Opinion
3:21-cv-05710-DGE-MLP
01-06-2025
WYKANUSH VENTURES LLC, Plaintiffs, v. KARSTAN WALKER et al., Defendants.
ORDER PROVISIONALLY GRANTING MOTION FOR DEFAULT JUDGMENT (DKT. NO. 84) AGAINST KARSTAN WALKER PENDING EVIDENTIARY HEARING ON DAMAGES
David G. Estudillo United States District Judge
I INTRODUCTION
This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiffs Wykanush Ventures, LLC and TCAIXP, LLC's motion for default judgment. (Dkt. No. 84.) Plaintiffs seek default judgment against Defendants Karstan Walker and Kristopher Walker. (Id.) For the reasons that follow, Plaintiffs' motion is provisionally GRANTED against Defendant Karstan Walker pending an evidentiary hearing on damages and DENIED against Defendant Kristopher Walker.
II BACKGROUND
A. Factual Background
In 2019, Plaintiffs contracted Defendant Karstan Walker (Walker) as a bookkeeper. (Dkt. No. 75 at 3.) Plaintiff Wykanush, LLC (Wykanush) operates a commercial cannabis grow facility. (Id. at 1.) Plaintiff TCAIXP, LLC (“Eden”) operates two retail marijuana businesses. (Id. at 2.)
Plaintiffs hired Walker to provide bookkeeping and other financial management services. (Id. at 3.) “Walker was always an independent contractor and was therefore never paid as a W-2 employee.” (Id.) Walker “represented that she was an experienced, reliable, and qualified bookkeeper familiar with accounting principles, managing accounts and methodology and was proficient with QuickBooks and other accounting software.” (Id.) Per the agreement between the parties, Walker was responsible for maintaining Plaintiffs' financial records, receiving revenue, depositing checks and cash, paying bills, working with creditors, and providing reports and accounts to Plaintiffs. (Id.)
In February 2020, the property manager informed Plaintiffs their rent was several months in arrears and threatened eviction. (Id. at 4.) Walker asserted the past due amount was a misunderstanding and that she would address the concerns with the property manager. (Id.) A few months later, Plaintiffs learned they fell further behind on their rent and that they also had outstanding public utility bills. (Id.) Plaintiffs also learned Walker gave the property manager checks that were returned for insufficient funds. (Id.) Plaintiffs confronted Walker who assured them she made the payments and the confusion lay with the property manager and utility company. (Id.) To support her claim, Walker falsified reports on QuickBooks as well as other documents. (Id.) Walker quit after the Plaintiffs confronted her about the falsified documents. (Id. at 5.)
Plaintiffs allege Wykanush sustained damages amounting to $259,838.61, comprised of: (1) $86,885.87 in unauthorized cash withdrawals; (2) $34,500.00 in unauthorized withdrawals from Wykanush's bank account; (3) $2,500.00 in the unauthorized use of Wykanush's debit card; (4) $131,953.74 in unauthorized retention of cash withdrawals; and (5) $3,999 due to returned check fees and overdraft fees. (Dkt. No. 85 at 5-7.) Additionally, Plaintiffs request prejudgment interest accumulated from September 24, 2020, to October 31, 2024, in the amount of $127,968.74, and post judgment interest from November 1, 2024, until judgment is paid, at the statutory rate of 12% per annum pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1961(a), Washington Revised Code § 4.56.110(6), and Washington Revised Code § 19.52.020. (Id. at 9.)
Plaintiffs allege Eden sustained damages amounting to $32,935.00, comprised of: (1) $10,000.00 in unauthorized withdrawal from Eden's safe; (2) $14,160.00 in unauthorized retention of cash; and (3) $8,775.00 in the unauthorized use of Eden's debit card. (Id. at 7-8.) Additionally, Plaintiffs request prejudgment interest from September 24, 2020, through October 31, 2024, in the amount of $16,220.26, and post judgment interest from November 1, 2024, until judgment is paid, at the statutory rate of 12% per annum pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1961(a), Washington Revised Code § 4.56.110(6), and Washington Revised Code § 19.52.020. (Id. at 9.)
