OPINION

SLOMSKY, District Judge.

I. INTRODUCTION AND FACTUAL BACKGROUND

This case involves claims made against Defendants for violations of federal and state law. The claims include allegations of unreasonable seizures in violation of 42 U.S.C.A. § 1983, abuse of process, civil conspiracy, and conversion, and stem from the following facts. Plaintiffs, John B.R. Bank, Samuel T. Ascolese, Jr., and Walter Mark McClanahan, owned vintage cars. John Bank owned a 1939 Buick convertible. (Doc. No. 1 at ¶ 16.) Samuel Ascolese owned a 1949 Cadillac convertible. (Id. at ¶ 17.) Walter McClanahan owned a 1947 Cadillac Fleetwood. (Id. at ¶ 18.) The cars needed restoration work. Plaintiffs took them to James H. Foster ("Foster"), who operated a business known as West Johnson Classics.1

Foster repaired and restored classic cars at a garage located at 86 West Johnson Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19144. (Id. at ¶ 13.) The garage was owned by Alfred Jefferson ("Jefferson"). On March 1, 2010, Foster signed a Non-Residential Lease for Real Estate ("Lease Agreement") to rent the garage from Jefferson. (Doc. Nos. 56, Exhibit A; 70 at 2.) In addition to using the garage for repairs, Foster used the space to store classic cars and expensive parts. The Lease Agreement provided that Foster would pay Jefferson a monthly rental of $3,000. (Doc. No. 70 at 2.)

The two men had a falling out, and on or about November 16, 2010, Jefferson brought an action in Landlord-Tenant court against Foster for two months' back rent that had not been paid. (Doc. No. 1 at ¶ 19.) On December 17, 2010, the Philadelphia Municipal Court entered judgment in favor of Jefferson and against Foster in the amount of $9,596 plus interest. (Doc. No. 70 at 3.) On January 21, 2011, the court also issued a Writ of Possession in favor of Jefferson. (Doc. No. 9, Exhibit A.)

According to Jefferson, Foster knew about the Writ of Possession and had a contractual duty under the Lease Agreement to remove any goods and effects from the garage. (Doc. No. 70 at 3.) In response, the Foster Defendants contend that Foster was working with Jefferson to remedy the delinquent payments and was in the process of clearing out the contents of the garage, which housed Plaintiffs' cars in various stages of restoration. (Doc. No. 66 at 3.) According to Jefferson, however, the Foster Defendants failed to take prompt and/or reasonable action to remove the cars and parts from the garage and to return them to Plaintiffs. (Doc. No. 70 at 3.) The items remained in the garage for roughly four months after the Writ of Possession was issued.

On or about May 16, 2011, in the early morning hours, several Philadelphia police officers arrived at the West Johnson Garage where, as noted, the cars and parts were stored. (Doc. No. 1 at ¶ 24.) Using a line of tow trucks, and pursuant to Pennsylvania's abandoned vehicle code,2 the officers removed classic cars and parts from the commercial property. (Doc. Nos. 1 at ¶ 42; 48 at ¶ 108.) Plaintiffs' cars and parts were removed without their knowledge. After the police removed the cars and parts, they were turned over to Century Motors, Inc. ("Century Motors"). (Doc. No. 1 at ¶ 45.) According to the Foster Defendants, "Century Motors holds itself out as a body shop, garage, and specialty parts dealer for antique, classic, and muscle cars." (Doc. No. 66 at 4.) Century Motors asserts that it was authorized under law to accept and store the cars and parts. (Doc. No. 48 at 5.) After the police identified the cars belonging to Plaintiffs, Century Motors returned them to Plaintiffs. (Id. at ¶ 45. See also Doc. No. 1 at ¶¶ 58, 66-67.) The cars were returned damaged. Moreover, certain parts were never recovered by Plaintiffs.

Given these events, Plaintiffs filed an action against the City of Philadelphia and Police Officer Sean Boyle ("Officer Boyle"), who seized the cars and parts, and against Jefferson and Century Motors.3 In their Complaint, Plaintiffs assert four claims: 1) Count I-Unreasonable Seizure of Property in Violation of 42 U.S.C.A. § 1983; 2) Count II — Abuse of Process; 3) Count III — Conversion; and 4) Count IV — Civil Conspiracy. (Doc. No. 1 at ¶¶ 82-126.) In turn, on June 26, 2013, Century Motors filed a Third-Party Complaint4 against Steffa Metals, Inc., alleging that Steffa Metals participated in the removal, junking, salvaging, and/or disposal of various cars and/or parts that were taken from the West Johnson Garage on May 16, 2011. (Doc. No. 17 at ¶ 19.)

