Brexendorf v. Bank of Am., N.A.
Brexendorf v. Bank of Am., N.A.
Opinion of the Court
ROY B. DALTON JR., United States District Judge *1260Amid an unprecedented financial crisis, the federal government injected billions of dollars into the country's largest financial institutions to tourniquet the hemorrhaging national economy. A key feature of this bank bailout was the Home Affordable Modification Program ("HAMP "), under which banks, including Defendant Bank of America, N.A. ("BOA "), received payments from the government to provide mortgage loan modifications to homeowners, including Plaintiff Carmen Brexendorf ("Brexendorf "). (See Doc. 41.) As a purported victim of BOA's scheme to cash in on the broken American dream of home ownership, Brexendorf filed this fraud action.
Now before the Court is BOA's Motion to Dismiss the Second Amended Complaint (Doc. 43 ("Motion ") ), to which Brexendorf responded (Doc. 45). On review, the Motion is due to be granted in part and denied in part.
I. BACKGROUND
In 2006, Brexendorf purchased a home in Kissimmee, Florida for $260,000 with a mortgage serviced by BOA. (Doc. 41, ¶ 37.) Falling on hard times in 2009, and with default imminent, Brexendorf contacted BOA and requested a loan modification under HAMP. (Id. ¶ 39.) Implemented in March 2009, the HAMP program was intended to break the tidal wave of foreclosures facing many American homeowners by restructuring mortgage loans already in default, or those in imminent risk of default, by reducing monthly payments to a manageable level. (See id. ¶ 11.)
BOA's participation in the HAMP program was governed by its Servicer Participation Agreement ("Agreement ") entered into with the United States' financial agent, Federal National Mortgage Association. (See id. ¶ 12; Doc. 41-1, p. 3.) The Agreement required BOA to "to use 'reasonable efforts' to effectuate any modification of a mortgage loan under the [p]rogram." (Doc. 41, ¶¶ 12-13, 16.) A HAMP modification proceeds in two stages. First, an eligible borrower applies for a temporary loan modification and receives a Trial Payment Period ("Trial Period ") during which mortgage payments are made under the terms of the modification. (Id. ¶¶ 13-14.) If a borrower complies with the Trial Period terms, the second stage consists of the borrower and servicer entering into a Modification Agreement, wherein the terms of the original mortgage loan are modified for five years. (See id. ¶¶ 14-15.)
Brexendorf followed this first step and received written confirmation of her modification approval. But despite her having made several Trial Period payments, BOA foreclosed on her home on May 12, 2014. (Id. ¶ 56.) Now, Brexendorf claims that BOA perpetuated a scheme to feign compliance with the Agreement and avoid approving her HAMP application. (See id. ¶¶ 18, 31.) She asserts a common law fraud *1261claim ("Fraud Claim ") and a violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act ("FDUTPA Claim ") against BOA for this alleged fraudulent conduct. (Doc. 41, ¶¶ 80-108).
In her Fraud Claim, Brexendorf alleges BOA committed five fraudulent acts: (1) telling her that "being 'past due and in default' on her mortgage was a prerequisite for a HAMP modification" and failing to tell her that she could qualify for HAMP if default was imminent ("HAMP Eligibility Misrepresentation "); (2) telling her the requested supporting financial documents Brexendorf submitted to BOA were "not received," "incomplete," or "not current" ("Supporting Documents Misrepresentation "); (3) telling her that she was approved for a HAMP modification and needed to start making trial payments ("HAMP Approval Misrepresentation "); (4) omitting its practice of placing Trial Period payments into "unapplied accounts" ("Trial Payments Omission "); and (5) omitting how inspection fees charged to Brexendorf's account would be applied ("Inspection Fee Omissions ") (Id. ¶¶ 41-43, 47, 53-54, 62). Such conduct, according to Brexendorf, also violates FDUTPA. (Id. ¶ 98.)
Biting back, BOA seeks dismissal of the Second Amended Complaint under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). (Doc. 43 ("Motion ").) Briefing complete (Doc. 45), the matter is now ripe.
