Mohegan Lake Motors, Inc. v. Maoli et al
Filing
35
OPINION & ORDER re: 24 MOTION to Dismiss Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6). filed by Thomas Maoli, Celebrity Auto of Mohegan Lake, LLC. For the foregoing reasons, Defendants' motion to dismiss is GRANTED in part, and DENIED in part. The Court thus grants Defendants' motion and dismisses the breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing claim. The Court also denies Defendants' motion on the remaining grounds, finding that Plaintiff has adequately ple d a theory of alter-ego liability against Maoli for breach of contract and fraud. Defendants shall file an answer by January 5, 2018. Counsel for all parties are further directed to appear for an initial case management and scheduling conference with the Court pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 16 on January 26, 2018, at 11:30, at 11:30 AM in Courtroom 218 of the Charles L. Brieant, Jr. Courthouse, 300 Quarropas Street, White Plains, New York 10601. The parties shall confer in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f) at least 21 days prior to the conference and attempt in good faith to agree upon a proposed discovery plan that will ensure trial readiness within six months of the conference date. The parties shall also complete a Civil Case Discovery Plan and Scheduling Order in advance of the conference. The Clerk of the Court is respectfully directed to terminate the motion at ECF No. 24. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Nelson Stephen Roman on 12/6/2017) (rj)
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
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Plaintiff,
No. 16-CV-06717 (NSR)
THOMAS MAOLI, CELEBRITY AUTO of
MOHEGAN LAKE, LLC,
OPINION & ORDER
Defendants.
NELSONS. ROMAN, United States District Judge
Plaintiff Mohegan Lake Motors, LLC ("Mohegan Lake Motors" or "Plaintiff')
commenced this diversity action against Thomas Maoli ("Maoli") and Celebrity Auto of Mohegan
Lake, LLC ("Celebrity Auto"), a company owned by Maoli (collectively, "Defendants"). 1 This
lawsuit arises out of Celebrity Auto's termination of a contract it had with Plaintiff to purchase
Mohegan Lake Motors. Specifically, Plaintiff alleges causes of action for breach of contract, fraud,
and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The breach causes of action are alleged
against Maoli by way of alter-ego liability and against Celebrity Auto directly. The fraud cause
of action is alleged against Maoli only.
Defendants now move to dismiss: (1) the claim for breach of the covenant of good faith
and fair dealing (Claim II); (2) the fraud claim (Claim Ill); and (3) all claims against Maoli
pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for failure to state a claim upon
which relief could be granted. For the reasons stated below, Defendants' motion is GRANTED in
part, and DENIED in part.
Plaintiff is a corporation located in the slate of New York. (Comp!. ~I.) Celebrity Auto is New Jersey limited
liability company and Maoli is a resident of New Jeresey. (Comp!.~~ 2-3.)
1
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MOHEGAN LAKE MOTORS, INC.,
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BACKGROUND
I.
Facts
Alleged 2
The following facts – which are taken from the Complaint, documents annexed thereto,
and matters of which the Court may take judicial notice 3 – are construed in the light most favorable
to Plaintiff, as it is the non-moving party. See, e.g., Kleinman v. Elan Corp., 706 F.3d 145, 152
(2d Cir. 2013); Gonzalez v. Hasty, 651 F.3d 318, 321 (2d Cir. 2011).
On November 10, 2015, Plaintiff and Celebrity Auto entered into an Asset Purchase
Agreement (the “Agreement”) whereby Celebrity Auto would purchase an auto dealership owned
by Plaintiff and located at 1791 Main Street, Mohegan Lake, Westchester County, New York (the
“Dealership”) for $8,000,000.00. (Compl. ¶¶11,14, Agreement annexed to Compl. as Ex. A
(“Agmnt.”) § 3.1.) Approximately six months after the parties signed the Agreement, Maoli wrote
a letter to Barry Rost (Plaintiff’s principal owner) terminating the Agreement pursuant to Section
8.1(h). (Id. at Ex. D.)
Celebrity Auto is owned by Maoli. (Compl. ¶¶3-4; see also Celebrity Auto Entity Rec.)
This limited liability company was created in June 2015 for the purpose of purchasing the
Dealership and was meant to be dissolved at the closing. (Compl. ¶¶3-4, 15; Agmnt. § 5.1(a); see
also Celebrity Auto Entity Rec.) It has no other employees or officers, no assets or capital of its
own, no history of operations, and it shares the same address as Maoli. (Compl. ¶¶2-5, 20, 35-37,
2
The Court assumes the truth of the facts alleged in Plaintiff’s Complaint for purposes of this motion only, Ashcroft
v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009), and considers documents which are either incorporated by reference or integral to
the claims asserted therein. Nicosia v. Amazon.com, Inc., 834 F.3d 220, 230 (2d Cir. 2016); see also Chambers v.
Time Warner, Inc., 282 F.3d 147, 153 (2d Cir. 2002).
