LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A resident of China alleges his cousin was extorted in order for several defendants to seize and sell ancient Chinese artifacts that belong to him.
Jian Na Wu filed a complaint on May 14 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against Oregon Trail Corp., AIM United LLC, Soundmind Enterprises LLC and others alleging fraud, conversion and conspiracy.
The plaintiff is a collector of ancient Chinese porcelain items and artifacts and asked his cousin in Rancho Palos Verdes, Helen Lim-Suk Fung, to look for a location to open a museum to display the items.
The defendant, Eric Mark, allegedly took an interest in the plaintiff's collection in 2011 and came up with a scheme with the defendants to convert the plaintiff's collection and sell the pieces for profit.
The plaintiff alleges Lim-Suk Fung was convinced to accept a loan from Oregon Trail Corp. and fraudulently induced to include her house as security.
Eric Mark allegedly then refused to accept payment on the loan, which forced a foreclosure on Lim-Suk Fung's home. The plaintiff alleges Lim-Suk Fung was evicted, the plaintiff's items were seized, and a threat was made that the collection would be destroyed if Lim-Suk Fung spoke to law enforcement.
Finally, the defendants allegedly sold the plaintiff's goods. The plaintiff alleges that 94 items have been sold for significant amounts.
The plaintiff is seeking trial by jury, actual damages of more than $75,000, treble and exemplary damages, costs of the suit and interest, attorneys' fees and other relief deemed fit. The plaintiff is represented by Adam M. Satnich of the Law Office of Adam M. Satnick in Los Angeles.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California case number 2:19-CV-04162