Opinion
Civ. No. S-10-3484 KJM DAD
08-30-2011
TRACIE DOTSON and LINDSEY MURPHY, Plaintiff, v. METROCITI MORTGAGE; BAC HOME LOANS SERVICING LP; and DOES 1-50, inclusive, Defendants.
ORDER
This action, one of many filed by homeowners attempting to avoid or set aside foreclosure, was initially filed in Sacramento County Superior Court and removed to this court by defendant BAC Home Loans Servicing (BAC) based on this court's federal question jurisdiction. The complaint asserts six causes of action: misrepresentation and fraud; rescission based on a cognovit note; wrongful foreclosure; quiet title; unfair business practices; and civil RICO violations. BAC has filed a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim. Plaintiffs did not initially oppose, but after the court issued an order to show cause, plaintiffs' counsel filed an opposition. The court submitted the motion on the pleadings.
A cognovit note is a promissory note containing a clause "by which a debtor agrees to jurisdiction in certain courts, waives notice requirements, and authorizes the entry of an adverse judgment in the event of a default or breach." Black's Law Dictionary (9th Ed. 2009) (definition of "cognovit note" and "cognovit clause.").
I. Standards for A Motion To Dismiss
Under Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a party may move to dismiss a complaint for "failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted." A court may dismiss "based on the lack of cognizable legal theory or the absence of sufficient facts alleged under a cognizable legal theory." Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Department, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1990). A motion to dismiss under this rule may also challenge the sufficiency of fraud allegations under the more particularlized standard of Rule 9(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Vess v. Ciba-Geigy Corp. USA, 317 F.3d 1097, 1107 (9th Cir. 2003).
Although a complaint need contain only "a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief," (Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2)), in order to survive a motion to dismiss this short and plain statement "must contain sufficient factual matter . . . to 'state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.'" Ashcroft v. Iqbal, ______ U.S. ______, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 1949 (2009) (quoting Bell Atlantic Corporation v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). A complaint must include something more than "an unadorned, the-defendant-unlawfully-harmed-me accusation" or "'labels and conclusions'" or "'a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action.'" Iqbal, 129 S.Ct. at 1949 (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555). Determining whether a complaint will survive a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim is a "context-specific task that requires the reviewing court to draw on its judicial experience and common sense." Iqbal, 129 S.Ct. at 1950. Ultimately, the inquiry focuses on the interplay between the factual allegations of the complaint and the dispositive issues of law in the action. See Hishon v. King & Spalding, 467 U.S. 69, 73 (1984).
In making this context-specific evaluation, this court must construe the complaint in the light most favorable to the plaintiff and accept as true the factual allegations of the complaint. Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 93-94 (2007). This rule does not apply to "'a legal conclusion couched as a factual allegation,'" (Papasan v. Allain, 478 U.S. 265, 286 (1986) (quoted in Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555), nor to "allegations that contradict matters properly subject to judicial notice" or to material attached to or incorporated by reference into the complaint. Sprewell v. Golden State Warriors, 266 F.3d 979, 988-89 (9th Cir. 2001).
A court's consideration of documents attached to a complaint or incorporated by reference or matter of judicial notice will not convert a motion to dismiss into a motion for summary judgment. United States v. Ritchie, 342 F.3d 903, 907 (9th Cir. 2003); Parks School of Business v. Symington, 51 F.3d 1480, 1484 (9th Cir. 1995); compare Van Buskirk v. CNN, 284 F.3d 977, 980 (9th Cir. 2002) (noting that even though court may look beyond pleadings on motion to dismiss, generally court is limited to face of the complaint on 12(b)(6) motion).
BAC has asked this court to take judicial notice of the Deed of Trust encumbering 8986 Haflinger Way in Elk Grove, California, dated May 12, 2008 and signed by plaintiffs, recorded in the Sacramento County Recorder's Office on May 16, 2008; the Notice of Default and Election to Sell, recorded in Sacramento County on June 2, 2010; and the Substitution of Trustee and Assignment of Deed of Trust, assigning the interest in the Deed of Trust from Mortgage Electronic Registration Servicing LP (MERS) to BAC, which was dated June 1, 2010 and recorded in the Sacramento County Recorder's Office on June 9, 2010. These documents are in the public record and are properly subject to judicial notice. Lee v. City of Los Angeles, 250 F.3d 668, 688 (9th Cir. 2001).
