JOSEPH C. SPERO, United States Magistrate Judge.
Plaintiffs Patricia McNeary-Calloway, Colin MacKinnon, Terrie McKinnon, Andrea North, and Sheila M. Mayko (collectively "Plaintiffs") initiated this putative class action on June 20, 2011, challenging Defendants JPMorgan Chase, N.A. and Chase Bank USA, N.A.'s (together "Defendants," or "Chase") practice of purchasing "force-placed" hazard insurance policies for home mortgage borrowers who fail to maintain adequate insurance. Defendants now bring a Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint ("the Motion"). Plaintiffs oppose the Motion. The parties have consented to the jurisdiction of the undersigned magistrate judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). For the reasons stated below, the Motion to Dismiss is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.
Defendants request that the Court take judicial notice of three documents that are matters of public record. Request for Judicial Notice in Support of Defendants' Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint ("Defs.' RJN"), 1-2. Plaintiff has not objected to Defendant's request or challenged the authenticity of any of the attached documents. Accordingly, the Court takes judicial notice of these records pursuant to Rule 201 of the Federal Rules of Evidence. Further, the Court may consider these documents, along with the allegations in Plaintiffs' complaint, on a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. See Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights v. City and County of San Francisco, 464 F.Supp.2d 938, 941 (N.D.Cal.2006).
Plaintiffs also request that the Court take judicial notice of three documents that are matters of public record. Plaintiffs' Request for Judicial Notice ("Pls.' RJN"). Defendants have not objected to Plaintiffs' request or challenged the authenticity of any of the attached documents. Accordingly, the Court takes judicial notice of these records pursuant to Rule 201 of the Federal Rules of Evidence.
Defendants JPMorgan Chase and Chase Bank originate mortgage loans and acquire loans from other lenders. Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint ("FAC"), ¶ 58. Prior to its merger into JPMorgan, Chase Home Finance acted as the servicer to these loans. Id. Each loan is secured by a deed of trust on the underlying property. Id. In order to protect its interest in the secured property, mortgage loan contracts typically allow the lender or third party servicer to "force-place" hazard insurance when the homeowner fails to maintain such insurance. Id. at ¶ 60. Plaintiffs allege that Defendants have purchased force-placed insurance ("FPI") "from insurers that provide a financial benefit to Defendants and/or their affiliates and at rates that far exceed borrower-purchased hazard insurance (while providing substantially
Plaintiffs bring this action on behalf of a purported nationwide class consisting of all persons whose hazard insurance was force-placed by Defendants beginning June 16, 2007. Id. at ¶ 123. Plaintiffs' action also includes two purported subclasses, a California subclass and a New Jersey subclass. Id.
The specific allegations concerning the Plaintiffs' FPI policies are as follows:
On or about September 13, 2007, Ms. McNeary-Calloway and her husband, James B. Calloway, Jr., obtained a $540,000 refinance mortgage loan from Chase Bank, secured by their primary residency in Oakland, California. Id. at ¶ 18. In connection with their mortgage loan, Ms. McNeary-Calloway and her husband purchased a hazard insurance policy from California Casualty with an annual premium of $1,640. Id. at ¶ 19.
On July 4, 2009, Mr. Calloway passed away due to complications from a serious illness. Id. at ¶ 20. During Mr. Calloway's illness and following his death, Ms. McNeary-Calloway faced financial difficulties and was unable to make her hazard insurance payments. Id. Her policy lapsed effective August 26, 2009. Id. On or about January 8, 2010, Chase Home Finance purchased a one-year insurance policy with American Security Insurance Company ("ASIC"), backdated to August 26, 2009, with an annual premium of $4,233, charged to Ms. McNeary-Calloway's escrow account. Id. at ¶ 21. The policy was backdated, despite the fact that there was no damage to the property or claims arising out of the property for the lapse period. Id. The ASIC policy provided substantially less coverage than Ms. McNeary-Calloway's previous policy. Id. at ¶ 22.
In September 2010, Ms. McNeary-Calloway received a letter from Chase Home Finance, stating that, effective August 26, 2010, Chase Home Finance had renewed the FPI policy for another year at the same rate. Id. at ¶ 24. Following the receipt of this letter, Ms. McNeary-Calloway obtained her own insurance policy from Farmers Insurance Group with an annual premium of $1,103 and an effective date of September 1, 2010. Id. at ¶ 25. After receiving notice of this policy, Chase Home Finance sent Ms. McNeary-Calloway a letter stating that it canceled the FPI policy, but charged her escrow account for retroactive coverage for the period extending from August 26, 2010 to September 1, 2010. Id. at ¶ 26.
Plaintiffs Colin and Terrie MacKinnon ("the MacKinnons") reside in San Diego, California, having purchased their home in 1994 with a loan from Royal Bank of Canada. Id. at ¶ 27. In July 2005, the MacKinnons refinanced through an online mortgage broker and Chase Home Finance purchased the loan very shortly after closing. Id. The MacKinnons had hazard insurance through AAA with an annual premium of $440. Id. Unbeknownst to them, the MacKinnons' homeowners' insurance policy lapsed on July 20, 2008. Id. at ¶ 28. The MacKinnons believe that the lapse was due to a computer error on the part of AAA. Id.
In January 2011, the MacKinnons noticed two charges to their escrow account for FPI. Id. at ¶ 31. Specifically, on October 27, 2010, Chase Home Finance charged the MacKinnons a premium of $1,782 for a FPI policy backdated to cover the period from August 18, 2009 to August 18, 2010. Id. Three days later, on October 30, 2010, Chase Home Finance charged the MacKinnons a premium of $1,782 for an FPI policy backdated to cover the period from August 18, 2010 to August 18, 2011. Id. Once Chase Home Finance received proof of the MacKinnons' insurance policy reinstated as of December 10, 2010, it provided a pro-rated refund of $1,226 for the period of December 10, 2010 through August 18, 2011. Id. at ¶ 32. Accordingly, the MacKinnons were charged a total of at least $2,338 for FPI policies. Id. There was no damage to the property or claims arising out of the property for the lapse period. Id. at ¶ 33.
Plaintiff Andrea North resides in Yorba Linda, California. Id. at ¶ 35. On or about April 3, 2008, Ms. North obtained a loan from JPMorgan for the purchase of her home.
On December 8, 2009, Chase Home Finance charged Ms. Woo and Ms. North $5,377 for a FPI policy from ASIC, backdated to April 23, 2009. Id. at ¶ 36. Ms. North's FPI policy was backdated, despite the fact that there was no damage to the property or claims arising out of the property for the lapse period. Id. On May 2, 2010, Chase Home Finance sent Ms. Woo and Ms. North a letter stating that it had renewed the policy for another $5,377, effective April 23, 2010. Id. at ¶ 37. Subsequently, Ms. Woo and Ms. North obtained their own insurance policy from Towers Select Insurance Co., effective June 8, 2010, for an annual premium of $1,134. Id. at ¶ 38.
Chase Home Finance canceled the second FPI policy effective June 8, 2010, but did not refund the initial $5,377 for the first FPI policy or the amount charged for the second FPI policy in effect from April 23, 2010 until June 8, 2010. Id. at ¶ 39.
Plaintiff Sheila M. Mayko resides in Riverside, New Jersey. Id. at ¶ 40. On or about January 11, 2002, Ms. Mayko purchased a residence at 200 Heulings Avenue, Riverside, NJ with a loan obtained from Chase Bank. Id. On or about June 30, 2003, Ms. Mayko obtained a $135,209 refinance loan with Chase Bank secured by the property at 200 Heulings Avenue. Id.
In January 2010, Ms. Mayko missed the 2010 hazard insurance premium payment of $1,064. Id. at ¶ 42. On January 19,
Chase subsequently canceled Ms. Mayko's existing policy and force-placed coverage with another carrier. Id. at ¶ 46. On July 23, 2010, Chase Home Finance sent Ms. Mayko a letter informing her that it had force-placed a one-year homeowner's insurance policy on her property with ASIC at a cost of $3,177.34. Id. at ¶ 47. The insurance was backdated to May 13, 2010. Id. at ¶ 50. The insurance premium payment was charged against Ms. Mayko's escrow account. Id. at ¶ 47. The FPI policy supplied substantially less coverage than Ms. Mayko's previous policy in that it protected only Chase Home Finance and covered only the structure of the home. Id. at ¶ 48. Additionally, Mayko's dwelling was insured for the same amount under the FPI policy as it was under Ms. Mayko's existing policy ($328,000). Id. at ¶ 49.
Plaintiffs assert the following seven claims in their FAC:
(1)
Plaintiffs claim they were harmed by the unlawful kickback scheme because the "kickbacks and unearned fees unnecessarily and artificially inflate settlement service charges," and thus Plaintiffs have been overcharged. Id. at ¶ 146. Even if Plaintiffs weren't overcharged, "RESPA section 8(d)(2) indicates that damages are based on the settlement service amount with no requirement [of an] overcharge." Id. at ¶ 145.
(2)
Id. at ¶ 153. Plaintiffs claim they have suffered damages as a result of the above breaches. Id. at ¶ 154.
