New Century Bank v. 1265 Industrial Boulevard, LLC ( 2016 )

J-S49028-16
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
NEW CENTURY BANK D/B/A CUSTOMERS IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
BANK PENNSYLVANIA
v.
1265 INDUSTRIAL BOULEVARD, LLC,
GELT FINANCIAL CORP., GELT
PROPERTIES, LLC, H. JACK MILLER, URI
SHOHAM AND ARI MILLER
v.
NEW CENTURY BANK D/B/A/
CUSTOMERS BANK, RICHARD A. EHST,
THOMAS J. JASTRUM, JR., RICHARD F.
NAPIERKOWSKI, JOHN DOES NUMBERS
1 AND 2
APPEAL OF: 1265 INDUSTRIAL
BOULEVARD, LLC, GELT FINANCIAL
CORP., GELT PROPERTIES, LLC, H. JACK
MILLER, URI SHOHAM AND ARI MILLER
No. 3287 EDA 2015
Appeal from the Order Dated September 18, 2015
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
Civil Division at No(s): July Term, 2011, NO. 00591
BEFORE: PANELLA, OLSON, JJ. and STEVENS, P.J.E.*
MEMORANDUM BY OLSON, J.: FILED AUGUST 10, 2016
Appellants, 1265 Industrial Boulevard, LLC; Gelt Financial Corp.; Gelt
Properties, LLC; H. Jack Miller; Uri Shoham; and Ari Miller,1 appeal from the
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1
Collectively, we shall refer to all Appellants as “Appellants” and we shall
refer to the individual Appellants by their given first names “Jack,” “Uri,” and
“Ari,” respectively.
*Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S49028-16
September 18, 2015 order2 granting summary judgment in favor of New
Century Bank, now known as Customers Bank, (“NCB”) on its original
affirmative claims and on all counterclaims and third-party claims asserted
by Appellants against NCB; Richard A. Ehst; Thomas J. Jastrum, Jr.; Richard
F. Napierkowski; and John Does 1 and 2.3 We affirm.
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2
Although the trial court’s order granting summary judgment is dated
September 17, 2015, it was not docketed until September 18, 2015. We
have changed the caption to reflect this correction.
3
The procedural posture of this case has complicated our review because of
the parties’ failure to follow the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. This
action was commenced by a complaint filed by NCB, only, against
Appellants. On November 15, 2011, Appellants filed a document entitled
“Answer to Amended Complaint[,] New Matter[,] and Counterclaim” (“first
amended answer”). In the caption of the first amended answer, Appellants
named new parties to the action, i.e., Richard A. Ehst, Thomas J. Jastrum,
Jr., Richard P. Napierkowski, and John Does Numbers 1 and 2 (“individual
defendants”). The individual defendants were employees of NCB and are
identified in the first amended answer as “Counterclaim Defendants”. First
Amended Answer at ¶s 44-53. The first amended answer then asserts
“counterclaims” against NCB and the individual defendants. Id. at ¶s 101-
145 (Count I against NCB for breach of contract; Count 2 against NCB and
the individual defendants for intentional interference with contractual
relations; Count 3 against NCB and Richard P. Napierkowski for fraud; Count
4 against NCB and Richard Ehst for intentional infliction of emotional
distress; Count 5 against NCB for intentional infliction of emotional distress;
Count 6 against NCB and Richard Ehst for assault; Count 7 against NCB and
the individual defendants for conspiracy; Count 8 against NCB and the
individual defendants for Civil RICO). This pleading failed to comply with the
Rules of Civil Procedure.
Rule 2252 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure details the manner in
which a party who is not an original party to the action may be joined as an
additional defendant. See Pa.R.Civ.P. 2252, Explanatory Comment-2007
(“Rule 2252(a) has been amended to limit the rules governing joinder of
additional defendants to the joinder of persons not already parties to an
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
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(Footnote Continued)
action”). (emphasis added). Under Rule 2252(a), “any party may join as an
additional defendant any person not a party to the action who may be (1)
solely liable on the underlying cause of action against the joining party, or . .
. (4) liable to or with the joining party on any cause of action . . . upon
which the underlying cause of action against the joining party is based.”
