WILLIAM D. QUARLES, JR., District Judge.
Argonaut Insurance Company ("Argonaut") sued Wolverine Construction, Inc.
In 2006, Wolverine was incorporated in Maryland. Argonaut Mot. for Summ. J. [hereinafter, "Argonaut Mot."], Ex. H (Zimmerman Dep.) 19:6-19; ECF No. 32 ¶ 2. Wolverine, Wolverine Contractors, and Wolverine Management are all incorporated in Maryland and have their principal places of business in Pikesville, Maryland. ECF No. 1 ¶¶ 2-4. Argonaut is incorporated in Illinois and has its principal place of business in San Antonio, Texas. ECF No. 1 ¶ 1. Under Wolverine's articles of incorporation, Robert Zimmerman owned 50% of the company; the other 50% was owned by Douglas Dillon and Dillon's wife Elissa. Zimmerman Dep. 24:6 to 25:18. Robert Zimmerman and Elissa Dillon are also Maryland citizens. ECF No. 1 ¶¶ 5-6. Although the record is unclear, it appears that Robert Zimmerman was, at various times between 2006 and 2010, Wolverine's "secretary treasurer," corporate secretary, and vice president. See id. 16:5 to 17:2; 26:13-19; 27:16-20; 28:1-14. In 2007, Robert Zimmerman hired his son, Shaun Zimmerman, as a laborer; in 2008, Shaun was promoted to a supervisory position and ultimately to the position of corporate secretary. Id. 20:16-20; 30:17 to 31:20; 32:19-21.
On June 23, 2009, Evangel Cathedral, Inc. ("Evangel Cathedral") executed a construction contract ("the Contract") with Wolverine, in which Wolverine agreed to construct the Evangel Chapel project located at 13 901 Central Avenue, Upper Marlboro, Maryland (the "Project"). Argonaut Mot., Ex. A; see id., Ex. B Miseo
Argonaut, as surety, issued payment and performance bonds (the "Bonds") — effective December 7, 2009 — for the Project. Argonaut Mot., Ex. C. The Bonds named Wolverine as Contractor and Evangel Cathedral as Owner. Id. In exchange for Argonaut's agreement to issue the bonds on Wolverine's behalf, Wolverine, Wolverine Contractors, and Wolverine Management ("collectively," the "Indemnitors") executed a General Indemnity Agreement (the "Agreement"), promising:
Id., Ex. D ¶ 2.
The Agreement also contained a default provision, which provided that,
Id., Ex. D ¶ 8 (emphases added). Finally, the Agreement described when Argonaut would be entitled to a release from liability or, alternatively, to demand collateral from the Indemnitors:
Id., Ex. D ¶ 10 (bold emphasis in original). Robert Zimmerman signed the Agreement as Wolverine's corporate secretary. See generally id.; Zimmerman Dep. 26:9-19.
From July 2009 to October 2010, while the Project was underway, Robert Zimmerman signed over 600 checks from Wolverine's operating bank account, authorizing the release of over $2.13 million in Wolverine's funds to third parties and related parties. Argonaut Mot., Ex. L ¶ 1-10, 31-32. During 2010, Wolverine changed banks and Zimmerman was no longer an authorized signator for Wolverine. Zimmerman Dep. 79-80. However, in late July 2010 after Douglas Dillon's death, Zimmerman participated in weekly meetings regarding which subcontractors and suppliers were paid by Wolverine. Id. at 108.
Evangel Cathedral paid Wolverine a total of $3,883,026.08 in Contract funds for the Project; however, Wolverine paid only $2,762,422.45 to the Project subcontractors and suppliers. Argonaut Mot., Ex. L ¶¶ 11-19. Thus, Wolverine received $1,120,603.63 more from Evangel Cathedral than what it paid to subcontractors and suppliers for the Project. Id. ¶ 14. During the Project, Wolverine made payments to its own employees and various other individuals or entities.
