An Indiana man found himself slapped with a $30,000 lawsuit after he sold a $40.00 printer on Craigslist to an unsatisfied buyer. According to the Indianapolis Star, Doug Costello sold Gersh Zavodnik a $40 printer in 2009, but Zavodnik claims it did not function and went to court.
However, the Indiana Supreme Court described Zavodnik as a “prolific, abusive litigant” who sued many people and companies in the past. He won the $30,000 in this particular lawsuit against Costello at one point, but according to the Indy Star, the case was eventually thrown out.
Nevertheless, Costello’s legal fees went upwards of $12,000. Additionally, the judgment for the $30,000 award happened when both the defendant and plaintiff were representing themselves and the plaintiff sent the defendant documents stating the defendant was liable for $30,000 for breach of contract.
Zavodnik took it further and sent more paperwork asking for $300,000 and then $600,000. Costello did not reply to the requests and missed a 30-day period to respond as well as a court hearing, which forced the judge to impose a penalty on him.
Costello finally hired a lawyer, Chad Wuertz, who dealt with Zavodnik in the past.
Last March, Chief Judge Nancy Vaidik of the Indiana Supreme Court wrote that the $30,000 in damages “had no basis in reality.”
“He did not send requests claiming $30,000 and $300,000 and $600,000 in damages because he believes those figures are legally justified and thought Costello might agree,” Vaidik wrote. “He sent them because he hoped Costello would not respond, rendering the matters admitted…”
As it turned out, Zavodnik, the Indy Star reported, is a member of a group of pro se litigants whose mission is to “end Marion County judicial corruption.”
One of the members, Jesse Clements, told the Indy Star, that Zavodnik will likely ask for a re-hearing.