Wang v. Xinyi Liu, Yuanlong Huang, Zhaonan Wang, Bling Entm't, LLC
Wang v. Xinyi Liu, Yuanlong Huang, Zhaonan Wang, Bling Entm't, LLC
Opinion of the Court
I. Introduction
Plaintiff Yiming Wang ("Yiming") has filed this lawsuit against Defendants Xinyi Liu ("Liu"), Yuanlong Huang ("Huang"), Zhaonan Wang ("Wang"), Bling Entertainment, LLC ("Bling"), Shengxi Tina Tian ("Tian") and MT Law, LLC ("MT Law") (collectively, "Defendants"). He alleges breach of fiduciary duty (Count I), civil conspiracy (Count II), fraud (Count III), breach of contract (IV), breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing (Count V), violation of the Securities Act of 1933, 15 U.S.C. §§ 77a et seq. (Count VI), violation of the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act ("MUSA"), Mass. Gen. L. c. 110A, § 101 (Count VII), demand for accounting (Count VIII), professional malpractice (Count IX), breach of contract (Count X) and unjust enrichment (Count XI). D. 16. Defendants Liu, Huang and Wang (collectively, "Bling Defendants") have moved to dismiss all counts against them, including Counts I, II, III, VI, VII, and VIII,
II. Standard of Review
On a motion to dismiss pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6), the Court must determine "whether the well-pleaded factual *432allegations, viewed in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, state a claim for which relief can be granted." Germanowski v. Harris,
III. Factual Background
The following facts are based upon the allegations in Yiming's amended complaint, D. 16, and are accepted as true for the consideration of the motion to dismiss. Bling Defendants are the controlling members of Bling, a Massachusetts limited liability company "formed for the stated purpose of developing and operating a luxurious, state-of-the-art bar, karaoke, and restaurant facility in Malden, Massachusetts." D. 16 ¶¶ 1, 17. Liu and Huang are married and Wang is their cousin. D. 16 ¶¶ 8-9. In June 2013, Defendants Liu and Wang (and two others) incorporated Bling. D. 16 ¶ 17. Liu was Bling's manager. D. 16 ¶ 18. Huang was not identified in Bling's filing papers, but he ran Bling's day-to-day operations and was later identified as its co-manager. D. 16 ¶ 19.
Yiming is a Chinese citizen who was seeking to obtain legal permanent resident status in the United States for himself and his wife through the United States Customs and Immigration Services ("USCIS") EB-5 Program. D. 16 ¶ 20. The EB-5 Program requires an investment of "at least $1 million into an eligible business that is designed to promote job growth in the targeted area," and that the applicant "take an active management role with the business."
On or around May 21, 2014, Yiming and his wife met with Wang at Huang's business office. D. 16 ¶ 27. Huang did not participate in the meeting, but Yiming alleges that Huang assisted Wang in preparing for the meeting and was on the premises when the meeting occurred.
Wang showed Bling's business plan to Yiming, stating it was prepared by Huang and Liu. D. 16 ¶ 30.
Yiming sought legal representation to assist him with his EB-5 application and Wang referred him to Tian and MT Law. D. 16 ¶ 36. These parties had a pre-existing relationship with the Bling Defendants, but agreed to guide Yiming in the immigration petition process and "review all legal documents from the Project." D. 16 ¶¶ 37, 40.
In August 2014, Yiming invested $1 million in Bling and received a five percent ownership interest in the company. D. 16 ¶ 42. Yiming "has since learned" that at the time of his investment, the original members had invested only $470,340.39 total, and that of the additional $2 million purportedly invested by EB-5 investors, only one $500,000 investment had been received. D. 16 ¶ 44. Additionally, Huang "later admitted to Yiming [that] the remaining $1.5 million" of these EB-5 investments were not equity investments, but were, instead, loans that Huang and Liu "used to justify Liu's substantial ownership interest and management powers in Bling." D. 16 ¶ 45. Yiming alleges that Huang admitted that Liu and Huang "were responsible for falsely inflating the number, source, and amount of these purported investments and that he was responsible for preparing the Company's business plan."