On February 14, 2011, Evangel Cathedral declared default under the Contract and asserted that Wolverine failed to pay its subcontractors and suppliers, failed to substantially complete the Project, and that Wolverine was responsible for liquidated damages. Argonaut Mot., Exs. N, E. By a February 14, 2011 letter, Evangel Cathedral told Zimmerman that it would pursue its rights against him based on construction trust funds that were not properly paid to subcontractors and suppliers. Id., Ex. O. Zimmerman met repeatedly with the head of Evangel Cathedral, Bishop Dan Meares, on behalf of Wolverine to negotiate a deal to complete the Project and receive the remaining money on the Contract. Zimmerman Dep. 164-69. Evangel Cathedral refused all attempts to negotiate a deal with Wolverine. Id.
Wolverine's subcontractors and suppliers made claims against Argonaut's Bonds for Wolverine's non-payment of their work on the Project. Argonaut Mot., Ex. B ¶ 6. In a March 16, 2011 letter, Argonaut demanded that Wolverine hold harmless and exonerate Argonaut for any losses it may incur as a consequence of issuing the Bonds. Id. at ¶ 7. The letter also demanded that Wolverine either provide Argonaut with a full and complete release of the Bonds or to provide Argonaut with collateral. Id. Wolverine breached the Agreement
Argonaut asserts a contractual indemnity claim against Wolverine for the principle damage amount of $520,812.40.
On September 23, 2011, Argonaut sued Wolverine, Wolverine Contractors, Wolverine Management, Robert Zimmerman, and Elissa Dillon based on diversity jurisdiction.
On May 18, 2012, the Court granted Argonaut's motion for leave to amend the complaint to add Shaun Zimmerman as a defendant and to reduce its principal demand amount. See ECF Nos. 25, 31. Also on May 18, the amended complaint was filed, ECF No. 32,
On September 14, 2012, Argonaut moved for summary judgment. ECF No. 38.
On August 16, 2013, Argonaut voluntarily dismissed its claims against Shaun Zimmerman. ECF No. 57. The Court approved the dismissal on August 16, 2013. ECF No. 58.
The Court "shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a).
The Court must "view the evidence in the light most favorable to ... the nonmovant and draw all reasonable inferences in [its] favor," Dennis v. Columbia Colleton Med. Ctr., Inc., 290 F.3d 639, 645 (4th Cir.2002), but the Court must abide by the "affirmative obligation of the trial judge to prevent factually unsupported claims and defenses from proceeding to trial," Bouchat v. Bait. Ravens Football Club, Inc.,
When cross-motions for summary judgment are filed, "each motion must be considered individually, and the facts relevant to each must be reviewed in the light most favorable to the nonmovant." Mellen, 327 F.3d at 363 (citing Rossignol v. Voorhaar, 316 F.3d 516, 523 (4th Cir.2003)).
Argonaut asserts that it is entitled to summary judgment because Wolverine is obligated to indemnify Argonaut for the amounts paid to subcontractors and suppliers by Argonaut, and for related fees as provided for by the Agreement. Argonaut Mot. at 14. Wolverine contends that the "appropriate amount for the close-out" of the Project is $200,000. Wolverine's Opp'n to Pl.'s Mot. for Summ. J. [hereinafter Wolverine Opp'n], at 2. Wolverine also argues that Argonaut's claim for legal and accounting fees is unjustified based on Wolverine's cooperation. Id. at 3. Additionally, Wolverine asserts that summary judgment is precluded because Wolverine is entitled to a set-off based on damages from Argonaut's failure to continue the bonding relationship in violation of an agreement. Id. at 4.
A suretyship contract is an agreement among a principal obligor, an obligee, and a surety. See Inst, of Mission Helpers of Baltimore City v. Reliance Ins. Co., 812 F.Supp. 72, 74 (D.Md.1992). The surety is responsible if the principal obligor fails to perform. See Gen. Motors Acceptance Corp. v. Daniels, 303 Md. 254, 492 A.2d 1306, 1309 (1985). If an express indemnification contract exists, the terms govern the rights and liabilities of the parties and the surety is "entitled to stand upon the letter of his contract." See Fidelity & Deposit Co. of Md. v. Bristol Steel & Iron Works, Inc., 722 F.2d 1160, 1163 (4th Cir.1983) (internal quotation marks omitted). A broad indemnity provision will be upheld absent fraud or lack of good faith. Id. In Maryland, the good faith standard requires the surety to act in a reasonable manner in handling or paying claims. See Atl. Contracting & Material Co., Inc. v. Ulico Cas. Co., 380 Md. 285, 844 A.2d 460, 473-74 (2004).
