EDWARD J. DAVILA, District Judge.
WHEREAS, Plaintiffs wish to amend their putative class definitions in this action and file the Third Amended Complaint attached hereto as
WHEREAS, Plaintiffs wish to dismiss without prejudice any and all claims of absent putative class members in the Second Amended Complaint other than those encompassed within the Third Amended Complaint, relating to the sole remaining amended putative class;
WHEREAS, Defendants do not oppose the filing of this Third Amended Complaint, pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(2); and
WHEREAS, the parties stipulate that no responsive pleading to the Third Amended Complaint shall be required, pending the Court's Orders granting or denying preliminary and/or final approval of the settlement entered into between the parties on or about October 3, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Defendants do not oppose the dismissal without prejudice of any and all claims of absent putative class members in the Second Amended Complaint other than those in the Third Amended Complaint, relating to the sole remaining amended putative class.
IT IS SO STIPULATED.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED AND DATED this 5th day of October, 2017. TERRELL MARSHALL LAW GROUP PLLC ROBARDS & STEARNS
Pursuant to Local Rule 5-1(i)(3), I hereby attest that concurrence in the filing of this document has been obtained from counsel for all parties, and that I will maintain records to support this concurrence by all counsel subject to this stipulation as required under the local rules.
Plaintiffs Alan Brinker, Austin Rugg, and Ana Sanders (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Plaintiffs"), by their undersigned counsel, for this class action complaint against Defendant Normandin's d/b/a Normandin Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram and its present, former, or future direct and indirect parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, and/or other related entities, and Defendant OneCommand, Inc., and its present, former, or future direct and indirect parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, and/or other related entities (collectively referred to as "Defendants") allege as follows:
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10. In 1991, Congress enacted the TCPA in response to a growing number of consumer complaints regarding certain telemarketing practices.
11. The TCPA makes it unlawful "to make any call (other than a call made for emergency purposes or made with the prior express consent of the called party) using an automatic telephone dialing system or an artificial or prerecorded voice . . . to any telephone number assigned to a . . . cellular telephone service." See 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(1)(A)(iii).
12. For calls made on or after October 16, 2013, the FCC requires written prior consent for prerecorded telemarketing or advertising telephone calls. 47 C.F.R. § 64.1200(a)(2); (f)(8); see also In the Matter of Rules and Regs. Implementing the Tel. Consumer Prot. Act of 1992, 27 F.C.C.R. 1830, 1874 (2012). "Prior written consent" means "an agreement, in writing, bearing the signature of the person called that clearly authorizes the seller to deliver or cause to be delivered to the person called advertisements or telemarketing messages using an automatic telephone dialing system or an artificial or prerecorded voice, and the telephone number to which the signatory authorizes such advertisements or telemarketing messages to be delivered." 47 C.F.R. § 64.1200(f)(8). The written agreement must include "a clear and conspicuous disclosure informing the person signing that: (A) By executing the agreement, such person authorizes the seller to deliver or cause to be delivered to the signatory telemarketing calls using an automatic telephone dialing system or an artificial or prerecorded voice; and (B) The person is not required to sign the agreement (directly or indirectly), or agree to enter into such an agreement as a condition of purchasing any property, goods, or services." 47 C.F.R. § 64.1200(f)(8).
13. The TCPA provides a private cause of action to persons who receive calls in violation of 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(1)(A). See 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(3).
14. Federal Communication Commission ("FCC") promulgated regulations "generally establish that the party on whose behalf a solicitation is made bears ultimate responsibility for any violations." See Rules and Regulations Implementing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, Memorandum and Order, 10 F.C.C. Rcd. 12391, 12397 ¶ 13 (1995).
15. The FCC confirmed this principle in 2013, when it explained that "a seller. . . . may be held vicariously liable under federal common law principles of agency for violations of either section 227(b) or section 227(c) that are committed by third-party telemarketers." See In the Matter of the Joint Petition Filed by Dish Network, LLC, 28 F.C.C. Rcd. 6574 (2013).
16. Defendant Normandin owns and operates an automobile dealership in San Jose, California, doing business as Normandin Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram. 17. In addition to selling and leasing new and used automobiles, Defendant Normandin's website explains that their "services include trusted Chrysler Jeep RAM and Dodge car repair" and offers "original Chrysler Jeep RAM and Dodge parts." See http://www.normandinchryslerjeep.net/about-us/ (last visited July 25, 2017).
18. Defendant OneCommand is an automotive marketing and advertising company. It holds itself out to be the "successful dealer's secret weapon for delivering consistent results in their Sales and Service departments." See http://www.onecommand.com/who-we-are (last visited July 25, 2017).