II. LEGAL STANDARD
Rules 8 and 10 set forth minimum requirements for complaints filed in this Court. At a minimum, such filings must: (1) include "short and plain" statements of the pleader's claims set forth in "numbered paragraphs each limited as far as practicable to a single set of circumstances;" and (2) provide more than mere labels, legal conclusions, or formulaic recitation of the elements of a claim. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a), 8(d), 10(b) ; see also Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly ,
Where a complaint contains claims of fraud or mistake, however, Rule 9(b) imposes a heightened pleading standard, requiring that the circumstances constituting fraud be stated with particularity. See Brooks v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Fla. ,
If a complaint does not comport with the pleading requirements, it is plainly barred; or, if it otherwise fails to set forth a plausible claim, then it may be dismissed under Rule 12(b)(6). See Ashcroft v. Iqbal ,
*1262disregard conclusory allegations, bald legal assertions, and formulaic recitations of the elements of a claim; (2) accept the truth of well-pled factual allegations; and (3) view well-pled facts in the light most favorable to the plaintiffs. See Iqbal ,
III. ANALYSIS
In its Motion, BOA argues that Brexendorf's Fraud and FDUTPA Claims, regardless of the misrepresentation or omission, are barred by the statute of limitations, Florida's Banking Statute of Frauds, and the failure to satisfy an express condition precedent. (See Doc. 43, pp. 6-12.) BOA also contends that the Fraud Claim violates Rule 9(b) by failing to allege circumstances constituting fraud with sufficient particularity. (Id. at 13-21.) Finally, BOA posits that Brexendorf has failed to state a FDUTPA claim. (Id. at 21-23.) These arguments are addressed in turn.
A. Statute of Limitations
BOA first argues that both of Brexendorf's claims are time-barred under the applicable statute of limitations. (Doc. 43, pp. 1, 6-8.) A statute of limitations defense is an affirmative defense and BOA bears the burden of proof. La Grasta v. First Union Secs., Inc. ,
1. Fraud Claim
Under Florida law, a fraud claim must be commenced within four years from when the cause of action accrued.
Brexendorf alleges that in November 2009: (1) a BOA representative advised her to stop making regular mortgage payment because past due or default status was a prerequisite to obtain a HAMP modification (id. ¶ 41); and (2) she received a letter approving her application, instructing her to make Trial Period payments (id. ¶¶ 46, 53). Throughout 2009 and 2010, Brexendorf dutifully complied with BOA's advice and payment plan-falling into default on her mortgage and making nine Trial Period payments. (Id. ¶ 43, 56.) When BOA informed Brexendorf that her supporting documents were either not current, incomplete, or not received, she resubmitted them. (Id. ¶ 50.) Using her default status against her, BOA did not apply her Trial Period payments to her outstanding mortgage balance. (Id. ¶¶ 45, 56.) As a result, BOA foreclosed on her home on May 12, 2014. (Id. ¶¶ 41, 56.) On November 20, 2014-five years after beginning the HAMP process-BOA informed Brexendorf that it denied her HAMP application. (Id. ¶ 57.)
Seizing on the allegations that the alleged misrepresentations and omissions were made in 2009 and 2010, BOA submits that the Fraud Claim is time-barred because its conduct occurred seven years before Brexendorf initiated suit on December 1, 2017. (Doc. 43, pp. 6-7.) But Brexendorf alleges that she could not have discovered the facts giving rise to BOA's fraud in 2009 and 2010 given BOA's efforts to conceal the circumstances of her HAMP eligibility, processing, and approval. (See Doc. 41, ¶¶ 70, 72.) Relying on the Delayed Discovery Doctrine, Brexendorf argues that her Fraud Claim is timely. (See Doc. 45, pp. 4-5.) Accepting her allegations as true, it is not apparent from the face of the *1263Second Amended Complaint that Brexendorf should have discovered the facts giving rise to the Fraud Claim in 2009 and 2010, at least to the extent it rests on the HAMP Eligibility Misrepresentation, Supporting Documents Misrepresentation, HAMP Approval Misrepresentation, and Trial Payments Omissions. See La Grasta ,
Not so for the Inspection Fee Omissions. Brexendorf alleges that BOA charged her account for a property inspection on sixty-one occasions between 2008 and 2014, including December 10, 2009; January 15, 2010; March 19, 2010; June 24, 2010; and July 20, 2010. (Doc. 41, ¶ 61.) But this statute of limitations on the Inspection Fee Omissions began to run on the date BOA charged Brexendorf's account. See, e.g. , Alonso v. Bank of Am., N.A. , No. 8:17-cv-2547-T-33MAP,
As to Brexendorf's allusions of similar fraudulent conduct extending into 2014, she offers no specific dates. (See Doc. 41, ¶ 61.) This renders it impossible for the Court to determine whether such conduct is time-barred. Given that Brexendorf initiated this suit on December 1, 2017, the only alleged inspection fees that could give rise to her Fraud Claim must have occurred on or after December 1, 2013. Nevertheless, absent contrary factual allegations, the Inspection Fee Omissions are not subject to dismissal on statute of limitations grounds. See La Grasta ,
2. FDUTPA Claim
BOA also contends that the FDUTPA Claim, which arises from the same alleged misrepresentations and omissions, is time-barred. (See Doc. 43, pp. 1, 6.) FDUTPA claims are subject to a four-year statute of limitations applicable to lawsuits based on statutory liability.
