Ponder v. Chase Home Finance, LLC
865 F. Supp. 2d 13
D.D.C.
2012
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Docket

Lathal PONDER, Plaintiff, v. CHASE HOME FINANCE, LLC, Defendant.

Civil Action No. 10-425 (BJR).

United States District Court, District of Columbia.

May 23, 2012.

tions taken by the remaining defendants, which did not include any argument that evidence of HII‘s or HC‘s wealth prejudiced the jury‘s damage calculations. .

IV. CONCLUSION

Having completed one seven-week trial on the underhanded practices of many entities in Egypt in the 1980s, the Court is less than enthusiastic at the prospect of having a second jury review the entirety of the evidence, particularly where it previously concluded that the evidence was more than sufficient to suрport the first jury‘s findings. . But when structuring a retrial, the Court must remain vigilant to neither confuse nor prejudice the jury, and must provide defendants a full and fair opportunity to mount an unhindered defense. The Circuit Court has declared that the first jury was broadly and unduly prejudiced when BHIC‘s counsel was undermined and when the wealth of HII and HC was exposed, and it has said that a new trial is the only appropriate remedy. The Court shall see it done.

A separate Order consistent with these findings shall issue this date.

Lathal Ponder, Washington, DC, pro se.

David Samuel Panzer, Grеenberg Traurig, LLP, Washington, DC, for Defendant.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

BARBARA J. ROTHSTEIN, District Judge.

Plaintiff Lathal Ponder, proceeding pro se,1 brings this action against defendant Chase Home Finance, LLC (“Chase“), presenting various claims arising from a failed effort to modify Ponder‘s mortgage, which Chase held, and the resulting foreclosure. Specifically, Ponder alleges that Chase breached two separate agreements to modify the mortgage, made material misrepresentations related to those agreements, negligently failed to prepare and deliver documents tо him, and violated federal guidelines for foreclosure on homes financed through the Federal Housing Authority (“FHA“). Before the Court is Chase‘s motion to dismiss, in which it alleges that Ponder‘s claims are barred by the doctrines of res judicata and collateral estoppel, and further that they fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted [Dkt. # 2]. Upon consideration of the motion, the opposition thereto, and the record of this case, the Court concludes that the motion must be granted in part and denied in part.

I. BACKGROUND

In December of 2000, Ponder obtained an FHA-insured loan from a lender (who is not a party to this action) in order to purchase a parcel of property in the District of Columbia. That lender subsequently sold Ponder‘s loan to Chase. Compl. ¶¶ 6-7. In May of 2008, Chase asserted that Ponder had defaulted on the loan and threatened to commence foreclosure proceedings. Ponder alleges that in July of that year, the parties reached an agreement to modify the loan. Id. ¶¶ 9-12. He asserts that as part of that agreement, Chase agreed to cease foreclosure proceedings on the property. Id. ¶ 13. Ponder waited for Chase to send him a copy of the modification documents, but did not receive one until at least two weeks later, when he discovered an envelope from Chase, largely destroyed by rain, under his doormat, and largely indecipherable. Ponder contacted Chasе to request another copy. Accordingly to Ponder, Chase replied that it would send another copy, but Ponder never received one. Id. ¶¶ 15-19.

In August, Ponder received a letter from Chase asserting that he had failed to comply with the modification agreement. He contacted Chase and again explained that he had not received an intact copy of the agreement. Ponder avers that Chase then offered, and he accepted, the opportunity to reapply for the modification. Id. ¶¶ 20-22. Following further delays during which Ponder did not hear from Chase, he contacted Chase again and was told to supply more paperwork, and that the modification had been approved. He provided the requested documents in October. Later that month, he discovered that the foreclosure proceedings against his property were still ongoing. Id. ¶¶ 24-26.

The following July, Ponder filed suit against Chase in the District of Columbia Superior Court, alleging breach of contract, misrepresentation, and negligence. That suit was removed to this Court by Chase and assigned to Judge Rosemary M. Collyer. See (notice of removal, dkt. no. 1). Chase moved to dismiss that action for failure to state a claim under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). Judge Collyer granted Chase‘s motion, dismissing all of Ponder‘s claims without prejudice. See . Ponder subsequently brought this action, seeking damages, a revision of his credit report, and clear title to the property.

