UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

DC2NY, INC., : : Plaintiff, : Civil Action No.: 18-2127 (RC) : v. : Re Document No.: 6 : ACADEMY BUS, LLC, : : Defendant. :

MEMORANDUM OPINION

GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO DISMISS

I. INTRODUCTION

DC2NY, Inc., which does business under the trade name BestBus, filed this lawsuit

against Academy Bus, LLC, asserting a claim under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt

Organizations Act (“RICO”), 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961–68, as well as contract and tort claims. As the

Court will explain below, though, BestBus’s complaint is deficient in a number of ways: the

complaint fails to allege the pattern of activity required for a RICO claim; its contract claims are

asserted against the wrong party; its tortious interference claims do not identify specific business

opportunities that were impeded; and its conversion claim merely alleges the failure to repay a

debt. Because none of BestBus’s claims survive these defects, the Court grants Academy Bus’s

motion to dismiss. II. BACKGROUND 1

BestBus is a D.C. corporation that provides express bus services to a number of locations

in the mid-Atlantic area between D.C. and New York City. See Compl. ¶ 1, ECF No. 1.

BestBus does not, however, own its own buses or employ its own drivers, so until 2011, it used a

Virginia company named New World Tours to provide buses and drivers. Id. ¶ 15. In 2011,

New World Tours was bought by Academy Bus, a limited liability company organized under the

laws of New Jersey. Id. ¶¶ 9, 16. In the aftermath of that sale, Academy Bus expressed interest

in acquiring BestBus, and the two companies were in negotiations for about a year. Id. ¶ 17.

During those discussions, BestBus provided Academy Bus with certain “confidential proprietary

financial information” and the parties entered into a “Confidential and Non-Disclosure

Agreement” (“NDA”). Id. ¶ 18.

When the parties were ultimately unable to reach a sale agreement, BestBus opted to

pursue an alternative plan. Id. ¶ 19. In June 2013, it negotiated an exclusivity arrangement with

Academy Bus that was memorialized in a Transportation Service Agreement (“TSA”). Id. ¶¶ 2,

20. As a formal matter, Academy Bus, LLC was not a party to that Agreement, though. See

Def.’s Mot. to Dismiss, Ex. 1 at 1–6, ECF No. 6–2. The contracting parties were instead

BestBus (using its legal name, DC2NY, Inc.) and Academy Express LLC, which the Agreement

referred to simply as “Academy,” see id., and which BestBus now claims is merely an alter ego

of Academy Bus, see Pl.’s Opp’n to Def.’s Mot. to Dismiss at 5, ECF No. 7.

The TSA stated that BestBus “desire[d] to utilize Academy as [its] sole and exclusive

transportation provider for motor transportation services between the points, places and locations

1 At the motion to dismiss stage, the Court accepts the plaintiff’s factual allegations as true. See, e.g., United States v. Philip Morris, Inc.,

(D.D.C. 2000).

2 described in Schedule A” of the Agreement, and that “Academy wishe[d] to provide such

services exclusively to” BestBus. Def.’s Mot. to Dismiss, Ex. 1 at 1; Compl. ¶ 22. Schedule A

in turn listed six different routes, which together involved eight different locations: Vienna,

Virginia; Springfield, Virginia; DuPont Circle in D.C.; Union Station in D.C.; Wilmington,

Delaware; Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; Dewey Beach, Delaware; and Penn Station in New York

City. Def.’s Mot. to Dismiss, Ex. 1 at 7.

The TSA further provided that “Academy . . . shall not operate any other ‘line run’ motor

coach business in competition with any existing or future [BestBus] line run during the term of

th[e] Agreement,” which was five years. Compl. ¶¶ 21, 24; see also Def’s Mot. to Dismiss, Ex.

1 at 1. The Agreement also required “Academy . . . to provide professional, experienced and

qualified licensed drivers consistent with federal motor carrier regulations” and to “direct its

driver employees to adhere to [a] level of professionalism, courtesy and respect in dealings with

the public.” Def.’s Mot. to Dismiss, Ex. 1 at 2. And the Agreement stated that “Academy

[would] pay [BestBus]” an annual “service rebate,” to be calculated based on “the total annual

revenue . . . paid to Academy by [BestBus] in connection with” the Agreement.

at 7–8; see

also id. at 2; Compl. ¶ 26. Either party could terminate the TSA “for any reason upon 90 days

written Notice to the other Party.” Def.’s Mot. to Dismiss, Ex. 1 at 5. Any disputes, the

Agreement stated, would be governed by New Jersey law. Id.