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
Id. at ¶ 185.
On June 2, 2011, after nearly three and a half years of litigation, a court in this district certified a class for settlement purposes which comprised the following:
Wahl v. Am. Sec. Ins. Co., C08-00555-RS, Dckt. No. 176, Findings and Order Certifying Class for Settlement Purposes, Directing the Issuance of Class Notice, and Scheduling a Fairness Hearing, at *6 (N.D.Cal.). The claims in the case were based on ASIC's alleged practice of force-placing hazard insurance for periods during which prior hazard insurance would have been in effect for the mortgage lender pursuant to the homeowners' LLPE had it not been cancelled by ASIC's placement of FPI.
That class was finally certified and a settlement entered into judgment on September 30, 2011. The settlement includes a Release that "forever discharge[s]" the Releasees "from any claims or liabilities arising from or related to the Released Claims." Wahl, Dckt. No. 190, Final Order and Judgment, at *4. For purposes of the Release, the term "Realeasees" means:
Id. at *5 (emphasis added).
The term "Released Claims" means "all claims and causes of action
Plaintiff Andrea North is the only member of the class who opted-out of the settlement that is a plaintiff in the present case. Wahl, Dckt. No. 180, Declaration of Tore Hodne in Support of Reply to Motion for Final Approval of Class Action Settlement.
Defendants filed their Motion to Dismiss on November 21, 2011, arguing that each cause of action fails to state a claim for relief under Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6).
Defendants first assert that the Wahl settlement precludes all of the claims brought by the individual California Plaintiffs — with the exception of Plaintiff Ms. North, who opted-out of the settlement — and the purported California subclass. Defendants' Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs'
Even if the Wahl opt-out Plaintiff, Ms. North, and the New Jersey Plaintiff, Ms. Mayko, pursue their individual claims, Defendants assert that each claim in the FAC fails as a matter of law for the reasons stated below.
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, 12 U.S.C. § 2607 et seq.: Defendants argue that Plaintiffs' RESPA claim fails for two reasons. First, the conduct Plaintiffs allege falls outside the scope of RESPA. Id. at 11-12. Specifically, RESPA prohibits kickbacks, unearned fees, and fee-splitting only in connection with "a real estate settlement service." Id. (citing 12 U.S.C. §§ 2607(a) & (b)). Because "real estate settlement" under RESPA is synonymous with "closing" of the loan, Defendants argue, RESPA governs only conduct directly related to the closing of the loan. Id. at 12 (citing Fitch v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 709 F.Supp.2d 510, 514 (E.D.La.2010); Ford v. New Century Mortgage Corp., 797 F.Supp.2d 862, 868-69 (N.D.Ohio 2011); Gens v. Wachovia Mortgage Corp., 2011 WL 1791601, at *6 (N.D.Cal. May 10, 2011); 24 C.F.R. § 3500.2(b)). Defendants contend that federal courts, including the Ninth Circuit, have drawn a "temporal distinction" whereby RESPA's prohibition on kickbacks, fees, and fee-splitting applies only "to fees or costs `payable at or before settlement' of the loan, not to `post-settlement fees paid by mortgagors after they have purchased their houses' and after the loan has closed." Id. (quoting Bloom v. Martin, 77 F.3d 318, 321 (9th Cir.1996); citing Greenwald v. First Fed. Sav. & Loan Ass'n of Boston, 446 F.Supp. 620, 625 (D.Mass.1978), aff'd, 591 F.2d 417 (1st Cir.1979)). Defendants argue that Plaintiffs' RESPA claim falls outside of RESPA's scope for one additional reason: RESPA "`does not extend to overcharges,'" at least to the extent that the overcharge was for services actually rendered. Id. (quoting Martinez v. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc., 598 F.3d 549, 554 (9th Cir.2010)). Accordingly, Defendants contend that the claim fails as a matter of law since the alleged kickbacks and fees for FPI incurred after the closing of the loan, and because the alleged overcharge is not covered by RESPA.
Second, Defendants argue that because Plaintiffs' loans closed between 2002 and 2008, Plaintiffs' RESPA claim, brought in
Breach of the Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing & Breach of Contract:
Defendants assert that both Plaintiffs' contract claims fail as a matter of law for the same reason: Plaintiffs' mortgage contracts are unambiguous in establishing Defendants' prerogative to force-place insurance "in the amount and for the periods that Chase required." Id. at 14-15 (citing FAC, Exs. 1, 7, 17 at ¶ 5, 18 at ¶ 4). Additionally, the contracts show that the parties "agreed that this amount would be sufficient to protect Chase's interest in the Property, not that of Plaintiffs." Id. at 15. Defendants assert that the "unambiguous language in the Plaintiffs' contracts trumps the allegations in their complaint" and the Court should therefore grant Defendants' motion to dismiss as to both contract claims. Id. at 14-15 (citing Barrous v. BP P.L.C., 2010 WL 4024774, *4 (N.D.Cal. Oct. 13, 2010); Thompson v. Ill. Dep't of Prof'l Regulation, 300 F.3d 750, 754 (7th Cir.2002); Hayes v. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, 2006 WL 3193743, at *4 (E.D.La. Oct. 31, 2006); Rodriguez v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 2011 WL 2946381, *3 (E.D.Cal. July 21, 2011); Lass v. Bank of Am., N.A., 2011 WL 3567280, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 89519 (D.Mass. Aug. 10, 2011)).
Unlawful Business Practices Under Cal. Bus. & Prof.Code §§ 17200 et seq.: Defendants argue that Plaintiffs fail to state a claim under any of the UCL's three prongs, and contend that Plaintiffs' seek remedies — damages and disgorgement of profits — not allowed under the UCL. Id. at 18 (citing In re Napster Inc. Copyright Litig., 354 F.Supp.2d 1113, 1126 (N.D.Cal. 2005)).
Defendants assert that Plaintiffs' claim under the "unlawful" prong of the UCL rises and falls with their RESPA claim. Id. at 16. Because Plaintiffs' RESPA claim fails, Plaintiffs' cannot maintain their UCL claim based on Defendants' alleged unlawful conduct. Id. Plaintiffs' claim based on the "unfair" prong also fails since Plaintiffs "cannot satisfy any of the tests that California courts use" to evaluate whether conduct is unfair. Id. at 16-17. Pursuant to those tests, Defendants contend that Plaintiffs "have not pled any facts showing that Chase's alleged conduct `threatens an incipient violation of an antitrust law, or violates the policy or spirit of one of those laws because its effects are comparable to or the same as a violation of the law, or otherwise significantly threatens or harms competition.'" Id. at 17 (quoting Byars v. SCME Mortgage Bankers, Inc., 109 Cal.App.4th 1134, 1147, 135 Cal.Rptr.2d 796 (2003)). Nor have Plaintiffs pled facts sufficient to establish any of the three factors under the balancing test: "`(1) the consumer injury must be substantial; (2) the injury must not be outweighed by any countervailing benefits to consumers or competition; and (3) it must be an injury that consumers themselves could not reasonably have avoided.'" Id. (quoting Davis v. Ford Motor Credit Co.,
Violation of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act ("NJCFA"), N.J. Stat. Ann. § 56:8-2:
Defendants assert that Plaintiffs claim under the NJCFA fails for at least three reasons. First, Plaintiffs fail to establish any unlawful conduct as required by the NJCFA. Id. at 18 (citing N.J. Citizen Action v. Schering-Plough Corp., 367 N.J.Super. 8, 842 A.2d 174, 176 (N.J. 2003)). Second, Plaintiff Mayko makes no allegation, and cannot make any allegation, that she was induced or lured into making any purchase. Id. (citing Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. v. Mills, 567 F.Supp.2d 719, 724 (D.N.J.2008)). Third, Plaintiffs fail to allege any specific fraud under Fed. R.Civ.P. 9(b) as they must to state a NJCFA claim. Id. (citing Capogrosso v. State Farm Ins. Co., 2009 WL 3447068, at *3 (D.N.J.2009)).
Alternatively, Defendants contend that, if the Court declines to dismiss Plaintiffs' NJCFA claim on the merits, the claim should be dismissed or transferred for improper venue and/or forum non-conveniens. Id. at 19. Applying the principles of judicial economy, convenience, and fairness to the litigants, Defendants argue that the Court should dismiss or transfer the case to New Jersey because all of the events related to the NJCFA claim occurred there. Id. at 19-20 (citing Remley v. Lockheed Martin Corp., 2001 WL 681257, at *3 (N.D.Cal. June 4, 2001); C.H. James & Co. v. Fed. Food Marketers Co., 927 F.Supp. 187, 190 (S.D.W.Va.1996)).
