OPINION

ROBERT W. SWEET, District Judge.

Plaintiff Vista Food Exchange, Inc. ("Plaintiff" or "Vista") has moved to remand its action against defendants Champion Foodservice, L.L.C. ("Champion"), BC&G Weithman Construction Co., Inc. ("BC&G," together with Champion, the "Entity Defendants"), Tyrone Weithman ("Weithman"), Ashley Simpson ("Simpson"), and Linda Atkinson ("Atkinson," and, together with the Entity Defendants, Weithman and Simpson, the "Defendants") to the Supreme Court of the State of New York. Defendants have moved to dismiss the complaint of Plaintiff or, in the alternative, transfer the action to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

Based on the conclusions set forth below, Plaintiff's motion to remand is denied and Defendants' motion to dismiss is granted. Defendants' motion to transfer is denied.

Prior Proceedings

On January 10, 2014, Plaintiff filed its complaint alleging as to all defendants breach of contract, breach of implied duty of good faith and fair dealing, and fraud and, as to Weithman, breach of guaranty. On February 7, 2014,

Defendants removed this action from the Supreme Court of the State of New York on the basis of diversity jurisdiction.

On February 18, 2014, Plaintiff filed a motion to remand to state court on the grounds that forum selection agreements signed by Defendants BC&G and Weithman precluded removal. On February 19, 2014, Defendants filed a motion to dismiss Plaintiff's complaint for lack of personal jurisdiction, improper venue, and failure to state a claim. In the alternative, Defendants requested venue transfer. All motions were marked fully submitted on April 17, 2014.

Facts

The allegations of the complaint are assumed to be true and are summarized herein only to the extent necessary to dispose of Defendant's motion to dismiss or transfer venue and Plaintiff's motion to remand.

Plaintiff is a wholesale food business incorporated in New York. (Compl. ¶ 12.) BC&G is an Ohio corporation; Champion is a corporation organized under the laws of Ohio, which Plaintiff alleges, upon information and belief, is a shell company with no significant assets, credit lines or capital. (Compl. ¶¶ 3, 5-6.) The complaint further alleges, upon information and belief, that the Entity Defendants have been operated as alter egos of one another, or have been treated by Weithman as if they were one and the same. (Compl. ¶ 4.) Each Entity Defendant is alleged to be in the business of purchasing food items from vendors and then assembling and packaging them for distribution. (Compl. ¶ 17.)

Weithman is believed to be a resident of Ohio and President of BC&G and alleged to be the "architect of the misconduct that Vista complains about." (Compl. ¶ 7.) Simpson is a resident of Michigan and was during all times relevant the comptroller of the Entity Defendants and is alleged to have prepared and/or submitted invoices to Vista in New York that she knew or should have known were inflated. (Compl. ¶¶ 8.) Atkinson is a resident of Ohio and employed by the Entity Defendants in various capacities and is alleged to have prepared and/or submitted invoices to Vista in New York that she knew or should have known were inflated. (Compl. ¶ 9.)

Plaintiff's complaint alleges that on or about March 1, 2011, BC&G sent an application for credit to Vista's office in New York (the "Credit Agreement"). (Compl. ¶ 12.) The Credit Agreement was submitted in connection with establishing an account with Vista to purchase wholesale food products. (Compl. ¶ 13.) Included in the Credit Application was a promise to pay for all costs, expenses, and fees incurred in enforcing the obligations thereunder and the costs of collection. Id. The Credit Application also included the following language (the "venue language"):

(Compl. ¶ 12.) Plaintiff approved the Credit Application, accepted a personal guarantee by Weithman (the "Guaranty Agreement"), and established an account at Vista in New York for BC&G. (Compl. ¶ 14.)

In or about March 2011, Plaintiff alleges that the Entity Defendants and Vista entered into an oral contract (the "Oral Agreement") in which Vista agreed to sell to Champion's food products at one cent above Vista's wholesale item cost and Champion agreed that it would use Vista as its primary supplier in connection with the Credit Application. (Compl. ¶ 16.) Champion agreed that while initially Champion would estimate its packaging or non-food costs to be charged to Vista, Champion would adjust the estimate on past and future orders to reflect Champion's actual cost for packaging and that Vista would be charged for non-food costs at Champion's actual cost. Id. The premise of the Oral Agreement was that Champion would handle packaging of Vista meals for its customers by passing through to Vista the non-food costs without a markup, and that Champion would source its food products from Vista. (Compl. ¶ 20.)

On or about June 20, 2012, a continuing guarantee was executed by Weithman that guaranteed the payment of all debts, obligations, and liabilities of every kind and description whether of the same or different nature than those arising from the previous, current or subsequent grant of credit to BC&G (the "Continuing Guaranty"). (Compl. ¶ 15.) The Continuing Guaranty contained the same venue language as the Credit Agreement. Id. Plaintiff contends that the venue language contained in both agreements constituted a binding agreement that venue would be laid in state court in New York County in the event of a conflict. (Pl.'s Mem. Supp. Remand 3-5.)

The complaint alleges that Defendants inflated their invoices and charges in order to avoid paying Vista sums due for products and services provided by Vista for a period of approximately two years. (Compl. ¶¶ 18, 23.) It contends that the Defendants knew that their packaging costs were much less than the amount they initially estimated, and much less than their true cost, and that Champion went directly to suppliers in order to cut Vista out of the sale. (Compl. ¶¶ 18-19.) The complaint alleges that, by paying Vista less than what was usual and customary, by overcharging Vista on the non-food costs in packaging hundreds of thousands of meals and by circumventing Vista by establishing relationships directly with Vista's suppliers, the Entity Defendants dishonored the Oral Agreement. (Comp. ¶ 20.)

As a result of the Defendants conduct, Plaintiff alleges that it was deprived of the benefit of the Oral Agreement, that Defendants avoided paying the reasonable value of the products that they purchased from Vista, that Defendants hurt Vista's relationships with its suppliers, that Defendants avoided paying Vista the sums due for products or services provided by Vista, and that Vista was misled into paying to the Entity Defendants funds to which they were not entitled. (Compl. ¶¶ 21-24.)

Discussion

1. Defendants' Removal of the State Court Action Was Proper

Under 28 U.S.C. § 1441, a civil action brought in a state court for which federal district courts have original jurisdiction may be removed by defendants to the federal district court for the district and division embracing the place where such action is pending. 28 U.S.C. § 1441(a). The party who removes the action and asserts federal jurisdiction "bears the burden of establishing jurisdiction" is proper. Synergy Advanced Pharms., Inc. v. CapeBio, LLC, 797 F.Supp.2d 276, 282 (S.D.N.Y. 2011) (quoting Blockbuster, Inc. v. Galeno, 472 F.3d 53, 57 (2d Cir. 2006)).

