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Musician Wins $260,000 In Lawsuit Against Ex-Girlfriend Who Sabotaged Career
In the spring of 2014, Eric Abramovitz got the opportunity of a lifetime. He just didn't know it. Abramovitz was the victim of a deception that a Canadian judge called "despicable," as he granted Abramovitz $350,000 Canadian dollars (more than $260,000 U.S.) in damages.
Abramovitz is a gifted Canadian clarinetist who received national attention when he was still in his teens. As a student at McGill University, he applied for a spot — and a scholarship — at the prestigious Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles, where he would study under the famed clarinet teacher Yehuda Gilad.
Only two spots open up per year, and they're seen as launching pads for elite careers. Competition is fierce. Abramovitz made it to the audition phase. But in March 2014, he saw an email in his inbox telling him he had been rejected.
It was heartbreaking. He went through "some really dark, sad, angry days," he told BuzzFeed. His girlfriend at the time, Jennifer Lee, another musician at McGill, consoled him.
But Abramovitz's despair was born out of a lie — and Lee's comforting words were, in retrospect, "really sick," he told the site. He had actually made it into the Colburn Conservatory. He never saw his acceptance email, however, because Lee got to it first — and sabotaged him. Apparently, a Canadian judge concluded, she didn't want him to move from Montreal to California.
(Score: 2) by Fluffeh on Monday June 18 2018, @05:23AM (4 children)
I do like a story with an outcome where the right person wins. But I also wonder how much of this money he will ever see. Given the rather limited scope of information about his girlfriend here (the sort of person who lies in an email to keep him from his dreams) I hardly picture her as diving into vaults of cash Scrooge McDuck style.
Are these court cases actually going to turn over results? Would the state garnish some portion of her income or impose a higher tax bracket until it is repaid? Would she be made to sell any/all assets? I am thoroughly more curious about what happens right after the verdict is read out - aside from the expected appeal on the GF's side of course.
(Score: 2) by krishnoid on Monday June 18 2018, @06:28AM
Yeah, not sure how much he'll be able to collect, and over what period of time.
(Score: 3, Informative) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Monday June 18 2018, @03:07PM (1 child)
When someone wins a judgement against you you're not actually required to pay.
But the plaintiff can haul you into court once a year for an examination of your assets. If the judge determines that you have the ability to pay then he forces you to do so.
In the amusing case of a judgement against a retail store, you can ask the Sheriff to send a Deputy around for a "till tap". That fine member of our nation's law enforcement community will stand right next to the cash register - doutblessly howling with laughter - then seize all the cash that goes into it until the plaintiff's award is made good.
Among other ways to collect is to put a lien on the defendant's real property. That's why your house needs to be rented to you by a numbered corporation in the Cayman Islands. There are lots of books and websites that explain all about Asset Protect.
HOWEVER:
The defendant can also declare bankrupcy. Quite likely that's what the girlfriend will do, leaving the poor guy with nothing.
At least he'll get into music school. I'm a musician too; for someone that really cares about music, that's what really matters more than any amount of money.
Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]
(Score: 3, Funny) by krishnoid on Tuesday June 19 2018, @02:45AM
I bet the courts will see through this, and demand she provide her last remaining asset to him, and demand that she remain his girlfriend ... hey, wait a second ...
(Score: 1) by nitehawk214 on Monday June 18 2018, @03:55PM
This is why you see judgments at such high dollar values. Because the court system knows a defendant (and, more importantly, their lawyers) will only ever see a fraction of the money.
"Don't you ever miss the days when you used to be nostalgic?" -Loiosh