3
The Court will take judicial notice of the document attached to Defendants’ Reply Memorandum in Support of the
Motion to Dismiss (ECF No. 21) (“Defs. R.”) as Exhibit A (“Celebrity Auto Entity Rec.”) and use it in considering
this motion, as it is a public record. See Taylor v. Vermont Dept. of Educ., 313 F.3d 768, 776 (2d Cir. 2002) (citing
Pani v. Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, 152 F.3d 67, 75 (2d Cir. 1998); Cortec Indus., Inc. v. Sum Holding L.P., 949
F.2d 42, 47-48 (2d Cir. 1991).
2
41.) Indeed, its entire corporate structure and entity information is contained on a two and a half
page document. (See Celebrity Auto Entity Rec.)
Maoli negotiated the terms of the Agreement with Plaintiff’s principals and “made all
representations and promises with respect to the Agreement.” (Compl. ¶¶4, 39.) Plaintiff knew
Maoli was undergoing divorce proceedings, (Compl. ¶63(a)), but was unaware that on August 19,
2015, three months prior to execution of the Agreement, Judge Loius S. Sceusi of the Superior
Court of New Jersey, Family Part, issued a personal injunction against Maoli (the “Injunction”),
(Compl. ¶12.) Such Injunction ordered, inter alia, that Maoli was precluded from acquiring or
selling “any business, or real or personal property during the pendency of the divorce action unless
agreed to by the parties in writing with Court approval,” aside from an explicitly mentioned BMW
dealership purchase. (Id. at Ex. B.)
The parties executed the Agreement on November 10, 2015, which obligated Celebrity
Auto to provide a check in the amount of $500,000 to be held in escrow. (Compl. ¶18; see also
Agmnt. § 3.5(a).) Maoli provided a personal check in the amount of $500,000 to the escrow agent
on the date the Agreement was executed. (Compl. ¶19, Ex. C.) This personal check bore the same
address as the business address for Celebrity Auto. (Id.; see also Celebrity Auto Entity Rec.) That
money was allegedly never deposited into the escrow account. (Compl. ¶19.)
Defendants were required to provide certain information to Audi of America (“Audi”) to
be approved as an authorized dealer, but failed to do so when requested. 4 (Compl. ¶¶20-21;
Agmnt. §7.2(b).) Instead, Maoli requested a “60 day extension of time to complete” his application
for approval and forward the requested documents. (Compl. ¶22.)
4
There is a dispute between the parties as to whether the contract required Maoli to turn over documents and personal
financial information or just financial information for Celebrity Auto. (Compare Compl. ¶20 with Def. R. at 1, fn 1.)
This Court need not resolve this dispute now as it has no bearing on the outcome of this motion.
3
Section 8.1 provides termination options including 8.1(h), which permits termination if the
purchaser “is dissatisfied with its due diligence inspection.” (Compl. ¶27; Agmnt. § 8.1(h).) On
June 26, 2015, on behalf of Celebrity Auto, Maoli initiated such a due diligence inspection by
requesting an “extensive and detailed” list of due diligence materials, all of which “were provided
to Maoli within two weeks.” (Compl. ¶24.) At no time did Maoli or Celebrity Auto request any
additional due diligence materials or indicate that the due diligence materials provided were
“deficient in any respect.” (Compl. ¶28.) Nevertheless, on May 3, 2016, Maoli terminated the
Agreement citing Section 8.1(h). (Compl. ¶25, Ex. D.)
LEGAL STANDARD
A. Standard of Review
In evaluating Defendants’ motion to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), the Court must
accept all facts set forth in the Complaint as true and draw all reasonable inferences in Plaintiff’s
favor. See, e.g., Burch v. Pioneer Credit Recovery, Inc., 551 F.3d 122, 124 (2d Cir. 2008) (per
curiam). A claim will survive a Rule 12(b)(6) motion, however, only if the plaintiff alleges facts
sufficient “to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly,
550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007). A claim is facially plausible “when the plaintiff pleads factual content
that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct
alleged.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (citing Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556). A
plaintiff must show “more than a sheer possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully,” id., and
cannot rely on mere “labels and conclusions” to support a claim, Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555. If the
plaintiff’s pleadings “have not nudged [his or her] claims across the line from conceivable to
plausible, [the] complaint must be dismissed.” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570.
A Court is “limited to the facts as presented within the four corners of the complaint, [the]
documents attached to the complaint, or [] documents incorporated within the complaint by
4
reference. Taylor v. Vermont Dept. of Educ., 313 F.3d 768, 776 (2d Cir. 2002) (citing Hayden v.
County of Nassau, 180 F.3d 42, 54 (2d Cir. 1999)). Courts are also permitted to “look to public
records . . . in deciding a motion to dismiss.” Id. (citing Pani v. Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield,
152 F.3d 67, 75 (2d Cir. 1998); Cortec Indus., Inc. v. Sum Holding L.P., 949 F.2d 42, 47-48 (2d
Cir. 1991)) (discussing the Court’s ability to consider a state court’s divorce decree that was
“incorporated in [the] complaint by reference”).