Unjust Enrichment/Disgorgement & Injunctive and Declaratory Relief: Defendants argue that there is no independent cause of action for unjust enrichment. Id. at 19 (citing Bosinger v. Belden CDT, Inc., 358 Fed.Appx. 812, 815 (9th Cir.2009); Romero v. Mortgage Co., 2011 WL 2560252, at *3, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 69673, at *8 (N.D.Cal. June 28, 2011)). Likewise, injunctive relief is a remedy and not, in itself, a cause of action. Id. (citing Gomez v. Wachovia Mortgage Corp., 2010 WL 291817, at *8 (N.D.Cal. Jan. 19, 2010); Peterson v. Wash. Mut. Bank, et al., 10-cv-01462-JCS, slip op. at *16-17 (N.D.Cal. July 29, 2010)). Declaratory relief is similarly not a cause action. Id. (citing Weiner v. Klais & Co., 108 F.3d 86, 92 (6th Cir. 1997); Gomez, 2010 WL 291817, at *2). Accordingly, Defendants ask this Court to dismiss these claims with prejudice. Id.
In response to Defendants' Motion, Plaintiffs reject Defendants' argument that the Wahl settlement precludes the claims of the non-opt-out California Plaintiffs and the California subclass. Plaintiffs contend that, despite the language in the Release, Defendants cannot be considered Releasees because Defendants were non-parties to the Wahl case, listed nowhere in the Wahl settlement documents, did not bargain for any benefit in, nor contribute to, the settlement, and were not even aware of the settlement until well after final approval. Plaintiffs' Opposition to Defendants' Motion to Dismiss ("Opposition"), 5. Plaintiffs also contend that the Release should reflect the settlement notice, which states that only ASIC will be released. Opposition
Additionally, Plaintiffs apply the doctrine of res judicata and argue that their claims are not precluded by Wahl because that case involved different claims. Id. at 5. According to Plaintiffs, Wahl "focused
Plaintiffs further contend that Defendants cannot "categorically limit Plaintiffs' claims to those asserted in Wahl simply because they relate to force-placed insurance." Id. at 7. Rather, because the claims brought in Wahl do not arise from the "same factual predicate" as the "much broader" claims asserted against Defendants here, the settlement does not preclude the claims. Id. (citing RJN, Ex. 2 (Wahl, Plaintiffs Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement); Hesse v. Sprint Corp., 598 F.3d 581, 590 (9th Cir.2010); E. & J. Gallo Winery v. Encana Energy Servs., Inc., 388 F.Supp.2d 1148, 1157 (E.D.Cal.2005)). Plaintiffs do state that "[t]he sole common factor between the two cases is the existence of allegations surrounding the overlap between the LLPE and force-placed insurance." Id. at 8.
In addition to different claims, Plaintiffs argue that their case is not precluded because the injuries alleged by Plaintiffs "are plainly distinct from those alleged in Wahl." Id. at 7 (citing Negrete v. Allianz Life Ins. Co. of N. Am., 2010 WL 4116852, at *9-10, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 113815, at *35 (C.D.Cal. Aug. 13, 2010)). "In Wahl, there were no damages sought from the lender[;] rescission of the force-place insurance contract was sought[.] [T]here was no relief sought with respect to the mortgage, and there were certainly no RESPA claims." Id.
Plaintiffs respond to Defendants' arguments regarding the specific claims asserted in Plaintiffs' FAC as follows.
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, 12 U.S.C. § 2607 et seq.: Plaintiffs reject Defendants' assertions that Plaintiffs' claim falls outside RESPA's scope and that Plaintiffs' claim is time-barred.
First, Plaintiffs argue that the statutory language, a Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") regulation, and case law support their conclusion that FPI is a "settlement service" under 12 U.S.C. § 2607(b). Regarding the HUD regulation, Plaintiffs cite to the following language in "Regulation X":
Id. at 9 (citing 24 C.F.R. § 3500.2(b) (2011)). Plaintiffs contend that this language "clearly" establishes that "settlement services include hazard insurance and other insurance `required by the lender as a condition of the loan.'" Id.
Second, in further support of their proposition that FPI is a settlement service, Plaintiffs analogize to cases holding that mortgage insurance qualifies as a settlement service. Id. at 9-10 (citing Munoz v. PHH Corp., 659 F.Supp.2d 1094, 1099 (E.D.Cal.2009); Kay v. Wells Fargo & Co., 247 F.R.D. 572, 576 (N.D.Cal.2007); Alston v. Countrywide Fin. Corp., 585 F.3d 753, 756 n. 2 (3d Cir.2009)). Plaintiffs argue that the Munoz decision, in particular, "recognizes that the determinative factor with regard to whether a particular service qualifies as a `[s]ettlement service' for purposes of Section 8 is not when the payment is tendered but rather, whether the purchase of the service, and the corresponding obligation to pay, are required by the lender in order for the transaction to close." Id. at 10. Because FPI, like mortgage insurance, is required in order for the transaction to close, FPI should be considered a settlement service. Id.
Plaintiffs next attempt to distinguish cases cited by Defendants, including a case in this district directly on point. Plaintiffs argue that this Court should not follow Gens v. Wachovia Mortgage Corp., 2011 WL 1791601, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 49709 (N.D.Cal. May 10, 2011), because there the pro se plaintiff was overly litigious, creating a tortured procedural history and leaving the court with little patience to conduct a "thoughtful analysis" into whether FPI qualifies as a settlement service. Id. at 11. Moreover, Plaintiffs argue, the court's holding that FPI is not a settlement service is dicta: the "primary reason the pro se plaintiff's RESPA claims were dismissed was because the claims were time-barred." Id. (citing Gens, 2011 WL 1791601, at *5-6, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 49709, at *16-17).
Plaintiffs also reject Defendants' argument that RESPA "does not extend to overcharges." Id. at 11-12 (citing Motion at 12). Defendants' assertion that an "overcharge" does not fall under RESPA if the payment was for services that were actually performed is inapplicable here, Plaintiffs argue, because Defendants and their affiliates overcharged, but "did not provide any bona fide services." Id. at 12.
Finally, Plaintiffs argue that their RESPA claim is not barred by the one-year statute of limitations for two reasons. First, Plaintiff McNeary-Calloway filed her original complaint on June 20, 2011, which was less than a year after Defendants force-placed her hazard insurance "in or around September 5, 2010." Id. (citing FAC at ¶ 24; FAC, Ex. 4 (McNeary-Calloway FPI Policy Notice)). Second, even if the claim falls outside the statute of limitations, Plaintiffs argue the statute should be equitably tolled. Id. Plaintiffs reject Defendants' contentions that the mortgage contracts disclosed all information relevant to Plaintiffs' claims, arguing instead that Defendants concealed the basis for such claims and it wasn't until, at the earliest, news reports in November 2010 revealed the true nature of the FPI industry that the statute should begin to run. Id. at 13-14. Plaintiffs contend that Defendants never disclosed that Defendants would receive a financial
Breach of the Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing & Breach of Contract:
Plaintiffs contend that their contract claims are viable because, while the mortgage contracts afforded Defendants the discretion to force-place insurance that is "required," the manner in which Defendants exercised this discretion breached the contract's express terms and its implied covenant. Id. at 15. The contract "does not entitle Defendants to force-place backdated, unnecessary hazard insurance with unreasonably high premiums for which Defendants received an improper kickback." Id. Plaintiffs cite to two cases where courts found allegations of bad faith force-placement of insurance sufficient to defeat a motion to dismiss mortgage contract-based claims. Id. at 17 (citing Abels v. JPMC Bank, N.A., 678 F.Supp.2d 1273 (S.D.Fla.2009); Williams v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 2011 WL 4901346, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 119136 (S.D.Fla. Oct. 14, 2011)). Plaintiffs conclude that whether Defendants properly exercised their discretion under the contract is a question of material fact not to be decided on a motion to dismiss. Id. at 16 (citing Low v. SDI Vendome S.A., 2003 WL 25678880, at *5, 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 27603, at *17 (C.D.Cal. Jan. 7, 2003)).
Unlawful Business Practices Under Cal. Bus. & Prof.Code §§ 17200 et seq.: Plaintiffs reject Defendants' arguments that their UCL claim fails. Plaintiffs maintain that their claim is viable under the "unlawful" prong because they assert a valid RESPA claim. Id. at 18. Regarding the "unfair" prong, Plaintiffs assert that this district has adopted a three-part test with the following elements for determining unfairness in a consumer class action: "'(1) a substantial consumer injury; (2) the injury outweighs any countervailing benefits to consumers or competition; and (3) the injury could reasonably been avoided.'" Id. at 19 (citing Kilgore v. KeyBank, N.A., 712 F.Supp.2d 939, 951-52 (N.D.Cal. 2010)). Plaintiffs argue they were injured because they were required to "pay exorbitant prices for [FPI]" and forced to "pay for duplicative and unnecessary coverage." Id. Plaintiffs argue that this injury is not outweighed by any countervailing interest, and could not have reasonably been avoided. Id. at 19-20.
Plaintiffs also contend that they adequately state a claim under the "fraudulent" prong, having satisfied Rule 9(b) by identifying the who, what, where, when, and how of the alleged fraudulent conduct. Id. at 20. The scheme Plaintiffs lay out in their FAC is sufficiently particular, they assert. Id. (citing Linear Tech. v. Applied Materials, Inc., 152 Cal.App.4th 115, 134-35, 61 Cal.Rptr.3d 221 (2007)). Plaintiffs reject Defendants' contention that Plaintiffs are unable to show that, given the language in the mortgage contracts, members of the general public are likely to be deceived by Defendants' conduct. Id. Rather, Defendants' scheme is composed of "secret arrangements" undisclosed in the mortgage contracts, therefore making Defendants' reliance on the mortgage contracts unavailing. Id.