II. The Complaint
As preamble to the specific allegations of their complaint, plaintiffs aver that they are seeking "a determination of what if any party or entity is the owner of the promissory note executed at the time of the loan closing, and whether the deed of Trust secures any obligation of the Plaintiff" and claim they are seeking damages for violations of "statutory duties under the Truth in Lending Act 15 USC § 1601, Privacy ACT Title 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(4), and Fair Debt Collections Practices Act 15 U.S.C. § 1692, and Title 12 USC § 2605, and fundamental fiduciary duties owed to Plaintiff to enforce Plaintiff's right to his home." Complaint (Compl.) ¶¶ 2, 4 (verbatim transcription).
Throughout the complaint, the term "plaintiff" is used even though there are two plaintiffs in the caption. The court will use the plural except when quoting from the complaint.
Plaintiffs allege that on May 16, 2008, they executed a promissory note for $280,596 for a loan to purchase the residence at 8986 Halfinger Way in Elk Grove. Id. ¶ 16. They signed a number of documents that were not explained; their questions were not answered. Id. ¶17. No one from Metrociti Mortgage told plaintiffs that the loan contained a yield spread premium provision, the cost of which was added as points and fees, yet not disclosed. Id. ¶ 18. In addition, no one explained certain features of the interest rate, including how and when adjustments would occur, the basis for calculating the adjustments, or the effect of negative amortization. Id. ¶¶ 19-20. Because of the "hidden and/or disguised provisions" in the deed of trust, plaintiffs say it operates as a cognovit note. Id. ¶ 21. Plaintiffs did not knowingly waive their rights by signing this cognovit note because defendant Metrociti failed to provide plaintiff with sufficient time to read and understand the provisions in the Deed of Trust, which essentially forfeited plaintiffs' control and ownership of the property. Id. ¶¶ 23-24. Finally, they allege that because of a "severance of the ownership and possession of the original Note and Deed of Trust, they do not know the identity of the Note's true owner with the authority to foreclose and that therefore there is no right to foreclose." Id. ¶¶ 24-27.
"A 'yield spread premium' is a term of art that describes a sum paid by a mortgage lender to a broker. The lender recoups this fee by charging the borrower a higher interest rate." Down v. Flagstar Bank, F.S.B., 2011 WL 1326961, at *4 (E. D. Va. Apr. 4, 2011).
Plaintiffs' causes of actions based on the foregoing allegations are analyzed below.
III. The Motion To Dismiss
A. Misrepresentation And Fraud
The court analyzes only the complaint's allegations against BAC, as Metrociti has not appeared in this action.
Plaintiffs' first cause of action alleges that BAC "engaged in a pattern and practice of defrauding Plaintiff in that, during the entire life of the mortgage loan, Defendants, and each of them, failed to properly credit payments made, improperly calculated interest on the accounts, and have failed to accurately debit fees;" that defendants knew the account were not accurate, but accepted plaintiffs' payments "based on the improper, inaccurate and fraudulent representations as to Plaintiff's accounts." Id. ¶¶ 35-36. They contend they were not aware of the fraud until 2010, "when it became increasingly difficult to keep up with the adjusted payments, and Plaintiff began to ask Defendants questions" about the "shifting terms of the agreement." Id. ¶ 36.
BAC argues that plaintiffs' conclusory statements do not meet the heightened pleading standards for fraud and even if they did, plaintiffs could not prevail because they cannot show justifiable reliance on defendant's statements. ECF No. 5 at 5-6. Plaintiffs address only a portion of BAC's characterization of their pleading as conclusory by arguing that their continued payment shows their reliance on the fraudulent concealment. They also argue that the complaint is timely because they did not become aware of the fraud until 2010, even though defendant did not invoke the statute of limitations in its motion. ECF No. 14 at 3. In its reply, BAC counters that plaintiffs' attempt to avoid the statute of limitations is unavailing, as the pleading is too conclusory.
In California, a claim of fraudulent misrepresentation has five elements: (1) misrepresentation, which encompasses false representation, concealment and nondisclosure; (2) knowledge of falsity; (3) intent to defraud; (4) justifiable reliance; and (5) damage. Lazar v. Superior Court, 12 Cal.4th 631, 637 (1996); Champlaie v. BAC Home Loans Servicing, LP, 706 F.Supp.2d 1029, 1058 (E.D. Cal. 2010).
