James Dehart v. Homeq Servicing Corporation , 679 F. App'x 184 ( 2017 )

NOT PRECEDENTIAL
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
________________
No. 15-1723
________________
JAMES S. DEHART;
JUDY DEHART,
Appellants
v.
HOMEQ SERVICING CORPORATION, f/k/a TMS Mortgage Inc.,
d/b/a The Money Store; WACHOVIA BANK OF DELAWARE, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION d/b/a and/ or f/k/a HomeQ Servicing Corporation;
MILSTEAD & ASSOCIATES, LLC.; MICHAEL J. MILSTEAD;
CHRISOVALANTE P. FLIAKOS; GREG WILKINS a/k/a Greg Wilkinson;
PINA S. WERTZBERGER; CORINA M. CONNORS;
WELLS FARGO BANK NA, a/k/a Wells Fargo Home Mortgage a/k/a Wells Fargo
WELLS FARGO BANK, NA, a/k/a Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
a/k/a Wells Fargo,
Third Party Plaintiff
v.
BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
Third Party Defendant
________________
On Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
(D. C. Civil Action No. 5-11-cv-00416)
District Judge: Honorable Mitchell S. Goldberg
________________
Submitted under Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a)
on April 29, 2016
Before: MCKEE**, Chief Judge, JORDAN and ROTH, Circuit Judges
(Opinion filed: February 8, 2017)
________________
OPINION*
________________
ROTH, Circuit Judge
James and Judy DeHart appeal orders of the District Court resolving an action
against HomEq Servicing Corp., Wachovia Bank of Delaware, N.A., Milstead &
Associates, LLC, and former and present employees of Milstead & Associates, LLC, as
well as third party defendant Barclays Bank PLC. The action alleged the failure to
acknowledge their timely mortgage payments and the improper sheriff sale of their home.
We will affirm.
I. Background
Because we write for parties familiar with the facts, we set forth only those facts
pertinent to the resolution of this appeal. In 1999, the DeHarts obtained a home loan
from Parkway Mortgage, Inc., secured by a mortgage on the property. Parkway
Mortgage subsequently assigned its interests in the mortgage to non-parties which in turn
*
This disposition is not an opinion of the full Court and pursuant to I.O.P. 5.7 does not
constitute binding precedent.
** The Honorable Theodore A. McKee was Chief Judge at the time this appeal was
submitted. Judge McKee completed his term as Chief Judge on September 30, 2016.
2
assigned their interests. For the purpose of resolving this appeal, Wachovia Bank owned
the mortgage note until Wachovia’s merger with Wells Fargo, which became the owner
of the note, and HomEq was the servicer. The mortgage requires, in addition to monthly
payment of principal and interest, additional payments for, among other things, taxes and
insurance. About a year after obtaining the loan, the DeHarts stopped sending mortgage
payments for a few months because they did not receive monthly statements.
Subsequently, the DeHarts received a notice that their loan was in default and that
foreclosure proceedings would be initiated if the default was not cured. In 2001, HomEq
filed a foreclosure complaint against the DeHarts in the Court of Common Pleas in
Northampton County, Pennsylvania. Because the DeHarts never responded to the
complaint, a default judgment was entered against them, and a sheriff sale of the property
was scheduled. The DeHarts averted the sale by filing a voluntary Chapter 13
bankruptcy petition, which triggered an automatic stay of the foreclosure proceeding.
After the Bankruptcy Court dismissed the petition, HomEq sought to execute the
foreclosure. To avoid the sheriff sale, the DeHarts paid nearly $28,000 to reinstate their
loan. Following reinstatement, the DeHarts again missed several mortgage payments,
and received another notice of intent to foreclose. In 2004, HomEq filed another
foreclosure complaint, to which the DeHarts again failed to respond. As a result, another
default judgment was entered. The DeHarts then filed another Chapter 13 bankruptcy
petition, which was dismissed after the DeHarts paid to reinstate the loan.
3
Subsequently, Wachovia Bank sold certain assets of HomEq to Barclays Bank.1
Shortly thereafter, the DeHarts’ monthly payment was returned with a notice that the loan
was delinquent, and that the payment was insufficient to bring the account current. The
DeHarts made no further payment.
In 2007, HomEq filed a request for a writ of execution in the Court of Common
Pleas to schedule a sheriff sale of the DeHart’s home, based on the 2004 default
judgment, which had not been formally vacated. The DeHarts did not file a response.
Instead, they contacted HomEq’s counsel at Milstead & Associates, who informed them
that HomEq intended to proceed with the sale. The DeHarts then moved to reopen the
bankruptcy proceeding; the motion was denied. Their home was sold at the sale.
