Bridge v. Credit One Financial
Filing
94
ORDER Granting 92 Stipulation Permitting Filing of First Amended Complaint. Signed by Judge Lloyd D. George on 6/25/2015. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF - DC)
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92 Filed 06/25/15 Page 1 of 2
1
JOINTLY SUBMITTED
2
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
3
DISTRICT OF NEVADA
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
William Bridge, on behalf of himself and all :
others similarly situated,
:
:
Plaintiff,
:
vs.
:
:
Credit One Financial, a Nevada Corporation :
:
d/b/a Credit One Bank, N.A.,
:
:
Defendant.
_______________________________________ :
Case No.: 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK
STIPULATION AND [PROPOSED]
ORDER PERMITTING FILING OF
FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
The parties to the above-captioned action respectfully jointly submit the following
Stipulation and Proposed Order for the Court’s consideration and approval:
14
WHEREAS, on June 23, 2015, Plaintiff William Bridge (“Plaintiff”) requested, pursuant to
15
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15(a)(2), the consent of Defendant Credit One Bank, N.A.
16
(“Defendant”) to the filing of the First Amended Class Action Complaint, a copy of which is
17
attached hereto as Exhibit 1;
18
19
20
21
WHEREAS, on June 24, 2015, Defendant consented to Plaintiff’s filing of the First
Amended Class Action Complaint;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties, by their respective undersigned counsel, and subject to
this Court’s approval, agree and stipulate as follows:
22
1.
Plaintiff may file the First Amended Class Action Complaint;
23
2.
Defendant has 28 days from the date of the filing of the First Amended Class Action
24
Complaint to file any answer or other response to the First Amended Class Action Complaint.
25
26
DATED: June 25, 2015
27
28
1
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92 Filed 06/25/15 Page 2 of 2
1
IT IS SO STIPULATED:
2
SHOOK & STONE, CHTD.
GRANT & EISENHOFER P.A.
3
/s/ Leonard H. Stone
LEONARD H. STONE (NV Bar No. 5791)
MICHAEL P. O’ROURKE (NV Bar No. 6764)
7109 S. Fourth Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101
/s/ Adam J. Levitt
ADAM J. LEVITT (admitted pro hac vice)
KYLE J. McGEE (admitted pro hac vice)
30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2350
Chicago, IL 60602
Attorneys for Plaintiff
Attorneys for Plaintiff
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
HOLLAND & HART LLP
/s/ Brian G. Anderson
PATRICK J. REILLY (NV Bar No. 6103)
BRIAN G. ANDERSON (NV Bar No. 10500)
9555 Hillwood Drive, 2nd Floor
Las Vegas, NV 89134
Attorneys for Defendant
13
IT IS SO ORDERED:
14
15
16
NANCY J. KOPPE
Lloyd D. George
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Sr. U.S. District Judge
17
DATED:
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
2
June 2015
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92-1 Filed 06/25/15 Page 1 of 16
Exhibit 1
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92-1 Filed 06/25/15 Page 2 of 16
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Leonard H. Stone
Nevada Bar No. 5791
SHOOK & STONE, CHTD.
710 South Fourth Street
Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
Tel: (702) 385-2220
Adam J. Levitt (pro hac vice)
Diane Zilka (pro hac vice)
Kyle J. McGee (pro hac vice)
GRANT & EISENHOFER P.A.
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2350
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Tel: (312) 214-0000
9
10
Attorneys for Plaintiff
(additional counsel appear on signature block)
11
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
12
DISTRICT OF NEVADA
18
William Bridge, individually and on behalf of :
: Civil Action No.: 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK
all others similarly situated,
:
: Hon. Lloyd D. George
Plaintiff,
:
vs.
:
:
Credit One Bank, N.A.,
FIRST AMENDED
:
CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
:
Defendant.
:
19
Plaintiff William Bridge (“Plaintiff”), individually and on behalf of all others similarly
20
situated (the “Class,” as defined below), by his undersigned counsel, complains and alleges as
21
follows based on personal knowledge as to himself and on information and belief as to all other
22
matters against Defendant Credit One Bank, N.A. (“Defendant” or “Credit One”):
13
14
15
16
17
INTRODUCTION
23
1.