Next, on August 13, 2013, Jefferson filed a Third-Party Complaint against the Foster Defendants, seeking indemnification.5 (Doc. No. 34.) Thereafter, Jefferson filed two Amended Third-Party Complaints against the Foster Defendants, first on October 24, 2013 (Doc. No. 55) and then on October 29, 2013 (Doc. No. 56). On November 22, 2013, the Foster Defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss Jefferson's Third-Party Complaint (Doc. No. 66), which is now before the Court for a decision.

The Foster Defendants have also moved to dismiss Century Motors' Second Amended crossclaim.6 (Doc. No. 53.) In its Second Amended Answer, Century Motors brought a crossclaim against the City of Philadelphia, Officer Boyle, and Alfred Jefferson. (Doc. No. 48 at 41-42.) Century Motors also asserted a crossclaim against the Foster Defendants seeking indemnification and/or contribution. (Id. at 43-46.) On October 10, 2013, the Foster Defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss Century Motors' crossclaim (Doc. No. 53), and this Motion is also before the Court for disposition. For reasons that follow, the Court will grant in part and deny in part the Foster Defendants' Motion to Dismiss Jefferson's Amended Third-Party Complaint. The Court will also grant the Foster Defendants' Motion to Dismiss Century Motors' Crossclaim in its entirety.7

II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

The motion to dismiss standard under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) is set forth in Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009). After Iqbal it is clear that "threadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements do not suffice" to defeat a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss. Id. at 663, 129 S.Ct. 1937. See also Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007). "To survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face." Ethypharm S.A. France v. Abbott Labs., 707 F.3d 223, 231, n. 14 (3d Cir.2013) (quoting Sheridan v. NGK Metals Corp., 609 F.3d 239, 262 n. 27 (3d Cir.2010)). "A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged." Id. Applying the principles of Iqbal and Twombly, the Third Circuit in Santiago v. Warminster Twp., 629 F.3d 121 (3d Cir.2010), set forth a three-part analysis that a district court in this Circuit must conduct in evaluating whether allegations in a complaint survive a 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss:

Id. at 130 (quoting Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 675, 679, 129 S.Ct. 1937). "This means that our inquiry is normally broken into three parts: (1) identifying the elements of the claim, (2) reviewing the complaint to strike conclusory allegations, and then (3) looking at the well-pleaded components of the complaint and evaluating whether all of the elements identified in part one of the inquiry are sufficiently alleged." Malleus v. George, 641 F.3d 560, 563 (3d Cir.2011).

A complaint must do more than allege a plaintiff's entitlement to relief, it must "show" such an entitlement with its facts. Fowler v. UPMC Shadyside, 578 F.3d 203, 210-11 (3d Cir.2009) (citing Phillips v. Cnty. of Allegheny, 515 F.3d 224, 234-35 (3d Cir.2008)). "[W]here the well-pleaded facts do not permit the court to infer more than the mere possibility of misconduct, the complaint has alleged — but it has not `shown' — `that the pleader is entitled to relief.'" Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 679, 129 S.Ct. 1937. The "plausibility" determination is a "context-specific task that requires the reviewing court to draw on its judicial experience and common sense." Id.

III. ANALYSIS

The Foster Defendants filed two separate motions to dismiss. First, as Third-Party Defendants, they filed a Motion to Dismiss Defendant/Third-Party Plaintiff Jefferson's Amended Third-Party Complaint. (Doc. No. 66.) The Foster Defendants have also moved to dismiss Century Motors' Second Amended Crossclaim brought against them. (Doc. No. 53.) The Court will discuss each Motion seriatim.