In addition to the usual pleading requirements of Rule 8, allegations of fraud must meet heightened pleading standards. Under Rule 9(b), a plaintiff who alleges fraud "must state with particularity the circumstances constituting the fraud," but may "aver[] generally" the state of mind animating the fraud. The pleading must "'be specific enough to give defendants notice of the particular misconduct . . . so that they can defend against the charge and not just deny that they have done anything wrong.'" Sanford v. MemberWorks, Inc., 625 F.3d 550, 558 (9th Cir. 2010) (quoting Kearns v. Ford Motor Co., 567 F.3d. 1120, 1124 (9th Cir. 2009)). To avoid dismissal, the complaint must describe the time, place and specific content of the false representations and identify the parties to the misrepresentations. Id.; Dooms v. Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, 2011 WL 1232989, at *14 (E.D. Cal. Mar. 31, 2011). In addition, a plaintiff may not "lump multiple defendants together" but rather must "differentiate their allegations." Destfino v. Reiswig, 630 F.3d 952, 958 (9th Cir. 2011) (quoting Cisneros v. Instant Capital Funding Grp., Inc., 263 F.R.D. 595, 606-07 (E.D. Cal. 2009)).
Plaintiffs' claims do not satisfy Rule 9(b)'s pleading standard: although they do claim that BAC credited payments and calculated interest rates improperly, they do not identify the nature of the claimed improprieties nor suggest when any concealment/misrepresentation occurred. Although they claim that their reliance on the concealment is demonstrated by their continued payments, the complaint does not make clear the connection, if any, between the fraud and their continued payments. This portion of the complaint thus is insufficient.
In addition, California Civil Code § 338(d) establishes a three year statute of limitations for actions "on the ground of fraud or mistake," but provides that a cause of action for fraud does not accrue "until the discovery . . . of the facts constituting the fraud." A party is deemed to have discovered the fraud when he "'has reason at least to suspect the factual basis for its elements." Fox v. Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., 35 Cal.4th 797, 807 (2005) (quoting Norgart v. The Upjohn Company, 21 Cal.4th 383, 398 (1999)). To rely on a claim of delayed discovery, a plaintiff must allege facts showing that the fraud could not have been discovered earlier even in the exercise of reasonable diligence and identifying how and when plaintiff discovered the fraud. California Sansome Co. v. U.S. Gypsum, 55 F.3d 1402, 1406-07 (9th Cir. 1995); Briosos v. Wells Fargo Bank, 2011 WL 1740100, at *4 (N.D. Cal. May 5, 2011); but see Bonds v. Nicoletti Oil, Inc., 2008 WL 2233511, at **7-8 (E.D. Cal. May 28, 2008) (questioning whether California pleading standards apply, but finding it plaintiff's burden to plead facts supporting delayed discovery). Plaintiffs' single, wholly conclusory claim that they did not discover the fraud until 2010 is insufficient. They will, however, be given leave to amend this portion of their complaint, if they are able to do so keeping in mind the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11.
B. Rescission and Restitution Of Voidable Cognovit Note
Plaintiffs' second cause of action alleges that defendant Metrociti was aware of the cognovit clause in the loan document but failed to provide fair consideration and that Metrociti's successors in interest, including BAC, "cannot be permitted to benefit from the misrepresentations and fraud committed against the Plaintiff." They also contend that the failure to disclose the cognovit clause as well as the "lack of contractual consent" renders the contract void and unenforceable. Compl. ¶¶ 42-43.
Defendant argues that the complaint simply asserts without explaining how BAC "benefit[s] from the misrepresentations and fraud" allegedly committed by Metrociti; that the alleged fraud underlying this claim has not been adequately pleaded; and rescission of a loan requires the borrower to return the money received. ECF No. 5 at 6. Plaintiffs counter that they have adequately pled the underlying fraud claim, including the discovery of the fraud.
In their points and authorities plaintiffs claim they discovered the fraud in 2009; in the complaint, they contend they discovered it in 2010. Compare ECF No. 14 at 4 with Compl. ¶ 36.
