegal
t6 ($3,0(10,000.00),
t7 rate;
2.
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damages
accordingto proof;
For punitiveandexemplary
19 AS TI) TIIE SECONDCAUSEOF ACTION:
20
3.
in theamountof no lessthanthreemillion dollars
For generaldamages
2r
($3,0(10,000.00),
to proof,pluspreandpostjudgmentintaestthereonat thelegal
or according
c,
rate;
4.
23
accordingto proof;
For punitiveandexemplarydamages
24 AS TI) THE THIRD CAUSEOF ACTION:
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5.
25
For generaldamages
in thearnountof no lessthanthreemilliondollars
26 ($3,0(0,000.00),or accordingto proof,ptuspreandpostjudgmentinterestthereonat thelegal
27 rate;
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6.
For an accountingbetweenKitaen and Cyburt;
K14 I 29.: \PLE\COMPLAINT,$!d
COMPLAINT
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($1,
in the amountof no lessthanthreemillion dollars
For generaldarnages
0), or accordingto proof, pluspre andpostjudgmentinterestthereonat the legal
rate
For punitiveandexemplarydamagesaccordingto proof;
TA_
9.
For reasonable
costsof suit incurredherein;
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For reasonable
attorneysfeesas maybe providedby law; and
11
For suchother andfurther rclief asthe court maydeemappropriate,
DA' : August
fL,,Zffit
I.AVELY & SINCER
PROFESSIONAL
CORPORATION
WILLIAIVIJ. BRIGGS,II
JESSICAC.
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I
COMPLAINT
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