Case Background

Sydney Hodgkinson filed a lawsuit against Paul Rogers and BAMFL, Inc. on February 3, 2023, in Dallas County, Texas. The case arose from an alleged investment scheme. Hodgkinson, a California resident, met Rogers and expressed interest in investing. Rogers, doing business as BAMFL, Inc., claimed to own valuable real estate. He convinced Hodgkinson to invest $88,000. However, Hodgkinson never received documentation verifying his ownership. BAMFL’s corporate charter had been involuntarily revoked prior to the transaction. Hodgkinson filed the suit in the 192nd Judicial District Court.

Cause

The dispute centers on alleged fraud and breach of contract. Hodgkinson claimed Rogers misrepresented property ownership to secure the investment. Despite multiple requests, he failed to provide proof of title. Communications later broke down. At one point, Rogers made a threatening phone call to Hodgkinson. Hodgkinson asserted that Rogers knowingly provided false information and conducted business in bad faith.

Injury

Hodgkinson alleged financial and emotional harm from the incident. She claimed to have lost the $88,000 investment. The stress and uncertainty from the unresolved business dealings affected her well-being. She further asserts that Rogers’ conduct, especially the threatening call, caused emotional distress. Hodgkinson believed she was manipulated through deceit and suffered reputational damage. The failure to receive documents or a refund left her without recourse outside of legal action.

Damages

Hodgkinson sought $88,000 in actual damages for her lost investment. She also requests punitive damages due to alleged fraud and malice. Her petition noted that Texas law permits uncapped punitive damages in certain felony-level fraud cases. Additionally, she sought reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs. Hodgkinson asked the court to award all appropriate legal and equitable relief to remedy her financial and emotional losses.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal Representation

• Plaintiff: Sydney Hodgkinson

• Counsel for Plaintiff: Jeffrey Robert Sandberg

• Defendants: BAMFL, Inc. | Paul Rogers

• Counsel for Defendants: Stephen K. Le Brocq

Claims

Breach of Contract

Sydney Hodgkinson entered into an agreement with Paul Rogers and BAMFL, Inc. based on their representations about a real estate investment. The defendants allegedly failed to uphold their end of the contract after accepting $88,000 from Hodgkinson. Despite repeated requests, they did not provide ownership documentation or fulfill their financial obligations. This failure to perform as agreed constituted a breach of contract.

Misrepresentation

The defendants misrepresented their ownership interest in the investment property. Hodgkinson relied on these statements when transferring funds. The petition claimed that Rogers and BAMFL either knew the representations were false or made them without exercising reasonable care to ensure their accuracy. Their actions caused financial harm to the plaintiff.

Officer Liability

Paul Rogers acted as the sole officer and director of BAMFL, Inc. Hodgkinson alleges that his personal conduct in the misrepresentation and misuse of funds made him individually liable for the harm caused by the corporation’s actions.

Punitive Damages

The complaint asserted that the defendants acted with fraud and malice. Therefore, Hodgkinson sought exemplary damages under Texas law, arguing that such misconduct justifies an award beyond actual losses to punish and deter similar conduct in the future.

Legal Costs

Hodgkinson sought compensation for all litigation expenses, including attorney’s fees, due to the defendants’ willful and wrongful conduct.

Defense

Paul Rogers and BAMFL, Inc. denied all of Sydney Hodgkinson’s allegations. They filed a general denial under Texas law and demanded strict proof of each claim. They also raised multiple affirmative defenses. These included waiver, statute of frauds, release, promissory estoppel, equitable estoppel, ratification, and unclean hands.The defendants argued that these defenses, if proven, would bar Hodgkinson’s claims.

Jury Verdict

The Jury awarded $150,000 in damages to Sydney Hodgkinson. They found that Paul Rogers and BAMFL, Inc. failed to comply with the Settlement Agreement. The Jury concluded that this breach directly caused financial harm to Hodgkinson. The compensation was intended to fairly address her losses resulting from the defendants’ actions.

Post Verdict Proceedings

Following the jury verdict, the defendants filed multiple post-trial motions. They included a Motion for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict (JNOV), a Motion for New Trial, and a proposed alternative judgment. The defendants argued the jury’s decision lacked support from the evidence. The court scheduled a hearing for May 9, 2025, before Judge Maria Aceves. At this hearing, the judge will decide whether to uphold the verdict, order a new trial, or enter a different judgment. The court’s ruling will determine if Hodgkinson’s trial win stands or if further proceedings are required. 

Court Documents:

Documents are available for purchase upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com