The cognovit is the ancient legal device by which the debtor consents in advance to the holder's obtaining a judgment without notice or hearing, and possibly even with the appearance on the debtor's behalf, of an attorney designated by the holder. . . .Federal Deposit Ins. Corp. v. Aaronian, 93 F.3d 636, 637-638 (9th Cir. 1996), quoting D.H. Overmyer Co., Inc. of Ohio v. Frick, 405 U.S. 174, 176 & n.2 (1972). It is true, as defendant argues, that plaintiffs have not sufficiently alleged why they could not have discovered the "hidden" nature of the alleged cognovit clauses earlier; "because plaintiff signed the deed of trust containing the alleged cognovit clauses, she has not pled facts showing she was unable to discover the existence of the cognovit clauses at an earlier date even had she exercised reasonable diligence." Miller v. Washington Mutual Bank FA, ______ F.Supp.2d ______, 2011 WL 845935, at *4 (N.D. Cal. 2011). However, even if plaintiff's were able adequately to plead the delayed discovery, the complaint would not state a claim. As another district court has observed:
In the states which permit its use, the cognovit note authorizes an attorney to confess judgment against the person or persons signing it. It is written authority of a debtor and a direction by him for the entry of a judgment against him if the obligation set forth in the note is not paid when due . . . . [I]t cuts off every defense which the maker of the note may otherwise have. It likewise cuts off all rights of appeal from any judgment taken on it.
[T]he power of sale clause at issue is not a cognovit. The relevant clause allows Defendants to sell the Geists' property in the event of a default on their home equity loan. It does not permit the Defendants to obtain a judgment against Plaintiffs from a court of law without notice or a hearing. Nor does it preclude Plaintiffs from challenging the foreclosure in a judicial proceeding or prevent Plaintiffs from raising any defense they may have to the validity of the debt contract. It similarly fails to cut off Plaintiffs' right to appeal any judgment that Defendants obtain through a judicial proceeding. In short, the power of sale is not a cognovit.Geist v. Onewest Bank, 2010 WL 3155841, at *4 (N.D. Cal. Aug. 9, 2010) (footnote omitted; emphasis in original); see ECF No. 5-1 at 6, 10 (power of sale provisions in the Deed of Trust at issue). This cause of action is dismissed without leave to amend
C. Injunction Against Wrongful Foreclosure Based On Cognovit Note
In a confusing combination of claims, plaintiffs seek in their third cause of action to enjoin any foreclosure because they did not receive additional consideration for and did not knowingly waive their rights in connection with the cognovit clause; because Metrociti and BAC, its successor in interest, have engaged in deceptive practices in violation of the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and the Home Ownership and Equity Protection ACT (HOEPA); because defendants have not fulfilled their contractual obligations to take "'GOOD AND VALID' care of the purported loan documents;" and have not produced necessary documents, including the promissory note and any allonges, the mortgage and deed of trust, and various federal reserve documents; and because of this failure to produce the necessary documents, BAC cannot foreclose on plaintiffs' property and/or collect money. Compl. ¶¶ 48-65.
An allonge is a "slip of paper sometimes attached to a negotiable instrument for the purpose of receiving further indorsements when the original paper is filled with indorsements." Black's Law Dictionary (9th Ed. 2009).
1. Cognovit Clause
As noted above, the power of sale in a Deed of Trust is not a cognovit clause; plaintiffs' attempt to prevent foreclosure on this ground is unavailing.
2. TILA and HOEPA
Plaintiffs contend that Metrocities and BAC, its successor in interest, have engaged in deceptive loan practices but plaintiffs are unaware of the full details. Compl. ¶ 50.
Under the Truth in Lending Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1601, et seq., and its implementing regulations, 12 C.F.R. § 226.1, et seq., a lender must make certain disclosures to a borrower before the consummation of a loan, including the finance charges, the annual percentage rate, and the right to rescind the transaction. 15 U.S.C. § 1638(a) & (b) 12 C.F.R. §§ 226.17(b) & 226.23(b); see Yamamoto v. Bank of New York, 329 F.3d 1167, 1169 (9th Cir. 2003). TILA provides causes of action for rescission and damages if the lender does not make the required disclosures.