Yiming entered into an Escrow Agreement with Bling that required "expressly or implicitly" that the Company would use Yiming's investment "only for construction-related expenses." D. 16 ¶ 53. Instead of using Yiming's investment for construction-related expenses, however, Yiming contends Bling Defendants paid themselves, through "highly suspicious payments" that were "funneled through Bling's operation." D. 16 ¶¶ 54-55. Bling Defendants also fabricated documents such as forged letters by "non-existent investors and distributors" to support Yiming's EB-5 petition and "avoid the repayment obligation to him if the petition failed." D. 16 ¶ 59. For example, in January 2016, Bling provided information to USCIS on Yiming's behalf that falsely represented a forthcoming investment of $3 million. D. 16 ¶ 60. Yiming alleges that, based on Huang's "history with Bling," Huang and Liu's status as co-managers and their signatures on these documents, they "were personally responsible for creating and fabricating these fraudulent documents." D.
*43416 ¶ 61. In a June 2016 meeting with the Bling Defendants, Huang admitted to Yiming that he created the document detailing the false $3 million investment for the sole purpose of getting Yiming's petition approved. D. 16 ¶ 64. Yiming alleges that the terms of his investment required Bling to repay him if USCIS denied his immigration petition. D. 16 ¶ 61. Yiming's immigration petition was conditionally approved, but neither he nor his wife have taken further steps to obtain a green card through the EB-5 Program. D. 16 ¶ 73.
Despite initial estimates that work would be completed in December 2014, the "Project remains far from complete, with no work having been performed in nearly a year." D. 16 ¶ 58. Bling Defendants now assert the company's budget needs to double to complete the project.
IV. Procedural History
Wang instituted this action on December 22, 2016. D. 1. Wang filed the amended complaint on March 17, 2017. D. 16. On March 29, 2017, Bling filed a petition for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. D. 22; D. 26 at 2 n.1; see In re Bling Entertainment, LLC, No. 17-11058 (Bankr. D. Mass.). In accordance with
V. Discussion
A. Considering a Stay as to Bling Defendants
As an initial matter, Bling Defendants argue the Court must stay this case pending Bling's ongoing proceedings in bankruptcy court. D. 26 at 19. Bling Defendants explain "complete relief cannot be afforded" in Bling's absence-specifically the $1 million rescission Yiming seeks-and embezzlement claims fall upon the Chapter 7 Trustee to investigate. D. 26 at 2-3, 19.
As Yiming notes, however, the stay does not automatically extend to the Bling Defendants under Section 362. See, e.g., In re San Juan Dupont Plaza Hotel Fire Litig.,
*435Although Yiming's claims against Bling Defendants are closely related to his claims against Bling, the Court declines to grant a stay of the proceedings as to the Bling Defendants. The party requesting a stay must "make out a clear case of hardship or inequity in being required to go forward." Steele v. Ricigliano,
B. Claims Sounding in Fraud
When alleging fraud, a pleading party "must state with particularity the circumstances constituting fraud." Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(b). This requires the pleader to "allege with particularity the who, what, when, where, and how of the fraud." D'Agostino v. ev3, Inc.,
Furthermore, where associated claims are based on allegations that "effectively charge fraud," they also fall within Rule 9(b)'s reach. N. Am. Catholic Educ.,
Since Yiming's allegations "sound in fraud," they will be judged against the heightened pleading requirements of Rule 9(b). Counts I, II, III, and VI will thus be judged against this heightened pleading standard.
*436C. The Contested Claims
1. Fraud (Count III)
"Under Massachusetts law, fraud requires that the defendant made a knowingly false statement concerning a material matter that was intended to, and did in fact, induce the plaintiff's reliance and, through that reliance, created an injury." Woods v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,
Yiming's fraud claim alleges fraud in the inducement. Yiming alleges that Bling Defendants perpetrated a fraud through their knowing misrepresentations regarding the financial status of the company that he relied upon when he decided to invest in the company. D. 16 ¶¶ 79-82.