19. Every day, Defendant OneCommand "sends over 1,000,000 communications on behalf of [its] clients." Id.
20. Defendant Normandin contracted with Defendant OneCommand to increase the volume of its customers.
21. Part of the Defendant OneCommand's strategy for increasing the volume of Defendant Normandin's customers involves the use of telephone solicitation calls, including ATDS generated and/or automated or prerecorded calls.
22. Defendant Normandin provides contact information from service center customers, potential car buyers, and other leads to Defendant OneCommand for purposes of telemarketing Defendant Normandin's goods and services.
23. Defendant Normandin is legally responsible for ensuring that Defendant OneCommand's telephone solicitation activities comply with the TCPA, even if Defendant Normandin does not make the calls itself.
24. The FCC concurs that sellers such as Defendant Normandin may not avoid liability by outsourcing telemarketing because doing so "would leave consumers in many cases without an effective remedy for telemarketing intrusions." In the Matter of the Joint Petition Filed by Dish Network, LLC, 28 F.C.C. Rcd. 6574, 6588 (2013).
25. Under the standards outlined in the FCC's Order, and by other Courts interpreting that Order, Defendant Normandin is directly liable to Plaintiffs and members of the Class as well as vicariously liable through theories of agency such as actual authority and ratification.
26. Although Defendant OneCommand made the calls to Plaintiffs, Defendant Normandin also participated in the calls by providing contact information and setting the guidelines and parameters for customers who would be acceptable for Defendant OneCommand to market Defendant Normandin's services to.
27. Defendant Normandin ratified Defendant OneCommand's actions by accepting the benefits of Defendant OneCommand's activities through accepting prospective customers generated by Defendant OneCommand through its illegal telephone solicitation activities.
28. On or around March 2014, Plaintiff Brinker received a telephone call made by Defendant OneCommand on behalf of Defendant Normandin on his cellular telephone.
29. The call consisted of a prerecorded message which provided:
30. The prerecorded message did not specify which of Plaintiff Brinker's vehicles was allegedly in need of routine maintenance.
31. Plaintiff Brinker did not provide prior express consent to receive prerecorded telephone calls on his cellular telephone from either Defendant.
32. Defendant OneCommand made the above-described automated call.
33. Plaintiff Brinker's privacy has been violated by the above-described call from, or on behalf of, Defendants and it constitutes a nuisance as it is annoying and harassing.
34. Defendants, in concert, have made thousands of automated and/or prerecorded calls to persons on their cellular telephones in California and throughout the United States.
35. Defendants intend to continue to make similar automated and/or prerecorded calls to persons on their cellular telephones in California and throughout the United States.
36. Plaintiff Rugg is, and at all times mentioned herein was, a "person" as defined by 47 U.S.C. § 153(39).
37. In or around 2014, Plaintiff Rugg had his vehicle serviced by Defendant Normandin.
38. After having his vehicle serviced in 2014, Plaintiff Rugg received approximately five (5) telephone solicitation calls on his cellular telephone, number (408) 309-XXXX, made by Defendant OneCommand on behalf of Defendant Normandin.
39. Each of the calls was initiated for purposes of marketing Normandin's services.
40. Each of the calls consisted of a prerecorded message stating words to the effect that Plaintiff Rugg's vehicle was overdue for service.
41. On information and belief, the script of prerecorded message was very similar, or identical, to the message in paragraph 29, above.
42. Defendant OneCommand made the above-described automated and/or prerecorded calls.
43. Plaintiff Rugg did not provide prior express consent to receive automated and/or prerecorded calls on his cellular telephone from, or on behalf of, Defendants.
44. Plaintiff Rugg's privacy has been violated by the above-described calls from, or on behalf of, Defendants and they constitute a nuisance as they are annoying and harassing.
45. Defendants, in concert, have made thousands of automated and/or prerecorded calls to persons on their cellular telephones in California and throughout the United States.
46. Defendants intend to continue to make similar automated and/or prerecorded calls to persons on their cellular telephones in California and throughout the United States.
47. In or around 2014, Plaintiff Sanders had her vehicle serviced by Defendant Normandin.
48. After having her vehicle serviced in 2014, Plaintiff Sanders received approximately five (5) to six (6) telephone solicitation calls on her cellular telephone, number (408) 499-XXXX, made by Defendant OneCommand on behalf of Defendant Normandin.
49. Each of the calls was initiated for purposes of marketing Normandin's services.
50. Each of the calls consisted of a prerecorded message stating words to the effect that Plaintiff Sanders' vehicle was overdue for service.
51. On information and belief, the script of prerecorded message was very similar, or identical, to the message in paragraph 29, above.
52. Defendant OneCommand made the above-described automated and/or prerecorded calls.
53. Plaintiff Sanders did not provide prior express consent to receive automated and/or prerecorded calls on her cellular telephone from, or on behalf of, Defendants.
54. Plaintiff Sanders' privacy has been violated by the above-described calls from, or on behalf of, Defendants and they constitute a nuisance as they are annoying and harassing.