1. Alfred Jefferson's Third-Party Complaint Alleges Facts Which Plausibly Give Rise to a Cause of Action for Indemnification on Counts II-IV8

In his Complaint, Jefferson raises a claim for indemnification9 against the Foster Defendants. Jefferson's claim is based on language in the Lease Agreement10 which states that the Lessee will "[i]ndemnify and save Lessor harmless from any and all loss occasioned by Lessee's breach of any of the covenants, terms and conditions of [the Lease Agreement], or caused by his family, guests, visitors, agents and employees." (Doc. No. 56, Exhibit A at 19(i) (emphasis added).) According to Jefferson, Foster covenanted and agreed that:

(Doc. No. 56 at ¶ 5.) Pursuant to the terms of the Lease Agreement, Jefferson filed the Third-Party Complaint against the Foster Defendants seeking indemnification.

In their Motion to Dismiss Jefferson's Complaint, the Foster Defendants argue that the indemnity clause in the Lease Agreement does not, and cannot, apply to Plaintiffs' claims. (Doc. No. 66 at 6.) They contend that the language in the Lease does not provide a basis for Jefferson's claim for indemnification. (Id. at 8.) According to the Lease, Foster and West Johnson Garage agreed to "[i]ndemnify and save [Jefferson] harmless from any and all loss occasioned by [their] breach of any of the covenants, terms and conditions of [the Lease Agreement.]" (Doc. No. 56, Exhibit A at 19(i).) Under a covenant in the Lease, any goods left over thirty days after the expiration of Foster's occupancy could have been sold at public or private sale without further notice. (Doc. No. 56 at ¶ 10. See also id., Exhibit A at ¶ 7(a).) The Lease also provides that the Foster Defendants would "[p]eaceably deliver up and surrender possession of the demised premises to the Lessor at the expiration or sooner termination of [the Lease Agreement], promptly delivering to Lessor at his office, all keys for the demised premises, with all trash and personal belongings removed and building(s) broom-swept clean." (Id. at ¶ 9(f) (emphasis added).)

According to Jefferson, "[a]t the time of the Writ of Possession/Eviction, Foster had goods and effects, including Plaintiffs' vehicles and property, stored in the building." (Doc. No. 56 at ¶ 7.) Jefferson also claims that Foster had ample time to either remove the goods from the West Johnson Garage or to notify Plaintiffs to do so. (Id. at ¶ 8.) Accepting these facts as true, they plausibly demonstrate that the Foster Defendants breached at least two covenants of the Lease Agreement, which required that goods left over thirty days after the expiration of the occupancy may be sold without further notice and that all trash and personal belongings be removed at the termination of the lease. (Doc. No. 56, Exhibit A at ¶ 9(f).) According to the Lease Agreement, Jefferson is entitled to indemnification for any loss caused by the breach of a covenant of the Lease Agreement. Thus, Jefferson's claim for indemnification will not be dismissed at this time.

Next, the Foster Defendants contend that Jefferson is precluded from seeking indemnity because Plaintiffs allege that Jefferson committed intentional torts. (Doc. No. 66 at 7.) As an initial matter, "[u]nder Pennsylvania law, indemnity is available only (1) `where there is an express contract to indemnify,' or (2) where the party seeking indemnity is vicariously or secondarily liable for the indemnitor's acts." Allegheny Gen. Hosp. v. Philip Morris, Inc., 228 F.3d 429, 448 (3d Cir. 2000) (quoting Richardson v. John F. Kennedy Mem'l Hosp., 838 F.Supp. 979, 989 (E.D.Pa.1993)). If there is no express contract to indemnify, then the party seeking indemnity must rely on the second option — common law indemnification. Id. Common law indemnification is appropriate when a defendant's liability "arises not out of its own conduct, but out of a relationship that legally compels the defendant to pay for the act or omission of a third party." Morris v. Lenihan, 192 F.R.D. 484, 489 (E.D.Pa.2000). The common law right of indemnity "enures to a person who, without active fault on his own part, has been compelled, by reason of some legal obligation, to pay damages occasioned by the initial negligence of another, and for which he himself is only secondarily liable."11 Id. at 488 (quoting Builders Supply Co. v. McCabe, 366 Pa. 322, 77 A.2d 368, 370 (1951)) (emphasis in original).

