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Former judge Lizama appeals breach of contract ruling
Former Superior Court associate judge Juan T. Lizama is appealing Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho’s decision finding him to have breached a contract by failing to pay for dental work he ordered performed on his brother in 2012.
Lizama filed a one-page notice of appeal, informing the Superior Court that an appeal is taken to the Supreme Court.
Lizama seeks the high court’s reversal of Camacho’s ruling issued on May 28, 2015.
No other information was provided in the notice.
In his May 28 decision, Camacho found Lizama liable to pay Dr. Allan Stuart Markoff, who owns Toothworks, $5,381 on the principal plus $1,123.82 in pre-judgment interest or for a total award of $6,504.82.
Camacho ruled that there was a valid contract between the parties regarding dental work on Lizama’s brother, Antonio.
The judge said Lizama failed to make the required payments for Antonio’s dental work.
Camacho said Lizama promised to pay for Antonio’s dental care, that the dental work was performed, and that Lizama failed to make full payments, thus breaching the agreement that he made with Markoff.
“The court finds that defendant Lizama’s testimony lacks credibility, especially because of defendant Lizama’s circular and evasive answers to questions while on the witness stand,” Camacho said.
Markoff sued Lizama for allegedly failing to pay for dental services rendered on his brother. The dentist claimed that the defendant owes him and the clinic $5,381. He alleged that the former judge refused to make payments beyond a single $1,000 payment.
The bench trial was held on Dec. 30, 2014. Attorney Michael A. White represented Markoff. Lizama represented himself.
