Summary
explaining that claims such as breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation and fraud that arise from a foreclosure sale belong to the bankruptcy estate if they occurred prior to the closing of Plaintiff's bankruptcy filing and were not included in Plaintiff's bankruptcy schedules
Summary of this case from Young v. U.S. Bank Nat'l Ass'nOpinion
No. 2:10-cv-2269-GEB-JFM.
March 18, 2011.
Paul R. Bartleson, Law Offices of Paul R. Bartleson, Sacramento, CA, for Plaintiff.
Roland Paul Reynolds, Alison Ruth Kalinski, Brendan Forest Hug, Palmer, Lombardi Donohue LLP, Los Angeles, CA, for Defendants.
ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART DEFENDANTS' MOTION TO DISMISS
This matter is deemed suitable for decision without oral argument. E.D. Cal. R. 230(g).
Defendants Aurora Loan Services, LLC ("Aurora"), Aurora Bank, FSB ("Aurora Bank"), and Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. ("MERS"; Aurora and MERS are collectively referenced as "Defendants") seek dismissal of Plaintiff Van Chanthavong's First Amended Complaint ("FAC") under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure ("Rule") 12(b)(6), arguing that it fails to state a claim. Defendants also move for an order under Rule 12(f) that would strike Plaintiff's request for punitive damages. Plaintiff opposes the motions.
Defendants argue that Aurora Bank should be dismissed because none of Plaintiff's claims in his FAC are alleged against Aurora Bank. (Mot. to Dismiss ("Mot.") 1:26-27.) Defendants argue that Plaintiff's original Complaint named Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB ("Lehman Brothers") as a party, which is now Aurora Bank. Id. 1:24-25. None of Plaintiff's claims are alleged against Aurora Bank or Lehman Brothers. Therefore, Aurora Bank and Lehman Brothers are not parties in this action.
I. LEGAL STANDARD
To avoid dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6), a plaintiff must allege "enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face." Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007). "A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged."Ashcroft v. Iqbal, ___ U.S. ___, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 1949 (2009). "The plausibility standard is not akin to a `probability requirement,' but it asks for more than a sheer possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully." Moss v. United States Secret Serv., 572 F.3d 962, 969 (9th Cir. 2009) (quoting Iqbal, 129 S.Ct. at 1951).
In analyzing whether a claim has facial plausibility, "[w]e accept as true all well-pleaded allegations of material fact, and construe them in the light most favorable to the non-moving party." Daniels-Hall v. Nat'l Educ. Ass'n, ___ F.3d ___, 2010 WL 5141247, at *3 (9th Cir. 2010). However, "the tenet that a court must accept as true all of the allegations contained in a complaint is inapplicable to legal conclusions." Iqbal, 129 S.Ct. at 1949. "A pleading that offers `labels and conclusions' or `a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do.' Nor does a complaint suffice if it tenders `naked assertion[s]' devoid of `further factual enhancement.'" Id. (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555, 557).
"In sum, for a complaint to survive a motion to dismiss, the non-conclusory `factual content,' and reasonable inferences from that content, must be plausibly suggestive of a claim entitling the plaintiff to relief." Moss, 572 F.3d at 969 (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 557).
II. REQUEST FOR JUDICIAL NOTICE
Defendants request judicial notice of the following: 1) "Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for Order Denying Motion to Reopen Chapter 7 Case", filed by the Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District of California's on March 1, 2010; 2) Plaintiff's Chapter 7 Voluntary Petition, filed on April 21, 2009; and 3) documents relating to Lehman Brothers subsidiaries and its name change. (Request for Judicial Notice ("RJN") 2:6-3:7, Exs. 1-3.) Plaintiff does not oppose this request.
"As a general rule, a district court may not consider any material beyond the pleadings in ruling on a Rule 12(b)(6) motion." Lee v. City of Los Angeles, 250 F.3d 668, 688 (9th Cir. 2001) (internal quotation marks omitted). However, a court may consider matters properly subject to judicial notice. Swartz v. KPMG LLP, 476 F.3d 756, 763 (9th Cir. 2007). A matter may be judicially noticed if it is either "generally known within the territorial jurisdiction of the trial court" or "capable of accurate and ready determination by resort to sources whose accuracy cannot reasonably be questioned." Fed.R.Evid. 201(b).