According to BestBus, the execution of the TSA was the first step in Academy Bus’s

“plan to drive BestBus out of business and enter the D.C.-New York market for express bus

services.” Compl. ¶ 19. In furtherance of that goal, Academy Bus did not make the vast

majority of the rebate payments that it owed under the TSA. See id. ¶ 57–59. It also refused to

repay BestBus a $40,000 loan obligation it had inherited through its purchase of New World

3 Tours. See id. ¶¶ 60–61. Eventually, Academy Bus informed BestBus that it considered the

$40,000 a security deposit that it would hold “against potential default by BestBus in future

payments” under the TSA. Id. ¶ 61.

The second step of Academy Bus’s plan allegedly took place in 2014, when it purchased

Go Bus, a New York company that “provided buses to Vamoose Bus, a direct competitor of

BestBus in the D.C.-New York market.” Compl. ¶¶ 31–32. BestBus claims that Academy Bus

“used the proprietary information it had obtained from BestBus” during the parties’ prior

purchase negotiations in order “to facilitate its acquisition and subsequent operation of Go Bus,”

in violation of the parties’ NDA. Id. ¶ 45. Then following its purchase of Go Bus, Academy

Bus “used Go Bus’s existing relationship with Vamoose to begin supplying buses to Vamoose,

on the same D.C.-New York route for which it was supplying buses to BestBus.” Id. ¶ 32. And

Academy Bus provided Vamoose with “newer models and better buses than the ones [it]

supplied to BestBus for the same routes.” Id. Limited to the older buses, “BestBus suffered . . .

numerous bus breakdowns and passenger service problems”—far more “than it would have

experienced had it received [the] newer bus models.” Id. ¶ 34.

These problems were exacerbated by the fact that the drivers whom Academy Bus

assigned to BestBus routes “regularly failed to exhibit . . . professionalism, decorum, courtesy,

and respect.” Id. ¶ 39. “On many occasions, the drivers did not know the routes to which they

were assigned.” Id. A number of them “were surly and uncommunicative with passengers.” Id.

And “[s]ome . . . did not clean their buses between runs” or “help passengers load their luggage.”

Id.

As one would expect, these problems with the buses and drivers “diminish[ed] BestBus’s

public reputation.” Id. ¶ 34. The company had to “regularly reimburse[] passengers who had . . .

4 complaints,” which led to increased business losses. Id. BestBus complained to Academy Bus

about these issues multiple times, and Academy Bus repeatedly indicated that it would make

improvements. See id. ¶¶ 38, 40. Such promises ultimately proved empty, though. See id.

While all of this was going on, BestBus was also trying to expand into the New York to

Boston market. See id. ¶ 43. And “BestBus made clear to Academy [Bus] that it needed and

expected [Academy Bus’s] continued support for [this] venture, given [Academy Bus’s]

obligations under the TSA.” Id. In response, Academy Bus “officials represented that they

would help BestBus.” Id. But “[t]hrough emails, telephone calls, and meetings with BestBus

executives,” those officials “deliberately misled BestBus into believing that [Academy Bus] was

doing everything it could to help BestBus obtain a New York-Boston route.” Id. ¶ 44. In reality,

Academy Bus was focused on its recent purchase of Go Bus, which already had its own

established New York to Boston route. Id. ¶ 45. Academy Bus took over that route, thereby

“positioning itself as a competitor in the very market” that BestBus was seeking to enter. Id.

¶ 47.

Eventually, BestBus decided to terminate the TSA, consistent with the Agreement’s

ninety-day notice provision. See id. ¶¶ 50–51. During the ensuing ninety-day period, Go Bus

announced that it would begin servicing its own D.C. to New York routes, see id. ¶ 52, and

Academy Bus allegedly put “Go Bus flyers on the seats of the buses that it provided for BestBus,

advertising its own [forthcoming] service at a lower rate than the rate being offered by BestBus.”

Id. ¶ 53. Then after the ninety-day period passed, BestBus negotiated an agreement with

Panorama Bus Tours for the supply of buses on BestBus’s D.C. to New York route. Id. ¶ 56.

But “[o]n the eve of finalizing this arrangement,” an Academy Bus representative called

Panorama with a threat: “if Panorama did business with BestBus,” the representative said,

5 Panorama “would never do business with Academy [Bus] again.” Id. “Panorama suddenly

hesitated and stopped returning BestBus’s calls and emails.” Id.

This lawsuit, which asserts six claims, followed. BestBus’s first claim is a civil RICO

claim premised on the allegation that Academy Bus committed multiple acts of wire fraud in

furtherance of its scheme to drive BestBus out of business. See id. ¶¶ 65–75. Its next two claims

are contract claims: One alleges breaches of a number of the TSA’s provisions. See id. ¶¶ 76–

79. The other alleges that Academy Bus violated its contractual duty of good faith and fair

dealing. See id. ¶¶ 96–99. The final three claims are tort claims. The first alleges tortious

inference with business relations, the second alleges tortious interference with prospective

business relations, and the third alleges that Academy Bus unlawfully converted the proceeds of

the $40,000 loan it inherited from New World Tours. See id. ¶¶ 80–95. BestBus ultimately

deducted the $40,000 principal from the final payment it made to Academy Bus when it

terminated the TSA, but BestBus argues that it is still entitled to interest that accrued during the

time that the loan went unpaid. Id. ¶¶ 63–64. Academy Bus responded to BestBus’s complaint

by filing a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim. That motion is now ripe for disposition.

III. ANALYSIS

Rule 8(a)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires that a complaint contain “a

short and plain statement of the claim” in order to give the defendant fair notice of the claim and

the grounds upon which it rests. See Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly,

(2007). A

motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6) “tests the legal sufficiency of a complaint” under that

standard; it asks whether the plaintiff has properly stated a claim. Browning v. Clinton,

(D.C. Cir. 2002). To defeat such a motion, the “complaint must contain sufficient

factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’” Ashcroft

6 v. Iqbal,

(2009) (quoting Twombly,

). This means that there

must be “factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant

is liable for the misconduct alleged.”

The factual allegations, in other words, “must be

enough to raise a right to relief above the speculative level.” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555–56.

In light of these standards, a Rule 12(b)(6) motion “must rely solely on matters within the

pleadings.” Pernice v. Bovim,

, 87 (D.D.C. 2016) (citing Fed. R. Civ. P.

12(d)). This includes “the facts alleged in the complaint, any documents either attached to or

incorporated in the complaint,” and materials suitable for judicial notice, EEOC v. St. Francis

Xavier Parochial Sch.,

(D.C. Cir. 1997), as well as “[d]ocuments that a

defendant attaches to [its] motion to dismiss . . . if they are integral to [the plaintiff’s] claim[s],

they are referred to in the complaint, and their authenticity is undisputed,” Pernice, 183 F. Supp.

3d at 87. Thus, here, the Court may consider the copy of the TSA that Academy has attached to

its motion, even though the Agreement was not attached as an exhibit to the complaint. Before

getting to the TSA, however, the Court begins its analysis below with BestBus’s RICO claim.

The Court then turns to the two contract claims and closes with the three tort claims. As the

Court will explain, all six claims must be dismissed.

A. The RICO Claim

Among other things, “RICO makes it ‘unlawful for any person employed by or associated

with any enterprise engaged in, or the activities of which affect, interstate or foreign commerce,

to conduct or participate, directly or indirectly, in the conduct of such enterprise’s affairs through

a pattern of racketeering activity or collection of unlawful debt.’” Cheeks v. Fort Myer Constr.

Corp.,

(D.D.C. 2016) (quoting

(c)). The Act then

“provides a ‘private right of action for treble damages to any person injured in his business by

7 reason” of such conduct. Leonard v. George Washington Univ. Hosp.,

(D.D.C. 2017) (quoting Bridge v. Phoenix Bond & Indem. Co.,

(2008)); see

also

(c). To assert a civil RICO claim, a plaintiff must allege four elements:

“(1) conduct (2) of an enterprise (3) through a pattern (4) of racketeering activity.” Zernik v.

U.S. Dep’t of Justice,

(D.D.C. 2009) (quoting Pyramid Sec. Ltd. v. IB

Resolution, Inc.,

(D.C. Cir. 1991)). Together, the latter two elements

“requir[e] the commission of at least two predicate racketeering offenses over a ten year period.”

W. Assocs. Ltd. P’ship ex rel. Ave. Assocs. Ltd. P’Ship v. Mkt. Square. Assocs.,

,

633 (D.C. Cir. 2001) (citing

(5)). “These predicate offenses are acts punishable

under certain state and federal criminal laws, including mail and wire fraud.”

(citing

(1)(B)).

