Crespo v. Brachfeld Law Group, P.C. et al
Filing
41
ORDER denying in part and granting in part 34 Defendant The Brachfeld Law Group's Motion for Summary Judgment and denying in part and granting in part 35 Defendant Meridian Management Solutions, LLC's Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by Judge James I. Cohn on 9/28/2011. (npd)
UNI
TED STATES DI
STRI COURT
CT
SO UTHERN DI
STRI O F FLO RI
CT
DA
CASE NO .1160569- VCl COHN/
SELTZER
EDW A RD CRESPO ,an i vi ,
ndi dual
Pl ntf,
ai if
VS.
THE BRACHFELD LAW G RO UP,a Cal or a
i ni
f
pr essi
of onalcor aton and M ERI AN
por i
DI
MANAG EM ENT SOLUTI NS,LLC,a Calor a
O
i ni
f
cor aton,
por i
Def
endant
s.
/
O RDER DENYI I PART AND GRANTI I PART DEFENDANT THE
NG N
NG N
BM CHFELD LAW GROUP' M OTI N FO R SUM MARY JUDGM ENT AND DENYI
S
O
NG
I PART AND G RANTI I PART DEFENDA NT M ERI AN M ANAG EM ENT
N
NG N
DI
SO LUTI NS.LLC' M OTI N FOR SUM MA RY JUDG M ENT
O
S
O
THI CAUSE i bef e t Cour upon Def
S
s or he
t
endantThe Br el Law Gr
achf d
oup,
P. ' Mo in f Summar J gmen (Br h el Mo i ' E 34)an De en t
C. to or
S
y ud
t ' ac f d ton' DE
'
)
d f dan
Mer an Ma gemen Solton LL S Mo i f Summar J dgmen E 35
i
di
na
t u i s, C' t or
on
y u
t DE )
(Mer an Mot ' ( ol c iel ' ton f Summar J gmen '.Th Cour has
s i
di
i ) c l t y ' i s or
on'
e v Mo
y ud
t) e
'
t
car ul consi ed t Motons f Sum mar Judgment Pl ntf Edwar Cr
ef l
y
der he
i
or
y
, ai if
d espo'
s
Memor dum i Opp iont Def dan ' Mo i f Summar J gmen ( 39
an
n ost o en t ton or
i
s
y ud
t DE )
(opp ion', l ft e pari ' bmisi s, i o he- ie f l a ie i t e
' ost ' aIo h
'
i )
t su s on and s t s ul dvs d n h
es
y
pr i l
em ses.
1 BACKG RO UND
.
Pl n i Edwar Cr po (pl n i 'fl sutagai tDef dan sTh Br h el
ait f
f
d es u ait f) i
f ed i ns en t e ac f d
Def
endant di notfl r y m em or
s d
i epl
e
anda i suppor oft rM otons f
n
t hei
i
or
Sum m ar Judgm entby t deadl ofSept ber23,2011.
y
he
i
ne
em
L Gr (Br f d' an Merdi Man
aw oup s achel ' d i an agemen Solt s,L (Mer an'
'
)
t ui
on LC s i '
l di )
(ol t el ' f dan s'al n t at
c l i y ' en t ' l g h debtc l c i c l Def dan smad t
ec v De
) egi
ol t
e ons al
s en t
eo
Pl nt f ilt t e Fai Deb Col ton Pr t esAc (FDCPA', 1 U. C. 1 2ai i voa e h
f
r t l i ac i
ec
c
t'
'
' 5 S. j 69
)
1
692p an t e Fl i Con merCol ton Pr t esAc (FCCPA', Fl St .
d h or
da su
l i ac i
ec
c
t$
'
' a. at j
)
5 55 559.85. Se Compl n ( 1. Cou tI l esvi a i oft e FDCPA
59. - 7
e
ait DE )
n al
eg olt
ons h
agai tMer an. Compl n I 21 26. Coun 1al gesvolton o t e FCCPA
ns
i
di
ait N t1 l
e
i ai s fh
a n tMer an. I $ - 3. Cou II l esvi at s o t FDCPA ag n t
gais
i
di d. :27 3
nt I al
eg ol i f he
on
ais
Br h el I 1 3 39. Coun I al gesvol i s o t e FCCPA a n tBr h el
ac f d. d. 5 4tV l
e
i at
on f h
gais ac f d
.
I 1 40d. 1 46.
%
Accor ng t Pl ntf,debthe owed on t Cii
di o ai if
wo tbank cr tcar account was
edi d
s
pl
aced i o col tons w ih Def
nt
l i
ec
t
endant Compl n I 11 1 , e Br h el La
s
ait N - 2.
Th ac f d w
.
Gr s St em entofUndi ed Fact i Suppor ofIs M oton f Sum m ar Judgm ent
oup' at
sput
sn
t t
i or
y
( 3 ! 3.Pl nt fa err eied a s i of el
DE 4) (
ai i lt ec v
f
er
es t ephon c l fom De end t i whih
e al r
s
f ans n c
t f l t pr de hi w ih di osur r r by t FDCPA and FCCPA .
hey ai o ovi
ed
m t scl es equied
he
Compl n $1 1 1 Dur t e e ph e c l,Pl n i as edst a Def
ait 1 4- 5. i h s on al aitf s
ng
s
f
h t endans
t
m i epr
sr esent t hi t t wer afiat wih a l fr . I T 23, 36,
ed o m hat hey
e fl ed t aw im d. N
i
29, 42.