"Materials from a proceeding in another tribunal are appropriate for judicial notice." Biggs v. Terhune, 334 F.3d 910, 915 n. 3 (9th Cir. 2003). "[A]mple authority exists which recognizes that matters of public record, including court records in related or underlying cases which have a direct relation to the matters at issue, may be looked to when ruling on a 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss." In re Am. Cont'l Corp./Lincoln Sav. Loan Sec. Litig., 102 F.3d 1524, 1537 (9th Cir. 1996) (collecting cases), rev'd on other grounds by Lexecon, Inc. v. Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes Lerach, 523 U.S. 26 (1998). Defendants' request that the "Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for Order Denying Motion to Reopen Chapter 7 Case" and Plaintiff's Chapter 7 Voluntary Petition be judicially noticed is granted since these documents are matters of public record. See Pritinik v. Comerica Bank, No. C 09-03303 JF (RS), 2009 WL 3857455, at *3 (N.D. Cal. Nov. 17, 2009) (taking judicial notice of bankruptcy filings); Rosal v. First Federal Bank of California, 671 F. Supp. 2d 1111, 1121 (N.D. Cal. 2009) (taking judicial notice of bankruptcy court filings in support of motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6));Cobb v. Aurora Loan Services, LLC, 408 B.R. 351, 354 (E.D. Cal. 2009) (considering plaintiff's bankruptcy filings in deciding defendant's motion to dismiss).
Defendants also request that judicial notice be taken of documents concerning Lehman Brothers and Aurora Bank, but this request is denied since Lehman Brothers and Aurora Bank are not parties in this action.
III. PLAINTIFF'S ALLEGATIONS
On August 24, 2007 Plaintiff and Lehman Brothers "entered into a loan agreement for the refinancing of" Plaintiff's real property located at 1900 H Street, Sacramento, California (the "Property"). (FAC ¶¶ 1, 6.) Plaintiff executed an adjustable rate note (the "Note") and a deed of trust (the "Deed"). Id. Exs. A-B. The Deed lists Lehman Brothers as the lender and MERS "as a nominee for Lender and Lender's successors and assigns. MERS is the beneficiary under this Security Instrument." Id. Ex. B. Plaintiff "default[ed] under the terms of the Note." Id. ¶ 12. Plaintiff alleges that on August 15, 2008, a Notice of Default was recorded that listed MERS as the contact to "find out the amount you must pay, or to arrange for payment to stop the foreclosure[.]" Id. Ex. C. Plaintiff also alleges that on October 16, 2008, MERS recorded a substitution of trustee in which MERS is the "`nominee for LEHMAN BROTHERS BANK, FSB,' . . . the original beneficiary." Id. ¶ 14. Plaintiff alleges "[u]pon information and belief, MERS is not, and never has been in possession of the Note[.]" Id. ¶ 15.
Plaintiff filed for bankruptcy protection in the Eastern District of California on April 21, 2009. Id. ¶ 20. Plaintiff alleges Defendants violated the automatic stay on April 24, 2009 by causing "to be published a Notice of Trustee's sale, and posted it" at the Property. Id. ¶ 21. Aurora filed a motion for relief from the automatic bankruptcy stay on June 3, 2009, that would allow it to enforce its lien against the Property. (RJN Ex. 1.) The Bankruptcy Court granted the relief motion by terminating the stay on July 30, 2009. Id. MERS, as nominee for Lehman Brothers, transferred all beneficial interest under the Deed to Aurora on June 8, 2009. (FAC Ex. E.) Plaintiff alleges that "[t]his [transfer] action was void because it violated the automatic stay" and "[t]here is no endorsement or allonge evidencing that LEHMAN BROTHERS, MERS, or AURORA LOAN SERVICES is or was the holder of the note." Id. ¶¶ 22-23.
Plaintiff's bankruptcy case was closed August 14, 2009, and the Order Discharging the Debtors was entered on August 30, 2009. (Id. ¶ 25; RJN Ex. 1.) "Plaintiff alleges that since there is no evidence that LEHMAN BROTHERS, MERS, nor AURORA ever took actual possession of the note, its security interest was never perfected, [and was] not perfected at the time of filing the debtor's bankruptcy, and thus the underlying debt was discharged[.]" (FAC ¶ 26.)