DISCUSSION
A. The Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing
Defendants move for dismissal of Plaintiff’s claim for breach of the implied covenant of
good faith and fair dealing (the “covenant”). (See Defendants’ Brief in Support of Motion to
Dismiss (ECF No. 23) (“Defs. Br.”) at 14-16.)
Pursuant to New York law, the covenant is a promise inherent in all contracts. KCG Ams.
LLC v. Brazilmed, LLC, No. 15CV4600 (AT), 2016 WL 900396, at *5 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 26, 2016)
(emphasis added); Dayan Enters., Corp. v. Nautica Apparel, Inc., No. 03CV5706 (LLS), 2003 WL
22832706, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 26, 2003). Indeed, “New York law . . . does not recognize a
separate cause of action for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing when a
breach of contract claim, based on the same facts, is also pled.” Matsumura v. Benihana Nat.
Corp., 465 Fed. App’x 23, 29 (2d Cir. 2012) (quoting Harris v. Provident Life & Accident Ins.
Co., 310 F.3d 73 (2d Cir. 2002)); see also Deutsche Bank Nat. Trust Co. v. Quicken Loans Inc.,
810 F.3d 861, 869 (2d Cir. 2015) (duplicative where “both ‘arise from the same facts and seek the
identical damages for each alleged breach’”). In fact, “in most cases, claims for breach of contract
and the covenant of good faith and fair dealing are duplicative.” Dayan Enters., 2003 WL
22832706, at *2; see also Goldblatt v. Englander Comms. L.L.C., No. 06CV3208 (RWS), 2007
5
WL 148699, at *5 (S.D.N.Y Jan. 22, 2007) (citing Alter v. Bogorician, No. 97CV0662 (MSM),
1997 WL 691332, at *7 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 6, 1997) for proposition that “every court faced with [a
motion to dismiss with] both breach of contract and breach of the [] covenant . . . has dismissed
the latter claim as duplicative”). This is particularly true where there is no prayer for separate
damages not recoverable under the breach of contract claim. Deutsche Bank, 810 F.3d at 869.
Plaintiff’s breach of the covenant claim is duplicative. The allegations contained in
paragraph 49, 52, 57, and 58 are mere conclusory statements this Court can properly disregard.
De Jesus v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., Inc., 87 F.3d 65, 70 (2d Cir. 1996). The remaining facts alleged
(with the exception of those in paragraph 56) pertain to the issue of whether Defendants were
dissatisfied with the due diligence process. (Compl. ¶¶53, 54, 55.) These facts, though not
identical, were alleged in support of the breach of contract claim. (Compare Compl. ¶¶ 27-29, 32,
44 with Compl. ¶¶50-51, 53-55.); see also Underdog Trucking LLC, Reggie Anders v. Verizon
Svcs. Corp., No. 09CV8919 (DLC), 2010 WL 2900048, at *6 (S.D.N.Y. Jul. 20, 2010) (Claims
are duplicative even when they “are not identical [but] they are based upon the same facts.”).
Further, considered together, these facts relate to the allegation that the Agreement was
breached by improperly invoking Section § 8.1(h), (Compl. ¶46(d)), since § 8.1(h) relates to
termination for dissatisfaction of the due diligence investigation, (Agmnt. § 8.1(h).)
Such
allegations thus amount to no more than a “statement of a mere contract breach.” Hall v. EarthLink
Network, Inc., 396 F.d 500, 507 (2d Cir. 2005); see also KCG Ams., 2016 WL 900396, at *5 (noting
a proper claim for breach of covenant requires more than a “breaching [of] the terms of the contract
in a technical sense”). The only difference between the breach claims is that Plaintiff alleges the
covenant was breached when Defendants “asserted the termination provision under §8.1(h) in bad
faith.” (Compare Compl. ¶¶ 55, 57 with ¶46(d).) The inclusion of the phrase “bad faith” is
6
insufficient to sustain a breach of the covenant. See Transcience Corp. v. Big Time Toys, LLC,
50 F. Supp. 3d 441, 452 (S.D.N.Y. 2014) (dismissing claim as duplicative and citing Avazpour
Networking Servs., Inc. v. Falconstor Software, Inc., 937 F. Supp. 2d 355, 365 (E.D.N.Y. 2013) to
assert that “bad faith in connection with contract claim does not provide an independent basis for
recovery”). For these reasons alone, the claim for breach of the covenant is ripe for dismissal.
Additionally, Plaintiff has failed to establish a separate legal duty to act in good faith.
“[W]here a plaintiff establishes a legal duty separate and apart from contractual duties, [a breach
of the covenant claim] is viable despite the existence of an express contract.” Washington v.
Kellwood Co., No. 05CV10034 (DAB), 2009 WL 855652, at *6 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 24, 2009).
