GARLAND E. BURRELL, Jr., District Judge.
Defendants First American LoanStar Trustee Servicing, LLC ("LoanStar") and First American Title Insurance Company ("FATCO") jointly move under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure ("Rule") 12(b)(6) for dismissal of Plaintiffs' Sixth Amended Complaint ("SAC") with prejudice. Defendants Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. d/b/a Wells Fargo Home Mortgage ("Wells Fargo Bank, NA") and U.S. Bank National Association, as grantor Trustee for the holders of Bear Stearns ARM Trust, Grantor Trust Certificates, Series 2005-2 ("U.S. Bank, NA") also jointly move under Rule 12(b)(6) for dismissal of the SAC with prejudice, and move to strike certain allegations in the SAC. The SAC only alleges claims under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ("FDCPA"). Plaintiffs oppose each motion.
Further, after the dismissal motions were filed, on February 21, 2014, Plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to amend the SAC, to which they attached a proposed Seventh Amended Complaint. In the proposed Seventh Amended Complaint, Plaintiffs allege the following claims: 1) violation of the FDCPA; 2) violation of section 17200 of the California Business and Professional Code; 3) conspiracy; 4) intentional infliction of emotional distress; 5) wrongful foreclosure; 6) quiet title; 7) slander of title; 8) violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO"); and 9) fraudulent conversion of real property. Plaintiffs also name the following additional Defendants in the proposed Complaint: Freddie Mac; Wells Fargo Securities Corporation, Mortgage Pass Through Certificates, Series 2005-AR3; and The Bear Stearns Arm Grantor Trust Certificates Series 2005-2. Defendants LoanStar, FATCO, Wells Fargo Bank, NA, and U.S. Bank, NA oppose the motion to amend.
The dismissal motions concern the following factual allegations in the SAC. "On February 17, 2004, Plaintiffs obtained a consumer loan from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc., by refinancing their former home ["the Property"] . . . ." (SAC ¶ 11.) "In December of 2009, . . . Plaintiffs fell behind on their mortgage payments." (
"Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc., who originally issued the loan to [Plaintiffs] . . . is not the same entity as Wells Fargo Bank, NA . . . ." (
"Wells Fargo Bank, NA, . . . substituted . . . LoanStar[] as the foreclosure trustee, [on April 1, 2010.]" (
"During the illegal debt collection herein, Wells Fargo Bank, NA, also . . . assigned the Deed of Trust and Promissory Note, neither of which it owned, to U.S. Bank, NA . . . ." (
"On February 22, 2011, during the illegal foreclosure sale, . . . U.S. Bank, NA, pursuant to a perjured Trustee's Deed Upon Sale, manufactured by LoanStar, and recorded by FATCO, became the fraudulent record owner of the . . . Property." (
Each Defendant's dismissal motion is premised, inter alia, on the argument that it is not a "debt collector" within the meaning of the FDCPA; however, since no Defendant specifically argued that the SAC fails to contain sufficient factual allegations to raise a plausible claim that any Defendant is a "debt collector" within the meaning of 15 U.S.C. § 1692a(6), the court sua sponte granted leave to each party to file a supplemental brief on this issue. (Minute Order, ECF No. 121.) The Minute Order granting this leave also reversed the following ruling filed in this action on June 25, 2013, finding it was erroneous and therefore it was withdrawn: "[B]ecause [U.S. Bank] obtained the debt in the present case after it was already in default, the [Fourth Amended Complaint] sufficiently alleges that [U.S. Bank] qualifies as a debt collector under the FDCPA."
Defendants Wells Fargo Bank, NA and U.S. Bank, NA jointly filed a supplemental brief on the sufficiency of pleading issue, in which they argue Plaintiffs failed to adequately allege they are debt collectors. Plaintiffs also filed a supplemental brief in which they argue in a conclusory manner that the SAC is "factually extensive," and "contain[s] all of the factual bases one can think of in support of the FDCPA violations." (Pls.' Supplemental Br. 2:5-7, 2:11-14, ECF No. 122.) However, Plaintiffs' conclusory allegations are insufficient to support drawing a plausible inference that any Defendant is a debt collector within the meaning of § 1692a(6).