Plaintiff alleges that both before and after the bankruptcy filing, "Plaintiff's agent, Boomie Cotton, and AURORA Loan Services had engaged in discussions of loan modification." Id. ¶ 27. Plaintiff further alleges: "On September 7, 2009, plaintiff's agent contacted AURORA and was advised that the payment could not be made and was told that they would give a 10 day grace period. Payment was sent and payment was received and credited to plaintiff's account on or about September 24, 2009."Id. ¶ 29. "On September 11, 2009, Defendants caused to be published a Notice of Trustee's Sale set for September 30, 2009."Id. ¶ 30; Ex. G. Plaintiff alleges he was unaware that a Notice of Trustee's Sale had been filed and never received notice. Id. ¶ 31.
Plaintiff received a Special Forbearance Agreement from Aurora dated August 28, 2009; which he signed on September 21, 2009. Id. 4:19-23, 5:5-7; Exs. F, H. He faxed that agreement to Aurora but he "never received [a] signed copy of the Agreement back from AURORA." Id. 4:22-23. Plaintiff alleges his agent contacted Aurora on September 24, 2009, to clarify the agreement "and was told the agreement was a six month trial period[.]" Id. ¶ 33. "[P]laintiff's agent was told by representatives of AURORA that there was no sale date and that the property was not in foreclosure, but that the property was in an `active loan mod.'" Id. 5:13-15. "Plaintiff's Agent contacted AURORA on a monthly basis and was repeatedly told that there was no foreclosure date set[.]"Id. 5:16-17.
Plaintiff alleges his agent mailed Plaintiff's October payment to Aurora on October 19, 2009, and again asked "if there was a sale date[; the agent] was told the loan was not in foreclosure and there was no sale date." Id. ¶ 38. Plaintiff alleges: "On or about October 30, 2009, defendants conducted a private foreclosure sale without notice to plaintiff or his agent of any default in the loan modification agreement." Id. ¶ 39. Plaintiff alleges the Notice of Trustee's Sale was never posted on the premises, mailed by certified mail, or received by the Plaintiff.Id. ¶¶ 40-41.
Plaintiff alleges he was advised that the Property was for sale on November 2, 2009, when a real estate agent came to the Property. Id. ¶ 44. Plaintiff alleges the same day "plaintiff's agent spoke with defendant AURORA and asked when the loan modification/forbearance agreement was canceled, and was told that it was canceled on October 20, 2009. Plaintiff [alleges he] never received a notice of cancellation." Id. ¶ 46. Plaintiff alleges on November 3, 2009, his "agent contacted the foreclosure trustee and discovered for the first time that the trustee's sale had been continued from month to month and also learned for the first time that a new notice of trustee's sale had been published and a new sale date set for October 30, 2009. AURORA advised that . . . the property was sold on October 30, 2009." Id. ¶ 52. "[P]laintiff's agent . . . discovered that sales dates had been set on 2/2/09, 3[/]4/09, 5/12/09, 9/12/09, 7/15/0[9][,] 8/18/09[,] 9/30/09[,] and 10/30/09." Id. ¶ 48. Plaintiff alleges that he, "and his agent or representative had repeated and numerous conversations with the loan servicing agent and was told there was no sale date set." Id. ¶ 54.
Plaintiff filed a motion to reopen his bankruptcy case on January 21, 2010. (RJN Ex. 1.) The bankruptcy trustee "was advised of the possible claim of the estate and the matter was continued to allow the Trustee an opportunity to review the complaint and advise the court whether he wished to pursue the claim on behalf of the estate." (FAC ¶ 60.) The Bankruptcy Court did not reopen the case. (RJN Ex. 1.) Plaintiff alleges that, "[a]s a result, the `asset' was effectively abandoned back to the debtor by operation of law[.]" (FAC ¶ 61.)
IV. DISCUSSION
Defendants seeks dismissal of Plaintiff's claims arguing inter alia: "Plaintiff lacks standing to assert any claims because he failed to include those claims as assets of his estate in his Chapter 7 Petition" and "each of Plaintiff's purported claims fails because they do not meet the pleading requirements." (Mot. 1:16-22.) Plaintiff alleges eight claims in his FAC which are titled: 1) injunctive relief, 2) declaratory relief, 3) breach of contract, 4) negligence/negligent misrepresentation, 5) demand to produce the note, 6) to set aside the trustee's sale, 7) violation of statute, and 8) fraud and deceit. (FAC 8:15-23:5.) However, three of Plaintiff's claims comprise more than a single claim.