Finally, Plaintiffs make clear that they are seeking "disgorgement and/or restitution, not damages, from JPMC for its violations of the UCL." Id. at 21.
Violation of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act ("NJCFA"), N.J. Stat. Ann. § 56:8-2:
Plaintiffs argue that they have stated a cause of action under the NJCFA, despite Defendants' contentions to the contrary. First, Plaintiffs reject Defendants' assertion
Second, Plaintiffs reject Defendants' "narrow" construction of the NJCFA, requiring that the alleged conduct induced or lured Plaintiffs. Id. at 22-23. Plaintiffs contend that the statute requires only that the unlawful practice at issue be "`in connection with' the sale or advertisement of a commercial product or service or the `subsequent performance' related thereto." Id. at 23 (citing N.J.S.A. § 56:8-2). Plaintiffs argue that Defendants' practices were "in connection with" "Plaintiffs' entry into the initial mortgages or refinances and the [] purchase of [FPI]." Id.
Third, Plaintiffs argue that they have pled their NJCFA claim with the particularity required by Rule 9(b). They contend that to satisfy Rule 9(b) in the context of a NJCFA claim in a class action complaint, "the complaint need only contain `sufficient detail as to [a named plaintiff's] claims to apprise [a defendant] of that plaintiffs exact grounds for relief and the specific conduct that plaintiff charges.'" Id. at 24 (quoting Pacholec v. Home Depot USA, Inc., 2006 WL 2792788, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 68976 (D.N.J. Sept. 25, 2006)).
Finally, because viable claims asserted under California law exist, Plaintiffs insist that transfer of the NJCFA claim to the District of New Jersey is not warranted. Id. at 25. Plaintiffs ask this Court to apply the pendant venue doctrine in order to honor Plaintiffs' chosen forum. Id. Plaintiffs further contend that the California and New Jersey consumer claims "address the same [FPI] scheme," and California courts regularly adjudicate NJCFA claims in conjunction with other California consumer claims, particularly where the claims have a common nucleus of operative facts. Id. (citing In re Sony VAIO Computer Notebook Trackpad Litig., 2010 WL 4262191, at *4-6, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 115142, at *13-18 (S.D.Cal. Oct. 28, 2010); Lucent Techs., Inc. v. DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc., 2007 WL 1394731, at *1, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 37646, at *3 (N.D.Cal. May 10, 2007)).
Unjust Enrichment/Disgorgement & Injunctive and Declaratory Relief: Plaintiffs argue that, contrary to Defendants' contentions, California courts and the Ninth Circuit recognize a cause of action for unjust enrichment. Id. (citing Lectrodryer v. SeoulBank, 77 Cal.App.4th 723, 91 Cal.Rptr.2d 881, 883 (2000); Ben & Jerry's Franchising, Inc. v. Porghavami, 418 Fed. Appx. 607 (9th Cir.2011)). Regarding the injunctive and declaratory relief claim, Plaintiffs assert that "dismissal would be premature" at this stage in the litigation, but even if the Court decides to dismiss this cause of action, injunctive or declaratory
In response to the Opposition, Defendants cite to specific language in the Wahl first amended complaint to argue that Plaintiffs here plead "factual allegations challenging the identical arrangements between lenders and [ASIC]" that were at issue in Wahl, and therefore Plaintiffs' claims are precluded. Defendants' Reply in Support of Motion to Dismiss ("Reply"), 5 (citing Wahl FAC at ¶ 14). Moreover, Defendants point out, Plaintiffs concede that their Complaint contains factual allegations that are "common" and "overlapping" with Wahl. Reply at 5.
A complaint may be dismissed for failure to state a claim for which relief can be granted under Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6). "The purpose of a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6) is to test the legal sufficiency of the complaint." N. Star Int'l v. Ariz. Corp. Comm'n, 720 F.2d 578, 581 (9th Cir.1983). Generally, a plaintiff's burden at the pleading stage is relatively light. Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure states that "[a] pleading which sets forth a claim for relief... shall contain ... a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief." Fed.R.Civ.P. 8(a).
In ruling on a motion to dismiss under Rule 12, the court analyzes the complaint and takes "all allegations of material fact as true and construe(s) them in the lights most favorable to the non-moving party." Parks Sch. of Bus. v. Symington, 51 F.3d 1480, 1484 (9th Cir.1995). Dismissal may be based on a lack of a cognizable legal theory or on the absence of facts that would support a valid theory. Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep't, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir.1988). A complaint must "contain either direct or inferential allegations respecting all the material elements necessary to sustain recovery under some viable legal theory." Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 562, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007) (citing Car Carriers, Inc. v. Ford Motor Co., 745 F.2d 1101, 1106 (7th Cir.1984)). The factual allegations must be definite enough to "raise a right to relief above the speculative level." Id. at 1965. However, a complaint does not need detailed factual allegations to survive dismissal. Id. at 1964. Rather, a complaint need only include enough facts to state a claim that is "plausible on its face." Id. at 1974. That is, the pleadings must contain factual allegations "plausibly suggesting (not merely consistent with)" a right to relief. Id. at 1965 (noting that this requirement is consistent with Fed. R.Civ.P. 8(a)(2), which requires that the pleadings demonstrate that "the pleader is entitled to relief").
Defendants argue that the Wahl settlement released any and all of the claims brought by Plaintiffs McNeary-Calloway and the MacKinnons. Plaintiffs contend that the settlement has no effect on this action because they bring different claims that do not share any common factors with the claims in Wahl, except in regards to their allegations concerning the overlap of LLPE and FPI. The Court finds that the Wahl settlement limits the scope of the Plaintiffs' claims.
"In California, interpretation of a settlement agreement is governed by contract principles." Howard v. Am. Online Inc., 208 F.3d 741, 747 (9th Cir.2000) (citing General Motors Corp. v. Superior Court, 12 Cal.App.4th 435, 15 Cal.Rptr.2d 622 (1993)). However, "a settlement agreement's bare assertion that a party will not be liable for a broad swath of potential claims does not necessarily make it so." Hesse v. Sprint Corp., 598 F.3d 581, 590 (9th Cir.2010) (quoting Williams v. Boeing Co., 517 F.3d 1120, 1134 (9th Cir.2008) ("While Boeing may have drafted the settlement agreement to include as broad a release as possible, the release would have only been enforceable as to subsequent claims ... depending upon the same set of facts.")). At the same time, "[a] settlement agreement may preclude a party from bringing a related claim in the future `even though the claim was not presented and might not have been presentable in the class action,' but only where the released claim is `based on the identical factual predicate as that underlying the claims in the settled class action.'" Id. (citing Williams, 517 F.3d at 1133; Class Plaintiffs v. City of Seattle, 955 F.2d 1268, 1287 (9th Cir.1992)); see also Reyn's Pasta Bella, LLC v. Visa USA, Inc., 442 F.3d 741, 748 (9th Cir.2006) (holding that a settlement release encompasses a plaintiffs claims if they arise from an "identical factual predicate" as the claims asserted by the settling plaintiff in the previous litigation). "A class settlement may also release factually related claims against parties not named as defendants ...." Reyn's Pasta, 442 F.3d at 748 (citing Class Plaintiffs, 955 F.2d at 1287-89).
Plaintiffs argue that the claims of the non-opt-out members of the Wahl class are not precluded, relying primarily on the doctrine of res judicata. The Court, however, declines to apply res judicata in evaluating the preclusive effects of the settlement; rather, consistent with the Ninth Circuit precedent cited above, the Court will analyze the issue under the "identical factual predicate" doctrine. Similarly, to the extent Defendants argue that the Court need only apply California contract law, the Court rejects that argument. To be sure, California contract law does apply to the settlement's interpretation. But interpretation is only the first question. The Court must also decide which claims fall within, or outside, the Court's interpretation of the settlement. The Court applies the "identical factual predicate" doctrine for this latter purpose.
As an initial matter, the Court will first address Plaintiffs' argument that any preclusive effects of the settlement should not apply to Defendants because they should not be considered "Releasess." Plaintiffs argue that Defendants cannot be considered Releasees because Defendants were non-parties to the Wahl case, listed nowhere in the Wahl settlement documents, did not bargain for any benefit in, nor contribute to, the settlement, and were not even aware of the settlement until well after final approval. Opposition at 5. Plaintiffs are incorrect for several reasons.