24
Plaintiff, individually and on behalf of the other members of the proposed Class,
25
brings this action against Credit One for Credit One’s negligent and/or knowing and willful
26
violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, 47 U.S.C. § 227, et seq. (“TCPA”), and
27
for Credit One’s violations of the Nevada Deceptive Trade Practices Act, Nev. Rev. Stat. §
28
41.600.
-1-
FIRST AMENDED CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92-1 Filed 06/25/15 Page 3 of 16
1
2.
As more fully alleged below, Credit One negligently or knowingly and willfully
2
placed a large volume of automated calls to Plaintiff’s cellular telephone – as well as to the
3
cellular telephones of the other Class members – in violation of the TCPA.
4
3.
Through the TCPA, Congress recognized that auto-dialed and pre-recorded
5
commercial telephone communications, including calls purportedly for the purpose of
6
collecting debts, encroach significantly on individual privacy and impose unwarranted costs on
7
individuals.
8
9
10
11
12
13
4.
By subjecting Plaintiff and the other Class members to unauthorized, auto-dialed
calls over a sustained period of time, Defendant has abused Plaintiff’s and the other Class
members’ privacy rights and has violated the TCPA.
5.
Credit One is a national bank, chartered by the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency, and specializes in the issuance of credit cards and the servicing of credit accounts.
6.
As part of its credit card business, Credit One uses automated dialing systems to
14
contact unsuspecting consumers – including Plaintiff and the other Class members – who have
15
no relationship with Credit One, with automated calls.
16
7.
Plaintiff believes that certain of Credit One’s uniform practices and policies
17
with respect to its automated dialing practice are responsible for tens of thousands, or more,
18
violations of the TCPA by Credit One. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiff, individually and
19
on behalf of the other Class members, seeks to hold Credit One accountable for its rampant
20
TCPA violations and seeks relief for himself and the other Class members for Credit One’s
21
TCPA violations caused by its wrongful conduct alleged below.
22
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
23
8.
The Court has original jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §
24
1331. All claims asserted herein arise under the provisions of the Telephone Consumer
25
Protection Act, 47 U.S.C. § 227, et seq. (“TCPA”). See Mims v. Arrow Fin. Serv., LLC, 132
26
S.Ct. 740, 751-53 (2012).
27
28
9.
Jurisdiction in this District is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332(d)(2), because
at least one member of the Class is of diverse citizenship with respect to Defendant, there are
-2-
FIRST AMENDED CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92-1 Filed 06/25/15 Page 4 of 16
1
more than 100 members of the Class nationwide, and the aggregate amount in controversy
2
exceeds $5,000,000, exclusive of costs and interest.
3
10.
Venue is proper in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391 because many of
4
the acts and omissions alleged herein occurred within this District. Defendant has its principal
5
place of business in this District.
6
7
PARTIES
Plaintiff
8
9
11.
William Bridge is a natural person and a resident of Webster, New York. Mr.
Bridge is an individual person within the meaning of 47 U.S.C. § 153(39).
10
12.
Mr. Bridge has never had a business relationship with Credit One and never
11
consented to be contacted by Credit One on his cellular telephone or by any other means.
12
Defendant
13
13.
Credit One is, and, at all times relevant to this action, was, a nationally chartered
14
bank headquartered at 585 Pilot Road in Las Vegas, Nevada. Credit One is a subsidiary of
15
Credit One Financial, a Nevada Domestic Corporation, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of
16
Sherman Financial Group, LLC. Defendant services millions of cardholders across the United
17
States.
18
THE TELEPHONE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT OF 1991 (“TCPA”)
19
14.
Automatic telephone dialing systems, or auto-dialers (or “ATDS”), are
20
responsible for countless annoying, intrusive, and sometimes costly telephone calls transmitted
21
each day to consumers who have never conducted business with the caller, no longer conduct
22
business with the caller, or have not agreed to receive calls to particular telephone lines,
23
including cellular telephone lines, from the caller. Depending on the frequency with which a
24
consumer receives them, these calls can be minor inconveniences or substantial irritations,
25
approaching harassment.
26
27
15.
In 1991, Congress enacted the TCPA in response to a growing number of
consumer complaints regarding certain telemarketing practices.
28
-3-
FIRST AMENDED CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92-1 Filed 06/25/15 Page 5 of 16
1
16.