Here, BestBus’s RICO claim is grounded in the notion that Academy Bus used Go Bus

(the alleged RICO “enterprise”) to engage in a scheme aimed at driving BestBus out of business

and accumulating its own share of the bus services market. See Compl. ¶¶ 65–70. In pursuit of

that scheme, BestBus says, Academy made multiple false communications that amounted to wire

fraud and constituted RICO predicates. See

¶¶ 71–72. In its motion to dismiss, Academy Bus

argues that BestBus’s claim does not satisfy any of the four RICO elements. The Court,

however, need address only one of Academy Bus’s arguments—the one concerning the third

“pattern” element. The requisite pattern of activity is not alleged in the complaint, so BestBus’s

RICO claim must be dismissed.

The pattern requirement includes two sub-elements: relatedness and continuity. E.g.,

Watson v. Faris,

(D.D.C. 2015) (citing H.J. Inc. v. Nw. Bell Tel. Co.,

(1989)). These sub-elements require a plaintiff to allege “that the racketeering

8 predicates are related, and that they amount to or pose a threat of continued criminal activity.”

H.J. Inc., 492 U.S at 239. To determine whether this kind of pattern has been established, the

D.C. Circuit has provided six factors that courts should consider: “the number of unlawful acts,

the length of time over which the acts were committed, the similarity of the acts, the number of

victims, the number of perpetrators, and the character of the unlawful activity.” W. Assocs., 235

F.3d at 633 (quoting Edmonson & Gallagher v. Alban Towers Tenants Ass’n,

,

1265 (D.C. Cir. 1995)). These factors “do[] not establish a rigid test, but rather present[] a

flexible guide for analyzing RICO allegations on a case by case basis.” Id. That said, “[i]n some

cases . . . some factors will weigh so strongly in one direction as to be dispositive.” Edmonson,

48 F.3d at 1265. And as a result, at least one near bright-line rule has emerged: “if a plaintiff

alleges only a single scheme, a single injury, and few victims, it is ‘virtually impossible’” for the

plaintiff to state a RICO claim. W. Assocs., 235 F.3d at 634 (quoting Edmonson, 48 F.3d at

1265).

That is the problem with BestBus’s claim here. The complaint alleges only one scheme:

“to drive BestBus out of business and . . . gain access to the market for express bus services”

from D.C. to New York, and from New York to Boston. Compl. ¶ 70. It names only one victim:

BestBus. Id. ¶ 74 (“BestBus was the ultimate and intended victim of Academy’s unlawful

scheme.”). And it identifies only one injury—to BestBus’s “business and property.” Id. As a

matter of law, this limited range of activity does not constitute a pattern within the meaning of

RICO. See, e.g., W. Assocs., 235 F.3d at 634–35; E. Sav. Bank, FSB v. Papageorge,

(D.D.C. 2014); Busby v. Capitol One, N.A.,

(D.D.C. 2011);

Zernik,

.

9 BestBus nonetheless argues that, “given how readily Academy [Bus] resorted to threats

and fraudulent misrepresentation to solidify its foothold in the D.C.-New York market, it is

entirely possible that Academy [Bus] . . . engaged in such behavior in other markets” as well.

Pl.’s Opp’n at 14. BestBus therefore says it should be given the opportunity to pursue discovery

to uncover further misconduct. See

All this amounts to, however, is unsupported speculation,

which is insufficient to defeat a motion to dismiss. See, e.g., Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555–56. And

indeed, “RICO claims premised on mail or wire fraud must be particularly scrutinized because of

the relative ease with which a plaintiff may mold a RICO pattern from allegations that, upon

closer scrutiny, do not support it.” Watson,

(quoting W. Assocs., 235 F.3d

at 634). “This caution stems from the fact that ‘[i]t will be the unusual fraud that does not enlist

the mails and wires in its service at least twice.’” W. Assocs., 235 F.3d at 637 (alteration in

original) (quoting Al-Abood ex rel. Al-Abood v. El-Shamari,

(4th Cir. 2000)).

“[I]f the pattern requirement has any force whatsoever,” then, “it is to prevent . . . ordinary

commercial fraud from being transformed into a federal RICO claim.”

(omission in original)

(quoting Menasco, Inc. v. Wasserman,

(4th Cir. 1989)).

Here, BestBus has not adequately distinguished this case from the ordinary business

dispute, and as far as specific factual allegations go, it has alleged actions in furtherance of only

a “single discrete goal.” E. Sav. Bank,

(quoting Edmonson, 48 F.3d at

1265). Thus, even if BestBus has alleged predicate acts that amount to “racketeering activity,” it

has not alleged a pattern of such activity. The Court therefore must dismiss its RICO claim.

10 B. The Contract Claims 2

BestBus’s next two claims are grounded in contract, and, given the TSA’s choice-of-law

clause, the parties agree that they are governed by New Jersey law. The first claim alleges that

Academy Bus breached several provisions of the TSA, see Compl. ¶¶ 76–79, and the second

alleges that Academy Bus breached its contractually implied duty of good faith and fair dealing,

see id. ¶¶ 96–99; Sons of Thunder, Inc. v. Borden, Inc.,

(N.J. 1997) (“[E]very

contract in New Jersey contains an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.”).

Academy Bus contends that each of these claims should be dismissed for a variety of

reasons. But before getting to those arguments, Academy Bus makes a threshold challenge that

applies to both claims: it contends that BestBus sued the wrong party. Recall that the sole named

Defendant in this case is Academy Bus, LLC. The TSA, however, on its face, does not name

Academy Bus, LLC as one of the contracting entities. Instead, the document memorializes an

agreement with “Academy Express LLC,” Mot. to Dismiss, Ex. 1 at 1, 6, an entity that BestBus

has not served and does not mention in the complaint. Academy Bus acknowledges that it is

associated with Academy Express; in fact, Academy Bus is apparently Academy Express’s sole

2 Having dismissed the only federal question raised in BestBus’s complaint, the Court is obligated to ensure that it has jurisdiction over the remaining common law claims. According to BestBus, those claims fall within the Court’s diversity jurisdiction, see 28 U.S.C. § 1332—the theory being that BestBus is a citizen of D.C., Academy Bus is a citizen of New Jersey, and greater than $75,000 is in dispute. See Compl. ¶¶ 8–9, 11. To demonstrate Academy Bus’s citizenship, BestBus submitted New Jersey state records indicating that the initial members of “Academy Bus, L.L.C.” were all residents of New Jersey. See Pl.’s Opp’n, Ex. 2 at 3, ECF No. 7-4; see also CostCommand, LLC v. WH Admin’rs, Inc.,

(D.C. Cir. 2016) (“Unincorporated associations, including LLCs, have the citizenship of each of their members.”). For jurisdictional purposes, the Court may consider these records without even determining whether they are suitable for judicial notice. See, e.g., Akpan v. Cissna,

(D.D.C. 2018) (citing Jerome Stevens Pharm., Inc. v. FDA,

(D.C. Cir. 2005)). And because Academy Bus neither challenges the records’ accuracy, nor claims to now have a member that is a citizen of D.C., the Court is satisfied that diversity jurisdiction is proper.

11 member. See Def.’s Mem. Supp. Mot. to Dismiss at 3, ECF No. 6-1. But the argument is that “a

contract between the parties” is an essential element of any breach of contract claim. Newark

Cab Ass’n v. City of Newark,

(3d Cir. 2018) (emphasis added). And here, it

seems no contract existed between BestBus and Academy Bus.

For its part, BestBus does not dispute the basic facts underlying this argument, but it

contends that “there is a very strong likelihood” that Academy Bus and Academy Express are

alter egos, which would permit the Court to pierce the corporate veil and hold Academy Bus

liable for Academy Express’s alleged breaches of the TSA. Pl.’s Opp’n at 5. This alter ego

issue, BestBus says, is a question of fact that should not be resolved at the motion to dismiss

stage. See

As an abstract matter, that may be correct, but BestBus’s problem is that the complaint

alleges no facts that could support an alter ego finding. Indeed, as the Court already noted, the

complaint never references Academy Express. BestBus’s opposition to the motion to dismiss

addresses the subject, but a plaintiff “cannot overcome a 12(b)(6) motion by adding new

information . . . in a brief.” Hawkins v. Wash. Metro. Area Transit Auth.,

(D.D.C. 2018); see also Coyer v. Hemmer,

, 883–84 (D.N.J. 1995)

(dismissing breach of contract claim grounded in alter ego theory under New Jersey law because

complaint included no relevant factual allegations beyond conclusory statements).

