Eonline
Sandra Bullock Wins Estate Debate
by Sarah Hall
…Bullock missed her winning verdict Thursday, having returned to Los Angeles the day before to work on a film. But she did issue a statement thanking the judge and jurors and dedicating her victory to the little guy...I felt firmly committed to see this process through to a just conclusion, no matter what the outcome, especially for all those homeowners who could never afford to come this far," Bullock said. "I want you to know I am in awe of, and humbled by, the great service and enormous sacrifice the members of the jury have made over these last eight weeks over something that was far less important than what is going on in the world today." Her father, John Bullock, who was on hand, told the Austin American-Statesman he was happy with the jury's decision. He said he did not know what would become of his daughter's property.  "She loves the land, it's a beautiful lot...it's her decision now," he said…

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Eonline
Sandra Bullock Wins Estate Debate
by Sarah Hall
Oct 14, 2004, 2:30 PM PT
Sandra Bullock has proven that she's not all about congeniality.

The Speed star won a $7 million judgment Thursday, after a Texas jury sided with her in a dispute with a builder she claimed did shoddy work on a multimillion-dollar home she hired him to build in Lake Austin.

Bullock's lawsuit came in response to a lawsuit filed by the builder, Benny Daneshjou, who alleged that Bullock failed to pay him for his work.

Witnesses for Bullock testified to the multitude of problems with the house, including water damage, poor framing on the roof, faulty wiring within the drywall and damage to the masonry. As a result of the issues with the property, Bullock elected not to live in the home.

The jury had to answer 48 questions before coming to a verdict in the legal battle. Topics reviewed included whether a contract between Bullock and Daneshjou was breached, whether Bullock was overcharged for labor and material costs and whether Daneshjou violated federal racketeering laws.

The jury sided overwhelmingly with Bullock--who put in plenty of face time during the trial and testified against the builder--though they decided that Daneshjou was not guilty of violating racketeering laws.

Bullock's lawyers estimated the total damages she would receive to be $7 million. The jury awarded her more than $2 million for repairs to the house, $200,000 for maintaining the house since February 2000, and decided that Daneshjou's company owed the actor $280,425 in excess labor charges as well as the cost of her legal fees.

Daneshjou had previously blamed the problems with the property on the former project manager, David Shrum, and most of the subcontractors on the job. The jury found that Shrum had breached his contract, but elected not to hold him responsible for damages.

The builder's lawyer said his client would appeal.

Bullock missed her winning verdict Thursday, having returned to Los Angeles the day before to work on a film. But she did issue a statement thanking the judge and jurors and dedicating her victory to the little guy.

"I felt firmly committed to see this process through to a just conclusion, no matter what the outcome, especially for all those homeowners who could never afford to come this far," Bullock said.

"I want you to know I am in awe of, and humbled by, the great service and enormous sacrifice the members of the jury have made over these last eight weeks over something that was far less important than what is going on in the world today."

Her father, John Bullock, who was on hand, told the Austin American-Statesman he was happy with the jury's decision. He said he did not know what would become of his daughter's property.

"She loves the land, it's a beautiful lot...it's her decision now," he said.

Bullock, who was born in Arlington, Virginia, is set to be honored with the Virginia Film Award at the Virginia Film Festival on Oct. 30. Bullock will reportedly show a clip from her upcoming Miss Congeniality 2 at the festival.

Apart from her work on the sequel to 2000's Miss Congeniality, Bullock is at work on the drama, Every Word is True, also starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Sigourney Weaver. The film is expected to unspool in 2006.

Bullock is also set to star in Grace, a biopic about Grace Metalious, the author of Peyton Place. That project is scheduled for a 2006 release as well.

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