Because the party seeking common law indemnity must demonstrate that there was no active fault on his own part, "indemnity is unavailable to an intentional tortfeasor because it would permit him to escape liability for his own deliberate acts." Bancroft Life & Cas. ICC, Ltd. v. Intercontinental Mgmt., Ltd., No. 10-704, 2012 WL 1150788, *6 (W.D.Pa. Apr. 5, 2012). See also Jarmelin v. Man Fin. Inc., No. 06-1944, 2007 WL 2932866, *5, n. 6 (E.D.Pa. Oct. 2, 2007) (explaining that Pennsylvania does not permit indemnification for intentional torts); Britt v. May Dep't Stores Co., No. 94-3112, 1994 WL 585930, *3 (E.D.Pa. Oct. 14, 1994) ("The established rule of law is that indemnity is unavailable to an intentional tortfeasor...."); Canavin v. Naik, 648 F.Supp. 268, 269 (E.D.Pa.1986) ("Indemnity is likewise unavailable to an intentional tortfeasor because it would permit him to escape liability for his own deliberate acts."). This means that "[a]bsent a contract to the contrary, indemnity is not available to a party who is actively negligent" or engages in intentionally tortious conduct. Agere Sys., Inc. v. Advanced Envtl. Tech. Corp., 552 F.Supp.2d 515, 519 (E.D.Pa.2008) (citations omitted).

In this case, Plaintiffs assert claims against Jefferson for civil rights violations, abuse of process, conversion, and civil conspiracy. The Foster Defendants argue that these are intentional tort claims, and therefore, Jefferson cannot seek common law indemnification under Pennsylvania law. However, Jefferson does not make a claim for common law indemnity. Instead, Jefferson relies on an express contract to indemnify — the Lease Agreement. In each of the cases cited by the Foster Defendants,12 there was no contract to indemnify, so the parties seeking indemnification relied on common law principles. Thus, indemnification was not available for the underlying intentional torts. This case is distinguishable because there is an express contract to indemnify, and Jefferson does not need to rely on a theory of common law indemnification. Therefore, the rule that an intentional tortfeasor cannot seek common law indemnification is inapplicable here and has no bearing on Jefferson's claim for indemnification based on the Lease Agreement.13

Finally, the Foster Defendants contend that indemnification is inappropriate for § 1983 claims. (Doc. No. 66 at 7.) In support of this argument, the Foster Defendants rely on Rocuba v. Mackrell, No. 10-1465, 2011 WL 5869787 (M.D.Pa. Nov. 22, 2011). In Rocuba, the district court found that "there exists no claim for indemnity or contribution for § 1983 actions." Rocuba, 2011 WL 5869787 at *3. In reaching this decision, however, the district court relied on cases that dealt solely with claims for contribution, despite using the terms "indemnification" and "contribution" interchangeably. Contribution and indemnity are not one and the same. Instead, they are "separate and distinct causes of action. The right of contribution arises as between joint [tortfeasors] where a party has paid more than its fair share of liability to a third party." Agere, 552 F.Supp.2d at 519 (citation omitted). Contribution ensures that the loss is distributed equally, so that "each joint tortfeasor pay[s] his or her pro rata share." Lasprogata v. Qualls, 263 Pa.Super. 174, 397 A.2d 803, 805, n. 2 (1979). On the other hand, "[a] right of [i]ndemnity exists when the entire loss is imposed on one person." Id. Unlike contribution, common law indemnification requires a showing that the party seeking indemnity is without active fault, making this remedy unavailable among joint tortfeasors who share responsibility for the plaintiff's harm. Agere, 552 F.Supp.2d at 519.

