| I have never been a political activist, nor have I ever been involved in governmental debates/civil rights. I decided to write this essay as a form of therapy. Hopefully, it will also enlighten anyone who finds themself in a similiar situation. A couple years ago, I was seeing this person regularly. We became close friends and the day came when he asked to borrow some money. I was on unemployment at the time, but I had some money in my savings. Being the kind hearted person that I am, I lent him various amounts of money throughout a period of 6 months. |
| He borrowed MY money to buy his daughter a last minute Christmas gift. He borrowed MY money to pay back his lawyer in another state. He borrowed MY money to buy some DJ equipment so he could continue doing DJ work like he always said he wanted to do. He borrowed MY money to pay for my birthday present. There are other reasons he borrowed MY money, but I will not go into that great of detail. |
| To make these loans official, he willingly signed a promissory note to repay me my money in full. Like so many relationships, ours ended ugly. I was more concerned about getting my money back, than my broken heart. He paid me some money, a few times. But the amounts were short of the scheduled payment and he didn't pay me every month like he was supposed to. Eventually, the payments stopped all together. I had sent him letters advising him of his overdue financial obligations, he responded by leaving me threatening and abusive messages on my phone. After 2 years of this, I had no choice but to sue him in small claims court. The first court case date came up, and he showed in court to answer to the judge. He admitted owing me one amount of money, and promised the court and judge that he would pay me back in monthly payments. That only lasted one month. The second court case was to of been heard after the first one, but he claimed he didnt know about it and wasn't prepared to present his defense. The judge gave a month continuance, and we were to return when he had fair amount of time to collect his documents and evidence. He never showed for the second court case, so I won by default. |
| Now, here comes a lesson in justice. Small claims court is a joke in California. Yes, you can do all your research, gather all of your necessary documents to prove your case beyond a shadow of a doubt. BUT! After you win the judgement, you are on your own in collecting your money from the person you couldnt get it from in the first place! No, the court will not collect your winnings for you. No, they will not assist you in collecting your winnings. You are on your own to get YOUR money back somehow. Basically you are back at square one. So what did I learn from this hard lesson? To not EVER do anyone a favor and lend them YOUR money. You might as well just take a wad of $20's and throw them up in the air. It ends up the same way. |
| So, now, this person continues to make money utilizing the DJ equipment that was purchased with my credit card, and never paid back. And the unmentioned extras I had to suffer to attempt to get MY money back: >numerous hours off work to file papers, court appearances >all the gas I wasted going to and from the places to get the papers >having my unblemished credit report ruined because I can't afford to make the huge monthly payments >buying my own house put on hold indefinitely since my savings was to be part of a down payment >mental stress and depression caused by this person who knows how to mindfuck and intimidate. |
| This story was not written with any slanderous intent. Slander is something that isn't the truth, what I have just said here is ALL THE TRUTH. I am exercising my freedom of speech rights. Unless, that has changed now? |
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| UPDATE as of 2004-I still am yet to collect any of more of my judgement award from him. He has stopped all together with his responsibility of repayment. |
| UPDATE as of 2006-I still am yet to collect any of more of my judgement award from him. He has stopped all together with his responsibility of repayment. One more year and I shall re-new the judgement with the court. (after 7yrs) |