Tuesday, November 09, 1999
Jilted lover sues for $155,000, dogs
BY SHEILA McLAUGHLIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON — A South Carolina man says his life went to the dogs after his Waynesville fiancee changed her “I do” to “I don't.” Now he wants to make her pay.
James A. Miller, an over-the-road truck driver, sued Jennifer Mullins in Warren County Common Pleas Court, claiming she walked out on him in July while he was on a trip to move the couple to Charleston, S.C.
When he returned, the house was cleaned out. Even his dogs — a miniature schnauzer and Scottish terrier — were gone. Mr. Miller wants his dogs back. And $155,000.
“My client fell head over heels in love with this woman and her promise to marry him,” said Mr. Miller's attorney, Richard Boucher.
“He began providing money, jewelry and everything else he owned to continue their relationship, only to show up one day and everybody and everything were gone, including the dogs.”
The suit alleges Ms. Mullins not only broke her promise for a wedding, she also defrauded Mr. Miller of money, gifts and other items on the premise that she would be his wife.
Mr. Miller spent more than $25,000 on his bride-to-be to keep her happy for the three years they lived together near Dayton, Ohio.
He showered Ms. Mullins with gifts of diamond jewelry and bought her furniture, a VCR, a stereo and speakers, televisions and a washer and dryer, the lawsuit said.
Mr. Miller could not be reached. Nor could Ms. Mullins, who may now go by Jennifer St. Angelo. Mr. Boucher said she has a post office box in Waynesville, but he is not sure where she, or the dogs, are living.
While Mr. Miller's recourse seems unusual, legal experts say it's not rare. Ohio, like most states, doesn't allow a person to sue for breach of contract solely on a broken engagement.
However, Mr. Boucher said he based his complaint on a 1997 Ohio appeals court decision that allows civil damages when an unmarried couple splits up and fraud is involved.
The lawsuit, filed late Friday, contends that Ms. Mullins deceived Mr. Miller because she did not follow through on the marriage.
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