By enacting the TCPA, Congress recognized the violation of consumer privacy
2
interests that occurs each time a caller uses an auto-dialer to contact a consumer with whom it
3
has no existing business relationship, or from whom the caller has not secured adequate consent
4
to transmit calls. Periodically since 1991, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”),
5
which is charged with developing regulations implementing the TCPA, has issued rules
6
expanding the scope of consumer protections offered by the statute in order to reflect and
7
counteract the increasing aggressiveness and persistence with which marketers, scam artists,
8
collection agencies, and others have employed auto-dialing technologies.
9
17.
The TCPA makes it unlawful “to make any call (other than a call made for
10
emergency purposes or made with the prior express consent of the called party) using an
11
automatic telephone dialing system or an artificial or prerecorded voice … to any telephone
12
number assigned to a … cellular telephone service.” See 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(1)(A)(iii). The
13
TCPA provides a private cause of action to persons who receive calls in violation of 47 U.S.C.
14
§ 227(b)(1)(A). See 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(3).
15
18.
As of October 16, 2013, the TCPA requires callers using auto-dialers or artificial
16
or prerecorded voice messages to obtain prior express written consent for commercial calls to
17
cellular telephone lines, including SMS or text messaging calls. Prior express written consent
18
is also required, as of October 16, 2013, for calls made to residential telephone lines using an
19
artificial or prerecorded voice message.
20
19.
Furthermore, as of October 16, 2013, the TCPA no longer exempts calls made to
21
residential telephone lines belonging to consumers with an established business relationship
22
with the caller. The TCPA has never exempted such calls to cellular telephone lines.
23
20.
On June 18, 2015, the FCC voted in favor of expanding consumers’ rights under
24
the TCPA. As of the date of this filing, the FCC’s Declaratory Ruling and Order had not yet
25
been published, but news releases indicate that that Order clarifies consumers’ right to revoke
26
any consent to receive auto-dialed calls they may have provided to persons using ATDS in the
27
past using any reasonable means (i.e., revocation of consent does not necessarily require a
28
written submission from the call recipient), clarifies callers’ obligation to stop placing calls to
-4-
FIRST AMENDED CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92-1 Filed 06/25/15 Page 6 of 16
1
wrong numbers “after one call,” regardless of whether the caller made contact with any person
2
on that one call, and clarifies that an ATDS is any technology with the capacity to dial random
3
or sequential numbers, regardless of whether that capacity has been implemented.
4
21.
Through the TCPA, Congress and the FCC have imposed a simple requirement
5
upon persons making commercial telephone communications: call the telephone number
6
without auto-dialing equipment and without an artificial or prerecorded voice messages,
7
unless and until the consent of the call recipient to receive auto-dialed or artificial and
8
prerecorded voice calls is secured.
9
10
11
12
ALLEGATIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL COUNTS
22.
In or around January 2014, Credit One began placing calls to Plaintiff’s cellular
telephone number, 607-xxx-2345.
23.
When answering Credit One’s calls, Plaintiff heard either a period of silence
13
before a live representative came on the line, or a prerecorded message asking him to “please
14
hold to be connected.”
15
16
17
18
19
24.
Credit One initiated more than 100 such calls to Plaintiff’s cellular telephone
number between January 2014 and March 2014. Plaintiff answered a portion of these calls.
25.
On at least one call from Credit One, an automatic or prerecorded voice message
informed Plaintiff that the call was an “attempt to collect a debt.”
26.
On at least two such calls, Plaintiff instructed Credit One to stop calling his
20
cellular telephone. On information and belief, and to the best of Plaintiff’s recollection,
21
Plaintiff instructed the Credit One representative that he had no relationship with Credit One,
22
and instructed Credit One to stop calling his cellular telephone on or around March 18, 2014.
23
27.
Based upon discovery to date, Plaintiff alleges that Credit One obtained
24
Plaintiff’s cellular telephone number through its use of ANI, or Automatic Number
25
Identification, technology. This technology permits an inbound call center receiving calls from
26
consumers, or companies utilizing IVR (interactive voice response) technology, to obtain the
27
number from which a call is received, and update its records to add that number to a particular
28
account.
-5-
FIRST AMENDED CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92-1 Filed 06/25/15 Page 7 of 16
1
2
3
28.
On information and belief, Plaintiff alleges that Credit One was attempting to
reach his mother, who has or at the time of the calls had a credit card account with Credit One.
29.