Forum selection clauses may "trump what would otherwise be a right to remove cases to federal court." Yakin v. Tyler Hill Corp., 566 F.3d 72, 76 (2d Cir. 2009). Absent extraordinary or unusual circumstances, forum selection clauses are enforced. Atlantic Marine Construction Co. v. United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, 134 S.Ct. 568, 583 (2013); see also Bense v. Insterstate Battery Sys. of Am., 683 F.2d 718, 721-22 (2d Cir. 1982). In the event the language of a forum selection clause is vague or ambiguous, however, the clause must be construed against the drafter. JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. v. Reijtenbagh, 611 F.Supp.2d 389, 391 (S.D.N.Y. 2009). A waiver of a "party's statutory right to remove a case to federal court must be clear and unequivocal." Rabbi Jacob Joseph Sch. v. Province of Mendoza, 342 F.Supp.2d 124, 128 (E.D.N.Y. 2004) (citing to Karl Koch Erecting Co. v. New York Convention Ctr. Dev. Corp., 838 F.2d 656, 659 (2d Cir. 1988) (clause providing that no action shall be commenced "except in the Supreme Court of the State of New York" operated as a waiver)).

Plaintiff alleges that, in removing this case, BC&G and Weithman dishonored the forum selection clauses in the Credit Agreement and Continuing Guaranty and contends that the forum selection language in both agreements constituted an agreement that, in the event of litigation, venue would be laid in the New York state courts of New York County. (Comp. ¶ 12; Pl.'s Mem. Supp. Remand 3-5.) These arguments, however, cannot be credited.

The language contained in both documents is, indeed, ambiguous. The text of each the Credit Agreement and Continuing Guaranty reads as follows: "Litigation of all kinds arising from transactions subject of this guaranty shall be subject to venue in the state and county of New York." The clause does not specify whether venue will be laid in state or federal court, only simply that venue will be in New York County, New York. Were it the case that only state courts existed in New York County, the designation of state courts would be clear, even if only implied, by factual necessity. However, because there are also federal courts existing in New York County, it is uncertain which court is preferred and courts in this Circuit have generally found waiver only when a document contains explicit language evidencing waiver or "where the forum selection clause identifies a particular court in which disputes will be heard." Rabbi Jacob Joseph School, 342 F. Supp. 2d at 128 (quoting Unity Creations, Inc. v. Trafcon Indus., Inc., 137 F.Supp.2d 108, 110 (E.D.N.Y. 2001)) (emphasis added).

Construing the clause in favor of the non-drafting party, as the Court must, the Credit Agreement and Continuing Guaranty cannot be found to clearly require venue exclusively in state court. Furthermore, because the defendants have demonstrated original jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1441, their removal of the action was proper.1 28 U.S.C. § 1441(b) (diversity of citizenship is an original basis of federal jurisdiction).

2. Vista's Complaint Fails To Establish Personal Jurisdiction Under 12(b)(2) For All Defendants Except BC&G And Fails To State A Claim Under 12(b)(6)

A. The Complaint Fails to Establish Personal Jurisdiction for All Defendants Except BC&G

Plaintiff bears the burden of demonstrating that personal jurisdiction over each defendant is proper. See Metro. Life Ins. Co. v. Robertson-Ceco Corp., 84 F.3d 560, 567 (2d Cir. 1996); see also Troma Entm't, Inc. v. Centennial Pictures Inc., 729 F.3d 215, 217 (2d Cir. 2013). To determine whether personal jurisdiction is, indeed, proper, courts conduct a two prong analysis. First, a federal court must look to the forum state's long-arm statute, in this instance, New York. Bensusan Rest. Corp. v. King, 126 F.3d 25, 27 (2d Cir. 1997). If the state statute permits the exercise of jurisdiction, courts must then decide whether personal jurisdiction comports with the requisites of the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the federal Constitution. Id.; see also Grand River Enters. Six Nations, Ltd. v. Pryor, 425 F.3d 158, 165 (2d Cir. 2005); Tianbo Huang v. iTV Media, Inc., 13-3439, 2014 WL 1377500, *3 (E.D.N.Y. Apr. 8, 2014). A plaintiff, in the pre-discovery phase, may defeat a motion challenging jurisdiction by pleading "in good faith . . . legally sufficient allegations of jurisdiction." Ball v. Metallurgie Hoboken-Overpelt, S.A., 902 F.2d 194, 197 (2d Cir. 1990).

i. Personal Jurisdiction Is Lacking Under New York's Long-Arm Statute

There are two bases for personal jurisdiction over non-domiciliary defendants under New York law: Civil Practice and Legal Rule ("CPLR") § 301 provides a basis for general personal jurisdiction, while CPLR § 302 provides bases for specific, long-arm jurisdiction. § 302(a) states that "a court may exercise personal jurisdiction over any non-domiciliary . . . who in person or through an agent:

CPLR § 302(a).

Here, Plaintiff appears to plead personal jurisdiction is appropriate under all three subsection of § 302(a). (Compl. ¶ 10; Pl.'s Mem. in Opp'n 14.)

1. Jurisdiction Is Lacking Under § 302(a)(1)

Under § 302(a)(1), a court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a non-domiciliary defendant who "transacts any business within the state or contracts anywhere to supply goods or services in the state." CPLR § 302(a)(1). To establish whether this basis of jurisdiction has been established, courts are required to determine "(1) whether the defendant `transacts any business' in New York and, if so, (2) whether this cause of action `aris[es] from' such a business transaction." Best Van Lines, Inc. v. Walker, 490 F.3d 239, 246 (2d Cir. 2007).

CPLR § 302(a)(1) provides no specific guidelines as to what constitutes a transaction of business for purposes of establishing specific personal jurisdiction over non-domiciliary defendants. See Longines-Wittnauer Watch Co. v. Barnes & Reinecke, Inc., 15 N.Y.2d 443, 456 (1965). This Circuit has acknowledged, however, that "the overriding criterion necessary to establish a transaction of business is some act by which the defendant purposefully avails itself of the privilege of conducting activities within New York." Licci v. Lebanese Canadian Bank, SAL, 673 F.3d 50, 61 (2d Cir. 2012) (citing Ehrenfeld v. Bin Mahfouz, 9 N.Y.3d 501, 508 (2007)). Put another way, it is "the quality of the defendants' New York contacts that is the primary consideration." Fischbarg v. Doucet, 9 N.Y.3d 375, 380, 849 N.Y.S.2d 501, 880 N.E.2d 22 (2007).