§ 1692a(6) prescribes in pertinent part:
§ 1692a(6). "Because [§§ 1692d-1692f] apply only to 2017debt collector[s]' as defined by the FDCPA,", to survive a dismissal motion, a "complaint [must] provide [a] factual basis from which [a court] could plausibly infer that the principal purpose of [the defendant's] business is debt collection" or that the defendant "`regularly collects or attempts to collect, directly or indirectly, debts owed or due or asserted to be owed or due another.`"
A § 1692f(6) FDCPA claim survives a dismissal motion only if it contains sufficient factual allegations from which a court could reasonably infer that the "principal purpose" of a defendant's business is "the enforcement of security interests." § 1692a(6);
The SAC contains the following allegations concerning Plaintiffs' assertion that U.S. Bank, NA is a debt collector:
(SAC ¶¶ 50-51, 189.)
Plaintiffs' allegations fail to support drawing a plausible inference that U.S. Bank, NA is a debt collector within the meaning of § 1692a(6). Therefore, the FDCPA claims against U.S. Bank, NA are dismissed.
The SAC contains the following allegations concerning Plaintiffs' assertion that Wells Fargo Bank, NA is a "debt collector":
(SAC ¶¶ 47, 164, 191.)
Plaintiffs also allege in the SAC: "Wells Fargo Bank, NA, is a debt collector, since its letters so state. . . ." (SAC ¶ 90.) A letter from Wells Fargo Bank, NA, attached as an exhibit to the SAC states, in part: "Wells Fargo Bank, NA is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to inform you that if your loan is currently delinquent or in default, as your loan servicer, we will be attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose." (SAC. Ex. F-1, ECF No. 103-2.)
However, Plaintiffs' allegations, including the referenced letter, fail to evince that Wells Fargo Bank, NA is a debt collector within the meaning of § 1692a(6). Therefore, Plaintiffs' FDCPA claims against Wells Fargo Bank, NA are dismissed.
The SAC contains the following allegations concerning Plaintiffs' assertion that LoanStar is a "debt collector":
(SAC ¶¶ 64, 186.)
Plaintiffs' allegations are insufficient to support drawing a plausible inference that LoanStar is a debt collector. Therefore, the FDCPA claims against LoanStar are dismissed.
The SAC contains the following allegation concerning Plaintiffs' assertion that FATCO is a "debt collector":
(SAC ¶ 188.)
This allegation fails to support drawing a plausible inference that FATCO is a debt collector.
Each Defendant seeks to have the SAC dismissed with prejudice, and Plaintiffs seek leave to file a proposed Seventh Amended Complaint. Plaintiffs seek in their proposed amended complaint to sue three additional Defendants; add a RICO claim and seven state law claims; and to re-allege their FDCPA claims. Each Defendant opposes Plaintiffs' motion to amend.
Plaintiffs' proposed Seventh Amended Complaint does not comply with Local Rule 220. That Rule states, in pertinent part:
E.D. Cal. L.R. 220.
Plaintiffs' proposed Seventh Amended Complaint violates this local rule by incorporating by reference exhibits attached to Plaintiffs' SAC. (
Plaintiffs seek to join the following additional parties in their proposed Seventh Amended Complaint: Freddie Mac; Wells Fargo Securities Corporation, Mortgage Pass Through Certificates, Series 2005-AR3; and the Bear Stearns Arm Grantor Trust Certificates Series 2005-2. However, the proposed Seventh Amended Complaint lacks non-conclusory allegations against any of these proposed Defendants.
Specifically, Plaintiffs' claims against Freddie Mac are premised on the allegation that Freddie Mac served as "Trustee" for the Wells Fargo Asset Securities Corporation, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-AR3. (
Moreover, the proposed Complaint does not contain any specific allegations of wrongdoing committed by the Wells Fargo Securities Corporation, Mortgage Pass Through Certificates, Series 2005-AR3, and the Bear Stearns Arm Grantor Trust Certificates Series 2005-2.
Plaintiffs also mention a fourth new Defendant in the body of the proposed Complaint, "the holders of the Bear Stearns Arm Grantor Trust Certificates Series 2005-2," (Id. ¶ 3); however, the Complaint does not contain any allegations that the referenced "holders" engaged in wrongdoing.
Since leave to amend may be denied where "where [a proposed] amended complaint would . . . be subject to dismissal," this portion of Plaintiffs' motion is denied.