Yiming has stated a claim for fraud as to Wang. He alleges that Wang knowingly misrepresented the amount of funding Bling had received as of May 2014. D. 16 ¶¶ 28. Although Yiming has not pled proof of intent to deceive, Wang's relationship to Huang and Liu, along with Wang's statements that Huang and Liu assisted in preparing Wang for the meeting and that Wang represented them there, D. 16 ¶¶ 28, 31, 45, 48, sufficiently allege that Wang knew of his misrepresentation at the time it was made. Yiming relied upon these misrepresentations to his detriment by investing $1 million in the company. D. 16 ¶ 82. The Court will not resolve the question of the reasonableness of Yiming's reliance at this time, as it is ordinarily a question for the jury. See *437Monks v. Astoria Bank, No. 16-12084-FDS,
Yiming's allegations of fraud against Huang and Liu, however, are a closer question. "[W]here there are multiple defendants, the specific role of each must be alleged." Rick v. Profit Mgmt. Assocs., Inc.,
Yiming's allegation that the business plan Huang and Liu prepared "contained tables of fabricated financial information that lacked any basis in the Company's actual financial condition," D. 29 at 8; D. 16 ¶ 34, however, provides a plausible basis a fraud claim against them. Revenue projections toe the line between misstatements that are actionable and "puffing" which is not. See, e.g., Shaw v. Dig. Equip. Corp.,
2. Breach of Fiduciary Duty (Count I)
Yiming alleges Bling Defendants-as "managers, controlling members, and fellow members of Bling"-owed a duty of utmost good faith and loyalty to Yiming that they breached through their actions of fraud, self-dealing, embezzlement, and mismanagement. D. 16 ¶¶ 70-71. "It is well settled that partners owe each other a fiduciary duty of the utmost good faith and loyalty." Karter v. Pleasant View Gardens, Inc.,
Nevertheless, Yiming argues the same duty applies, which is correct if Bling were a closely held corporation. See, e.g., Demoulas v. Demoulas Super Mkts.,
*438(2) no ready market for corporate stock; and (3) substantial majority stockholder participation in the management, direction and operations of the corporation." Demoulas,
3. Civil Conspiracy (Count II)
To establish a claim of civil conspiracy, "a plaintiff must demonstrate that 'a combination of persons [acted] pursuant to an agreement to injure the plaintiff.' " Gutierrez v. Mass. Bay Transp. Auth.,
Here, Yiming has stated a plausible fraud claim as to Bling Defendants and he has provided sufficient factual support in his complaint to support his allegation that Huang and Liu substantially assisted Wang in perpetrating this fraud. D. 16 ¶ 76. Even judged against Rule 9(b)'s more rigorous standard, Yiming's allegations regarding Bling Defendants' professional and personal relationships, D. 16 ¶¶ 10, 17-19, 48, their actions preparing Wang for his meeting with Yiming, D. 16 ¶¶ 27-32, and preparing documents to induce his investment in Bling, D. 16 ¶ 34, 45, are sufficient. The Court thus declines to dismiss this claim.
4. Violation of the Securities Act of 1933 (Count VI)
Yiming has alleged that Bling Defendants violated the Securities Act by failing to provide financial disclosures as "required under Regulation D,
The amended complaint does not identify which specific provisions of the Securities Act have supposedly been violated, see D. 16 ¶¶ 94-98, and Yiming fails to provide a cogent basis for Bling Defendants' liability in his opposition to this motion, see D. 29 at 10-13. Assuming that, as the complaint suggests, Yiming bases his Securities Act allegations on Regulation D,
If, on the other hand, Yiming is alleging the Bling Defendants are liable under the Securities Act's fraud provisions, see D. 29 at 12, Yiming's allegations are also deficient. Yiming argues "Bling Defendants are liable under Section 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 for making misstatements in connection with the sale of securities."
Finally, even if Section 12 did apply, Yiming's allegations of its violation would be deficient under Rule 9(b). "Under First Circuit precedent, claims under §§ 11 and 12(a)(2) that 'sound in fraud' trigger the pleading requirements of Rule 9(b)." In re Brooks Automation Inc. Secs. Litig., No. 06-11068-RWZ,
5. Violation of MUSA, Mass. Gen. L. c. 110A, § 101 (Count VII)
Yiming has alleged that the Bling Defendants have violated MUSA, the Massachusetts blue sky law, Mass. Gen. L. c. 110A, § 101, by defrauding Yiming, failing to provide financial disclosures and falsifying Bling's true financial condition. D. 16 ¶¶ 99-102. MUSA states that:
[i]t is unlawful for any person, in connection with the offer, sale, or purchase of any security, directly or indirectly (1) to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud, (2) to make any untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are *440made, not misleading, or (3) to engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person.
Mass. Gen. L. c. 110A, § 101. As Yiming points out, D. 29 at 14, MUSA is broadly written, including "indirect" fraudulent activity within its ambit. See Mass Gen. L. c. 110A, § 101.