In any event, even if the Court were to take into account BestBus’s new factual

allegations (some of which are supported by public records of which the Court could take

judicial notice), those new facts would still fall far short of supporting an alter ego theory of

liability. Under New Jersey law, “[t]o pierce the corporate veil of a parent corporation, a party

must establish two elements: (1) the subsidiary was dominated by the parent corporation, and (2)

12 adherence to the fiction of separate corporate existence would perpetrate a fraud or injustice, or

otherwise circumvent the law.” FDASmart, Inc. v. Dishman Pharms. & Chems. Ltd.,

(N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2016) (citing State, Dep’t of Envtl. Prot. v. Ventron Corp.,

(N.J. 1983)). At most, BestBus addresses only the first of these elements. Citing

New Jersey Treasury Department records, BestBus contends that Academy Bus and Academy

Express “have an ‘identity of interest.’” Pl.’s Opp’n at 5 (quoting Bazarian Int’l Fin. Assocs.,

LLC v. Desarrollos Hotelco, C.A.,

(D.D.C. 2018)). BestBus’s new facts

do not, however, go to the second element, which requires that the parent entity “abuse[] the

privilege of incorporation by using the subsidiary to perpetrate a fraud or injustice, or otherwise

to circumvent the law.” Ventron,

. Here, BestBus alleges that Academy Bus

made fraudulent statements, but there are no allegations of fraud in the use of the corporate form.

Thus, even if the Court were to set aside the fact that the issue was not raised until the

opposition brief, the Court would still hold that BestBus had not properly stated a claim for relief

under an alter ego theory. And without alter ego, BestBus cannot prevail on either the breach of

contract claim or the duty of good faith and fair dealing claim. Because no contract appears to

have existed between BestBus and Academy Bus, both of those claims must be dismissed. 3

C. The Tort Claims

BestBus’s final three claims are tort claims. The first alleges tortious interference with

business relations, the second alleges tortious interference with prospective business relations,

and the third is a claim for conversion. For each of these claims, the Court must first make a

3 As a last resort, BestBus requests leave to amend the complaint and add Academy Express LLC as a defendant. See Pl.’s Opp’n at 15. Under Local Civil Rules 7(i) and 15.1, however, a motion for leave to file an amended pleading in this district must “be accompanied by an original of the proposed pleading as amended.” Because BestBus has not yet complied with this requirement, it would be premature for the Court to grant leave at this time.

13 choice-of-law determination. See Long v. Sears Roebuck & Co.,

(D.D.C.

1995) (“Under proper conflict of laws principles, the Court is to conduct the choice of law

analysis for each distinct issue being adjudicated.”). BestBus argues that all three claims should

be governed by D.C. law, while Academy Bus says that New Jersey law should apply.

In diversity cases, these determinations are governed by the “the choice-of-law rules of

the forum state—here, the District of Columbia.” In re APA Assessment Fee Litig.,

(D.C. Cir. 2014). Under D.C. rules, “the first step in a choice-of-law analysis is determining

whether a true conflict exists between the laws of the [competing] jurisdictions—that is, whether

more than one jurisdiction has a potential interest in having its law applied, and if so, whether the

law of the competing jurisdictions is different.” Krukas v. AARP, Inc.,

(D.D.C. 2019) (alteration in original) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting In re APA, 766

F.3d at 51–52). When no conflict exists, D.C. law applies by default. See, e.g., Sharpe v. Am.

Acad. of Actuaries,

(D.D.C. 2018). If there is a conflict, however,

courts apply a “modified governmental interest analysis which seeks to identify the jurisdiction

with the most significant relationship to the dispute.” Krukas,

(quoting

Washkoviak v. Student Loan Mktg. Ass’n,

(D.C. 2006)). As part of that

analysis, courts are to consider (1) where the injury occurred, (2) where the conduct causing the

injury occurred, (3) where the parties reside or are incorporated, and (4) where the parties’

relationship is centered. See Washkoviak,

. Where those factors do not “clearly

favor either jurisdiction,” courts apply “the law of the forum state (D.C.) as a tie-breaker.” In re

APA,

(citing Washkoviak,

); see also id. at 55.

14 1. Tortious Interference

Applying these principles to BestBus’s tortious interference claims, the Court first

concludes that there is a true conflict between D.C. and New Jersey law. Although the elements

are similar in each jurisdiction, compare Whitt v. Am. Prop. Constr. Co.,

(D.C. 2017), with Lightning Lube, Inc. v. Witco Corp.,

(3d Cir. 1993), there is

one critical difference. In New Jersey, it is the plaintiff’s burden to prove that the defendant’s

interference was not only intentional, but also wrongful and without justification. See, e.g.,

Printing Mart-Morristown v. Sharp Elecs. Corp.,

, 39 (N.J. 1989). In D.C., by

contrast, “[i]nstead of the plaintiff bearing the burden of proving that the defendant’s conduct

was wrongful, it is the defendant who bears the burden of proving that it was not.” NCRIC, Inc.

v. Columbia Hosp. for Women Med. Ctr., Inc.,

(D.C. 2008).