While the Rocuba court explained that "[a] majority of courts ... have found that there exists no claim for indemnity or contribution for § 1983 actions[,]" 2011 WL 5869787 at *3 (collecting cases), the district court only relied on cases which have held that there is no federal right to contribution under § 1983.14 As noted above, contribution and indemnification are distinct causes of action and should be analyzed separately. Section 1983 neither expressly provides for contribution nor indemnification.15 The Supreme Court has explained that "inevitably[,] existing federal law will not cover every issue that may arise in the context of a federal civil rights action[,]" and a federal law may be deficient where it is "unsuited or insufficient `to furnish suitable remedies[.]'" Moor v. Alameda Cnty., 411 U.S. 693, 702-03, 93 S.Ct. 1785, 36 L.Ed.2d 596 (1973). When federal law is "deficient" in this manner, 42 U.S.C.A. § 1988(a) authorizes federal courts to look to state law for a suitable remedy, as long as the state law is "not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States." Kohn v. Sch. Dist. of City of Harrisburg, No. 11-109, 2012 WL 3560822, *4 (M.D.Pa. Aug. 16, 2012) (quoting 42 U.S.C.A. § 1988(a)).16 See also Robertson v. Wegmann, 436 U.S. 584, 587, 98 S.Ct. 1991, 56 L.Ed.2d 554 (1978). Since federal law appears to be deficient on the right of indemnity in § 1983 actions,17 the Court may look to Pennsylvania law. See Kohn, 2012 WL 3560822 at *4, *5 (finding § 1983 deficient for failing to provide a right of contribution and subsequently looking to Pennsylvania law to supply such a right). See also Robertson, 436 U.S. at 589, 98 S.Ct. 1991 (agreeing with lower courts that federal law was deficient for failing to cover the survival of civil rights actions under § 1983 upon the death of either the plaintiff or defendant).

As discussed above, Pennsylvania provides for indemnification based on either an express contract to indemnify or the common law. See Allegheny, 228 F.3d at 448. Having established that Pennsylvania law provides for indemnification, the question becomes whether this law is consistent with the Constitution and federal law. See Kohn, 2012 WL 3560822 at *4, *5. According to the Supreme Court, two main purposes underlie § 1983: 1) the compensation of civil rights victims; and 2) the prevention of abuse of power through deterrence. See Wyatt v. Cole, 504 U.S. 158, 161, 112 S.Ct. 1827, 118 L.Ed.2d 504 (1992) (citing Carey v. Piphus, 435 U.S. 247, 253, 98 S.Ct. 1042, 55 L.Ed.2d 252 (1978)); Robertson, 436 U.S. at 590-91, 98 S.Ct. 1991 (citations omitted). The Supreme Court explained that the "deterrence of future abuses of power by persons acting under color of state law is an important purpose of § 1983." City of Newport v. Fact Concerts, Inc., 453 U.S. 247, 268, 101 S.Ct. 2748, 69 L.Ed.2d 616 (1981) (citations omitted).

In this case, Plaintiffs have not sued the Foster Defendants, nor have they alleged that the Foster Defendants are liable for a § 1983 violation. Likewise, Jefferson does not allege that the Foster Defendants violated this civil rights statute. Thus, if a jury were to find that Jefferson committed a § 1983 violation, requiring the Foster Defendants to indemnify Jefferson would not advance § 1983's goal of deterrence. Instead, it would permit a civil rights violator to escape liability for his actions. In this case, Pennsylvania law would be inconsistent with § 1983's purpose of deterring civil rights violations. Therefore, Jefferson cannot maintain an indemnity claim for the underlying § 1983 action in Count I of Plaintiffs' Complaint. While Jefferson has pled facts which plausibly give rise to a claim for indemnification for Counts II-IV, discussed supra, the indemnity claim for Count I will be dismissed.

2. Century Motors' Claim Against the Foster Defendants, While Properly Styled as a Crossclaim, Will be Dismissed for Failure to Allege Facts Which Plausibly Give Rise to a Cause of Action for Indemnification and/or Contribution

In its Second Amended Answer, Century Motors asserts a crossclaim against the Foster Defendants for common law indemnification and/or contribution.18 In the crossclaim, Century Motors alleges that the Foster Defendants were bailees who failed to safeguard Plaintiffs' property stored in the West Johnson Garage. (Doc. No. 48 at 45.) Century Motors contends that if it is held liable to Plaintiffs for their loss, then the Foster Defendants may be liable to Century Motors for indemnification and/or contribution. (Id.) The Court will treat the crossclaim as seeking both. The Foster Defendants argue that both claims are improper for various reasons.

a. Century Motors' Claim Against the Foster Defendants is Properly Styled a Crossclaim Under Rule 13(g)

As an initial matter, the Foster Defendants assert that a procedural defect should result in dismissal of the crossclaim. They contend that they were not co-parties with Century Motors, and therefore, a crossclaim cannot properly be maintained against them under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 13(g). (Doc. No. 53 at 5.) This Rule states as follows:

Fed.R.Civ.P. 13(g). Given the language of the Rule, Century Motors could only bring a crossclaim against the Foster Defendants if the Foster Defendants and Century Motors were co-parties. Thus, the Court must decide whether the Foster Defendants were co-parties with Century Motors when Century Motors filed its Second Amended Crossclaim against the Foster Defendants. Pertinent to this decision is the fact that on August 13, 2013, Jefferson filed a Third-Party Complaint against the Foster Defendants, making them Third-Party Defendants in the case. (Doc. No. 34.) Then, on September 20, 2013, Century Motors, already a defendant in this case, filed its Second Amended Crossclaim against the Foster Defendants, who were named as such by Jefferson in his Third-Party Complaint.