Pl ntf seeks hi act damages, st ut y dam ages,punii damages,coud cost ,
ai if
s ual
at or
tve
s
and ator f
t ney ees. See Com pl nt Def
ai .
endant have separ el m oved f sum mar
s
at y
or
y
-
j dgmen on Plit f cai .
u
t
an i ' l ms
fs
l.DI
I SCUSSI N
O
A.LegalSt
andar
ds
Th Cour maygr ts
e
t
an ummar j dgmen ' t e peadigs t e dic er an
yu
t' h l n , h s ov y d
i
f
di osur mat i s on fl , and any afi t show t t e i no genui i
scl e
eral
i
e
fdavi
s
hat her s
ne ssue as t
o
2
an mat i f c andt tt e mo an i en ie t aj dgmen asa m a t o lw.
y erala t
ha h
v t s t ld o u
t
t
ter f a '
'
F R. v. 5 c .Th mov t' st iial e on bit o if mig t e
ed. Ci P. 6( ) e
an '
bear he nt r sp si ly f n or n h
i
i
di rctcour oft basi f is m oton, an i t yn t os pori s o (h r c d)
sti
t he
s or t
i
d den i ig h e t
f
on f t e e or
w hi i bel
ch t i
eves dem onstat t absence ofa genui i
r e he
ne ssue ofm at i f t' Cel ex
eral ac ' ot
.
Cor v. r t 477 U. 31 3 ( 98 .Todic ge t i bur en,he mov tmus
n. Catet,
S. 7, 23 1 6)
s har hs d t
an
t
dem onstat a l ofevi
r e ack
dence suppodi t nonm ovi pary' case. L a 3
ng he
ng t s
d t 25.
=
.
Afert mo tha me i bu den un Rue 5 c , h bur en ofpr duci
t he van s tt r
s
der l 6( ) t e d
o ton
shit t t nonm ovi pary who ' ustdo m or t si pl show t t e i som e
fs o he
ng t
'
m
e han m y
hat her s
m et
aphysi doubtas t t m at i f t ' M at
cal
o he
eral ac s
sushia El I
t ec. ndus.Co v.Zenih
t
.
.
Radi Cor , U. 5 4,5 ( 9 .Th non m o ig pary' n r ymer y o
o n.475 S. 7 86 1 86) e - vn
t'
may ot el el n
al
l i ordeni s i i own pl ng,'buti t m us com e f war w ih '
egatons
al n t
s
eadi ' ns ead
t
or d t specii
fc
f s showi a genui i
act
ng
ne ssue f ti .' Fe R.Ci.P. e) Ma s hi 475 U. at
or ral' d.
v 56( ; t us t
a,
S.
587.
As l as t non- ovi pary has had an am pl oppoduni t c
ong
he
m ng t
e
t o onduct
y
di
scover i m ustcom e f war wih afim atve evi
y, t
or d t fr i
denc t suppor is cl m
e o
t t ai
.
Ander v.Li t Lobby.I ., 477 U. 2 2 ( 98 .' mer lcn ia' f
son
bery
nc
S. 42, 57 1 6) '
A e s itl o
l
evi
dence suppodi t opposi pady' posii wilnotsufi t e m ustbe enough
ng he
ng
s
ton l
fce; her
o a sh wig t at hej y c l r s bl f f t tpar ' W alerv. bv 911
f o n h t ur oud ea ona y i or ha t ' k
nd
y.
Dar ,
F. 1 73,1 77 ( 1h Ci.1 0) It e evienc ad anc d b t non movn padyds
2d 5
5 1 t r 99 . f h d e v e y he - ig
'
i
mer y col abl ori notsi fcanty pr i , s
el or e, s
gnii l obatve ummar j dgmen maybe gr t '
yu
t
an ed.
'
An s 47 U. at2 50 ( i t omied)
der on, 7 S. 49- ct i
a ons t .
t
B.Pl ntl has Suf i enty Est i
ai i
fci l
ablshed a Consum erDebt
Undert FDCPA and FCCPA.
he
Sec i 1 2e mak ia voltonoft FDCPA f a d tc l t dt )u e
t 69
on
es t i a i
he
or eb ol or'o s
ec I
3
any f se,deceptve,orm i eadi r esent i ormeans i connecton w ih t
al
i
sl ng epr
aton
n
i
t he
c l tonofa deb . 1 U. C. 1 2e. Bo h De en t al i t ei Mo i f
ol i
ec
t' 5 S. j 69
'
t f dan s l n h r t or
ege
ons
Sum m ar Judgm entt Pl ntf has f l t est i t t al
y
hat ai if
ai o abl hat he l
ed
sh
eged debti a
s
' on merdeb 'a t a t m i de ied u der1 U. C. 1 2a. Mér an Mot a
' su
c
t s h t er s fn n
5 S. j 69
i
di
i t
on
6'Br h el Mot a 5.Tie 1 U. C. 1 2a( )d ies' t as' y obl i or
, ac f d i t
on
t 5 S. j 69 5 efn ' ' '
l
deb ' an i on
gat
al
l
eged obl i ofa consumert pay m oney arsi outofa tansac i i whi t
i on
gat
o
i ng
r
ton n
ch he
mon ,pr ed isur e, s vc whih ar t e su j to t tans tonar
ey op y,n anc or er ies c e h bec f he r aci e
pr i f p s , ami orhou eh d pur os . 1 U. C. 1 a( . Th
i l or er onalf l
mary
y,
s ol p es' 5 S. j 692 5) e
'
FDCPA f t defnes '
urher i '
Consum er as ' hat alper obl ed oral
' '
any ur
son i
gat
l
egedl
y
obi t t pa an deb . 1 U. C. 1
l ed o y y t' 5 S. j 692a( .
