RICHARD P. MATSCH, District Judge.
Counsel held their F.R.C.P. 26(f) conference at 3:00pm mountain time on August 4, 2014. The parties were represented as follows:
The Federal District Court for the District of Colorado has subject matter jurisdiction over this matter based upon diversity jurisdiction, as there is complete diversity between WJB and Legacy, and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.00. (See 28 U.S.C. § 1332).
WJB and LGL entered into a Correspondent Mortgage Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") on or about March 13, 2013 wherein LGL agreed to sell sell to WJB certain loans originated and closed by LGL, subject to certain warranties and representations. LGL breached the representations and warranties in the Purchase Agreement. WJB discovered the underwriting (performed by LGL) for Loans ******2500 ("Loan 2500") and ******2200 ("Loan 2200")(collectively, the "Loans") contained material misstatements of fact and breaches of warranty. Specifically, Loan ******2500 represented the borrower was employed, which was not true.
Loan ******2200 contained material defects in the collateral not disclosed to WBJ by LGL at the time of the sale of the loans to WJB. Specifically, the foundation of the residential property securing the loan was cracked and crumbling. Moreover, the life expectancy of the property was only 25 years on a 30 year loan. Thus, the loan was undercapitalized. LGL had represented that the property was in good repair. Further, loan occupancy documents for this loan were false, as the borrower had stated that the property would be owner occupied and not used as a rental property. WJB has reason to believe the property is in fact being rented. Thus, LGL's representations and warranties that all information relating to each loan were true and accurate and there were no omissions of material facts, have been breached. The breaches of the representations and warranties made by Legacy in the parties' Purchase Agreement materially and adversely affected the value of the Loans, yet WJB has been forced to repurchase such loans from the investor. Pursuant to the parties' Agreement, WBJ made demand upon Legacy for it to repurchase the Loans. Legacy refused, and WJB has made claims for: (1) Breach of Contract; (2) Breach of Warranty; (3) Unjust Enrichment; and, (4) such other relief as the Court deems proper.
Legacy operated a mortgage banking business in Bellevue, King County, Washington. On or about March 21, 2013, Legacy and WJB entered into a Letter of Intent ("LOI") which provided for among other things, that WJB would hire substantially all of Legacy's employees and operate a line of mortgage businesses under WJB's entities. As part of that transaction WJB agreed to assume Legacy's office leases and purchase Legacy's office furniture and equipment.
Consistent with the LOI, Legacy and WJB executed a series of office subleases, ("Subleases") wherein WJB took possession and occupied the premises and paid rent for the office space. As further protection to Legacy, the parties executed an Indemnity Agreement whereby WJB agreed to indemnify Legacy against all losses, liabilities, claims, etc. incurred by Legacy arising out of each of the Leases after May 1, 2013.
WJB terminated many of the sublease agreements. However, because of Legacy's ongoing obligation to the landlord under the Leases, Legacy has and continues to incur damages in paying rent and other associated costs under the Leases. Some of those damages will continue until October 2016. Legacy therefore has claims against WJB under both the Subleases and under the Indemnity Agreement. Legacy's damages and ongoing claims are associated with ten Premises under which Legacy maintains liability under the Lease. Legacy has attempted to mitigate its damages by subleasing any of such Premises but nevertheless has incurred damages, expenses and attorneys' fees related to the Leases for which WJB agreed to be responsible.
For one of the Premises (
Consistent with such clerical error, WJB executed a Sublease for the Premises located at
WJB also executed a Bill of Sale for certain office equipment associated with the transactions identified above. WJB took possession of the property and failed to pay for the same.
WJB's defenses are both factual and legal. First, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, WJB is allowed the right of set off with respect to any claims Legacy may make based upon the damages incurred by WJB as alleged above. WJB asserts that right.