First, Defendants are included in the Stipulation of Settlement provided by the Wahl parties beginning on May 12, 2011. See Wahl, Dckt. No. 173, Declaration of Plaintiffs Counsel in Support of Motion for Settlement, Ex. 1 ("Stipulation of Settlement"). The Stipulation of Settlement was explicitly referenced in the Court's preliminary approval of the settlement, the notice to the class, and fully incorporated into the Court's final order approving the settlement on September 30, 2011. See Id. at Dckt No. 176, Findings
Next, the Court finds that the settlement released "all claims and causes of action
For purposes of determining the bases on which Plaintiffs McNeary-Calloway and the MacKinnions are precluded from asserting their claims, the allegations in Plaintiffs' FAC can be divided broadly into
The Court finds that the first category of allegations is precluded by the Wahl settlement. Plaintiffs admit that the existence of allegations surrounding the placement of FPI despite the existence of an LLPE is a "common factor between the two cases." Opposition at 8. Plaintiffs' contention that, despite the shared set of facts, their claims based on backdating over LLPE periods should not be precluded because of the "different parties, claims and relief sought herein" fails as a matter of law. As discussed above, what matters is whether a claim shares an identical factual predicate with the released claims. The practice of force-placing ASIC hazard insurance polices that included coverage for periods of time where prior hazard insurance would have been in effect for the mortgage lender pursuant to the homeowners' LLPE had it not been cancelled by the FPI, was the central allegation in the Wahl action, used to support all of plaintiff's claims. Here, Plaintiffs admit to making the identical allegation in at least some of the claims. The Court therefore finds that all of the California non-opt-out Plaintiffs' claims arising out of FPI polices that were placed with ASIC (the only insurer at issue in Wahl) which overlapped, or cancelled, the LLPE period, are barred by the settlement.
The Court finds that the second category of allegations are not precluded by the Wahl settlement. The force-placing of insurance policies which did not include coverage for any LLPE period was not the basis for any of the claims asserted in Wahl. As stated by the Wahl Court, "Wahl's claims in this action all arise from her basic contention that when ASIC issues a `force placed' policy upon the cancellation of a homeowner's policy, but before the lender's protections under an LLPE have expired, the ASIC policy `overlaps' the prior coverage and therefore `provides no actual coverage.'" Wahl v. Am. Sec. Ins. Co., 2008 WL 2444802, at *1 (N.D.Cal. June 16, 2008) (emphasis original). Here, the non-opt-out Plaintiffs' complaint includes allegations that Defendants force-placed insurance policies that did not overlap with LLPE coverage. The allegations related to those policies depend on a different set of facts as the claims that gave rise to the settlement.
The Ninth Circuit's holding in Hesse v. Sprint Corp. is instructive in this case. In Hesse, the court considered whether a broad release of claims in a nationwide settlement agreement between Sprint and its customers, the Benney settlement, precluded a class action involving a Washington state tax that Sprint charged to its Washington customers. Hesse, 598 F.3d at 584. The court found that the Washington class action was not precluded because the claims did not share an identical factual predicate with the claims resolved in the Benney settlement. The court reasoned as follows:
Id. at 591.
As in Hesse, the two actions here share a "superficial similarity" in that both deal with claims that FPI policies were imposed for periods of time where coverage was unnecessary. But the claims here involve different policies that did not overlap with, or cancel, LLPE coverage and that are alleged to be improper for different reasons. The Court concludes that claims raised in this case arising out of the force-placement of policies that did not overlap with, or cancel, LLPE coverage, are not predicated on the same set of facts as the claims of the Wahl plaintiff, and therefore were not released by the Wahl settlement.
The Court declines to rule at this stage of the case on the issue of whether the California non-opt-out Plaintiffs' (Ms. McNeary-Calloway and the MacKinnons) claims are barred based on this interpretation of the settlement. That decision will depend on, inter alia, whether the policies purchased by Plaintiffs before FPI included LLPE coverage, and when that coverage lapsed. The parties did not brief these issues in any detail, and it is best left for summary judgment, where the Court will have before it a fully developed factual record.
Defendants seek dismissal of Plaintiffs' RESPA claim on the grounds that the claim falls outside RESPA's scope and that the claim is time-barred. The Court finds that Plaintiffs do not state a claim under RESPA, and grants Defendants' Motion on that basis only.
Plaintiffs' RESPA claim is based on Section 2607(a)-(b), which reads:
12 U.S.C. § 2607 (emphasis applied).
Under RESPA, the term "settlement service" includes:
12 U.S.C. § 2602(3).
The Code of Federal Regulations defines settlement services as "any service provided in connection with a prospective or actual settlement, including ... [the][p]rovision of services involving hazard, flood, or other casualty insurance or homeowner's warranties." 24 C.F.R. § 3500.2. A "settlement" is "the process of executing legally binding documents regarding a lien on property that is subject to a federally related mortgage loan," i.e. the "closing" or "escrow." 24 C.F.R. § 3500.2(b). Finally, Section 2607 has a statute of limitations of one year "from the date of the occurrence of the violation." 12 U.S.C. § 2614.
The parties dispute whether FPI constitutes a "settlement service" under RESPA. The plain language of the statute and its implementing regulations require the Court to conclude that, under these facts, FPI is not a "settlement service" under RESPA. Plaintiffs' claim under Section 2607 fails as a matter of law and is accordingly dismissed with prejudice.
Plaintiffs argue that the "determinative factor" in deciding whether a particular service qualifies as a "settlement service" is whether the purchase of the service "is required by the lender in order for the transaction to close." This argument, however, is contrary to plain words of the statute. "Settlement service" is defined as "any service provided in connection with a real estate settlement." 12 U.S.C. § 2602(3). This language indicates that RESPA covers only those services provided — not necessarily required — in connection with a closing. It is undisputed here that Defendants did not provide, nor were any way involved in, the hazard insurance purchased in connection with the closing of the loans. Rather, Plaintiffs, without any involvement of the Defendants, first purchased the hazard insurance policies on the open market and only some two to eight years after the closing of their respective loans did Defendants "provide" hazard insurance. Moreover, the policies first purchased by Plaintiffs are not at issue in this case. The fact that hazard insurance was required in order to close the loan is irrelevant here in deciding whether the hazard insurance at issue is a "settlement service."
Plaintiffs cite to Kay v. Wells Fargo & Co., 247 F.R.D. 572 (N.D.Cal.2007) and Munoz v. PHH Corp., 659 F.Supp.2d 1094 (E.D.Cal.2009), in support of their proposition. Those cases held that mortgage insurance provided in connection with the settlement constitutes a settlement service, notwithstanding that the risk insured or the premiums made incur after the closing of the loan. Kay, 247 F.R.D. at 576; Munoz, 659 F.Supp.2d at 1098-99. The courts there reasoned that since mortgage insurance was required in order to close the loan, the provision of mortgage insurance occurred at the closing of the loan, rather than at some point in time after settlement when the risk would arise or the premium would be paid. Id. While it is true that, like the mortgage insurance in Kay and Munoz, hazard insurance was required to close Plaintiffs' loans, Plaintiffs' argument ignores the basic requirement that the service about which Plaintiffs complain must be provided to the borrower in connection with the settlement. The allegations in Plaintiffs' FAC state that Defendants provided hazard insurance
Plaintiffs bring two contract-based claims: a breach of contract claim based on an express provision, and a breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing claim. The Court finds that all California Plaintiffs state a breach of contract claim based on a breach of an express term of the contracts, as well as a claim based on a breach of the implied covenant. The Court also finds that the New Jersey Plaintiff states a claim under New Jersey law as to either theory of breach.
The elements of a cause of action for breach of contract are: 1) the existence of the contract; 2) performance by the plaintiff or excuse for nonperformance; 3) breach by the defendant; and 4) damages. First Commercial Mortgage Co. v. Reece, 89 Cal.App.4th 731, 745, 108 Cal.Rptr.2d 23 (2001). "There is implied in every contract a covenant by each party not to do anything which will deprive the other parties thereto of the benefits of the contract." Harm v. Frasher, 181 Cal.App.2d 405, 417, 5 Cal.Rptr. 367 (1960). A breach of contract may be established on the basis of either an express provision of the contract or on the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. See Storek & Storek, Inc. v. Citicorp Real Estate, Inc., 100 Cal.App.4th 44, 55, 122 Cal.Rptr.2d 267 (2002) (recognizing that "every contract imposes upon each party a duty of good faith and fair dealing in the performance of the contract such that neither party shall do anything which will have the effect of destroying or injuring the right of the other party to receive the fruits of the contract"). An implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing cannot contradict the express terms of a contract. Id. (citing Carma Developers (Cal.), Inc. v. Marathon Dev. Cal., Inc., 2 Cal.4th 342, 374, 6 Cal.Rptr.2d 467, 826 P.2d 710 (1992)). Further, because "the implied covenant operates to protect the express covenants or promises of [a] contract ... [it] cannot impose substantive duties or limits on the contracting parties beyond those incorporated in the specific terms of [the parties'] agreement." McClain v. Octagon Plaza, LLC, 159 Cal.App.4th 784, 805, 71 Cal.Rptr.3d 885 (2008).
In New Jersey, a covenant of good faith and fair dealing is implied in every contract. Sons of Thunder, Inc. v. Borden, Inc., 148 N.J. 396, 420, 690 A.2d 575 (1997). Implied covenants are as effective components of an agreement as those covenants that are express. Aronsohn v. Mandara, 98 N.J. 92, 100, 484 A.2d 675 (1984). Although the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing cannot override an express term in a contract, a party's performance under a contract may breach that implied covenant even though that performance does not violate a pertinent express term. Sons of Thunder, Inc., 148 N.J. at 419, 690 A.2d 575. Because the breach of the implied covenant arises only when the other party has acted consistent with the contract's literal terms, if a party is found to have breached an express term of the contract, there can be no separate breach of the implied covenant. Wade v. Kessler Inst., 172 N.J. 327, 344-45, 798 A.2d 1251 (2002) (citing Wilson v. Amerada Hess Corp., 168 N.J. 236, 240, 773 A.2d 1121 (2001)).