HOEPA is an amendment to TILA, designed to "combat predatory lending," which applies only to certain high cost loans. In re First Alliance Mortgage Co., 471 F.3d 977, 984 n.1 (9th Cir. 2006); Hamilton v. Bank of Blue Valley, 746 F.Supp.2d 1160, 1179 (E.D. Cal. 2010) (HOEPA is amendment to TILA); 15 U.S.C. §§ 1602(aa) & 1639. To plead a HOEPA violation, a plaintiff must allege facts that the loan is one covered by the statutes. Yulaeva v. Greenpoint Mortgage Funding, Inc., 2010 WL 5394859, at *4 (E.D. Cal. Dec. 21, 2010).
Plaintiffs' single, throw-away line does not state a claim under either of these provisions.
3. Right To Inspect The Documents/Possession Of The Note
Although the basis of this claim is not entirely clear, plaintiffs appear to allege they have a common law right to inspect documents relating to the purchase of their house. Defendants argue that this claim is insufficiently pled because it does not identify the source of the purported right. ECF NO. 5 at 9. Plaintiffs do not address this argument in their opposition.
As defendants have noted, there appears to be no common law right to demand that the lender and/or servicer present documents for inspection; such a claim makes little sense in light of the fact that most of the documents plaintiffs demand to inspect are publicly recorded or otherwise available in the public record. See ECF No. 5-1 at 4 (Deed of Trust recorded in Sacramento County Recorder's Office).
To the extent plaintiffs' claim appears to be that BAC cannot foreclose without possession and production of the note, this argument has been rejected as not required by California's non-judicial forfeiture provisions. Champlaie v. BAC Home Loans Servicing, Inc., 706 F.Supp.2d at 1048-50 (reasoning that the comprehensive statutory scheme of non judicial foreclosure does not include such a requirement); Gardner v. American Home Mortgage Servicing, Inc., 691 F.Supp.2d 1192, 1202-03 (E.D. Cal. 2010); Cal. Civ. Code § 2924(a)(1) ("the trustee, mortgagee, or beneficiary, or any of their authorized agents" may commence the nonjudicial foreclosure process. . . .").
Plaintiffs' third cause of action is dismissed without leave to amend. D. Quiet Title
Plaintiffs contend in their fourth cause of action that defendant has no enforceable interest in 8986 Halfinger Way because of "legally defective loan documentation" and so they seek a declaration that title to the property is theirs and a parallel declaration that BAC has no enforceable interest in it. Compl. ¶¶ 68-70.
Defendants argue that a person is not entitled to quiet the title to the property without demonstrating a willingness and ability to pay the indebtedness. ECF No. 5 at 11. Plaintiffs contend that tender is not required when the beneficiary has lulled the trustor into not paying or when an injunction hearing is the only way to determine the amount due. ECF No. 14 at 5.
The short answer to plaintiffs' first argument is that the complaint does not claim that BAC lulled plaintiffs into not paying; in fact, they allege they continued to pay until 2010 based on inaccurate figures. Compl. ¶ 36.
Plaintiffs second argument is similarly unavailing. They rely on two cases, but neither stands for the proposition they advance: neither More v. Calkins, 85 Cal. 177 (1890) nor Stockton v. Newman, 148 Cal.App.2d 558 (1957) address the question whether a borrower must tender the amount of the indebtedness in order to quiet title. See Miller v. Washington Mutual Bank, ______ F.Supp.2d ______ , 2011 WL 845935, at *4 (N.D. Cal. 2011).
Tender of the indebtedness is required to quiet title in California. Aguilar v. Boci, 39 Cal.App.3d 475, 477 (1974) ("the cloud upon his title persists until the debt is paid"); Kelley v. Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc., 642 F.Supp.2d 1048, 1057 (N.D. Cal. 2009). Plaintiffs have not alleged that they "have satisfied their obligations under the Deed of Trust" and have not offered to pay their indebtedness under the note. They have not stated a cause of action for quiet title.
E. Unfair Business Practices
Plaintiffs' fifth cause of action alleges that BAC is committing "acts of unfair competition . . . as defined by California Business and Professions Code Section 17200" through a series of fraudulent acts: deceiving plaintiffs before and during the loan process, failing to disclose the true interest rate on the loan, concealing information, failing to disclose the variable nature of the interest rate and the true value of the property, implying that the loan was a fixed-rate loan when in fact it was fixed only for a period of time. Compl. ¶¶ 73-75.