The amendment Plaintiffs seek includes adding a RICO claim in this federal action, and the following six state law claims against Defendants LoanStar, FATCO, Wells Fargo Bank, NA, and U.S. Bank, NA: 1) conspiracy; 2) intentional infliction of emotional distress; 3) wrongful foreclosure; 4) quiet title; 5) slander of title; and 6) fraudulent conversion of real property. Plaintiffs also seek leave to file a claim against LoanStar and FATCO for violation of section 17200 of the California Business and Professional Code. Each Defendant opposes the motion, arguing it should be denied since Plaintiffs have unduly delayed in seeking leave to file these claims.
Delay in bringing a motion for leave to amend is a factor to consider when deciding whether to grant an amendment motion.
Defendants LoanStar and FATCO jointly argue in essence that the following documents, of which they seek to have judicial notice taken, evince that Plaintiffs have unduly delayed in seeking leave to amend, contending the facts upon which the Proposed Seventh Amended Complaint are based were known and sought to be litigated or actually litigated earlier in state court: 1) Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint filed in Sacramento County Superior Court; 2) the Superior Court's Order sustaining LoanStar and FATCO's demurrers to the First Amended Complaint; 3) the Superior Court's Order sustaining LoanStar and FATCO's demurrers to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Complaint; and 4) the Superior Court's Judgment of Dismissal subsequently entered in favor of LoanStar and FATCO. (LoanStar/FATCO Request for Judicial Notice ("RJN"), 2:1-17, ECF No. 117.)
Wells Fargo Bank, NA and U.S. Bank, NA also include in their opposition a request that judicial notice be taken of the following documents, also contending these documents demonstrate that Plaintiffs' previously brought in state court or sought to bring the claims alleged in Plaintiffs' Proposed Seventh Amended Complaint: 1) the Superior Court's Order sustaining Wells Fargo Bank, NA and U.S. Bank, NA's demurrers to Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint; 2) Plaintiffs' Motion for Leave to File a Second Amended Complaint and the attached proposed complaint, filed in Superior Court; 3) the Superior Court's Order denying Plaintiffs' Motion for Leave to File the Second Amended Complaint; 4) the Superior Court's Order sustaining Wells Fargo Bank, NA and U.S. Bank, NA's demurrers to Plaintiffs' Second Amended Complaint; and 5) the Superior Court's Judgment of Dismissal subsequently entered in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, NA and U.S. Bank, NA. (Wells Fargo Bank, NA/U.S. Bank, NA Opp'n to Pls.' Mot. to Amend, 10:5-14.)
These judicial notice requests are granted since courts "may take notice of proceedings in other courts . . . if those proceedings have a direct relation to matters at issue."
Plaintiffs' proposed Seventh Amended Complaint is premised on the following factual allegations: 1) Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc. issued a loan to Plaintiffs; 2) Plaintiffs' loan was subsequently securitized; 3) after the loan was securitized, Wells Fargo, NA initiated foreclosure proceedings and substituted LoanStar as Trustee under the Deed of Trust; 4) Wells Fargo Bank, NA then assigned the Deed of Trust to U.S. Bank, NA, as the Trustee for the Bear Stearns ARM Trust, Grantor Trust Certificates, Series 2005-2; and 5) U.S. Bank, NA foreclosed on the property and became the record owner. However, in the First Amended Complaint, filed in state court on February 25, 2011, Plaintiffs alleged that Wells Fargo Home Mortgage issued a loan to Plaintiffs, and that Plaintiffs' loan was subsequently securitized. (
Since Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint and a proposed Second Amended Complaint filed in state court evince that Plaintiffs were aware of the new claims in their proposed Seventh Amended Complaint approximately two and one half years prior to filing their proposed Seventh Amended Complaint in this federal action, Plaintiffs unduly delayed in seeking leave to add the claims in that proposed amended complaint.
LoanStar and FATCO further argue in their opposition that granting Plaintiffs' motion will prejudice them by "inject[ing] additional expense and delay into a litigation which is already unduly protracted and complex." (LoanStar/FATCO Opp'n to Pls.' Mot. to Amend 8:1-12.) Wells Fargo Bank, NA and U.S. Bank, NA also argue in their opposition that granting Plaintiffs' motion will prejudice them since "all state law claims which are sought to be asserted in the [proposed Seventh Amended Complaint] except for Fraudulent Conversion of Real Property were either asserted earlier in the State Court Action and dismissed, or were sought to be added in the State Court proceeding and leave [to amend] was denied by that Court." (Wells Fargo Bank, NA/U.S. Bank, NA Opp'n to Pls.' Mot. to Amend 9:3-5.)
