Legal Question in Business Law in Georgia

Tampered Evidence

I have recently gone thru a trial involving a family business. After working for my father (20 years), he decided that he was going too force me to buy his business at over 100 times it�s worth. I refused; it got very ugly and ended up in civil court.

As part of his �so called evidence�, he had his attorney�s present documents that they tampered with / changed to suit their needs. Over 200 documents were changed during the course of the lawsuit (many were changed up to six different times).

In the end, the jury awarded him a judgment of $60,000.00 plus $100,000.00 in legal fees (even though no evidence was produced). However, the jury did not include any punitive damages. He has since appealed for a new trial.

My attorney told me to pay since it could have been much higher, and that there is nothing I can do about the tampering since it was done by lawyers (that I have not relationship with). Is it true that I have no recourse to sue these attorneys, their firm and / or the Para legal as a separate issue (outside of the case and the appeal)?


Asked on 8/28/06, 9:50 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Scott Riddle Law Office of Scott B. Riddle, LLC

Re: Tampered Evidence

You have a lawyer who knows all the facts. We have a single paragraph description of one side's version of an entire lawsuit and trial. Discuss with your lawyer.

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Answered on 8/28/06, 10:25 am
Jeff Kent Kent & Merritt, P.A.

Re: Tampered Evidence

I must concur with Scott. At this point, your current attorney is the person with the best grasp of the legal implications of your case, and you are the person with the best grasp of what you can and cannot handle in terms of paying the judgment, paying to fight, or stamina to continue the litigation. With a judgment of that size, it would not be a bad idea to get a second opinion from another attorney, but that is your call.

Feel free to contact me if you have further questions.

The foregoing is general information only, not specific legal advice. No attorney/client relationship has been created or should be implied.

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Answered on 8/28/06, 1:57 pm


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