A. Standing
Defendants argue "Plaintiff does not have standing to prosecute this action because all of the claims asserted by Plaintiff remain part of his bankruptcy estate." (Mot. 5:4-5.) Plaintiff counters that "[w]hile it is true that [he] did not list any claim against AURORA in the Bankruptcy proceeding, the cause of action was not discovered until after the case was . . . [closed]." (Opp'n to Mot. to Dismiss ("Opp'n") 6:14-15.)
"Every action [must] be prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest." Fed.R.Civ.P. 17(a). "Because the bankruptcy trustee controls the bankruptcy estate, it is the real party in interest in the [claims] that belong to the estate."Griffin v. Allstate Ins. Co., 920 F. Supp. 127, 130 (C.D. Cal. 1996).
The filing of a bankruptcy petition "creates an estate [which] is comprised of . . . all legal or equitable interests of the debtor in property as of the commencement of the case." 11 U.S.C. § 541(a)(1). " 11 U.S.C. § 541(a)(1) . . . defines property of the bankruptcy estate to include `all legal or equitable interests of the debtor in property as of the commencement of the case.' The scope of section 541 is broad, and includes causes of action."Sierra Switchboard Co. v. Westinghouse Elec. Corp., 789 F.2d 705, 707 (9th Cir. 1986). " 11 U.S.C. § 521(1) [of the bankruptcy code] provides that, `[t]he debtor shall file a list of creditors, and unless the court orders otherwise, a schedule of assets and liabilities, a schedule of current income and current expenditures, and a statement of the debtor's financial affairs.'" Hamilton v. State Farm Fire Cas. Co., 270 F.3d 778, 784 (9th Cir. 2001).
"[A] debtor who fail[s] to disclose a pending claim as an asset in a bankruptcy proceeding where debts were permanently discharged [is] estopped from pursuing such claim in a subsequent proceeding." Id. Further "[t]he debtor's duty to disclose potential claims as assets does not end when the debtor files schedules, but instead continues for the duration of the bankruptcy proceeding." Id. at 784-85. "If [the debtor] fail[s] to properly schedule an asset, including a cause of action, that asset continues to belong to the bankruptcy estate and does not revert to [the debtor]." Cusano v. Klein, 264 F.3d 936, 945-46 (9th Cir. 2001) (citing Vreugdenhill v. Navistar Int'l Transp. Corp., 950 F.2d 524, 526 (8th Cir. 1991) (property is not abandoned by operation of law unless the debtor "formally schedule[s] the property before the close of the case")).
Plaintiff did not list any claim sub judice in his bankruptcy filing. (RJN Ex. 2.) "Generally, a debtor has no duty to schedule a cause of action that did not accrue prior to bankruptcy."Cusano, 264 F.3d at 947. "To determine when a cause of action accrues, we look to state law." Id. at 947. A claim accrues when an "action could have been brought[.]" Id. Under California law, a claim accrues when a "wrongful act is done and the obligation or the liability arises[.]" Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Ass'n v. City of La Habra, 25 Cal. 4th 809, 815 (2001).
Defendants argue Plaintiff lacks standing to maintain this action because his claims arise out of the Notice of Default, which was filed on August 15, 2008, before Plaintiff filed his bankruptcy petition on April 21, 2009. (Reply in Supp. of Mot. to Dismiss ("Reply") 2:15-19.) Plaintiff counters that his unsuccessful attempt to reopen his bankruptcy case resulted in the "trustee effectively abandon[ing] the [unscheduled] asset[s] back to [him]." (Opp'n 6:22-23.)
A bankruptcy trustee may abandon assets; however, property that is not abandoned or administered by the trustee remains property of the estate. 11 U.S.C. §§ 554(a), (d). "`Abandonment' is a term of art with special meaning in the bankruptcy context. It is the formal relinquishment of the property at issue from the bankruptcy estate." Catalano v. C.I.R., 279 F.3d 682, 685 (9th Cir. 2002). "In short, [a]bandonment requires formal notice and a hearing." Id. at 686 (internal quotation marks omitted). The Bankruptcy Court's Order denying Plaintiff's motion to reopen his bankruptcy case did not state any property was abandoned by the trustee. (RJN Ex. 1.) Therefore, any claim that accrued prior to the close of Plaintiff's bankruptcy case remains in the bankruptcy estate.
