Trial nearing for 'Flip This House' lawsuit

GRAPEVINE

Perhaps the most intriguing installment of "Flip This House" could play out in a Charleston courthouse, as a high-stakes legal dispute starring the reality TV series is set to be heard in the Holy City.

Last week, lawyers for locally based Trademark Properties Inc. and A&E Television Networks told U.S. District Court Judge C. Weston Houck that they will be prepared to argue the case in front of a jury next month.

The fracas pits A&E against "Flip This House" creator and onetime host Richard C. Davis of Trademark Properties, who, according to his complaint, had a 50-50 revenue-sharing agreement with A&E under a verbal agreement.

Despite repeated requests, the network would not confirm the arrangement in writing, his lawsuit alleged.

The cable network, which aired Davis' version of the real estate show until 2006, has argued that it never agreed to share revenue from "Flip This House." Davis sued the network and is seeking damages in excess of $1 million.

A&E sought to have the lawsuit dismissed last year, but its request was shot down. Houck ruled that enough evidence existed to make a case that there was an oral agreement.

"I don't believe it needs to be in writing for it to be enforceable," he said at a hearing last year.

When Davis still was involved with "Flip This House," the show followed the onetime real estate appraiser and a band of co-workers as they rode out the real estate wave by acquiring homes to be fixed up and "flipped" to new buyers.

Jury selection in the case is set for Nov. 3. The trial, which is expected to take at least week, should start shortly thereafter. That is, unless a settlement can be scripted.

Seasonal help?

Looking to capitalize on a weak economy as the holiday shopping season gets ready to kick in, Sam's Club is offering $10 memberships that are good for 10 weeks for anyone who is not currently in the retail club. Sam's, a division of Wal-Mart, began offering the deal for the first time this past weekend. Shoppers still can sign up for the offer this coming Friday through Sunday at the Sam's at Centre Pointe in North Charleston. A year-round membership fee at he chain starts at $35 and tops out at $100.

Government goodies

After canvassing the globe for a home for a $500 million Kevlar plant, DuPont picked Berkeley County late last year. Officials said the chemical and life-science giant picked the Lowcountry because of the quality of the local work force, proximity to a neighboring DuPont facility and the area's friendly business climate.

And it probably didn't hurt that the state's Department of Commerce offered up a $1.2 million grant to help pay for site preparation. The Bushy Park facility, which is under construction, will employ about 100 workers at full production.

The operation will make Kevlar, a strong thread that is best known as the heavy fabric stuffed inside bullet-proof vests.

Space program

The State Ports Authority unveiled a new Web site to market the Charleston region as "the next big deal in distribution." With more than 20 million square feet in development within 30 miles of Charleston, industrial space should double within six years. The new site, PortCharlestonDC.com, provides project and contact information for importers, exporters and logistics companies.

The Web site highlights the advantages of the local market, including the anticipated population explosion in the Southeast — 43 percent between 2000 and 2030. It also points out the Port of Charleston's expansion plans, with 25 more acres of container yard at the Wando Welch Terminal, another terminal moving forward at the former Navy base and a planned terminal in Jasper County that South Carolina will co-own with Georgia.

Branching out

First Citizens Bank and Trust Co. is set to grow its franchise by looking inland. Last week, investors in Orangeburg-based Community Bankshares Inc. approved a $21-a-share buyout from the larger Columbia-based lender. The $96 million all-cash deal announced in June is expected to be finalized by the end of the month.

Community Bankshares owns Community Resource Bank, which has 10 branches from Orangeburg to Florence to Columbia. It had assets of $587 million and deposits of $482 million on June 30.

As of that same date, privately held First Citizens was the fifth-largest bank in South Carolina, with $4.9 billion in deposits, or 7.4 percent of the total, according the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. It was the No. 5 bank in the Charleston region, with deposits of $519.4 million, or a 5.71 percent market share. The Community Bankshares acquisition would increase First Citizens' branch network to more than 170 offices.

Volunteers, anyone?

The Berkeley Chamber of Commerce and Roper St. Francis Healthcare are on the hunt for Berkeley's Best volunteers. On Nov. 13, the two groups will hand out awards for a Corporate Crusader, Dream Team and Berkeley County Volunteer of the Year.

The Corporate Crusader award will be given to the company with the largest percentage of employees volunteering.

The Dream Team honor will go to a team of individuals working together for a cause, whether to raise financial support or to complete various tasks.

The Volunteer of the Year will be bestowed on an individual whose volunteerism made a significant impact on the community.

Nominations will be accepted through Nov. 1, and one person can nominate more than one company, team or individual for an award.

Snapshots of volunteers in action are encouraged to be included in the nomination.

Forms are available at www.ropersaintfrancis.com/berkeley.

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