The Rule goes on to provide that “[t]he joining party may file as of course a
praecipe for writ or a complaint.” Pa.R.Civ.P. 2252(b). The complaint must
comport “in the manner and form required of the initial pleading of the
plaintiff in the action”. Pa.R.Civ.P. 2252(b)(2). Thus, the complaint to join
additional defendants must contain a notice to defend and must be properly
served in accordance with the rules governing original process. None of this
occurred. Instead, Appellants merely filed their first amended answer which
named the individual defendants as “Counterclaim Defendants” and asserted
various causes of action against them. Under Rule 2252, the individual
defendants should have been brought into this action by the filing of a
complaint to join additional defendants. However, neither NCB nor the
individual defendants objected to the manner in which the individual
defendants were joined and the case proceeded under the improper
assumption that NCB and the individual defendants were “Counterclaim
Defendants”.
Moreover, the parties and the trial court improperly referred to all of
Appellants’ claims against NCB and the individual defendants as
“counterclaims”. The claims asserted by the Appellants against NCB, the
original plaintiff, are counterclaims. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1031(a) (“The defendant
may set forth in the answer under the heading “Counterclaim” any cause of
action cognizable in a civil action which the defendant has against the
plaintiff…”.). The claims against the individual defendants (who are
technically additional defendants) are third-party claims.
The case was further complicated by the Appellants filing of an “Amended
Answer to Amended Complaint, New Matter, Counterclaim and Cross[-]
Claim” (“second amended answer”) on January 6, 2012 in which the
Appellants continued to name NCB and the individual defendants as
“Counterclaim Defendants”. Second Amended Answer at pp. 10-11. The
second amended answer asserted under the title “Counterclaims” the same
claims set forth in Counts 1 through 8 of the first amended answer and
added three additional counts against NCB and the individual defendants for
fraudulent inducement (Count 9), breach of the duty of good faith and fair
dealing (Count 10) and abuse of process (Count 11). Id. at 10-30. Again,
the claims against NCB are counterclaims and the claims against the
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
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The trial court summarized the relevant factual background and
procedural history as follows:
This matter arises from a series of financial transactions between
[NCB, Appellants], and their predecessors in interest, all of
whom are sophisticated parties in the financial world.
The [central] transaction at issue is a loan of $500,000[.00]
made by [NCB] to [Appellants]. This loan was memorialized in a
[p]romissory [n]ote (“1265 Note”) dated April 28, 2010, and
secured by a [m]ortgage on the property at 1265 Industrial
Boulevard, and [a]ssignment of [r]ents on that property, and
[p]ersonal [g]uarantees of [Appellants] Jack, Uri, and Ari.
[The 1265 Note] states, “Borrower will pay this loan in full
immediately upon Lender’s demand. If no demand is made,
Borrower will pay this loan in 59 regular payments of $3,831.43
and one irregular last payment estimated at $434,092.91.”
The Guarantees state:
If lender presently holds one or more guaranties, or
hereafter receives additional guaranties from
Guarantor, Lender’s rights under all guaranties shall
be cumulative. This Guaranty shall now (unless
specifically provided below to the contrary) affect or
invalidate any other guaranties. Guarantor’s liability
shall be Guarantor’s aggregate liability under the
terms of this Guaranty and any such other
unterminated guaranties.
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(Footnote Continued)
individual defendants are third-party claims. There are no cross-claims.
Cross-claims are “claim[s] asserted between codefendants or coplaintiffs in a
case”. Black’s Law Dictionary, (Eighth Edition, 2004). See Pa.R.Civ.P.
1031.1. As Appellants and the individual defendants are not codefendants
(instead, Appellants are defendants and the individual defendants are
technically additional defendants), the claims filed by Appellants against the
individual defendants are not cross-claims.
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On May 9, 2011, NCB demanded payment and placed the loan in
default.
One of the other transactions was a “[r]evolver [l]oan” of $2.5
million, entered into by the parties and their predecessors in
interest, Gelt Business Credit and Interstate Net Bank (“ISN”).
That [n]ote [(“ISN Note”)] was signed by Uri and Jack and was
also secured by personal guarantees from Uri, Jack, and Ari.