II. LEGAL STANDARD

To survive a motion to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), a complaint need not contain detailed factual allegations, but it must recite facts sufficient to at least “raise a right to relief above the speculative level ... on the assumption that all the allegations in the complaint are true (even if doubtful in fact).” . A “pleading that offers ‘labels and conclusions’ or ‘a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do.‘” (quoting ). In deciding a Rule 12(b)(6) motion, the Court may consider only the facts alleged in the complaint, documents attached as exhibits or incorporated by referenсe in the complaint, and matters about which the Court may take judicial notice. .

III. ANALYSIS

Chase again seeks the dismissal of Ponder‘s complaint ‍​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‍for failure to state a claim under Rule 12(b)(6), this time on two grounds. First, it argues that, because of Judge Collyer‘s dismissal of Ponder‘s previous case, all of his claims are barred by the doctrines res judicata and collateral estoppel. Second, it argues that, even if Ponder‘s claims are not barred, they do not meet the pleading standards on which Rule 12(b)(6) is bаsed. The Court addresses each argument in turn and, because the case is before the Court on diversity grounds, applies District of Columbia law. See (applying D.C. law to Ponder‘s prior claims regarding the same events).

A. Ponder‘s Claims Are Not Barred by Res Judicata or Collateral Estoppel2

“Under the doctrine of claim preclusion or res judicata, when a valid final judgment has been entered on the merits, the parties ... are barred, in a subsequent proceeding, from relitigating the samе claim or any claim that might have been raised in the first proceeding.” . Similarly, collateral estoppel, also known as issue preclusion,

renders conclusive in the same or a subsequent action determination of an issue of fact or law when (1) the issue is actually litigated and (2) determined by a valid, final judgment on the merits; (3) after a full and fair opportunity for litigation by the parties or their privies; (4) under circumstances where the determination was essential to the judgment, and not merely dictum.

Id. at 1283. Here, Chase asserts that all of Ponder‘s claims are barred by these doctrines because Ponder previously filed—and Judge Collyer dismissed—an action against Chase based on the same events and involving many of the same claims. Def.‘s Mem. in Supp. of Mot. to Dismiss (“Def.‘s Mem.“) at 4-9; see . Ponder retorts that neither doctrine is applicable because the dismissal was without prejudice, meaning that no final judgment on the merits occurred. Pl.‘s Opp‘n to Def.‘s Mot. (“Pl.‘s Opp‘n“) at 5 (emphasis added). Chase acknowledges that Judge Collyer expressly dismissed Ponder‘s first suit without prejudice, but asserts that she “indeed expressed [her] decision on the merits in a seven-page memorandum.” Def.‘s Reply to Pl.‘s Opp‘n (“Def.‘s Reply“) at 2 n. 2. It also points to the court‘s statement in its Order that it constituted a final appealable order. Ponder‘s argument is correct.

A dismissal for failure to state a claim under Rule 12(b)(6), as occurred here, normally constitutes a ruling on the merits with preclusive effect. . It is, however, “beyond dispute that a dismissal without prejudiсe does not determine the merits.” ; accord ; (“Because the claim was dismissed without prejudice, there was no ‘final judgment on the merits,’ and res judicata does not apply.“); (“[C]ourts often regard the dismissal without prejudice of a complaint as ‘not final, and thus not appealable under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, because the plaintiff is free to amend his pleading and continue the litigation.’ “) (quoting and citing and 19 JAMES W. MOORE, MOORE‘S FEDERAL PRACTICE § 201.14 (3d ed.2003)). There is no language in Judge Collyer‘s Memorandum Opinion, which itself uses the phrase “without prejudice” as to eaсh individual claim it addresses, that suggests that she intended to depart from this settled use of the term. See . In addition, the order at issue states explicitly that “Defendant‘s motion to dismiss is GRANTED; and it is FURTHER ORDERED that this case is DISMISSED without prejudice.” Order of Oct. 28, 2009, Civil Action No. 09-1351 (emphasis in original). Thus, the Court concludes that Judge Collyer did not reach a final judgment as to the merits of Ponder‘s claims.3 As a result, neither claim nor issue preclusion applies here. Accordingly, the Court will consider the merits of Ponder‘s claims.

B. The Merits of Ponder‘s Claims

The Court now considers whether Ponder‘s complaint states one or more claims upon which relief may be granted. The Court addresses each count of the complaint in order.

1. Count I: Breach of Contract

To state a breach of contract claim, a “plaintiff must allege the following elements: (1) a valid contract between the parties; ‍​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‍(2) an obligation or duty arising out of the contract; (3) a breach of that duty; and (4) damages caused by the breach.” (quoting ). The essential elements of a valid contract are competent pаrties, lawful subject matter, legal consideration, mutuality of assent, and mutuality of obligation. .

