Diamond v. Digital Interactive Associates, Inc. (In re IVDS Interactive Acquisition Partners)
Diamond v. Digital Interactive Associates, Inc. (In re IVDS Interactive Acquisition Partners)
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
Defendants-Appellants Michael and David Dambro (the Dambros) appeal the district court’s judgment, which held them jointly and severally liable for $3,600,000, and individually liable for punitive damages because of their participation in a conspiracy to commit a fraudulent transfer. Because the parties are familiar with the facts, we do not recount them here except as necessary to explain our decision. We have jurisdiction to hear this appeal under 28 U.S.C. § 158(d).
I.Failure to Preserve Challenge to the Sufficiency of the Evidence
A party in a civil case must make motions under Fed.R.Civ.P. 50(a) and (b) in order to preserve a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence in a jury trial. Nitco Holding Corp. v. Boujikian, 491 F.3d 1086, 1089 (9th Cir. 2007). The Dam-bros failed to do so in this case, and therefore waived the argument that they should not be liable because they were not individually transferees.
II. The Remedy of Damages for Fraudulent Transfer
Damages are a permissible remedy for fraudulent transfer under federal and Florida law. 11 U.S.C. § 550(a); Fla. Stat. Ann. § 726.108(1)(c)(3); Hansard Constr. Corp. v. Rite Aid of Fla. Inc., 783 So.2d 307, 309 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App. 2001).
III. Applicability of Joint and Several Liability for Conspiracy to Make Fraudulent Transfers.
Joint and several liability is appropriate under Florida law against joint tort-feasors acting in concert or through independent acts to produce a single injury. Acadia Partners, L.P. v. Tompkins, 759 So.2d 732, 736 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App. 2000). Performing a fraudulent transfer is a tort. Invo Florida, Inc. v. Somerset Venturer, Inc., 751 So.2d 1263, 1265 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App. 2000). Because the jury found that the Dambros worked in concert with the other defendants to perform a fraudulent transfer, joint and several liability is an appropriate remedy against them.
IV. Award for Punitive Damages
Issues brought for the first time on appeal are generally not considered by an appellate court. Singleton v. Wulff, 428 U.S. 106, 120, 96 S.Ct. 2868, 49 L.Ed.2d 826 (1976). The Dambros’ failure to object to the jury instructions prevents consideration on appeal of their argument that punitive damages are not available for a fraudulent transfer. Larez v. Los Angeles, 946 F.2d 630, 639, 648 (9th Cir. 1991); Hammer v. Gross, 932 F.2d 842, 847 (9th Cir. 1991) (en banc).
The Dambros also failed to raise due process concerns at the district court
AFFIRMED.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.