In light of that difference, the Court must decide which jurisdiction has the most

significant relationship to the dispute, based on the four factors mentioned earlier. But here,

those factors do not weigh strongly in favor of either jurisdiction. The first factor—where the

injury occurred—favors D.C., where BestBus is based. The second—where the conduct causing

the injury occurred—favors New Jersey, where Academy Bus is based. The third factor,

meanwhile, is of no assistance at all because BestBus is incorporated in D.C. and Academy Bus

is organized under the laws of New Jersey. And as for the fourth factor, it is not entirely clear

where the parties’ relationship was centered. On the one hand, they chose New Jersey law in the

TSA. That contract language obviously does not govern BestBus’s tort claims, but one could

argue that it “serve[s] to illustrate the parties’ expectations.” Am. Nat’l Ins. Co. v. JPMorgan

Chase & Co.,

(D.D.C. 2016). Yet on the other hand, the bus routes

within the scope of the TSA included two stops in D.C., and none in New Jersey. Indeed,

15 because of the nature of the business at issue, it might be fair to say that the parties’ relationship

spanned the entire mid-Atlantic region.

More generally, it is not hard to see how both D.C. and New Jersey have an interest in

applying their law to this dispute. D.C. has an interest in protecting its corporations from out-of-

state tortfeasors doing business in D.C., while New Jersey has an interest in regulating New

Jersey corporations. As the applicable choice-of-law considerations do not “clearly favor either

jurisdiction,” the tie-breaker goes to D.C., the law of the forum state. In re APA,

(citing Washkoviak,

).

With D.C. law governing, BestBus’s two tortious interference claims must each allege

four elements: “(1) the existence of a valid business relationship or expectancy, (2) knowledge of

the relationship or expectancy on the part of the interferer, (3) intentional interference inducing

or causing a breach or termination of the relationship or expectancy, and (4) resultant damage.”

Jankovic v. Int’l Crisis Grp.,

(D.C. Cir. 2010) (quoting Bennett Enters. v.

Domino’s Pizza, Inc.,

, 499 (D.C. Cir. 1995)). These elements focus the Court on

Academy Bus’s alleged actions in interference with BestBus’s relationships with third parties,

whereas a contract claim would focus on BestBus’s relationship with Academy Bus itself. Here,

the third parties at the center of BestBus’s tortious interference claims are its customers. The

first claim is about BestBus’s “relationship with existing and future passengers” on its D.C. to

New York routes, Compl. ¶ 84, while the second centers on “the expectation of a business

relation with future passengers” on the route that BestBus hoped to launch between New York

and Boston, id. ¶ 87.

The problem with both of these claims is the same: tortious interference’s first element—

the existence of a valid business relationship of expectancy—“require[s] rather specific business

16 opportunities,” Jankovic,

, like a prospective book deal with publishing

companies, see Browning v. Clinton,

, 242–43 (D.C. Cir. 2002), or “three

[particular] potential sources of prospective employment,” Kimmel v. Gallaudet Univ.,

(D.D.C. 2009). Thus, it is insufficient to allege interference with the “generic

opportunities of any successful enterprise.” Jankovic,

. Indeed, “tortious

interference claims are routinely dismissed where the plaintiff fails to name specific

. . . relationships that the defendant allegedly interfered with.” Nyambal v. Alliedbarton Sec.

Servs., LLC,

(D.D.C. 2016), recons. granted on other grounds,

(D.D.C. 2018). BestBus’s claims in this case fall in that category. Instead of

naming a relationship with a specific third party or class of third parties, the claims merely allege

lost business. Tortious interference requires more.

BestBus argues that this imposes an impossible pleading requirement, but it does not

identify a single case that endorses a tortious interference claim grounded on only the generic

loss of customers. And in attempting to distinguish the case law dismissing tortious interference

claims on this basis, BestBus only cites allegations involving Academy Bus’s specific conduct

and the effects of that conduct. Although those allegations may be relevant for the latter three

elements, they do not speak to the first one, because they do not implicate a relationship with any

specific third parties. BestBus’s emphasis on those allegations shows how its theory effectively

conflates the first and fourth elements: the “business relationship” interfered with was its

relationship with its customers; the “resultant damage” was the loss of those customers.

