The opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
SOUTHERN DIVISION
SHAUNDRE LASKEY, et al., )
)
Plaintiffs, )
)
vs. ) Case No. 6:22-cv-03194-MDH
)
BLUEGREEN VACATIONS )
UNLIMITED, et al., )
)
Defendants. )
ORDER
Before the Court is Plaintiff’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment (Doc. 98) and
Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 101). The motions are fully briefed and ripe
for review. For the reasons set forth herein, Defendants’ Motion is granted and Plaintiffs’ Motion
is denied.
BACKGROUND
Plaintiffs originally filed this action on September 18, 2018, in Missouri state court.
Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Class Certification which has been fully briefed and is also pending.
Plaintiffs’ Motion for Partial Summary Judgment addresses Class Counts I, II, and III of Plaintiffs’
Third Amended Petition, alleging violations of RSMo. § 484.010 et seq., unauthorized practice of
law, violations of RSMo. §407.010 et seq., Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (hereinafter
“MMPA”), and money had and received. Plaintiffs allege under Missouri law, Defendants
Bluegreen Vacations Unlimited, Inc. (“BVU”) and Resort Title Agency, Inc. (“RTA”) charged
fees for preparing legal documents and therefore engaged in the unauthorized practice of law.
Further, Plaintiffs allege the unauthorized practice of law necessarily triggers consumer protection
under the MMPA and gives rise to common law claims of money had and received. Plaintiffs
move for summary judgment on these class claims.
Defendants also move for summary judgment on Plaintiffs’ class claims arguing that they
did not charge fees for the preparation of legal documents and that Plaintiffs have failed to submit
evidence of any such fee. As a result, Defendants contend Plaintiffs’ class claims fail and judgment
should be entered in favor of Defendants.
In addition, Defendants move for summary judgment on Plaintiffs’ individual claims.
Defendants argue any such claims are foreclosed by the contracts that Plaintiffs executed and
Plaintiffs have failed to submit evidence in support of their individual claims.
FACTS
Plaintiffs’ lawsuit arises out of Bluegreen Vacations Unlimited’s marketing and selling of
timeshare interests. Plaintiffs claim BVU sells “vacation points” that can be used as currency to
stay at resorts within the Bluegreen Vacation Club (“Club”) network. Defendants contend they do
not sell vacation points, but instead sell vacation ownership interests (“VOIs”).
When BVU sells a Club interest, the purchaser does not receive legal title or a deed to an
identified unit within the Club network. Instead, BVU deeds a “unit week” to Vacation Trust, Inc.
(“VTI”) pursuant to its trust agreement and awards the purchaser vacation points based on the unit
week’s assigned value. Defendants do not deny that the purchaser does not receive legal title or a
deed. Defendants contend Plaintiffs executed an Owner Beneficiary Agreement (“OBA”) and in
doing so purchased a real property interest—specifically, a timeshare estate— in Unit 2503H/28O
at Paradise Point Resort, 250 Lakewood Drive, Hollister MO 65672. Plaintiffs were also allocated
7,000 biennial vacation points. The parties disagree on the description of the “timeshare interest”
but it is undisputed Plaintiffs did not receive a deed or any legal title to the described Unit. Instead,
Plaintiffs became beneficiaries of the Trust and the property was deeded to the Trust.
The property, or “underlying inventory or the timeshare interest,” is titled and owned by
VTI as a trustee. The Unit cited by Defendants is held in the trust and Plaintiffs, as purchasers or
“owners,” are given certain beneficiary rights pursuant to the trust. The beneficiaries were given
vacation points to use at Bluegreen properties.
As part of the transaction with a purchaser, BVU has an arrangement with RTA in which
the VOI purchaser pays $350 to RTA for coordination of the VOI closing, title, and escrow
services. BVU presents the VOI purchaser with an Affiliated Business Arrangement Disclosure
Statement that states: “you are NOT required to use Resort Title Agency, Inc. as a condition for
settlement of your loan or purchase or sale of the subject property.”
It is the $350 fee that is the subject of Plaintiffs’ class claims. Plaintiffs contend the fee
represents money paid for the preparation of legal documents and therefore supports their claims
for unauthorized practice of law, consumer protection under the MMPA, and common law claims
of money had and received. Defendants dispute that the fee relates to documentation preparation
or the practice of law.
