Elie v. Alfonso
Elie v. Alfonso
Opinion of the Court
This is an appeal and a cross-appeal from the final judgments, order granting a new trial and orders on post-trial motions. In the court below, appellant commenced an independent action seeking to reach assets alleged to have been transferred to appellee by appellant’s judgment debtor. Appellant’s complaint contained multiple counts. At the close of appellant’s case, the trial court granted appellee’s motion for a directed verdict on all counts except for the claims for civil theft, conversion and creditor’s bill. The trial court heard the creditor’s bill claim in equity, while the conversion and civil theft counts were submitted to a jury. Appellant prevailed on all three counts. At a hearing on post-trial motions, the court directed a verdict in favor of appellee on the conversion count and granted appellee’s motion for a new trial on the civil theft count. Other than the grant of a new trial on the civil theft count, we affirm in all respects.
In granting appellee’s motion for a new trial on the civil theft count, the trial court relied solely on the fact that the jury was improperly instructed on the standard of proof.
AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED IN PART AND REMANDED.
. The standard which was given was greater weight of the evidence. However, section 772.11, Florida Statutes (1993), governing civil theft, requires clear and convincing evidence.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.