The DeHarts petitioned the Court of Common Pleas to set aside the sheriff sale,
and HomEq, after reviewing documents regarding the loan, consented to the petition.
The DeHarts then filed a suit in the Court of Common Pleas against Wachovia, HomEq,
Milstead & Associates, Barclays Bank, and other individual defendants. Defendants
removed the action to the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.2 The
complaint alleges breach of contract; breach of the implied duty of good faith and fair
dealing; violation of Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection
Law (UTPCPL)3 and the Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act4; violation of the federal
1
Wachovia Bank of Delaware, N.A., owned HomEq Servicing Corporation from 2001 to
October 31, 2006. In 2010, Wachovia merged with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Wells
Fargo is the successor corporation by merger.
2
28 U.S.C. §§ 1332, 1441(a). The District Court exercised supplemental jurisdiction
over state law claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a).
3
73 Pa. Stat. and Cons. Stat. Ann. § 201-1 et seq. (est 2016).
4
Truth in Lending Law5; intentional infliction of emotional distress; and civil conspiracy.
The District Court granted defendants’ motions to dismiss and for judgment on the
pleadings, dismissing all claims other than breach of contract and intentional infliction of
emotional distress. The District Court then granted summary judgment for defendants on
the remaining claims other than on the breach of contract claim as to Wells Fargo. In
summary judgment, the District Court ruled in favor of the DeHarts on the breach of
contract claim, determining that they could recover damages for attorney’s fees incurred
to set aside the inappropriate sale. The District Court then held a hearing to establish
damages and awarded $9,000.
The DeHarts appealed, challenging (1) the dismissal of the UTPCPL claim; (2)
orders limiting recovery for the breach of contract claim; (3) the dismissal of the claim of
intentional infliction of emotional distress; (4) rulings regarding discovery; and (5) other
orders which the DeHarts identified but did not discuss in their brief.6
II. Dismissal of Claim under UTPCPL
The DeHarts argue that the District Court erred in dismissing the UTPCPL claim
under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) because the District Court misapplied
Pennsylvania law. We exercise plenary review over the dismissal of a claim under Rule
12(b)(6).7
4
§ 2270.1 et seq.
5
15 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq.; id. § 1666(a-d).
6
We have jurisdiction over this appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291.
7
Lafferty v. St. Riel, 495 F.3d 72, 76 n.5 (3d Cir. 2007).
5
The DeHarts pleaded a violation of UTPCPL’s catchall provision, which prohibits
“[e]ngaging in any other fraudulent or deceptive conduct which creates a likelihood of
confusion or of misunderstanding.”8 The Pennsylvania Supreme Court requires plaintiffs
who seek to establish a claim under this provision to prove the elements of common law
fraud, among which is justifiable reliance.9 Because the second amended complaint does
not plead facts showing or giving rise to an inference that the DeHarts were actually
induced to perform any detrimental activity by the allegedly deceptive acts, the District
Court dismissed the claim.10 The DeHarts cite a 2012 opinion of a Pennsylvania Superior
Court holding that a claim alleging a violation of the catchall provision no longer
required proof of common law fraud.11 However, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has
not adopted this position, and at any rate, the DeHarts have not shown “ascertainable
loss” as required to establish a claim under UTPCPL.12 Therefore, the District Court did
not err in dismissing the UTPCPL claim.
III. Dismissal of Claim of Breach of the Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair
Dealing
The DeHarts argue that the District Court erred in entering judgment on the
pleadings for the claim of breach of contract based on the breach of the implied covenant
8
73 P.S. §§ 201-2(4)(xxi), 201-3.
9
Yocca v. Pittsburgh Steelers Sports, Inc., 854 A.2d 425, 438-39 (Pa. 2004); Hunt v. U.S.
Tobacco Co., 538 F.3d 217, 221 (3d Cir. 2008) (noting that the Pennsylvania Supreme
Court has “categorically and repeatedly” stated that a private plaintiff pursuing a
UTPCPL claim must prove justifiable reliance and it has not recognized any exceptions
to that requirement).
10
Hunt, 538 F.3d at 227.
11
Bennett v. A.T. Masterpiece Homes at Broadsprings, LLC, 40 A.3d 145, 155-56 (Pa.
Super. Ct. 2012).
12
See Grimes v. Enter. Leasing Co. of Phila., LLC, 105 A.3d 1188, 1192 n.3 (Pa. 2014).
