Former Miller County Treasurer Danny Lewis and his wife, Tami Lewis, have been ordered to pay nearly $70,000 in a civil suit accusing them of financial wrongdoing in a private business.
The couple could also be on the hook for an undetermined amount for the court costs and attorney fees incurred by the plaintiffs, Danny and Charlotte Jewell. Last week retired Circuit Judge David Laser, sitting by special appointment, presided over a jury trial at the Miller County jail complex. Miller County's three circuit judges recused from the case because of Danny Lewis' status as county treasurer at the time the suit was filed.
Danny Lewis could not be reached for comment through his email address Friday. The Jewells' lawyer, David Freeze of Texarkana, said he appreciates the jury's time in the case and their verdict.
At the end of the trial, the jury found the Lewis' should pay a total of $69,798.86 for breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract. The jury found breach of contract related to promissory notes negotiated by the Lewises to Chandler Insurance for $20,000 and $1,100. The jury awarded $19,952.42 in connection to the larger note and $1,336.44 in connection to the smaller loan.
The jury awarded an additional $48,510 for breach of fiduciary duty connected to the Lewises' use of Chandler Insurance funds and accounts for personal expenses.
Freeze argued that Danny Lewis made 46 unauthorized cash withdrawals from a Chandler account at First National Bank from July 27, 2009, to Feb. 28, 2013, which total $22,809.65. From a second Chandler account at First National, Danny Lewis made six unauthorized withdrawals from June 8, 2009, to July 12, 2010, which total $2,750. Another 25 unauthorized withdrawals were made from a Chandler account at Bank of the Ozarks from June 15, 2009, to Nov. 9, 2012, which total $19,650.75. Danny Lewis is accused of "other unauthorized personal use of funds" from a second Bank of the Ozarks account from 2010 to 2013 which total $22,450.82 and of making unauthorized ATM withdrawals from 2010 to 2013 which total $1,340. And the Jewells incurred overdraft and insufficient funds fees totaling $10,813.
The jury did not award the Jewells the full amount they were seeking for the unauthorized withdrawals and insufficient funds charges. The Jewells may now petition the court to award them a judgment for the filing fees, court costs, attorney fees and other expenses related to the suit.
Danny Lewis' conflict with the Jewells and Chandler Insurance is not the first he has had with a former insurance company employer. Court records in Bowie County, Texas, indicate that Michelle Douglas Insurance Agency sought a restraining order against Danny Lewis in May 2007. The petition for the restraining order notes that Danny Lewis' employment with that agency ended April 19, 2007. The petition alleges Danny Lewis was harassing Michelle Douglas and her employees and contacting customers. A temporary restraining order was granted the following day by retired 202nd District Judge Leon Pesek Jr. In June 2007, an order prohibiting Danny Lewis from coming within 500 feet of Douglas' residence and office and within 50 feet of Douglas or her children was entered. The order enjoined Danny Lewis from calling Michelle Douglas or her children or from using proprietary business information. The order expired nine months after it was entered.
Danny Lewis served as Miller County treasurer from Jan. 1, 2013, until his term expired the last day of 2016. Lewis did not run for re-election as treasurer in 2015, though he did unsuccessfully run for county judge that year. The Jewells filed suit against the Lewises in mid-2016.