Unfortunately, "[t]he Federal Rules do not define who is a `co-party' for purposes of Rule 13(g), and the courts in this Circuit have not settled the issue of whether an original defendant and a third-party defendant are co-parties such [that] they may assert cross-claims against one another." Reynolds v. Rick's Mushroom Serv., Inc., No. 01-3773, 2006 WL 1490105, *5 (E.D.Pa. May 26, 2006). Some courts have permitted a crossclaim between an original defendant, like Century Motors, and third-party defendants, like the Foster Defendants. Id. (collecting cases). When courts have allowed a crossclaim in this circumstance, "the original defendant and third-party defendant `were considered `co-parties' since they were not opposing parties and were clearly non-adverse before the filing of the cross-claim.'" Id. (quoting Keystone Coke Co. v. Pasquale, No. 97-6074, 1999 WL 130626, *1 (E.D.Pa. Mar. 9, 1999)). As such, it appears that the Foster Defendants and Century Motors were co-parties, and therefore it was permissible for Century Motors to crossclaim against the Foster Defendants.

In disputing the notion that they were co-parties with Century Motors, the Foster Defendants rely on Reynolds, in which the district court held that the original defendants and third-party defendants were not "co-parties" because their interests were adverse before the crossclaims were filed. Id. Reynolds involved a dispute between neighboring landowners regarding pollution of the plaintiffs' pond in violation of federal and state law. There were three original defendants in Reynolds. In 2003, the original defendants unsuccessfully tried to join nineteen defendants by filing a third-party complaint pursuant to Rule 14.19 Id. at *1. The Court declined to permit the third-party complaint for various reasons.20 The litigation continued, and in 2006, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint, adding a new defendant. Id. That new defendant subsequently filed a third-party complaint against thirty-four additional defendants. Id. Shortly thereafter, the three original defendants filed crossclaims against the newly joined third-party defendants, pursuant to Rule 13(g). Id. For various reasons, the Court severed the third-party complaint, leaving the new defendant to pursue his third-party claims in a separate action. Id. at *5.

In addition, the Court struck the original defendants' crossclaims against the third-party defendants. Id. In doing so, the Court reasoned that in prior cases, original defendants and third-party defendants were considered co-parties when they "were clearly non-adverse before the filing of the cross-claim." Id. (quotation omitted). Some of the thirty-four third-party defendants were the same parties that the original defendants had previously tried to join in their 2003 third-party complaint that was dismissed. Id. Given this fact, the Court found that the original defendants' interests were clearly adverse to the third-party defendants' and struck the crossclaims as improper under Rule 13(g). Id.

The current case is dissimilar from Reynolds. Unlike the original defendants in Reynolds, Century Motors has never filed a third-party complaint against the Foster Defendants that was previously disallowed by the Court. In Reynolds, the Court was apprehensive that the original defendants were trying to circumvent the Court's prior ruling by repackaging their claims under Rule 13(g). Id. That is not a concern in this case. In addition, the Reynolds court was concerned about the effects of permitting additional claims against thirty-four new defendants in a case that had already been ongoing for many years. Id. The present case was filed less than a year ago, and there are only crossclaims against three third-party defendants, rather than thirty-four. The fears about complication and delay that worried the Court in Reynolds are not cause for concern here.

Another decision, Earle M. Jorgenson Co. v. T.I. U.S., Ltd., is more instructive. 133 F.R.D. 472 (E.D.Pa.1991). In Jorgenson, the Court held that the original defendant and the third-party defendant were co-parties for purposes of Rule 13(g) because they were not opposing parties when the original defendant filed a crossclaim against the third-party defendant. The Court reasoned that "opposing parties," or adverse parties, "are parties that formally oppose each other on a pleaded claim, such as plaintiffs and original defendants, or third-party plaintiffs and the third-party defendants they have joined." Id. at 475. Because the original defendant and the third-party defendant did not formally oppose each other prior to the crossclaim, the Court held that they were not opposing parties, and were therefore considered co-parties for purposes of Rule 13(g).