Defendant RTA, who the $350 fee is paid to, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bluegreen
Corporation and provides closing services for BVU. RTA does not provide title, escrow, or closing
services to the general public. RTA’s title searches involve internal review of BVU’s timeshare
inventory. Defendants state RTA title searches are not limited to internal reviews and covers
reviews of chain-of-title involving inventory obtained from third-party properties. However, the
record does not reflect any evidence of third party properties that it would have reviewed.
After a purchaser completes an OBA the Defendants’ computer application automatically
assigns available inventory to individual purchase agreements. BVU staff does not know which
piece of timeshare inventory will be assigned to an agreement prior to printing. The documents
utilized in connection with the sales are standardized and information for each sale is filled into
the documents based on the information gathered. The various documents used to effect the sale
of VOIs and associated financing, and policies and agreements governing rights and obligations
under those documents are standardized. The information gathered in each sale is included in a
form or document, including information particular to the purchaser (such as personal identifying
information), the property being purchased, and the applicable price, costs, and fees.
BVU staff in the sales centers input the particularized customer and transaction information
that is used to complete various contract documents. RTA then uses that information to facilitate
the execution and recording of deeds by Bluegreen/Big Cedar Vacations, LLC and Vacation Trust,
Inc. based on the information.
Individual claims
On March 29, 2014, the Laskeys visited the Bluegreen Wilderness Club at Big Cedar
Lodge resort near Branson, Missouri and attended a group presentation. Ms. Laskey testified that,
during the group presentation, she was told the timeshare would be a great investment, that the
price of hotels in the future would be very expensive, you could basically go anywhere in the
world, you could reserve that spot at any time you wanted to, and you wouldn't have to worry
about that expense. Ms. Laskey also testified that she was told the timeshare would be a great
investment because it could be passed down to their children. Mr. Laskey also testified that he
was told it would be a great investment, and that he could pass it down to his children. Ms. Laskey
states after the group presentation, the Laskeys had an individual meeting where she was told “we
would be able to pass this on to our kids, and their kids, and it would be a great investment for our
family.”
On March 29, 2014, the Laskeys initially received and executed a Purchase Proposal, filled
in by hand, which disclosed an itemized list of “PURCHASE TERMS,” which included a $350
“Closing Cost.” That same day, the Laskeys executed an Affiliated Business Arrangement
Disclosure Statement, which explains that unless the purchasers preferred to use another provider,
RTA would provide “settlement services” and would charge $350 for those services. The Laskeys
also received a Settlement Statement (HUD-1), which identified the $350 “Settlement or closing
fee” as falling under the category of “Title Charges.” A Final Settlement Statement (HUD-1) was
prepared following the closing on the Laskeys’ property, which further broke down the total
settlement fee into its component parts: $290 for “Title Services and Lender’s Title Insurance,”
consisting of $280 as a “Settlement or Closing Fee to RESORTS TITLE AGENCY, INC.,” and
$10 for “Lender’s Title Insurance”; and $60 for “Government Recording Charges,” consisting of
$27 for recording the deed, and $33 for recording the mortgage.
In addition, on March 29, 2014, the Laskeys executed an Owner Beneficiary Agreement.
The Owner Beneficiary Agreement itemized “Closing Costs (Settlement Fees)” of “$350.” The
agreement provided that RTA would issue the lender’s title insurance policy.
The OBA included the following provision:
NO PURCHASER SHOULD RELY UPON REPRESENTATIONS OTHER
THAN THOSE INCLUDED IN THIS AGREEMENT AND IN THE
DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO HEREIN.
It also included the following terms and conditions:
NO ORAL OR WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES. The
parties agree that this Agreement, along with the documents referred to herein, are
the only agreements and disclosures between them. Purchaser should not rely upon
any representations, oral or written, which are not herein set forth. This Agreement
will become effective and binding upon the parties hereto when signed by
Purchaser in the space provided herein and received and accepted by [Bluegreen].
Except as otherwise provided by law, [Bluegreen] makes no warranties, express or
implied, whatsoever regarding the Property, Units, Common Elements or Common
Furnishings including but not limited to warranties of merchantability or fit-ness
for a particular purpose. The Multi-Site Public Offering Statement, which should
be reviewed by each Purchaser, provides additional specificity and explanations
regarding the information set out herein and shall provide guidance in the
interpretation of any provisions hereof.