B. Breach of Contract
Defendants argue Plaintiff lacks standing to pursue his breach of contract claim, which is based on the Special Forbearance Agreement. (Mot. 5:4-5.) Plaintiff alleges in this claim that Defendants breached the agreement as follows: failing to give proper notice of the Trustees Sale; failing to give Plaintiff notice of his "options for relief" under state and federal law; misrepresenting to Plaintiff that no Trustees Sale date had been set; failing to apply Plaintiff's tendered payment; and by conducting a foreclosure sale without notice. (FAC 11:17-12:1.) Plaintiff's bankruptcy case was closed August 14, 2010. (RJN Ex. 1.) Plaintiff alleges Aurora sent Plaintiff the Special Forbearance Agreement on August 18, 2009, and Plaintiff signed and returned it on September 21, 2009. (FAC ¶¶ 28, 32.) Therefore, this portion of Defendants' motion is denied since they have not shown that this breach of contract claim accrued prior to the close of Plaintiff's bankruptcy case.
Defendants also seek dismissal of this claim, arguing since the Special Forbearance Agreement is only signed by Plaintiff the statute of frauds precludes it from being enforceable against them. (Mot. 13:18-19.) Plaintiff responds the agreement is enforceable through promissory estoppel. (Opp'n 10:12.) Plaintiff contends since he made payments in reliance on the Special Forbearance Agreement, and Defendants accepted those payments, Defendants are estopped from denying the agreement's existence.Id. 10:17-21.
"[A]n agreement by which a lender agreed to forbear from exercising the right of foreclosure under a deed of trust securing an interest in real property comes within the statute of frauds."Secrest v. Sec. Nat'l Mortg. Loan Trust 2002-2, 167 Cal. App. 4th 544, 553-54 (2008) (holding an unsigned forbearance agreement violated the statute of frauds since it attempted to modify a promissory note and deed of trust, which are subject to the statute of frauds). Therefore, the Special Forbearance Agreement comes within the statute of frauds since it modifies the Note and the Deed. Further, the "payment of money alone is not enough as a matter of law to take an agreement out of the statute of frauds."Id. at 548. Since Defendants did not sign the Special Forbearance Agreement as required by the statute of frauds, and payment of money does not exempt the agreement from the statute of frauds, Plaintiff has not plead an enforceable contract claim. Therefore, Plaintiff's breach of contract claim is dismissed.
C. Negligence/Negligent Misrepresentation
Defendants also argue Plaintiff lacks standing to pursue his negligence and negligent misrepresentation claims. (Mot. 5:4-5.) Plaintiff alleges in his negligence and negligent misrepresentation claims that "Defendants and each of them owed [him] and [his] agents a duty to reasonable care in delivering, conveying and disclosing accurate information about the loan and status" as follows:
AURORAS actions centered around a loan modification/special forbearance agreement, and advising plaintiff of the status of the foreclosure proceedings. In communicating with Plaintiff, plaintiff was certain to incur foreseeable harm as he was relying on the representatives regarding the status of the Loan Modification; Special Forbearance Agreement, and status of foreclosure proceedings and trustee's sale. . . . Aurora's action went beyond the scope of originating the loan but extended to offering and `negotiating' the terms of the Special Forbearance Agreement, and further undertook the duty of advising plaintiff and his agent regarding the status of the Trustee's sale. Defendants, by agreement, their action and representations, assumed a duty of care in advising plaintiff regarding the status of the trustee's sale and terms of the agreement.Id. ¶¶ 89-90, 92. Since Plaintiff's negligence and negligent misrepresentation allegations concern what occurred after the close of Plaintiff's bankruptcy case, Defendants have not shown that Plaintiff lacks standing to pursue these claims.
Defendants also argue Plaintiff's negligence claim should be dismissed because Defendants did not owe Plaintiff a duty of care. (Mot. 15:4.) Defendants argue they do "not owe a borrower a duty of care for [their] routine involvement in a loan transaction." (Mot. 15:17-18.) Plaintiff counters that Defendants' conduct went "beyond the scope of the role of a loan originator and was actively involved in negotiating and implement[ing] a modification/forbearance agreement." (Opp'n 14:5-6.)
"[A] financial institution owes no duty of care to a borrower when the institution's involvement in the loan transaction does not exceed the scope of its conventional role as a mere lender of money." Nymark v. Heart Fed. Sav. Loan Assn., 231 Cal. App. 3d 1089, 1096 (1991). However, Plaintiff's allegations do not plausibly suggest that the Defendants "actively participate[d] in the financed enterprise beyond the domain of the usual money lender." Nymark, 231 Cal. App. 3d at 1096. Therefore, Plaintiff's negligence claim is dismissed.