Here, the indemnification agreement requires Wolverine "[t]o indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate [Argonaut] from and against any and all Loss, as well as any other reasonable expense that [Argonaut] may incur or sustain as a result of or in connection with the furnishing, execution, renewal, continuation, or substitution of any Bond[s]." Argonaut Mot., Ex. D. The term "Loss" includes "all sums ... paid by [Argonaut] to claimants under the Bonds." Id. Argonaut made payments to Wolverine's subcontractors and suppliers for claims under the Bond totaling $758,003.40 for the Project. Argonaut Mot., Ex. T. These payments are within the definition of "Loss," and therefore Wolverine is obligated under the agreement to indemnify Argonaut for these payments.
The amounts paid by Argonaut were due and owing from Wolverine and Wolverine has not disputed the validity of these claims or payments. See Argonaut Mot., Ex. Q; Wolverine Opp'n at 8.
Wolverine's only evidence for its $200,000 figure is Zimmerman's statement that "[m]y best estimate, had Wolverine been given the opportunity to negotiate with either the subcontractors and with the owner, the loss to Argonaut would have been $200,000.00, and it is my belief this is the appropriate `close out' number for this project." Wolverine Opp'n, Zimmerman Aff. ¶ 3. Unsupported speculation is not sufficient to defeat a motion for summary judgment. See Ash v. United Parcel Serv., Inc., 800 F.2d 409, 411-12 (4th Cir.1986). Accordingly, Argonaut acted in an objectively reasonable manner in settling Wolverine's claims and is entitled to indemnification.
Additionally, Wolverine asserts that it is entitled to a set-off of the amount owed because Argonaut damaged Wolverine "by failing to continue the bonding relationship notwithstanding its agreement to do so." Wolverine Opp'n at 4. Argonaut contends that no agreement existed. Argonaut Reply at 6. Wolverine's only evidence of the purported agreement is Zimmerman's affidavit statement that "Argonaut reneged on its agreement to continue bonding Wolverine Construction, Inc. causing the company to fail." See Wolverine Opp'n, Zimmerman Aff. ¶ 7. This vague and unsupported conclusion is insufficient to create a genuine issue of material fact.
Wolverine further asserts that Argonaut's claim for legal and accounting fees is "totally unjustified" because Wolverine cooperated with Argonaut and litigation was unnecessary. See Wolverine Opp'n at 3. Argonaut contends that under the Agreement, it is entitled to all fees it incurred investigating claims and bringing suit to enforce the Agreement. Argonaut Reply at 8. In Maryland, a contractual obligation to pay legal fees is generally valid and enforceable. Atl. Contracting, 844 A.2d at 477-78. "Indemnity agreements of this kind are interpreted generally to entitle the surety to recover fees, costs, and expenses incurred in enforcing them." Id. at 478. The Court must evaluate the reasonableness of the fees, even in the absence of a contractual provision requiring reasonableness. See Ranch v. McCall, 134 Md.App. 624, 761 A.2d 76, 84-85 (2000).
Here, the Agreement provides a broad definition of the term "Loss" which includes "all costs and expenses incurred in connection with investigating, paying or litigating any claim." Argonaut Mot., Ex. D.
Additionally, Wolverine's assertion that litigation was unnecessary to enforce the Agreement is refuted by Wolverine's denial of the alleged damages and its continued efforts to fight Argonaut's claim. See Wolverine Answer. Accordingly, Argonaut's consultant, attorney, and related fees are properly recoverable under the Agreement. Because there is no genuine dispute of fact regarding the amount of claims payments made by Argonaut or the enforceability of the Agreement, Argonaut is entitled to summary judgment in its contract indemnity claim against Wolverine.
Argonaut asserts that it is entitled to summary judgment because Zimmerman violated the statute as an officer of Wolverine by improperly using the trust funds paid by Evangel Cathedral for work done on the Project. Argonaut Mot. at 20. Zimmerman first contends that summary judgment is not appropriate because he did not "knowingly" retain or use money held in trust for other purposes. Zimmerman Opp'n to Pl.'s Mot. Summ. J. [hereinafter "Zimmerman Opp'n"] at 4.