ga
'
3)
Ac or n t Def dans, h ar en ied t s
c dig o en t t ey e t l o ummar j dgmen on Coun s I
t
yu
t
t
and IIoft Com pl ntbecaus athi deposii ' ai ifwas unabl t t i t t
I he
ai
e,
s
ton,' ntf
Pl
e o estf o he
y
n u e o t e or n tan c i orc gesgii r e t t e s j td , pr i
at r f h i alr sa t
gi
on har
vng i o h ubec ebt was i l
s
mary
f per
or sonal f i orhousehol pur
, am l
y
d poses. Merdi M oton at6'see al Br el
'
i an
i
,
so achf d
M oton at5. The Cour di ees. Durng hi deposii Pl ntf nevert ii t he
i
t sagr
i
s
ton, ai if
estfed hat
utl
ized hi cr tcar f noni
s edi ds or
consum erpur
poses. I ead,Pl ntf m er y st ed t
nst
ai if el at hat
he di notS pecii l r em bereach i vi
d
'
s
fcal em
y
ndi dual
char orwhatiwas f . Deposii
ge
t
or'
'
ton
ofEd d Cr po,Exhbi1t Br h el sMo i f Summar J
war es
i t o ac f d' ton or
y udgmen (cr p
t ' es o
'
Dep. ( 3 1 a 1 9- 0. Pl n i su ted an a f iwi hi Oppo t t t e
' DE 4- ) t 3: 1
'
)
aitf bmi
f
t
fi t t s
dav h
sion o h
i
pr
esentM otons f Sum m ar Judgmenti whi he st es t ' know wih cedai y
i
or
y
n ch
at hat I
t
nt
t aIoft char m ade by m e wer consum erchar f iem s ofper
hat I he
ges
e
ges or t
sonal
,
f i and househol use. Idi notchar any non- sonali s t m y cr tcar '
am l
y,
d
d
ge
per
t
em o
edi ds.
'
Afi iofEd d Cr po,Exhbt1t Pl n i' Op sion (cr sp Af.)( 39- ):
f t
dav
war es
ii o ait f po t u e o f' DE 1 1
fs
i
4
12. Thus,t Cour fnds t Pl ntf has successf l dem ons r ed a di ed i
he
ti
hat ai if
ul
y
tat
sput ssue
ofm at i f as t whet t debtati
eral act o
her he
ssue was consum erdebtand deni
es
De en t ' t f s
f dan s mo i or ummar j gmen .
ons
y ud
t
Addional Mer an mo esf s
t l
i y, i
di
v or ummar j dgmen on Coun l, ait f
yu
t
t I Pl n i '
fs
FCCPA cl m ,on t same gr
ai
he
ounds. The FCCPA si i l defnes '
ml y i
ar
consum erdebt as
'
'
' obl i oral
'
any i on
gat
l
eged obl i ofa consumert pay m oney arsi outofa
i on
gat
o
i ng
tan acin i whc t mone pr ery is an e,ors vieswhih ar t e s j t
r s to n ih he
y, op t, n ur c
er c
c e h ubec
oft tansacton ar prm arl f per
he r
i
e i i or sonalf i orhousehol pur
y
, am l
y,
d
poses,whet or
her
n tsu h obl i h b r e t j dgmen . Fl St t j 55 55( ) For h
o c i on as een educ d o u
gat
t' a. a . 9. 1 . t e
'
r
easons outi above,t Coud fnds t Pl ntf has successf l demons r ed a
l
ned
he
i
hat ai if
ul
y
tat
di ed i
sput ssue ofm at i f as t t exit e ofconsumerdebtand deni
eral act o he s enc
es
M erdi s M oton as t CountI.
i an'
i
o
I
C.A Di
sput I
ed ssue ofM at i FactExi as t W het Br
eral
sl
o
her achf d Com pled
el
i
w ih t FDCPA' Di osur Requiem ent
t he
S scl
e
r
s.
Br hel alo mo esf s
ac f d s v or ummar j dgmen on Coun 1 , ait r FDCPA
yu
t
t 1 Pl n i s
1
f
cl m ,on t gr
ai
he ounds t i pr ded Pl ntf w ih aI necessar di osur
hat t ovi
ai if t I
y scl es.
Spe f al ,FDCPA Sec i 1 2e( 1 pr i t at'th f lr t dico e i t e
cic l
i y
t 69 1 ) ovdes h l e ai e o s ls n h
on
l
u
i tal r t com m uni i wih t consumerand,i addii it i tal
nii w i en
t
caton t he
n
ton, f he nii
com m uni i wih t consum eri or ,i t i talor com m uni i t t
caton t he
s al n hat nii al
caton, hat he
debtcol ori atem ptng t col a debtand t any i or aton obt ned wi be
l
ect s t
i o l
ect
hat
nf m i
ai
l
l
used f t pur
or hat pose,and t f l e t di ose i subsequentcom m uni i t
he ai
ur o scl
n
catons hat
t ec
h ommunc t i fo a d tc l t 'volt t e FDCPA. 1 U. C.
ia i s r m eb ol or i a es h
on
ec
5 S. j
1
692e( 1 .Tie 1 U. C. 1 d( smi l pr bt uh pl emen o t eph
1 ) t 5 S. j 692 6) i l y ohii t e ac
l
ar
s
t f el one
c l wi ou meani f dico e of he c l ' i t y' 1 U. C.j 1 d( .
al t t
s h
ng ul s lsur t al s den i . 5 S.
er
t'
692 6)
5
Ac or ngt Br h el i i en ie t s
c di o ac f d,t s t ld o ummar j dgmen be us i s t
t
yu
t ca e t en
Pl ntf a I t w hi di osed t i was seeki t col debt Br el M oton at
ai if eter ch scl
hat t
ng o l
ect
.
achf d
i
7. Thus,Br el cont
achf d
ends,aI phone cal bet
I
l
s ween Pl ntf and Br el
ai if
achf d
r esent i wer subsequentcom m uni i w hi onl r r t cal s t
epr
atves
e
catons
ch y equied he l o
er
di ose t wer debtcol or Br el Moton at8. Br el ataches Exhi t
scl
hey
e
l
ect s
achf d
i
achf d t
bis
.
7,8,and 9 t is M oton as evi e t an FDcpA- plantw r t di osur w as
ot
i
denc hat
com i
i en scl e
t
m ade t Pl ntf. Br el M oton at7. Exhi t7 i a f m col i I t and
o ai if achf d
i
bi s or
l ons eter
ect
Exhi t 8 and 9 ar prntout oft fl actviy f Pl ntf t cr tcar . As
bis
e i - s he i
e i t or ai i wo edi ds
rs
Pl ntf poi s outi hi Opposii none oft
ai if nt
n s
ton,
hese exhi t es abl
bi t i
s
shes t a
hat
col i I t whi com pl w ih 15 U. C. 1 2e( 1 wasev s tt Pl n i .
l ons eter ch
ect
i
es t
S j 69 1 )
er en o ait f
f
.