Defendants also argue Plaintiff's negligent misrepresentation claim should be dismissed since Plaintiff fails to allege "facts which `show how, when, where, to whom, and by what means the representations were tendered' as [he is] required to do[.]" (Mot. 16:22-24). The elements of a fraud claim under California law are: "(a) misrepresentation (false representation, concealment, or nondisclosure); (b) knowledge of falsity (or scienter); (c) intent to defraud, i.e., to induce reliance; (d) justifiable reliance; and (E) resulting damage." Engall v. Permanente Medical Group, Inc., 15 Cal. 4th 951, 974 (1997) (internal quotation marks omitted). "The same elements comprise a cause of action for negligent misrepresentation, except there is not requirement of intent to induce reliance."Caldo v. Owens-Illinois, Inc., 125 Cal. App. 4th 513, 519 (2004). Plaintiff alleges "Aurora affirmatively misled [him] and his agent by informing them that the status of the account `was in loan modification' and further specifically advising that no sale date had been set[.]" (FAC 14:18-19.)
A fraud claim plead in federal court must satisfy Rule 9(b)'s heightened pleading requirements. See Vess v. Ciba-Geigy Corp. USA, 317 F. 3d 1097, 1103 (9th Cir. 2003). This rule provides that "[i]n alleging fraud or mistake, a party must state with particularity the circumstances constituting fraud or mistake." Fed.R.Civ.P. 9(b). Rule 9(b) requires that fraud claims be "accompanied by `the who, what, when, where, and how' of the misconduct charged." Kearns v. Ford Motor Co., 567 F.3d 1120, 1124 (9th Cir. 2009) (quoting Vess, 317 F.3d at 1106). The same 9(b) heightened pleading requirement applies to Plaintiff's negligent misrepresentation claim since his claim is "grounded in fraud[.]" Id. at 1125.
Plaintiff's allegations in his negligent misrepresentation claim do not provide the specificity required by Rule 9(b), since Plaintiff has failed to allege the "time, place, and specific content of the false representations as well as the identities of the parties to the misrepresentations." Swartz v. KPMG LLP, 476 F. 3d 756, 764 (9th Cir. 2004)). Therefore, Plaintiff's negligent misrepresentation claim is dismissed.
D. Demand to Produce the Note
Defendants also challenge Plaintiff's standing to pursue his his "Demand to Produce the Note" claim. (Mot. 5:4-5.) Plaintiff alleges in this claim:
there is no evidence that LEHMAN BROTHERS took possession of the note and perfected its security interest. There is no valid assignment of LEHMAN BROTHERS's interest in either the note or the Deed of Trust to MERS. Similarly, there is no evidence of a valid assignment of the note or the deed of trust from MERS to AURORA.
(FAC ¶ 98.) "Plaintiff [also] alleges that the actions of defendants in foreclosing on the property were void as a result of failure to perfect their security interest in the note and to demonstrate ownership of the note at the time various actions were taken." Id. ¶ 99. "Plaintiff [further] alleges that defendants do not have possession of the note and have no legal right to conduct legal action to foreclose on the note." Id. ¶ 105. Plaintiff also alleges "the authority of the beneficiary as the legal holder of the interest in the note is in dispute."Id. ¶ 106.
The allegation that Defendants are not the holders or beneficiaries of the note, and thus could not foreclose on Plaintiff's property, accrued when the Notice of Default was recorded on August 15, 2008. (FAC Ex. C.) When MERS, as beneficiary, recorded the Notice of Default, an "action could have been brought" to challenge the foreclosure proceedings which were being initiated by MERS. Cusano, 264 F.3d at 947. Therefore, Plaintiff's "Demand to Produce the Note" claim accrued prior to the close of Plaintiff's bankruptcy and should have been listed in Plaintiff's bankruptcy estate. Since this claim remains in the bankruptcy estate and Plaintiff does not have standing to pursue this claim. Therefore, Defendants' motion to dismiss this claim is granted.