Defendant argues that because plaintiffs' Unfair Competition Law (UCL) claim is based on purported problems with the loan origination, it does not state a claim against BAC. It also argues that even if the complaint could be read as referring to it, the UCL claim fails because it is based on alleged fraudulent activities, which have not been sufficiently pled. Finally, it argues that plaintiffs lack standing under the UCL. ECF No. 5 at 12-13.
"To bring a UCL claim, a plaintiff must show either an (1) "'unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business act or practice," or (2) "unfair, deceptive, untrue or misleading advertising.'" Lippitt v Raymond James Fin. Servs., Inc., 340 F.3d 1033, 1043 (9th Cir. 2003); Gardner v. Am. Home Mortgage Servicing, Inc., 691 F.Supp.2d at 1201. The statute is "'not confined to anticompetitive business practices, but is also directed toward the public's right to protection from fraud, deceit and unlawful conduct.'" Hewlett v. Squaw Valley Ski Corporation, 54 Cal.App.4th 499, 519 (1997) (quoting Children's Television, Inc. v. General Foods Corp., 35 Cal.3d 197, 209-10 (1983)).
Because the statute is phrased in the disjunctive, a practice may be unfair or deceptive even if is not unlawful, or vice versa. Lippitt, 340 F.3d at 1043. An action is unlawful under the UCL and independently actionable if it constitutes a violation of another law. Farmers Ins. Exchange v. Superior Court, 2 Cal. 4th 377, 383 (1992); Gardner, 691 F.Supp.2d at 1201. An act is "unfair" under the UCL if it "significantly threatens or harms competition, even if it is not specifically proscribed by another law. Cel-Tech Communications, Inc. v. Los Angeles Cellular Tel. Co., 20 Cal.4th 163, 180, 187 (1999); Swanson v. EMC Mortgage Corp., 2009 WL 4884245, at *9 (E.D. Cal. Dec. 9, 2009). Finally, an action is fraudulent under the UCL if it deceives some member of the public or harms the public interest. Patacsil v. Wilshire Credit Corp., 2010 WL 500466, at *6 (E.D. Cal. Feb. 8, 2010).
BAC argues in the alternative that plaintiffs' UCL claim fails because the UCL incorporates other law and none of plaintiffs' other claims is sufficient; that there is no claim against BAC because plaintiffs' claims are based on perceived problems with the loan origination; and that plaintiffs do not have standing under the UCL.
In this respect, BAC misreads or misinterprets plaintiffs' complaint; its UCL claim is based on fraud, and thus unfair business practices, rather than on unlawful acts. See Compl. ¶¶ 73-74. It is correct, however, that the UCL claims, stemming only from loan origination, do not implicate BAC, which the complaint identifies as "a business organization form unknown doing mortgage loan servicing business . . . ." Compl. ¶ 10. The complaint does not connect any fraud during the loan origination process with BAC's role as a loan servicer. F. RICO
Plaintiffs allege in their sixth cause of action that BAC is a person, as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1961(3), who associated with an enterprise that conducted its affairs through a pattern of racketeering activities as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c). They list eight predicate acts: mail and wire fraud, conversion, deceit in connection with the securitization transaction, securities fraud, loss of profit opportunity, false statements about the value of the collateral and stripping plaintiffs of their ability to secure relief in bankruptcy court, and allege they were harmed by BAC's "wrongful action." Compl. ¶¶ 81-83.
Under 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c), it is unlawful "for any person employed by or associated with any enterprise . . . to conduct or participate, directly or indirectly, in the conduct of such enterprise's affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity or collection of unlawful debt." "Racketeering activity" is defined as a number of "generically specified criminal acts as well as the commission of one of a number of listed predicate offenses," Sosa v. DirectTV, Inc., 437 F.3d 923, 939 (9th Cir. 2006); a "pattern of racketeering activity" requires at least two acts; and an unlawful debt is one stemming from illegal gambling. 18 U.S.C. § 1961(1), (5) & (6).
