Appellant/Cross-Appellee, J.J. DeLuca Company, Inc. (DeLuca), appeals from the order entered in favor of Appellees/Cross-Appellants, Toll Naval Associates, Toll PA GP Corp, Inc., and Toll Bros. Inc., (collectively, Toll), in these consolidated cross-appeals. DeLuca raises sixteen claims of error against the trial court. Toll raises nine counter-questions. We affirm.
This case is on appeal for the second time. The underlying suit arose out of the contractual relationship which began when Toll engaged DeLuca to be general contractor for the seventy-nine million dollar Naval Square Project for the construction of townhomes and condominiums on former Navy property in South Philadelphia, of which Toll was owner and developer. (See generally, Trial Court Rule 1925(a) Opinion, 1/10/12, at 1-3; see also Trial Ct. Op., 8/03/10, at 1-12, passim.) In addition to other compensation, DeLuca received 3.5% of total billings to Toll as a management or administrative fee. (See Trial Ct. Op., 8/03/10, at 6).
Disagreements developed over Toll's delays in obtaining required permits, untimely delivery of essential shop drawings, and work which Toll-directed to be performed out of sequence to suggest greater than actual progress for marketing purposes. Toll had complaints about DeLuca's quality of workmanship and failure to meet the contract schedule. The trial court attributes most of the delays to Toll. (See id., at 7).
In any event, the parties decided to discontinue the arrangement, with Toll to become its own general contractor. After extensive negotiation they executed a Termination for Convenience Agreement (TCA), effective as of May 26, 2006, which, inter alia, allocated responsibilities for the turnover transition, and, notably for purposes of this appeal, limited the types of claims which could be brought.
On March 9, 2007, after mediation failed, DeLuca sued Toll for amounts held back by Toll under a 10% retainage arrangement. The complaint alleged breach of contract, unjust enrichment, quantum meruit, and violation of the Contractor and Subcontractor Payment Act (CASPA), 73 P.S. §§ 501-516. DeLuca originally sought damages in excess of four million dollars.
Toll counterclaimed for cost overruns, costs of completion, unanticipated personnel costs, and liquidated damages. Evidence developed by Toll during discovery depositions confirmed that subcontractors, including Brookside Construction, had been directed by DeLuca personnel to submit invoices to Toll for work not in fact performed at Naval Square, to compensate the subcontractors for other work for DeLuca at unrelated non-Toll worksites. Over DeLuca's objection, the trial court permitted Toll to amend its cross-complaint to include a counterclaim for fraud.
DeLuca apparently withdrew certain claims in its complaint associated with allegations of fraudulent billing. After a bench trial, the trial court issued its first order and opinion, awarding DeLuca $1,231,944.79. (See Order, 8/26/09).
On appeal, a panel of this Court vacated the judgment and remanded the case, deciding that the trial court erroneously concluded that Toll's claim for punitive damages had been waived. (See J.J. DeLuca Company, Inc. v. Toll Naval Associates, Nos. 1054 EDA 2010 and 1063 EDA 2010, unpublished order at 3 (Pa.Super. filed May 12, 2011)).
On remand, after a hearing, argument, and briefs, the trial court entered a $4,500,000.00 verdict in favor of Toll on the punitive damages claim, resulting in a net award to Toll of $2,376,161.99, after deducting the $2,123,838.01 previously awarded to DeLuca. (See Order, 6/07/11).
Both parties filed post-trial motions, and the trial court vacated its order of June 7, 2011. After a hearing, the trial court denied all post-trial motions and reinstated its June 7, 2011 award in favor of Toll for the net amount of $2,376,161.99. (See Order, 11/16/11). In its companion opinion, the court incorporated its opinion of August 3, 2010, and reaffirmed its order and opinion of March 8, 2010, except as to punitive damages. (See Order and Opinion, 11/16/11). On praecipe of Toll, the prothonotary entered final judgment on November 18, 2011. Both parties timely cross-appealed. The trial court filed an opinion pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 1925(a) on January 10, 2012.
On appeal, DeLuca raises sixteen issues.
(DeLuca's Brief, at 3-4).
In its brief, Toll raises nine questions, styled as a "counterstatement" of DeLuca's questions involved:
(Toll's Brief, at 3-4).
Preliminarily, we are reminded of the observation by the Honorable Ruggero J.