Second Circuit case law further counsels that courts should consider the "totality of a defendant's conduct" when determining whether a non-domiciliary defendant has transacted business in New York, including "whether [he] has an on-going contractual relationship with a New York corporation[, . . . ] whether the contract was negotiated or executed in New York and whether, after executing a contract with a New York business, the defendant . . . visited New York for the purpose of meeting with parties to the contract regarding the relationship." Pincione v. D'Alfonso, 506 F. App'x 22, 24-25 (2d Cir. 2012) (quoting Sunward Elecs., Inc. v. McDonald, 362 F.3d 17, 22 (2d Cir. 2004)) (internal citations omitted). Courts may also consider choice of law clauses and whether the contract requires parties to send notices and payments into the forum state. See Sunward Elecs., 362 F.3d at 22. Telephone calls and other communications to New York, standing on their own, however, do not necessarily confer jurisdiction. See Carlson v. Cuevas, 932 F.Supp. 76, 78-79 (S.D.N.Y. 1996). Such communications must be evaluated with an eye towards whether a defendant has "purposefully availed himself of the privilege of conducting activities in New York and thereby invoked the benefits and protections of its laws[.]" Thorsen v. Sons of Norway, No. 13-CV-2572, 2014 WL 507466, *5 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 6, 2014) (quoting Parke-Bernet Galleries v. Franklyn, 26 N.Y.2d 13, 308 N.Y.S.2d 337, 256 N.E.2d 506, 508-09 (1970)).

The Plaintiff alleges that personal jurisdiction may be exercised by this Court over all defendants under § 302(a)(1).

a. Personal Jurisdiction Over Simpson and Atkinson

Personal jurisdiction does not automatically extend to an employee from the corporation which employees him. Keeton v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 465 U.S. 770, 781 n. 13 (1984); see also Weiner v. Lex, No. 13-CV-1511, 2014 WL 325698, *4 (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 23, 2014)("[i]t is well established that individual . . employees of a corporation are not automatically subject to personal jurisdiction in New York because a court can exercise jurisdiction over the corporation") (quoting In re Terrorist Attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, 714 F.3d 659, 681 (2d Cir. 2013)) (internal citation marks omitted); Thorsen, 2014 WL 507466 at *12 ("individual officers, directors, and other agents of a corporation (or organization) are not automatically subject to a court's jurisdiction simply because the Court may have jurisdiction over the corporation"). Non-domiciliary corporate officers can still be subject to personal jurisdiction if it can be shown that the corporation transacted business in New York as the officer's agent. Kreutter v. McFadden Oil Corp., 71 N.Y.2d 460, 467, 522 N.E.2d 40, 44 (1988) (stating that a plaintiff must show that the corporation was controlled by the corporate officer and that the corporation engaged in purposeful activities in relation to the transaction for the benefit of and with the knowledge and consent of that corporate officer). However, at "the heart of this inquiry is whether the out-of-state corporate officers were `primary actor[s] in the transaction in New York' that gave rise to the litigation, and not merely `some corporate employee[s] . . . who played no part in' it." Karabu Corp. v. Gitner, 16 F.Supp.2d 319, 323 (S.D.N.Y. 1998) (quoting Retail Software Servs., Inc. v. Lashlee, 854 F.2d 18, 22 (2d Cir. 1988)).

The only allegation made in the complaint regarding Simpson and Atkinson is that both were "involved" in the scheme and that they "participated in the preparation and/or submission of invoices to Vista in New York that [they] knew or should have known were inflated," and that they were "otherwise actively participating in defrauding Vista." (Comp. ¶T 8-9, 38.) While New York courts have found out-of-state corporate officers liable for corporations' allegedly wrongful actions in some cases, New York courts have also found claims such as those alleged in the instant case insufficient. See, e.g., Nelson A. Taylor Co., Inc. v. Technology Dynamics Group Inc., 1997 WL 176325, *5 (N.D.N.Y. Apr. 7, 1997) (personal jurisdiction imputed when defendants were alleged to have negotiations and signed the agreements in dispute, personally controlled all transactions, and authored virtually all correspondence); Sterling Interiors Group, Inc. v. Haworth, No. 94-CV-9216, 1996 WL 426379, *15 (S.D.N.Y. July 30, 1996) (finding that participation in a scheme and the belief that individual, non-shareholding defendants were "believed to be or to have been fully aware of . . . condoned and directed the perpetuation of the scheme" were insufficient to establish personal jurisdiction).

Plaintiff's complaint relies solely on the fact that Simpson and Atkinson physically prepared and sent invoices, and the availability of information to Simpson as comptroller, to establish misconduct. (Compl. ¶¶ 8-9; Pl.'s Mem. in Opp'n 13.) Unlike in cases where courts have imputed personal jurisdiction to individual defendants, neither Simpson nor Atkinson negotiated or even signed or were parties to the agreements cited in the complaint as linked to the transaction, nor do Plaintiff's pleadings sufficiently establish that either Simpson or Atkinson exercised sufficient control over the transactions complained of to reasonably consider them "primary actors" rather than lower-level employees. Plaintiff's opposition papers do not lend any additional strength to the complaint's claims.2

Without some additional facts as to specific acts committed by Simpson and Atkinson to intentionally further a fraudulent scheme, Plaintiff's vague allegations of fraud are insufficient to hold Simpson and Atkinson accountable in their individual capacities. As such, this Court declines to exercise personal jurisdiction over Simpson and Atkinson.3

b. Personal Jurisdiction Over Champion

The Court declines to exercise personal jurisdiction over Champion for similar reasons. Champion, like Simpson and Atkinson, was not a party to either the Credit Agreement or the Guaranty Agreement and, while Champion is alleged to have sent invoices to Vista, these invoices, without any specific facts regarding how they are fraudulent, prove an insufficient basis for the exercise of jurisdiction.

Plaintiff further contends that Champion is BC&G's alter ego and asserts that the forum selection clause contained in the Credit Agreement and Continuing Guaranty should be enforced against Champion as a "closely related" non-signatory. (Compl. ¶¶ 3-4, 26; Pl.'s Mem. in Opp'n 9.) To support this allegation, Plaintiff cites to the fact that Champion benefited from the credit Vista extended to BC&G through the Credit Agreement, in connection with which the Oral Agreement is alleged to have been formed. (Compl. ¶¶ 14-16; Pl.'s Mem. in Opp'n 9-10.) Plaintiff asserts, upon information and belief, that Champion is a subsidiary of BC&G, and in their dealings with Vista, the Entity Defendants operated as a single enterprise, making enforcement of the forum-selection clause in the Credit Agreement foreseeable and appropriate.