ISN was taken over by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation and purchased by [NCB]. Demand was made on
this [r]evolver [l]oan on April 23, 2008. When payment was not
made, the loan was placed in default.
Another transaction in which the parties were involved, the Allied
Healthcare transaction, appears to have involved significant bad
feelings among the parties. [Appellants] allege that an
employee of NCB, [c]ounterclaim [d]efendant [sic][4] Richard
Ehst, threatened to burn down the houses of Uri, Jack, and Ari in
a phone conversation related to the transaction.
NCB filed the instant claim for breach of the [note] on July 8,
2011. A confession of judgment was filed on May 18, 2011, and
discontinued on September 22, 2011. A related action in
mortgage foreclosure is pending in Bucks County. The matter
was deferred due to the bankruptcy of Gelt Financial
Corporation, then reinstated in January, 2014. [Appellants] filed
an [a]nswer [to NCB’s original complaint in this case] and
[c]ounterclaims against NCB, as well as against Richard A. Ehst,
Thomas J. Jastrum Jr., Richard F. Napierkowski, and John Does 1
and 2 (“[c]ounterclaim d]efendants”) [sic] [5], all of whom are
employees of NCB. NCB filed for summary judgment on both its
claims and on [Appellant’s c]ounterclaims [sic].[6]
Trial Court Opinion, 9/17/2015, at 1-3. This timely appeal followed.7
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4
See Footnote 3, supra.
5
See Footnote 3, supra.
6
See Footnote 3, supra.
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
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Appellants raise one issue for our review:
Whether genuine issues of material fact exist [that] preclude the
entry of judgment as a matter of law, including whether genuine
issues of material fact exist with regard to [Appellants’]
counterclaims [sic][8][?]
Appellants’ Brief at 2.
We may reverse an order granting summary judgment if there has
been an error of law or abuse of discretion. Weaver v. Lancaster
Newspapers, Inc., 926 A.2d 899, 902 (Pa. 2007), citing Fine v. Checcio,
870 A.2d 850, 857 (Pa. 2005). The issue of whether there are no genuine
issues of material fact presents a question of law; therefore, our standard of
review is de novo and our scope of review is plenary. Id. at 902-903. The
initial burden for a motion for summary judgment is on the moving party
and the trial court must examine the record in the light most favorable to
the nonmoving party. Preferred Fire Protection, Inc. v. Joseph Davis,
Inc., 954 A.2d 20, 25 (Pa. Super. 2008) (citation omitted). The moving
party has the burden at the trial court level to establish that no genuine
issues of material fact exist. Id. This burden, however, shifts to the
nonmoving party once the moving party makes the requisite showing; the
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(Footnote Continued)
7
Appellants filed a notice of appeal on October 19, 2015. The trial court
then issued an opinion referring to its September 17, 2015 order and
opinion, which set forth the court’s reasons for granting summary judgment
in favor of NCB.
8
See Footnote 3, supra.
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nonmoving party then “may not rest upon the allegations or denials
contained in the pleadings, but must respond by showing there is a genuine
issue for trial.” Id. In our review, we are not bound by the trial court’s
conclusions of law and may draw our own inferences and conclusions. Id.
Appellants first argue that there are genuine issues of material fact
regarding whether NCB lacks standing to assert its affirmative claims against
Appellants, alleging NCB is not a legal entity. Appellants’ Brief at 15.
Appellants, however, have not shown any support in the record for this
contention. NCB simply changed its name to Customers Bank. The trial
court noted that NCB and Customers Bank are the same entity and the 1265
Note was transferrable. Trial Court Opinion, 9/17/2015, at 1, 5. Further,
even if Customers Bank were a new entity and was merely a successor, the
1265 Note clearly states that its terms are for the benefit of the lender and
its successors and assigns. See 1265 Note. Accordingly, there are no
genuine issues of material fact as NCB/Customers Bank has standing to
bring this action.
Next, Appellants allege there are genuine issues of material fact
regarding whether Appellants were absolved of obligations under the 1265
Note as a result of NCB’s material breach. Appellants’ Brief at 16.