Id. at 847 n. 3 (citations omitted); see also Commonwealth v. Snyder, 870 A.2d 336, 340 (Pa.Super.2005) ("[T]he effectiveness of appellate advocacy may suffer when counsel raises numerous issues, to the point where a presumption arises that there is no merit to any of them.") (citations omitted).
In this appeal, many of DeLuca's arguments overlap or simply duplicate each other by raising the same issue in an alternative way. Also, the argument section of the brief structures the fraud claim questions, inconsistently numbered and lettered, as subsidiary questions to the punitive damages claim. (See DeLuca's Brief, at 16-42). In so doing, Appellant fails to comply with Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 2119:
Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a) (emphasis added). Therefore, for clarity of analysis and to avoid unnecessary duplication, when appropriate we will address similar claims together.
DeLuca first assigns error to the trial court for its finding that Toll paid $1,581,974.45 for fraudulent or improper billings. (See DeLuca's Brief, at 3). DeLuca maintains that there is no evidence in the record to support the trial court's finding. (Id. at 15). We disagree.
Rissi v. Cappella, 918 A.2d 131, 136 (Pa.Super.2007) (citation omitted). "We will respect a trial court's findings with regard to the credibility and weight of the evidence unless the appellant can show that the court's determination was manifestly erroneous, arbitrary and capricious or flagrantly contrary to the evidence." Ecksel v. Orleans Const. Co., 360 Pa.Super. 119, 519 A.2d 1021, 1028 (1987) (citation omitted).
Here, DeLuca asserts that the trial court erroneously assumed the amount at issue was "actually paid" by Toll when DeLuca in fact withdrew its claim prior to
Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 2119(c) provides:
Pa.R.A.P. 2119(c). Nor does DeLuca develop an argument or offer any authority in support of the claim. See Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a); see also Commonwealth v. Beshore, 916 A.2d 1128, 1140 (Pa.Super.2007), appeal denied sub nom. Commonwealth v. Imes, 603 Pa. 680, 982 A.2d 509 (2009) ("We shall not develop an argument for [the appellant], nor shall we scour the record to find evidence to support an argument; consequently, we deem this issue waived."). Accordingly, DeLuca's first claim is waived.
Moreover, it would not merit relief. DeLuca fails to prove an error of the trial court by the mere bald reference to the trial court's opinion. Furthermore, P-1148, a spreadsheet titled "J.J. DeLuca Company, Inc.; Naval Square Billing/Payment Analysis," does not support DeLuca's claim. DeLuca contends that "Column G3 of Exhibit P-1148 does not reflect the amount paid by Toll, but rather the amount withheld by Toll." (Deluca's Brief at 16). However, DeLuca's interpretation conflicts on its face with the spreadsheet itself which lists "Retainage Held by Toll" at Column B, not Column G3. DeLuca fails to prove that the trial court's finding is not supported by the record.
Even if this issue were not waived, considering the evidence in a light most favorable to Toll as the verdict winner, and giving the findings of fact of the trial judge the same weight and effect as the verdict of a jury, we would find no basis to reverse the trial court's findings. See Rissi, supra. DeLuca's first argument is waived and would merit no relief.
In its second question, DeLuca challenges the award of $4,500,000.00 in punitive damages. (See DeLuca's Brief, at 3). DeLuca's second argument merely restates the second question as a general factual premise. (See Deluca's Brief, at 3, 16). However, it does not develop an independent argument of trial court error, or provide pertinent supporting authority. Accordingly, DeLuca's second issue is also waived. See Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a), (b).
Deluca's third, fourth, fifth, and sixth questions challenge the underlying fraud claim as insufficient to support punitive damages. (See DeLuca's Brief, at 3, 16-32). We disagree.
However, our review of the record reveals that Deluca's argument is demonstrably incorrect. The trial court made express and unequivocal findings of fraud, even if sometimes expressed as previous determinations when the court was addressing other issues. (See, e.g., Trial Court Rule 1925(a) Opinion, 1/10/12, at 11 ("The evidence further demonstrated that the scheme to fraudulently bill the Toll Defendants was incorporated into the initial budget proposal and permeated the entire billing process, the attempts to collect, and the use of court process."), 11-12 ("fraud ... so pervasive and premeditated that the contract was merely the collateral vehicle through which the fraud was perpetrated"); Trial Ct. Op., 8/03/10, at 26 ("pervasive and significant fraud"); Trial Ct. Op., 11/16/11, at 11-12 ("fraud ... so pervasive and premeditated")). DeLuca's failure-to-find-fraud argument does not merit relief.