In reaching this conclusion, the Court relied on a case from the Southern District of Georgia. There, the district court reasoned:

Georgia Ports Auth. v. Construzioni Meccaniche Industriali Genovesi, S.P.A., 119 F.R.D. 693, 695 (S.D.Ga.1988). This reasoning is persuasive. Like the parties in Jorgenson, Century Motors and the Foster Defendants did not become opposing parties until Century Motors filed its crossclaim. Therefore, they are co-parties for purposes of Rule 13(g), and the crossclaim is procedurally proper.

b. Century Motors' Conclusory Statement that the Foster Defendants May be Liable to Century Motors is Not Sufficient to Allege a Claim for Indemnification and/or Contribution

Second, the Foster Defendants contend that the crossclaim fails to allege facts which demonstrate that they are directly liable to Century Motors. (Doc. No. 53 at 5.) According to the Foster Defendants, both Rules 1421 and 13(g) require Century Motors to plead facts which demonstrate that the Foster Defendants are liable to them rather than to the Plaintiffs. (Id. at 7.) They argue that "the language of Rule 13(g) ... clearly contemplates that a crossclaim must set forth sufficient facts to demonstrate that the coparty is liable to the crossclaimant." (Id.) In relevant part, the Rule provides that "[t]he crossclaim may include a claim that the coparty is or may be liable to the cross-claimant for all or part of a claim asserted in the action against the cross-claimant." Fed.R.Civ.P. 13(g). Similarly, as noted above, Ashcroft v. Iqbal requires that Century Motors plead enough facts, accepted as true, to plausibly show that the Foster Defendants are liable to Century Motors for the alleged misconduct. Ethypharm, 707 F.3d at 231, n. 14 (3d Cir.2013) (quotation omitted). Conclusions of law are not sufficient.

In its crossclaim, Century Motors asserts that "should the factual allegations of Plaintiffs' Complaint be proven true, then [the Foster Defendants] are alone liable to Plaintiffs, are Jointly and/or Severally liable to Century Motors, and/or are liable over to Century Motors by way of indemnity and/or contribution upon Plaintiffs' claims." (Doc. No. 48 at 45.) This "mere conclusory statement[]" does not meet the pleading requirements set forth in Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 663, 129 S.Ct. 1937. Likewise, this legal conclusion does not satisfy Rule 13(g), which also requires supporting facts. Viewing the allegations in the crossclaim in the light most favorable to Century Motors, the facts alleged fail to give rise to a claim for indemnification or contribution. Because indemnification and contribution are distinct causes of action, the Court will discuss each one separately.

i. Century Motors Fails to State a Claim for Indemnification

The Foster Defendants argue that Century Motors' crossclaim fails to set forth a valid indemnity claim for two reasons. First, as mentioned above, they assert that Century Motors fails to allege any facts which demonstrate that the Foster Defendants are directly liable to Century Motors for indemnification. Second, the Foster Defendants claim that Century Motors cannot seek indemnity for the intentional torts alleged against it, since "[common law] indemnification can only be sought by a party `without active fault on his own part.'" (Doc. No. 53 at 11 (original emphasis) (quotation omitted).) As part of this argument, the Foster Defendants reiterate that indemnification is not permitted for § 1983 violations. (Id. at 13.) For the following reasons, the Court will grant the Foster Defendants' motion to dismiss Century Motors' crossclaim for indemnification.

"Under Pennsylvania law, indemnity is available only (1) `where there is an express contract to indemnify,' or (2) where the party seeking indemnity is vicariously or secondarily liable for the indemnitor's acts." Allegheny, 228 F.3d at 448 (quotation omitted). Thus, as noted above, a defendant may seek indemnification based on an express contract or common law principles. In its crossclaim, Century Motors does not allege that there is an express contract to indemnify between the Foster Defendants and Century Motors. Therefore, Century Motors can only rely on principles of common law indemnification.