6
of good faith and fair dealing, and in denying punitive damages in connection with this
claim. We exercise plenary review over a motion for judgment on the pleadings.13 We
construe all facts and inferences in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, and
review de novo questions of legal interpretation.14 Under Pennsylvania law, a claim for
breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing requires, among other
things, a showing of bad faith.15 Although the amended complaint alleges defendants
sold the DeHarts’ home while the DeHarts were not behind on their payments and denied
them their right to defend the status of their mortgage payments, this conduct falls short
of bad faith.16 Therefore, the District Court properly dismissed the claim. In addition,
although the DeHarts challenge the denial of punitive damages, under Pennsylvania law,
punitive damages are not recoverable in a breach of contract claim.17 Therefore, the
District Court also properly denied the request for punitive damages.
IV. Request for Attorney’s Fees
The DeHarts argue the District Court erred in issuing two rulings that limited their
recovery of attorney’s fees. First, on a motion to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), the
District Court dismissed the DeHarts’ request, in connection with the claim for breach of
13
Revell v. Port Auth. of New York, N.J., 598 F.3d 128, 134 (3d Cir. 2010).
14
Sikirica v. Nationwide Ins. Co., 416 F.3d 214, 220 (3d Cir. 2005); Turbe v. Gov’t of the
V.I., 938 F.2d 427, 428 (3d Cir. 1991).
15
See Wolfe v. Allstate Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co., 790 F.3d 487, 497 (3d Cir. 2015)
(discussing the common law bad faith action).
16
See Haugh v. Allstate Ins. Co., 322 F.3d 227, 236-38 (3d Cir. 2003) (citing Birth
Center v. St. Paul Cos., Inc., 787 A.2d 376, 389 (Pa. 2001)); Cowden v. Aetna Cas. and
Sur. Co., 134 A.2d 223, 229 (Pa. 1957); Kaplan v. Cablevision of PA, Inc., 671 A.2d 716,
722 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1996).
17
Nicholas v. Pa. State Univ., 227 F.3d 133, 147 (3d Cir. 2000).
7
contract, for recovery of attorney’s fees “for the present litigation.” We exercise plenary
review over a dismissal pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6).18 A demand for damages, including
attorneys’ fees, may be stricken when the damages are not legally recoverable in the
cause of action.19 Under Pennsylvania law, “there can be no recovery of attorneys’ fees
from an adverse party, absent an express statutory authorization, a clear agreement by the
parties or some other established exception.”20 The DeHarts have not pointed to any
basis that permits recovery. Therefore, the District Court properly dismissed the request.
Next, the District Court, in granting partial summary judgment, concluded that the
DeHarts may recover attorney’s fees incurred to set aside the sheriff sale, but not fees
incurred for other purposes. The DeHarts argue that they should be able to recover
attorney’s fees incurred “for all or a majority of [this] action,” and specifically fees
incurred to petition the Bankruptcy Court to re-open their proceeding because it was done
to show that defendants had been given proof of payments and information concerning
the earlier bankruptcy proceedings. We review de novo the grant of summary
judgment.21 A grant of summary judgment is proper where the moving party has
established that there is no genuine dispute of any material fact and the movant is entitled
to judgment as a matter of law.22 Where a party breaches the contract without any legal
justification, the non-breaching party is entitled to recover, unless the contract provided
18
Atkinson v. LaFayette Coll., 460 F.3d 447, 451 (3d Cir. 2006).
19
Huddock v. Donegal Mut. Ins. Co., 264 A.2d 668, 671 n.2 (Pa. 1970).
20
Merlino v. Del. Cnty., 728 A.2d 949, 951 (Pa. 1999); Fidelity-Phila. Trust Co. v. Phila.
Transp. Co., 173 A.2d 109, 113-14 (Pa. 1961) (addressing attorney’s fees associated with
a breach of contract action).
21
Burton v. Teleflex, Inc., 707 F.3d 417, 424-25 (3d Cir. 2013).
22
Id.8
otherwise, those damages that can be proved with reasonable certainty (1) that would
naturally and ordinarily result from the breach, or (2) were reasonably foreseeable and
within the contemplation of the parties at the time they made the contract.23 The DeHarts
have not shown that attorney’s fees incurred to reopen a bankruptcy proceeding would be
a natural result of the breach or that it was reasonably foreseeable that the mortgagees,
faced with an inappropriate sheriff sale, would seek to re-open bankruptcy proceedings.24
Therefore, the District Court properly denied recovery for attorney’s fees incurred in
connection with the bankruptcy matter.
