Markette et al v. HSBC Bank USA, National Association
Filing
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MEMORANDUM Opinion and Order signed by the Honorable Andrea R. Wood on 3/11/2019. Mailed notice(ef, )
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
EASTERN DIVISION
JAMES MARKETTE, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
HSBC BANK, USA, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION, as Trustee for SG
Mortgage Securities Trust 2006-FRE1,
Asset-Backed Certificates Series 2006-FRE1,
et al.,
Defendants.
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No. 15-cv-05271
Judge Andrea R. Wood
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
After Plaintiffs James and Barbara Markette (“Markettes”) fell behind on their residential
mortgage payments, Defendant HSBC Bank, USA, National Association (“HSBC”), as trustee of
the securitized trust that included the Markette’s mortgage, initiated a foreclosure action in Illinois
state court. The Markettes later brought this lawsuit alleging that HSBC and its legal counsel,
Defendant Anselmo Lindberg Oliver LLC (“ALO,” and collectively with HSBC, “Defendants”),
employed unfair and deceptive methods of debt collection in the foreclosure action. This Court
granted HSBC’s and ALO’s motions to dismiss the original complaint without prejudice and
granted the Markettes leave to amend. In their First Amended Complaint (“FAC”), the Markettes
now assert claims against Defendants under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”),
15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq., and the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act
(“ICFA”), 815 ILCS 505/1 et seq. Both HSBC and ALO have again filed motions to dismiss.
(Dkt. Nos. 81, 85.) Because this action is barred by the doctrine of res judicata, the Court grants
Defendants’ motions.
BACKGROUND
The following facts taken from the FAC are accepted as true and viewed in the light most
favorable to the Markettes. E.g., Apex Digital, Inc. v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 572 F.3d 440, 443–
44 (7th Cir. 2009).
On August 27, 2010, Defendant HSBC filed a complaint in Illinois state court seeking to
foreclose upon the Markettes’ Fox Lake, Illinois home. (FAC ¶¶ 4, 32; FAC Ex. D, Dkt. No. 794.) While not a party to the state-court action, ALO was HSBC’s counsel.1 (FAC Ex. D.) A week
after filing the foreclosure complaint, HSBC, through its attorneys at ALO, recorded a lis
pendens. (Id. ¶ 38.) However, the lis pendens inaccurately transcribed the name of the foreclosure
plaintiff and failed to provide the foreclosure plaintiff’s address. (Id.)
Prior to the commencement of the foreclosure action, the Markettes entered into a loanmodification agreement with the mortgage servicer, Wells Fargo, N.A., doing business as
America’s Servicing Company (“ASC”). (Id. ¶¶ 7, 28, 43.) The Markettes were able to make the
modified payments on their mortgage until April 1, 2009. (Id. ¶¶ 31, 45.) The previous month, the
Home Affordable Modification Program (“HAMP”) went into effect. (Id. ¶ 46.) Pursuant to
HAMP Supplemental Directive 09-01, a “borrower that is current or less than 60 days delinquent
who contacts the servicer for a modification, appears potentially eligible for a modification, and
claims a hardship must be screened for imminent default.” (Id. ¶ 12.) If the servicer determines
that default is imminent, it must apply the Net Present Value test. (Id. ¶ 13.) Yet the Markettes
continuously applied to ACS for a loan modification over the next four years only to receive often
confusing and contradictory computer-generated correspondence informing the Markettes that
1
In the FAC, the Markettes refer to Defendants collectively in factual allegations related to the foreclosure
action. However, given that only HSBC was a named plaintiff in that action, the Court will refer only to
HSBC when discussing an FAC allegation related to the foreclosure action unless it specifically addresses
ALO’s acts as HSBC’s counsel.
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ACS lost or did not receive certain documents and requesting that they provide those documents.
(Id. ¶¶ 47–49.) And when ACS did recognize that the Markettes had submitted a complete
application, it would inform them that their financial information had expired and that they would
have to submit a new application. (Id. ¶ 50.) Ultimately, ACS denied the Markettes’ modification
request on October 4, 2012, stating that they had not demonstrated a long-term financial hardship.
(Id. ¶ 104.)
Because the Markettes’ mortgage was originated by Fremont Investment & Loan, and they
had communicated with ASC regarding their modification requests, the Markettes were not aware
that HSBC held any interest in their mortgage until the initiation of the foreclosure action. (FAC
¶¶ 26, 30, 34.) Consequently, they filed an answer and affirmative defense to the foreclosure
complaint asserting that there was not a valid assignment to HSBC. (Id. ¶ 39.) When the
Markettes challenged HSBC’s standing during a hearing before the foreclosure court on HSBC’s
motion for summary judgment, the court ordered HSBC to produce an original copy of the note
underlying the Markettes’ mortgage. (Id. ¶ 41.) However, HSBC failed to produce the original
note at the next hearing. (Id. ¶ 42.) During discovery, HSBC objected to all of the Markettes’
requests and produced only a payment history and a copy of an Assignment of Mortgage. (Id.
