GWENN POPPER, APPELLANT,
v.
HAVANA PUBLICATIONS, INC., A CORPORATION ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND EMANUEL MARLIS, APPELLEES

Fla. 3d DCA | 1960-07-29
No. 59-613
HORTON, C. J., and PEARSON, J., ■concur.
122 So. 2d 247 Florida District Court of Appeal, Third District (1960) Caution
Cited by 22 cases

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Synopsis

Gwenn Popper sued to rescind stock purchases allegedly made in violation of Florida's Blue Sky law (Chapter 517). The trial court dismissed the action on estoppel grounds, finding Popper's participation as an officer and director of the issuing corporation barred her rescission claim. The appellate court affirmed, holding that estoppel may be a valid defense to rescission claims under Florida's voidable-sale statute.


Holding

The court held that estoppel may be a valid defense to a rescission claim under Florida's Blue Sky statute where the statute makes sales voidable (rather than void) at the purchaser's election. The trial court properly sustained the estoppel defense based on Popper's role as officer and director and her control over corporate funds.


Key Quotes

“the weight of authority appears to recognize the availability of estoppel as a defense under a statute such as that involved here by which such sales are not made void but voidable at the election of the purchaser”

Establishes the court's holding that estoppel is available as a defense under Florida's voidable-sale statute, distinguishing it from void-sale statutes.

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Facts & Procedural History

Popper purchased stock in Havana Publications, Inc. that was allegedly sold in violation of Florida's Blue Sky law, as the stock was neither registere…

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Opinion of the Court
CARROLL, CHAS., Judge.

CARROLL, CHAS., Judge.

The appellant Gwenn Popper filed an action in the circuit court for recovery of the price she had paid for stock allegedly sold to her in violation of the Florida “Blue Sky” law, Chapter 517, Fla.Stat., F.S.A.

Section 21 of that chapter (§ 517.21, Fla. Stat., F.S.A.) provides that sales made in violation of the provisions of that law shall be voidable at the election of the purchaser and that such action for the recovery of the purchase price may be brought within two years. In the instant case the illegality was alleged as follows:

“That defendant, Havana Publications, Inc., never did register its said corporate stock, nor the right to subscribe to said stock, with Florida Securities Commission, and said stock was not an exempt security, and said sale thereof to plaintiff was not an exempt transaction.”

Defendants’ answer denied illegality, claimed an exemption under the statute, and pleaded estoppel. The last-mentioned defense was sustained on trial and the cause was dismissed, the court finding “that the plaintiff, by reason of her direct participation in the corporation as an officer and director, and her control over the disposition of the corporation funds after becoming a stockholder, that she is estopped to maintain this action.”

The primary question presented for decision on this appeal is whether the right conferred by this statute upon the purchaser to rescind the sale of stock and recover the consideration she paid therefor is absolute or is subject to the interposition of a defense such as estoppel to defeat recovery.

While estoppel is generally not recognized as a defense under statutes of this type which provide that a sale made in violation of its provision is void as distinguished from voidable (see Loss & Cowett, Blue Sky Law 166-170 (1958), the weight of authority appears to recognize the availability of estoppel as a defense under a statute such as that involved here by which such sales are not made void but voidable at the election of the purchaser. This precise question does not appear to have been passed on by our Supreme Court. The maj ority of the cases, and we feel the better reason, hold that under statutes worded as the Florida Statute is framed, estoppel may be a defense, and we follow and apply that rule in this case. See De Lamar Mines of Montana v. Mackay, 9 Cir., 1939, 104 F.2d 271; Fitch v. United Royalty Co., 143 Kan. 486, 55 P.2d 409; Schrier v. B and B Oil Company, 311 Mich. 118, 18 N.W.2d 392; Moore v. Manufacturers Sales Co., 335 Mich. 606, 56 N.W.2d 397; De Polo v. Greig, 338 Mich. 703, 62 N.W.2d 441; Thomas v. United Royalty Co., 180 Okl. 230, 68 P.2d 490. Cf. Westhusin v. Landowners’ Oil Ass’n, 143 Kan. 404, 55 P.2d 406; Brown Memorial Foundation v. Rohrer, 152 Kan. 291, 103 P.2d 814; Kaye v. Sunbeam *249Quarries Co., 258 Ky. 190, 79 S.W.2d 700; Farrar v. Hood, 56 N.M. 724, 249 P.2d 759; Farmers’ Union Co-Operative Royalty Co. v. Little, 182 Okl. 178, 77 P.2d 33; Good v. Starker, 216 Wis. 253, 257 N.W. 299.

No useful purpose would be served by a discussion of the facts and circumstances of the case as disclosed by the record here. Upon considering the matters found to constitute estoppel in this case, in the light of the applicable authorities referred to above, we are impelled to con•clude that the trial judge was eminently correct in sustaining that defense and granting judgment thereon, and that the appellant failed to demonstrate error.

Affirmed.

HORTON, C. J., and PEARSON, J., ■concur.


Cases With Similar Vibessemantic neighbors from the corpus


Citator

Cited By

  • Harrison v. McCOURTNEY, 148 So. 2d 53 (Fla. 2d DCA 1962)
    …defense of estoppel. In an ac [*56] tion based on § 517.21, Florida Statutes, for the recovery of the amount paid for securities sold in violation of the “Blue Sky Laws,” estoppel may be a defense. Popper v. Havana Publications, Inc., Fla.App.1960, 122 So. 2d 247. In the absence of some proof contradicting or denying or in opposition thereto, the mere pleading of this affirmative defense created a genuine issue so as to preclude summary judgment. The movant, plaintiff here, has the burden to show from the pl…
  • Samuel B. Krasny et ux. v. Richter, 211 So. 2d 612 (Fla. 3d DCA 1968)
    …and director and by having control over the disposition of funds after becoming a stockholder, be estopped to claim his purchase of stock void under the provisions of Fla.Stat. Chapter 517, F.S.A. Popper v. Havana Publications, Inc., Fla.App. 1960, 122 So. 2d 247; Harrison v. McCourtney, Fla.App.1962, 148 So. 2d 53. We know of no reason why the doctrine of estoppel should not be applied where the buyer, rather than participate personally, participates in corporate affairs through an agent. Appellants urge th…
  • Dokken v. Minnesota-Ohio OIL Corp., 232 So. 2d 200 (Fla. 2d DCA 1970)
    …he purchaser was involved in the business affairs of the seller as officer, director, controlling stockholder, manager or participated in the affairs as a seller. To support this contention he cites Popper v. Havana Publications, Inc., Fla.App.1960, 122 So. 2d 247, 84 A.L.R.2d 476; Harrison v. McCourtney, Fla.App.1963, 148 So. 2d 53; Monroe v. Dixon, Fla.App.1963, 152 So. 2d 744; Krasny v. Richter, Fla.App.1968, 211 So. 2d 612. These are the only Florida cases relating to estoppel as a defense to a violation…
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