Opinion
CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:12-CV-1916
09-27-2012
CARHILT MELGAR; and DANIEL SPERLING Plaintiffs, v. WILLIAM WEINSTEIN; KAZIMIERZ SPERLING; and CCM AUTO REPAIRS, INC., Defendants.
(JUDGE CAPUTO)
MEMORANDUM
Presently before the Court is a Complaint by Plaintiffs Carhilt Melgar and Daniel Sperling. (Doc. 1). Because the Complaint fails to establish that the Court has subject matter jurisdiction over the action, it will be dismissed unless Plaintiffs can show that diversity jurisdiction is proper.
I. Background
Plaintiffs filed this action on September 25, 2012. Plaintiffs allege that this Court's basis for jurisdiction is diversity of citizenship pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a)(1). Their Complaint alleges that Plaintiff Carhilt Melgar "resides at 24 Irenhyl Ave, Port Chester, New York." (Compl. at ¶ 2, Doc. 1.) It similarly alleges that Plaintiff Daniel Sperling "resides at 5 Magnolia Drive, New Hyde Park, New York." (Compl. at ¶ 3, Doc. 1.) Plaintiffs allege that Defendant William Weinstein "resides at 255 Greenbriar Cir, Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania." (Compl. at ¶ 4, Doc. 1.) They also allege that Defendant Kazimierz Sperling "resides at 5 Magnolia Drive, New Hyde Park, New York." (Compl. at ¶ 5, Doc. 1.) Finally, Plaintiffs allege that Defendant CCM Auto Repairs, Inc. "is a New York corporation with a place of business at 7 Midland Ave, Port Chester, New York." (Compl. at ¶ 6, Doc. 1.)
II. Analysis
Section 1332(a)(1) gives district courts original jurisdiction to hear cases where the matter in controversy exceeds the value of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) and is between citizens of different states. In order for jurisdiction to exist, there must be complete diversity, meaning that each defendant must be a citizen of a different state from each plaintiff. Owen Equip. & Erection Co. v. Kroger, 437 U.S. 365, 373 (1978).
"It is . . . well established that when jurisdiction depends upon diverse citizenship the absence of sufficient averments or of facts in the record showing such required diversity of citizenship is fatal and cannot be overlooked by the court, even if the parties fail to call attention to the defect, or consent that it may be waived." Thomas v. Bd. of Trs., 195 U.S. 207, 211 (1904). Federal courts have an obligation to address issues of subject matter jurisdiction sua sponte. Meritcare Inc. v. St. Paul Mercury Ins. Co., 166 F.3d 214, 217 (3d Cir. 1999). Moreover, "[w]hen the foundation of federal authority is, in a particular instance, open to question, it is incumbent upon the courts to resolve such doubts, one way or the other, before proceeding to a disposition of the merits." Carlsberg Res. Corp. v. Cambria Sav. & Loan Ass'n, 554 F.2d 1254, 1256 (3d Cir. 1977); see also Fed R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3).
A. Corporate Defendant
In this case, Plaintiffs' Complaint fails to demonstrate the requirements of federal subject matter jurisdiction because it insufficiently alleges the citizenship of the corporate Defendant. A corporation may have more than one state of citizenship: "a corporation shall be deemed to be a citizen of every State . . . by which it has been incorporated and of the State . . . where it has its principal place of business." 28 U.S.C. § 1332(c)(1). A corporation may only have one principal place of business, and proper invocation of diversity jurisdiction requires that the plaintiff allege where a corporation has "its principal place of business." See S. Freedman & Co., Inc. v. Raab, 180 F. App'x 316, 320 (3d Cir. 2006) (affirming the district court's dismissal of a complaint alleging where the plaintiff corporation maintained "a principal place of business," rather than "its principal place of business"). A corporation's principal place of business is its "nerve center," that is, the place "where a corporation's officers direct, control, and coordinate the corporation's activities." Hertz Corp. v. Friend, 130 S. Ct. 1181, 1192 (2010).
Here, Plaintiffs' Complaint only includes facts as to where the corporate Defendant is incorporated and has a place of business. (Compl. at ¶ 6, Doc.1.) To properly plead the citizenship of this corporation, Plaintiffs must also allege where the corporate Defendant has its principal place of business. As the Complaint does not contain this fact, the Court cannot determine whether there is proper jurisdiction over this corporate Defendant.
B. Individual Plaintiffs
For purposes of diversity jurisdiction, a natural person is deemed to be a citizen of the state where they are domiciled. Swiger v. Allegheny Energy, Inc., 540 F.3d 179, 182 (3d Cir. 2008) (citing Gilbert v. David, 235 U.S. 561, 569 (1915)). To be domiciled in a state, a person must reside there and intend to remain indefinitely. Krasnov v. Dinan, 465 F.2d 1298, 1300-01 (3d Cir. 1972). A person may have only one domicile, and thus may be a citizen of only one state for diversity jurisdiction purposes. See Williamson v. Osenton, 232 U.S. 619 (1914).
To the extent the Complaint alleges that Plaintiffs are residents of New York State, this is not sufficient. Residence is not the same as domicile and does not establish citizenship for diversity purposes. See Krasnov, 465 F.2d at 1300 (3d Cir. 1972) ("Where one lives is prima facie evidence of domicile, but mere residency in a state is insufficient for purposes of diversity.") (internal citations omitted). To properly allege diversity, Plaintiffs must allege their states of citizenship, not merely of residence. As the Complaint does not contain these facts, the Court cannot determine whether subject matter jurisdiction exists.
C. Individual Defendants
Similarly, to the extent the Complaint alleges that Defendant William Weinstein is a resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Defendant Kazimierz Sperling is a resident of New York State, this is not sufficient. Residence is not the same as domicile and does not establish citizenship for diversity purposes. See Krasnov, 465 F.2d at 1300 (3d Cir. 1972) ("Where one lives is prima facie evidence of domicile, but mere residency in a state is insufficient for purposes of diversity.") (internal citations omitted). As the Plaintiffs have not alleged the individual Defendants' states of citizenship, the Court cannot determine whether subject matter jurisdiction exists.
III. Conclusion
As Plaintiffs have not shown that complete diversity of citizenship exists between the parties, the Court cannot determine that subject matter jurisdiction exists and the matter is subject to dismissal pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(h)(3). However, Plaintiffs will be given an opportunity to amend and show that diversity of citizenship jurisdiction exists. Plaintiffs will be given twenty-one (21) days in which to file a newly-amended complaint. Failure to do so will result in this action being dismissed. An appropriate order follows.
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A. Richard Caputo
United States District Judge