In a diversity case, courts must apply the choice of law rules of the forum to determine which law governs alter ego or piercing the corporate veil analysis. American Fuel Corp. v. Utah Energy Development Co., Inc., 122 F.3d 130, 134 (2d Cir. 1997) (citing Wm. Passalacqua Builders v. Resnick Developers S., Inc., 933 F.2d 131, 137 (2d Cir. 1991). Under New York's choice of law principles, "the law of the state of incorporation determines when the corporate form will be disregarded." Fillmore East BS Fin. Subsidiary LLC v. Capmark Bank, No. 11-CV-4491, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 47608, *31 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 30, 2013) (internal quotations omitted). However, where the parties have agreed to the application of the forum law, their consent concludes the choice of law inquiry. American Fuel Corp, 122 F.3d at 134.

In this case, while the Credit Agreement contains a clear statement that "New York law shall apply," Champion has not signed the Credit Agreement and thus is not subject to the provision. Arguably, whether the choice of law provision contained within the Credit Agreement does apply is predicated upon whether Champion is an alter ego of BC&G. However, under either Ohio or New York veil-piercing precedent, Vista's claims must fail.

Under Ohio law, a court may pierce the corporate veil "when (1) control over the corporation by those to be held liable was so complete that the corporation has no separate mind, will, or existence of its own, (2) control over the corporation by those to be held liable was exercised in such a manner as to commit fraud, [an illegal act, or a similarly unlawful act] against the person seeking to disregard the corporate entity, and (3) injury or unjust loss resulted to the plaintiff from such control and wrong." See Minno v. Pro-Fab, Inc., 905 N.E.2d 613, 617 n. 1 (Ohio 2009) (citing to Belvedere Condominium Unit Owners' Assn. v. R.E. Roark Cos., Inc. 617 N.E.2d 1075 (Ohio 1993)). This test has also been applied to ascertain whether a parent corporation can be liable for its subsidiary's misconduct. Minno, 905 N.E.2d at 617. However, a Plaintiff cannot pierce the corporate veil of one corporation to reach another corporation in which it holds no ownership interest, even if the two corporations are controlled by the same, or substantially the same, owners. Id.

Vista alleges that Champion is a subsidiary of BC&G, but provides little factual support for the allegation save for BC&G's extension of its credit to Champion (and subsequent execution of the Guaranty Agreement on its behalf) and Champion's alleged participation in the forming of the Oral Agreement. (Compl. ¶¶ 14-15). In fact, Vista's allegation that Champion is a subsidiary appears to be directly contradicted by Vista's President's affidavit, in which he states: "an account was established at Vista in BC&G's name and for the use of a subsidiary which became [Champion] . . [and] that the subsidiary that became Champion was a startup entity with no credit history, no significant revenue or business, and so it could not have established an account without the use of BC&G's credit." (Pacifico Aff. ¶ 5.) Stating that Champion once used to be a subsidiary of BC&G which then became its own business does not support a theory of alter ego or close-relatedness under Ohio law. In fact, plainly read, Pacifico's statement stands for exactly the opposite proposition — that Champion once used to be a subsidiary, but has since become a separate corporate entity and that such separation occurred prior to the actions at issue in this case. Vista's allegation that Champion is "upon information and belief a shell company" is conclusory and, taken with Pacifico's statement, does not meet Plaintiff's pleading burden. (See Compl. ¶ 3-4.) As a result, Vista's assertion of personal jurisdiction over Champion on alter ego grounds must fail.4

Vista's alter ego allegations would also fail under New York law. Alter egos are treated as one entity for purposes of jurisdiction and liability. Passalacqua, 933 F.2d at 143. Ten factors may be considered in determining the sufficiency of parent domination over the subsidiary: (1) absence of corporate formalities and paraphernalia; (2) inadequate capitalization; (3) movement of funds for personal rather than corporate purposes; (4) overlap in ownership, officers, directors and personnel; (5) common office space and contact information; (6) limited amount of business discretion exercised by the subsidiary; (7) lack of arms' length dealings between the parent and the subsidiary; (8) failure to treat the relevant entities as independent profit centers; (9) payment or guarantee of the subsidiary's debts by the parent; and (10) use by the parent of the subsidiary's property as if the property were owned by the parent. See In re Saba Enterprises, Inc., 421 B.R. 626, 650 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2009) (citing Passalacqua, 933 F.2d at 139). The analysis of parent domination is a fact-intensive inquiry, and no one factor listed above is dispositive. Id.

While "a plaintiff may plead facts alleged upon information and belief `where the belief is based on factual information that makes the inference of culpability plausible,' such allegations must be `accompanied by a statement of the facts upon which the belief is founded.'" Munoz-Nagel v. Guess, Inc., No. 12-CV-1312, 2013 WL 1809772, *3 (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 30, 2013) (quoting Arista Records, LLC v. Doe 3, 604 F.3d 110, 120 (2d Cir. 2010)) and Prince v. Madison Square Guarden, 427 F.Supp.2d 372, 384 (S.D.N.Y. 2006); see also Williams v. Calderoni, No. 11-CV-3020, 2012 WL 691832, *7 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 1, 2012).

Here, Plaintiff's sole factual allegations in support of its claim of alter ego is the benefit Champion received by BC&G's extension of its credit to Champion (and subsequent execution of the Guaranty Agreement on its behalf) and Champion's participation in the forming of the Oral Agreement. (Compl. ¶¶ 14-15) At most, Plaintiff has solidly satisfied one of ten factors in alleging — and substantiating with the submission of the Corporate Agreement, Guaranty Agreement and Continuing Guaranty — that the `parent,' in this case BC&G guaranteed Champions debts. Vista has also alleged overlap in personnel, but without sufficient clarity. For example, Vista states in its complaint, upon information and belief, that Simpson and Atkinson were employed by the Entity Defendants. (Compl. $$ 8-9). No other corroborative facts are given save for the mailing of invoices, all of which appear to have been on Champion letterhead. (See generally Compl. Ex. 2.) Of note is Atkinson's affidavit, which avers that she has never been an employee of BC&G, never done any work for BC&G, has always been paid by Champion. (Atkinson Aff. ¶ 5.)5

Without additional, non-conclusory factual allegations as to corporate structure and the relationship between the Entity Defendants, however, the extension of liability to Champion under the Credit Agreement — and its venue provision — is not sufficiently supported.

c. Personal Jurisdiction Over Weithman

Additionally, the complaint fails to adequately establish personal jurisdiction over Weithman. The complaint alleges that in his capacity as a guarantor and by virtue of signing the Continuing Guaranty, Weithman should be subject to personal jurisdiction in New York. (Compl. ¶¶ 3, 7.)