B. Procedural History
On September 24, 2021, Plaintiffs initiated this action against Walker and her spouse, Kristopher Walker, and Ronald Yauchzee. (Dkt. No. 1.) On February 22, 2023, this Court dismissed all claims against Ronald Youchzee without prejudice. (Dkt. No. 51.) On August 15, 2023, Plaintiffs filed their first amended complaint. (Dkt. No. 66.) On March 15, 2024, Plaintiffs filed their second amended complaint. (Dkt. No. 75.) The operative complaint contains five claims: (1) conversion, (2) fraudulent misrepresentation, (3) breach of contract, (4) breach of fiduciary duty, and (5) unjust enrichment. (Dkt. No 75.) Plaintiffs assert all claims against Walker, and claims one, two, and five against Kristopher Walker. (Id.)
A default order against Walker and Kristopher Walker was entered on May 29, 2024. (Dkt. No. 79.) Currently pending is Plaintiffs' motion for default judgment against Walker and Kristopher Walker. (Dkt. No. 84.)
III DISCUSSION
A. Jurisdiction and Venue
As a preliminary step, the Court must determine whether it has both subject matter and personal jurisdiction over the parties. See In re Tuli, 172 F.3d 707, 712 (9th Cir. 1999) (“When entry of judgment is sought against a party who has failed to plead or otherwise defend, a district court has an affirmative duty to look into its jurisdiction over both the subject matter and the parties.”).
The Court possesses subject matter jurisdiction in this matter under 28 U.S.C. § 1332. Wykanush is an Oregon limited liability company with its principal place of business in Multnomah County, Oregon. (Dkt. No. 75 at 1.) Wykanush's members are Lazlo Bagi, Kyle Daniel, Bola Ibidunni, and Liliana Kozlowski. (Id.) Laszlo Bagi is domiciled in and is a citizen of the State of Florida. (Id.) Kyle Daniel, Bola Ibidunni, and Liliana Kozlowski are domiciled in and are citizens of the State of Colorado. (Id.)
Eden is an Oregon limited liability company with its principal place of business in Multnomah County, Oregon. (Id. at 2.) Eden has one member, Columbia Ventures, LLC, an Oregon limited liability company. (Id.) Columbia Ventures, LLC has two members Laszlo Bagi and Sophia Bagi. She is domiciled in Colorado and is a citizen of the State of Colorado.
Walker resides in Clark County, Washington and is a citizen of the State of Washington. (Id.) Kristopher Walker resides in Clark County and is a citizen of the State of Washington. (Id.) Accordingly, the Court has subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1332 because there is complete diversity among the parties and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.
The Court also has personal jurisdiction over Walker and Kristopher Walker because they are citizens of the State of Washington. (Id. at 2.) Further, venue in the Western District of Washington is proper because a substantial part of the events giving rise to the claims before this Court occurred in this District. (Id. at 3.)
In summary, jurisdiction and venue are proper.
B. Legal Standard
The Court may enter a default judgment after a default has been entered by the Clerk of the Court. See Fed. R. Civ. Pro 55(b); LCR 55(a)-(b). At the default judgment stage, the court presumes all well-pleaded factual allegations are true, except those related to damages. TeleVideo Sys., Inc. v. Heidenthal, 826 F.2d 915, 917-18 (9th Cir. 1987); see also Fed.R.Civ.P. 55(b)(2)(B). “The district court's decision whether to enter a default judgment is a discretionary one.” Aldabe v. Aldabe, 616 F.2d 1089, 1092 (9th Cir. 1980). In addition to determining whether Plaintiffs have adequately proven the amount of damages they seek, the Court considers the following factors:
(1) the possibility of prejudice to the plaintiff[s], (2) the merits of plaintiff[s'] substantive claim, (3) the sufficiency of the complaint, (4) the sum of money at stake in the action; (5) the possibility of a dispute concerning material facts; (6) whether the default was due to excusable neglect, and (7) the strong policy underlying the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure favoring decisions on the merits.Eitel v. McCool, 782 F.2d 1470, 1471-1472 (9th Cir. 1986).
Weighing the Eitel factors, the Court finds that entry of default judgment is warranted.