Plaintiff’s argument that the breach of the covenant should stand due to Plaintiff’s interpretation
of Section 8.1(h) is unpersuasive. Plaintiff argues that the covenant requires §8.1(h) be “read to
require any assertion of ‘dissatisfaction’ to have been reached in good faith and to be objectively
fair” and termination be made on an “honest, good faith, and objectively fair basis.” (Plaintiff’s
Brief in Opposition to the Motion to Dismiss (ECF No. 20) (“Plf. Br.”) at 13.) Indeed, any action
at all with respect to the Agreement should have been honest, made in good faith, or objectively
fair, as that is what the covenant requires. Hard Rock Café Int’l, (USA), Inc. v. Hard Rock Hotel
Holdings, 808 F. Supp. 2d 552, 568 (S.D.N.Y. 2011) (noting that the covenant “does not add
obligations beyond those set forth in the agreement”). Nevertheless, that is inherent in all contracts
and Plaintiff’s argument fails to demonstrate that a separate legal duty existed.
This Court’s decision is not inconsistent with Hard Rock; there the Court found the
covenant was properly alleged because plaintiff pled additional facts not alleged in the contract
clam and there was no possibility for double recovery since the breach of covenant claim was pled
in the alternative. Id. at 568-69. Conversely, Plaintiff’s allegations parrot those of the breach of
7
contract. The addition of the allegations contained in paragraph 56 do no more to make this case
analogous to Hard Rock. They do not identify any conduct by Maoli that frustrated Plaintiff’s
ability to reap the benefits of the contract, see Id. at 568-69; they merely identify a provision of
the Agreement to which Plaintiff adhered, (Compl. ¶56.) Further, the claim is not alleged in the
alternative; it is a separate cause of action, unlike in Hard Rock.
Finally, Plaintiff does not assert “damages or other relief [not] already claimed in the
companion contract cause of action.” KCG Ams., 2016 WL 900396, at *6. In such circumstances,
the Court must dismiss the covenant claim. Id. at *6 (damages cannot be “intrinsically tied to the
damages allegedly resulting from breach of contract”); Deutsche Bank, 810 F.3d at 869 (dismissing
as duplicative claim that “seek[s] identical damages”). Indeed, Plaintiff merely alleges that
“Mohegan Lake incurred damages by Maoli and Celebrity Auto’s breach of the implied covenant.”
(Compl. ¶58.) Further, the Agreement caps damages at $2,000,000, except for those arising out
of “fraud or intentionally [sic] misrepresentation.” (Agmnt. § 6.3(c).) The exclusion of fraud and
intentional misrepresentation, but not breach of the covenant, necessarily means that any damages
arising therefrom would be subject to the cap. Accordingly, Plaintiff did not allege separate
damages. Plaintiff’s breach of the covenant claim is dismissed.
B. Fraud
Defendants argue that Plaintiff’s fraud claim should also be dismissed as duplicative. 5
(Defs. Br. at 16.) Defendants further argue that they have no separate duty “outside the contract”
that would permit a fraud claim to move forward. 6 (Id. at 19.)
5
Defendants suggest that the fraud claim is asserted against both Maoli and Celebrity Auto. (Defs. Br. at 16 (fraud
cause of action “based upon Celebrity’s alleged breach of the asset purchase agreement”).) A review of the Complaint
and Plaintiff’s opposition, however, demonstrate that the fraud claim is asserted against Maoli only. (Compl. ¶¶ 60
(“Maoli made at least three separate misrepresentations”), 61 (“Maoli had knowledge”), 62 (“Maoli intended”), 63
(Maoli’s misrepresentations”), 64 ( “Maoli’s fraudulent misrepresentations”); see also Plf. Br. at 15-18.)
6
Defendants do not argue that Plaintiff failed to allege its fraud claim with the requisite particularity required by Fed.
R. Civ. P. 9(b). (Defs. Br. at 16-21.) Accordingly, this Court need not undergo a detailed analysis of whether the
8
To state a claim for fraud, a plaintiff must allege that “(1) the defendant made a material
false representation or omission, (2) the defendant intended to defraud the plaintiff thereby, (3) the
plaintiff reasonably relied upon the representation, and (4) the plaintiff suffered damage as a result
of such reliance.” Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. v. Recover Credits Svcs., Inc., 98 F.3d 13, 19 (2d
Cir. 1996) (quoting Banque Arabe et Internationale D’Investissement v. Maryland Nat’l Bank, 57
F.3d 146, 153 (2d Cir. 1995)) (internal quotations omitted); VTech Holdings Ltd. v. Lucent Tech.,
Inc., 172 F. Supp. 2d 435, 439 (S.D.N.Y. 2001). In federal court, a plaintiff must plead each of
these elements with particularity. Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(b).
Defendants are correct that “no action for fraud [can] stand[] when the only fraud charged
relates to breach of a contract.” Washington, 2009 WL 855652, at *3. Therefore, “general
allegations that defendant entered into a contract while lacking the intent to perform it are
insufficient to support [a fraud] claim.” Wall v. CSX Transp. Inc., 471 F.3d 410, 416 (2d Cir.
2006); see also Bridgestone/Firestone, 98 F.3d at 19; Int’l Elecs. Inc. v. Media Syndication Global,
Inc., No. 02CV4274, 2002 WL 1897661, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 17, 2002) (noting that “a simple
misrepresentation of an intention to perform, does not ordinarily give rise to a claim for fraud”).