A guaranty is "the promise to answer for the payment of some debt or the performance of some obligation, on default of such payment or performance, by a third person who is liable in the first instance . . . It is an obligation to answer for the debt of another." See Terwilliger v. Terwilliger, 206 F.3d 240, 246 (2d Cir. 2000) (citing 63 N.Y. Jur. 2d Guaranty and Suretyship § 2 (1987)); see also Weissman v. Sinorm Deli, Inc., 88 N.Y.2d 437, 646 N.Y.S.2d 308, 669 N.E.2d 242, 246 (1996) ("A guaranty . . . is a contract of secondary liability . . . [A] guarantor will be required to make payment only when the primary obligor has first defaulted.").

Weithman's guaranty is as a guaranty of payment of monies owed pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and not of performance. The obligation to pay an outstanding debt is of a different character entirely than that of an obligation to be held accountable for a difference in money instigated by fraud. As such, while Weithman could perhaps expect to be haled to New York to answer for a default in payments under the Credit, Guaranty Agreement, and Continuing Guaranty, that expectation does not extend to claims of fraud. The complaint makes no allegation, apart from its fraud allegations, of money being owed in violation of the Credit, Guaranty Agreement, and Continuing Guaranty.

Additionally, Weithman cannot reasonably be held to meet the "primary actor" standard. Control cannot be shown based merely upon a Weithman's title or position within the corporation, or upon conclusory allegations that he controlled Champion or BC&G. See Pilates, Inc. v. Current Concepts, 1996 WL 599654, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. Oct.18, 1996); see also Kinetic Instruments v. Lares, 802 F.Supp. 976, 984-85 (S.D.N.Y.1992) ("[t]he fact that [the defendant] is the President and majority shareholder of [the corporation] does not necessarily mean that the corporation will be considered his agent"). Plaintiff's allegation that Weithman was the "architect of the misconduct that Vista complains about," or that he "used false pretenses to obtain an extension of credit" and "contacted Vista's suppliers and without notice to Vista established relationships with them, to Vista's detriment and damage" are too vague to be credited for the purposes of establishing personal jurisdiction. (Compl. ¶¶ 7, 38.)

d. Personal Jurisdiction Over BC&G

BC&G, in contrast to Simpson, Atkinson, Weithman (in his individual capacity), and Champion, did sign the Credit Agreement, which contains a valid forum selection clause which constitutes a "significant contact" with the forum under § 302(a)(1). See Uniroyal, Inc. v. Heller, 65 F.R.D. 83, 91 (S.D.N.Y. 1974). Generally, a choice of law provision in a contract alone is insufficient to confer jurisdiction and does not constitute a voluntary submission to personal jurisdiction. CutCo Industries, Inc. v. Naughton, 806 F.2d 361, 366-67 (2d Cir. 1986). However, because the Credit Application contains specific language regarding litigation, stating that "[l]itigation of all kinds arising from transactions subject of this guaranty shall be subject to venue in the state and county of New York, New York," this Court finds that BC&G is subject to jurisdiction, despite the questionable relation between the Credit Agreement and the events complained of, by consent. (See Compl. Ex. 2.)

2. Jurisdiction Is Lacking Under § 302(a)(2)

Under § 302(a)(2), a court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a non-domiciliary defendant who "commits a tortious act within the state." CPLR § 302(a)(2). Physical presence in New York is almost always a prerequisite to jurisdiction under § 302(a)(2). See Pincione v. D'Alfonso, 506 Fed. AlDp'x 22, 25 (2d Cir. 2012) (declining to revisit Bensusan Rest. holding and affirming that "CPLR § 302(a)(2) reaches only tortious acts performed by a defendant who was physically present in New York when he performed the wrongful act"). Plaintiff's complaint contains no facts to suggest that Defendants committed any acts, tortious or otherwise, within and while physically present in New York. (Comp. ¶¶ 12, 26, 33.) CPLR § 302(a)(2) cannot, therefore, be relied upon to establish personal jurisdiction over any named defendant in this case.

3. Jurisdiction Is Lacking Under § 302(a)(3)

Under § 302(a)(3), a court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a non-domiciliary defendant who "commits a tortious act without the state" if that defendant "regularly does or solicits business in the state" or "expects or should reasonably expect the act to have consequences in the state and derives substantial revenue" from the act. CPLR § 302(a)(3). For either § 302(a)(3) (i) or § 302(a)(3)(ii) to apply, "(1) a defendant must have committed a tortious act outside New York, (2) the cause of action must arise from that tortious act, and (3) the act must have caused injury to a person or property within New York." Doe v. Delaware State Police, 939 F.Supp.2d 313, 325-26 (S.D.N.Y. 2013) (citing LaMarca v. Pak-Mor Mfg. Co., 95 N.Y.2d 210, 713 N.Y.S.2d 304, 735 N.E.2d 883, 886 (2000).

In order to establish jurisdiction under 302(a)(3)(i), a plaintiff must demonstrate one of "four alternative forms of ongoing New York activity by [the] defendant . . . regularly doing business in New York, regularly soliciting business in New York, engaging in a `persistent course of conduct' in New York, or deriving `substantial revenue from goods used or consumed or services rendered in New York.'" Delaware State Police, 939 F. Supp. 2d at 326 (internal citations omitted). Additionally, a plaintiff "must demonstrate more than substantial revenue from sales to a New York entity, they must make some showing that the associated goods are `used or consumed' in New York." Ball, 902 F.2d at 200.

Under § 302(a)(3)(ii), a plaintiff must demonstrate that a defendant "`expected or should reasonably have expected the [tortious] act to have consequences in [New York],' and that [the] defendant `derived substantial revenue from interstate or international commerce.'" Delaware State Police, 939 F. Supp. 2d at 326 (citing Pak-Mor, 713 N.Y.S.2d 304, 735 N.E.2d at 886). See Lawson v. Full Tilt Poker Ltd., 930 F.Supp.2d 476, 484 (S.D.N.Y. 2013) (citing Penguin Grp. (USA) Inc. v. Am. Buddha, 640 F.3d 497, 498-99 (2d Cir. 2011).

Plaintiff argues that, by sending fraudulent invoices to Vista in New York, "Defendants" have fulfilled the requirements of § 302(a)(3) by sending fraudulent invoices to Vista.6 (Pl.'s Mem. in Opp'n 13.) Specifically, Plaintiff argues that personal jurisdiction can attach to both Simpson and Atkinson under each subsection of § 302(a)(3) because (1) their sending of allegedly fraudulent invoices qualify as a "persistent course of conduct" and (2) they knew or should have known that sending fraudulent invoices would have consequences in New York. Id. Plaintiff further alleges that, as "employees and officers of a business engaged in the purchase and resale of packaged food products, it is likely that a substantial portion of their income derives from interstate commerce." Id.