Judge Collyer dismissed Ponder‘s original breach of contract claim on the ground that he had failed to allege facts sufficient to establish that the parties had entered into a binding agreement. She rejected Ponder‘s argument that the parties had entered into an implied-in-fact contract, concluding that at most, “the parties orally agreed to be bound by a final agreement to be drawn up and signed later,” which does not create a binding agreement under District law. (citing ).

Here, Ponder eschews the implied-in-fact argument and takes a different tack. He asserts that he and Chase entered into an express oral agreement to modify his mortgage, with the documents that Chase was supposed to send him merely recording the agreed-upon terms. See Compl. ¶¶ 9-13, 21-25; Pl.‘s Opp‘n at 6-7. In support of this argument, he cites a line of D.C. cаses that hold that ” ‘parties may make an enforceable contract binding them to prepare and execute a subsequent documentary agreement,’ as long as ‘agreement [has] been expressed on all essential terms that are to be incorporated in the document.’ ” (quoting ).

The Court concludes that, viewed in light of this argument and with its added factual allegations, Ponder‘s complaint now states a claim for breach of contract. This claim, with all reasonable inferences drawn in Ponder‘s favor, see , goes as follows: upon discovering that he was in default, Ponder contacted Chase and “entered into negotiations to cure the alleged default.” Compl. ¶ 9. After further communications between the parties, which included Ponder providing Chase with certain financial information, they reached an oral agreement to modify the existing loan contract, whereby Chase would cease foreclosure proceedings and accept payments on a certain schedule in exchange for Ponder making those payments and providing certain documentation. This agreement was to be recorded in a written document that Chase would provide. Ponder took the initial steps to perform his end of the bargain. See id. ¶¶ 9-14. This same process was essentially repeated when the document failed to arrive in his mail. Id. ¶¶ 21-24. Further, Ponder adds relevant allegations not presented in his former complaint аnd attaches to his opposition brief two correspondences from Chase: the first explaining “the requirements of [Ponder‘s] Repayment Plan,” the second a “letter of agreement,” that lays out the terms and conditions of the repayment plan, and bears the signatures of Ponder, his wife, and a Chase representative. Id. at 13-14.4 These documents support his argument that a July 2008 contract existed with certain terms.

Moreover, Ponder‘s claim identifies the parties and material terms оf the putative contracts, and alleges facts pertaining to both Ponder‘s performance and Chase‘s breach. In , the D.C. Circuit concluded that the plaintiff had sufficiently plead a breach of contract claim where his complaint had described the terms of the alleged contract and the nature of the defendants’ breach, despite some confusion in the complaint about when the contract had been formed and the plaintiff‘s inability to identify the agents оf the defendants who had entered into the contract. See id. at 1057-58. Although Ponder‘s complaint is less detailed than the complaint in Nattah, the Court finds that this case more closely resembles Nattah than it does other post-Twombly and -Iqbal cases where breach of contract claims have been dismissed for failure to state a claim. Compare id., and Compl. ¶¶ 9-14, 21-25, with (collecting cases); cf. (denying a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss a similarly vague pro se breach of contract complaint). After consideration of these cases, and bearing in mind the Supreme Court‘s admonition that “a complaint attacked by a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss does not need detailed factual allegations,” , the Court concludes that Chase‘s motion must be denied as to Count I. See also (” ‘[S]pecific facts are not necessary,’ and a complaint need only give the defendant fair notice of the claims.” (quoting (per curiam))).

2. Count II: Negligent Misrepresentation5

Ponder claims that “[i]n both July, 2008 and October, 2008, the Defendant knowingly and falsely represented that it agreed to the terms of the modification of the loan between the Plaintiff and the Defendant. It further agreed that it would cease all foreclosure proceedings.” Compl. ¶ 36. The ‍​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‍defendants deny such allegations and contend that he has failed to state a claim. The Court concludes that Ponder‘s claims meet the pleading requirements at this stage of the litigation and should not be dismissed.

In the District of Columbia, a plaintiff alleging negligent misrepresentation must establish that (1) the defendant negligently communicated false information, (2) the defendant intended or should have recognized that the plaintiff would likely be imperilеd by action taken in reliance upon his misrepresentation, and that (3) the plaintiff reasonably relied upon the false information to his detriment. ; accord .