On March 29, 2014, the Laskeys were read an Owner Confirmation Interview (“OCI”).
The Laskeys executed a written copy of the OCI and initialed after each numbered paragraph. In
Paragraph 12, the Laskeys were asked if any “promises or commitments” “were important to
[their] decision to purchase that have not been covered in writing,” and they identified “None.”
STANDARD OF REVIEW
Summary judgment is proper if, viewing the record in the light most favorable to the non-
moving party, there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled
to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); Celotex Corp., v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-
23 (1986). The moving party is entitled to summary judgment as a matter of law if they can
establish there is “no genuine issue of material fact.” Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S.
242, 247 (1986). Once the moving party has established a properly supported motion for summary
judgment, the non-moving party cannot rest on allegations or denials but must set forth specific
facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. Id. at 248.
A question of material fact is not required to be resolved conclusively in favor of the party
asserting its existence. Rather, all that is required is sufficient evidence supporting the factual
dispute that would require a jury to resolve the differing versions of truth at trial. Id. at 248-249.
DISCUSSION
Unauthorized Practice Of Law
All parties move for summary judgment on the claim of unauthorized practice of law, and
claims stemming from these alleged actions. Plaintiffs claim that Defendants, individually, or
collectively, engaged in the unauthorized practice of law or law business in violation of Missouri
statutes. Plaintiffs allege Defendants charged consumers $350 for the conveyance of timeshare
points from BVU to a trust and the preparation of documents to effectuate the same. Plaintiffs
seek to recover the $350 fee, plus liquidated damages, attorney’s fees, and costs for each of the
putative class members. Defendants argue there is no evidence that the $350 fee (or any fee) was
charged for the preparation of legal documents and as a result there is no evidence of the
unauthorized practice of law.
In Missouri, the practice of law is governed by statute. Section 484.010, RSMo. defines
the practice of law as:
the appearance as an advocate in a representative capacity or the drawing of
papers, pleadings or documents or the performance of any act in such
capacity in connection with proceedings pending or prospective before any
court of record, commissioner, referee or any body, board, committee or
commission constituted by law or having authority to settle controversies.
RSMo. § 484.010.1. The Missouri Supreme Court determines what constitutes the unauthorized
practice of law. In re First Escrow, Inc., 840 S.W.2d 839, 842 (Mo. 1992). The legislature can
assist the Supreme Court in identifying what activities qualify as the practice of law. Strong v.
Gilster Mary Lee Corp., 23 S.W.3d 234, 239 (Mo. App. E.D. 2000). It can establish punishments
for unauthorized practice, and it has the authority to legally define the practice of law as long as
those definitions align with the Supreme Court's decisions. Id. However, the Legislature cannot
impede, disrupt, or undermine the Court's inherent authority to regulate the practice of law. Id.
(citing Hoffmeister v. Tod, 349 S.W.2d 5, 11 (Mo. banc 1961); Risbeck v. Bond, 885 S.W.2d 749,
750 (Mo.App. S.D.1994)).
Section 484.020, RSMo. provides that no corporations shall “engage in the practice of the
law or do law business as defined in section 484.010, or both.” RSMo § 484.020.1. Section
484.010, RSMo. defines law business as:
the advising or counseling for a valuable consideration of any person, firm,
association, or corporation as to any secular law or the drawing or the
procuring of or assisting in the drawing for a valuable consideration of any
paper, document or instrument affecting or relating to secular rights or the
doing of any act for a valuable consideration in a representative capacity…
RSMo § 484.010.2 (emphasis added). “[O]nce it has been determined that a particular document
is legal in nature, the act of charging a fee for the preparation or completion of that document
constitutes unauthorized law business, even when a non-lawyer does not exercise any legal
judgment in completing the form.” Lucas Subway MidMo, Inc. v. Mandatory Poster Agency, Inc.,
524 S.W.3d 116, 123 (Mo.App. W.D. 2017) (internal citations omitted). The Missouri Supreme
Court has conclusively established that warranty deeds, promissory notes, and deeds of trust are
legal in nature. First Escrow, 840 S.W.2d at 840.
Sections 484.010 and 484.020 “prohibit[] an entity and its non-lawyer agents, servants,
employees and trust associates from: (1) drawing, preparing, or assisting in the preparation of
[legal documents]; (2) for valuable consideration, for Missouri residents without the direct
supervision of an independent licensed attorney selected by and representing those individuals.”