Plaintiff’s claim for fraud, however, does more.
Despite the general rule, fraud and breach of contract claims can coexist. Wall, 471 F.3d
at 416. A plaintiff can properly plead them together if it can demonstrate: (1) “a legal duty separate
from the duty to perform under the contract;” or (2) a fraudulent misrepresentation collateral or
extraneous to the contract;” or (3) that “special damages [] are caused by the misrepresentation
standard was met. Plaintiff has alleged sufficient facts to demonstrate “the time, place, speaker and sometimes even
the content of the alleged misrepresentation.” Laugh Factory. Inc. v. Basciano, 608 F. Supp. 2d 549, 558 (S.D.N.Y.
2009) (quoting Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co. v. Aniero Concrete Co., 404 F.3d 566, 576 (2d Cir. 2005)); see also KCG Ams.,
2016 WL 900396, at *3 (no need to plead allegations with incredible precision). Plaintiff alleges at least three
misrepresentations that were made by Maoli, when they were made, and the content of each. (Compl. ¶60.) Plaintiff
also alleges that Maoli knew the representations made to Plaintiff were false, intended to deceive Plaintiff and induce
reliance, and that Plaintiff did in fact reasonably rely on the misstatements to its detriment. (Id. at ¶¶61-64.)
9
and unrecoverable as contract damages.” Bridgestone/Firestone, 98 F.3d at 20; see also Merrill
Lynch & Co. Inc. v. Allegheny Energy, Inc., 500 F.3d 171, 183 (2d Cir. 2007); Wild Bunch, S.A. v.
Vendian Entertainment, LLC, 256 F. Supp. 3d 497, 502 (S.D.N.Y. 2017).
Plaintiff alleges three misrepresentations made by Maoli to support its fraud claim; that
Maoli: (1) concealed the existence of the Injunction, thereby indicating he was “able to purchase
the dealership”, (Compl. ¶60(a)); (2) was promising to pay/was paying the escrow payment by
providing the $500,000 check to the escrow agent, (Compl. ¶60(b)); and (3) on March 7, 2016,
represented that he would be completing his application shortly and would forward the requested
information to Audi, (Compl. ¶60(c).)
1. Concealment of Maoli’s Injunction
The first misrepresentation relates to Maoli’s Injunction.
Specifically, that such an
Injunction precluded Maoli “from purchasing any business except for an unrelated BMW
franchise.” (Compl. ¶60(a).) Plaintiff also alleges that Maoli concealed this to induce reliance
thereon. (Compl. ¶¶12, 60(a), 61(a), 62(a).) If a plaintiff “allege[s] that [it] would not have entered
into the agreement[] with defendant if [it was] aware of information [it] accuse[s] defendant of
either misrepresenting or omitting,” a claim for fraudulent inducement lies and is thus not
duplicative of a breach of contract. Washington, 2009 WL 855652, at *3; see also KCG Ams.,
2016 WL 900396, at *4 (quoting First Bank of the Ams. v. Motor Car Funding, Inc., 257 A.D.
287, 291-92 (N.Y. App. Div. 1st Dept. 1999) for proposition that fraudulent inducement can
survive “even though the same circumstances also give rise to the . . . breach of contract claim”).
(See also Compl. ¶62(a).) Where this claim is based on an omission, courts look at whether the
omission was collateral to the contract and whether there was a duty to disclose the omitted
10
information. See Merrill Lynch, 500 F.3d 171; Laugh Factory. Inc. v. Basciano, 608 F. Supp. 2d
549, 549 (S.D.N.Y. 2009); Washington, 2009 WL 855652; Int’l Elecs., 2002 WL 1897661.
The failure to disclose the existence of the Injunction is sufficient a basis for fraudulent
inducement because the concealment is material and extraneous to the contract and a separate legal
duty to disclose this information existed.
As detailed in Section C, infra, Plaintiff has alleged sufficient facts for alter-ego liability.
Consequently, Celebrity Auto’s ability to perform under the Agreement was dependent upon
Maoli’s finances and ability to do so. Thus, an injunction precluding Maoli from purchasing any
dealerships would likewise preclude Celebrity Auto from doing so. Consequently, Maoli’s failure
to disclose the existence and nature of the Injunction constitutes a material omission of present
fact of Maoli’s (and thus of Celebrity Auto’s) ability to perform that is collateral to the Agreement.
See Wild Bunch, 256 F. Supp. 3d at 506 (“[A]t a minimum, false statements about a party’s present
financial condition or current ability to perform made in order to induce a party to enter into a
contract will support a claim of fraudulent inducement.”); see also KCG Ams., 2016 WL 900396,
at * 4 (“Representations about . . . ability to perform . . . under a contract are distinct from
representations that entity will perform.”); see also Merrill Lynch, 500 F.3d at 180 (“[A]
misrepresentation of present facts is collateral to the contract.”).
