Rosemont Taxicab Co. v. Phila. Parking Auth.
Rosemont Taxicab Co. v. Phila. Parking Auth.
Opinion of the Court
The Philadelphia Parking Authority ("PPA") through its Taxi and Limousine Division ("TLD") routinely seizes without a warrant vehicles that are suspected of being used as taxicabs that do not have a PPA inspection sticker. Plaintiffs Rosemont Taxicab Co., Inc. ("Rosemont") and Germantown Cab Company ("GCC") filed this lawsuit alleging that the PPA's practice violates their rights under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution and parallel provisions of the Pennsylvania Constitution (Counts I and II). They also seek declaratory relief that a Pennsylvania statute and the PPA implementing regulations permitting warrantless seizures of taxicabs are unconstitutional "as applied" (Count III). Finally, GCC alleges state law claims for conversion (Count IV), trespass to chattels (Count V), and fraud (Count VI). Presently pending are the parties' cross motions for summary judgment based on a stipulation of facts ("Stip.").
I. LEGAL STANDARD
Summary judgment is appropriate "if the movant shows that there is not genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). An issue is "genuine" if "the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc.,
"[A] party seeking summary judgment always bears the initial responsibility of informing the district court of the basis for its motion, and identifying those portions of [the record that] it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact." Celotex Corp. v. Catrett,
"In evaluating the evidence, we take the facts in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party ... and draw all reasonable inferences in [their] favor." Morton Int'l, Inc. v. A.E. Staley Mfg. Co.,
II. SUMMARY JUDGMENT RECORD
GCC is a taxicab operator that holds a certificate of public convenience ("CPC") issued by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ("PUC") authorizing it to provide taxicab service in parts of the City of Philadelphia and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. (Stip. ¶ 1.) Rosemont is a *810taxicab operator that holds a CPC issued by the PUC authorizing it to provide call or demand taxicab service in parts of Delaware County and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. (Id. ¶ 5.) Both companies generate revenue by leasing taxicabs to drivers. (Id. ¶ 4.) GCC's CPC provides for limited or "partial" operating rights within Philadelphia; it does not authorize "city wide" rights. (Id. ¶ 2.) Only taxicabs with medallions issued by the PPA are authorized to provide citywide service in Philadelphia. (Id. ¶ 3.)
Prior to 2004, the PUC was solely responsible for the regulation of taxicab and limousine operations throughout Pennsylvania. (Id. ¶ 6.) In Act 94 of 2004,
When the PPA assumed responsibility for regulating the Philadelphia taxicab industry in or about 2005, Section 5714 of Act 94,
After having taxicabs seized without warrant under Section 5714, Plaintiffs, along with Sawink, Inc. (another taxicab company), filed suit in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, docketed at Sawink, Inc., v. PPA, No. 84 M.D. 201 (2011) ("Sawink"), challenging the constitutionality of the PPA's impoundment of their vehicles. (Stip. ¶ 20.) On January 6, 2012, the Commonwealth Court issued a decision in favor of the petitioners in Sawink, concluding that Section 5714"does not authorize the impoundment sanction where a taxicab, certificated by the PUC, accepts a hail in Philadelphia," a decision that was ultimately affirmed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Sawink, Inc. v. PPA,
On July 6, 2012, the Pennsylvania Legislature adopted Act 119 of 2012, which modified the relevant language of Section 5714 ("Act 119") following the Sawink decision. (Id. ¶ 23.) Like its predecessor, Section 5714 as amended by Act 119 (the "Current *811Impoundment Statute"), does not require the PPA to obtain a warrant before impounding a vehicle.
In 2014, following the Legislature's adoption of the Current Impoundment Statute, the PPA promulgated new regulations, approved by the PPA's Board on March 13, 2014 and codified at
Dennis Weldon, the PPA's General Counsel, was involved in the rule-making process for the Current Impoundment Regulations. (Id. ¶ 35.) Because it is not permitted by the statute, the Current Impoundment Regulations do not allow civil forfeiture of an impounded vehicle. (Id. ¶ 36.) Since the Current Impoundment Regulations became effective, Defendant Schmid has maintained a policy of requiring TLD Enforcement Officers to obtain his approval before proceeding with any impoundment under the Current Impoundment Regulations. (Id. ¶ 38; DSOF ¶ 2; J.App. Tab Q (August 18, 2017 Dep. of William Schmid ("Schmid Dep.") ) at 292-294, 330.)