Appellants’ claim rests on the contention that when a bank and borrowing
parties have a longstanding relationship, the lending institution owes the
borrower a duty of good faith. CoreStates Bank, N.A. v. Cutillo, 723 A.2d
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1053 (Pa. Super. 1999). Specifically, Appellants contend that NCB
materially breached its duty of good faith when it demanded repayment in
full of the 1265 Note at a time when Appellants were making timely
payments on the loan. Appellants’ Brief at 18.
A material breach relieves the non-breaching party of its duty to
perform under the contract. McClausland v. Wagner, 78 A.3d 1093, 1101
(Pa. Super. 2013). However, a lender generally has not violated the duty of
good faith merely because it adhered to its lending agreements with a
borrower or enforced its contractual rights as a creditor. CoreStates Bank,
723 A.2d. at 1059.
There was no material breach here. The 1265 Note contains a pay-on-
demand clause which states “[b]orrower will pay the loan in full immediately
upon [l]ender’s demand.” 1265 Note. Pay on demand clauses have been
statutorily defined by Article 3 of the Uniform Commercial Code of
Negotiable Instruments. See 13 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 3101 et seq. We have found
UCC Article 3 applies to notes secured by a mortgage and assignment of
rents. See Manor Bldg. Corp. v. Manor Complex Assoc., Ltd., 645 A.2d
843 (Pa. Super. 1994). A promise is payable on demand if it: “(1) states
that it is payable on demand or . . . otherwise indicates that it is payable at
the will of the holder; or (2) does not state any time of payment.” 13
Pa.C.S.A. § 3108(a). Further, a promise is still payable on demand if a fixed
date is also included and payment is demanded before such date. 13
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Pa.C.S.A. § 3108(c) (“[i]f an instrument, payable at a fixed date, is also
payable upon demand made before the fixed date, the instrument is payable
on demand until the fixed date and, if demand for payment is not made
before that date, becomes payable at a definite time on the fixed date”).
Therefore, NCB was not in breach when it demanded payment before the
end of the fixed term included in the note.
NCB was within its contractual rights to demand payment on the 1265
Note at any time and doing so did not constitute a material breach, even if
Appellants were current on payments. There is nothing in the record to
support Appellants’ assertion that the terms of the note were unilaterally
changed by NCB. Because there was no material breach, Appellants were
not relieved of the duty to pay under the note. Accordingly, the trial court
did not abuse its discretion in finding that there was no genuine issue of
material fact. Even if NCB owed Appellants a duty of good faith because of
their long-standing relationship, NCB merely exercised its rights under the
parties’ agreement.
Turning to Appellants counterclaims against NCB and third-party
claims against the individual defendants, Appellants first argue that
summary judgment is not proper because NCB was the party that filed the
motion for summary judgment and NCB cannot challenge the claims brought
against the individual defendants. Appellants’ Brief at 23. All actions must
be brought in the name of the “true party in interest.” Pa.R.C.P. 2002. A
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party who is not negatively affected by the matter he challenges “is not
aggrieved, and thus, has no right to obtain judicial resolution of his
challenge.” City of Philadelphia v. Commonwealth, 838 A.2d 566, 577
(Pa. 2003). Here, NCB is a true party in interest with respect to all of the
counterclaims asserted against it. Moreover, NCB was named in all of the
claims in which individual defendants were named. Thus, NCB clearly had
the authority to seek summary judgment as to each of the 11 claims that
Appellants asserted in their second amended answer. In reviewing the
motion for summary judgment and supporting brief, it is clear that
arguments were made on behalf of NCB and the individual defendants.9 It
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9
This issue highlights the problems that we confronted due to the
procedural morass in which this case finds itself. Even though the individual
defendants were never properly joined to this action, counsel for the parties
proceeded as if they were original codefendants or plaintiffs against whom
cross-claims or counterclaims were filed. Thus, for example, no praecipe for
entry of appearance was ever filed by counsel on behalf of the individual
defendants. Instead, on February 3, 2012, counsel for NCB filed a pleading
entitled “Plaintiff, [NCB], Answer to Counterclaim and New Matter” which
begins with the statement “Plaintiff, [NCB], by way of [a]nswer to
[c]ounterclaim, hereby states as follows…”. Answer to Counterclaim and
New Matter, p. 1. Yet, in each “Wherefore” clause discussing the counts
brought against NCB and the individual defendants, counsel states that NCB
and the individual defendants demand judgment in their favor and dismissal
of the particular counterclaims. Id. at 8-16. This pleading practice
continued throughout the case. Pleadings were filed (including the motion
for summary judgment) that appeared to be filed only on behalf of NCB;
however, when the pleadings are reviewed, they address the claims filed by
Appellants against both NCB and the individual defendants. At no time did
Appellants object. We acknowledge that the proper procedure would have
been to file the pleadings, including the motion for summary judgment, on
behalf of NCB and the individual defendants. However, we have little
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
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is also clear that there were no genuine issues of material fact with respect
to any of the claims brought against NCB or the individual defendants.
