Soerries v. Dancause
Court of Appeals of Georgia
546 S.E.2d 356 (2001)
After nightclub patron Pursley left visibly intoxicated and later died in a car accident, her stepfather Dancause (plaintiff) sued the nightclub, Chickasaw Club, and its sole shareholder Soerries (defendant) individually, seeking to pierce the corporate veil; evidence showed Soerries paid employees cash off the books, the busy club regularly reported business losses on its tax returns, and Soerries paid himself rent for the property while reporting a lower amount on his personal taxes. The jury pierced the corporate veil, holding Soerries jointly liable for compensatory damages and solely, personally liable for $187,500 in punitive damages.
Whether the corporate veil may be pierced when an individual disregards the separateness of legal entities by commingling property, control, or records that should remain separate.