Further, Plaintiff pled sufficient facts to show that a duty to disclose did exist. Such a duty
may arise “where one party possesses superior knowledge, not readily available to the other, and
knows that the other is acting on the basis of mistaken knowledge.” Wild Bunch, 256 F. Supp. 3d
at 503 (quoting Aaron Ferer & Sons Ltd. v. Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., 731 F.2d 112, 123 (2d
Cir. 1984)); see also Laugh Factory, 608 F. Supp. 2d at 559; Int’l Elecs., 2002 WL 1897661, at
*2. It must concern “information ‘peculiarly within the knowledge of [the other], and . . . [must
11
not be] such that could have been discovered . . . through the exercise of ordinary intelligence.”
Wild Bunch, 256 F. Supp. 3d at 503. Maoli had such superior knowledge.
The fact that Maoli had an Injunction from a divorce court precluding him from purchasing
any dealerships, indeed the fact that he was getting divorced at all, was information “peculiarly
within” his own knowledge. Plaintiff could not have been expected to consider whether Maoli
was precluded from entering into the Agreement on Celebrity Auto’s behalf due to his divorce,
such that Plaintiff should have searched for the document at all. Additionally, the concealed
information impacted Celebrity Auto’s ability to “pay at all because a concealed [party] controlled
the purse strings.” Wild Bunch, 256 F. Supp. 3d at 504 (finding this to be “peculiar knowledge”);
see also Merrill Lynch, 500 F.3d at 181 (Where misrepresentation “relate[s] to matters peculiarly
within the other party’s knowledge . . . . the wronged party may rely on them without further
investigation.”). The claim can survive. 7
This Court also acknowledges that the Agreement could be read to address the concealment
of the Injunction insofar as it states that “no approval or consent of any other person is required in
connection with the execution, delivery, and performance by the Purchaser of this
Agreement . . . .” (Agreement § 5.1(a)(ii).) The concealment merely breached this warranty, as
the Injunction required the consent of Maoli’s ex-wife and the Divorce Court for purchases of this
kind. (Compl. Ex. B.) Nevertheless, this Court has decided that sufficient facts exist to proceed
7
This Court is aware that where the omission “was a matter of public record that could have been discovered through
the exercise of ordinary diligence” it cannot be said that the individual justifiably relied on the alleged fraudulent
statements. Martin Hilti Family Trust v. Knoedler Gallery, LLC, 137 F. Supp. 3d 430, 484-85 (S.D.N.Y. 2015). On
its face, the Injunction appears to be a public record which would seem to negate Maoli’s superior knowledge. See
Aaron Ferer & Sons, 731 F.2d at 123 (knowledge not superior where concealed information was “a matter of public
record”); see also Barrett v. Freifeld, 908 N.Y.S. 2d 766, 738 (App. Div. 2d Dept. 2010) (dismissing fraud claim
where fact that defendant “had been arrested . . . was a matter of public record which could have been discovered
through the exercise of ordinary diligence”). Nevertheless, even for public matters, the standard requires that the
material could have been discovered by the exercise of ordinary diligence. As indicated herein, Plaintiff could not
have been expected to undertake such a search in light of the nature of the concealment.
12
with side by side claims of fraud and breach of contract due to the superior knowledge doctrine;
this provision does not alter the result. This is an express warranty and a “plaintiff may elect to
sue in fraud on the basis of misrepresentations that breach express warranties.” Merrill Lynch,
500 F.3d at 184 (finding that fact “that alleged misrepresentations would represent, if proven, a
breach of the contractual warranties as well does not alter the result.”); see also First Bank, 257
A.D. at 292 (A “warranty is not a promise of performance, but a statement of present fact.”). This
is one such circumstance.
Finally, Defendants cite Miramax Film Corp. v. Abraham, arguing that Plaintiff failed to
allege special damages not recoverable under the contract to support the fraud claim. (Def. Br. at
19.) This is not dispositive. This Court need not consider whether special damages were alleged
because the claim survives based on the duty to disclose.
Plaintiff has alleged sufficient facts to show that Maoli had a duty to disclose the fact that
he was enjoined from purchasing any dealerships without prior approval from his ex-wife and the
Family Court. Accordingly, Plaintiff has properly pled a cause of action against Maoli for fraud.
2. The Remaining Alleged Misrepresentations
Plaintiff cannot, however, root its fraud claim in the remaining two misrepresentations
asserted. Neither are collateral to the Agreement, nor give rise to a legal duty outside the contract.
As an initial matter, these alleged misrepresentations are asserted on behalf of the breach
of contract claim. (Compare Compl. ¶¶46(b) (“Maoli’s seemingly advancing Celebrity Auto’s
$500,000 escrow deposit without actually delivering the check for deposit”) and 46(c) (“failing or
refusing to provide information in a timely fashion – or at all–that was requested by [Audi]”) with
¶¶60(a) (Maoli led “Plaintiff to believe that he had actually deposited $500,000 in escrow.”) and
60(b) (Maoli misrepresented “that he was responding to [Audi’s] requests . . . and that his
13
application was virtually complete.”).) A fraud claim on these allegations is duplicative. See
Washington, 2009 WL 855652, at *3.