Thus, we find this argument lacks merit.
We next turn to Appellants’ substantive objections to the order
granting summary judgment and dismissing the claims Appellants asserted
against NCB and the individual defendants. Appellants argue that NCB and
the individual defendants were not entitled to summary judgment on these
claims as genuine issues of material fact exist. Appellants’ Brief at 24.
Before we turn to the merits of these arguments, we first address
Appellants’ assertion that res judicata does not apply to the instant case.
The doctrine of res judicata prevents re-litigation of issues where a prior
judgment has been decided on the merits. Matternas v. Stehman, 642
A.2d 1120, 1123 (Pa. Super. 1994). To invoke res judicata, both the former
and latter actions must possess four elements in common: (1) identity of the
thing sued upon; (2) identity of the cause of action; (3) identity of persons
and parties to the action; and (4) identity of the capacity of the parties suing
or being sued. Id. First, we note that not all parties in this action were
present in the Bucks County action, namely, Uri, Jack, and Ari. Further, the
Bucks County litigation centered upon a mortgage foreclosure action,
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(Footnote Continued)
sympathy for the Appellants as they created this problem by failing to follow
the rules when adding the individual defendants to this case.
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whereas this action concerns the 1265 Note and subsequent tort claims.
Accordingly, res judicata does not apply in the instant action.
In their first counterclaim against NCB, Appellants argue that NCB
breached its contract by demanding payment on the 1265 Note. To show a
breach of contract, Appellants must establish: “(1) the existence of a
contract, including its essential terms; (2) a breach of a duty imposed by the
contract; and (3) resultant damages.” McCausland, 78 A.3d at 1101, citing
Hart v. Arnold, 884 A.2d 316, 332 (Pa. Super. 2005). However, there is no
evidence in the record that NCB breached its contractual obligations. As
stated previously, the 1265 Note was a pay-on-demand note, which allowed
NCB to demand full payment on the note at any time, regardless of
Appellants’ payment status. We cannot find a breach of contract simply
because NCB exercised its rights under the agreement. Further, exercising
rights granted under the contract does not breach the implied duty of good
faith. Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion and correctly
granted summary judgment in NCB’s favor.
Appellants also argue that NCB and the additional defendants are not
entitled to summary judgment on the claim of intentional interference with
contractual relations. Appellants’ Brief at 34. Appellants allege NCB and its
employees interfered with Appellants’ contracts with their leaseholders by
putting the 1265 Note into default. Amended Answer at 20. The four
elements needed to establish a claim for intentional interference with
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contractual relations are: “(1) the existence of a contractual relationship
between the complainant and a third party; (2) an intent on the part of
[NCB] to harm [Appellants] by interfering with that contractual relationship;
(3) the absence of privilege or justification on the part of [NCB] and; (4) the
occasioning of actual damages.” Walnut St. Assoc., Inc. v. Brokerage
Concepts, Inc. 982 A.2d 94, 98 (Pa. Super. 2009), aff’d, 20 A.3d 468 (Pa.
2011). Appellants offer no evidence showing that NCB or the individual
defendants intended to harm them by interfering with a contractual
relationship. Further, the trial court correctly found that placing the loan
into default status was justified, since Appellants failed to pay in full upon
demand. Accordingly, the trial court did not err in granting summary
judgment on this claim.