Plaintiff’s mother has never used Plaintiff’s cellular telephone to place any call
4
to Credit One or any affiliate of Credit One. Instead, Plaintiff’s mother underwent heart
5
surgery in January 2014, and Plaintiff, on his own initiative and for no purpose other than his
6
own emotional well-being and peace of mind, contacted certain of his mother’s creditors.
7
Plaintiff’s mother, who was hospitalized at the time, was not aware that Plaintiff did so, and
8
provided Plaintiff with no instruction or consent to contact any third parties regarding her
9
financial obligations.
10
30.
Plaintiff contacted Credit One by telephone on or around January 18, 2014. On
11
that call, Plaintiff advised Credit One’s representative that he was placing the call in relation to
12
his mother’s account, and not any account held by him. Plaintiff did not, on that call or in any
13
subsequent communication with Credit One, authorize Credit One to associate his cellular
14
telephone number with his mother’s account, or agree in any way to receive calls on his cellular
15
telephone number regarding his mother’s account. Indeed, Credit One’s records reflect that it
16
had at least two other telephone numbers at which it could reach Plaintiff’s mother.
17
31.
At no time did Plaintiff ever willingly provide his cellular telephone number to
18
Credit One. Instead, Credit One obtained Plaintiff’s telephone number using ANI technology,
19
as alleged above, without Plaintiff’s knowledge or consent.
20
32.
At no time did Plaintiff ever enter into a business relationship with Credit One.
21
33.
At no time did Plaintiff provide Credit One with consent, much less prior
22
23
24
25
express written (or verbal) consent allowing Credit One to call his cellular telephone.
34.
Credit One made calls to Plaintiff’s cellular telephone from the following
telephone numbers, among others: (646) 389-4994; (571) 261-0072; and (434) 533-9058.
35.
In placing unlawful auto-dialed calls to Plaintiff’s cellular telephone, Credit One
26
acted on its own behalf or through an outbound calling agent. At least one such call was
27
transmitted by NCO Financial Systems, Inc., which contracts with Credit One to place auto-
28
-6-
FIRST AMENDED CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92-1 Filed 06/25/15 Page 8 of 16
1
dialed calls on Credit One’s behalf. The calls Credit One or its agents placed to Plaintiff’s
2
cellular telephone were made using an ATDS.
3
36.
Credit One and its agents employ ATDS technologies that meet the definition
4
set forth in 47 U.S.C. § 227(a)(1), and used their ATDS systems to make each of the
5
aforementioned calls to Plaintiff on his cellular telephone.
6
37.
The FCC has defined ATDS, under the TCPA, to include “predictive dialers.”
7
See In the Matter of Rules and Regulations Implementing the Telephone Consumer Protection
8
Act of 1991, 23 F.C.C.R. 559, at ¶ 12, 2008 WL 65485 (F.C.C.) (2008).
9
forthcoming Declaratory Ruling and Order, approved and adopted on June 18, 2015, further
10
clarifies that an ATDS is any technology that has the capacity to dial random or sequential
11
numbers, regardless of whether that capacity has been implemented.
12
38.
The FCC’s
Credit One’s (and its agents’) telephone systems used to contact Plaintiff have
13
all the earmarks of a predictive dialer. When Credit One called Plaintiff, there was a period of
14
silence and/or a prerecorded message before Credit One’s telephone system would connect
15
Plaintiff to a live representative.
16
39.
Credit One’s calls to Plaintiff’s cellular telephone were not for “emergency
17
purposes”; rather, they were debt collection calls concerning Plaintiff’s mother’s credit card
18
account.
19
40.
On information and belief, Plaintiff alleges that Credit One is knowledgeable
20
concerning the TCPA’s restrictions on auto-dialing and use of automated or prerecorded voice
21
messages in calls made to cellular telephone lines.
22
41.
In addition to the fact that the TCPA’s restrictions are generally known to
23
persons in Credit One’s industry, Credit One has been sued for violations of the TCPA in the
24
past.
25
42.
Plaintiff alleges that Credit One called him as part of a debt collection practice
26
concerning accounts unrelated to Plaintiff. Plaintiff alleges further that Credit One knew that
27
the policies, procedures, and practices through which that debt collection practice was
28
-7-
FIRST AMENDED CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92-1 Filed 06/25/15 Page 9 of 16
1
conducted included the transmission of auto-dialed calls or calls using automated or
2
prerecorded voice messages.
3
4
5
43.
Plaintiff alleges that Credit One knew that its practices and/or calling campaigns
included the transmission of such calls to cellular telephone lines.
44.
Plaintiff further alleges that Credit One maintains records reflecting all calls
6
placed using its ATDS technology and all calls placed on its behalf by its outbound calling
7
vendors, including records reflecting the disposition of each such call. Among the dispositions
8
Credit One’s records capture are “wrong number” (i.e., the call led to contact with a third party
9
or person other than the accountholder) and “do not call” (i.e., the call led to contact with a
10
person that asked Credit One to stop calling). Credit One has the capacity to identify calls
11
dispositioned as, inter alia, “wrong number” or “do not call.”
12
13
CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS
45.
Plaintiff brings this case as a class action pursuant to the provisions of Rule
14
23(a), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, individually and on behalf of
15
the proposed Class, defined as follows:
16
All persons and entities
17
(a)
within the United States,
18
(b)
to whom, at any time in the period that begins four years before this lawsuit was
19
filed (September 17, 2014), to the date of trial, Defendant or its agent(s)
20
transmitted at least two non-emergency telephone calls, including without
21
limitation voice calls and short message service (SMS) calls,
22
(c)
23
from any device capable of automated or predictive dialing or which used
artificial or prerecorded voice messages,
24
(d)
to his/her cellular telephone,
25
(e)
where Defendant’s records indicate at least one such call was a “wrong number”
26
27
call, whether dispositioned as “wrong number” or as “do not call,”
(f)
and the call recipient was not a current Credit One accountholder.
28
-8-
FIRST AMENDED CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92-1 Filed 06/25/15 Page 10 of 16
1
Excluded from the Class are Credit One, its parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates, and agents;
2
all persons who make a timely election to be excluded from the Class; all claims for wrongful
3
death, survivorship, and/or personal injury by Class members; governmental entities; and the
4
judge to whom this case is assigned and his/her immediate family are excluded from the Class.
5
Plaintiff reserves the right to revise the Class definition based on information learned through
6
discovery.
7
46.
Certification of Plaintiff’s claims for class-wide treatment is appropriate because
8
Plaintiff can prove the elements of his claims on a class-wide basis using the same evidence as
9
would be used to prove those elements in individual actions alleging the same claim.
10
47.
Numerosity – Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(a)(1). The members of the
11
Class are so numerous that individual joinders of all the members are impracticable. On
12
information and belief, there are not less than tens of thousands of consumers who have been
13
damaged by Credit One’s wrongful conduct as alleged herein. The precise number of Class
14
members and their addresses is presently unknown to Plaintiff, but may be ascertained from
15
Credit One’s books and records. Class members may be notified of the pendency of this action
16
by recognized, Court-approved notice dissemination methods, which may include U.S. mail,
17
electronic mail, internet postings, and/or published notice.
18
48.
Commonality and Predominance – Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
19
23(a)(2) and 23(b)(3). Numerous common questions of law and fact exist as to Plaintiff and
20
the other Class members. Such questions common to the Class include, but are not limited to:
21
a. Whether Credit One or its agent(s) made non-emergency calls to Plaintiff
22
and other Class members’ cellular telephones using an ATDS and/or an
23
automated or prerecorded voice message;
24
25
26
27
b. Whether Credit One can meet its burden of showing it obtained prior
express consent to make each call;
c. Whether Credit One’s conduct, as alleged herein, constitutes violations of
the TCPA;
28
-9-
FIRST AMENDED CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92-1 Filed 06/25/15 Page 11 of 16
1
d. Whether Credit One’s conduct, as alleged herein, constitutes violations of
2
the Nevada Deceptive Trade Practices Act;
3
e. Whether Credit One is liable for damages, and the amount of such damages;
4
and
5
f. Whether Credit One should be enjoined from such conduct in the future.
6
49.
Typicality – Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(a)(3). Plaintiff’s claims are
7
typical of the claims of the other Class members because, among other things, all members of
8
the Class were comparably injured through the uniform misconduct described above.
9
50.
Adequacy of Representation – Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(a)(4).
10
Plaintiff is an adequate Class representative because his interests do not conflict with the
11
interests of the other members of the Class he seeks to represent; Plaintiff has retained counsel
12
competent and experienced in complex commercial and class action litigation; and Plaintiff
13
intends to prosecute this action vigorously.
14
adequately protected by Plaintiff and his counsel.