1. Eitel Factor 1: Possibility of Prejudice to Plaintiff
The first Eitel factor, prejudice to the Plaintiff, weighs in favor of Plaintiff. “On a motion for default judgment, ‘prejudice' exists where the plaintiff has no ‘recourse for recovery' other than default judgment.” Curtis v. Illumination Arts, Inc., 33 F.Supp.3d 1200, 1211 (W.D. Wash. 2014) (quoting Philip Morris USA, Inc. v. Castworld Prods., Inc., 219 F.R.D. 494, 499 (C.D. Cal.2003)). Defendants' failure to answer this case hinders Plaintiffs' ability to recover, and the Court finds that a default judgment is Plaintiffs' only means for recovery. Accordingly, the first Eitel factor favors default judgment.
2. Eitel Factor 2 and 3: Merits of Plaintiff's Claims and Sufficiency of Complaint
“In evaluating the second and third factors, the Court considers the merits of the plaintiff's claims and whether the allegations in the complaint are sufficient to state a claim on which the plaintiff may recover.” Johnson v. Peter, Case No. C21-1602-LK, 2023 WL 22021, at *4 (W.D. Wash. Jan. 3, 2023). These factors are frequently analyzed together. See Curtis, 33 F.Supp.3d at 1211. Plaintiffs' operative complaint contains five claims: conversion, fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and unjust enrichment. (Dkt. Nos. 74 at 11-14; 84 at 46.)
i. Conversion
Plaintiffs allege “Walker knowingly took monies belonging to Plaintiffs for her use and that of her family's, including Chris [sic] Walker, without the knowledge or consent of Plaintiffs.” (Dkt. No. 84 at 4.) As a result, Plaintiff claims Wykanush sustained damages amounting to the principal amount of $259,838.61 and Eden sustained damages amounting to the principal amount of $32,935.00. (Id.)
Conversion is the unjustified, willful interference with a chattel which deprives a person entitled to the property of possession. Potter v. Washington State Patrol, 196 P.3d 691, 696 (Wash. 2008). Money may be the subject of conversion if the defendant wrongfully received it. Alhadeff v. Meridian on Bainbridge Island, LLC, 220 P.3d 1214, 1223 (Wash. 2019).
As Wykanush's controller, Walker was solely responsible for maintaining the petty cash. (Dkt. No. 85 at 4.) As alleged by Plaintiffs, Walker withdrew petty cash without authorization on nine occasions. (Id. at 4-5.) Further, on seven occasions Walker withdrew cash from Wykanush's bank account without prior authorization. (Id. at 5.) Furthermore, Walker utilized Wykanush's debit card to pay for her father's dental work. (Id. at 6.) Additionally, Plaintiffs allege Walker was the sole individual receiving, recording, and depositing sales payments. (Id. at 7.) Based on Plaintiffs analysis of the inventory sold, they claim Walker did not deposit all sales payments. (Id. at 6-7.)
As Eden's controller, Walker was responsible for paying the rent and taxes. (Id. at 7.) Plaintiffs allege Walker removed cash from their on-site safe purporting to utilize to pay the rent, but instead retained the money and failed to pay the rent. (Id. at 7-8.) Further, prior to quitting, Walker gathered Eden's cash deposit bags but did not deposit the money into Eden's bank account. (Id. at 8.) Furthermore, Walker used Eden's debit card to make a payment towards her student loans. (Id.)
Walker deprived Plaintiffs of their property by dishonestly obtaining cash in a variety of ways. Accordingly, Plaintiffs have sufficiently alleged facts establishing Walker's liability for conversion.
Plaintiffs allege “Defendants schemed to steal Plaintiffs' funds” and used those funds to pay for residential property, remodel their home, and live extravagantly. (Id.) Beyond this conclusory allegation, Plaintiffs do not explain how Kristopher Walker willfully interfered with their monies nor do they explain how he “wrongfully received” the cash. Accordingly, the Plaintiffs have not alleged sufficient facts to sustain a conversion claim against Kristopher Walker.
ii. Fraud/misrepresentation
Plaintiffs allege Walker made numerous fraudulent misrepresentations regarding the Plaintiffs' financial accounts, receipts, and payments, including forging or altering documents. (Dkt. No. 84 at 5.)