Brexendorf alleges that because of BOA's misrepresentations and omissions, she suffered: (1) "loss of funds paid to BOA"-that is, her Trial Payments that *1264were not applied to her mortgage; (2) "fraudulent inspection fees"; (3) "costs incurred for needlessly sending in the HAMP application on numerous occasions"; and (4) "loss of equity and future equity in the home." (Doc. 41, ¶ 107.) Apart from the inspections fees that BOA purportedly charged in 2013 and 2014, Brexendorf suffered these damages in 2009 and 2010, regardless of whether she had discovered that she suffered them when they occurred. See Marlborough ,
As a last-ditch effort, Brexendorf contends that the statutes of limitations were tolled during the pendency of an unrelated putative class action of which she is a proposed class member- George v. Urban Settlement Services , No. 13-cv-01819-PAB-KLM,
Tolling is appropriate where the separate suit filed by an individual plaintiff asserts the particular claims raised in the original putative class action; however, suspension of a statute of limitations is inappropriate where, as here, the individual claims are different from those pled in the class action. See, e.g. , Natan v. Citimortgage, Inc. , CV 14-5779 DSF (PLAx),
B. Banking Statute of Frauds
BOA also argues that the Fraud Claim is barred by Florida's Banking Statute of Frauds. (Doc. 43, p. 11.) The Banking Statute of Frauds provides that a debtor may not sue a creditor over a credited agreement absent a signed, written document.
Here, Brexendorf's HAMP Approval Misrepresentation involves an oral statement regarding a credit agreement under the Banking Statute of Frauds. (See Doc. 41, ¶ 53.) Indeed, Brexendorf alleges that *1265BOA agreed to and did make a financial accommodation in the form of reduced Trial Period payments. (Id. ) Therefore, to the extent the Fraud Claim is based on the HAMP Approval Misrepresentation it is due to be dismissed with prejudice. See, e.g. , Alonso ,
C. Rule 9(b)
Next, BOA seeks dismissal of the Fraud Claim because Brexendorf has not satisfied the heightened pleading standard required by Rule 9(b). (Doc. 43, pp. 13-21.) Rule 9(b) requires a plaintiff alleging fraud to "state with particularity the circumstances constituting fraud or mistake." To state a claim for common law fraud, a plaintiff must allege that: (1) the defendant made a false representation of material fact; (2) the defendant knew that the representation was false; (3) the defendant made the representation to induce the plaintiff to act in reliance on it; (4) detrimental reliance, and (5) injury. Berkery v. Pratt ,
Rule 9(b) also requires identifying: (1) the precise statements, documents, or misrepresentations made; (2) the time and place of, and persons responsible for, the statement; (3) the content and manner in which the statements misled the plaintiff; and (4) what the defendant gained by the alleged fraud. See Ambrosia Coal & Const. co. v. Pages Morales ,
1. HAMP Eligibility Misrepresentation
In her attempt to obtain a HAMP modification, Brexendorf alleges that on November 25, 2009, BOA's loan representative, Ken, advised her "to refrain from making her regular mortgage payments" because "being 'past due and in default' " was a perquisite for a modification. (Doc. 41, ¶ 41.) To qualify for a HAMP Modification, however, a mortgagor need not be in default, as imminent default is sufficient. (Id. ¶ 42.) Brexendorf maintains that Ken made this false statement to induce her reliance, triggering a purposeful default on her mortgage. (Id. ) Her loss of home equity and "money paid as trial payments" to BOA demonstrate damage from the false statements. (Id. ¶ 43.) At the pleading stage, the Fraud Claim based on the HAMP Eligibility Misrepresentation survives dismissal.