¶¶ 110–11.) The Assignment of Mortgage indicated that it was executed on August 27, 2010—the
same day that the foreclosure action was initiated. (Id. ¶ 112.) It also stated that the “instrument
serves to memorialize the transfer of this mortgage which has previously taken place.” (Id. ¶ 113.)
The Markettes then sought to add an affirmative defense based on the backdating language in the
Assignment of Mortgage and HSBC’s failure to produce the original note. (Id. ¶ 116.) An ALO
attorney prepared and signed a response to the Markettes’ new affirmative defense, which stated
that the note “carries an indorsement in blank,” possession of the note by either the payee or
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endorsee “is prima facie evidence of ownership,” and HSBC was “presumed to be an innocent
holder in due course.” (Id. ¶ 118.)
In a series of motions and affidavits associated with its motion for summary judgment,
HSBC submitted a Lost Note Affidavit, a Loss Mitigation Affidavit, and a motion to correct
misnomer. (Id. ¶¶ 119–21.) The Lost Note Affidavit stated that an original version of the note
underlying the Markettes’ mortgage had been lost. (Id. ¶ 120.) Although the Lost Note Affidavit
was dated April 18, 2013, it was only filed with the court fourteen months later on June 10, 2014.
(Id. ¶ 123.) Thus, the affidavit predated by eight days the representation made in HSBC’s
response to the Markettes’ affirmative defense that HSBC had possession of the note. (Id. ¶ 124.)
Moreover, at the time the Lost Note Affidavit was executed, the Markettes had multiple discovery
requests outstanding concerning the custody and care of the note. (Id. ¶¶ 126, 128–29.) In the
Loss Mitigation Affidavit, HSBC certified its compliance with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 114,
which requires compliance with all applicable loss mitigation programs. (Id. ¶ 121.) Finally, the
motion to correct misnomer informed the foreclosure court that the action’s caption had
incorrectly named the foreclosure plaintiff as HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Trustee
for SG Mortgage Securities Trust 2006-FRE1, when the plaintiff should have been named as
HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Trustee for SG Mortgage Securities Trust 2006FRE1, Asset Backed Certificate Securities 2006-FRE1. (FAC ¶ 120; FAC Ex. HH, Dkt. No. 7934.)
Following these disclosures by HSBC, the Markettes filed a motion for discovery
sanctions. (FAC ¶ 131.) In its response, HSBC claimed that it never alleged it was a holder in due
course of the note, despite representations to the contrary in its response to the Markettes’
affirmative defense. (Id.) It further stated that the parties never held a conference to resolve
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discovery disputes, as required by Illinois Supreme Court Rule 201(k). (Id. ¶ 132.) Subsequently,
however, the Markettes supplied evidence that such a conference was held. (Id. ¶ 133.) Yet, at a
hearing before the foreclosure court, an ALO attorney once again insisted that such a conference
had never occurred. (Id. ¶ 133–34.) The foreclosure court would later admonish ALO for its
attorney’s misrepresentation. (Id. ¶ 136.) At the same hearing, an ALO attorney informed the
foreclosure court that the note underlying the Markettes’ mortgage had a blank endorsement. (Id.
¶ 135.) After the foreclosure court observed that a copy of the note contradicted that
representation, the ALO attorney claimed that he misspoke and the note was specially endorsed to
HSBC. (Id.) The ALO attorney’s concession also contradicted HSBC’s claim in its response to
the Markettes’ affirmative defense that the note carried a blank endorsement. (Id. ¶¶ 118, 139.)
Ultimately, on November 8, 2016, the foreclosure court entered an Order Approving Sale
and for Possession against the Markettes. (Id. ¶ 141.) It further entered a personal deficiency
judgment of $368,200.67 against the Markettes. (Id. ¶ 142.) Shortly thereafter, the Markettes
vacated their home. (Id. ¶ 143.)
DISCUSSION
To survive a motion under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6), “a complaint must
contain sufficient factual allegations, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to relief that is plausible
on its face.’” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (quoting Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550
U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). This pleading standard does not necessarily require a complaint to contain
detailed factual allegations. Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555. Rather, “[a] claim has facial plausibility
when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference
that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Adams v. City of Indianapolis, 742 F.3d
720, 728 (7th Cir. 2014) (quoting Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678).
