Michigan Supreme Court, 1933

Joel Stockard & Co. v. Reis

Joel Stockard & Co. v. Reis
Michigan Supreme Court · Decided May 16, 1933 · Clark, McDonald, Potter, Sharpe, North, Fead, Wiest, Butzel
248 N.W. 580; 263 Mich. 155; 1933 Mich. LEXIS 1122 (North Western Reporter)

Joel Stockard & Co. v. Reis

Opinion of the Court

Clark, J.

Defendant had dealings with plaintiff, a broker, at the conclusion of which there was due defendant a sum of money, which did not include an item of $7,600, a check for which defendant had mailed but which check had not cleared. Being assured that the check was good and would be paid, plaintiff added the amount to the sum due and gave *156 its check for $11,961.05 to defendant, which he cashed. Defendant then stopped payment of his check for $7,600 and to recover the sum this action in assumpsit was commenced.

Plaintiff had directed verdict and judgment for the amount. Defendant has appealed.

A contention to be noticed is that the dealings were unlawful, gambling contracts, and that therefore there can be no recovery. The matter before us, even if it grew out of illegal transactions, is not connected therewith, but is for a wholly new consideration, and therefore collection may be enforced. The defense is without merit. Smith v. Barstow, 2 Doug. 155.

Affirmed.

McDonald, C. J., and Potter, Sharpe, North, Fead, Wiest, and Butzel, JJ., concurred.

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