2. Supporting Documents Misrepresentation
When applying for the HAMP modification, Brexendorf sent supporting financial documents to BOA and was told that the documents were not received, incomplete, or not current. (Id. ¶ 47.) Although Brexendorf alleges these statements were false, she fails to support this allegation with specific facts. Instead, she *1266states only in a conclusory fashion that the statements were false and "BOA employees" knew this. (See
3. Trial Payment Omission
On November 20, 2009, BOA allegedly sent Brexendorf a letter informing her that her application was "approved" and instructed her to make trial payments. (Id. ¶ 53.) She complied, making nine Trial Period payments of about $868 in 2009 and 2010 with the belief that such payments were being applied to her mortgage. (Id. at ¶ 56.) Instead, BOA placed the Trial Period payments in an "unapplied account." (Id. ¶ 55.) Brexendorf alleges that "BOA employees" omitted this fact when requesting the trial payments. (Id. ) Absent specific facts about when the alleged omissions were made and by whom, the Trial Payment Omission fall short of the particularity required by Rule 9(b). Hence the Fraud Claim based on the Trial Payment Omission is due to be dismissed without prejudice.
4. Inspection Fee Omissions
Finally, as the Court previously noted, Brexendorf's allegations concerning the Inspection Fee Omissions purportedly reach into 2013 and 2014. (Id. ¶ 61.) Yet again, Plaintiff relies on generalized allegations of BOA's conduct (see
D. Failure to State a FDUTPA claim
Brexendorf also asserts that BOA is liable under FDUTPA because it perpetuated a "methodical scheme to avoid its responsibilities under the HAMP Agreement and [incentivized] its employees ... to make knowing material misrepresentations to borrowers." (Doc. 41, ¶ 98.) FDUTPA declares unlawful "unfair or deceptive acts or practices" committed "in the conduct of any trade or commerce."
FDUTPA does not apply to "banks, credit unions, and savings and loan associations regulated by federal agencies."
VI. CONCLUSION
Accordingly, it is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that:
1. Defendant Bank of America, N.A.'s Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's Second Amended Complaint (Doc. 43) is GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN PART :
a. The Fraud Claim based on:
i. the HAMP Approval Misrepresentation and the Inspection Fee Omissions before December 1, 2013 is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE .
ii. the Supporting Documents Misrepresentation, Trial Payment Omission, and Inspection Fee Omissions after December 1, 2013 is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE .
b. The FDUTPA Claim based on:
i. the HAMP Eligibility Misrepresentation, HAMP Approval Misrepresentation, Supporting Documents Misrepresentation, Trial Payments Omission, and Inspection Fee Omissions before December 1, 2013 is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE .
*1267ii. the Inspection Fee Omissions after December 1, 2013 is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE .
c. In all other respects, the motion is DENIED .
2. On or before Monday, August 13, 2018 , and consistent with the obligations under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11, Plaintiff Carmen Brexendorf may file a third amended complaint that remedies the deficiencies identified in this Order as to only the Fraud and FDUTPA Claims dismissed without prejudice.
DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers in Orlando, Florida, on July 30, 2018.
As in any motion to dismiss, the facts alleged in the Second Amended Complaint (Doc. 41) are taken as true and construed in the light most favorable to Plaintiff. See Hill v. While ,
"Unpublished opinions are not controlling authority and are persuasive only insofar as their legal analysis warrants." Bonilla v. Baker Concrete Const., Inc. ,
In a similar vein, BOA's argument that the Fraud Claim is barred because Brexendorf failed to satisfy an express condition precedent set forth in the mortgage also fails. (Doc. 43, pp. 10-11.) The remaining conduct giving rise to the Fraud Claim-that is, the HAMP Eligibility Misrepresentation, Supporting Documents Misrepresentation, Trial Payments Omission, and Inspection Fee Omissions-do not implicate the mortgage.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Carmen BREXENDORF v. BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
- Cited By
- 4 cases
- Status
- Published