With respect to Legacy's First Cause of Action for Breach of Contract (Subleases), WJB asserts that several of the subleases were never executed, and therefore, factually, WJB could not have breached a sublease it never agreed to after it provided notice of its intent to terminate. Further, in each instance, WJB provided either the landlord or Legacy with a notice of intention to terminate the lease. Thus, as WJB was under no written lease agreement with Legacy for several of the properties, its obligation to pay rent on any such property to or on behalf of Legacy ceased one month after its notice of termination. Similarly, many of Legacy's master leases were month to month leases, and therefore Legacy suffered no damages subsequent to receiving the notice of termination. Thus, Legacy could easily mitigate any losses by providing similar notice to its landlord terminating the affected leases.
With respect to the Legacy's Second Claim for Relief related to the indemnities, WJB asserts that the Notice of Claim procedure as described in the parties' Indemnity Agreement was not followed. Specifically, no claim or lawsuit arose triggering WJB's obligation to indemnify Legacy. Moreover, in some instances, upon information and belief, Legacy's lease guarantors were called upon by Legacy's landlords to fulfill their guaranties on the subject properties. WJB has no agreement to indemnify Legacy's guarantors, and thus, the statute of frauds is a defense to this claim as well, as WJB has no obligation to indemnify Legacy's lease guarantors.
As to Loan *******2500 Legacy denies the loan contained any material misstatements or misrepresentations or that that Legacy breached any representations or warranties related to the loan including the allegations that the calculation of the borrower's income was false. Legacy denies it was aware of termination of the borrower's employment and denies it was aware of any fraud associated with such loan or that there was any breach to be cured. Legacy further claims that the loan has been paid in full by the borrower. Therefore, regardless of the claims by WJB as to such loan, the issue is moot and WJB has suffered no damages.
As to Loan No. ***2200 Legacy denies the loan had material defects and that the conditions of the property which was the subject of the loan were reviewed and accepted by WJB. Legacy asserts that WJB's reliance on the report of an appraiser as to conditions of the foundation are misplaced or that following the report Legacy was required to obtain a foundation certification because the appraiser rated the condition and quality of the home as C4, and that in accordance with the loan program, Freddie Open Access guidelines, no further action was required by Legacy. Legacy denies that under the guidelines of the loan and the conventional standards to which this loan applied that the effective life rendered the loan under-collateralized. Legacy also denies the allegations that it submitted loan documents that were false. The borrower executed the Deed of Trust Second Home Rider and represented his intent to occupy the property as his second residence. The loan is believed to be current.
The following facts are undisputed:
a. WJB is a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business in Centennial, CO.
b. Legacy is comprised of Washington corporations, with their principal places of business located in King County, Washington.
c. WJB and Legacy entered into a Correspondent Mortgage Purchase Agreement on or about March 13, 2013.
d. WJB signed a Letter of Intent ("LOI") dated on or around March 21, 2013.
e. WJB and Legacy entered into an Indemnity Agreement ("Indemnity") dated on or around May 1, 2013.
f. Legacy signed a Bill of Sale ("Bill of Sale") dated July 15, 2013.
g. WJB and Legacy entered into certain sublease agreements for which Legacy had previously executed leases.
h. WJB terminated certain subleases in which WJB had entered with Legacy.
i. WJB purchased loans from Legacy, including ******2500 ("Loan 2500") and ******2200 ("Loan 2200")(collectively, the "Loans").
a. WJB: WJB seeks $438,150.00 representing the re-purchase price of the two loans at issue. WJB may also seek loss of anticipated profits damages based upon a time value of money calculation. WJB will seek recoverable interest, costs, expenses and attorney fees as well.
b. Legacy: The total damages claimed by Legacy are approximately $1,266,000 representing amounts paid by Legacy under the Subleases and the Indemnity Agreement and consequential damages under such agreements as well as the amount owed under the Bill of Sale. Legacy also claims all interest and costs allowed by law as well as attorneys' fees.
WJB reserves the right to add additional deponents as may be required.
Legacy reserve the right to add additional deponents as may be required.
The parties agree that this scheduling order may only be altered or amended upon a showing of good cause.