Next, DeLuca argues the trial court erred by finding Toll had not waived its claim for fraud. DeLuca maintains the fraud claim was waived for failure to include it in the TCA as a preserved claim. (See DeLuca's Brief, at 19-20).
First, DeLuca has failed to develop an argument in support of its waiver claim, and offers no authority at all to support it. (See id.). Accordingly, this claim is waived. See Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a), (b).
Moreover, it would not merit relief. "Every contract imposes a duty of good faith and fair dealing on the parties in the performance and the enforcement of the contract." Giant Food Stores, LLC v. THF Silver Spring Dev., L.P., 959 A.2d 438, 447-48 (Pa. Super.2008), appeal denied, 601 Pa. 697, 972 A.2d 522 (2009) (citation omitted).
Accordingly, here, prior to the discovery of fraud, Toll was entitled to assume that DeLuca would perform its termination obligations in good faith and had previously performed its general contractor obligations in good faith. Therefore, Toll had no obligation to anticipate DeLuca's violation of these duties by inclusion of a separate contractual provision expressly preserving claims for fraud, and, as already noted, DeLuca offers no authority whatsoever for its claim that such a reservation was required. DeLuca's claim of waiver is waived and without merit.
Next, DeLuca asserts Toll's fraud claim is barred by the statute of limitations. (See Deluca's Brief, at 20-26). We disagree. "The law is clear that fraud or deceit tolls the statute of limitations until such time as the fraud has been discovered by the exercise of due diligence." Rothman v. Fillette, 503 Pa. 259, 469 A.2d 543, 546 n. 3 (1983) (citations omitted).
Here, DeLuca merely argues that Toll "knew
Similarly, DeLuca argues the statute of limitations defense was not barred because it, DeLuca, did not actively conceal the fraud, and mere silence or non-disclosure
Moreover, the claim would not merit relief. We consider the evidence in a light most favorable to the verdict winner, and accord the trial court's findings the same weight and effect on appeal as the verdict of a jury. See Rissi, supra at 136. Here, the trial court found that:
(Trial Court Rule 1925(a) Opinion, 1/10/12, at 8 (emphases added)). DeLuca only argues it did nothing to lull Toll into relaxing its vigilance. (See DeLuca's Brief, at 25-26). It attempts to shift the burden to Toll for lack of vigilance. (See id. at 26). It does nothing to refute the trial court's findings. (See id.). We defer to the fact findings of the trial court. DeLuca's no-active-concealment defense would not merit relief.
Next, DeLuca argues Toll's claim of fraud is barred by the gist of the action doctrine. (See DeLuca's Brief, at 26-32). Citing Reed v. Dupuis, 920 A.2d 861 (Pa.Super.2007) (holding that gist of the action doctrine did not preclude recovery under theory of negligence in landlord-tenant case) and eToll, Inc. v. Elias/Savion Adver., Inc., 811 A.2d 10 (Pa.Super.2002), DeLuca maintains that Toll's claim for fraud was merely collateral to its contract claims, and, therefore, barred. We disagree.
"[T]he question of whether the gist of the action doctrine applies is an issue of law subject to plenary review." Reed, supra at 864 (quoting eToll, supra at 15).
Id. at 864 (citation omitted).
eToll, supra at 14-15 (citations, internal quotation marks and footnote omitted; emphasis added).
Here, DeLuca posits that under the four conditions enumerated in Reed, because Toll's allegations arise out of fraudulent invoices, the gist of the action doctrine bars the fraud claims. (See DeLuca's Brief, at 30-32). DeLuca's reliance on Reed is misplaced.
First, it is patently obvious that Toll's fraud claim did not arise "solely from a contract between the parties." Reed, supra at 864. The fraud did not arise out of the
Similarly, the duty breached was not created by the contract, and liability did not stem from a contract. At root, Toll was merely a convenient cash box to fund the fraud. DeLuca had an independent, societal duty not to defraud Toll, or any other comparably situated party. See, e.g., 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 4107(a)(2) ("A person commits an offense if, in the course of business, the person: ... sells, offers or exposes for sale, or delivers less than the represented quantity of any commodity or service"). The mere incidental employment of a contractual provision as the vehicle or instrument to perpetrate a fraud does not immunize a perpetrator from liability for fraud.
Finally, the tort claim does not "duplicate[ ] a breach of contract claim or the success of which is wholly dependent on the terms of a contract." Reed, supra at 864. The success of Toll's fraud claim is not dependent on the terms of the Naval Square contract, or a breach in the performance thereof. Proof of the fraud is an independent and self-sufficient basis for recovery. Reed offers DeLuca no basis for relief.
