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Washington Superior Court Dismisses
Parker’s Lawsuit Against the ANA
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| CONTACT: Jay Beeton, Marketing and Public Relations Manager
Telephone: 719-482-9864 e-mail: beeton@money.org |
COLORADO
SPRINGS – Washington State Superior Court Judge Mary E. Roberts has
granted the American Numismatic Association’s motion for summary judgment
in the case of Delmas Parker against the ANA, dismissing all of Parker’s
charges.
Parker, of Mercer Island, WA, brought legal action against the
ANA after he was expelled from the association for refusing to comply with a
mediation committee decision that was affirmed by the ANA Board of Governors in
a complaint brought against him by two non-ANA members.
“This
decision reinforces the ANA’s role as the leading arbiter of standards for
the numismatic community,” said ANA President Bill Horton. “ANA
member dealers subscribe to our code of ethics – something ANA leadership
takes very seriously.”
According to court documents filed by
ANA’s attorneys, Bullivant, Houser, Bailey PC, of Seattle, Washington, on
June 12, 2001, Parker agreed to purchase a collection of Irish tokens from
sisters Marta Farrelly and Ruth Pasley for $135,000. After Parker failed to
honor the original agreement, Farrelly hired legal counsel and also filed a
mediation complaint with the ANA.
On Nov. 7, 2002, Parker agreed to
return 21 boxes of coins and tokens to Farrelly. However, 231 tokens were
missing or had been sold by Parker. He agreed in writing to pay Farrelly and
Pasley $20,000 to resolve the matter, but failed to meet the deadline for
payment. In March 2003 the ANA mediation committee determined that Parker
should pay Farrelly and Pasley $20,000 plus interest.
Parker appealed
the mediation committee decision to the ANA Board of Governors in April 2003,
and agreed to place money in escrow to compensate Farrelly and Pasley for the
coins and tokens that were not returned. Following the appeal hearing in July
2003, the ANA Board of Governors determined that the money in escrow be
released to Farrelly, and determined that Parker pay an additional amount to
Farrelly and Pasley within 30 days or be expelled from the ANA.
Parker
failed to make the payment and was expelled on Oct. 2, 2003. He filed the suit
against the ANA resulting from the mediation and the Board of Governors’
decision.
ANA Executive Director Christopher Cipoletti said the ANA is
pleased with the result of the lawsuit, which confirms the ANA’s role in
handling mediations of complaints against its members. “Consumer and
collector protection and awareness are important components of ANA’s
educational mission and vision,” he said.
The American Numismatic
Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and encouraging
people to study and collect money and related items. With nearly 33,000
members, the Association serves the collecting and academic communities and the
general public with an interest in numismatics. The ANA helps people discover
and explore the world of money through its vast array of programs including its
education and outreach, museum, library, publications, conventions and
seminars.
For more information, visit www.money.org, call 719-632-COIN or 1-800-
367-9723.
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