E. To Set Aside the Trustee's Sale
Defendants also argue Plaintiff lacks standing to pursue his claim in which he seeks to set aside the Trustee's Sale. (Mot. 5:4-5.) Plaintiff alleges in this claim "that at the time the Notice of Default was recorded, neither LEHMAN BROTHERS, MERS, nor AURORA CAL WESTERN RECONVEYANCE had possession of the note and thus had no standing or authority to initiate foreclosure proceedings on the deed of trust, rendering the Notice of Default Void"; and, that "defendants failed to comply with Civil Code 2924f and failed to provide written notice of the trustee's sale or post said notice on the property." (FAC ¶¶ 108-109.) Since Defendants have not shown that accrual of this claim occurred before the foreclosure sale was consummated, Defendants have not established that Plaintiff lacks standing to pursue this claim.Defendants also argue that "because Plaintiff has not tendered the amount due, he cannot challenge the foreclosure sale." (Mot. 18:16-17.) "Wrongful foreclosure is an action in equity, where a plaintiff seeks to set aside a foreclosure sale that has already occurred." Foster v. SCME Mortgage Bankers, Inc., No. CIV 2:10-518-WBS GGH, 2010 WL 1408108, at *4 (E.D. Cal. April 7, 2010). Therefore, Plaintiff's claim to set aside the Trustee's Sale is a claim for wrongful foreclosure. "Under a claim for wrongful foreclosure, a plaintiff must allege a credible tender of the amount of the secured debt. . . ." Rogue v. Suntrust Mortg., Inc., No. C-09-00040 RMW, 2010 WL 546896, at *4 (N.D. Cal. Feb. 10, 2010) (citing Abdallah v. United Savings Bank, 43 Cal. App. 4th 1101, 1109 (1996)); see Guerrero v. Greenpoint Mortgage Funding, Inc., No. 10-15333, 2010 WL 4117102, at *1 (9th Cir. Oct. 20, 2010) (stating the plaintiffs "lacked standing to bring a claim for `wrongful foreclosure,' because they failed to allege actual, full and unambiguous tender of the debt owed on the mortgage") (citingKarlsen v. Am. Sav. Loan Ass'n, 15 Cal. App. 3d 112, 117 (1971)). Plaintiff does not allege tender of the amount of debt owed, or his ability to tender. Therefore, Plaintiff's claim to set aside the Trustee's Sale is dismissed.
F. Violation of Statute
Defendants further argue Plaintiff lacks standing to pursue his violation of statute claim. (Mot. 5:4-5.) Plaintiff alleges the following violations in this claim: 1) the Hope for Homeowners Act; 2) California Civil Code sections 2923.52 and 2923.53; and 3) California Civil Code section 2924 et seq. (FAC ¶¶ 114-141.)
Plaintiff "concedes [in his opposition] that there is no existing authority for a private right of action under the" Hope for Homeowners Act. (Opp'n 20:1-2.) Therefore, this claim is dismissed.
Further, Plaintiff's claim under California Civil Code sections 2923.52 and 2923.53 is dismissed with prejudice since "neither section 2923.52 or section 2923.53 provides any private right of action[.]" Vuki v. Superior Court, 189 Cal. App. 4th 791, 794, 799 (2010) ("Enforcement of sections 2923.52 and 2923.53 is committed to regulatory agencies[;] . . . [n]ot only is there no express unmistakable private right to sue . . ., there is a virtually unmistakable intent not to allow a private right to sue.").
Defendants argue Plaintiff lacks standing to pursue his claim alleged under California Civil Code section 2924 et seq. (Mot. 5:4-5.) Plaintiff alleges in this claim that "Defendant CALIFORNIA WESTERN AND AURORA violated the California Foreclosure laws by . . . [f]ailing to post notice of the trustee's sale as required [and] . . . [f]ailing to send notice of the trustee's sale by certified mail as required[.]" (FAC ¶ 139.) Since Defendants have not shown that accrual of this claim occurred before the foreclosure sale was consummated, Defendants standing argument is unavailing.
Defendants also argue "[i]t remains unclear exactly what statutory provision Plaintiff invokes" in his claim. (Mot. 22:1.) However, Plaintiff specifically alleges a violation of California Civil Code section 2924 et seq. (FAC ¶¶ 109, 138.) Therefore, this portion of the dismissal motion is denied.
G. Fraud and Deceit
Defendants also seek dismissal of Plaintiff's fraud and deceit claims, arguing Plaintiff lacks standing to pursue the claims. (Mot. 5:4-5.) Plaintiff alleges two "Fraud and Deceit" claims.