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In the FAC, the Markettes bring six claims against Defendants. Five of those claims arise
under the FDCPA; one consists of a state-law claim under the IFCA. Both Defendants contend
that all the Markettes’ claims are now precluded by the doctrine of res judicata due to the
foreclosure court’s confirmation of the judicial sale of the Markettes’ home.2
Under the doctrine of res judicata, “a final judgment rendered by a court of competent
jurisdiction on the merits is conclusive as to the rights of the parties and their privies, and, as to
them, constitutes an absolute bar to a subsequent action involving the same claim, demand, or
cause of action.” Arlin-Golf, LLC v. Vill. of Arlington Heights, 631 F.3d 818, 821 (7th Cir. 2011)
(quoting Nowak v. St. Rita High Sch., 757 N.E.2d 471, 477 (Ill. 2001)). Because the prior
judgment was entered by an Illinois state court, this Court will look to Illinois law to determine
whether res judicata applies. Chi. Title Land Trust Co. v. Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Sales
Ltd., 664 F.3d 1075, 1079 (7th Cir. 2011). For res judicata to preclude a subsequent action, there
must be: “(1) a final judgment on the merits rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction; (2)
identity of cause of action; and (3) identity of parties or their privies.” Hudson v. City of Chicago,
889 N.E.2d 210, 215 (Ill. 2008). When those three elements are met, “res judicata will bar not
only every matter that was actually determined in the first suit, but also every matter that might
have been raised and determined in that suit.” Rein v. David A. Noyes & Co., 665 N.E.2d 1199,
1205 (Ill. 1996). That is because res judicata is meant to “promote judicial economy by requiring
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Defendants did not raise res judicata in their motions to dismiss the original complaint because the
judicial sale was not confirmed until after the Court granted Defendants’ motions. The Court further
observes that res judicata is an affirmative defense, and so the proper procedure would have been for
Defendants to plead it as an affirmative defense and then move for judgment on the pleadings under
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(c). However, the Seventh Circuit has held that the procedural error of
raising an affirmative defense in a Rule 12(b)(6) motion is “of no consequence” when the court has in front
of it all it needs to rule on the defense. See Carr v. Tillery, 591 F.3d 909, 913 (7th Cir. 2010). Moreover,
Rule 12(c) motions are reviewed under the same standard as motions to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6). E.g.,
Pisciotta v. Old Nat’l Bancorp., 499 F.3d 629, 633 (7th Cir. 2007). Accordingly, the Court will proceed to
decide the issue as presented in the current motion.
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parties to litigate, in one case, all rights arising out of the same set of operative facts.” River Park,
Inc. v. City of Highland Park, 703 N.E.2d 883, 896 (Ill. 1998) (internal quotation marks omitted).
As to the first element, the Markettes do not attempt to argue that there was no final
judgment on the merits rendered by the state court. Indeed, there is no question that the
foreclosure court entered a final judgment against the Markettes when it confirmed the judicial
sale of their home. See EMC Mortg. Corp. v. Kemp, 982 N.E.2d 152, 154 (Ill. 2012) (“[I]t is the
order confirming the sale, rather than the judgment of foreclosure, that operates as the final and
appealable order in a foreclosure case.”). Nor do the Markettes squarely contest that there is an
identity of parties between this action and the foreclosure action. Although the Markettes
obliquely question whether ALO was in privity with HSBC in the foreclosure action, it is wellestablished that an attorney, while not a party in a prior action, is nonetheless in privity with the
party it represents in that action. Henry v. Farmer City State Bank, 808 F.2d 1228, 1235 n.6 (7th
Cir. 1986); Lihter v. Pierce, No. 16 C 50080, 2016 WL 4771370, at *3 (N.D. Ill. Sept. 13, 2016)
(“There is an identity of parties or their privies because plaintiffs were parties to the prior action
and defendant was the attorney for a party and thus in privity for res judicata purposes.”);
Guerriero v. Merit Lincoln Park, LLC, No. 08 C 2388, 2008 WL 4696070, at *3 (N.D. Ill. Oct.
22, 2008) (“Illinois law clearly establishes that employees, attorneys, and officers of a defendant
entity in a prior suit are in privity with the defendant for purposes of res judicata.”).
The Markettes mainly contend that res judicata does not preclude this action because
Defendants have not shown an identity of the causes of action. Illinois courts employ a
transactional test in determining whether two claims are the same for res judicata purposes. ArlinGolf, 631 F.3d at 821. The transactional test provides that “separate claims will be considered the
same cause of action for purposes of res judicata if they arise from a single group of operative
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facts, regardless of whether they assert different theories of relief.” Id. (internal quotation marks
omitted) (quoting River Park, 703 N.E.2d at 893).
