The trial in Boise, Idaho, started on October 2, 2018, and ended on October 18, 2018, and included 343 exhibits related to a business dispute, including allegations of fraud. The jury returned their verdict on Friday, October 19, 2018. “The jury got it,” stated Jon D. Pels, who served as lead counsel on the case. “It is rare that you get a 12 to 0 unanimous verdict, but there were tears in the courtroom as the verdict was being read. Jeff is a good guy and he was taken advantage of in this case. It put a lot of stress on him and I’m glad that we were able to obtain this verdict on his behalf.” From the beginning, Mr. Pels set the stage for the eventual victory for his Mr. Hajjar. “Everything I said in my opening statement was proven at trial and I incorporated it into the closing arguments, contrasting this with what the defendant’s lawyers stated,” he continued.
The case was referred to Mr. Pels by a former client who stated the following after he learned of the verdict:
“Talked at length with Jeff. He is as positive as I’ve ever seen him. All kidding aside, I am so grateful for your support, faith, and friendship. It’s a rare day that the good guy wins in our system. Your work and skills have again carried the day and I am as pumped as the day (you took over my divorce).”