The PPA has a written procedure entitled "Impoundment of Vehicle Equipment" that is issued to all Enforcement Officers. (DSOF ¶ 3; D.App. Tab 5; Schmid Dep. at 311-312.) The procedures applicable to the PPA's impoundment of vehicles under the Current Impoundment Regulations are set forth at
*812The PUC subjects Plaintiffs' vehicles to a number of regulations concerning equipment standards and inspections. See
The PPA's first impoundment of a vehicle operated by GCC or Rosemont under the Current Impoundment Statute and Regulations occurred on August 1, 2014. (Stip. ¶ 39.) On that date, the PPA stopped and cited G91 for allegedly providing illegal service by picking up a "hail fare" in Philadelphia. (Id. ¶¶ 39, 45.) An additional citation was also issued to the driver of G91 for operating without a valid driver certificate. (D.App. Tab 24 (N.T. Aug. 7, 2014 Impoundment Hrg.) at 6-7.) The PPA immediately seized G91 because it lacked a valid PPA inspection sticker, even though it had been inspected two days earlier by the PUC. (Stip. ¶ 46; Pl. Ex. I.) The PPA did not have a warrant for this seizure and did not provide GCC with pre-deprivation notice or an opportunity to be heard prior to seizing the vehicle. (Stip. ¶¶ 47-48.) On August 6, 2014, GCC requested a post-deprivation hearing, and an impoundment hearing was held the next day. (Id. ¶¶ 49-50.) On September 3, 2014, the hearing officer entered an order finding the impoundment to be proper and set bond for the release of the vehicle at $1,000. (Id. ¶ 51.)
GCC appealed from the Hearing Officer's order to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
The PPA has also stopped, cited, and seized without warrants GCC taxicabs G35 (Stip. ¶¶ 62-67), G9 (id. ¶¶ 68-74), and G12
On or about January 10, 2012, at the direction of Defendant Schmid, Defendant Marshall applied to work as a taxicab driver for GCC. (Stip. ¶ 94.) At Schmid's instruction, Marshall did not to identify himself to GCC as a PPA Enforcement Officer and did not wear any clothing that would indicate that he was a PPA employee. (Id. ¶ 95-97.) Marshall filled out an application to become a taxi driver at GCC using his real name, real contact information, real social security card and real driver's license. (Id. ¶ 98.) Marshall visited GCC several times through February 3, 2012, including attendance at a training class conducted by GCC during which Marshall and other attendees were instructed how to fabricate trip logs to conceal illegal operations and were advised that the PUC, rather than the PPA, properly regulates GCC's operations. (Id. ¶ 99; D.App. Tab 29; J.App. Tab K (Sept. 22, 2016 Deposition of Steven Marshall ("Marshall Dep.") ) at 348-75.)
After being approved as a taxicab driver by GCC, on February 4, 2012 Marshall made arrangements to work a shift operating GCC taxicab G61 and made the lease payment required by GCC to lease the vehicle for one day. (Stip. ¶ 100.) However, Marshall had no intention of ever driving G61 as a taxicab-for-hire during his shift and did not engage in any business as a taxicab driver. (Id. ¶¶ 101-02.) Instead, Marshall drove G61 to the PPA's garage at 2415 South Swanson Street in Philadelphia, where the car was inspected by a PPA mechanic. (Id. ¶ 103.) Schmid was present during the inspection. (Id. ¶ 104.) The inspection revealed multiple problems, including a non-functional airbag, a leaking break line and pinion gear, and a hole in the trunk. (D.App. Tab 29; Marshall Dep. at 348-75.) No one from GCC was notified about, or present during, the PPA's inspection of G61. (Stip. ¶ 105.) Marshall timely returned the taxicab to GCC. (Id. ¶ 106.) When he returned the vehicle, he represented to GCC that the PPA stopped him at 30th Street Station to inspect the vehicle. (Stip. ¶ 107.) The PPA did not issue any citations to GCC relating to any aspect of Marshall's activities or the inspection of G61. (Id. ¶ 108.) GCC was not aware of the Marshall undercover operation prior to conducting discovery in other *814litigation with the PPA pending before this Court. (Id. ¶ 109.)
IV. DISCUSSION
A. Claim Preclusion and Issue Preclusion
Defendants argue that Plaintiffs' constitutional claims are barred on both claim preclusion and issue preclusion grounds because the claims were raised or could have been raised in earlier litigation involving the parties. Citing the proceedings in the State Court Impoundment Action, they argue that Plaintiffs should not be permitted to relitigate the constitutionality of the Current Impoundment Statute and Regulations.
1. Claim Preclusion
Claim preclusion or res judicata "is designed to avoid piecemeal litigation of claims arising from the same events." General Elec. Co. v. Deutz AG,
In applying the principles of claim preclusion, "we must give the same preclusive effect to the [state court] judgment ... that the courts in Pennsylvania, the state in which the judgment was entered, would give." Turner v. Crawford Square Apartments III, L.P.,
Defendants argue that claim preclusion
unquestionably applies to Germantown, which actually raised the same constitutional claims in the State Court Impoundment Action in the context of one of the same impoundments raised here: the impoundment of G-91 on August 1, 2014 (the first impoundment under the Current Impoundment Statute and Regulations). The Commonwealth Court's decision rejecting those claims is a final judgment, as the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania declined review.