Plaintiffs maintain that Defendants breached the contracts' express term that supposedly limits Defendants' discretion to force-place insurance only to the extent such insurance "is required." Defendants contend that the mortgage contracts unambiguously gives Chase the discretion to force-place insurance in the amount and for the time periods it requires. The Court cannot conclude that Plaintiffs' contracts authorize all of Defendants' alleged wrongful actions in the complaint.
The mortgage contracts for the California Plaintiffs have identical language, reading as follows:
. . .
FAC, Exs. 1, 7, 17 at ¶ 5.
Pursuant to the contracts' terms, Defendants are afforded broad discretion to compel borrowers to insure against particular
Plaintiff Mayko's mortgage contract contains slightly different language that could be interpreted as explicitly restricting the lender's discretion in force-placing insurance. Ms. Mayko's contract reads, in part:
FAC, Ex. 18 (Ms. Mayko's Mortgage Contract) at ¶¶ 4, 7 (emphasis added). This language provides a basis for the claim that Defendants may force-place insurance only to the extent such insurance "is necessary" to protect the property's value and Defendants' rights in the property. Moreover, like the California Plaintiffs' contracts, Ms. Mayko's contract does not provide Defendants with unlimited discretion to force-place insurance. Accordingly, Defendants' motion to dismiss is also denied as to Plaintiff Mayko's claim.
Even a defendant who does not breach a contract may still be liable for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing if they fail to perform the contract in good faith. See Carma, 2 Cal.4th at 373, 6 Cal.Rptr.2d 467, 826 P.2d 710. Here, the California Plaintiffs argue that even though Defendants reserved the discretion to force-place insurance, they exercised that discretion in bad faith by force-placing "backdated, unnecessary hazard insurance with unreasonably high premiums for which Defendants received an improper kickback." Opposition at 15.
"The covenant of good faith finds particular application in situations where one party is invested with a discretionary power affecting the rights of another. Such power must be exercised in good faith." Carma, 2 Cal.4th at 372, 6 Cal.Rptr.2d 467, 826 P.2d 710; see Perdue v. Crocker Nat'l Bank, 38 Cal.3d 913, 923, 216 Cal.Rptr. 345, 702 P.2d 503 (1985) ("[W]here a contract confers on one party a discretionary power affecting the rights of the other, a duty is imposed to exercise that discretion
Defendants contend that Carma forecloses Plaintiffs' claim that the implied covenant restricts Defendants' express contractual right because such a restriction would vary the express terms. The California Supreme Court's decision in Carma, however, is not so straightforward. In Carma, the parties had entered into a commercial lease agreement which stated that if the tenant procured a potential sublessee and asked the landlord for consent to sublease, the landlord had the right to terminate the lease, enter into negotiations with the prospective sublessee, and appropriate for itself all profits from the new arrangement. Id. at 351-52, 6 Cal.Rptr.2d 467, 826 P.2d 710. In upholding the right of the landlord to exercise its discretion and realize a profit at the expense of the tenant, the Court held that the landlord's "termination of the lease in order to claim for itself [a profit] was expressly permitted by the lease and was clearly within the parties' reasonable expectations." Id. at 376, 6 Cal.Rptr.2d 467, 826 P.2d 710.
Unlike in Carma, however, the actions at issue here — backdating FPI unnecessarily and force-placing insurance with unreasonably high premiums in order to facilitate kickbacks to Defendants — were not expressly bargained for in the contract. Rather, Defendants merely bargained for the right to exercise discretion over the scope and extent of coverage borrowers were required to maintain. Pursuant to Carma, that discretion, as to acts and conduct not expressly provided for in the contract, must comport with the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Moreover, although the Court in Carma found the landlord's actions to be expressly agreed to in the contract, the Court still required that the landlord's actions come within the parties' "reasonable expectations." Id. at 376, 6 Cal.Rptr.2d 467, 826 P.2d 710; see Gutierrez v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 730 F.Supp.2d 1080, 1122 (N.D.Cal.2010) (Alsup, J.) (recognizing Carma's holding that the implied covenant will not vary express terms of the contract, but finding that Carma also "emphasized that express grants of discretion were still subject to `the reasonable expectations of the parties'").
Other courts applying Carma's principles have come to similar conclusions as this Court. In Locke v. Warner Bros., Inc., 57 Cal.App.4th 354, 66 Cal.Rptr.2d 921 (1997), the actress Sandra Locke entered into a contract with Warner whereby Warner was given a right of first refusal over developing Locke's movie projects. Id. at 358, 66 Cal.Rptr.2d 921. After refusing to develop any of Locke's projects, Locke sued alleging breach of the implied covenant. Id. at 359, 66 Cal.Rptr.2d 921. The court in Locke rejected Warner's contentions that the implied covenant did not apply to its actions because its right to refuse Locke's projects was expressly provided for in the contract. Id. at 367, 66 Cal.Rptr.2d 921. The court found instead
Applying Carma and Locke, Gabana Gulf Distrib., Ltd. v. GAP Int'l Sales, Inc., 2008 WL 111223 (N.D.Cal. Jan. 9, 2008) (Breyer, J.), also held that the implied covenant governed a party's right to exercise discretion in performing the contract. Id. at *8. Gabana involved a clothing distribution contract between Gap and Gabana, whereby Gabana could purchase first-line goods from Gap and then resell them in certain Middle Eastern countries. Id. at *2. Gap, however, required Gabana to first seek its approval before it could resell the goods, with Gap reserving the right to disapprove, in its sole discretion, Gabana's request. Id. Gabana later filed suit, alleging that Gap was refusing its proposals in bad faith. Gap argued that the implied covenant was inapplicable since the contract expressly provided it the right to deny any proposals. After finding that there was no breach of the express terms of the contract because the agreement gave Gap sole discretion to approve or disapprove Gabana's proposals, the Court found that the implied covenant did govern Gap's use of its discretion. Id. at *8. The Court reasoned that "Gap merely bargained for the right to exercise `discretion' over proposals made by Gabana; Gap did not bargain for the right to refrain from approving all proposals altogether." Id.
Relying on the principles in Carma, Locke, and Gabana, the Court finds that the implied covenant governs Defendants' discretion in force-placing insurance. Although Defendants have the right to set the scope and extent of hazard insurance coverage — and explicitly warn that FPI may be "significantly" more expensive than coverage on the open market — the Plaintiffs here have stated a claim under the implied covenant that Defendants abused this discretion by acting in bad faith and outside the reasonable expectations of the parties. Whether Defendants' acts were done in bad faith and not within the reasonable expectations of the parties is a question of fact that cannot be decided at the pleading stage. See Gabana, 2008 WL 111223 at *8; Locke, 57 Cal.App.4th at 367, 66 Cal.Rptr.2d 921. Accordingly, Defendants' motion to dismiss the California Plaintiffs' breach of the implied covenant claim is denied.
For the New Jersey Plaintiff, a similar outcome results. Under New Jersey law, even when a party has acted consistent with the contract's literal terms, the implied covenant allows a court to judge whether a party has exercised bad faith or ill motive in carrying out discretionary activities to which it has been granted "unilateral authority" by the contract. See Wilson, 168 N.J. at 251, 773 A.2d 1121. Thus, in exercising discretionary authority as expressly authorized by an agreement, if a party does so "arbitrarily, unreasonably, or capriciously, with the objective of preventing the other party from receiving its reasonably expected fruits of the contract," the party taking the action may breach the covenant. Id. at 251, 773 A.2d 1121. A breach of the good faith obligation must include a finding of improper motive: "Without bad motive or intention, discretionary decisions that happen to result in economic disadvantage to the other party are of no legal significance." Id.
The Court interprets the breach of the implied covenant claim, as it relates to the New Jersey Plaintiff, to be pled in the alternative to her breach of contract claim based on a breach of an express term of the contract. See Wade, 172 N.J. at 344-45, 798 A.2d 1251 (holding that there can be no separate breach of the implied covenant where there is a breach of the contract's express terms). Based
Defendants seek to dismiss Plaintiffs' Cal. Bus. & Prof.Code § 17200 ("UCL") claim on three grounds: 1) Plaintiffs are unable to establish "unlawful" conduct since their RESPA claim fails as a matter of law; 2) Plaintiffs have not pled their claim under the "fraudulent" prong with particularity, nor can they demonstrate that members of the public are likely to be deceived by Defendants' conduct; and 3) Plaintiffs cannot satisfy any of the tests that California courts use to evaluate whether conduct is "unfair" under the UCL. The Court concludes that Plaintiffs' state a UCL claim under the unfair prong.