"Prejudice to the opposing party is the most important factor," in determining whether to grant a motion for leave to amend.
Procedurally, Plaintiffs filed their First Amended Complaint in Sacramento County Superior Court on February 25, 2011, alleging, inter alia, a violation of section 17200, intentional infliction of emotion distress, and conspiracy — all of which concerned the foreclosure on Plaintiffs' property. On August 25, 2011, the Superior Court sustained Wells Fargo Bank, NA and U.S. Bank, NA's demurrers to the First Amended Complaint, and on September 9, 2011, the Superior Court sustained LoanStar and FATCO's demurrers. On September 21, 2011, Plaintiffs filed a motion in Superior Court for leave to file a proposed Second Amended Complaint. The proposed complaint contained, inter alia, claims for wrongful foreclosure, quiet title, and slander of title. The Superior Court denied that motion without prejudice in an order filed on September 29, 2011. A Second Amended Complaint was subsequently filed in the Superior Court on October 7, 2011, which contained, inter alia, a section 17200 claim, a conspiracy claim, and FDCPA claims — all of which again concerned the foreclosure on Plaintiffs' property. Defendants removed the case to this federal court on October 24, 2011. Subsequently, in an Order filed on April 4, 2012, the state law claims were found to predominate over the FDCPA claims and were remanded to state court under 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c)(2).
After the remand, the Superior Court ruled on LoanStar and FATCO's demurrers to the Second Amended Complaint in an Order filed on December 18, 2012, sustained the demurrers, and then entered judgment in their favor on January 25, 2013. The Superior Court also ruled on Wells Fargo Bank, NA and U.S. Bank, NA's demurrers to the Second Amended Complaint, sustained the demurrers, and entered judgment in their favor on February 19, 2013. Each Defendant states in its opposition brief to Plaintiffs' motion for leave to amend in this federal lawsuit that an appeal of the state court judgments is currently pending, and that in essence Plaintiffs seek to litigate in this federal action the same claims they lost in state court.
Defendants have shown that granting Plaintiffs' motion for leave to amend by adding the seven state law claims Plaintiffs seek to add would prejudice them by subjecting them to litigation in federal and state court on claims involving the same primary rights.
Therefore, this portion of Plaintiffs' motion for leave to amend is denied.
Each Defendant argues in essence that Plaintiffs' motion to amend the FDCPA claims should be denied because dismissal of these claims should be with prejudice. Each Defendant contends that Plaintiffs have repeatedly failed to properly allege these claims, yet the claims are still deficiently pled in the proposed Seventh Amended Complaint, notwithstanding the several opportunities Plaintiffs have been given to allege viable claims.
"Leave to amend may . . . be denied for repeated failure to cure deficiencies by previous amendment."
Plaintiffs have repeatedly failed to adequately allege that any Defendant is a debt collector within the meaning of the FDCPA and yet argue in a recently filed supplemental brief that their insufficiently pled SAC "contain[s] all of the factual bases one can think of in support of . . . FDCPA [claims]." (Pls.' Supplemental Br. 2:11-14.) However, the FDCPA claims in Plaintiffs' Second Amended Complaint were dismissed, inter alia, because they contained insufficient factual allegations from which is could plausibly be inferred that any Defendant was a debt collector. Further, the Order dismissing Plaintiffs' Fourth Amended Complaint ruled that the FDCPA claims contained insufficient factual allegations from which is could plausibly be inferred that Wells Fargo Bank, NA, LoanStar, and FATCO were debt collectors. Moreover, Plaintiffs' proposed Seventh Amended Complaint fails to contain sufficient factual allegations to support drawing a plausible inference that any Defendant is a debt collector.
Since Plaintiffs' opine that their insufficiently pled SAC "contain[s] all of the factual bases one can think of in support of the FDCPA [claims]," (Pls.' Supplemental Br. 2:11-14) and also insufficiently plead these claims in their proposed Seventh Amended Complaint, "it is clear that [Plaintiffs' FDCPA claims] could not be saved by" further amendment.
For the stated reasons, Plaintiffs' motion to amend is denied, and Plaintiffs' Sixth Amended Complaint is dismissed with prejudice. Judgment shall be entered in favor of Defendants LoanStar, FATCO, Wells Fargo Bank, NA, and U.S. Bank, NA on the FDCPA claims, and this action shall be closed.