(Def. Mem. at 27 (emphasis omitted).) They argue that claim preclusion applies to Rosemont as well because, "prior to commencing this action, Rosemont pled liable to TLD's citations and paid all corresponding fines and charges in connection with the impoundments of R-30" and [u]nder Pennsylvania law, a plea qualifies as a final judgment on the merits for purposes of res judicata analysis." (Id. at 28 (citing Moyer v. Allstate Ins. Co., Civ. A. No. 09-1290,
We find that claims preclusion does not apply to bar Plaintiffs' constitutional claims because there is no identity of the cause of action. The PPA hearing officer and the state courts that heard GCC's appeals were focused upon Plaintiffs' conduct in operating its taxicabs without PPA inspection stickers, while the constitutional claims GCC and Rosemont raise here focus on Defendants' conduct in conducting warrantless seizures of taxicabs found to lack inspection stickers. Moreover, this is clearly not an attempt at seriatim litigation of nearly identical claims. Whether or not GCC attempted to raise an affirmative defense in the State Court Impoundment Action, it could not have received the type of relief it and Rosemont seek here, namely an injunction and money damages arising from the unconstitutional seizure. Thus, the "same" constitutional claims could not have been raised in the State Court Impoundment Action.
2. Issue Preclusion
The doctrine of issue preclusion, also known as collateral estoppel, is based upon the principle that " 'a losing litigant deserves no rematch after a defeat fairly suffered, in adversarial proceedings, on an issue identical in substance to the one he subsequently seeks to raise.' " Dici v. Pennsylvania,
Under Pennsylvania law, in order for issue preclusion to apply, five elements must be satisfied: (1) the issue is identical to one that was presented in a prior case; (2) there has been a final judgment on the merits of the issue in the prior case; (3) the party against whom the doctrine is asserted was a party in, or in privity with a party in, the prior action; (4) the party against whom the doctrine is asserted, or one in privity with the party, had a full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue in the prior proceeding; and (5) the determination in the prior proceeding was essential to the judgment. Dici,
We find that Defendants cannot demonstrate these elements as a matter of law. As we concluded with regard to claim preclusion, we conclude that Defendants have failed to establish the identity of issue, that the issue was essential to the judgment, and that there was a full and fair opportunity to litigate. Whether Plaintiffs lacked a PPA inspection sticker is not the same issue as whether the impoundment of the taxicabs was an unconstitutional seizure or a due process violation. Because the PPA did not have to affirmatively prove that the seizure was constitutional at the administrative hearing, it was not "essential" to the judgment finding Plaintiffs liable to pay a fine, and Plaintiffs thus have not had a full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue.
B. The Constitutionality of The PPA's Warrantless Seizure of Taxicabs
The parties' cross motions for summary judgment each argue that the record demonstrates as a matter of law that they are entitled to judgment on Plaintiffs' constitutional claims. Plaintiffs argue that it is undisputed that their taxicabs were seized without warrants, no exception to the warrant requirement was present and, accordingly, the seizure was per se unreasonable. Defendants argue that there are exceptions to the warrant requirement that are applicable to its actions and that the provision of post-deprivation procedures was adequate.
1. The Warrant Requirement
The Fourth Amendment protects "[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures." U.S. Const. amend. IV. The Pennsylvania Constitution contains a similar protection. Pa. Const. Art. 1, § 8. A "seizure" occurs "when there is some meaningful interference with an individual's possessory *818interests in that property." Soldal v. Cook Cnty., Ill.,
" 'In the ordinary case, the [Supreme] Court has viewed a seizure of personal property as per se unreasonable within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment unless it is accomplished pursuant to a judicial warrant issued upon probable cause and particularly describing the items to be seized.' " Brown v. Muhlenberg Twp.,
It is undisputed that Defendants seized Plaintiffs' taxicabs without a warrant and with no pre-deprivation notice and hearing. Accordingly, we find that the summary judgment establishes a prima facie violation of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments and the parallel provisions of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
2. Exceptions to the Warrant Requirement
Defendants argue they are entitled to summary judgment on Count I because the record shows that the PPA constitutionally exercised its impoundment authority under the "community caretaking function" doctrine permitting governmental authorities to seize property without a warrant. They also argue that the "exigent circumstances" exception applies.
a. The Community Caretaking Function Exception
The "community caretaking function," an exception to the Fourth Amendment warrant requirement first recognized by the Supreme Court in Cady v. Dombrowski,
*819Ray v. Twp. of Warren,
(1) whether the vehicle is on public or private property; (2) if on private property, whether the property owner has been consulted; (3) whether an alternative to impoundment exists (especially another person capable of driving the vehicle); (4) whether the vehicle is implicated in a crime; and (5) whether the vehicle's owner and/or driver have consented to the impoundment."