Plaintiff's arguments must fail as to all defendants. There are insufficient facts alleged to hold Simpson and Atkinson to account for `regularly soliciting business' or `engaging in persistent course of conduct' or `deriving substantial revenue' from New York separate from their employers under § 302(a)(3)(i). As discussed above, Vista has further failed to supply facts supporting an allegation of fraud with respect to the invoices or why Weithman should be held to account as a guarantor or as an officer of BC&G. Conclusory, "nonfact-specific jurisdictional allegations" are insufficient without further details, especially when Plaintiff could have included such details in the complaint or appended affidavits. Delaware State Police, 939 F. Supp. 2d at 329 (quoting Jazini v. Nissan Motor Co., 148 F.3d 181, 185 (2d Cir. 1998) and S. New England Tel. Co. v. Global NAPs Inc., 624 F.3d 123, 138 (2d Cir. 2010)). As such, this Court declines to exercise jurisdiction under § 302(a)(3).7

ii. Personal Jurisdiction Is Lacking Under the Due Process Clause

When determining whether the exercise of jurisdiction over non-domiciliary defendants comports with the Due Process Clause, courts must determine whether defendants have "minimum contacts" with New York such that the maintenance of the suit does not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice. Licci, 732 F.3d at 169. A court's inquiry must focus on (1) "the quality and nature of the defendant's contacts with the forum state under a totality of the circumstances test" and (2) whether the assertion of personal jurisdiction would be reasonable. Burger King Corp. v. Rudzewicz, 471 U.S. 462, 476 (1985). When engaging in this analysis, courts consider whether a defendant has committed an act by which they purposefully availed themselves of the privilege of conducting activities within New York and whether the defendant's conduct and connection with New York must be such that they should reasonably expect to litigate here. See Rudzewicz, 471 U.S. 462, 475 (1985); see also World-Wide Volkswagen Corp. v. Woodson, 444 U.S. 286, 297 (1980); Chloe v. Queen Bee of Beverly Hills, LLC, 616 F.3d 158, 171 (2d Cir. 2010).

However, as previously stated, this Court finds that jurisdiction as to BC&G is proper under a minimum contacts analysis because BC&G expressly consented to jurisdiction in New York as a result of executing the Credit Agreement, which contained a clear consent to litigate in New York.8 By signing an agreement with such a clause, it is indisputable that BC&G could reasonably expect to litigate in New York on claims having to do with its relationship with Vista.

B. The Complaint Fails to Allege Sufficient Factual Matter to Survive a Motion to Dismiss As To BC&G

On a motion to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), all factual allegations in the complaint are accepted as true, and all inferences are drawn in favor of the pleader. Mills v. Polar Molecular Corp., 12 F.3d 1170, 1174 (2d Cir. 1993). However, "a plaintiff's obligation to provide the grounds of his entitlement to relief requires more than labels and conclusions." Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007) (internal quotation marks omitted). A complaint must contain "sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to `state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.'" Ashcroft Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 663 (2009) (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570).

A claim is facially plausible when "the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged." Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 663 (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556). In other words, the factual allegations must "possess enough heft to show that the pleader is entitled to relief." Twombly, 550 U.S. at 557 (internal quotation marks omitted).

As part of a 12(b)(6) analysis, the Court may consider outside documents that are integral to the complaint, regardless of whether they are attached to the complaint, so long as the pleader has notice of them or refers to them. See Gregory v. Daly, 243 F.3d 687, 691 (2d Cir. 2001); Schnall v. Marine Midland Bank, 225 F.3d 263, 266 (2d Cir. 2000); Garcia v. Lewis, No. 05-CV-1153, 2005 WL 1423253, *3 (S.D.N.Y. June 16, 2005) ("[W]hile courts generally do not consider matters outside the pleadings, they may consider documents attached to the pleadings, documents referenced in the pleadings, or documents that are integral to the pleadings in order to determine if a complaint should survive a 12(b)(6) motion.").

Plaintiff's complaint sets forward four claims: breach of contract, breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing, breach of guaranty, and fraud.

i. Plaintiff Does Not Plead Sufficient Facts to Support A Breach of Contract Claim Or Breach of Duty Of Good Faith And Fair Dealing

To state a claim for breach of contract under New York law in federal court, a complaint need only allege: (1) the existence of an agreement, (2) adequate performance of the contract by the plaintiff, (3) breach of contract by the defendant, and (4) damages. Harsco Corp. v. Segui, 91 F.3d 337, 348 (2d Cir. 1996) (citing to Tagare v. Nynex Network Sys. Co., 921 F.Supp. 1146, 1149 (S.D.N.Y.1996); 5 CHARLES A. WRIGHT & ARTHUR R. MILLER, FEDERAL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE § 1235 (1990))); see also Eternity Global Master Fund Ltd. v. Morgan Guar. Trust Co. of N.Y., 375 F.3d 168, 177 (2d Cir. 2004).

Plaintiff alleges that BC&G, in conjunction with Champion and Weithman, entered into the Oral Agreement whereby Vista agreed to sell wholesale food products to Champion at once cent above cost and Champion agreed to use Vista as its primary supplier. (Compl.¶ 16.) Plaintiff further alleges that Champion promised and also agreed that while Champion would initially estimate its packaging or non-food costs to be charged to Vista, Champion would later adjust the estimate on past and future orders to reflect actual cost for packaging and that Vista would ultimately be charged for non-food costs at Champion's actual cost. Id. The complaint alleges that, over a period of approximately two years, and supply of approximately $800,000 in wholesale food products, "the Defendants intentionally manipulated, exaggerated and inflated their non-food costs," knowing that "their packaging costs were much less than the amount they initially estimated to Vista, and much less than their true cost." (Compl. ¶¶ 18-19.)

The complaint's allegations of BC&G's involvement in the Oral Agreement seems to be entirely reliant on the imputation of Champion's actions to BC&G on an alter-ego theory.9 As discussed above, however, Vista fails to allege sufficient factual matter to support a finding that BC&G and Champion are alter egos of one another. Vista's bare assertion that BC&G was party to the Oral Agreement when its complaint alleges concrete conduct and promises relating only to Champion is conclusory and insufficient to survive a 12(b)(6) analysis.