Although § 1962 defines a crime, a plaintiff may seek civil remedies for RICO violations if he has been "injured in his business or property by reason of a violation of section 1962. . . ." 18 U.S.C. § 1964(c). The elements of a RICO claim are "(1) conduct (2) of an enterprise (3) through a pattern (4) of racketeering activities (known as 'predicate acts'); (5) causing injury to the plaintiff's 'business or property.'" Grimmett v. Brown, 75 F.3d 506, 510 (9th Cir. 1996). This fifth element has two subparts: the plaintiff must show that the injury was proximately caused by the conduct and that he has suffered a concrete financial loss. Chaset v. Fleer/Skybox Intern., LP, 300 F.3d 1083, 1086 (9th Cir. 2002). When a civil RICO claim is based on fraud, the complaint must meet the pleading standards of Rule 9(b). Odom v. Mircrosoft Corp., 486 F.3d 541, 553 (9th Cir. 2007); In re Countrywide Financial Corp. Mortgage Marketing and Sales Practice Litigation, 601 F. Supp. 2d 1201, 1215 (S.D. Cal. 2009).
As defendant argues, the complaint fails to satisfy Rule 9(b): the claims do not distinguish between the two defendants and the complaint does not describe "the time, place, and specific content of the false representations." Odom v. Microsoft, 486 F.3d at 553. To the extent there are any allegations with factual content, they relate to the loan origination and the process of signing the loan documents, not to any actions by BAC. Nothing in the complaint alerts BAC to its role in the alleged RICO violation. This claim must be dismissed.
The court does not reach the question on this motion of whether these allegations are otherwise sufficient to state a claim.
IV. Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint
On March 16, 2011, plaintiffs filed a first amended complaint without an accompanying notice of motion requesting leave to file it. ECF No. 10.
Under Rule 15(a)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a party may amend a complaint "once as a matter of course" within twenty-one days after serving it or within twenty-one days after a Rule 12(b)(6) motion is filed. In other cases, parties in plaintiffs' shoes may amend only with leave of the court or the other party's consent.
The amended complaint was not filed within twenty-one days of either the original complaint, filed November 24, 2010, or the motion to dismiss, filed January 6, 2011. It will be stricken.
V. The Status Of Service On Metrociti
This action was filed on November 24, 2010 in the Superior Court and removed to this court on December 30, 2010 by defendant BAC. There is no indication that plaintiffs have effected service on defendant Metrociti.
Under Rule 4(m) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a court "must dismiss the action" as to a defendant who has not been served within 120 days from the date the complaint has been filed unless plaintiffs show good cause for the failure timely to serve. Plaintiffs will be given the opportunity to show cause why Metrociti should not be dismissed from this action.
VI. The Previous Order To Show Cause
BAC filed its motion to dismiss on January 6, 2011 and set the matter for hearing on February 25, 2011. As plaintiffs had not responded, the court issued an order to show cause, directing plaintiffs to file their opposition by March 7, 2011 and directed counsel to show cause why he should not be sanctioned for failing to file his opposition. That notice was returned as undeliverable. ECF No. 8. The court issued a second order to show cause on March 21, 2011. ECF No. 13. Plaintiffs filed an opposition to the motion to dismiss on March 28 and counsel filed his response to the Order To Show Cause on the same day. ECF Nos. 14, 16. In his response, counsel explained that his delay in responding to the motion stemmed from the fact that he had not been admitted to the bar of this court. Based on this representation, the court discharges the order to show cause without sanctioning counsel or dismissing the action for failure to prosecute.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that:
1. The Order To Show Cause, issued March 21, 2011 (ECF No. 13) is hereby discharged.
2. The Amended Complaint (ECF No. 10) is stricken.
3. BAC's motion to dismiss (ECF No. 5) is granted as follows:
a. the first cause of action based on misrepresentation and fraud is dismissed with leave to amend;
b. the second cause of action based on the presence of cognovit clauses is dismissed without leave to amend;
c. the third cause of action seeking an injunction against wrongful foreclosure is dismissed without leave to amend;
d. the fourth cause of action to quiet title is dismissed with leave to amend;
e. the fifth cause of action based on unfair business practices is dismissed with leave to amend; and
f. the sixth cause of action based on civil RICO provisions is dismissed with leave to amend.
4. Any amended complaint must be filed within twenty-one days of the date of this order.
5. Within twenty-one days of the date of this order, plaintiffs shall show cause why defendant Metrociti should not be dismissed from this action. Failure to respond will result in an order dismissing Metrociti from this action.
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE