Goodner et al v. Clayton Homes, Inc. et al
Filing
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ORDER denying 12 Motion to Remand; denying 46 Motion for Jurisdictional Discovery. Signed by Honorable Susan O. Hickey on September 23, 2014. (mll)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
TEXARKANA DIVISION
THOMAS GOODNER and
LINDA GOODNER, individually and
on behalf of a class of all other
similarly situated individuals
V.
PLAINTIFFS
CASE NO. 4:12-CV-4001
CLAYTON HOMES, INC.; CMH
HOMES, INC.; and VANDERBILT
MORTGAGE & FINANCE, INC.
DEFENDANTS
ORDER
On September 10, 2012, this Court granted Plaintiffs’ Motion to Remand and remanded
this case to the Circuit Court for Lafayette County for further proceedings. ECF No. 37. The
Court’s remand decision was based upon Plaintiffs’ stipulation which limited the class recovery
to a sum less than the amount-in-controversy required by the Class Action Fairness Act.
Defendants appealed the decision. On September 16, 2013, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
summarily remanded the case to this Court for reconsideration in light of the Supreme Court’s
recent decision regarding stipulations made on behalf of absent class members. Standard Fire
Ins. Co. v. Knowles, 133 S. Ct. 1345, 185 L. Ed. 2d 439 (2013).
Plaintiffs’ Motion to Remand (ECF No. 12) is now before the Court for reconsideration.
Defendants have responded. ECF No. 32. Plaintiffs have filed a reply. ECF No. 33. The
parties have filed a large number of supplemental briefs. ECF Nos. 36, 44, 45, and 48. Also
before the Court is Plaintiffs’ Motion for Jurisdictional Discovery. ECF No. 46. Defendants
have filed a response to the discovery motion. ECF No. 47. These issues are ripe for the Court’s
consideration.
BACKGROUND
Plaintiffs filed this putative class action suit in Lafayette County Circuit Court on
November 10, 2011. The complaint seeks damages for violations of the Arkansas Deceptive
Trade Practices Act and the Arkansas Unfair Practices Act as well as unjust enrichment and
constructive fraud. The claims arise from an alleged kickback scheme between CMH Homes,
Inc. (“CMH”) and Vanderbilt Mortgage & Finance, Inc. (“VMF”), both of which are owned by
Clayton Homes, Inc. According to Plaintiffs, the scheme consisted of CMH, a manufactured
home seller, receiving kickbacks 1 from VMF, a finance company, for referring home buyers to
VMF for financing. Plaintiffs allege that neither CMH nor VMH disclosed to Plaintiffs that they
were using money charged to and provided by Plaintiffs to make the 4% kickback payment to
CMH in return for getting Plaintiffs to agree to finance the purchase of the manufactured home
with VMH.
DISCUSSION
Defendants wish to remain in federal court pursuant to the Class Action Fairness Act
(“CAFA”). Plaintiffs, however, move the Court to remand this case back to state court. They
argue that the amount in controversy is less than $5 million, and therefore this Court lacks
federal jurisdiction over the subject matter of this lawsuit.
For a case to be heard in federal court, CAFA requires, among other things, that the
case’s amount in controversy be greater than $5 million. 28 U.S.C. § 1332(d)(2) (2006).
Plaintiffs previously argued that they put less than $5 million in controversy by stipulating not to
accept more, but the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Standard Fire Ins. Co. v. Knowles
1
This kickback or “commission” was equal to 4% of the gross profit of the sale of the home.
2
definitively states that such stipulations may not prevent removal under CAFA. 133 S. Ct. at
1348 (holding that, in order to defeat CAFA jurisdiction, a stipulation must be binding, and a
plaintiff bringing a proposed class action cannot bind members of the proposed class before it is
certified). Plaintiffs now assert that Defendants have not submitted sufficient evidence showing
that the amount in controversy exceeds $5 million. This is the only issue that is presently before
the Court.
A defendant invoking federal-court diversity jurisdiction through removal must prove the
required statutory amount in controversy by a preponderance of the evidence. Hargis v. Access
Capital Funding, LLC, 674 F.3d 783, 798 (8th Cir. 2012) (quoting Bell v. Hershey Co., 557 F.3d
953, 956 (8th Cir. 2009)); see also 28 U.S.C. § 1446(c)(2)(B). The defendant does not have to
prove by a preponderance that the amount in controversy is more than $5 million, but rather that
a fact finder might legally conclude that it is. Hartis v. Chicago Title Ins. Co., 656 F.3d 778, 781
(8th Cir. 2009) (quoting Bell, 557 F.3d at 958)). If a defendant meets its burden, then a plaintiff
seeking remand must establish to a legal certainty that the amount in controversy is less than the
required statutory amount. Bell, 557 F.3d at 956. The legal-certainty standard is not met if even
a possibility exists of recovering more than the statutory minimum. Back Doctors Ltd. v.
Metropolitan Property & Casualty Ins. Co., 637 F.3d 827, 831 (7th Cir. 2011).
Defendants maintain that CAFA’s amount-in-controversy requirement is easily met by
calculating the potential compensatory damages stemming from the alleged kickback scheme,
trebling the compensatory damages pursuant to Arkansas law, and adding attorney fees and
punitive damages.
In response, Plaintiffs claim that:
(1) there is no competent proof of
Defendants’ calculation of the amount of potential compensatory damages; (2) speculative future
attorney fees are not in controversy and, if they were, Defendant’s estimated attorney fee of 30-
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40% of the total possible class recovery is not supported by competent proof; (3) a stipulation by
Plaintiffs’ attorney, Matt Keil, limits the amount of attorney fees in controversy; and (4)
Defendants’ estimated amount of punitive damages in controversy is not supported by competent
proof.
A. Compensatory Damages
Plaintiffs’ Complaint alleges that VMF used money charged to and paid by Plaintiffs and
by members of the putative class to make a payment of 4% of the gross profit on the sale of a
home to CMH (“4% Commission”). They further allege that this scheme by CMF and VMF
violates the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Arkansas Unfair Practices Act.
Plaintiffs seek recovery of “the amount of the secret kickback,” or 4% Commission, that was
purportedly added to each manufactured home’s sales price when they financed their home
purchases through VMF. ECF No. 7, at ¶¶ 37, 41, 44, and 47. By Defendants’ calculation, the
4% Commission for home sales to Arkansas residents in the putative class period alleged in the
Complaint totals $983,408.86. ECF Nos. 32-1, 44-1, and 48-1.
Defendants used a gross profit figure to calculate the total amount of the 4% Commission
charged to Plaintiffs for home sales in the putative class period. Plaintiffs’ primary objection to
Defendants’ calculation is rooted in Defendants’ use of the phrase “gross profit located on
CMH’s computer” in an affidavit explaining this calculation.
See ECF No. 32-3, at ¶ 3.
Plaintiffs state that this phrase is ambiguous and that the “actual” gross profit used by
Defendants to pay the 4% Commission to VMF may be a different number than the “gross profit
located on CMH’s computer.” Defendants, however, clarify that the amount represented by the
phrase “gross profit located on CMH’s computer” is the same amount as the gross profit amount
that they used to calculate the 4% Commission. ECF No. 48, at 11.
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Defendants’ calculation of the 4% Commission for home sales in the putative class
period alleged in the Complaint is supported by sworn affidavits explaining in adequate detail
how they arrived at this calculation. Accordingly, a fact-finder might legally conclude that the
putative class members’ are entitled to at least $983,408.86 in compensatory damages. 2
A fact-finder might also legally conclude that the putative class members’ are entitled to
treble damages. The Complaint (ECF No. 7) states that Plaintiffs and putative class members are
entitled to three times the amount of actual damages they sustained pursuant to the Arkansas
Unfair Practices Act. See Ark. Code Ann. § 4-75-211(b)(3). Plaintiffs do not dispute this.
Multiplying $983,408.86 (4% Commission) by three gives a total of $2,950,226.58 in
compensatory damages.
B. Prejudgment Interest
Plaintiffs expressly request the recovery of statutory prejudgment interest on the 4%
Commission. ECF No. 7, at 14. Defendants calculated the prejudgment interest on the 4%
Commission through December 31, 2011, and came up with a total of $293,617.26. ECF No.
32-1, at ¶ 5. Plaintiffs neither dispute this calculation nor argue that prejudgment interest should
be excluded from calculating the amount in controversy. However, according to the CAFA
statute, the amount in controversy must be determined “exclusive of interest and costs.” 28
U.S.C. § 1332(d)(2). The Court, therefore, will exclude prejudgment interest from the amount-in
controversy calculation.
2
Defendants argue that Plaintiffs are also seeking return of the previously paid interest on the 4% Commission and
asking the Court to enjoin the collection of future interest on the 4% Commission. The Court will not decide
whether these amounts are in controversy because the total amount in controversy easily exceeds $5 million without
considering these amounts.
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C. Punitive Damages
Plaintiffs’ allege common law claims of constructive fraud and unjust enrichment, which
would permit Plaintiffs to recover punitive damages. Curtis Lumber Co., Inc. v. La Pac. Corp.,
618 F.3d 762, 785 (8th Cir. 2010) (holding that punitive damages are possible in cases involving
fraud if defendant knew or ought to have known that his conduct would result in injury or
damage). Plaintiffs do not dispute that punitive damages may be awarded under Arkansas law if
they prove the allegations in their Complaint.
Plaintiffs also do not dispute that punitive
damages are included in the amount in controversy. 3 Instead, Plaintiffs argue that Defendants’
calculation of possible punitive damages of six times the compensatory damages is not supported
by competent proof.
Since there is no dispute that a punitive damages award is legally possible based on
Plaintiffs’ common law allegations, the only issue remaining is how much the punitive damages
might amount to in this case. Courts considering the availability of punitive damages in the
CAFA amount-in-controversy context have held that utilizing multipliers of four to six times the
total amount of compensatory damages is acceptable in determining what punitive damages
award might be legally permissible. Bass v. Carmax Auto Superstores, Inc., 07-0883-CV-WODS, 2008 WL 441962, at *2 (W.D. Mo. Feb. 14, 2008) (holding that a punitive damages award
of 6.7 times the amount of compensatory damages “would likely be constitutionally
acceptable.”); Brown v. City Chevrolet, LLC, No. 09–0642–CV–W–GAF, 2009 WL 3485833, at
*1 (W.D. Mo. Oct. 28, 2009) (holding that a multiplier of more than 3.98 was permissible);
Thatcher v. Hanover Ins. Grp., Inc., CIV. 10-4172, 2012 WL 1933079, at *6 (W.D. Ark. May
3
Originally, Plaintiffs purported to disclaim punitive damages through a stipulation in their Complaint. The
Supreme Court’s decision in Standard Fire, however, forecloses Plaintiffs from relying on the stipulation
disclaiming punitive damages. See Standard Fire Ins. Co. v. Knowles, 133 S. Ct. 1345, 1348-49,185 L. Ed. 2d 439
(2013).
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29, 2012) (holding that punitive damages of over $11 million were potentially available in a case
where the breach of contract damages amounted to only a little over $2.4 million); Kerr v. Ace
Cash Experts, Inc., 4:10 CV 1645 DDN, 2010 WL 5177977, at *2 (E.D. Mo. Dec. 14, 2010)
(holding that a compensatory damages award of only $594,000 could “satisfy the amount in
controversy requirement because of the potential for punitive damages and attorneys fees.”).
Here, Defendants argue that a fact-finder might legally conclude that Plaintiffs and
putative class members are entitled to punitive damages in the amount of six times the actual
damages. Plaintiffs assert that Defendants must show that a multiplier of six was used in cases
similar to the present case when awarding punitive damages.
The Court disagrees with
Plaintiffs’ attempt to hold Defendants to some elevated standard of proof for punitive damages to
be included in the amount in controversy. Again, the Court notes that a defendant does not have
to prove by a preponderance that the amount in controversy is more than $5 million, but rather
that a fact finder might legally conclude that it is. Hartis v. Chicago Title Ins. Co., 656 F.3d 778,
781 (8th Cir. 2009) (quoting Bell, 557 F.3d at 958)); see also Raskas v. Johnson & Johnson 719
F.3d 884, 887 (8th Cir. 2013).
Here, Defendants have adequately proven that a fact-finder might legally conclude that
the compensatory damage award would be $983,408.86. Based on the weight of authority
above, the Court finds that an award of punitive damages in the amount of six times the actual
damages would be legally possible. In this case, however, using a more conservative multiplier
of three would cause the amount in controversy to easily exceed $5 million when combined with
compensatory damages (trebled) and attorney fees.
Accordingly, the Court will assume a
punitive damages award equal to three times the actual damages. Multiplying $983,408.86
(actual damages) by three gives a total of $2,950,226.58 in punitive damages.
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D. Attorney Fees
Attorney fees are available to Plaintiff pursuant to the Arkansas Deceptive Trade
Practices Act. Ark. Code Ann. §§ 4-88-113(f) and 4-88-204. Plaintiffs do not dispute this.
Instead, Plaintiffs argue that attorney fees cannot count toward the amount in controversy, that
attorney fees of 40 percent are unlikely, and that the pre-certification stipulation by one of
Plaintiffs’ attorneys limits the attorney fees that may be awarded.
Because statutory attorney fees are available to Plaintiffs, the fees may be included in
calculating the amount in controversy. Knowles v. Standard Fire Ins. Co., 4:11-CV-04044, 2013
WL 3968490, at *10 (W.D. Ark. Aug. 2, 2013) (holding that attorney’s fees not yet incurred at
the time of removal may still be included in calculating the amount in controversy); Thatcher v.
Hanover Ins. Group Inc., 2012 WL 1933079, at *5 (W.D. Ark. May 29, 2012); Rasmussen v.
State Farm Mut. Auto Ins. Co., 410 F.3d 1029, 1031 (8th Cir. 2005) (“[S]tautory attorney fees
count toward the jurisdictional minimum calculation.”); Crawford v. F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd.,
267 F.3d 760, 766 (8th Cir. 2001) (“Statutory attorney fees do count toward the jurisdictional
minimum for diversity jurisdiction.”).
Defendants have submitted declarations stating that
attorney fees of 30-40% could be awarded in this class action.
ECF Nos. 1-4 and 32-2.
Plaintiffs, however, contend that a 30-40% fee is speculative and argue that Defendants have not
submitted competent proof for this figure.
Arkansas law dictates a number of factors that may be considered when awarding
“reasonable” attorney’s fees, including the experience of the attorney, the time and labor
required, the amount in controversy, the difficulty of issues involved, and the customary fee for
similar services. See Phelps v. U.S. Credit Life Ins. Co., 10 S.W.3d 854, 856 (Ark. 2000).
However, at this stage in the proceedings, “a fact-intensive, prospective” analysis of these factors
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is not appropriate. Standard Fire Ins. Co., 2013 WL 3968490, at *6. Defendants must only
show what attorney’s fees might legally be possible under these circumstances.
Other courts considering attorney fees in the amount-in-controversy context have held
that a fee of 40% is a reasonable estimate at this stage in the pleadings. Thatcher v. Hanover Ins.
Grp., Inc., CIV. 10-4172, 2012 WL 1933079, at *5 (W.D. Ark. May 29, 2012) (“The Court
strongly doubts that any plaintiff's attorney would argue that attorneys' fees permissible under an
applicable statute could not be awarded by a court with jurisdiction over the matter.”); Standard
Fire Ins. Co., 2013 WL 3968490, at *6 (“[E]ven though other courts have found it reasonable to
award attorney's fees at a rate of 20–25% of the total recovery, this does not mean that a 40%
rate would be legally impossible.”). The Court finds that a 30-40% attorney fee could be
awarded in this particular case, and Plaintiffs have not shown that this type of award would be
legally impossible. Conservatively applying a 30% recovery rate to only the trebeled amount of
compensatory damages, Plaintiffs could potentially be awarded $885,067.98 in attorney fees.
Plaintiffs argue that the stipulation by one of their attorneys, Matt Keil, that he would not
seek damages for the class in excess of $4,999,999, inclusive of attorney’s fees, limits the
amount of fees in controversy. The Court disagrees. First, Keil’s stipulation does not apply to
the other attorneys and law firms that presently represent Plaintiffs in this action. Further, if
Plaintiffs decide to replace their attorneys or different attorneys are appointed as class counsel,
then it’s possible that the new attorneys would not be bound by Keil’s stipulation. Second, the
statutory attorney fees are a benefit belonging to the putative class.
Under Knowles, a
representative plaintiff cannot limit the recovery available to a class prior to class certification.
Standard Fire Ins. Co. v. Knowles, 133 S. Ct. 1345, 185 L. Ed. 2d 439 (2013). So it follows that
a representative plaintiff’s attorney would also be prohibited from limiting the recovery available
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to a class prior to class certification. Moreover, even without including attorney fees in the
calculation, the amount in controversy here could possibly exceed $5 million when considering
punitive damages.
CONCLUSION
Aggregating Defendants’ estimates for potential trebeled compensatory damages
($2,950,226.58), punitive damages ($2,950,226.58), and attorneys’ fees ($885,067.98) results in
total potential damages of $6,785,521.14. Plaintiffs have not countered with evidence showing
to a legal certainty that the amount-in-controversy is $5 million or less. Accordingly, Defendants
have met CAFA’s jurisdictional requirements. For the reasons stated above, Plaintiffs’ Motion
to Remand (ECF No. 12) is DENIED. In the light of the Court’s findings above, further
jurisdictional discovery as to the amount in controversy is unnecessary. Thus, Plaintiffs’ Motion
for Jurisdictional Discovery (ECF No. 46) is DENIED.
IT IS SO ORDERED, this 23rd day of September, 2014.
/s/ Susan O. Hickey
Susan O. Hickey
United States District Judge
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