Jury Sides with Trustee in Inheritance Dispute
Table of Contents
Facts in the Backdrop of the Incident
Michael Badrikian created several trusts during his lifetime. He named his children, Asador and Salpi, as both beneficiaries and trustees. His estate included substantial real estate, personal property, and bank accounts. After Michael’s death, Salpi Monteiro assumed control as trustee of multiple trusts and manager of a property-holding LLC. She oversaw the administration of the estate and related entities.
Events Leading to the Legal Dispute
Tensions escalated after Salpi began managing estate affairs. She allegedly failed to disclose key assets in filings, including jointly held accounts and personal property. The plaintiff claimed Salpi used estate funds to secure a mortgage under the guise of paying estate taxes. He also alleged she diverted LLC and trust assets for personal gain and refused to account or distribute assets fairly. Filings reportedly underrepresented estate value, raising concerns about transparency and intent.
Plaintiff’s Injuries and Their Impact
The plaintiff claimed significant financial losses due to Salpi’s conduct. He said his rightful inheritance, including a one-half share, was compromised. Emotional distress followed, driven by mistrust and family conflict. The concealment of assets and prolonged mismanagement strained relationships and caused lasting damage to the estate’s integrity.
Damages
The plaintiff sought actual damages for lost funds and misappropriated income. He requested reimbursement and full disclosure of all transactions. He also asked for attorneys’ fees, litigation costs, and equitable relief. Importantly, he sought a court order to remove Salpi as LLC manager and to ensure fair handling of the estate.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Asador Badrikian
Counsel for Plaintiff: Leonard A. Frisoli | Frank J. Frisoli
Defendant(s): Salpi Monteiro
Counsel for Defendants: Daniel I. Lampke | Juan Marcel Marcelino | Robert William Stetson III
Claims
Count I: Accountings
Salpi failed to provide proper financial records for the estate, trusts, and LLC. The plaintiff accused her of converting assets and violating fiduciary duties.
Count II: Conversion
She allegedly took personal property and assets from the estate and trusts for personal use, without permission or legal justification.
Count III: Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Salpi used estate resources for personal benefit, occupied estate property without payment, and mismanaged LLC profits.
Count IV: Money Had and Received
She received funds belonging to the LLC and trusts and refused to return them, warranting recovery.
Count V: Removal as LLC Manager
Due to mismanagement and self-dealing, the plaintiff sought her removal and his own appointment as successor manager.
Count VI: Fraud and Conspiracy
Salpi allegedly concealed assets and filed misleading paperwork to minimize estate value, defrauding the plaintiff and conspiring to divert funds.
Defense
Defendant Salpi Monteiro, in her individual capacity and as Manager of 222 Arsenal Street, LLC, denied the majority of the plaintiff’s allegations, while admitting certain factual assertions related to trust and estate matters. She acknowledged that the plaintiff requested an accounting and agreed that such accounting is appropriate for estate and trust assets, but denied any refusal on her part to provide relevant information.
As part of her defense, Salpi asserted that the complaint fails to state a valid legal claim. She further raised an affirmative defense that any claims relating to the 222 Arsenal Street LLC operating agreement fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. § 1–16), and therefore, the court lacks jurisdiction to decide those matters. She requested dismissal of the complaint and an award of costs and attorneys’ fees.
Jury Verdict
On March 19, 2025, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the Defendant, Salpi Monteiro. The jury found no liability on the claims brought by Plaintiff Asador Badrikian, thereby rejecting allegations of fiduciary breach, conversion, fraud, and related misconduct. As a result, the court entered judgment for the Defendant, dismissing the case.
Court Documents
Court documents are available for purchase upon request at Jurimatic@exlitem.com