Opposii at8.Thus, he Cour fnds t a di ed i
ton
t
ti
hat sput ssue ofm at i f texit as t
eral ac s s
o
whet Br el com pl wih t FDCPA' di osur r r ent z
her achf d
i
ed t he
S scl e equiem s
.
D.A Di
sput I
ed ssue ofM at i FactExi s as t W het Br
eral
st
o
her achf d
el
Repr
esent i M i epr
atves sr esent t Thev W er Ahor
ed hat
e
neys.ButSum m ar
v
Judom enti Pr
s operon Cl m s t Br
ai
hat achf d Thr ened t Take LegalActon
el
eat
o
i
Agai Pl ntl.
nst ai i
Br c f d f rh s ss
a h el u t er eek ummar j dgmen on Coun 1 , aitf FDCPA c t
yu
t
t 1 Pl n i'
1
fs
oun ,
Pl ntf al r s Br el s assedi t subsequentdi osur t
ai i so ebut achf d'
f
on hat
scl es hat
Br el made t Pl ntf durng t ephone conver i wer sufi ent Opposii
achf d
o ai if i el
satons
e fci
ton
at8. Accor ng t Pl ntf,because a def
di o ai if
endants FDCPA com pl e i m easur
'
i
anc s
ed
'
accor ng t t I
di o he eastsophitcat consum erst
s i ed
andar ,'Pl ntf' know l
d ' ai ifs
edge t t
hat he
cal wer f a debtcol ton pur
l
s
e or
l i
ec
pose i ir evant J .The Coud agr t t
s rel
#=
ees hat he
El
event Cicui r r appl i oft 'eastsophi i ed consumer s andar t
h r t equies
i on he I
cat
stcat
't
'
do
det m i w het ' debtcol ton pr tce has a t
er ne
her '
a
l i
ec
ac i
endency orcapaci t dec ve.''
t o
y
ei
Jet v.Cr tBur
er
edi
eau.I ,760 F. 1168, 1 75 ( 1h Ci.1 5) Non h es
nc.
2d
1 1 t r 98 . et el s,
because t Cour fnds t e i a di ed i
he
ti
her s
sput ssue ofm at i f tas t whet
eral ac
o
her
Br el pr ded Pl ntf a wrten com m uni i whi di osed t Br el was
achf d ovi
ai if
it
caton ch scl
hat achf d
a debtcol oratem ptng t col a debtand t any i or aton obt ned woul be
l
ect t
i o l
ect
hat
nf m i
ai
d
used f t pur
or hat pose,t Cour decl t det m i w het t subsequentor
he
t
i
nes o er ne
her he
al
di osur satsfed t FDC PA.
scl es i i he
.
.
6
because i cl m s t i r esent i di notm i epr
t ai hat t epr
s
atves d
sr esentt wer ator
hey e t neys or
t eat I
hr en egal i agai Pl ntf Br el M oton at8- The FDCPA pr bis
acton
nst ai if achf d
i
9.
ohi t
.
'thef s r es t t ori ia i t atan i vdu i an a t ne or ha an
ll ale epr en a i
l
on mpl t h
c on
y ndii als tor y t t y
com m uni i i fom an ator ,' 1 U. C.j1 2e( ,
caton s r
t ney ' 5 S.
69 3) and 'the t ea t t e an
'l hr t o ak y
I
acton t cannotI l be t
i hat
egal
y
aken ort i noti ended t be t
hat s
nt
o
aken.' 1 U. C.
5 S. j
1 e( . Br chel ct Pl n i' d
692 5) a f d i
es ait f epost t t y asevdenc t a n Br h el
fs
ion es i
i
mon
i e h t o ac f d
r esent i everr esent t he orshe was an ator durng any oft
epr
atves
epr
ed hat
t ney i
he
t ephone cal and t no Br el r es atve evert eat
el
l
s
hat
achf d epr ent i
hr ened t t l
o ake egal
a t ag n tPl n i .Oppo t a 9 ( t g Cr po Dep..
ci
on ais ait f
f
sion t cin es
i
i
)
I Opposii Pl ntf st es t he bel
n
ton, ai if at hat
i
eved he r ved t ephone cal fom
ecei el
l r
s
ator
t neys because,durng t fr t phone cal he r ved, Br el
i he ist wo
l
s
ecei
achf d
r esent i i ii t sel as cali fom ' t ney Erca Br el s ofi .''
epr
atves dentfed hem ves
l r ' or
ng
at
i
achf d' fce
Cr poAf. N 3 5.Si l l Pl n i s a e t tdurn hi fr tc
es
fI - mi y, aitf t t s ha ig s i ommunc tonwi a
ar
f
s
ia i t
h
Br el r esent i he was t d t ' need . . . t nam e and num berofyour
achf d epr
atve,
ol hat d
we
he
ator ey' I 1 3. Ont s r or t e Cour fn t atPl n i ha de s r ed t a a
t n . d. 1
'
hi ec d, h
t ids h ait f s mon tat h t
f
di ed i
sput ssue ofm at i f texi s as t whet com m uni i Br el m ade t
eral ac st
o
her
catons achf d
o
Pl ntf wer f sel aleged t be fom an ator . See Rosenau v.Uniund Cor ,
ai if e al y l
o
r
t ney
f
p.
53 F.d 21 22 ( d Ci. 008 ( ol ng t a deb c l t Iterfom c l t
9 3 8, 4 3 r 2 ) h di h t t ol i e t r ol i
ec on
ec on
com pany' 'egaldeparm ent'whi i f em pl
s'
l
t
, ch n act
'
oyed no ator
t neys, coul be
d
i er et as m eani t ator
nt pr ed
ng hat t neys had pl
ayed r e i wrtng orsendi I t , and
ol n ii
ng eter
t usqu ied asm il n und FDCPA)
h
ali
f
seadig er
.