Binkley v. American Equity Mortgage, Inc., 447 S.W.3d 194, 197 (Mo. banc 2014) (brackets and
emphasis in original). Under the MMPA, if the plaintiffs “were not charged a fee for preparation
of legal documents,” “they fail[] to demonstrate they suffered an ascertainable loss of money or
property as a result of an unfair practice.” Id. at 199. The doctrine of money had and received, like
unjust enrichment, requires proof of money paid to or a benefit conferred on a defendant where its
retention would be unjust, Dickey v. Royal Banks of Missouri, 111 F.3d 580, 583-584 (8th Cir.
1997), and where a defendant “did not charge for preparation of legal documents,” those claims
too must fail, Binkley, 447 S.W.3d at 199.
The documents presented to the Court show that Plaintiffs were charged “Closing Costs”
of “350.00” and a “Doc Process Fee” of “.00.” These documents do not identify that a “document
preparation fee” was charged. According to the documents, purchasers pay $350 to RTA but there
is no evidence that the fee was for document preparation, legal documents, or a legal fee.
Plaintiffs argue these fees are essentially a scheme to place the administrative costs related
to preparing and completing legal documents onto the consumers. However, Plaintiffs have
submitted no evidence to support their theory that the fee was for completion of legal
documentation. Defendants state the $350 fee was for escrow services, the closing process, title
work, the issuance of the title insurance policy, and recording costs. The documents themselves
reflect no fee was charged for document preparation.
While Plaintiffs believe the fees were a “scheme” to place costs on them for preparing legal
documents there is simply no evidence to support this claim. The Court finds the fees are clearly
identified as closing costs and that the document processing fee is identified as zero. The Court
finds summary judgment in favor of Defendants on this claim is supported by the record.
Further, because the Court finds the fees are clearly identified as closing costs and that the
document processing fee is identified as zero Plaintiffs remaining claims for violation of the
MMPA and money had and received based on this theory also fail. See Binkley v. American Equity
Mortgage, Inc., 447 S.W.3d 194 (Mo. banc 2014). For the reasons set forth herein, the Court
grants summary judgment in favor of Defendants on Plaintiffs’ class claims.
Statute of Limitations
In addition to the reasons stated above, Defendants also argue Plaintiffs’ class claims are
barred by the applicable statute of limitations. Class Count I asserts a violation of Section 484.020
RSMo., which has a two-year statute of limitations. See Mo. Rev. Stat. § 484.020.2. Plaintiffs
purchased their timeshare on March 29, 2014. Defendants argue Plaintiffs did not file their petition
alleging unlawful collection of a fee until July 18, 2019.
Class Counts II and III are based on the $350 closing costs paid to RTA. Class Count II
asserts a violation of the MMPA which has a five-year statute of limitations. See Mo. Rev. Stat.
§ 516.120(2). Class Count III asserts a claim for money had and received which also has a five-
year statute of limitations. See Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(1); and Carpenter v. Countrywide Home
Loans, Inc., 250 S.W.3d 697, 703 n.5 (Mo. banc 2008).
Defendants argue Plaintiffs’ initial Petition, filed on September 21, 2018, was limited to
alleging that BVU made fraudulent misrepresentations during the timeshare sales presentation. On
July 18, 2019, Plaintiffs filed a First Amended Petition that asserted claims against BVU alleging
that the $350 was an unlawful document fee. On July 6, 2022, Plaintiffs filed a Third Amended
Petition adding RTA as a defendant.
Plaintiff purchased their timeshare on March 29, 2014. Defendants contend the initial
Petition only alleged sales misrepresentations as the purported wrongful conduct, making no
mention of the $350 fee. Here, the Court finds even if Plaintiffs’ claim survived summary
judgment on the basis argued above, which the Court has found in favor of Defendants, Plaintiffs
claims would also be barred by the applicable statute of limitations as argued by Defendants.
Individual Claims
Plaintiffs’ class claims for unauthorized practice of law, violation of the MMPA, and
money had and received are also brought by Plaintiffs as individual claims. The same analysis
and decision applies to Plaintiffs’ individual claims that were also brought on behalf of the class.
For the reasons discussed herein, the Court finds in favor of Defendants on these individual claims.