The present case is readily distinguishable from eToll as well. Most notably, the fraud alleged in eToll was fraud arising from the performance of the contract itself. In eToll, the appellant, a software developer, engaged the appellees, a marketing firm and its principals, to market and advertise its e-mail product. See eToll, supra at 12. The fraud asserted was that the appellees told the appellant that they had the knowledge, expertise, and experience to advertise and market the product properly, when in fact they did not. See id. Furthermore, the individual appellees executed several schemes designed to obtain money fraudulently from eToll, including "contracting for goods and services which were unauthorized, unnecessary, excessive or in
Here, again, the fraud was not in the performance of the contract. Rather, the fraud was in using the contract as a pretext, or vehicle, to bill Toll for totally unrelated services at other sites. DeLuca did not perform the work at issue fraudulently; it did not perform it for Toll at all.
In this context it is important to bear in mind the stated social policy behind the gist of the action doctrine:
Id. at 14 (citations omitted; emphasis added).
Further, the eToll Court, after reviewing several federal decisions it found to be in support of its disposition, concluded:
Id. at 19 (first emphasis in original; subsequent emphases added).
In this appeal, after review, we conclude that the fraud claims do not concern the performance of the duties under the contract. To the contrary, the fraud is that the invoices at issue were bogus billings for unrelated services independent of the contract. The trial court properly concluded that invoice billing under the contract was merely the vehicle for the fraud. (See Trial Ct. Op., 11/16/11, at 10). Neither Reed nor eToll require that we treat pretextual billing as transforming a fraudulent transaction into one arising solely from a contract between the parties. DeLuca's gist of the action argument merits no relief.
Next, DeLuca argues that punitive damages cannot be awarded for a breach of contract claim. (See DeLuca's Brief, at 32-33). The assertion is incomplete. This Court explained in eToll that, "although mere nonperformance of a contract does not constitute a fraud[,]
In its eighth claim, DeLuca asserts that the trial court's punitive damages award is prohibited by the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. (See DeLuca's Brief, at 33-40). We disagree.
Pestco, Inc. v. Associated Prods., Inc., 880 A.2d 700, 709 (Pa. Super.2005) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted). "It should be presumed a plaintiff has been made whole for his injuries by compensatory damages, so punitive damages should only be awarded if the defendant's culpability, after having paid compensatory damages, is so reprehensible as to warrant the imposition of further sanctions to achieve punishment or deterrence." State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Campbell, 538 U.S. 408, 419, 123 S.Ct. 1513, 155 L.Ed.2d 585 (2003) (citation omitted).
In this appeal, DeLuca concedes that the decision to award punitive damages, and the amount, is within the discretion of the fact-finder. (See DeLuca's Brief, at 34). Nevertheless, it argues that the award of punitive damages here is unsupported by the record, patently unreasonable, and constitutionally unacceptable. (See id. at 34-40). DeLuca again raises the issue of the withdrawn billings, and argues it took remedial action on discovery of the fraud. (See id. at 38-39). Thus, it contends its degree of reprehensibility does not justify $4.5 million in punitive damages. (See id. at 35-37). Finally, DeLuca asserts the ratio of punitive damages to compensatory damages was constitutionally impermissible. (See id. at 37-40). DeLuca's arguments do not merit relief.
DeLuca correctly argues that the conduct at issue "involved an economic tort and not a tort that inflicted an injury to health or safety." (Id. at 40). However, there is little else to commend DeLuca's actions. DeLuca concedes, in effect, that fraud existed, at least to the extent it seeks to take credit for adopting remedial action "[o]nce it became aware of the potential fraudulent charges," and for withdrawing at least certain claims after fraud had been discovered and presented to the trial court. (Id. at 37).
Nonetheless, the trial court found that "[t]he evidence ... demonstrated that the scheme to fraudulently bill the Toll Defendants was incorporated into the initial budget proposal and permeated the entire billing process, the attempts to collect, and the use of court process." (Trial Court Rule 1925(a) Opinion, 1/10/12, at 11).
Furthermore, DeLuca misapprehends our standard of review, which is not to re-weigh the evidence considered by the trial court, but to determine if the trial court abused its discretion. See Pestco, supra. We conclude that the trial court's finding is supported by the record, and it properly exercised its discretion. DeLuca's claim does not merit relief.