Plus, without addressing the other three elements, the Court cannot help but notice that

BestBus’s complaint alludes to a prospective business relationship that likely would satisfy the

first element of a tortious interference claim—which may help illustrate the inadequacies of

17 BestBus’s claims as currently pled. Recall that the complaint alleges that Academy Bus

prevented BestBus from reaching a bus supply agreement with Panorama Bus Tours. The

complaint, however, does not cite that relationship with Panorama in support of either tortious

interference claim. Because both claims instead focus entirely on the loss of customers, they

must be dismissed.

2. Conversion

Finally, BestBus asserts a conversion claim related to the proceeds of the $40,000 loan

that Academy Bus allegedly inherited from New World Tours and then refused to repay. The

loan principal has been recovered, but BestBus alleges that it is entitled to interest that accrued

during the years that the loan went unpaid. Unlike the tortious interference claims, this claim

does not implicate a conflict between D.C. and New Jersey law, as they “would produce the

identical result on the facts presented.” Krukas,

(quoting USA Waste of

Md., Inc. v. Love,

(D.C. 2008)). Indeed, the elements of a conversion claim

are essentially the same in each jurisdiction. In D.C., conversion requires “[1] an unlawful

exercise, [2] of ownership, dominion, and control, [3] over the personalty of another, [4] in

denial or repudiation of his right to such property.” Poola v. Howard Univ.,

, 284

n.17 (D.C. 2016) (alterations in original) (quoting Blanken v. Harris, Upham & Co.,

(D.C. 1976)). In New Jersey, it requires “[1] the wrongful exercise [2] of dominion and

control [3] over the property of another [4] in a manner inconsistent with the other person’s

rights in that property.” Peloro v. United States,

, 173–74 (3d Cir. 2007) (quoting

McAdam v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc.,

(3d Cir. 1990)); see also Mueller v.

Tech. Devices Corp.,

(N.J. 1951).

18 Both jurisdictions permit conversion claims involving money, but only in limited

circumstances. Indeed, neither D.C. nor New Jersey recognize a conversion claim regarding a

mere debt. See Bondi v. Citigroup, Inc.,

(N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2011);

Ficken v. AMR Corp.,

(D.D.C. 2008). Rather, they each require that a

plaintiff allege “the right to a specific identifiable fund of money.” Campbell v. Nat’l Union Fire

Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, Pa.,

(D.D.C. 2015) (quoting McNamara v.

Picken,

(D.D.C. 2013)); see also Bondi,

. This is

because conversion “extend[s] only to intangible rights identified by a tangible document that is

converted.” Ficken v. AMR Corp.,

(D.D.C. 2008); see also Bondi,

. “[T]hus, a plaintiff may bring a suit for conversion of a promissory note, a check,

a bank book, or an insurance policy . . . but not for conversion of a debt, the good will of a

business[,] or an idea.” Ficken,

(omission in original) (quoting

Primedical, Inc. v. Allied Inv. Corp., No. 90-1802,

, at *7 (D.D.C. Mar. 31,

1994)). “A cause of action for conversion,” in other words, “may not be maintained to enforce a

mere obligation to pay money.” Campbell,

(quoting Curaflex Health

Servs., Inc. v. Bruni,

(D.D.C. 1995)).

Here, BestBus says that the original $40,000 loan “is a specific and identifiable quantity

of money” that originated in BestBus’s possession, and that the requested interest is a proper

component of the damages for Academy Bus’s refusal to return the loan. Pl.’s Opp’n at 35. This

reasoning reflects a misunderstanding of the law, though. It does not matter that the $40,000 is

an identifiable amount of money. Otherwise virtually any debt could be subject to a conversion

claim. As noted above, conversion instead requires an entitlement to a particular fund of money.

See, e.g., Campbell,

. BestBus has not alleged such an entitlement in this

19 case. Rather, on the complaint’s telling, BestBus was simply a creditor to whom Academy Bus

failed to repay a debt. Or put differently, BestBus only claims to be owed an amount from

whatever “fungible cash” Academy Bus has in its coffers. McNamara,

.

Because conversion does not extend to those circumstances, BestBus is not entitled to any

interest in the form of damages. The Court thus dismisses BestBus’s conversion claim.

IV. CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, Academy Bus’s motion to dismiss is GRANTED. For present

purposes, the complaint, rather than the action, is dismissed without prejudice, and BestBus may

seek leave to amend the complaint within thirty days. If no such motion is filed, the action shall

be deemed dismissed as of that date. An order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is

separately and contemporaneously issued.

Dated: August 12, 2019 RUDOLPH CONTRERAS United States District Judge

20