15
51.
Class members’ interests will be fairly and
Declaratory and Injunctive Relief – Federal Rule of Civil Procedure
16
23(b)(2). Credit One has acted or refused to act on grounds generally applicable to Plaintiff
17
and the Class, thereby making appropriate final injunctive and declaratory relief, as described
18
below.
19
52.
Predominance – Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(b)(3). Credit One has
20
engaged in a common course of conduct toward Plaintiff and the other Class members. The
21
common issues arising from this conduct that affect Plaintiff and the other Class members
22
predominate over any individual issues. Adjudication of these common issues in a single
23
action has important and desirable advantages of judicial economy.
24
53.
Superiority – Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(b)(3). A class action is
25
superior to any other available means for the fair and efficient adjudication of this controversy,
26
and no unusual difficulties are likely to be encountered in the management of this action as a
27
class action. The damages or other financial detriment suffered by Plaintiff and each of the
28
other Class members are relatively small compared to the burden and expense that would be
-10-
FIRST AMENDED CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92-1 Filed 06/25/15 Page 12 of 16
1
required to individually litigate their claims against Credit One, so it would be impracticable
2
for Class members to individually seek redress for Credit One’s wrongful conduct. Even if
3
Class members could afford individual litigation, the court system could not. Individualized
4
litigation creates a potential for inconsistent or contradictory judgments, and increases the
5
delay and expense to all parties and the court system. By contrast, the class action device
6
presents far fewer management difficulties, and provides the benefits of single adjudication,
7
economy of scale, and comprehensive supervision by a single court.
8
CLAIMS FOR RELIEF
9
COUNT I
NEGLIGENT VIOLATIONS OF THE
TELEPHONE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
47 U.S.C. § 227, et seq.
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
54.
Plaintiff repeats and realleges Paragraphs 1-53 of this Complaint and
incorporates them herein by reference.
55.
Plaintiff brings this Count individually and on behalf of all other Class
members.
56.
Credit One negligently placed automated calls and/or calls employing automated
17
or prerecorded voice messages to telephone numbers assigned to cellular telephones belonging
18
to Plaintiff and each of the other Class members without their prior express consent.
19
57.
Each of the aforementioned calls by Credit One constitutes a negligent violation
20
of 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(1)(A)(iii), which prohibits persons within the United States from making
21
any call using any automated telephone dialing system or any automated or prerecorded voice
22
message to any telephone number assigned to a cellular telephone without the prior express
23
consent of the call recipient.
24
58.
As a result of Credit One’s negligent violations of the TCPA, Plaintiff and each
25
of the other Class members is entitled to an award of $500.00 in statutory damages for each call
26
made to them in violation of the TCPA, pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(3).
27
28
59.
Plaintiff, individually and on behalf of each of the other Class members, also
seeks an award of attorneys’ fees and costs of suit.
-11-
FIRST AMENDED CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92-1 Filed 06/25/15 Page 13 of 16
1
2
60.
seeks injunctive relief prohibiting such conduct by Credit One in the future.
3
COUNT II
KNOWING AND/OR WILLFUL VIOLATIONS OF THE
TELEPHONE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
47 U.S.C. § 227, et seq.
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Additionally, Plaintiff individually and on behalf of the other Class members
61.
Plaintiff repeats and realleges Paragraphs 1-53 of this Complaint and
incorporates them herein by reference.
62.
Plaintiff brings this Count individually and on behalf of all other Class
members.
63.
Credit One knowingly and/or willfully placed the automated calls and/or calls
11
employing automated or prerecorded voice messages described herein, which resulted in Credit
12
One contacting cellular telephones belonging to Plaintiff and the other Class members without
13
their prior express consent.
14
64.
Each of the aforementioned calls by Credit One constitutes a knowing and/or
15
willful violation of 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(1)(A)(iii), which prohibits persons within the United
16
States from making any call using any automated telephone dialing system or any automated or
17
prerecorded voice message to any telephone number assigned to a cellular telephone without
18
the prior express consent of the call recipient.
19
65.
As a result of Credit One’s knowing and/or willful violations of the TCPA,
20
Plaintiff and each of the other Class members is entitled to an award of $1,500.00 in statutory
21
damages for each call made to them in violation of the TCPA, pursuant to 47 U.S.C. §
22
227(b)(3).
23
66.
24
25
26
Plaintiff, individually and on behalf of each of the other Class members, also
seeks an award of attorneys’ fees and costs of suit.
67.
Additionally, Plaintiff individually and on behalf of the other Class members
seeks injunctive relief prohibiting such conduct by Credit One in the future.
27
28
-12-
FIRST AMENDED CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92-1 Filed 06/25/15 Page 14 of 16
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
COUNT III
VIOLATIONS OF THE NEVADA DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES ACT
NEV. REV. STAT. § 41.600
68.
Plaintiff repeats and realleges Paragraphs 1-67 of this Complaint and
incorporates them herein by reference.
69.
Plaintiff brings this Count individually and on behalf of all other Class
members.
70.
Nevada law provides that, “A person engages in a ‘deceptive trade practice’
8
when in the course of his or her business or occupation he or she knowingly … [v]iolates a
9
state or federal statute or regulation relating to the sale or lease of goods or services.” Nev.
10
11
Rev. Stat. § 598.0923(3).
71.
The TCPA is a federal statute relating to the sale or lease of goods or services.
12
As alleged herein, Defendant’s violations of the TCPA were made in the course of its business
13
or occupation.
14
72.
Pursuant to the Nevada Deceptive Trade Practices Act, Nev. Rev. Stat. § 41.600,
15
violations of Nev. Rev. Stat. § 598.0923 constitute “consumer fraud.” Nev. Rev. Stat. §
16
41.600(2)(e).
17
73.
As set forth above, by negligently, knowingly and/or willfully placing the
18
automated calls and/or calls employing automated or prerecorded voice messages described
19
herein, resulting in Credit One contacting cellular telephones belonging to Plaintiff and the
20
other Class members without their prior express consent, Credit One violated the TCPA.
21
22
23
24
74.
Trade Practices Act.
75.
27
28
As a result, Plaintiff and the other members of the Class are entitled to, and do,
seek equitable relief and costs and attorneys’ fees.
25
26
Each such violation is a separate and distinct violation of the Nevada Deceptive
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that the Court grant Plaintiff and the
Class the following relief against Defendant:
A.
Certification of the proposed Class;
-13-
FIRST AMENDED CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92-1 Filed 06/25/15 Page 15 of 16
1
B.
Appointment of Plaintiff Bridge as Class Representative;
2
C.
Appointment of Grant & Eisenhofer P.A. as Class Counsel;
3
D.
A declaration that Defendant violated the TCPA;
4
E.
A declaration that Defendant violated the Nevada Deceptive Trade Practices Act;
5
F.
Injunctive relief prohibiting violations of the TCPA and Nevada Deceptive Trade
6
7
Practices Act by Defendant in the future;
G.
8
9
Statutory damages of $500.00 for each and every negligent violation of the TCPA
pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(3)(B);
H.
10
Statutory damages of $1,500.00 for each and every knowing and/or willful
violation of the TCPA pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(3)(B);
11
I.
Pre- and post-judgment interest on any monetary award, as permitted by law;
12
J.
Leave to amend this Complaint to conform to evidence presented at trial;
13
K.
An award of attorneys’ fees and costs of suit to counsel for Plaintiff and the Class;
14
15
16
17
and
L.
Such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
TRIAL BY JURY DEMANDED ON ALL COUNTS
Dated: June 25, 2015
18
Respectfully submitted,
19
By /s/ Leonard Stone
SHOOK & STONE, CHTD.
Leonard Stone, Esq.
710 South Fourth Street
Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
Tel: (702) 385-2220
lstone@shookandstone.com
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Adam J. Levitt (pro hac vice)
Diane Zilka (pro hac vice)
Kyle J. McGee (pro hac vice)
GRANT & EISENHOFER P.A.
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2350
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Tel: (312) 214-0000
alevitt@gelaw.com
dzilka@gelaw.com
kmcgee@gelaw.com
-14-
FIRST AMENDED CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
Case 2:14-cv-01512-LDG-NJK Document 92-1 Filed 06/25/15 Page 16 of 16
1
2
3
4
5
6
Stephen Taylor (pro hac vice)
LEMBERG & ASSOCIATES
1100 Summer Street, Third Floor
Stamford, Connecticut 06905
Tel: (203) 653-2250
staylor@lemberglaw.com
Counsel for Plaintiff William Bridge and the
Proposed Class
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
-15-
FIRST AMENDED CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?