By contast Pl ntf has pr ded no evi
r , ai if
ovi
dence t Br el evert eat
hat achf d
hr ened t
o
t eI
ak egal i agai hi i he di notpay hi debt W hen asked athi deposii
acton
nst m f
d
s
s
ton
.
7
whe h h wa e ert eat d wi Ii ton, ait fs aed un i c l t t'n o.
t er e s v hr ene t iga i Pl n i t t
ht
f
equvo al ha ' )
y
(
The conver i nevergott t poi . espo Dep.at68: 18. Pl ntf'
satons
o hat nt'
'Cr
13ai i s
f
Opp ionan Afi vif lo addr swh s
ost
i d f t ait
da
es y ummar j dgmen s l no be gr t
yu
t houd t
an ed
t Br chel ont s isu Ac or ngl Br chel s mo i f s
o a f d hi s e. c di y, a f d' t or ummar j dgmen a t
on
yu
tso
CountIIi gr ed onl as t al
I s ant
y
o l i t Br el t eat
egatons hat achf d hr ened Pl ntf wih I
ai if t egal
acton i he di notpay hi debtort eat
i f
d
s
hr ened t t e I
o ak egalacton i coul notot wi
i t
d
her se
I l i tt e.
egal ns iut 3
y
E. A Di
sput I
ed ssue ofMat i FactExi s as t W het t Oct
eral
st
o
her he
ober4.2010
Tel phone Conver i w as a Com m uni i under15 U. C.q 1692a( orFl
e
saton
caton
S.
2)
a.
-
St t j 5 55( .
a . 59. 51
Mer an alo cai t atii en ied t s
i
di s l ms h t s t l o ummar j d
t
y u gmen on b h Coun sIan
t ot
t
d
1 because t Oct
1
he
ober4,2010 conver i t Pl ntf had wih Regi Reynol
saton hat ai if
t
na
ds
w her ' i an M anagement' l
e Merdi
'fashed on Pl ntf' cal I w as nota
ai ifs l D
er
d m uni i 'as t t m i defned undereihert FDCPA orFCCPA . M erdi
'
com
caton' hat er s i
t he
i an
Moton at7. The FDCPA defnes '
i
i ' m uni i ' 'he conveyi ofi or aton
com
caton'as '
t
ng nf m i
r dig a deb di t oridi t t an p s t ou an medi ' 1 U. C.
egar n
t r l n r l o y er on hr gh y
ec y
ec y
um. 5 S. j
'
I a separ e sec i ofis Moton,Br el ar
n
at
ton t
i
achf d gues t i i entted t
hat t s il o
su
mmar j dgmen be aus i n v 61 mi epr en ed t ati c l ton
yu
t c e t e er1 ) sr es t h t ol i
(
s ec
r e en a ieswer Iwy s; 2)t atMs Br hf d was I en ed i t e St e o Tex ;
epr s t t
v
e a er ( h
. ac el
i s n h at f as
c
( )ort atIiat wa t e en ori nen ag n tMr Cr po. Br h el Mot
3 h ig i
t on s hr at ed mmi t ais . es ' ac f d i
'
on
at10.As st ed above,t e i a genui i
at
her s
ne ssue ofmat i f tas t whet
eral ac
o
her
Br el r esent i m i epr ent t Pl ntf t t wer I
achf d epr
atves sr es ed o ai if hat hey
e awyer
s.
Addion l s
t al ummar j dgmen i pr erf rBr f d ont I i is o wh h
i y,
yu
ts op o achel
he i t s ue f et er
m ed
Br el evert eat
achf d
hr ened I i i agai tPl ntf. Fi l Br el i notent l t
igaton
t
ns ai if nal
y, achf d s
i ed o
t
s
ummar j dg tr di t e Er a Br h el al gat s.Asex aied i Pl n i
y u men egar ng h i ac f d l i
c
e on
pl n n aitfs
f
afi t Pl ntf I ed up t phone num ber he r ved cal fom and di
f
davi, ai if ook
he
s
ecei
l r
s
scover
ed
t t wer r st ed t u i an Managem entSol i
hat hey
e egi er o Merdi
utons,LLC'and nott Law
'
he
Ofie o Er a Br h el as h be r es t t hm. Cr o AE 1 7.Th ,
f f i ac f d
c
c
ad en epr en ed o i
esp
1
us
Pl ntf' al
ai ifs l i r
egatons egar ng Erca Br el r at t hi cl m s t Br el
di
i
achf d el e o s ai hat achf d
r esent i m i epr
epr
atves sr esent t t wer ator
ed hat hey
e t neys i vi aton of15 U. C.
n ol i
S.
j1 e( .
692 3)
8
1
692a( . The de i t o ' ommuniat 'un t e FCCPA i i t al Fl St t j
2)
fnion f'
i
c
c i ' der h
on
s den i . a. a .
c
5 55 5) Ac or n t Mer an,ti a c
59. ( . c dig o i i s ompan ' n
di
y i ame onl'and i no eng ed i
n
y' s t ag n
t debtcol ton busi
he
l i
ec
ness. Merdi M oton at8.4 Merdi f
i an
i
i an udhercont
ends t t
hat he
O c ober4,2010 conver i i whi Pl ntf com pl ned abouthow Br el
t
saton n ch ai if
ai
achf d
r esent i handl debtcol i cal was nota ' m uni i 'becaus i was
epr
atves
ed
l on l
ect
s
'
com
caton'
et
nota conver i aboutdebt
saton
.
The FDCPA does notest i ' cat i r e t onl an expl tdem and
abl a egorcal ul hat y
sh
i
ci
f paym entwi qualy as a com m uni i m ade i connecton wih t col ton ofa
or
l
l
i
f
caton
n
i
t he l i
ec
debt' Gbur v.Li on Loan Ser ci LP, 61 F. 380,
.
'
ek
t
t
vi nc
4 3d
385 ( t Ci. 0)
7 h r 201 .
Det m i ng whet som et ng i a ' m uni i 'undert FDCPA i ves
er ni
her
hi s '
com
caton'
he
nvol
I ng att woul be com m uni i s pur
ooki
he
dcaton'
pose, and t cont i whi iwas
he
ext n ch t
m ade. I at386. Her Pl ntf r ved a debtr at phone calfom Def
d.
e, ai if ecei
-el ed
lr
endant on
s
Oc ober4,2010 and ask t speak t a super sor Cr sp Af. 6. Foureen
t
ed o
o
vi
e o f%
t
.
Mer an al s n y mov sf su
i
di so eemigl
e or mmar j dgmen on t e gr ds
yu
t h oun
t Merdi i nota '
hat
i an s
'
debtcol or' defned undert FDCPA orFCCPA . The
l
ect 'as i
he
FDCPA defnes '
i '
debtcol t 'as d per who uses any i r ent iy of
l or' '
ec
any son
nstum al
t
i er at com m er ort m ai i any busi
nt st e
ce
he
l n
s
ness t prnci pur
he i pal pose ofwhi i t
ch s he
col i ofany debt orwho r ary col t oratem pt t col t diecty or
l on
ect
s,
egul l
l s
ec
t
so l , r l
ec
i r l debt owed ordue orasseded t be owed ordue anot '1 U. C.
ndiecty,
s
o
her ' 5 S. j
.
1 2a( ) s alo Fl St . 559.5( whih ha a smi de i t Al ou
69 6 ' ee s a. at j
,
5 6) c s i l fnion. t gh
ar
i
h
Merdi cies deposii t i ony fom Ral Ayal t M erdi i nota f i ng
i an t
ton estm
r
ph
a hat
i an s
unctoni
com pany and has notengaged i col i actviy,Pl ntf cont
n l on i t ai if
ect
ends t ' ERI AN
hat M
DI
M GMT'appear on hi cal i w hen he r ved a debtcolecton cal on Oct
'
ed
s l d
er
ecei
l i
l
ober4,
201 Cr poAf. 6.Addio l,
0. es
fV
t nal when h I k u t e phon n
i y
e oo ed p h
e umber f t e
s or h
cal he r ved,bot num ber wer r st ed t M erdi Managem entSol i ,
l
s
ecei
h
s
e egi er o
i an
utons
LLC. $ . 7.W h Plit fs e wi Ashey Myl ,h wast d t a ' i an
=%
en an i pok t
f
h l
es e
ol h t Merdi
M anagem entand t Br el Law Gr
he achf d
oup i an entt wihi i f' l 1 9.Chr
s
iy t n t
sel ' d. 1
i
s
Savoy al i or ed Pl ntf t Merdi M anagement's a sit com pany oft
so nf m
ai if hat
i an
i
s er
he
.
.
Br el Law Gr ' J ! 1 Thu , he Cou fn t atPl n i h demon tat a
achf d
oup. #= 1 0. s t
'
d ids h aitf as
f
s r ed
.
di ed i
sput ssue ofm at i f tas t w het M erdi i a debtcol t undert
eral ac
o
her
i an s
l or
ec
he
FDCPA and FCCPA.
9
m i es I er Regi Reynol cal Pl ntf. I Durng t phone cal,Pl ntf
nut at ,
na
ds l
ed ai if d.
i he
l ai if
i cat t he bel
ndi ed hat
i
eved Def
endant wer vi atng t FDC PA. I Addii l
s
e ol i he
d
tonal
y,
.
b f r t e c l o , Re nol t d Pl n i 'so t ts h w youtyt g to to
e o e h alwas ver Ms. y ds ol ait f' l ha ' o
fE
r o e u f
payi yourdebt ' I Based on t s r d,Pl ntf has est i
ng
s. d.
hi ecor ai if
abl
shed t t Oct
hat he ober
4,2010 phone calr at t 'nf m aton r
l el ed o i or i egar ng a debtdiecty ori r ty ' See
di
r l
ndiec l '
.
1 U. C. 1
5 S. j 692a( 'Fl St t j 5 554 ) Th Mer ans mot f su
2) a. a . 59. 5 . us, i '
,
di
i or mmar
on
y
j dgmen a t Couns I d 1ont e ba st att eywer n tc
u
tso
t an 1 h si h h
e o ommunc ton wi n
ia i s t
hi
t m eani oft FDCPA and FCCPA i deni
he
ng
he
s
ed.
F.A Di ed I
sput ssue ofMat i FactExi s as t W het Pl nt/ i Entted t
eral
st
o
her ai i s
il o
NpnEconom i Dam ages Rel ed t Em otonalDi r
c
at o
i
stess.
Bot Merdi an Br chel c t d t at he ar en ied t s
h i an d a f d on en h t y e t l o umma yj gmen
t
r ud
t
on Pl ntf' cl m s f nonai i s ai or
f
econom i dam ages r at t em otonalditess because
c
el ed o
i
sr
Pl ntf has notest i
ai if
abl
shed t el ent ofan i entonali l i ofem otonal
he em s
nt i
nfi on
ct
i
di r cl m . Merdi M oton at8'Br el Moton at11. Def
stess ai
i an
i
, achf d
i
5
endant assedi
s'
ons
aboutt I ar i r t The FDCPA per is a pady t r
he aw e ncorec .
mt
o ecover' act dam age
any ual
su t n b s ch p s a a r sul' fan FDCPA volton. 1 U. C. 1 2k a)1 .
saied y u er on s e t o
'
i ai
5 S. j 69 ( ( )
Th F
e CCPA smi l p ovdest tlal yper onwhof l t c ywi an pr vii
i l y r i ha ' n
ar
l
s
ai o ompl t y o son
s
h
ofs.559. i I e f ac ualdam ages and f addii
72 s i
abl or t
or
tonals at or dam ages as t
t ut y
he
cour may al butnotexceedi $1, t herwih cour cost and r
t
l
ow,
ng 000,oget
t
t s
easonabl
e
Br hf d mo esf s
ac el v or ummar j dgmen ont s gr ds un Coun 11
yu
t he e oun
der
t 1,
Pl ntf' FDCPA cl m . Br el M oton at11. M erdi m oves f sum m ar
ai ifs
ai
achf d
i
i an
or
y
j dgmen on Coun I Pl n i ' FCCPA cl m. Mer an Mo i a 8. Th ar
u
t
t I ait f
,
fs
ai
i
di
ton t
e gumen i
tn
bot M otons i i i .
h
i
s dentcal
10
ator e sf i ured byt e pai i ' Fl St t j 5 774 .
t n y' ees nc r
h l nt ' a. a . 59. 2)6
E
Cours i er etng t FDCPA have al
t nt pr i he
l
owed r
ecover f act dam ages r at
y or ual
el ed
t em otonaldi r w ihoutpl ng an i entonali l i ofem otonaldi r
o
i
stess t
eadi
nt i
nfi on
ct
i
stess
cl m .Lauf an v.Phii & Bur I ,No.8: cvai
m
lns
l
ns. nc.
07- 2171- 23M SS,2008 W L 190604,
T-
a * ( D.Fl J 22,
t 2 M. a. an. 2008 ( yi d en t mo i f s
) den ng ef dan ' ton or ummar u
s
yj dgmen on
t
pl ntf' em otonal s r dam ages undert FDCPA because pl ntf had
ai if
s
i
ditess
he
ai if
e t l ed va afi vtt the s fer emo i al s r s ; ly v Gi i e, F.
s abi
sh i f i ha
da
u f ed
t
on dites l Ri . guer 631
e
Sup 2d 1 5,1 5 ( D. .
p. 29 31 E. Cal2009 ( ol ngt a t an wasno r r t p o e t e
) h di h t en t
t equi o r v h
ed
el
ement f a cl m f i entonali l ton ofem otonaldi r underCalor a l i
s or ai or nt i
nfi i
c
i
stess
i ni aw n
f
or er o r o erdama f emo i dites r a e t volton o FDCPAI Smi
d t ec v
ges or t
onal sr s elt d o i a i f
; t
h
v. aw Ofieso Mi elN. ,1 4 B. 1 2, 89 ( Del 1 )( c ual
L
f
c f t l Kay 2 R. 8 1 D. . 991 a t dama f r
ch
ges o
W hi t e i no Fl i cas w her a pl ntf r
l her s
e
orda
e
e
ai if ecover dam ages
ed
r at t em otonal stess undert FCCPA,couds i er etng t FDCPA have
el ed o
i
di r
he
nt pr i he
al
l
owed r
ecover f ac ual
y or t dam ages r at t emotonal s r
el ed o
i ditess. Addii l t
tonal he
y,
M i e Dit itofFl i has al
ddl s rc
orda
l
owed a pl ntf t r
ai if o ecoveract dam ages r at t
ual
el ed o
em otonal stess undert FCCPA. Bar v.Tom lnson,No. 05- 1390- 27EAJ,
i di r
he
ker
i
8: CVT-
20 W L 1 796 a * ( D.Fl J e 7, 06)(i n t atpl n i s oul b
06
6 45, t 3 M. a. un 20 f g h ait f h d e
ndi
f
awar acual
ded t damagesof$10, 00 underFCCPA f t f ,anxi y,
000.
or he ear
et
emb r s t an em o i dites c s b def
aras men , d
t
onal sr s au ed y endan) Furher e,he
t. t mor t
FCCPA pr des t :d hi i t s par shal be cons r t I i orr titt
ovi
hat '
Not ng n hi
t
l
tued o i t es rc he
m
contnued appl ly oft f alFai DebtCol i Pr i Actt consumer
i
i i
cabit
he eder
r
l on actces
ect
o
col ton pr tces i t s st e.Thi pad i i addii t t r r
l i
ec
ac i
n hi at
s
sn
ton o he equiement and
s
r atons oft f
egul i
he eder ac .I t eventofany i
al t n he
nconsi ency bet
st
ween any pr si
ovi on
oft s par and any pr si oft f
hi
t
ovi on he eder ac ,t pr si whi i m or pr ec i
al t he ovi on ch s
e ot tve
o t e c u ordeb ors l e ai'Fl St t j 55 552.Thus t t e exen t at
f h ons mer
t halpr v l' a. a . 9.
.
,o h t t h
t FDCPA al
he
l r
ows ecover f dam ages r at t emotonalditess,t FCCPA
y or
el ed o
i
sr
he
coul be i er et t al si i r
d
nt pr ed o l
ow m l ecover
ar
y.
11
em otonaldi r undert FDCPA can be pr
i
stess
he
oved i
ndependenty ofst e I
l
at aw
r iemen sf it t
equr
t or n en i ifitonofemo inal s r s cai .
onaln l i
c
to dites l m)
Her Pl ntf has t tfed vi hi afi tand deposii t he sufer
e, ai if
es ii
a s fdavi
ton hat
f ed
em otonal s r based on Def
i ditess
endant conduc . Specii l , Pl ntf s at t as a
s'
t
fcal ai if t es hat
y
r tofDef
esul
endant debtcol i ac i tes, h h ' fer d sr sr aed ij r o
s'
l on tvii
ect
e as ' f e tes elt n u i f
su
es
angi chestcons rc i
na,
titons,shock, I ofappett i
oss
i nsom ni anxi y,ner
e,
a, et
vousness,
irt ly,em barassm ent hum iaton,i gnaton, and pai and suferng. Cr
riabit
i
r
,
l i ndi i
i
n
f i ' espo Af.
'
f
! 1 7 Bas d ont sf t r c d, h Cour fn t atPl n i ha demon tat a
1 3.
e
hi acual e or t e
t ids h ait f s
f
s r ed
di ed i
sput ssue ofm at i f as t whet he m ay r
eral act o
her
ecoveract dam ages r at t
ual
el ed o
emot l s r s an De end t mot sf su
i dite s d f an s' i or mmar j dgmen ar deni
ona
on
yu
t e
ed.
G .Pl ntf i NotEntted t Punii Dam ages Undert FCCPA Aoai
ai if s
il o
tve
he
nst
Def
endantM prdi
i an.
Fi l Mer an mo esf s
nal
y, i
di
v or ummar j dgmen on Pl n i ' cai f rpu t e
yu
t
ait f l m o niv
fs
i
damages underCountI,Pl ntf' FCCPA cl m M erdi st es t i i entted t
l ai if
s
ai
i an at hat t s il o
.
s
ummar j d
y u gmen on Pl ntr cai f punt e damag b aus h ' s n t
t
ai i s l m or iv
f
i
es ec e e ' ei
ha
her
al
l
eged norpr
esent evi
ed dence ofany w if , want ori entonalm i
l ul
l
on, nt i
sconduc on t
t
he
par ofM ERI AN t suppor a cl m f punii dam ages ' Merdi M oton at10.
t
DI o
t ai or
tve
i an
i
.
The FCCPA expl ty al
i l l t coud t awar punii dam ages Fl St t j
ci
ows he
o
d
tve
a. a .
.
559. 2 .To ob ai punt e damagesf vi at o t FCCPA, h pl n i mu t
77( )
t n iv
i
or ol i f he
on
t e ait
# s
est i t t def
abl hat he endantact wih m al ous i ent Tal
sh
ed t
i
ci
nt
l
ahassee Til Co.v.Dean,
te
.
1
I hi deposii , Pl ntf al t ii ext vel abouthow t
n s
ton ai if so estfed ensi y
he
Def
endant debtcol i actvii caused hi fancee t calof t rengagem ent
s'
l on i tes
ect
si
o l f hei
.
Cr po Dep. 78:- 7: Th c Iav t ej yt as es t c e bit ofMr
es
at 9 8 25. e oud e es h ur o s s he r di ly
i
.
Cr
espo' s or aboutShei Pi and hi br
s t y
l per
a
s oken engagem ent
.
1
2
411So.d 20 205 ( a. s . . 1 )( in Hari v.
2 4,
Fl Dit Ct App.982 ct g r Bene ii Fi Co.o
i
s
fcal p.
f
J k on ie,3 So. *9 20 ( a.97 ) ' ie ..i t a wr f ac do
ac s vl 38 2d 1 6, 0 FI 1 6). Mal . mpors ong ul t ne
l
c
t ifitij yorwi ou a r onabe c s orex us ' Dean a 205 0
o n l nur
c
t t eas
h
l au e
c e.
'
t - 6.
I O pposii Pl ntf s at t he i entted t punii dam ages undert
n
ton, ai if t es hat s il o
tve
he
FCCPA because Merdi 'm per
i an '
i
sonat ator
ed t neys . . . used t nam e ' ofi
he
I
aw f
ce'
know i f l l hatconsum er lk m e woul t t t m ean t ator
ng ulwelt
s ie
d ake hat o
hat t neyswer
e
cali and ...di t s i entonal wih r ess di egar f how t consum er
l
ng,
d hi nt i l t eckl
y,
sr
d or
he
woul t such r esent i ' Cr
d ake
epr
atons. espo Af $ 1 Th Cour fn t tont i
'
f 3. e
t ids ha
hs
.
r d,Pl ntf as t non- ng pary,has notpr
ecor ai it he
movi
t
esent sufi entafimatve
ed fci
fr i
evi
dence t suppor mal ous i enton t par ofMerdi . See Si m ons v.W ash.
o
t i
ci
nt
he t
i an
m
M ut Fi ,l ,No.8: CV. n. nc.
06- 01613JDW TBM , 2007 W L 6 01, t* ( D. a.Feb.
411 a 2 M. Fl
2 200 ( ol ngt tPl n i di no esabl h mal i s it tent l h t pu t e
6, 7) h di ha aitf d t t i
f
s
i ou n en ii er o niv
c
tng
i
dam agesw hen she m er y al
el l
eged t def
hat endants r es atves i entonal and
' epr ent i nt i l
y
wif l har
lul
l y assed Pl ntf i an abusi manneron num er occasi by atem ptng
ai if n
ve
ous
ons
t
i
t c l ta d tt t'h De en tkn w t Pl n i di n o '. c digl,
o ol
ec eb ha ' e f dan e he ait f d ot we' Ac or n y
t
f
)
Mer an' mo i f s
i s t or ummar j men i g an ed ast Coun l,n s f asPl n if
di
on
y udg t s r t
o
t l i o ar
ait
f
m ay notseek punii dam ages undert FCCPA
tve
he
.
11 CO NCLUSI
1.
ON
I l oft f egoi i i ORDERED AND ADJUDG ED as f l
ni
ght he or ng, t s
ol
ows:
13
1.
De en tTh Br ch el La Gr P. ' Mo i f Su
f dan e a f d w oup, C. ton or mmar Ju
S
y dgmen (
t DE
34 i DENI I PART and GRANTED I PART;
)s
ED N
N
AI cl m s i Pl ntf Com pl ntagai tDef
I ai n ai ifs
ai
ns
endantThe Br el Law G r ,
achf d
oup
P. sur ve exceptf Pl ntf' cl m s underCountIIt Br el
C. vi
or ai i s ai
f
I hat achf d
t eat
hr ened t t I
o ake egalacton agai Pl ntf;
i
nst ai if
3.
Def
endantM erdi M anagem entSol i , LLC' Moton f Sum m ar
i an
utons
S
i or
y
J dgme t( 35 i DENI I PART AND GRANTED I PART;
u
n DE ) s
ED N
N
and
4.
AIcl m s i Pl ntf' Com pl ntagai tDef
I ai n ai ifs
ai
ns
endantM erdi Managem ent
i an
Sol i
utons,LLC sur ve exceptf Pl ntf' cl ms underCount1 f punii
vi
or ai ifs ai
1 or
tve
dam ages.
DO NE AND O RDERED i Cham ber at or Lauder e,Br
n
s
t
dal
owar Count
d
y,
ti dyo s pe e,
hs a f etmb r2011.
lf
Fl i
orda,
I
JAM E 1 CO HN
.
Unie St es Di rctJudge
t
at
st i
1
4
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