In its opposition to Defendants' motion to dismiss, Plaintiff further argues that the breach of contract claim is properly brought against BC&G as guarantor of Champion's debts to Vista as established in the Credit Agreement. (Pl. Mem. Supp. Opp'n 16.) The two cases relied upon by Plaintiff found liability for guarantors when there were unpaid or late invoices. See Glenoit Mills v. Style VI, No. 93-CV-5494, 1996 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9627, *1, *6 (S.D.N.Y. July 9, 1996); Sprague Energy Corp. v. Levco Tech Inc., No. 09-CV-29, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 39526, *2, *17-18, *40 (D. Conn. May 11, 2009). However, there is no unpaid debt in relation to the Credit Agreement alleged in this case.

Plaintiff's separate claim of breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing must also fail. Implied "in all contracts is a covenant of good faith and fair dealing in the course of contract performance." United States Fid. & Guar. Co. v. Braspetro Oil Servs. Co., 369 F.3d 34, 64 (2d Cir.2004); Dalton v. Educational Testing Serv., 87 N.Y.2d 384, 389, 663 N.E.2d 289, 292, 639 N.Y.S.2d 977, 979 (1995). However, New York law will not recognize a separate cause of action for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing when it arises from the same allegations as a breach of contract claim. See Fasolino Foods Co. v. Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, 961 F.2d 1052, 1056 (2d Cir.1992) (In New York, breach of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing "is merely a breach of the underlying contract.") (quoting Geler v. Nat'l Westminster Bank USA, 770 F.Supp. 210, 215 (S.D.N.Y.1991) (citations omitted); see also Mendez v. Bank of America Home Loans Servicing, LP, 840 F.Supp.2d 639, 652 (E.D.N.Y. 2014). Because Plaintiff's claim arises out of the same allegations, its breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing must be dismissed as duplicative.

ii. Plaintiff Does Not Plead Sufficient Facts to Support A Claim of Fraud

To state a claim for fraud under New York law, a plaintiff must demonstrate: "(1) a misrepresentation or omission of material fact; (2) which the defendant knew to be false; (3) which the defendant made with the intention of inducing reliance; (4) upon which the plaintiff reasonably relied; and (5) which caused injury to the plaintiff." Solow v. Citigroup, Inc., 507 Fed. App'x 81, 83 (2d Cir. 2013) (quoting Wynn v. AC Rochester, 273 F.3d 153, 156 (2d Cir. 2001)). The plaintiff must state "with particularity the circumstances constituting fraud." Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(b); see also Vaughn v. Air Line Pilots, Ass' n, Int'l, 377 F. App'x 88, 90 (2d Cir. 2010)(explaining that fraud claims cannot be based on speculation or conclusory allegations). Specifically, in order to plead with sufficient particularity, a plaintiff must "(1) specify the statements that the plaintiff contends were fraudulent, (2) identify the speaker, (3) state where and when the statements were made, and (4) explain why the statements were fraudulent." Rombach v. Chang, 355 F.3d 164, 170 (2d Cir. 2004); see also Lundy v. Catholic Health Sys. of Long Island, Inc., 711 F.3d 106, 119 (2d Cir. 2013)("[b]are-bones allegations do not satisfy Rule 9(b)").

Additionally, when plaintiffs allege fraud against multiple defendants, "the complaint should inform each defendant of the nature of his alleged participation in the fraud." Divittorio v. Equidyne Extractive Indus., Inc., 822 F.2d 1242, 1247 (2d Cir. 1987). Furthermore, plaintiffs must "specifically plead the circumstances constituting fraud with respect to each of the Defendants." Clayton's Auto Glass, Inc. v. First Data Corp., No. 12-CV-5018, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 141444, at *16 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 30, 2013). Under New York law, however, when fraud claims are merely duplicative of breach of contract claims, they should be dismissed. Coppola v. Applied Elec. Corp., 228 A.D.2d 41, 732 N.Y.S.2d 402 (1st Dep't 2001); see also W.B. David & Co., Inc. v. DWA Commc'ns, Inc., No. 02-CV-8479, 2004 WL 369147, *3 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 26, 2004) (explaining that courts applying New York law do not "recognize claims that are essentially contract claims masquerading as claims of fraud") (internal citations omitted).

The complaint alleges that Defendants were engaged in defrauding Vista, but fails to allege any facts specific to BC&G that do not rely solely on its theory that BC&G should be held to account for Champion's alleged fraudulent actions. As stated above, this Court finds that Plaintiff's have pled insufficient facts to support an alter ego theory. Even without such a finding, however, Plaintiff's have pled insufficient facts to meet the 9(b) pleading standard by failing to establish a misrepresentation or omission of material fact. Plaintiff does not, for instance provide examples of invoices which include clear discrepancies, nor does it provide any specific description or explanation as to why the invoices are inaccurate and inflated, except noting that "Weithman embarked on a scheme to defraud Vista on the account between the entities by representing that its actual non-food costs were 30 cents per meal." (Compl. ¶ 37.) Simply stating that the invoices were inflated is insufficient.10

Separately, even if Plaintiff's submissions were factually sufficient to support a fraud claim against BC&G, the claim would nevertheless fail as duplicative of Vista's breach of contract claim. It is well settled that in order for a fraudulent misrepresentation to be considered separate from a contract, it "must promise to do something other than what is expressly required by the contract." W.B. David & Co., 2004 WL 369147 at *5 ("The mere fact that Defendants allegedly sent false invoices to the Plaintiffs after the consummation of their agreement is not sufficient to make these alleged `statements' collateral or extraneous to the agreement between the parties.").11

In sum, this Court finds that Plaintiff fails to state a claim against BC&G for breach of contract, breach of implied duty of good faith and fair dealing, and fraud under 12(b)(6). Consequently, Defendants' arguments under 12(b)(3) regarding improper venue need not be examined.

C. Venue Transfer In Unwarranted

i. Defendants Fail To Show Why Plaintiff's Choice of Forum Should Be Disturbed Under § 1404(a)

Putting aside momentarily that this Court finds that Vista has failed to establish personal jurisdiction over Simpson, Atkinson, Weithman, and Champion, and failed to state a claim as to BC&G, it nevertheless is determined that venue transfer is unwarranted.

Under 28 U.S.C. § 1404, a district court may transfer a civil action "for the convenience of parties and witnesses, in the interest of justice . . . to any other district or division where it might have been brought or to any district or division to which all parties have consented." 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a). The "threshold question" in a venue transfer motion under § 1404(a) is "whether the action could have been brought in the district to which transfer is proposed." Arrow Elecs., Inc. v. Ducommun Inc., 724 F.Supp. 264, 265 (S.D.N.Y. 1989). Upon determining whether transfer would be proper to the proposed venue, the Court then must consider "whether the convenience of the parties and witnesses and the interest of justice warrant a transfer." Brockmeyer v. May, No. 98-CV-5521, 1999 WL 191547, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 6, 1999). This balancing and determination of conveniences is in the "sound discretion of the district court." Filmline (Cross-Country) Prods., Inc. v. United Artists Corp., 865 F.2d 513, 520 (2d Cir. 1989). Generally, however, "[a] plaintiff's choice of venue is entitled to significant consideration and will not be disturbed unless other factors weigh strongly in favor of transfer." Royal & Sunalliance v. British Airways, 167 F.Supp.2d 573, 576 (S.D.N.Y. 2001).

In determining a motion for transfer, courts look to and balance a number of factors. See In re Cuyahoga Equip. Corp., 980 F.2d 110, 117 (2d Cir. 1992); First City Nat. Bank and Trust Co. v. Simmons, 878 F.2d 76, 80 (2d Cir. 1989). Some of these factors can include: (1) the plaintiff's choice of forum, (2) the convenience of witnesses, (3) the location of relevant documents and the relative ease of access to sources of proof, (4) the convenience of the parties, (4) the convenience and means of the parties, (5) the locus of operative facts, (6) the availability of process to compel attendance of unwilling witnesses, (7) the relative means of the parties, (8) a forum's familiarity with the governing law, and (9) trial efficiency and the interest of justice based on the totality of the circumstances." New York Marine and General Ins. Co. v. Lafarge North America, Inc., 599 F.3d 102 (2010) (citing to D.H. Blair & Co., Inc. v. Gottdiener, 462 F.3d 95, 105 (2d Cir. 2006)); see also Hershman v. UnumProvident Corp., 658 F.Supp.2d 598 (2009) (citing to POSVEN, C.A. v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., 303 F.Supp.2d 391, 404 (S.D.N.Y. 2004) and Reliance Ins. Co. v. Six Star, Inc., 155 F.Supp.2d 49, 56-57). Additionally, a valid forum selection clause is a "significant" but not "dispositive" factor. Duro Textiles, LLC v. Ricci, No. 14-CV-705, 2014 WL 641443, *1 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 18, 2014). Stewart Org., Inc. v. Ricoh Corp., 487 U.S. 22, 29 (1988). Indeed, ultimately there is "no rigid formula for balancing these factors and no single one of them is determinative." Hershman, 658 F. Supp. 2d at 601 (quoting Citigroup Inc. v. City Holding Co., 97 F.Supp.2d 459, 561 (S.D.N.Y. 2000).

The instant case could have been brought in the Northern District of Ohio. Under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b), "[a] civil action may be brought in—

§ 1391(b). As the events described and complained about — namely the preparation of allegedly fraudulent invoices — arguably occurred in Ohio, and several of the defendants, at the time of the events alleged, either residents of Ohio or employed by Ohio corporations, Vista could have brought the case in Ohio if it had so chosen.

Turning the second prong of the transfer inquiry, Defendants argue that a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim cannot be said to have occurred as Plaintiff's contention regarding BC&G is simply that BC&G allegedly sent the Credit Agreement to New York. (Def.'s Mem. Supp. Mot. to Dismiss 22.) Be that as it may, the Supreme Court has held that "proper application of § 1404(a) requires that a forum-selection clause be "given controlling weight in all but the most exceptional cases." Atlantic Marine Const. Co., Inc. v. U.S. Dist. Court for Western Dist. of Texas, 134 S.Ct. 568, 579 (2013). As BC&G did, in fact, consent to litigate claims related to the Credit Agreement in New York, this fact in addition to the due consideration that must be given to Vista's choice of venue, strongly weighs against transfer. Furthermore, Defendants' argument that, for instance, "the relevant documents and sources of proof are available in Ohio . . . and Champion's invoices are all located in Ohio, not New York" and general reliance on the fact that there is another action in Ohio involving some of the same witnesses, does not sufficiently sway the Court that litigation in New York would be so inconvenient as to disregard the Plaintiff's choice of forum. (See Def.'s Mem. Supp. Mot. to Dismiss 24).

ii. The Ohio Action

Defendants' further argue that this Court should transfer the case to Ohio because a substantially similar case is already ongoing (the "Ohio Action"). (Def.'s Mem. Supp. Mot. to Dismiss 24-25.) In support of their argument, Defendants' cite to the "first-filed" rule, which states that "in determining the proper venue, where there are two competing lawsuits, the first suit should have priority." N.Y. Marine & Gen. Ins. Co. v. Lafarge N. Am., Inc., 599 F.3d 102, 112 (2d Cir. 2010). Defendants' further argue that this Court would properly exercise its discretion in transferring the case because the instant action involves several of the same plaintiffs against several of the same defendants and involving substantially similar claims. (Def.'s Mem. Supp. Mot. to Dismiss 24.)

However, Defendants' own assertions about the Ohio Action defeat their arguments. Defendants' do not sufficiently describe how the instant litigation and Ohio Action are competing lawsuits. Defendants' also admit that, currently, the Defendants' named in the instant action do not overlap with those in the Ohio Action, stating that "Vista already has alleged counterclaims against BC&G, Champion and Weithman in the Ohio Action only to voluntarily dismiss those claims later." (Def.'s Mem. Supp. Mot. to Dismiss 23.) Defendants' do not, however, explain whether the counterclaims alleged in the Ohio Action have any bearing or relation to the claims alleged in the instant action.

Plaintiff, by contrast, provides explanation to support its contention that the two actions are unrelated. Plaintiff asserts that the Ohio Action is "based on the departure of Champion's purported former CEO, Matthew Gibson, in February 2013, and alleges that Gibson misappropriated Champion's confidential information and provided it to Vista." (Pl.'s Mem. in Opp'n 24.) Plaintiff further explains that "Vista filed, and then voluntarily dismissed, counterclaims in the Ohio Action . . [which] were based on Champion's conduct after the termination of its business relationship with Vista. In particular, Vista asserted defamation related claims against Champion based upon statements made by Champion to Vista's customers, state officials, in which Champion claimed that Vista had stolen its property or misused its trade secrets. None of the claims asserted by Vista in this action were asserted as counterclaims in the Ohio Action." (Pacifico Aff. ¶¶ 20-21.)

Without more facts and explanation from Defendants supporting their argument that the instant litigation and the Ohio Action are competing actions, the existence of the Ohio Action cannot appropriately serve as a basis for transfer.

Conclusion

Based upon the facts and conclusions of law set forth above, Plaintiff's motion to remand is denied. Defendants' motions to dismiss the complaint is granted and Defendants' motion to transfer venue is denied.

It is so ordered.