IV. Claim of Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
The DeHarts argue the District Court erred in granting summary judgment on the
claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress in favor of Milstead & Associates and
their former and current employees. A claim for intentional infliction of emotional
distress requires four elements: “(1) the conduct must be extreme and outrageous; (2) the
conduct must be intentional or reckless; (3) it must cause emotional distress; and (4) the
distress must be severe.”25 The DeHarts do not argue that they failed to prove the
elements, but that “the requirement that plaintiffs must provide an expert opinion to prove
their IIED claims is too strict and ignores the clear and outrageous conduct of the
defendant.” However, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has stated that “the requirement
23
Ferrer v. Trs. of Univ. of Pa., 825 A.2d 591, 610 (Pa. 2002) (citing Taylor v. Kaufhold,
84 A.2d 347, 351 (Pa. 1951)).
24
See Helpin v. Trs. of Univ. of Pa., 10 A.3d 267, 269 (Pa. 2010) (citing Ferrer v. Trs. of
the Univ. of Pa., 825 A.2d 591, 610 (2002)).
25
Bruffett v. Warner Commc'ns, Inc., 692 F.2d 910, 914 (3d Cir. 1982) (citing Chuy v.
Phila. Eagles Football Club, 595 F.2d 1265, 1273 (3d Cir. 1979)).
9
of some objective proof of severe emotional distress will not present an unsurmountable
obstacle to recovery. Those truly damaged should have little difficulty in procuring
reliable testimony as to the nature and extent of their injuries.”26 Therefore, the District
Court properly granted summary judgment on this claim.
IV. Orders regarding Discovery
The DeHarts argue that the District Court erred in issuing three rulings that (1)
limit scope and number of items in interrogatories; (2) limit the period of discovery; and
(3) grant a motion to compel and order sanctions. We review a district court’s
management of discovery for abuse of discretion.27 We will not upset a district court’s
conduct of discovery procedures absent a showing that the court’s action made it
impossible to obtain crucial evidence.28
The District Court struck the DeHarts’ first set of interrogatories, which exceeded
the number permitted under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 33 and sought irrelevant
information. The District Court provided time to serve new interrogatories, and thus did
not render it impossible for the DeHarts to obtain evidence. Therefore, the District Court
did not abuse its discretion.
Similarly, the District Court, in response to the DeHarts’ request for a 60-day
extension for discovery, granted a 53-day extension. To show that a district court’s
ruling made obtaining crucial evidence impossible, plaintiffs must demonstrate that more
26
Kazatsky v. King David Mem’l Park, Inc., 527 A.2d 988, 995 (Pa. 1987).
27
Gallas v. Supreme Court of Pa., 211 F.3d 760, 778 (3d Cir. 2000).
28
In re Fine Paper Antitrust Litig., 685 F.2d 810, 818 (3d Cir.1982) (internal quotation
marks omitted).
10
diligent discovery was impossible.29 The DeHarts did not take discovery until nearly the
end of this period and did not request a further extension. Therefore, DeHarts fail to
make this showing. The District Court did not abuse its discretion.
Finally, the District Court granted Wells Fargo’s motion to compel answers to
interrogatories and production of documents, and awarded $500 under Federal Rule of
Civil Procedure 37(a)(5)(A). The District Court found the DeHarts’ answers and
responses to requests incomplete or unresponsive, and the answers were not properly
signed or endorsed. As required by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37(a)(5), upon
granting a motion to compel, the court must order payment of the movant’s reasonable
expenses incurred in making the motion, unless certain conditions apply, such as
substantial justification for the failure to respond.30 Although the DeHarts argue that
their failure was justified because defendants filed discovery requests while the motion to
dismiss on the pleadings was pending, thereby imposing a significant burden on them,
this explanation does not support a conclusion of substantial justification. Therefore, the
District Court properly ordered sanctions.
V. Orders Listed for Appeal but not Argued
Finally, the DeHarts list a number of District Court orders in their “concise
summary of the case” but do not address these rulings in their appellate brief. Under
Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 28(a) and Third Circuit Local Appellate Rule
28.1(a), appellants are required to set forth the issues raised on appeal and present an
29
Id.30
Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(a)(5)(A); Grider v. Keystone Health Plan Cent., 580 F.3d 119, 140
n.23 (3d Cir. 2009).
11
argument in support of those issues in their opening brief.31 It is well-settled that if an
appellant fails to comply with these requirements on a particular issue, the appellant
normally has abandoned and waived that issue on appeal and it need not be addressed by
the court of appeals.32
VI. Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, we will affirm the orders of the District Court.
31
Simmons v. City of Phila., 947 F.2d 1042, 1065 (3d Cir. 1991) (“absent extraordinary
circumstances, briefs must contain statements of all issues presented for appeal, together
with supporting arguments and citations”), cert. denied, 503 U.S. 985 (1992).
32
Kost v. Kozakiewicz, 1 F.3d 176, 182 (3d Cir. 1993); Inst. for Scientific Info., Inc. v.
Gordon & Breach, Sci. Publishers, Inc., 931 F.2d 1002, 1011 (3d Cir. 1991).
12