Finally, on punitive damages, DeLuca argues that the ratio of punitive damages to compensatory damages is constitutionally impermissible, citing Campbell. (See DeLuca's Brief, at 37-40).
Pestco, supra at 709-10 (some citations omitted).
"[B]ecause there are no rigid benchmarks that a punitive damages award may not surpass, ratios greater than those we have previously upheld may comport with due process[.]" Campbell, supra at 425, 123 S.Ct. 1513.
Here, leaving aside the problem that DeLuca treats an expressly limited "recommended single digit ratio" in Campbell as a constitutionally binding requirement in this case, the argument also fails because the trial court determined that the proper measure of compensatory damages was $1,581,974.45 of fraudulent billing, not $308,601.00. (See Trial Court Rule 1925(a) Opinion, 1/10/12, at 7). The trial court correctly calculates that based on these numbers, the ratio is 2.84. (See id.). DeLuca's argument is frivolous. DeLuca's argument fails.
DeLuca's ninth question claims a mathematical error by the trial court. (See DeLuca's Brief, at 40).
We review a challenge to the calculation of damages for abuse of discretion. See Liss & Marion, P.C. v. Recordex Acquisition Corp., 937 A.2d 503, 516 (Pa.Super.2007), affirmed, 603 Pa. 198, 983 A.2d 652 (2009).
Id. at 514 (citations omitted).
Accordingly, in resolving claims of
DeLuca's claim of error merely cites to a line item adjustment of $251,399.00 for Brookside Construction in P-1148, and concludes, with no other substantiation or explanation, that the trial court erred.
In DeLuca's tenth, eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth questions, it challenges the trial court's denial of interest, attorneys' fees, and costs under CASPA. Chiefly, DeLuca asserts that it is entitled to interest on untimely payments due and to attorneys' fees as the prevailing party. (See DeLuca's Brief, at 42-43). We address DeLuca's CASPA claims together.
Section 512(b) of CASPA provides that: "Notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary, the substantially prevailing party in any proceeding to recover any payment under this act shall be awarded a reasonable attorney fee in an amount to be determined by the court or arbitrator, together with expenses." 73 P.S. § 512(b).
"While the mandatory language of section 512(b) requires an award of attorney's fees to a
Accordingly, DeLuca's assertion has two major problems. First, the trial court expressly found that DeLuca had
DeLuca claims on appeal that it defeated 99.92% of Toll's claims, and proved 93.57% of its own. (See DeLuca's Brief, at 45). However, it is the trial court's finding which controls, not DeLuca's. See Imperial Excavating, supra at 564. Furthermore, no mathematical gyrations by DeLuca can alter the reality that the punitive damages awarded to Toll after this Court's remand left DeLuca with no net damages at all. (See Order, 11/16/11). Therefore, on review we find that the trial court's denial of interest, costs, and attorneys' fees is supported by the record and proper. The trial court did not abuse its discretion. All of DeLuca's CASPA claims fail.
Finally, DeLuca asserts a sixteenth assignment of error for the trial court's failure to award all costs incurred in the Naval Square project. (See DeLuca's Brief, at 4). DeLuca fails to present or develop an independent argument in support of this claim. (See id. at 58-59). Accordingly, it is waived. See Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a), (b). It also would fail for the reasons already discussed.
All of Toll's questions as Cross-Appellant involve challenges to DeLuca's claims; Toll presents no independent assertions of trial court error for our review. (See Toll's Brief, at 3-4). Accordingly, our disposition of DeLuca's claims resolves the counter-questions raised by Toll. Furthermore, in light of our disposition, we need not address Toll's alternative claims of waiver, and we decline to do so. Toll also filed a motion to dismiss and to quash matters not previously raised. We dismiss the motion as moot.
In its Rule 1925(a) opinion, in addition to the clerical error already noted, the trial court concedes that it "inartfully addressed" the $560,000 Brookside billing in previous opinions, but explains its reasoning for entering that amount as a verdict in favor of Toll on its counterclaim. (See Trial Court Rule 1925(a) Opinion, 1/10/12, at 6-7). We find no abuse of discretion in the trial court's award.
The basis of our disposition differs from that of the trial court in some respects. "Nevertheless, we are not bound by the rationale of the trial court and may affirm on any basis." Richmond v. McHale, 35 A.3d 779, 786 n. 2 (Pa.Super.2012) (citation omitted).
Order affirmed. Motion to dismiss and to quash dismissed as moot.