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By JERRY LYNOTT [email protected]
Thursday, December 21, 2000 Page: 11A
WILKES-BARRE – A judge on Wednesday awarded half of WBRE newscaster Dia
Wallace’s home to her former lover for the work he did renovating the
Larksville property at her encouragement.
Within 15 days, Wallace is to file a deed including Joseph Mera Jr.’s name
on it, Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr.
ruled.
Reading his decision from the bench, Olszewski said he ruled in favor of
Mera to avoid “the substantial unjust enrichment” of Wallace. The judge, who
presided at a non-jury trial this week, said Mera offered the more credible
testimony.
Mera, of Hanover Township, sued Wallace last year, saying he did the work
with the understanding they would marry after she divorced her husband, former
WBRE news director Micah Johnson.
The marriage never happened, however, and in November 1999 Wallace married
another man, who now shares the home with her.
“I’m very pleased with the decision. … I did spend a lot of time up
there. Justice did prevail today,” Mera said.
Wallace and her attorney, John Brier, declined to comment.
Wallace faced other legal woes earlier this year when Johnson filed a
bigamy complaint against her with authorities in Massachusetts, saying she
remarried before their divorce was final. Massachusetts prosecutors declined
to file charges in the case, however.
In his ruling, Olszewski noted there was no agreement or contract for
Wallace and Mera to marry, but he noted the “work was not gratuitously done
to gain Ms. Wallace’s favor.”
Olszewski outlined the case in his ruling:
Wallace purchased the house on Mountain Road in February 1998 after selling
a home in Dallas. Mera soon began living with her and started renovating the
home. At the same time, Wallace was having additional relationships and trying
to reconcile with her husband.
Wallace put the title of the home in her name to avoid complications with
her divorce from Johnson. She had an unwritten agreement with Mera that she
would add his name to the title after the divorce and renovations were
completed.
Mera purchased most of the material for the renovations and he and his
father did the work. Wallace encouraged the work and most of it was done to
her satisfaction.
In September of last year, the relationship between Mera and Wallace became
strained and he complied with her request to leave.
Mera said he did not plan to move into the house and had no idea what the
value of the property was. The judge said the current fair market value of the
property is unknown.
“How do I put a price tag on a labor of love,” Mera asked.
He said he plans to meet with his attorney, Jerome Cohen, to determine what
steps to take next.
As for what he learned from the experience, Mera said, “Anyone who is in
my condition, get it in writing.”
Jerry Lynott, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7237.