With regard to Plaintiffs’ additional individual claims, Plaintiffs allege BVU sales staff
made false representation to Plaintiffs which amounted to deception, fraud, false pretenses, false
promise, misrepresentation, unfair practice or the concealment, suppression, or omission of a
material fact, including, but not limited to: that VOIs are deeded real estate; that VOIs increase in
value; that they could rent their timeshare for a profit and to cover maintenance fees; maintenance
fees would never increase; the presentation would be 90 minutes; that they could travel anywhere
in the world; and that it would be easy to make a reservation. Plaintiffs claim the
misrepresentations violated the MMPA.
Defendants state Plaintiffs’ claims fail based on the disclaimers, agreements and
documents acknowledged and executed by Plaintiffs. Defendants cite to the contracts signed by
Plaintiffs that contain disclaimers and waivers. Defendants argue Plaintiffs’ signatures confirm
they did not rely on any alleged statements beyond what is provided in the written documents.
To prove an MMPA claim under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 407.025.01, Plaintiffs must show that
they (1) purchased merchandise (2) for personal, family or household purposes; and (3) suffered
an ascertainable loss of money or property; (4) as a result of an act declared unlawful under the
MMPA. Goldsmith v. Lee Enterprises, Inc., 57 F.4th 608, 615 (8th Cir. 2023) (internal citation
omitted). “The ascertainable loss element incorporates Missouri’s “benefit of the bargain”
common law fraud remedy.” Id. The benefit of the bargain is “the difference between the value
of the product as represented and the actual value of the product as received.” Id., citing Thompson
v. Allergan USA, Inc., 993 F. Supp. 2d 1007, 1012 (E.D. Mo. 2014).
“The MMPA makes unlawful the act, use or employment of any deception, fraud, false
pretense, false promise, misrepresentation, unfair practice or the concealment, suppression or
omission of any material fact in connection with the sale or advertisement of any merchandise.”
Jackson v. Hazelrigg Auto. Serv., 417 S.W.3d 886, 894 (Mo. Ct. App. 2014). “When there is no
evidence of a course of conduct…that would amount to fraud or deception, MMPA complaints
can be dismissed.” Schulte v. Conopco, Inc., 997 F.3d 823, 826 (8th Cir. 2021).
Plaintiffs allege the high-pressure sales tactics and the insistence that the purchase needed
to be made immediately to receive the “benefits” prevented Plaintiffs from independently
researching the claims made by Defendants and as a direct and proximate result of the
misrepresentations, statements, assurances, and omissions made by Defendants, Plaintiffs Laskey
have suffered an ascertainable monetary loss.
First, Defendants argue there is no evidence of an ascertainable loss. Defendants rely on
Toben v. Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC, 751 F.3d 888, 890, 896-97 (8th Cir. 2014), in
support of their motion. In Toben, the Eighth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for a defendant
on an MMPA claim where the plaintiff alleged that a car service and tire seller “disguised [a] ‘shop
supply’ fee as a legitimate charge for providing supplies to its customers when in fact the fee is
the defendant’s profit.” The Eighth Circuit affirmed the District Court’s ruling that “defendant’s
in-store signs and print advertising explain [] the fee is not calculated based on the precise supplies
in servicing each car” and “explain the formula used to calculate the fee, and explicitly state that
the fee is represents costs and profits.” Id. at 897. The Eighth Circuit held that such a fee “is not
an unfair or deceptive practice under the MMPA.” Id.
Further, Defendants argue Plaintiffs have not quantified any difference in the value of the
product as represented and the actual value of the product as received. The disclosures executed
by Plaintiffs, and the written contracts, address the representations made and that Plaintiffs
specifically disclaimed reliance on any oral representations. The Owner Confirmation Interview
also gave Plaintiffs the opportunity to identify any oral representations on which they relied and
they identified “None.” Here, Plaintiffs have not established a difference between the value of the
product with the alleged misrepresentations and the “actual value” of what they purchased.
Plaintiffs have not presented evidence on any such difference. Nonetheless, Plaintiffs signed
numerous documents that specifically disclaimed their reliance on any alleged false
representations.
Plaintiffs allege they relied on representations which amounted to deception, fraud, false
pretenses, false promise, misrepresentation, unfair practice or the concealment, suppression, or
omission of a material fact. Plaintiffs cite to examples of representations made by Defendants that
VOIs are deeded real estate; that VOIs increase in value; that they could rent their timeshare for a
profit and to cover maintenance fees; maintenance fees would never increase; the presentation
would be 90 minutes; that they could travel anywhere in the world; and that it would be easy to
make a reservation. However, the record clearly establishes that Plaintiffs acknowledged by
signing numerous documents that they had not relied on any “representations” that were outside
the scope of the documents they signed.1 Plaintiffs’ arguments that they did not “fully read” the
documents they executed does not relieve them of the representations and agreements contained
therein.
