Bribery and defamation: The new elements of real estate transactions
This is a weekly column for The Enquirer
Strictly Legal: Sycamore Twp. real estate controversy will continue in court
An Ohio appellate court has reversed a trial court’s decision to grant summary judgment in favor of a real estate developer who crafted fraudulent emails.
Thomas Weidman, a township trustee, filed a complaint Website link against Christopher Hildebrant, a real estate developer, for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and false light invasion of privacy. Weidman’s complaint stemmed from a 2011 real estate transaction.
Back in 2011, Hildebrant was facilitating the sale of property owned by SDI Foods, Inc. to Sycamore Township, and was to be compensated with a consulting fee by both parties if the sale was successful. Hildebrant alleged that Weidman, along with the individual who negotiated the sale for SDI, each sought a kickback from Hildebrant's consulting fee after the sale occurred.
In response to the pressure of the kickback demand, Hildebrant created a fictitious email address using Weidman’s name and sent an email portraying Weidman as receiving an illicit payment and demanding bribes in exchange for his support of real estate developments in Sycamore Township. Hildebrandt shared the email with several people with hopes of demonstrating the pressure he was under to pay bribes.
When Weidman opposed Hildebrant’s