Bling Defendants argue that Yiming's pleading of this Count VII is insufficient under Rule 9(b). D. 26 at 14. The Court need not conduct an inquiry under Rule 9(b), however, because Yiming has pled under a provision that does not provide a right of action. See, e.g., Pearce v. Duchesneau Grp., Inc.,
6. Demand for Accounting (Count VIII)
The final claim Yiming has pled against Bling Defendants is a demand for accounting of Bling's finances. D. 16 ¶¶ 103-07. Bling Defendants argue Yiming "has no right to demand that the Bling Defendants, individually, provide him with access to corporate records, much less prepare a corporate accounting for him." D. 26 at 17. They point out that the Massachusetts Limited Liability Company Act, Mass. Gen. L. c. 156C, § 10, only provides members of limited liability companies with a right to obtain financial information of the limited liability company from the company itself. D. 26 at 17. Yiming argues, however, that his demand for accounting is equitable and thus broader than the statute cited by Bling Defendants. D. 29 at 14-15; see Henderson v. Axiam, Inc., No. 96-2572-D,
D. Bling Defendants' Rule 12(b)(7) Motion
Bling Defendants argue that all the claims against them should be dismissed for Yiming's failure to join an indispensable party: Yiming's wife, Yumei Zhang. D. 26 at 18-19. " Rule 12(b)(7) provides that 'a defendant may move to dismiss *441a claim when a plaintiff fails to join a required party.' " J & J Sports Prods., Inc. v. Cela,
Whether Zhang is an indispensable party is a two-part inquiry. See, e.g., United States v. San Juan Bay Marina,
Zhang is not a necessary party under Rule 19(a). Even if Zhang had not voluntarily abandoned her pursuit of a green card as she did, D. 16 ¶ 73; D. 29 at 16 n.6, Zhang received conditional approval of her visa not from Bling Defendants, but rather from the United States government. Zhang is also not a party to any contract with Bling Defendants or Bling. To the extent that Bling Defendants seek to have the Court consider the expenses they incurred in support of her visa if and when the Court determines a remedy in this case, the Court may do so without joining Zhang as a party. Thus, the Court denies Bling Defendants' motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(7).
VI. Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, the Court ALLOWS Defendants' motion to dismiss, D. 25, as to Counts VI (Securities Act violation) and VII (MUSA violation), DENIES the motion as to Counts I, II, III and VIII.
So Ordered.
Bling Defendants' motion sought dismissal of Count IV instead of Count III, D. 25, but they later filed an assented-to motion to clarify, D. 30 (which this court now ALLOWS), explaining that, as both parties had recognized in their briefing, this was a typographical error.
The motion also sought dismissal of Count V, but Yiming has voluntarily dismissed this claim against the Bling Defendants. D. 29 at 2 n.1.
Yiming has attached to the amended complaint a business plan prepared one month later, explaining that it mirrors the original plan "in all material respects" except it includes Yiming as an additional investor. D. 16 ¶ 30; D. 16-1.
Yiming argues Rule 9(b) should not apply to Counts I and II, but the Court disagrees. First, his argument relies exclusively upon cases that are inapposite. See D. 29 at 3 (citing cases discussing ERISA's fiduciary duty obligations). Second, Yiming's listing of examples of conduct pled as factual allegations "supporting the non-fraud counts" that are "separate and apart from the Bling Defendants' fraud," D. 29 at 4, also does not aid his argument. Notably, these factual allegations-embezzlement, self-dealing and falsification of documents-are nearly identical to those he listed as factual allegations supporting his fraud claim. Compare D. 29 at 4 with D. 16 ¶ 83.
He also alleges they continued to engage in fraud after Yiming's investment through self-dealing and document falsification. D. 16 ¶ 83. Yiming has not pled that he relied upon any alleged fraudulent activity following his investment in the company. Cf. D. 26 at 10. Despite his suggestion otherwise, D. 29 at 5-6, citing "actual fraud" cases, which, unlike this case, involved a cause of action under bankruptcy law in
The Court has considered the fact that it has now dismissed the Securities Act claim, the federal claim against Bling Defendants. Although the claims against Bling are stayed pending the company's bankruptcy proceedings, the Court still has jurisdiction over the federal claim against Bling and, therefore, retains supplemental jurisdiction over the remaining state claims against Bling Defendants.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- YIMING WANG v. XINYI LIU, Yuanlong Huang, Zhaonan Wang, Bling Entertainment, LLC, Shengxi Tina Tian and MT Law, LLC
- Cited By
- 2 cases
- Status
- Published