1 When Missouri courts interpret contracts, “so far as possible, [t]he intention of the parties is to
be gleaned from the four corners of the contract.” Jerseyville Mall, LLC v. Shop ‘N Save
Warehouse Foods, Inc. 633 S.W.3d 523, 526 (Mo. Ct. App. 2021) (brackets in original). “Missouri
courts construe a contract as a whole so as not to render any terms meaningless,” and a
“construction that gives a reasonable meaning to each term and harmonizes all provisions is
preferred over a construction that renders some provisions without function or sense.” Id. “If the
language is clear and addresses the disputed matter, the inquiry ends.” Id.
Plaintiffs rely on Kerr v. Vatterott Educ. Centers, Inc., 439 S.W.3d 802 (Mo. Ct. App.
2014) arguing that for a claim under the MMPA the rule that all prior and contemporaneous oral
agreements and representations are merged into the written contract does not apply. The Court
finds the facts set forth in Kerr are distinguishable. Here, the Court finds that Plaintiffs failure to
read to or understand the contract is not a defense. Further, Plaintiffs specifically answered “none”
when asked what representations they relied upon in entering the agreements. The agreements
clearly set fort the terms of Plaintiffs’ purchase. Here, the Court finds Plaintiffs have failed to
state a claim under the MMPA.
Recission
Plaintiffs also allege they are entitled to rescind the timeshare contracts, minus amounts
paid in document fees. Under Missouri law, the elements of an action for fraudulent
misrepresentation are: “(1) a false, material misrepresentation; (2) the speaker’s knowledge of its
falsity or his ignorance of its truth; (3) the speaker’s intent that it should be acted upon by the
hearer in the manner reasonably contemplated; (4) the hearer’s ignorance of the falsity of the
statement; (5) the hearer’s reliance on its truth, and the right to rely thereon; and (6) proximate
injury.” Moses.com Sec., Inc. v. Comprehensive Software Sys., Inc., 406 F.3d 1052, 1064 (8th Cir.
2005). Failure to establish any one of the elements is fatal to a claim for fraud. Id. “When
fraudulent misrepresentations are alleged, a party may either seek to affirm the contract and sue
for damages or sue for rescission.” Evergreen Nat. Corp. v. Carr, 129 S.W.3d 492, 496 (Mo. Ct.
App. 2004).
“To justify the extraordinary relief of rescission or cancellation, the party seeking such
relief should present clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that it is warranted.” Signature Pool
& Ct., a Div. of Classic Pools, Inc. v. City of Manchester, 743 S.W.2d 538, 541 (Mo. Ct. App.
1987). “For evidence to be clear, cogent, and convincing, it must instantly tilt the scales in the
affirmative when weighed against the evidence in opposition and the fact finder's mind left with
an abiding conviction that the evidence is true.” Jones v. Tchrs. Ins. & Annuity Ass'n, 934 S.W.2d
307, 311 (Mo. Ct. App. 1996).
Plaintiffs fail to present “clear, cogent, and convincing evidence” that the “extraordinary
remedy” of rescission is warranted here. See Signature Pool, 743 S.W.2d at 541. Again, Plaintiffs
executed contracts and agreements addressing the issues of what they relied upon. The Eighth
Circuit has held that reliance on an alleged oral promise that plainly contradicts the express terms
of a written contract does not constitute reasonable reliance. See Martin v. Am. Family Mut. Ins.
Co., 157 F.3d 580, 581–822 (8th Cir. 1998). Here, the Court finds in favor of Defendants on
Plaintiffs’ claim for recission.
CONCLUSION
Wherefore, for the reasons set forth herein, the Court GRANTS Defendants’ Motion for
Summary Judgment. (Doc. 101). Plaintiffs’ Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is DENIED.
(Doc. 98). In addition, Court hereby DENIES as moot Plaintiffs’ Motion to Certify Class. (Doc.
75).
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: February 28, 2024
/s/ Douglas Harpool ____
DOUGLAS HARPOOL
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE