Attorney George Nicholas Wukovich's Legal Cases

Litigation

U.S. Department of Justice v. Client S

Apr 29, 2003

OUTCOME: Plea Bargain

U.S. Customs Agents at Cleveland-Hopkins discovered that a package from South America, and addressed to Client S, contained collectibles which were made with the parts of federally designated endangere ... d species. Client S was expecting the package, and was advised by the airport that the package was being detained by Customs. Client S never claimed the package, and was later the target of an investigation by federal special agents. Client S consented to an in-home interview, without legal representation. During that interview, Client S refused a voluntary search of his home, where he was openly displaying South American collectibles. Client S was thereafter indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on two counts of violating the Endangered Species Act. I was then retained by Client S, and I was successful in negotiating and performing a Proffer Agreement between Client S and the U.S. Attorney's office. Based upon his cooperation with Federal authorities, Client S was sentenced with a $350 fine, with all Federal charges against Client S being dismissed upon his timely payment of the fine imposed.

Litigation

Client M v. Daughter & Attorney in Fact, et al

Feb 04, 2003

OUTCOME: Jury Verdict for Client M

Client M's personal counsel and attorney of record, in this lawsuit, retained me to co-counsel Client 's civil litigation in a variety of tort and injury claims being brought against Client M 's eldest ... daughter and attorney in fact, together with several financial institutions, seeking general, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages and equitable relief. I was responsible to successfully complete the full transfer, review and verification of tens of thousands of pages of court filings and evidentiary or investigatory documents prepared and maintained by Client M, the financial institutions and/or his eldest daughter and attorney in fact; together with: commercial account expert consultations; over 30 days of party and/or witness depositions; and, other final preparations for trial. All financial institutions paid settlements prior to trial, leaving only the claims against Client M 's eldest daughter and attorney in fact. The first day of trial ended with the completion of voir dire and my Opening Statement. That night, Client M died at his home, which required the substitution of his Estate as the party in interest to the pending trial. After 8 days of trial, and 2 days of deliberation, a six figured jury verdict was returned in Client M's favor. The verdict was ultimately paid, and distributed to Client M's beneficiaries, via the Probate Court.

Litigation

Client C dba WC, Inc.: BL, Inc.; SMB Restaurant, etc.

Sep 12, 2002

OUTCOME: Dismissed after Opening & Voluntary Dismissal

(Case # 426684 [Corp. Take-over] & Case # 417342 [Ppty. Partition]): Client C's personal attorney retained me to co-counsel Client C's defense litigation in a variety of lawsuits being brought by Clien ... t C's current or former business associates. After conducting video-taped depositions of Client C and the attorney who formed all of the commercial entities at issue between the parties, the Take-over case was dismissed, upon Client C's motion, without trial; and, the appeal of same was ultimately dismissed. During discovery in the Partition case, I was responsible to successfully complete the full disclosure, review and verification of over 10,000 pages of financial documents prepared and maintained by Client C's personal and tax accountant; together with accountancy expert consultations, party and/or witness depositions, and other final preparations for trial. On the day of trial, the Partition case was partially dismissed upon Client C's motion after Opening Statements, and Client C's opponents elected to voluntarily dismiss the remainder of their case, rather than proceed with trial.

Personal injury

Client Z, et al. v. Driver

Aug 29, 2002

OUTCOME: Settled without filing lawsuit

Client Z (a married person), her spouse and her motor vehicle were damaged as the result of an accident that was caused by Driver, whose liability carrier ultimately offered payment of its policy limit ... s under Driver's Liability Bond. The "policy limits" offer was proffered to Client Z 's UIM carrier, which waived subrogation against Driver and consented to the execution of a full and final release by Client Z for those limits. Confusion in the policy language, and in the "Consent to Settle" letter issued by the UIM carrier, gave Client Z some leverage via a potential claim of Bad Faith. Consequently, in the week before Client Z 's filing deadline, a UIM settlement was negotiated and paid to Client Z, together with the "policy limits" under Driver's Liability Bond, in lieu of filing a lawsuit against the Driver and/or the UIM carrier, in this matter; and all insurance subrogation claims were negotiated and paid at a discount.

Litigation

City of Maple Heights v. Client M

May 30, 2002

OUTCOME: Plea Bargain

Client M was arrested during a "sting" operation being conducted by the GHPD at convenience stores, and was charged with Sale of Tobacco to a Minor, involving a 17 year old undercover female detective. ... I was then retained by Client M; and, at the Initial Appearance, a plea bargain was reached for a sentence of 30 days and a fine of $200; with all the days suspended, and subject to 1 year inactive Probation, plus costs.

Medical malpractice

In Re: Client K, Deceased

Jan 02, 2002

OUTCOME: Payment of Statutory Damages

(Ohio VCCF Consolidated Claims & Civil Investigation of Wrongful Death and Medical Malpractice Claim) Client K was fatally stabbed in his home. He was transported by EMS to a local Emergency Room where ... he was triaged at 22:50 and pronounced dead at 24:17. Murder charges were filed against the assailant, who was convicted and sentenced to prison. Client K 's mother and uncle paid his bills for final medical care, funeral and burial; and, obtained copies of Client K 's entire medical record and Autopsy report. Upon my recommendation and referral, Estate counsel was separately retained by Client K 's mother; and, I undertook both: an Ohio VCCF Claim Application for payment of statutory damages and attorney's fees by the State Fund; and, an investigation of potential Wrongful Death and Medical Malpractice Claims against the health care providers. Ultimately, all allowed statutory damages and attorney's fees were paid by the State Fund; a medical expert consultation resulted in a finding of no negligence or substandard care; and, the Decedent's Estate was declared insolvent. The victim's survivors, thus, were able to achieve good closure with the tragic circumstances surrounding the victim's violent and untimely death.

Litigation

Client Z v. Buyer

Sep 08, 2000

OUTCOME: Settled and Dismissed, with prejudice.

Client Z (co-owner/seller of a business with a liquor license) prepared and filed a lawsuit, pro se, against Buyer (buyer of said business) for payment and performance under a Purchase Agreement. Clien ... t Z failed to name and/or to serve the co-owners/sellers, identified in said Purchase Agreement, as parties in his action, pro se, which was urged as an affirmative defense in the ANSWER AND COUNTERCLAIM prepared and filed by Buyer's defense attorneys. Buyer counterclaimed for failure of performance in the liquor license transfer and/or fraud by Client Z and the coowners/sellers, seeking incidental, consequential and/or punitive damages. I was then retained by Client Z. After entering my appearance, I successfully negotiated and closed a Mutual Release and Settlement Agreement with Buyer's defense attorneys, providing for the execution by and payment of funds to all of the co-owners/sellers identified in said Purchase Agreement, in lieu of any formal discovery and trial, all at Buyer's costs.

Litigation

City of Cleveland v. Client G

Sep 27, 1999

OUTCOME: Plea Bargain

Client G was a teacher in south-central Ohio, where he was convicted and sentenced to prison for multiple criminal sexual acts committed against his grade school pupils, with permanent revocation of hi ... s teaching credentials. He was thereafter paroled and relocated to northern Ohio, where he took residence with his parents and became gainfully employed. Client G was arrested during a "sting" operation being conducted by CPD at adult bookstores, and was charged with Sexual Imposition, involving an undercover male detective. I was then retained by Client G, and referred him to psychotherapy to deal with his sexual dysfunction and guilt related to his homosexuality. After pretrial discovery, a plea bargain was reached to reduce the possible sentence for a plea of guilty, given Client G 's: prior adult record of sexual offenses; full cooperation with law enforcement during the investigation incident to her arrest; negative drug screen; and, the Psychological report of Client G's psychotherapist. Client G was sentenced to 60 days and fined $750; with all the days and $250 suspended, but subject to 2 years Probation (with active psychotherapy) and 40 hours of Public Service, plus costs.

Litigation

Client F v. Driver

Jul 07, 1998

OUTCOME: Settled and Dismissed at Defendant's cost.

Client F (a public assistance recipient) and her motor vehicle were damaged as the result of an accident that was caused by Driver, whose liability carrier ultimately denied payment of any damages whil ... e alleging this was a "light impact/soft tissue injury" claim. A lawsuit was timely filed, and pretrial discovery was fully completed, after which the case was submitted to Court Arbitration by agreement of the parties. A decision in favor of Client F was rendered, which was timely appealed by Driver. A negotiated settlement was paid to Client F, in lieu of trial, and all statutory subrogation claims were negotiated and paid at a discount

Litigation

State of Ohio v. Client P

Feb 13, 1998

OUTCOME: Plea Bargain

19 year old Client P was charged with Felonious Assault as the result of a street gang style confrontation between Client P and the alleged stabbing Victim over their shared love interest in the father ... of Client P 's minor child. After pretrial discovery, a plea bargain was reached to reduce the charge to Attempted Felonious Assault, given Client P's: lack of any prior adult or juvenile record; full cooperation with law enforcement during the investigation incident to her arrest; negative drug screen; and, claims of self defense. Client P was sentenced to 5 years and fined $10,000; with the years and fine suspended and subject to successful completion of 30 months of Community Controlled Sanctions, with restrictions; and, restitution of all medical bills, plus costs

George Nicholas Wukovich's Legal Cases (12)

U.S. Department of Justice v. Client S

Client M v. Daughter & Attorney in Fact, et al

Client C dba WC, Inc.: BL, Inc.; SMB Restaurant, etc.

Client Z, et al. v. Driver

City of Maple Heights v. Client M

In Re: Client K, Deceased

Client Z v. Buyer

City of Cleveland v. Client G

Client F v. Driver

State of Ohio v. Client P