Here, the Markettes assert that there is no identity of causes of action because the present
claims and the state foreclosure action arise from different sets of operative facts. For support,
they cite St. John v. CACH, LLC, No. 14 C 0733, 2014 WL 3377354 (N.D. Ill. July 8, 2014),
aff’d, 822 F.3d 388 (7th Cir. 2016). There, the earlier judgment involved a state-court debt
collection action brought by CACH, LLC (“CACH”), an entity seeking to collect from a debtor
that failed to make payments on two different credit card accounts that CACH claimed to own. Id.
at *1. At issue was whether CACH was the actual owner of the accounts. Id. After the state court
dismissed CACH’s suit for lack of standing, the debtor brought FDCPA claims against CACH in
federal court based on CACH’s false and misleading statements made in connection with the
state-court action. Id. at *2. When the debtor claimed that res judicata barred CACH from
asserting ownership of the accounts, the court held that because the debtor’s credit-card debt predated “CACH’s filing of the state court debt collection action and CACH’s conduct during the
state court action, there is no identity of causes of actions under Illinois law because the claims
arise from different sets of operative facts.” Id. at *4.
However, in St. John, the state court focused only on the debtor’s credit-card debt and the
action was quickly resolved in the debtor’s favor on a motion to dismiss. Id. at *4. Thus, the state
court never had an opportunity to address CACH’s conduct in those proceedings. By contrast,
here, the purportedly wrongful debt-collection activities underlying the Markettes’ FDCPA claims
were actually litigated before the foreclosure court. See Kane v. Bank of Am., N.A., 338 F. Supp.
3d 866, 874 (N.D. Ill. 2018) (finding that res judicata applied where plaintiff “did not just have
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the option of presenting positions in the state foreclosure suit that . . . are identical to his claims in
federal court” but “actually did so”).
In the foreclosure action, the Markettes submitted briefs in response to the motion for
summary judgment and in support of their cross-motion for summary judgment that addressed,
among other things, the misnomer in the case caption, issues concerning the assignment of the
note, HSBC’s failure to produce the original note, and HSBC’s failure to adhere to loss mitigation
requirements. (Mem. in Support of HSBC Bank’s Mot. to Dismiss the FAC, Ex. 2, Dkt. No. 82-2;
see also Mem. in Support of HSBC Bank’s Mot. to Dismiss the FAC, Ex. 3, Dkt. No. 83-3.) And
the FAC itself shows that the Markettes complained to the foreclosure court about purported
misconduct committed by ALO attorneys over the course of the foreclosure proceedings. (E.g.,
FAC ¶¶ 136-37.) The Markettes fail to identify any issue in this action that was not already
litigated before the foreclosure court. Thus, the Markettes cannot contend that this lawsuit did not
arise from the same set of operative facts as the foreclosure proceeding, when the same facts
underlying this action were actively litigated in the earlier proceeding. And to the extent that any
misconduct forming the basis of the Markettes’ FDCPA claims was not raised in state court, there
is simply no basis for the Markettes to claim that they did not have an opportunity to litigate that
misconduct fully in the earlier proceeding. Indeed, from the time the complaint was filed to entry
of final judgment, the foreclosure action was litigated for over six years.
Moreover, the St. John court’s holding was based on Seventh Circuit precedent
establishing that there is not an identity between debt-attachment and debt-collection actions
because the two are “matters separated by time and purpose.” Whitaker v. Ameritech Corp., 129
F.3d 952, 958 (7th Cir. 1997). Yet, here, “the transaction has always been the same: a state court
action to foreclose on [the Markettes’] mortgage.” Byrd v. Homecomings Fin. Network, 407 F.
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Supp. 2d 937, 945 (N.D. Ill. 2005). Thus, the alleged FDCPA violations “stem from the action for
foreclosure” and Defendants’ “inextricably linked actions to recover money [the Markettes] owed
on [their] mortgage.” Id.; see also Bozek v. Bank of Am., N.A., No. 17 CV 4672, 2018 WL
1334933, at *6 (N.D. Ill. Mar. 15, 2018) (finding that the plaintiff’s federal claims, including an
FDCPA claim, arose from the same operative facts as prior state court foreclosure action and thus
was precluded by res judicata); Ruffino v. Bank of Am., N.A., No. 13 C 50124, 2013 WL 5519456,
at *4 (N.D. Ill. Oct. 3, 2013) (holding that FDCPA claim based on facts giving rise to earlier state
court foreclosure proceedings was barred by res judicata). Therefore, because all the elements of
res judicata are satisfied, the FAC is dismissed with prejudice.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, Defendants’ motions to dismiss (Dkt. Nos. 81, 85) are granted.
The FAC is dismissed with prejudice based on res judicata.
ENTERED:
Dated: March 11, 2019
__________________________
Andrea R. Wood
United States District Judge
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