A claim for unfair competition under the UCL may be brought "by a person who has suffered injury in fact and has lost money or property as a result of the unfair competition." Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17204. Therefore, to establish standing under the UCL a plaintiff must "(1) establish a loss or deprivation of money or property sufficient to qualify as injury in fact, i.e., economic injury, and (2) show that that economic injury was the result of, i.e., caused by, the unfair business practice... that is the gravamen of the claim." Kwikset Corp. v. Superior Court, 51 Cal.4th 310, 337, 120 Cal.Rptr.3d 741, 246 P.3d 877 (2011).
A plaintiff "proceeding on a claim of misrepresentation as the basis of his or her UCL action must demonstrate actual reliance on the allegedly deceptive or misleading statements, in accordance with well-settled principles regarding the element of reliance in ordinary fraud actions." In re Tobacco II Cases, 46 Cal.4th 298, 306, 93 Cal.Rptr.3d 559, 207 P.3d 20 (2009). Consequently, "a plaintiff must show that the misrepresentation was an immediate cause of the injury-producing conduct...." Id. at 326, 93 Cal.Rptr.3d 559, 207 P.3d 20. However, a "plaintiff is not required to allege that [the challenged] misrepresentations were the sole or even the decisive cause of the injury-producing conduct." Id. "`Reliance' as used in the ordinary fraud context has always been understood to mean reliance on a statement for its truth and accuracy. It follows that a UCL fraud plaintiff must allege he or she was motivated to act or refrain from action based on the truth or falsity of a defendant's statement, not merely on the fact it was made." Kwikset Corp., 51 Cal.4th at 327 n. 10, 120 Cal.Rptr.3d 741, 246 P.3d 877.
Although In re Tobacco concerned a claim only under the fraudulent prong, it has been held that, under any prong, a UCL claim that is based in fraud must be supported by allegations of reliance in order to properly be pled. See Kwikset Corp., 51 Cal.4th at 326, 120 Cal.Rptr.3d 741, 246 P.3d 877 (finding In re Tobacco's reliance requirement apposite to plaintiff's claim under the unlawful prong alleging misrepresentation and deception); Carney v. Verizon Wireless Telecomm., Inc., 2010 WL 1947635, at *3 (S.D.Cal. May 13, 2010) ("[F]or UCL claims ... the plaintiff must show actual reliance regardless of whether the claim arises under the `unfair,' `unlawful' or `fraudulent' prong of the UCL."); In re Actimmune Mktg. Litig., 2010 WL 3463491, at *8 (N.D.Cal. Sep. 1, 2010) (Patel, J.) ("Since Tobacco II, at least one California Court of Appeal and one federal district court have held that a plaintiff must plead `actual reliance,' even if their claim arises under the unlawful or unfair prongs, so long as the pleadings assert a
The UCL prohibits "unfair competition," which is defined as any "unlawful, unfair or fraudulent business act or practice." Cal. Bus. & Prof.Code § 17200. To establish a violation of the UCL, a plaintiff may establish a violation under any one of these prongs. To state a cause of action based on an unlawful business act or practice under the UCL, a plaintiff must allege facts sufficient to show a violation of some underlying law. People v. McKale, 25 Cal.3d 626, 635, 159 Cal.Rptr. 811, 602 P.2d 731 (1979).
"`Fraudulent,' as used in the statute, does not refer to the common law tort of fraud but only requires a showing that members of the public `are likely to be deceived.'" Olsen v. Breeze, 48 Cal.App.4th 608, 618, 55 Cal.Rptr.2d 818 (1996). Although fraud is not a necessary element of a claim under the UCL, where a plaintiff "allege[s] a unified course of fraudulent conduct and rel[ies] entirely on that course of conduct as the basis of that claim[,] ... the claim is said to be `grounded in fraud' or to `sound in fraud,' and the pleading ... as a whole must satisfy the particularity requirement of Rule 9(b)" of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Kearns v. Ford Motor, Co., 567 F.3d 1120, 1125 (9th Cir. 2009) (citing Vess v. Ciba — Geigy Corp. USA, 317 F.3d 1097, 1103-04 (9th Cir. 2003)). To satisfy Rule 9(b), the plaintiff must include "the who, what, when, where, and how" of the fraud. Vess, 317 F.3d at 1106 (citations omitted). "The plaintiff must set forth what is false or misleading about a statement, and why it is false." Decker v. GlenFed, Inc., 42 F.3d 1541, 1548 (9th Cir.1994). A claim for fraud must be "specific enough to give defendants notice of the particular misconduct which is alleged to constitute the fraud charged so that they can defend against the charge and not just deny that they have done anything wrong." Semegen v. Weidner, 780 F.2d 727, 731 (9th Cir.1985).
Finally, while there is disagreement among California courts regarding the definition of "unfair" business practices, three tests have been applied, as the court in Phipps v. Wells Fargo explains:
2011 WL 302803, at *16 (E.D.Cal. Jan. 27, 2011).
In order to maintain a claim under the UCL based on unlawful conduct, a plaintiff must allege facts sufficient to establish a violation of some law. In their complaint, Plaintiffs allege that Defendants' violation of RESPA serves as the basis for their UCL claim. As discussed above, Plaintiffs RESPA claim fails as a matter of law. Because Plaintiffs are unable to establish any underlying unlawful conduct, their UCL claim based on unlawful conduct fails to state a claim and it is accordingly dismissed.
As discussed above, a plaintiff bringing a UCL claim based in fraud must plead reliance on the misrepresentations or failures to disclose in order to establish standing. Plaintiffs fail to allege reliance and their claim under the fraudulent prong is dismissed on this basis.
The Court finds that Plaintiffs' UCL claim under the fraudulent prong is grounded, in part, in fraud. Plaintiffs allege that Defendants "[m]isrepresent[] in their force-placed insurance notices that borrowers were obligated to pay for backdated insurance coverage" despite the absence of any risk of loss. FAC at ¶ 165(I). Plaintiffs further allege a lucrative scheme consisting of pre-arranged exclusive agreements between Defendants and ASIC. This scheme was kept secret from borrowers and actively concealed through notices that misrepresent Defendants' business interest in its FPI practice. Moreover, Plaintiffs concede their claim under the fraudulent prong is based in fraud when they argue in the Opposition that their claim meets the heightened pleading standard for fraud claims under Rule 9(b).
Although Plaintiffs must plead reliance in order to support their claim grounded in fraud, no Plaintiff alleges reliance based on any of the conduct that could support a claim under the fraudulent prong. Plaintiffs' claim based on fraudulent conduct is accordingly dismissed with leave to amend.
As with the fraudulent prong, Plaintiffs must plead reliance if their claim under the unfair prong is grounded in fraud. As discussed above, Plaintiffs make no allegation of reliance in relation to any conduct based in fraud. Therefore to the extent Plaintiffs' claim under the unfair prong is based on allegations sounding in fraud, the claim must be dismissed.
Although Plaintiffs' FAC makes considerable reference to Defendants' alleged scheme to deceive and mislead Plaintiffs about its business arrangements, Plaintiffs also make allegations that are not based on fraud. The Court will therefore examine Plaintiffs' claim under the unfair prong with reference only to Defendants' non-fraudulent conduct.
Defendants' contention that Plaintiffs could have avoided the alleged unfair conduct ignores Plaintiffs' factual allegations. Ms. McNeary-Calloway faced financial difficulties in the wake of her husband's death and, apparently, concluded that she could no longer afford to make her hazard insurance payments. Ms. North faced similar financial hardship following a serious illness. The MacKinnons allege that their coverage lapsed due to a computer error. The Court cannot say, as a matter of law, that Plaintiffs could reasonably have avoided Defendants' alleged unfair practice.
Defendants argue that Plaintiff Mayko's claim under the NJCFA fails for three reasons: 1) Plaintiff fails to satisfy Rule 9(b)'s pleading requirements; 2) because Plaintiffs RESPA claim fails, Plaintiff has not plead any viable underlying unlawful conduct; and 3) Plaintiff has not alleged that she was induced or lured into making any purchase. The Court denies Defendants' motion to dismiss Plaintiff Mayko's NJCFA claim.
The Consumer Fraud Act ("CFA"), N.J.S.A. 56:8-1, et seq., provides a private cause of action to consumers who are victimized by fraudulent practices in the marketplace. Gonzalez v. Wilshire Credit Corp., 207 N.J. 557, 576, 25 A.3d 1103 (2011). A consumer who can prove "(1) an unlawful practice, (2) an `ascertainable loss,' and (3) `a causal relationship between the unlawful conduct and the ascertainable loss,' is entitled to legal and/or equitable relief, treble damages, and reasonable attorneys' fees." Id. (citing N.J.S.A. 56:8-19).
An unlawful practice under the CFA is the:
N.J.S.A. 56:8-2.
CFA claims claims "`sounding in fraud' are subject to the particularity requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 9(b)." Capogrosso v. State Farm Ins.