In order to prove fraudulent misrepresentation, the Plaintiff must establish: (1) representation of an existing fact; (2) materiality; (3) falsity; (4) speaker's knowledge of its falsity; (5) speaker's intention that it shall be acted upon by plaintiff; (6) plaintiff's ignorance of falsity; (7) reliance; (8) right to rely; and (9) damages. Hoffer v. State, 755 P.2d 781, 787 (Wash. 1988.)
After Wykanush's property manager informed Laszlo Bagi it had not received payment for five months of rent, Mr. Bagi confronted Walker. (Dkt. No. 85 at 3.) Walker asserted the property manager was mistaken and gave Mr. Bagi a copy of a cashier's check, which Walker asserted she gave to the property manager as payment for rent. (Id.) Later, Plaintiffs discovered Walker forged the cashier check and never paid the rent. (Id.) The property manager once again contacted Mr. Bagi to inform him they had not received payment for the past six months of rent. (Id.) Walker insisted she paid the rent and forwarded Mr. Bagi a forged email confirming the wire transfer. (Id.) Further, Walker told Mr. Bagi she had resolved the misunderstanding with the property manager and gave him copies of checks she asserted were cashed to pay for the rent. (Id. at 4.) However, the checks were reversed due to insufficient funds and Walker did not pay the rent. (Id.)
Plaintiffs allege Walker's financial representations were both material and false, and she knew they were false when she made them to Plaintiffs. (Dkt. No. 84 at 5.) Plaintiffs assert Walker “intended that Plaintiffs would rely on the false statements and representation and trust Walker to continue managing their financial accounts.” (Id.) Furthermore, Plaintiffs identify they “reasonably relied on those false and material statement[s] and representations and trust[ed] Walker to continue managing their accounts.” (Id.) Thus, Plaintiffs incurred damages by continuing to employ Walker. (Id.)
Plaintiffs sufficiently established their claim for fraudulent misrepresentation against Walker. However, Plaintiffs are not clear whether they are also pursuing their claim for fraudulent misrepresentation against Kristopher Walker. Regardless, Plaintiffs fail to brief the Court on how Kristopher Walker was involved in any fraudulent misrepresentations. As such, to the extent Plaintiffs seek a claim for fraudulent misrepresentation against Kristopher Walker, they have not met their burden.
iii. Breach of contract
Plaintiffs allege Walker breached their agreement by failing to fulfill her obligations under the agreement.
In order to prevail on a breach of contract claim, the plaintiff must establish (1) the contract imposes a duty, (2) the duty is breached, and (3) the breach proximately causes damage to the claimant. Nw. Indep. Forest Mfrs. v. Dep't of Lab. & Indus., 899 P.2d 6, 9 (Wash.Ct.App. 1995). However, the Court must first determine whether a contract existed between the Plaintiffs and Walker. Contracts require offer, acceptance, and consideration. DePhillips v. Zolt Const. Co., Inc., 959 P.2d 1104, 1109 (Wash. 1998). “Acceptance is an expression of the intention, by word, sign, or writing communicated . . . to the person making the offer.” Plouse v. Bud Clary of Yakima, Inc., 116 P.3d 1039, 1041 (Wash.Ct.App. 2005).
On May 5, 2019, Laszlo Bagi hired Walker to serve as the Plaintiffs' controller. (Dkt. No. 88 at 2.) Plaintiffs agreed to pay Walker “$2,000 biweekly, for the total of $52,000 per year[.]” (Id.) As controller, Walker's responsibilities included maintaining Plaintiffs' financial records, receiving revenue, depositing checks and cash, paying bills, working with creditors, and providing reports and accounts to Plaintiffs. (Dkt. No. 88 at 3.) Plaintiffs contracted with Walker until she suddenly quit. (Dkt. No. 75 at 5.)
Thus, Plaintiffs made an offer to Plaintiff to perform services and pay her $2,000 biweekly. Walker accepted the offer and worked as Plaintiffs' controller until she quit. Further, Walker's bi-weekly salary and her performance as controller constitutes valid consideration. Therefore, a valid contract existed between the parties.
