FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THE POST
The Plaintiff's Claim
Mr. Whitaker appeared in court as the plaintiff.
He claimed he made a loan to Ms. Rapp.
The money was for her rent.
He expected her to pay him back.
The Defendant's Defense
Ms. Rapp was the defendant in the case.
She stated the money Mr. Whitaker paid was a gift.
She believed he was being generous.
She felt he was trying to exert power over her.
This feeling arose after he paid her rent.
Judge Judy's Opening Questions
Judge Judy began by addressing Ms. Rapp.
She noted Ms. Rapp did not dispute that Mr. Whitaker paid her back rent.
Ms. Rapp confirmed this fact.
Judge Judy asked Ms. Rapp about her age.
Ms. Rapp stated she was 40 years old.
Ms. Rapp's Family and Living Situation
Ms. Rapp had two children.
They were 12 and 14 years old.
She lived alone with her two children.
She had lived in the same apartment for a year as of June.
Ms. Rapp's Employment History
Ms. Rapp worked part-time at a bar.
She also worked full-time as a loan officer.
Her full-time job was at Global Equity Finance.
She had started this loan officer position in May 2018.
Judge Judy asked about her employment in the previous year.
Ms. Rapp described 2017 as a tough year.
She was let go from four different positions.
These included two mortgage companies that closed branches.
She also lost a restaurant management position.
Ms. Rapp mentioned her children as a reason for losing that job.
She had also been a PR director for a design build firm.
The Relationship Between Plaintiff and Defendant
Judge Judy questioned the nature of Ms. Rapp's relationship with Mr. Whitaker.
Ms. Rapp stated they did not have an intimate relationship.
She described their relationship as friendly.
They had met on social media.
The Rent Payment Discussion
Judge Judy asked Ms. Rapp how the subject of paying her back rent came up.
Ms. Rapp said they talked about finances.
She had just started her new job at the mortgage company.
They discussed her life as a single mom.
She honestly did not remember exactly how the topic of rent came up.
Mr. Whitaker offered his version of events.
He corrected Ms. Rapp's statement about daily phone calls.
He said they talked on the phone only about two times.
They had met in person a couple of times.
The Escort Text Message
Judge Judy presented a text message to Ms. Rapp.
She asked if Ms. Rapp sent the text.
Ms. Rapp confirmed she sent it.
The text suggested she was prepared to become an escort to married men for money.
Judge Judy found this text odd.
She noted Ms. Rapp was texting this to a man she had just met.
This was a man with whom she had no intimate relationship.
Mr. Whitaker's Concern and Offer
Mr. Whitaker stated he was very concerned after seeing the text.
He offered to help Ms. Rapp out.
He received the text message on June 18th.
Ms. Rapp's View on Power Dynamics
Ms. Rapp explained her perspective on the situation.
She felt that as soon as a man feels he has power over you, he can start demanding things.
Judge Judy clarified if she meant the fact that he paid her rent.
Ms. Rapp confirmed this was her meaning.
The Plaintiff's Companion
Mr. Whitaker brought a woman named Lisa with him to court.
He introduced her as someone he was dating.
Judge Judy asked why Lisa was present.
Mr. Whitaker explained Lisa helped him realize he might have been scammed.