Plaintiff does not deny her CFA claim "sounds in fraud" and she is therefore required to plead with particularity as required by Rule 9(b). Plaintiff argues that she has satisfied Rule 9(b), and the Court agrees. Plaintiff alleges that, in connection with the loan transaction, Defendants failed to disclose to Plaintiff that when force-placing insurance they would make no effort to shop for a reasonably priced policy, that they would receive a kickback for each policy force-placed, that no effort would be made to renew the existing policies, and that the policies Defendants purchased for Plaintiffs would be backdated to cover periods during which no risk existed. See, e.g., FAC ¶¶ 2-3, 6, 65-79, 84-86, 172. Plaintiff further alleges a scheme consisting of pre-arranged exclusive agreements between Defendants and ASIC, whereby Defendants had a financial interest in force-placing policies and purchasing policies with the highest possible premiums. See FAC ¶ 172. Regarding Defendants' notice of FPI, Defendants misrepresent and fail to disclose the true nature of the reinsurance arrangement. Id. Defendants also misrepresent why FPI premiums are considerably higher than normal hazard insurance premiums, failing to disclose that the premiums are inflated in order to cover the kickbacks to Defendants. Id. The allegations of the scheme, and its profitability for Defendants, is sufficient to plead an intent by Defendants to conceal its FPI practice. The Court concludes that these allegations are sufficient to meet the pleading requirements of Rule 9(b) and adequately plead an "unlawful practice" under the CFA.
The Court also finds that Plaintiff has adequately pled an "ascertainable loss" and a "causal relationship" between the loss and Defendants' conduct. Defendants' argument that Plaintiff must also plead that Defendants' conduct lured or induced Plaintiff to enter into the loan transaction is unconvincing. The case Defendants cite in support of their argument, Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. v. Mills, 567 F.Supp.2d 719 (D.N.J.2008), dismissed a CFA claim based on a letter threatening litigation if the recipient, Taylor, did not pay a settlement related to a television licensing dispute. Id. at 723. The court in Joe Hand concluded that the alleged fraudulent conduct, embodied in the letter, "did not induce Taylor to purchase anything.... Thus, the fraudulent conduct alleged was not done `in connection with' the sale or advertisement of merchandise[.]" Id. at 723-24. This Court, however, can find no court that has since followed Joe Hand's reading of the CFA requirements. Rather, the decision appears contrary to the New Jersey Supreme Court's holdings that the CFA "does not require proof of reliance." Lee v. Carter-Reed, 203 N.J. 496, 522, 4 A.3d 561 (2010) (quoting Gennari v. Weichert Co. Realtors, 148 N.J. 582, 607, 691 A.2d 350 (1997)). The Court denies Defendants' motion to dismiss the CFA claim.
Although there is some disagreement among California courts as to whether unjust enrichment may be asserted as a stand-alone claim under California law,
To state a claim for restitution, a plaintiff "must plead `receipt of a benefit and the unjust retention of the benefit at the expense of another.'" Walters v. Fidelity Mortgage of Cal., 2010 WL 1493131, at *12 (E.D.Cal., Apr. 14, 2010) (quoting Lectrodryer v. SeoulBank, 77 Cal.App.4th 723, 726, 91 Cal.Rptr.2d 881 (2000)). "Even when a person has received a benefit from another, he is required to make restitution `only if the circumstances of its receipt or retention are such that, as between the two persons, it is unjust for him to retain it.'" Ghirardo v. Antonioli, 14 Cal.4th 39, 51, 57 Cal.Rptr.2d 687, 924 P.2d 996 (1996) (quoting Restatement of Restitution, § 1, cmt. c). In McBride v. Boughton, the court explained that "restitution may be awarded in lieu of breach of contract damages when the parties had an express contract, but it was procured by fraud or is unenforceable or ineffective for some reason." McBride, 123 Cal.App.4th 379, 388, 20 Cal.Rptr.3d 115 (2004). To prevail on a claim for restitution, a plaintiff need not establish bad faith on the part of the defendant, so long as the recipient of the funds was not entitled to the funds. See Lectrodryer, 77 Cal.App.4th at 726, 91 Cal.Rptr.2d 881.
Plaintiffs' FAC states a valid claim for restitution. Plaintiffs allege that Defendants unjustly charged Plaintiffs for backdated policies and that Defendants wrongfully earned commissions and kickbacks at Plaintiffs' expense.
The Defendants argue that Plaintiffs fail to state a claim for injunctive or declaratory relief because those are not causes of action.
"[I]njunctive relief is a remedy and not, in itself, a cause of action, and a cause of action must exist before injunctive relief may be granted." Camp v. Bd. of Supervisors, 123 Cal.App.3d 334, 356, 176 Cal.Rptr. 620 (1981) (quoting Shell Oil Co. v. Richter, 52 Cal.App.2d 164, 168, 125 P.2d 930 (1942)). Additionally, "[a] claim for declaratory relief is duplicative and unnecessary when it is commensurate with the relief sought through other causes of action." Vogan v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 2011 WL 5826016, at *8 (E.D.Cal. Nov. 17, 2011). Plaintiffs' arguments for declaratory relief are entirely remedial in nature rather than pertinent to a stand-alone claim. If Plaintiffs satisfy the legal standard to obtain those forms of relief, then they will be granted as a remedy. See FAC at 45.
Defendants ask that Plaintiff North's CFA claim be dismissed for improper venue or, in the alternative, transferred to a federal district court in New Jersey pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a). The Court rejects this request.
Generally, venue must be established as to each cause of action. Legal Additions LLC v. Kowalski, 2009 WL
Section 1404(a) allows the court to transfer an action "[f]or the convenience of parties and witnesses [and] in the interest of justice ... to any other district or division where it might have been brought." Section 1404(a) displaces the common law doctrine of forum non conveniens and differs from forum non conveniens in that it allows courts to transfer actions in the interest of justice rather than having to dismiss them. Decker Coal v. Commonwealth Edison Co., 805 F.2d 834, 843 (9th Cir.1986). However, courts draw on forum non conveniens considerations when deciding whether a § 1404 transfer is appropriate. Id. In particular, courts considering this issue balance the preference that is traditionally accorded the plaintiff's choice of forum against the burden to the defendant of litigating in an inconvenient forum. Id. The defendant must make a strong showing of inconvenience to upset the plaintiffs choice of forum.
Defendants argue that venue is improper only as to Plaintiff Mayko's CFA claim, and the Court should decline to exercise pendent venue over that claim. The Court finds that, even if there is improper venue as to the CFA claim, principles of pendent venue are satisfied here since the CFA claim is closely related to the California Plaintiffs' UCL claim and "it does not seem too inconvenient" to include the claim with the other claims in this action. Id. at 104. Although Defendants assert that the CFA claim involves activities and residents located exclusively in New Jersey, Defendants have not met their burden in showing that their preferred forum is more appropriate given the relatedness of the claims, the convenience of the parties and witnesses, and the interests of justice. Defendants' motion to dismiss the CFA claim based on improper venue, or transfer the claim based on Section 1404(a), is accordingly denied.
For the reasons stated above, Defendant's Motion to Dismiss is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. An amended complaint, if any, shall be filed within thirty (30) days of the date of this order. Plaintiffs are granted leave to amend only to plead facts showing reliance on any alleged misrepresentations.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
[I]n an excess of loss reinsurance arrangement, the reinsurer is liable only for a specified corridor or "band" of loss, with the losses below and above the band being covered by the force-placed insurance provider. In other words, the reinsurer is liable only for claims, or a percentage thereof, above a particular point, commonly known as an attachment or entry point, and subject to a ceiling, commonly known as a detachment or exit point. Under this structure, then, the reinsurer's liability begins, if ever, only when the force-placed insurance provider's incurred losses and expenses reach the attachment point and ends when such losses reach the detachment point.
The likelihood of the reinsurer experiencing any real losses under this arrangement depends not only on the amount of losses paid by the force-placed insurer (i.e. whether the amount of claims paid by the insurer ever reaches the band where the reinsurer's responsibility to pay claims attaches) but also on whether the reinsurance agreement between the reinsurer and the force-placed insurance provider exposes the reinsurer to any real possibility that it may be required to contribute its own money when called upon by the force-placed insurance provider to pay for its share of losses.
Id. at ¶¶ 100-101.
RJN, Ex. 3 (Wahl Notice of Class Action Settlement), ¶ 13 (emphasis added). The notice also informs members of the class that the Stipulation of Settlement includes more details and that a copy may be obtained by downloading it from the Internet or writing to class counsel. Id. at ¶ 25. Additionally, Plaintiffs give no indication that they were not otherwise apprised of the Wahl litigation or knew of the Releasees definition prior to final approval of the settlement; indeed, many of the changes in Plaintiffs' FAC, filed while final approval of the settlement was pending, suggest that Plaintiffs were attempting to salvage their case in light of the settlement's effects. Therefore, even if the adequacy of notice was subject to collateral review, the Court concludes that, at a minimum, these Plaintiffs were provided "an adequate basis for informed decision-making" since they knew, through the Stipulation of Settlement or otherwise, that Defendants were included as Releasees. See McCubbrey v. Boise Cascade Home & Land Corp., 71 F.R.D. 62, 68 (N.D.Cal. 1976) (Pekham, J.) (finding that plaintiffs bringing parallel litigation were not adequately informed of settlement's terms only where plaintiffs received insufficient informal and formal notice).