Next, Appellants argue summary judgment was improper on their
claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress (“IIED”) against NCB and
Richard Ehst, the Chief Operating Officer of NCB. Appellants’ Brief at 35. To
succeed on an IIED claim: “(1) the conduct must be extreme and
outrageous; (2) it must be intentional or reckless; (3) it must cause
emotional distress; [and] (4) that distress must be severe.” Hoy v.
Angelone, 691 A.2d 476, 482 (Pa. Super. 1997), citing Hooten v Penna.
College of Optometry, 601 F.Supp. 1151, 1155 (E.D. Pa. 1984). See also
Restatement (Second) of Torts § 46. Our courts have recognized a cause of
action for IIED, but “we have allowed recovery in only very egregious
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cases.” Hoy, 691 A.2d at 482. It is upon the courts to determine if conduct
is extreme and outrageous enough to warrant recovery. Swisher v. Pitz,
868 A.2d 1228, 1231 (Pa. Super. 2005).
Here, the alleged outrageous and extreme conduct was NCB’s agent,
Ehst, threatening over the telephone to burn down all the homes of those
involved in the failed Allied Healthcare transaction. Appellants contend NCB
is jointly and severally liable for the actions of Ehst. Second Amended
Answer at 23. While Ehst’s threat was certainly offensive, the trial court did
not err in holding it did not rise to the level of extreme or outrageous
conduct which permitted recovery. The level of conduct required for
recovery is very high; even threats of immediate physical harm may not be
sufficient to meet the threshold for recovery. See Cucinotti v. Ortman,
159 A.2d 216, 218 (Pa. 1960). The trial court was correct in granting
summary judgment on this claim.
Appellants next argue that summary judgment regarding their assault
claim against NCB and Ehst was not warranted. Appellants’ Brief at 36. An
assault occurs when an actor “intends to cause an imminent apprehension of
a harmful or offensive bodily contact.” Sides v. Cleveland, 648 A.2d 793,
796 (Pa. Super. 1994), citing Restatement (Second) of Torts § 21.
Threatening words are not sufficient to put a person in reasonable
apprehension of injury or offensive touching. Cucinotti, 159 A.2d at 217.
The actor must be able to carry out the threats immediately and must take
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affirmative action to do so. Id. Here, the assault stems from the same
conduct as the IIED claim, Ehst’s telephone call threatening to burn down
the homes. The trial court correctly found that this was not an imminent
threat. As noted, threatening words are insufficient. Further, there is no
evidence in the record that Ehst or any other parties took any affirmative
action to carry out this threat after the telephone call. It is not reasonable
that Appellants would have been in imminent apprehension and, accordingly,
the trial court did not err in granting summary judgment.
Appellants next argue that NCB and the individual defendants were not
entitled to summary judgment on Appellants’ conspiracy claim. A civil
conspiracy is: “(1) a combination of two or more persons acting with a
common purpose to do an unlawful act or to do a lawful act by unlawful
means or for an unlawful purpose; (2) an overt act done in pursuance of the
common purpose; and (3) actual legal damage.” McKeeman v.
Correstates Bank, N.A., 751 A.2d 655, 660 (Pa. Super. 2000), citing
McGuire v. Shubert, 722 A.2d 1087, 1092 (Pa. Super. 1998). Appellants
allege that NCB and the individual defendants conspired to unlawfully
deprive them of property by placing the 1265 Note in default. However,
without a cause of action for a particular act, a claim for conspiracy cannot
succeed. McKeeman, 751 A.2d at 660, citing Pelagatti v. Cohen, 536
A.2d 1337, 1342 (Pa. Super. 1987). Here, Appellants cannot establish the
elements of any of the underlying tort claims. They offer no support for
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their assertion that NCB placed the note into default “to obtain thousands of
dollars more . . . than [it] would have if [it] had accepted monthly
payments.” Appellants’ Brief at 37. Further, NCB was well within its
contractual rights to place the 1265 Note in default after Appellants failed to
make full payment on demand. Accordingly, Appellants cannot establish a
valid conspiracy claim and the trial court was correct in granting summary
judgment.