Ponder pleads the following facts in support of his misrepresentation claim: In August, 2008, “the Plaintiff telephoned the Defendant and notified them that he had not received the agreement pursuant to the Defendant‘s representations and the Defendant asked the Plaintiff if it wanted to reapply for the modification.” Compl. ¶ 20. Ponder resрonded in the affirmative and “asked if there was sufficient time to allow the modification to go through. The agent responded that there was sufficient time and that another agent would be calling shortly.” Id. ¶ 21. However, according to Ponder, “the agent did not call” and Ponder later telephoned Chase “to inquire as to what was going on and Plaintiff was told to send them pay stubs and a copy of a check for $5,000.00.” Id. ¶ 24. In addition, Chase‘s agent allegedly “indicated that the modification was approved and all foreclosure proceedings would cease.” Id. Ponder complied with the agreement and “in October, 2008, the Plaintiff forwarded the requested documents and copy of the check.” Id. ¶ 25. However, “it was not until late October, 2008, that the Plaintiff learned that he had been deceived by Defendant‘s agents and Defendant had proceeded with the foreclosure even though it had misrepresented to the Plaintiff that the foreclosure would cease.” Id. ¶ 26. The Court finds that suсh facts, construed in favor of the plaintiff, fulfill the first two elements of negligent misrepresentation. Chase misrepresented material facts related to the status of the modification‘s approval and of the foreclosure proceeding. In addition, it should have known that Ponder would rely on the agent‘s communication about these matters.

The Court further finds that the alleged facts suggest Ponder, on the facts plead, reasonably relied on the Chase‘s alleged represеntations. Ponder avers that “[t]he representations made by the Defendant were material and was [sic] made to mislead the Plaintiff,” and that he “detrimentally relied on th[ose] representations.” Id. ¶¶ 38-39.6 Specifically, he states that “[a]s a result of the Defendants [sic] representations and in reliance of the representations of the Defendant, the Plaintiff ceased all other remedies available to him under the District of Columbia code.” Compl. ¶ 14. These alleged facts are entirely plausible. Accоrdingly, the Court concludes that Ponder has plead sufficient facts to state a claim for negligent misrepresentation of material facts related to the status of his loan modification and the related foreclosure proceedings.

3. Count III: Violation of Federal Home Foreclosure Guidelines

Next, Ponder presents a new claim: he asserts that, “[a]s the mortgagee for a FHA financed home, [Chase] was required to follow pre-foreclosure guidelines established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development,” as codified at 24 C.F.R. § 203, which required Chase to provide “proper notice to the Plaintiff in a timely manner” and “alternative means to foreclosure.” Compl. ¶¶ 42-43. Chase responds that Ponder does not explain which portion of 24 C.F.R. § 203—which has over 100 subsections—Chase allegedly violated, or how it did so. Def‘s Mem. at 9-10. In opposing Chase‘s motion, Ponder provides no more specificity, asserting only that he “believes the сomplaint is clear concerning this claim,” and, in the alternative, seeking permission to amend his complaint. Pl.‘s Opp‘n at 9-10.

As presented in the complaint, this claim must fail. Count III does not provide enough information to “raise a right to relief above the speculative level.” . It does not identify the specific guidelines that Chase allegedly violated, or explain when or how it did so. Simply put, it presents an “unadorned, the-defendant-unlawfully-harmed-me accusation.” . Accordingly, it fails tо state a claim upon which relief may be granted.

4. Count IV: Negligence

Ponder asserts that Chase was negligent in failing to “insure accurate delivery of the contract document.” Compl. ¶ 49. A plaintiff pressing a claim of negligence must establish: “(1) a duty, owed by the defendant to the plaintiff, to exercise reasonable care, (2) a breach of this duty, and (3) an injury to the plaintiff proximately caused by the defendant‘s breach.” . Under D.C. law, all contracts contain an implied duty of good faith and fair dealing. . This duty requires that “neither party shall do anything which will have the effect of destroying or injuring the right of the other party to receive the fruits of the contract.” (citing id.). As well, a party is also liable for breach of this duty if she “evades the spirit of the contract, ‍​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‍willfully renders imperfect performance, or interferes with performance by the other party.” Id.

Ponder‘s revised negligence claim asserts that Chase had a duty to ensure both proper preparation and delivery of the documents, Cоmpl. ¶¶ 46, 48. Defendants argue that, because no fiduciary duty runs from Chase to Ponder, such allegations do not state a claim upon which this Court can grant relief. The Court disagrees. As Judge Collyer explained, the debtor-creditor relationship between the parties did not give rise to a fiduciary duty. See . However, Ponder is correct that Chase‘s failure to deliver the document, in accordance with its stated commitment to do so, constitutes a breach of the contractual duty of good faith and fair dealing. Such a failure, combined with its assurance to the contrary, denied Ponder the fruits of the contract and evaded its spirit—i.e. to enable modification of the loan and thereby prevent foreclosure. Construing all facts in Ponder‘s favor, therefore, the Court concludes that Ponder has stated a negligence claim upon which relief may be granted.

