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202200334 <br />and the increased effective tax rate of 33% (or 21%), multiplied by the additional <br />withdrawal of $400,000 over the prior year. <br />Pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. §30-4017, an agent who violates the Nebraska POAA <br />is liable to the principal for the amount required to "restore the value of the principal's <br />property to what it would have been had the violation not occurred." The measure of <br />damages for a breach of fiduciary duty or constructive fraud is "the loss which the <br />[principal] suffered as a consequence of the [agent's] breach of fiduciary duties." An agent <br />"may not retain anything acquired by him in either the performance or the violation of his <br />agency and will be held accountable for the value of property that is converted." Mischke, <br />253 Neb. at 447-48, 571 N.W.2d at 255-56. In cases involving constructive fraud, the <br />"law will not permit an agent to place himself in a situation where he might be tempted by <br />his own private interest to disregard that of the principal." Id. <br />For many of the same reasons noted above, the court finds the evidence clear and <br />convincing that Defendant disregarded Howard's interests to further his own private <br />interests. Defendant used Howard's IRA funds to do so, which resulted in significant tax <br />consequences. While the evidence shows that it was Howard who withdrew the funds and <br />transferred those funds to her bank account, the more credible evidence shows that it was <br />Defendant who exercised undue influence over her decision to do so. He then used the <br />power of attorney to gain access to those funds to purchase property that benefited him. <br />Even as a spouse, this gift was not in Howard's best interest considering, among other <br />things, the need to "minimiz[e] taxes, including income, estate, inheritance, generation <br />skipping transfer, and gift taxes," as set forth in §30-4040(3)(c). Accordingly, the court <br />finds that Defendant is responsible for the additional loss that Howard suffered in the <br />amount of $84,000. <br />Based upon the foregoing, it is ORDERED, ADJUDGED, and DECREED that: <br />1. The property located at 825 W. Hwy 34 in Grand Island, Nebraska shall be <br />awarded to Plaintiff Harvey Miller, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Audrey L. <br />Howard, and shall be held in constructive trust for the benefit of the estate. Defendant <br />Clayton Green shall vacate the property and execute any and all instruments necessary to <br />convey his interest to Plaintiff as ordered and shall do so within sixty (60) days from the <br />15 <br />Certified Page 15 of 17 <br />