Plaintiff alleges MERS was not the holder of the note, Aurora never was the holder of the note, and that "[t]he representation that [P]laintiff was in default on an obligation is false and fraudulent, since there is no evidence that AURORA or MERS is or was the actual beneficiary of the note[.]" Id. ¶ 112. Plaintiff alleges, therefore, Defendants lacked standing to commence foreclosure proceedings. Id. ¶ 108; 115. This claim accrued when the Notice of Default was recorded, which occurred prior to the close of Plaintiff's bankruptcy proceeding. Therefore, Plaintiff lacks standing to pursue this claim, and this claim is dismissed.
Plaintiff also alleges fraud and deceit based on the following allegations: "[t]hroughout the course of the loan modification discussions with AURORA, plaintiff's agent had numerous discussions with the representatives of AURORA . . . [and] [m]any of [their] representations were in fact false." (FAC ¶¶ 116-117.) "[D]efendant AURORA never intended to provide plaintiff with a loan modification agreement, and falsely misled the borrower into believing that is what he received." Id. ¶ 118. "AURORA, through their representatives falsely misled plaintiff and his agent to believe that . . . there was no sale date set; [and] that the account was in `loan modification' status." Id. ¶ 119. Defendants have not shown that this claim accrued prior the close of Plaintiff's bankruptcy proceeding and therefore, Defendants standing argument is unpersuasive.
Defendants also seek dismissal of Plaintiff's this fraud and deceit claim, arguing this claim is not alleged with the particularity required under Rule 9(b); and Plaintiff's allegations "lump[] all of the defendants together, [and] fail[] to differentiate between them." (Mot. 22:6-17.) Plaintiff responds that his "complaint sets forth in detail the dates and conversations with the representatives of Aurora." (Opp'n 24:15-16.)
Rule 9(b) requires that fraud claims be "accompanied by `the who, what, when, where, and how' of the misconduct charged."Kearns, 567 F.3d at 1124. Plaintiff's allegations in this claim do not provide the specificity required by Rule 9(b) since Plaintiff has failed to include in his allegations the "time, place, and specific content of the false representations as well as the identities of the parties to the misrepresentations."Swartz, 476 F. 3d at 764. Therefore, this claim is dismissed.
H. Injunctive Relief and Declaratory Relief
Defendants also argue Plaintiff's injunctive relief and declaratory relief claims should be dismissed since there is "no recognized claim for `injunctive relief'" and Plaintiff's "declaratory relief claim that is duplicative of other claims [and therefore, it] should be dismissed." (Mot. 9:25, 10:23-24.) Plaintiff responds that "[w]hether fashioned as a cause of action or a remedy adjunct to the causes of action is a matter of formality, not of substance." (Opp'n 9:8-9.)
An injunction is a remedy, not a claim in and of itself.See Curtis v. Option One Mortg. Corp., No. 109-cv-1608 AWI SMS, 210 WL 599816, at *13 (E.D. Cal. Feb 18, 2010) (citing Washington Toxics Coalition v. Environmental Protection Agency, 413 F. 3d 1024, 1034 (9th Cir. 2005). Therefore, Plaintiff's injunctive relief claim is dismissed.
Further, a "federal court may decline to address a claim for declaratory relief" where the substantive claims "would resolve the issues raised by the declaratory action[.]" Fimbres v. Chapel Mortg. Cop., No. 09-cv-0886-IED, 2009 WL 416332, at *5 (S.D. Cal. Nov. 20, 2009) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted). Plaintiff's only remaining claim is his violation of statute claim, in which Plaintiff includes the following request: "a declaration of the rights and liabilities of the parties" and "a declaration . . . that the Trustee's sale, conducted on or about November 2, 2009 is void[.]" (FAC 25:12-13.) This request is identical to the relief Plaintiff requests in his declaratory relief claim. Id. 23:14-16. Therefore, Plaintiff's declaratory relief claim is dismissed since it is duplicative of the relief sought in Plaintiff's violation of statute claim.
V. CONCLUSION
For the stated reasons, Defendants' motion to dismiss is granted in part and denied in part. Further, Defendants' motion to strike Plaintiff's request for punitive damages is denied as moot in light of the dismissal rulings. Plaintiff is granted ten (10) days from the date on which this order is filed to file a Second Amended Complaint in which he addresses the deficiencies discussed above. Further, Plaintiff is notified that if he fails to amend his complaint within the prescribed time period, the dismissal could be converted to a dismissal with prejudice under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b).