IV. CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, Chase‘s motion to dismiss with prejudice [# 2] must be granted in part and denied in part.

Accordingly, it is this 23rd of May 2012 hereby

ORDERED that Chase‘s motion to dismiss is GRANTED as to count III; and it is further

ORDERED that Chase‘s motion to dismiss is DENIED as to counts I, II, IV.

ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN RAILROADS, Plaintiff, v. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, et al., Defendants.

Civil Action No. 11-1499 (JEB).

United States District Court, District of Columbia.

May 31, 2012.

Notes

1
Although he is proceeding pro se, Ponder appears to be an attorney. See .
2
Res judicata is “properly brought in a pre-answer Rule 12(b)(6) motion when all relevant facts are shown by the court‘s own records....” .
3
To the extent that Judge Collyer‘s opinion “makes findings or otherwise expresses an opinion as to the merits of the case ... doubt stemming from this inconsistency is resolved in favor of the view that the words ‘without prejudice’ show that ultimately the court did not determine the merits of the controversy....” 149 A.L.R. 553, § II.d.5. As well, the Order also statеs that it is “final and appealable” is of no moment. (finding that most courts that have held that the dismissal of an action—whether with or without prejudice—is final and appealable.).
4
Chase argues that in resolving this Rule 12(b)(6) motion, the Court is precluded from considering these attachments. Chase contends that any materials that are not described in, attached to, or incorporated by reference in the complaint, and that the two documents meet none of the these exceptions. Def.‘s Reply at 3 n. 3 (citing ). The Court disagrees. The attached correspondences are referenced in the complaint. In relevant part, Ponder alleges the follow facts: “In early July, 2008, the Plaintiff and the Defendant agreed on a modification of the loan. Plaintiff agreed to the terms and faxed a copy of the agreed payment instrument requested by the Defendant, and pursuant to the lenders instructions. As a result of the Defendant‘s receipt of the documents, the Defendant agreed that it would cease all foreclosure proceedings and forward the final agreement.” (emphasis added). Such reference to the attached materials is sufficient. Therefore, the Court considers them duly incorporated into the complaint.
5
Although Judge Collyer construed the count to present a claim of fraud, see . the Court, in consideration of additional facts included in Ponder‘s current complaint and the plaintiff‘s ongoing use of the “misrepresentation” title in the new complaint, construes it as a claim of negligent misrepresentation.
6
To the extent plaintiffs does seek to advance a claim for fraud, such a claim must be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Judge Collyer dismissed Ponder‘s original misrepresentation claim, construing it as a claim for fraud, on the ground that it failed to comply with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 9(b), which imposes a heightened pleading standard for allegations fraud or mistake. ; see (“[T]he pleader must state the time, place and content of the false misrepresentations, the fact misrepresented and what was obtained or given up as a consequence of the fraud.“). In his first complaint, Ponder merely alleged that Chase “knowingly and falsely represented that it would provide modification of the loan agreement for the Plaintiff to sign and that the foreclosure would be stopped.” (complaint, dkt. no. 4-1). Ponder‘s current complaint expands upon this allegation, describing his contacts with Chase in more detail. See Compl. ¶¶ 11-14, 19, 21-22, 24, 26, 35-40. None of Ponder‘s added factual allegations, however, plead a necessary element of fraud: intent to deceive. See . Ponder asserts that Chase‘s alleged misrepresentation was “made to mislead,” Compl. ¶ 39, but he provides no factual support for that assertion. Thus, under the standards for fraud set forth under D.C. law, Ponder‘s revised misrepresentation claim fails to state a claim for fraud. See (“A pleading that offers ‘lаbels and conclusions’ or ‘a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do.’ ” (quoting )). In opposing Chase‘s motion, Ponder asserts that he has alleged knowing falsity with sufficient specificity to meet federal pleading standards. Pl.‘s Opp‘n at 8. He refers, however, to the now-defunct rule ‍​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‍that a pleading should not be dismissed for failure to state a claim unless it is beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove “no set of facts” in support of her claim that would entitle her to relief. See id.; (noting that ).
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