Further, the allegations regarding the $500,000 check are merely intentionally false
statements demonstrating intent to perform. This is not a proper basis for fraudulent inducement.
Thus, on this misrepresentation, a fraud claim can only stand if one of the Bridgestone/Firestone
factors are met. See Bridgestone/Firestone, 98 F.3d at 19-20. Where, as here, obligations are
fixed under the contract and the “trust and confidence [] placed in the [allegedly fraudulent person]
had solely to do with carrying out his obligations under the contract,” there is no separate legal
duty. Id. at 20 (vacating finding of fraud for lack of demonstrating legal duty separate from
contract). Similar to the defendant in Bridgestone/Firestone, Maoli’s obligations on behalf of
Celebrity Auto regarding the $500,000 check arise from the Agreement only. (See Agreement §
3.5(a).) Whether the check was “never deposited in escrow,” (Compl. ¶60(b)), or “improperly
removed” from the account, (Compl. ¶19), is tangential to that obligation and would only constitute
a failure to meet it. Indeed, implicit in this obligation is one to provide a check drawn on a properly
funded account; no additional duty exists. Further, the misstatements are not extraneous or
collateral. The Agreement and this misrepresentation address, not only “common topics”, but the
Agreement explicitly details Maoli’s obligation; the misstatement is not collateral. Wall, 471 F.3d
at 417. Additionally, the misrepresentation was made “after” the Agreement was formed. Wild
Bunch, 256 F. Supp. 3d at 506-07 (noting that [a]fter contractual duty kicked in, any further
statements [of intent/ability to pay] are not cognizable under Bridgestone/Firestone because they
amount to mere false assurances” of intent to perform). A claim for fraud on this ground cannot
lie.
14
Finally, the misrepresentation regarding Maoli’s completion of the application on Audi’s
request, (Compl. ¶60(c)), also fails to form the basis for fraud because it is a promissory statement.
“New York law distinguishes between a promissory statement of what will be done in the future
that gives rise only to a breach of contract cause of action and a misrepresentation of a present fact
that gives rise to a separate cause of action for fraudulent inducement.” Merrill Lynch, 500 F.3d
at 184. His request for an extension of time to complete the paperwork reflects a promise to
comply with the obligation under Section § 7.2(b). Additionally, this misstatement was also made
after the contractual duty was formed, thus constituting a “false assurance[]” of the intent to
perform. Wild Bunch, 256 F. Supp. 3d at 506-07.
C. Piercing the Corporate Veil
In light of the foregoing, this Court need only consider whether Plaintiff has alleged
sufficient facts to properly plead a cause of action for breach of contract and fraud against Maoli
by piercing the corporate veil.
A veil-piercing claim is the exception to the “‘accepted principle’ that a corporation exists
independently of its owners, as a separate legal entity.” KCG Ams., 2016 WL 900396, at *4; see
also De Jesus v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., Inc., 87 F.3d 65, 70 (2d Cir. 1996) (citing Williams v.
McAllister Bros. Inc., 534 F.2d 19 (2d Cir. 1976) for proposition that there is a “presumption of
separateness
afforded
to
related
corporations”)
(internal
quotations
omitted);
Bridgestone/Firestone, 98 F.3d at 17-18 (noting that in New York, individuals are allowed “to
incorporate for the very purpose of avoiding personal liability;” thus courts “disregard corporate
form reluctantly”) A party can pierce the corporate veil where it is established that: “(1) the owner
exercised complete domination over the corporation with respect to the transaction at issue; and
(2) that such domination was used to commit a fraud or wrong that injured the party seeking to
15
pierce the veil.” Parnell v. Tremont Capital Mgmt. Corp., 280 Fed. App’x 76, 77 (2d Cir. 2008);
De Jesus, 87 F.3d at 70 (requiring the demonstration of “actual domination”); KCG Ams., 2016
WL 900396, at *4 (quoting Morris v. New York State Dep’t of Taxation & Fin., 623 N.E.2d 1157
(N.Y. 1993)). Veil-piercing is also appropriate where “the corporation has been so dominated by
an individual and its separate entity so disregarded, that it primarily transacted the dominator’s
business rather than its own and can be called the other’s alter ego.” Bridgestone/Firestone, 98
F.3d at 17-18 (internal quotations and alternations omitted); Mazzola v. Roomster Corp., 849
F. Supp. 2d 395, 400 (S.D.N.Y. 2012). Control is key; however, complete domination, “standing
alone, is not enough; some showing of a wrongful or unjust act toward [Plaintiff] is required.” Am.
Fuel Corp. v. Utah Energy Dev., Inc., 122 F.3d 130, 134 (2d Cir. 1997) (quoting Morris, 623
N.E.2d 1157) (internal quotations omitted).
