Texas City man sues former business partner over $138K

GALVESTON - Texas City resident Jimmy Roberts claims Seabrook local Eric Miller owes him $138,000, recent court documents say.

Roberts demanded Miller pay him for interim financing, vehicle titles and business loans to no avail, according to a lawsuit filed Oct. 18 in Galveston County District Court.

Both parties reportedly had been doing business together for more than nine years with Roberts, doing business as City Auto Sales, monetarily backing Miller's operation of a bar and grill and game room on a used car sales lot in Bacliff as well as providing financing "for more than one dozen motor vehicles."

"The defendant accepted the motor vehicles and the titles, as well as the other loans and financing and became bound to pay the plaintiff the designated price, which is a reasonable, usual and customary price for such items," the suit says.

The original petition states that Roberts recently learned of Miller's apparent delinquency, which it alleges the defendant defaulted.

"The plaintiff provided valuable services which the defendant accepted," the suit says.

"The defendant knew that the plaintiff expected to be compensated for these services, but failed to compensate the plaintiff."

Roberts seeks a minimum of $15,000 in attorney's fees in addition to the disputed $138,000.

He is represented by attorney Paul H. LaValle of Texas City.

The case has been assigned to Galveston County 122nd District Court Judge John Ellisor.

Case No. 11-cv-1644