>> Announcer: Kathy McSherry
is suing video producer
Louie Stevens for the return
of a down payment to produce
a marketing video.
>> Judge Judy: Ms. McSherry,
you had a project that involved
advocacy for cancer patients.
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: And you were
working on this project as
a business, trying to get it
up and running.
You retained the defendant to
create a video of what your
business was.
So, first, in 30 seconds or
less, tell me what your
business is.
>> I invented a device for the
early detection of anal cancer,
most specifically for an
anal Pap smear.
>> Judge Judy: Okay.
And you have a patent on this?
>> I do.
I have two utility patents,
one patent pending, and
a third, design.
>> Judge Judy: And you wanted
the defendant to create a video
about that product.
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: How did you find
him?
>> I also do real estate.
So, I have a social media
manager that helps me market my
real estate.
And as he was explaining to me
the power of social media,
I said, "I would love to use you
for my other business."
And he referred me to
Mr. Stevens.
>> Judge Judy: And I assume
that, since you're
a business lady and savvy enough
to be involved, not only in
business, but in inventing,
I assume that you did some
due diligence about him?
>> I looked at his website
and --
>> Judge Judy: Okay,
so you did some due diligence.
And you retained him to make
this video.
What month and year did you
retain him?
>> August of 2017.
>> Judge Judy: And what was his
fee?
>> He wanted originally
$5,000 for the video, to which
I said, I couldn't afford it.
And so, we agreed on the amount
of $3,500.
And I was to receive a video
in the equivalent of a $25,000
production, fully-produced
video.
>> Judge Judy: So, for $3,500,
you were going to get $25,000
worth of product?
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: [ Laughs ]
>> That's what I thought.
>> Judge Judy: Not so -- not so
savvy a business lady.
So, in your mind, you have to
say to yourself, you can't
produce a $25,000 product
for $3,500.
You can't.
And so, that's ridiculous.
In any event, at some point,
you became dissatisfied with
the defendant's services.
Now, how much did she give you
in a deposit?
>> Deposit was 50% of the
$3,500, which is $1,750.
>> Judge Judy: And did you
return any part of that to her
when she told you to stop
the project?
>> No.
>> Judge Judy: Okay.
She says she stopped the
project, because she was
dissatisfied with how the
project was going, correct?
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: Mr. Stevens says
you stopped the project, because
you sent him an e-mail that
MD Anderson had agreed to do
the video for you for nothing.
>> Judge Judy: So, Ms. McSherry,
you do understand that if he has
that e-mail, where you say that,
that this $25,000 piece that you
were getting for $3,500 from
him, and then you were getting
it free from somebody else,
if he has that
e-mail, your case is dismissed?
Do you understand that?
I just --
So, you would understand why
I would dismiss your case?
>> Oh, yes.
In that case, I would
understand that.
>> Judge Judy: Okave
that e-mail?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: I'd like to
take a look at it.
>> When I have...
a moment to speak...
>> Judge Judy: Oh.
This is very easy.
"While all of this has been
going on, I've also been
speaking with the doctors at
MD Anderson."
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: "They are
interested in making a video
about anal cancer at their
institute with their people.
I believe, since the useful
benefit to their institution and
me, there will be
no cost to me.
Also, how could I ever turn down
the number-one cancer institute
in the U.S.?
With that being said, could you
please issue me a refund
of $1,750 that I put out
in an advance?
I know you spent time on my
realtor video, and I would be
happy to pay for that."
You don't say in this e-mail to
him, "I'm dissatisfied with
your work, that you didn't
follow through."
Quite the contrary, you say,
"I've been very busy."
Not too busy to not keep in
touch with MD Anderson, but you
hadn't been keeping in touch
with him, according to
your e-mail.
And then what you did was say
exactly what he said you did.
You said, "I can get it done for
nothing, I want my money back."
But he had already put time
into it.
>> N--
>> Judge Judy: How do you
quantify his time?
>> He exaggerates on the time.
>> He spent two hours with me.
We only met twice.
We didn't film.
The project was to be, to
interview two and three doctors
in different cities,
patients that currently have
anal cancer --
>> Judge Judy: Your case -- you
have no case against him.
You canceled it, 'cause you got
it for nothing.
That's why you canceled the
contract with him.
>> I didn't do a video with
MD Anderson, Your Honor.
>> Judge Judy: That's why you
canceled the contract with him,
because you got it done for
nothing.
That doesn't mean you have
a case.
Your case is dismissed.
We're done! Goodbye.
Arrivederci.
Good luck with MD Anderson.
They'll do it for you for
nothing, and you've saved
yourself at least $1,750.
Just think about it that way.