55. Defendants, in concert, have made thousands of automated and/or prerecorded calls to persons on their cellular telephones in California and throughout the United States.
56. Defendants intend to continue to make similar automated and/or prerecorded calls to persons on their cellular telephones in California and throughout the United States.
57. Plaintiffs and all members of the Class, defined in Paragraph 58, below, have been harmed by the acts of Defendants because their privacy has been violated, they were subject to annoying and harassing calls that constitute a nuisance, and they were charged for incoming calls.
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Excluded from the Settlement Class are the Judge to whom the Action is assigned and any member of the Judge's staff and immediate family.
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a. Whether Defendants and/or their affiliates, agents, and/or other persons or entities acting on Defendants' behalf violated 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(1)(A) by making any call, except for emergency purposes, to a cellular telephone number using an ATDS or artificial or prerecorded voice;
b. Whether Defendants and/or their affiliates, agents, and/or other persons or entities acting on Defendants' behalf knowingly and/or willfully violated 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(1)(A) by making any call, except for emergency purposes, to a cellular telephone number using an ATDS or artificial or prerecorded voice, thus entitling Plaintiffs and the Class to treble damages;
c. Whether Defendants are liable for ATDS generated and/or automated or prerecorded calls promoting Defendants' products and/or services made by Defendants' affiliates, agents, and/or other persons or entities acting on Defendants' behalf;
d. Whether Defendants and/or their affiliates, agents, and/or other persons or entities acting on Defendants' behalf should be enjoined from violating the TCPA in the future.
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66. Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate by reference each and every allegation set forth in the preceding paragraphs.
67. The foregoing acts and omissions of Defendants and/or their affiliates, agents, and/or other persons or entities acting on Defendants' behalf constitute numerous and multiple violations of the TCPA, 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(1)(A), by making calls, except for emergency purposes, to the cellular telephone numbers of Plaintiffs and members of the Class using an ATDS and/or artificial or prerecorded voice.
68. As a result of Defendants' and/or their affiliates, agents, and/or other persons or entities acting on Defendants' behalf's violations of the TCPA, 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(1)(A), Plaintiffs and members of the Class presumptively are entitled to an award of $500 in damages for each and every call to their cellular telephone numbers using an ATDS and/or artificial or prerecorded voice in violation of the statute, pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(3)(B).
69. Plaintiffs and members of the Class are also entitled to and do seek injunctive relief prohibiting Defendants and/or their affiliates, agents, and/or other persons or entities acting on Defendants' behalf from violating the TCPA, 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(1)(A), by making calls, except for emergency purposes, to any cellular telephone numbers using an ATDS and/or artificial or prerecorded voice in the future.
70. Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate by reference each and every allegation set forth in the preceding paragraphs.
71. The foregoing acts and omissions of Defendants and/or their affiliates, agents, and/or other persons or entities acting on Defendants' behalf constitute numerous and multiple knowing and/or willful violations of the TCPA, 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(1)(A), by making calls, except for emergency purposes, to the cellular telephone numbers of Plaintiffs and members of the Class using an ATDS and/or artificial or prerecorded voice.
72. As a result of Defendants' and/or their affiliates, agents, and/or other persons or entities acting on Defendants' behalf's knowing and/or willful violations of the TCPA, 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(1)(A), Plaintiffs and members of the Class are entitled to treble damages of up to $1,500 for each and every call to their cellular telephone numbers using an ATDS and/or artificial or prerecorded voice in violation of the statute, pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(3).
73. Plaintiffs and members of the Class are also entitled to and do seek injunctive relief prohibiting Defendants and/or their affiliates, agents, and/or other persons or entities acting on Defendants' behalf from violating the TCPA, 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(1)(A), by making calls, except for emergency purposes, to any cellular telephone numbers using an ATDS and/or artificial or prerecorded voice in the future.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs, on their own behalf and on behalf of the members of the Class, pray for judgment against Defendants as follows:
A. Certification of the proposed Class;
B. Appointment of Plaintiff Brinker, Plaintiff Rugg, and Plaintiff Sanders as representatives of the Class;
C. Appointment of the undersigned counsel as counsel for the Class;
D. A declaration that Defendants and/or their affiliates, agents, and/or other related entities' actions complained of herein violate the TCPA;
E. An order enjoining Defendants and/or their affiliates, agents, and/or other related entities, as provided by law, from engaging in the unlawful conduct set forth herein;
F. An award to Plaintiffs and the Class of damages, as allowed by law;
G. An award to Plaintiffs and the Class of attorneys' fees and costs, as allowed by law and/or equity;
H. Leave to amend this Complaint to conform to the evidence presented at trial; and
I. Orders granting such other and further relief as the Court deems necessary, just, and proper.
Plaintiffs demand a trial by jury for all issues so triable.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED AND DATED this 5th day of October, 2017.