Defendants argue that the summary judgment record demonstrates that each of the "impoundable offenses" set forth in the Current Impoundment Regulations-"particularly the regulatory definition rendering an operator 'unauthorized' and its vehicles subject to impoundment if providing taxicab service without proof of inspection as required by PPA-are logically related to protecting public safety."
Analogizing these decisions, Defendants assert five reasons why "the heavily regulated nature of the taxicab industry as a public utility directly ties into any straightforward consideration of the factors identified in [the Tenth Circuit's decision in Sanders ]" and permit the warrantless impoundment of taxicabs upon the determination that a violation has occurred. (Def. Mem. at 41-42.) First, Defendants assert taxicab vehicles impounded by the PPA enforcement personnel are on public property, are engaged in the public utility of providing transportation for hire, and the riding public, who have no prior information regarding the condition of the vehicle, are relying on regulation to ensure their safety. Second, owners are aware of the PPA's statutory and regulatory authority to impound for enumerated violations; thus, they assert Plaintiffs could not possibly claim surprise at the fact that a taxicab vehicle without a valid inspection sticker would be impounded.
*821Plaintiffs respond that the community caretaking function exception cannot apply to excuse the warrantless seizures because the impoundments were not for a "non-law enforcement" purpose. They assert that the PPA acts in a quasi-law enforcement capacity granted by the Pennsylvania Legislature when it employs the enforcement tool of impoundment in the event that taxicabs are observed operating in Philadelphia without a PPA inspection sticker. (Pls. Mem in Opp. to Def. Cross-Mot. ("Pls. Opp. Mem.") at 24-25.) They cite impoundment hearing testimony from a PPA enforcement officer conceding that taxicab G91 was impounded as part of an "investigation" of the taxicab's lack of an inspection sticker in violation of the Regulations. (D.App. Tab 24, N.T. Aug. 7, 2014 at 5:14-7:2.
Additionally, Plaintiffs contend that Defendants have failed to meet their summary judgment burden on the community caretaking affirmative defense to show there was a non-law enforcement basis for the impoundments since the record establishes that (1) Defendants never required Plaintiffs to remedy the supposed threat to public safety, i.e., obtain a PPA inspection sticker, before releasing the taxicab from impoundment to be put back into service, and (2) the express purpose of the impoundment statute is to secure the owner's attendance at the enforcement hearing and its payment of all fines. (Pls. Opp. Mem. at 28 (citing
Finally, applying the factors identified in Sanders,
With the exception of the seizures of G91 and R34 discussed below, we find as a matter of law that Defendants have not established that they are entitled to rely on the community caretaking function affirmative defense to excuse the warrant requirement for the seizures in this record. First, as Defendants concede, there is no case law recognizing that taxicab regulatory authorities can reasonably rely on the community caretaking function exception to engage in warrantless seizures merely because taxicab owners operate in a regulated industry. We hold that an entity's mere participation in the highly regulated taxicab industry cannot support Defendants' authority to engage in the warrantless seizures of taxicabs for a community caretaking purpose as a matter of law. The level of a property owner's expectation of privacy while engaging in a regulated activity is a separate question from whether there actually exists a community caretaking purpose upon which the warrant requirement may be excused. Since the exception is based on law enforcement's duty to ensure the safety of the public, Defendants must show as a matter of law that its seizing taxicabs was reasonably related to such a duty. We conclude that, with the exception of G91 and R34, they have failed to do so on this record.
Moreover, while Defendants argue that operating an uninspected taxicab implicates the safety of the riding public, given the parties' stipulated facts no reasonable fact finder could conclude that the Plaintiffs' taxicabs were impounded because they were unsafe. Rather, they were impounded because they lacked PPA inspection stickers while allegedly engaged in hail service in the City or otherwise operating outside their permissible geographic areas. (See Stip. ¶¶ 45-46, 62-63, 68-69, 75-76, 81-82, 87-90.) Other than for G91 and R34, there is also no assertion that the seized taxicabs were implicated in a crime, located in a dangerous area, illegally parked, involved in a traffic accident or impeded traffic, or could not be driven out of the City (because of mechanical or safety issues or because it lacked a licensed driver). Rather, the record demonstrates that each was impounded to guarantee the appearance of its owner at an enforcement hearing and as surety that any assessment would be paid.
The Current Impoundment Statute authorizes the PPA to impound a vehicle "utilized to provide call or demand service in cities of the first class" that "are in violation of regulations of the authority."