Under the MTFS, upon receiving funds from an owner, a contractor must hold the funds in trust for the benefit of the subcontractor that preformed the work. See Ferguson Trenching Co., Inc. v. Kiehne, 329 Md. 169, 618 A.2d 735, 737-38 (1993). The MTFS imposes personal liability on an officer of a contractor who fraudulently uses the funds by providing that:
Md.Code Ann., Real Prop. § 9-202. Liability is not imposed based on "the mere insufficiency of funds to pay all down-the-chain subcontractors or suppliers." Selby v. Williams Constr. Servs., 180 Md.App. 53, 948 A.2d 132, 139 (Md.Ct. Spec.App.2008). Instead, an officer is personally liable when "funds paid by contractors to subcontractors are earmarked for
A reasonable jury could find that Zimmerman did not knowingly use money held in trust for purposes other than to pay subcontractors.
Zimmerman first asserts that he is entitled to summary judgment because Argonaut has not shown that funds were misappropriated; and alternatively, that Zimmerman did not knowingly retain or use moneys held in trust. Zimmerman Mot. for Summ. J. [hereinafter, "Zimmerman Mot."], at 7. Argonaut contends that Zimmerman is not entitled to summary judgment on this basis because there is "an abundance of evidence" that Zimmerman knowingly violated the MTFS by misusing funds. Argonaut Resp. in Opp'n to Zimmerman Mot. for Summ. J. [herein after Argonaut Resp.], at 11.
An officer, director, or managing agent of a general contractor "who knowingly retains or uses the moneys held in trust ... for any purpose other than to pay those subcontractors for whom the moneys are held in trust" is personally liable. Md.Code Ann., Real Prop. § 9-202. Funds paid to a contractor for the payment of claims of subcontractors or suppliers are subject to the statute. See In re McGee, 258 B.R. 139 at 148. "Specific funds need not be traced by the claimants in order to enforce the trust and to recover for its violation." Id. Funds that are earmarked or segregated for payment, and then diverted for other purposes impose for personal liability under the statute. See Selby, 948 A.2d at 138-139.
Evangel Cathedral paid Wolverine based on payment applications with specific itemizations of the type of work done and its cost. See Argonaut Resp., Ex. E (showing payment applications with itemized
There is a genuine dispute over whether Zimmerman knowingly retained or used the trust fund moneys for other purposes. Zimmerman signed over 600 checks from the bank account in which the trust funds were deposited, many of which were for other purposes than to pay subcontractors or suppliers of the Project. See Argonaut Resp. at 13-14. Argonaut also alleges that Zimmerman had knowledge of Wolverine's money flow based on his review of its financial statements. Id. at 15. Because a reasonable jury could conclude that Zimmerman knowingly diverted trust fund money, Zimmerman is not entitled to summary judgment on this basis.
Zimmerman further argues that he is entitled to summary judgment because Argonaut's claim is based on its subrogation to the claims of Wolverine's subcontractors and the balance of equities weigh in Zimmerman's favor. Zimmerman Mot. at 14. Argonaut contends that it has an independent claim under the MTFS, and alternatively, that it has a right of conventional subrogation to the subcontractors' claims and the equities weigh in favor of Argonaut. Argonaut Resp. at 4, 7.
Maryland's Construction Fund Trust Statute, Md.Code Ann., Real Property § 9-202, provides that any officer, director, or managing agent of a contractor who knowingly retains or uses trust money for other purposes "shall be personally liable to any person damaged by the action." (emphasis added). The MTFS does not limit the right to assert an action for personal liability to subcontractors or suppliers, but instead allows any person damaged by the misuse of trust funds to bring suit.
For the reasons stated above, Argonaut's motion for summary judgment against Wolverine will be granted. Argonaut's motion for summary judgment against Zimmerman will be denied. Robert
Argonaut Mot., Ex. T.
Wolverine Contractors and Wolverine Management have been unresponsive in these proceedings. On February 21, 2012, Argonaut moved for entry of default. ECF No. 17. On March 6, 2012, the clerk ordered entry of default against Wolverine Contractors and Wolverine Management. ECF No. 20. To the extent Argonaut seeks judgment against Wolverine Contractors and Wolverine Management, Argonaut should move for default judgment.
Argonaut Mot., Ex. D. (emphases added).