The Ponist Law Group represented a commercial real estate brokerage company, its designated broker, and its agent in a dispute in which plaintiff real estate investors alleged fraud, breach of fiduciary duties and conduct falling below the standard of care. After a two-week trial, the Ponist Law Group obtained a complete defense verdict, absolving their clients of any wrongdoing.
Ponist Law Group Defeats $20+ Million California Attorney General Enforcement Case
December 25, 2025
After a three-year investigation, the California Attorney General’s Office filed a sweeping civil enforcement action against a nonprofit organization, its directors, and affiliated companies that supported the charity’s operations. The complaint alleged serious claims, including breach of fiduciary duty, self-dealing, diversion of charitable assets, and misrepresentation. The Attorney General sought more than $20 million in restitution, fines, and penalties, along with over $2 million in purportedly “mandatory” attorney’s fees.
Following five years of hard-fought litigation and a three-month trial, the Ponist Law Group secured a defense verdict on every substantive claim. The only issue on which the Attorney General prevailed involved record-keeping deficiencies.
The outcome was decisive. Instead of the more than $20 million sought, the court awarded just $14,000 in fines and penalties. Instead of over $2 million in attorney’s fees, the court awarded $35,800.
