Landlord pays treble damages for illegal "lockout" of tenant

J. Franklin Interests, LLC sued Mu Meng and Mengs Properties for conversion after a rent dispute led Meng to change the locks on Franklin's business and seize Franklin's property.  The Court noted that conversion is a strict liability tort and that Meng had exceeded his rights in seizing Franklin's premises and assets. The Court did return the case to the Muskegon Circuit Court for futher analysis of one aspect of Franklin's damage claim.