Appellants next argue NCB and the additional defendants violated Civil
RICO, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961-1968. RICO remedies are available to parties who
are affected by a pattern of racketeering activity. 18 U.S.C. § 1962(a).
Racketeering activity is defined as “any act chargeable under several [] state
criminal laws, any act indictable under numerous specific federal criminal
provisions, including mail and wire fraud, and any other offense involving
bankruptcy, securities fraud or drug-related activities that is punishable
under federal law.” Village at Camelback Property Owners Assn. Inc.
v. Carr, 538 A.2d 528, 536 (Pa. Super. 1988) (internal quotations omitted),
citing Sedima, S.P.R.L. v. Imrex Company, Inc., 473 U.S. 479, 481-482
(1985). RICO specifically prohibits a person from “investing in, acquiring, or
conducting the affairs of an enterprise engaged in or affecting interstate
commerce by a means of a pattern of racketeering activity,” which is defined
as “at least two acts of racketeering activity committed within [10] years of
each other, one of which [has] occurred since the passage of RICO.” Id.- 16 -
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Although Appellants allege NCB committed two predicate offenses of
extortion under the RICO act, they fail to show any support for these claims,
other than the placement of a loan into default status, which was not
unlawful. Further, there is nothing in the record to support a RICO claim
against the individual defendants. Appellants fail to show how the individual
defendants participated in the alleged conduct. Appellants do not present
facts or evidence sufficient to show there is a genuine issue of material fact
and, accordingly, summary judgment in favor of NCB and the individual
defendants was proper.
Appellants further claim that the trial court erred in granting
summary judgment because the cross-default of the 1265 Note was
improper. Appellants’ Brief at 38. Appellants allege no payments were
missed on the note. However, as stated previously, the 1265 Note was a
demand note and Appellants did not pay the remaining balance on the note
when NCB demanded payment. Further, the 1265 Note stated that
Appellants’ failure to comply with or perform under any other agreements
with the lender is an event of default under the note. See 1265 Note.
Appellants also allege the default was retaliation for the failure of the Allied
Healthcare transaction. However, Appellants fail to provide any factual or
evidentiary support of this allegation. Appellants list conduct of high-level
representatives of NCB, including harassment and threats of violence, but
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fail to mention any specific examples or proof of such conduct. Accordingly,
this does not warrant reversal of summary judgment.
Lastly, Appellants argue NCB is not entitled to summary judgment
because it breached its fiduciary duty to Appellants. Appellants’ Brief at 39.
However, the trial court correctly found no fiduciary duty existed. The
relationship between a borrower and lender does not create a confidential
relationship, which is necessary for a fiduciary duty to exist. Fed. Land
Bank of Baltimore v. Fetner, 410 A.2d 344, 348 (Pa. Super. 1979).
Appellants merely rely on the fact that the parties have done business for
nine years and do not show any significant relationships between the parties
outside of borrower and lender. This does not impose a fiduciary duty on
NCB and summary judgment was proper.
Appellants have failed to meet their burden to show genuine issues of
material fact exist as to any of their claims.10 Accordingly, the trial court did
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10
In its September 18, 2015 order, the trial court grants summary judgment
“to [p]laintiff [PCB] on all claims and counterclaims.” Trial Court Order,
9/18/15 (emphasis added). In its accompanying opinion, the trial court
discusses the appropriateness of summary judgment as to all of the claims
asserted by Appellants against PCB and the individual defendants in their
second amended answer, including the claims for fraud, fraudulent
inducement and abuse of process. Trial Court Opinion, 9/18/15 at 6, 8 and
9. Appellants do not challenge the dismissal of these claims. Thus, any
objection to the order granting summary judgment with respect to the
claims for fraud, fraudulent inducement and abuse of process is waived.
Hinkal v. Pardoe, 133 A.3d 738, 740 (Pa. Super. 2016) (en banc) (party
waives appellate review when issue is not raised in argument section of
brief), citing Pa.R.A.P. 2119.
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J-S49028-16
not abuse its discretion in granting summary judgment in favor of NCB and
the individual defendants.
Order affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 8/10/2016
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