As alleged by Plaintiffs, Walker's duties under the contract included “managing revenue and expenditures, maintaining accounting records, and reporting to Plaintiffs' owners and managers.” (Dkt. No. 84 at 5.) Plaintiffs allege Walker breached her duties by “(1) taking monies belonging to the Plaintiffs without authorization, (2) failing to properly account for monies received and paid, (3) failing to timely pay Plaintiffs' vendors and creditors, (4) failing to provide honest and accurate reports to the Plaintiffs, and (5) failing to properly maintain the Plaintiffs' books.” (Id.) Further, Plaintiffs allege that as a result of Walker's breach of duty, Wykanush incurred damages amounting to $259,838.61 and Eden incurred damages to the amount of $32,935.00. (Id.)
Accordingly, Plaintiffs sufficiently allege facts to support their breach of contract claim against Walker.
iv. Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Plaintiffs allege Walker owed a fiduciary duty and breached such duty in the course of her relationship with Plaintiffs. (Dkt. No. 84 at 5-6.)
In order to establish liability for breach of fiduciary duty, the plaintiff bears the burden of showing (1) defendant breached her fiduciary duty and (2) the breach was a proximate cause of the losses sustained. Senn v. Northwest Underwriters, Inc., 875 P.2d 637, 639 (Wash.Ct.App. 1994). “A fiduciary relationship arises in fact when there is something in the particular circumstances which approximates a business agency, a professional relationship, or a family tie, something which itself impels or induces the trusting party to relax the care and vigilance which he otherwise should, and ordinarily would, exercise.” Alexander v. Sanford, 325 P.3d 341, 363 (Wash.Ct.App. 2014) (internal quotation marks omitted).
As Plaintiffs' controller, Walker had access to personal and financial information, including that of Plaintiffs and their members and managers. (Dkt. No. 84 at 5.) Plaintiffs argue “Walker owed Plaintiffs a fiduciary duty to safeguard the personal and financial information, keep it confidential, and not use it adversely against Plaintiffs.” (Id. at 5-6.) Additionally, Plaintiffs argue Walker “had a duty to properly account for all of the Plaintiffs' revenue and expenses and to convert information, money or property.” (Id. at 6.) Accordingly, Plaintiffs argue, Walker breached this duty by “(1) taking monies belonging to the Plaintiffs without authorization, (2) concealing the fact that she took Plaintiffs monies without authorization, (3) failing to properly account for monies received and paid, (4) failing to timely pay Plaintiffs' vendors and creditors, (5) failing to provide honest and accurate reports to the Plaintiffs, and (6) failing to properly maintain the Plaintiffs' books.” (Id.) As a result of the breach, Plaintiffs claim Wykanush incurred damages amounting to $259,838.61 and Eden incurred damages to the amount of $32,935.00. (Id.)
Accepting Plaintiffs allegations as true, Plaintiffs have established Walker owed a fiduciary duty and breached her fiduciary duties by taking Plaintiffs' monies and making fraudulent reports. Further, Plaintiffs properly demonstrate they suffered damages due to Walker's breach of fiduciary duty.
v. Unjust Enrichment
Plaintiffs pursue a claim of unjust enrichment against both Walker and Kristopher Walker. (Dkt. No. 75 at 14-15.)
“Unjust enrichment is the method of recovery for the value of the benefit retained absent any contractual relationship because notions of fairness and justice require it.” Young v. Young, 191 P.3d 1258, 1262 (Wash. 2008). “Three elements must be established in order to sustain a claim based on unjust enrichment: a benefit conferred upon the defendant by the plaintiff; an appreciation or knowledge by the defendant of the benefit; and the acceptance or retention by the defendant of the benefit under such circumstances as to make it inequitable for the defendant to retain the benefit without the payment of its value.” (Id.) (internal quotation marks omitted). Unjust enrichment is another way of claiming a quasi-contract exists between the parties. (Id.)
Because unjust enrichment contemplates the absence of a contractual relationship, and because the Court is finding in favor of Plaintiffs on their breach of contract claim against Walker, there is no basis to award recovery based on unjust enrichment. The request for default judgment against Walker based on unjust enrichment against Walker is DENIED.