The two exceptions noted above refers to the seizures of G91 and R34. The record establishes that the operators of these vehicle were deemed ineligible at the time of the seizure to drive them out of the PPA's jurisdiction. Because Plaintiffs do not assert that another driver was available, these vehicles were properly subject to a community caretaking function seizure since they lacked an eligible driver, even though it is undisputed that the citation issued to the operator of R34 for having a suspended license was later withdrawn. Thus, we conclude that the warrantless seizures of G91 and R34 did not violate Plaintiffs' constitutional rights. We therefore grant partial summary judgment to Defendants to the extent that GCC's claims are based on the seizure of G91 and Rosemont's claims are based on the seizure of R34.
b. The Exigent Circumstances Exception
Another exception to the warrant requirement is "exigent circumstances." Coolidge v. New Hampshire,
First, the record demonstrates that Plaintiffs' taxicabs were inspected and deemed safe to operate outside the City or within Plaintiffs' designated geographic areas in the City by the PUC. (See PSOF at ¶ 1 ("None of Plaintiffs' vehicles at issue in this Litigation were placed out of service by the [PUC] at the time of their impoundment by the PPA.") (citing Gabbay Decl. ¶ 8, Gabbay-Karsenty Decl. ¶ 8); see also id. ¶¶ 2-3 (asserting that impounded taxicabs had passed PUC safety inspections).
We find that the decision in Harrell is indistinguishable from the situation here. In Harrell, the owners of illegal taxicabs also alleged violations of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments arising from defendant's warrantless seizures of unlicensed vehicles to secure payment of fines where the agency had no statutory forfeiture authority.
What [New York] cannot do, consistent with the Fourth Amendment, is summarily seize property to deter future violations from an alleged violator and hold the property as leverage to ensure payment of a penalty-if the violator is found guilty when the allegations against him are adjudicated.
3. Adequacy of Post-deprivation Process
As we stated in an earlier Opinion in this case dismissing an unrelated due process claim, " '[t]he fundamental requirement of due process is the opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner.' " Germantown Cab Co. v. Philadelphia Parking Auth., Civ. A. No. 14-4686,
While "[t]he Supreme Court 'consistently has held that some kind of hearing is required at some time before a person is finally deprived of his property interests,' " Graham v. City of Philadelphia,
To determine "when a hearing is required (i.e., pre- or post-deprivation) and what kind of procedure is due," Nnebe,644 F.3d at 158 (citation omitted), we apply the three-prong balancing test announced by the United States Supreme Court in Mathews v. Eldridge,424 U.S. 319 , 333,96 S.Ct. 893 ,47 L.Ed.2d 18 (1976). See R. v. Dep't of Pub. Welfare,535 Pa. 440 ,636 A.2d 142 , 153 (Pa. 1994) (adopting "the Matthews [sic] methodology to assess due process claims brought under Section 1 of Article I of the Pennsylvania Constitution"). This test requires consideration of three factors: (1) " 'the private interest that will be affected by the official action,' " (2) " 'the Government's interest, including the function involved and the fiscal and administrative burdens that the additional or substitute procedural requirement would entail,' " and (3) " 'the risk of an erroneous deprivation of such interest through the procedures used, and the probable value, if any, of additional or substitute procedural safeguards.' " Biliski,574 F.3d at 220 (quoting Mathews,424 U.S. at 335 ,96 S.Ct. 893 ); see also Nnebe,644 F.3d at 158-59 (applying the Mathews balancing test to procedural due process claim involving suspension of taxicab licenses).
Germantown Cab Co.,
If a pre-deprivation hearing is required, "no amount of postdeprivation process could cure the [ ] initial failure to provide a hearing." Elsmere Park Club, L.P. v. Town of Elsmere,
In determining whether there was a necessity of quick action, the Third Circuit has held that courts should scrutinize officials' decisions very deferentially. Elsmere Park Club, L.P.,
Yet, it is important to avoid the opposite trap. That is, we cannot apply so much deference as to allow "the government [to] avoid affording due process to citizens by arbitrarily invoking emergency procedures." [ ] Accordingly, we adopt the test laid out by our colleagues in the Second Circuit: "where there is competent evidence allowing the official to reasonably believe that an emergency does in fact exist ... [,] the discretionary invocation of an emergency procedure results in a constitutional violation only where such invocation is arbitrary or amounts to an abuse of discretion."
Id. at 418 (quoting Catanzaro,
a. The Zinermon Factors
To determine whether pre- or post-deprivation notice and hearings are required, we examine (1) the necessity of quick governmental action and the (2) potential length or severity of the deprivation and likelihood of serious loss. The summary judgment record fails to support a conclusion that pre-deprivation process was not possible. Defendants maintain that a necessity for quick governmental action sufficient to justify warrantless impoundments existed because the lack of a PPA inspection created a safety risk. It is undisputed *827that Plaintiffs' taxicabs are inspected by the PUC and lawfully operate in all areas outside of the PPA's jurisdiction, as well as within the PPA's jurisdiction under defined circumstances. Thus, Defendants cannot show as a matter of law on this record that warrantless impoundments for lack of a PPA safety inspection are justified by any necessity for quick governmental action. For us to accept the necessity of quick action, we must accept that a taxicab can be "safe" one moment and "unsafe" moments later depending solely upon where in the Commonwealth it is operated. This is not a reasonable basis upon which to justify a warrantless emergency seizure. Defendants have also not shown that seizing the taxicabs as surety for the payment of fines requires quick governmental action.
While Defendants point to evidence that the potential length or severity of the deprivation and likelihood of serious loss is diminished by the requirement that a hearing be held within two days of an owner's request, they have failed to come forward with "competent evidence allowing the official to reasonably believe that an emergency does in fact exist ...." Elsmere Park Club, L.P. Plaintiffs, conversely, met their burden under Rule 56(e) to show that there is no "emergency" since their taxicabs can be legally operated outside of the PPA's jurisdiction. They have also shown that the majority of their operating territory is outside the jurisdiction of the PPA. Thus, unlike a taxicab with a PPA-issued medallion that may not be operated anywhere within the PPA's jurisdiction if it lacks an inspection sticker, Plaintiffs' taxicabs may still legally generate revenue even if not inspected by the PPA. Since the parties have also stipulated that vehicles impounded under the Current Impoundment Statute and Current Impoundment Regulations are not subject to forfeiture even if fines are not paid (see Stip. ¶¶ 27, 36), Plaintiffs have demonstrated as a matter of law that the impoundment of taxicabs creates an immediate deprivation. Because there is no basis for failing to provide pre-deprivation notice and hearing, the Zinermon factors support a conclusion that post-deprivation process is not adequate.
b. The Mathews Factors
The Mathews factors also support the conclusion that post-deprivation process is inadequate. First, Plaintiffs have shown the majority of their taxicab service is provided outside of the PPA's jurisdiction, and it is not seriously disputed that their private interest in continuing to operate their taxicabs is affected by the PPA's warrantless seizures. Second, the PPA's asserted governmental safety interest in keeping uninspected vehicles from operating is rejected for the reasons already discussed and the PPA fails to make any argument that providing pre-deprivation procedures would be overly burdensome.
*828Finally, Plaintiffs have satisfied their burden on both prongs of the third Mathews factor. They have shown (1) through the evidence of the impact on their non-PPA jurisdiction taxicab and paratransit services that there is a risk of an erroneous deprivation arising from the lack of pre-deprivation procedures; and (2) the probable value of substitute procedural safeguards, for example placing an out-of-service designation on an allegedly offending taxicab to permit it to be taken out of the PPA's jurisdiction.
In sum, we conclude that Plaintiffs were entitled to pre-deprivation process before the PPA could seize their taxicabs, and the lack of pre-deprivation process under these circumstances is unconstitutional.
C. The State Law Claims
Defendants Schmid and Marshall argue they are entitled to summary judgment on GCC's state law claims for conversion, trespass and fraud arising from Defendant Marshall's obtaining a GCC cab for two reasons: (1) GCC voluntarily consented to leasing the cab to Marshall as part of its ordinary business activity and thereby consented to his use of the taxicab; and (2) GCC suffered no damages from Marshall's taking the cab to the PPA's inspection facility rather than using it to provide taxicab service since GCC received the daily lease rate it ordinarily charged for the use of the vehicle, and it was timely returned to GCC at the end of the day's lease period. We grant Defendants' Motion on these claims.
1. Conversion and Trespass to Chattels
Under Pennsylvania law, conversion is defined as " 'the deprivation of another's right of property in, or use or possession of, a chattel, or other interference therewith, without the owner's consent and without lawful justification.' " McKeeman v. Corestates Bank, N.A.,
The elements of trespass to chattels "are essentially the same" as conversion. QVC, Inc. v. Resultly, LLC,
We find that the conversion and trespass claims fail as a matter of law. GCC suffered no actual conversion or trespass since it received its expected fee for the term that it leased the vehicle to Marshall, and Marshall timely returned the vehicle at the end of the lease term. GCC's argument that a conversion occurred relies on its assertion that it had a legal right to be present at an inspection of its taxicab and Defendants intentionally chose to ignore that right. (Pls. Mem. at 39 (citing
2. Fraud
In order to establish a cause of action based on fraud under Pennsylvania law, a plaintiff must prove the following, by clear and convincing evidence: (1) a representation; (2) which is material to the transaction at hand; (3) made falsely, with knowledge of its falsity or recklessness as to whether it is true or false; (4) with the intent of misleading another into relying on it; (5) justifiable reliance on the misrepresentation; and (6) the resulting injury *830was proximately caused by the reliance. Gibbs v. Ernst,
Defendants argue that GCC has failed to meet its summary judgment burden because, at most, it has only shown that Marshall failed to disclose that he was a TLD Enforcement Officer and has not shown that it relied to its detriment on that omission or suffered any injury because it received exactly what it expected, namely its full lease payment. (Def. Mem. at 51.) GCC responds that Marshall misrepresented his intent to become a taxicab driver with knowledge of that falsity to gain control of the vehicle. It argues that it relied on that misrepresentation in giving him the vehicle, which was returned to it with an "out-of-service" sticker based on the inspection done outside its presence.
We conclude that GCC has failed to meet its heightened summary judgment burden on the fraud claim. Although Marshall returned the taxicab to GCC with an out-of-service sticker, which he falsely told GCC resulted in his being stopped near 30th Street Station by the PPA for an inspection, it is undisputed that the PPA did not issue any citations to GCC relating to any aspect of Marshall's activities or the inspection of the taxicab. Because GCC received the full lease payment and was not cited for any deficiencies allegedly found during the inspection, it has failed to show by clear and convincing evidence that it suffered an injury that was proximately caused by its reliance on Marshall's misrepresentation that he intended to use the taxicab as a driver or that he was subject to an on-the-street inspection.
Accordingly, we conclude that Defendants are entitled to summary judgment on GCC's state law claims.
IV. CONCLUSION
Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment on Plaintiffs' state law claims for conversion, trespass and fraud is granted. Since Plaintiffs' claim for punitive damages is limited to those claims (see Compl. ¶¶ 241, 248, 257), summary judgment is entered in Defendants favor on punitive damages as well. Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment on liability on Count I, alleging a violation of their Fourth Amendment rights under
An appropriate order follows.
The parties have submitted a Joint Consolidated Appendix ("J.App."), which has been cross-filed in this action and Germantown Cab Company v. The Philadelphia Parking Authority, et al., Civ. No. 14-4686. Defendants also have submitted a separate appendix ("D.App."). Each side has also filed a separate statement of allegedly undisputed facts ("DSOF"; "PSOF").
Paragraph (g)(1) of § 5714 currently provides that the PPA:
is empowered to confiscate and impound vehicles, medallions and equipment which are utilized to provide call or demand service in cities of the first class without a proper certificate of public convenience issued by [the PPA] or which are in violation of regulations of [the PPA]. Upon satisfaction of all penalties imposed and all outstanding fines assessed against the owner or operator of the confiscated vehicle and payment of the costs of [the PPA] associated with confiscation and impoundment, the vehicle, medallion and equipment shall be returned to its registered owner or registered lienholder.
The Current Impoundment Regulations became effective after approval by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission ("IRRC") and publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on June 21, 2014. The IRRC approved the Current Impoundment Regulations over extensive objections made in public comments by GCC and Plaintiffs' counsel, including the same constitutional arguments raised in this case. (DSOF ¶ 1; D.App. at Tabs 2-4.)
The administrative proceedings and subsequent judicial appeals of the citation issued to GCC for G91 are referred to collectively by the parties as "the State Court Impoundment Action."
G12 was stopped on May 5, 2016, after it was observed in the area of City Hall. (Stip. ¶ 87.) The parties stipulate that there was no passenger in the taxicab at the time it was stopped by the PPA, and the driver told the TLD Enforcement Officers that she was providing paratransit service, which is not regulated by the PPA. (Id. ¶¶ 88-89.) GCC is authorized by the PUC to provide paratransit work in Pennsylvania. (Pl. Ex. J (Germantown Paratransit Tariff).) The PPA does not regulate paratransit services. (Schmid Dep. at 424:21-425:10.) The PPA released the vehicle on the same day it was seized, rescinded any citations in connection with the incident, and agreed to reimburse any related towing fees. (Stip. ¶ 93.) Although the citations were rescinded, Defendants nonetheless assert here that the driver could produce no log to corroborate her claim that she was providing paratransit service, the Enforcement Officer observed an unauthorized meter in the vehicle, and the vehicle had a broken side mirror and inoperable driver side window. (D.App. Tab 22; Schmid Dep. at 360-67.) For the reasons discussed below, we conclude that the PPA's assertions are immaterial to our analysis of whether the warrantless seizure of G12 was constitutional.
The PPA also cited Rosemont in connection with the stop of R34 on February 26, 2016, because the driver was operating the vehicle with a suspended driver's license and without proof of registration or insurance. (D.App. Tabs 19-21; Schmid Dep. at 347-51.) The PPA withdrew the citation for operating a vehicle with a suspended driver's license. (D.App. Tab 20.)