To make out a claim for common law indemnification, Century Motors must demonstrate that "without active fault on [its] own part, [Century Motors] has been compelled, by reason of some legal obligation, to pay damages occasioned by the initial negligence of [the Foster Defendants], and for which [it] is only secondarily liable." Morris, 192 F.R.D. at 488 (quotation omitted) (emphasis in original). In its crossclaim, Century Motors fails to identify a legal obligation22 that compels it to pay for harm primarily caused by the Foster Defendants' actions. If such an obligation existed, then it would allow Century Motors to seek indemnification from the Foster Defendants. Because Century Motors has failed to demonstrate how — and under what legal theory — the Foster Defendants are liable to Century Motors, its claim for indemnification is insufficient and will be dismissed. Because the crossclaim will be dismissed for this reason, the Court need not discuss the Foster Defendants' additional arguments in support of dismissal.23

ii. Century Motors Fails to State a Claim for Contribution

The Foster Defendants also assert that Century Motors' crossclaim fails to set forth a valid claim for contribution because Century Motors does not allege any facts which plausibly demonstrate that the Foster Defendants and Century Motors are joint tortfeasors. The Court agrees and will dismiss Century Motors' contribution claim as well.

Unlike the right to common law indemnity, which is unavailable among joint tortfeasors, "the right to contribution only arises among joint tortfeasors." Richardson, 838 F.Supp. at 989 (emphasis added). Thus, to establish a right of contribution under Pennsylvania law, Century Motors must demonstrate that it and the Foster Defendants are joint tortfeasors. See Travelers Indem. Co. v. Stengel, 512 Fed.Appx. 249, 251 (3d Cir.2013). Joint tortfeasors are "two or more persons jointly or severally liable in tort for the same injury to persons or property, whether or not judgment has been recovered against all or some of them." 42 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. § 8322. Pennsylvania courts consider the following factors to determine joint and several liability:

Morris, 192 F.R.D. at 490 (E.D.Pa.2000) (quotations omitted). Nowhere in its crossclaim does Century Motors allege that it and the Foster Defendants are joint tortfeasors.25 Moreover, the crossclaim is devoid of any discussion of all of the factors which courts use to determine whether joint and several liability is appropriate. As pled, the crossclaim fails to establish that the Foster Defendants may be liable to Century Motors for contribution.26

IV. CONCLUSION

For the reasons set forth above, the Foster Defendants' Motion to Dismiss Jefferson's Amended Third-Party Complaint will be granted in part and denied in part. Jefferson's claim for indemnification of the § 1983 claim in Count I will be dismissed. However, the Court will deny the Foster Defendants' Motion as it relates to Jefferson's claim for indemnification for Counts II-IV. The Foster Defendants' Motion to Dismiss Century Motors' Second Amended Crossclaim will be granted in its entirety. Century Motors, however, will be granted leave to file a Third Amended Answer.27

ORDER

AND NOW, this 9th day of January 2014, upon consideration of the Complaint (Doc. No. 1), the Amended Third-Party Complaint of Alfred Jefferson (Doc. Nos. 55, 56), the Foster Defendants' Motion to Dismiss Jefferson's Third-Party Complaint (Doc. No. 66), Alfred Jefferson's Response in Opposition (Doc. No. 70), Defendant Century Motors' Second Amended Answer (Doc. No. 48), the Foster Defendants' Motion to Dismiss Century Motors' Second Amended Crossclaim (Doc. No. 53), the Response of Century Motors in Opposition (Doc. No. 54-2), the arguments of counsel for the parties during a hearing on the Motions held on December 11, 2013, and in accordance with the Opinion of the Court issued this day, it is ORDERED as follows:

1. The Foster Defendants' Motion to Dismiss Alfred Jefferson's Third-Party Complaint (Doc. No. 66) is granted in part and denied in part. The Motion is GRANTED with respect to Jefferson's indemnity claim on Count I. The Motion is DENIED with respect to Jefferson's indemnity claim on Counts II-IV.

2. The Foster Defendants' Motion to Dismiss Century Motors' Second Amended Crossclaim (Doc. No. 53) is GRANTED.

3. Century Motors is granted leave to amend its Answer to Plaintiffs' Complaint and to file an amended crossclaim. Century Motors has until January 31, 2014 to file an amended pleading, if any is to be filed.