As for Plaintiffs unjust enrichment claim against Kristopher Walker, Plaintiffs fail to allege facts establishing a quasi-contractual relationship between Plaintiffs and Kristopher Walker. Therefore, Plaintiffs' request for default judgment against Kristopher Walker based on unjust enrichment is DENIED.
3. Eitel Factor 4: The Sum of Money at Stake
The fourth Eitel factor “considers whether the amount of money requested is proportional to the harm caused.” Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada v. Est. of Wheeler, Case No. C19-0364-JLR, 2020 WL 433352, at *4 (W.D. Wash. Jan. 28, 2020). “If the sum of money at issue is reasonably proportionate to the harm caused by the defendant's actions, then default judgment is warranted.” Walters v. Statewide Concrete Barrier, Inc., Case No. C-04-2559 JSW MEJ, 2006 WL 2527776, at *4 (N.D. Cal. Aug. 30, 2006). “The Court considers Plaintiff's declarations, calculations, and other documentation of damages in determining if the amount at stake is reasonable.” Marshall Wealth Mgmt. Grp., Inc. v. Santillo, Case No. 18-CV-03510-LHK, 2019 WL 79036, at *7 (N.D. Cal. Jan. 2, 2019) (quoting Trung Giang Corp. v. Twinstar Tea Corp., Case No. C 06-03594 JSW, 2007 WL 1545173, at *12 (N.D. Cal. May 29, 2007)).
As discussed below, the Court finds that Plaintiffs have established they have incurred damages, the full extent of which will need to be identified in an evidentiary hearing. Accordingly, the Court finds this factor weighs in favor of a default judgment.
4. Eitel Factor 5 and 6: The Possibility of a Dispute Concerning Material Facts and Excusable Neglect
Because Walker and Kristopher Walker have never disputed Plaintiffs allegations there is no possibility of dispute concerning material facts. There also is no indication of excusable neglect on Walker or Kristopher Walker's part as in the past three years they have made no efforts to object to Plaintiffs' claims. Accordingly, the fifth and sixth Eitel factors favor default judgment.
5. Eitel Factor 7: The Preference for Resolving Disputes on the Merits
The final Eitel factor recognizes “the strong policy underlying the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure favoring decisions on the merits.” Eitel, 782 F.2d at 1472. Because Defendants have never appeared in this matter, a resolution of all claims against Defendants on the merits is impossible. Though the seventh factor may weigh against a default judgment, it is not dispositive. See PepsiCo, Inc. v. California Sec. Cans, 238 F.Supp.2d 1172, 1177 (C.D. Cal. 2002) (“the mere existence of Fed. R .Civ. P. 55(b) indicates that ‘this preference [for merits decisions], standing alone, is not dispositive.'”).
C. Calculation of Damages
The court must ensure the amount of damages is reasonable and demonstrated by the evidence. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 55(b); Getty Images (US), Inc. v. Virtual Clinics, 2014 WL 358412 (W.D. Wash. 2014). In determining damages, a court may rely on the declarations submitted by the plaintiff or order a full evidentiary hearing. Fed.R.Civ.P. 55(b)(2). A “plaintiff must ‘prove up' the amount of damages, fees, and costs it requests by providing admissible evidence in the form of clear declarations, calculations, witness testimony, or other documentation supporting its request.” Bostik, Inc. v. J.E. Higgins Lumber Co., No. 12-4021 SC, 2013 WL 312074, *4 (N.D. Cal. Jan. 10, 2013).
The Court is not confident it is able to follow all the calculations and documentary evidence Plaintiffs provide in support of their request for damages. It is more appropriate for Plaintiffs to walk the Court through the calculation of damages and the supporting documents at a brief evidentiary hearing.
IV CONCLUSION
Accordingly, and having considered Plaintiffs' motion, and the remainder of the record, the Court finds and ORDERS that Plaintiffs' motion for default Judgment is provisionally GRANTED as to Defendant Karstan Walker pending an evidentiary hearing as to damages on Plaintiffs claims for conversion, fraudulent representation, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty.
Plaintiffs SHALL contact the Court's court room deputy to schedule a brief evidentiary hearing regarding Plaintiffs' damages.
The motion for default judgment as to Defendant Kristopher Walker is DENIED.