The summary judgment record reflects that during an administrative hearing held on August 7, 2014 in the State Court Impoundment Action, GCC's counsel argued that the PPA "cannot impound a vehicle because it violates the Constitution," and referenced both due process and equal protection rights. (D.App. Tab 24 at 41, 45-46.) The summary judgment record further shows that, following the close of testimony, counsel argued:
They cannot impound a vehicle because it violates the Constitution, first of all, and, secondly, because they don't have the statutory authority to do so.
...
The other issue that underlies all this is that just because a statute authorizes an impoundment of vehicles doesn't mean that a [sic] claims can't be made against it. That's invalid for constitutional reasons, and there are due process reasons and there are equal protection reasons in this particular case why the impoundment statute is invalid. I know you can't rule on the constitutionality of the statute, but we're preserving that issue for appeal.
(D.App Tab 20 (N.T. Aug. 7, 2014) at 41, 45-46.) In its subsequent appeal from the hearing officer's Order upholding the August 1, 2014 citation, GCC argued to Judge Padilla, inter alia, that the TLD impoundment of Plaintiff's taxicab without a warrant under the Current Impoundment Regulations was unconstitutional. (D.App. Tab 26 at 17-20 (citing Pa. Constitution Art. 1, Sect. 8 ); S. Dakota v. Opperman,
In her decision, Judge Padilla held that "Appellant did not challenge the constitutionality of the Code before the hearing officer, and thus has waived any challenge before this Court." (D.App. Tab 28 at 10.) In GCC's brief filed in connection with its subsequent appeal from the Court of Common Pleas to the Commonwealth Court, it raised the same arguments, including a challenge to the constitutionality of the Current Impoundment Regulations. (D.App. Tab 32 at 25 ("The Authority's interpretation of the statue [sic] also raises constitutional concerns. Warrantless seizures of property by the government are a serious concern for every citizen because they implicate important constitutional protections."); id. at 25-29 (invoking Pennsylvania Const. Art. I, sect. 8, and "United States Constitution" to argue Defendants exceeded their authority to impound taxicabs under the "community caretaking function").) The Commonwealth Court also held that the issue was not preserved. Germantown Cab Co. v. Philadelphia. Parking Auth.,
For the same reason, Plaintiffs' decisions to plead liable to other violations before hearing officers, rather than contesting citations, cannot preclude their constitutional claims.
Under Pennsylvania law, issue preclusion is not limited to the findings of a prior judicial proceeding, and a court may apply issue preclusion to the findings made in a prior adjudicative administrative proceeding. See, e.g., Grant v. GAF Corp.,
We note at the outset that the PPA has not accurately quoted the regulation. Section 1017.51, the definitional section of the Current Impoundment Regulation, states that an "impoundable offense" occurs when an "unauthorized taxicab provides, or attempts to provide, call or demand service in Philadelphia."
Defendants also note there could be no surprise since Plaintiffs have vigorously opposed the Current Impoundment Regulations, which were approved by the IRRC over GCC's objections.
The enforcement officer testified that, after stopping the taxicab on reasonable suspicion that it was operating in Philadelphia while uninspected because it lacked an inspection sticker on its hood, the cab was impounded because an on-site investigation revealed that the cab lacked an inspection sticker and the driver was not a PPA certified driver. (D.App. Tab 24, N.T. Aug. 7, 2014 at 7:14-22.)
The fact that the taxicab is not deemed contraband property subject to forfeiture eliminates any assertion that a warrantless seizure may be permissible to ensure the owner does not abscond with the property to avoid it being forfeited, rather than as surety for payment.
Defendants have filed no response to the PSOF and have not otherwise denied the assertion that all of Plaintiffs' vehicles satisfied PUC safety inspections.
Again, the decision in Harrell is indistinguishable. Because the court concluded that the seizures were unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment, it held that "it follows that the rule that postpones notice to the owner and an opportunity to be heard until after seizure also violates the Due Process Clause."
In sum, the City has cited no case, and the Court has found none, in which a federal court has ever upheld the warrantless seizure of private property in order to ensure payment of a fine , prior to any adjudication that the property owner committed any offense or that a fine is due. Whatever the due process clause may mean in more complicated scenarios, surely it means the government cannot summarily seize property because a fine might be imposed at some point in the future by a neutral judicial officer.
"Intermeddling" means
intentionally bringing about a physical contact with the chattel. The actor may commit a trespass by an act which brings him into an intended physical contact with a chattel in the possession of another, as when he beats another's horse or dog, or by intentionally directing an object or missile against it, as when the actor throws a stone at another's automobile or intentionally drives his own car against it.
Restatement (Second) of Torts § 217, cmt (e) (1965).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- ROSEMONT TAXICAB CO., INC. and Germantown Cab Company v. The PHILADELPHIA PARKING AUTHORITY, William Schmid, and Steven Marshall
- Cited By
- 19 cases
- Status
- Published