Griff, Inc. v. Curry Bean Co., Inc.
Idaho Supreme Court
138 Idaho 315, 63 P.3d 441 (2003)

- Written by Alex Ruskell, JD
Facts
Curry Bean Co., Inc. (defendant) operated a bonded warehouse where Griff, Inc. (plaintiff) deposited its beans for milling and marketing. A dispute arose regarding whether Curry sold Griff’s beans in 1996 or 1997 (when bean prices were lower) and whether Curry was using Griff’s beans to cover a short-sale position Curry had taken on the price of beans. Griff sued Curry. During trial, evidence showed that Curry intended to defraud Griff during negotiations and falsified records regarding Griff’s beans. The trial court awarded $538,621.20 in compensatory and punitive damages. Curry appealed, arguing that the punitive-damage award was excessive because it constituted almost 50 percent of the company’s assets.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Kidwell, J.)
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