Courts consider a multitude of factors in determining whether complete domination has
been met, including: (1) “intermingling of corporate and personal funds”; (2) undercapitalization;
(3) “failure to observe corporate formalities”; (4) “failure to pay dividends”; (5) “insolvency at the
time of a transaction”; (6) “siphoning off of funds by the dominant shareholder”; and (7) “the
inactivity of other officers and directors.” Bridgestone/Firestone, 98 F.3d at 18. Courts should be
more liberal in their considerations of these factors as it relates to small businesses to avoid an
“over-rigid preoccupation with” formalities not typically seen in such companies. Id. (quoting
Willian Wrigley Jr. Co. v. Waters, 890 F.2d 594 (2d Cir. 1989) (internal quotations omitted).
The Court must consider the veil-piercing allegations in light of the Rule 8(a) and
Twombly/Iqbal pleading standards. Purjes v. Plausteiner, No. 15CV2515 (VEC), 2016 WL
552959, at *8 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 10, 2016). Where fraud is also alleged, the “fraud allegations [] are
governed by Rule 9(b) . . . while the domination and control elements of the claim need only
16
comply with Rule 8.” In re Alstom SA, 454 F. Supp. 2d 187, 215 (S.D.N.Y. 2006) (internal
quotations and alterations omitted).
Considering these standards, Plaintiff has adequately pled facts of complete domination.
Plaintiff does more than merely allege that Celebrity Auto failed to observe corporate formalities
and was owned by Maoli. See Lefkowitz v. Reissman, No. 12CV8703 (RA), 2014 WL 925410, at
*13 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 7, 2014) (finding allegations went beyond “mere claim that the corporation
was dominated by the defendants”). Accepting Plaintiff’s allegations as true, 8 Maoli was the only
member, indeed only employee of Celebrity Auto, (Compl. ¶¶5, 36), a company which was created
a mere months before the Agreement was entered into, (Compl. ¶ 3; Celebrity Auto Entity Rec.),
it had “no assets and no history of operations,” relying on Maoli for funding, (Compl. ¶¶3-4, 20,
35), and would have been dissolved upon the closing, (Compl. ¶15.) Maoli also negotiated and
executed the Agreement on behalf of Celebrity Auto, (Compl. ¶¶4, 14, 39), provided the escrow
payment from his personal account, (Compl. ¶¶18-19, 40), and used Celebrity Auto to “further his
personal business,” (Compl. ¶38.) Plaintiff also alleges that Celebrity Auto “share[d] the same
mailing address and telephone numbers with Maoli.” (Compl. ¶¶2-3, 37, 41.) Considered
together, these facts are sufficient to raise an inference of complete domination. See A.V.E.L.A.,
Inc. v. Estate of Monroe, 34 F. Supp. 3d 311, 320-21 (S.D.N.Y. 2014) (enough where allegations
of undercapitalization and that individual was “sole shareholder, officer, director, and employee”);
Lefkowitz, 2014 WL 925410, at *13 (alter-ego pled where entities shared an address and party
8
The parties contest the reliance on allegations based on information and belief. (Defs. Br. at 9-10; Plf. Br. at 7-9.)
This Court finds that there are a significant number of allegations, not based on information and belief, which are
supportive of a veil-piercing theory. (Compl. ¶¶3-5, 14, 15, 20, 37-38, 40-41.) The remaining veil-piercing supportive
allegations based on information and belief are hereby accepted by this Court as true, as they are either “peculiarly
within the possession and control of” Defendants or supported by “factual assertions in” the Exhibits to the Complaint
and the Celebrity Auto Entity Record. See Arista Records, LLC. v. Doe 3, 604 F.3d 110, 120-21 (2d Cir. 2010).
17
negotiated and signed agreement); Mazzola, 849 F. Supp. 2d at 411 (complete domination where
allegations showed undercapitalization and that entities were indistinguishable).
Plaintiff has also adequately pled the second prong of the test. 9 To pierce the corporate
veil, Plaintiff must establish that the domination was used to commit a fraud or wrong. Am. Fuel
Corp., 122 F.3d at 134. As the Court previously determined, Plaintiff has properly pled a cause
of action for fraud, see supra, Section B. See Lekowitz, 2014 WL 925410, at *13 (prong two met
where Court already found fraud claim properly pled). Further, Plaintiff has properly alleged a
cause of action for breach of contract 10 against Maoli and has pled several instances of conduct
which would constitute a wrong sufficient for purposes of veil-piercing. Such allegations include:
(1) providing a check in the amount of $500,000 which was allegedly not deposited; (2) the failure
to provide financial information “in a timely fashion – or at all” to Audi, in violation of the
contract; and (3) the alleged improper termination of the Agreement pursuant to § 8.1(h).” (Compl.
¶46.) See Purjes, 2016 WL 552959, at *8 (finding prong two met where breach of contract claim
properly pled). Consequently, Plaintiff may pursue the breach of contract claim and fraud claim
against Maoli individually; thus, Defendants’ motion requesting dismissal of all claims against
Maoli is DENIED. 11
9
Defendants’ argument that “plaintiff has failed to plead a single cognizable fact, supporting an allegation that Maoli
used Celebrity to” perpetrate a fraud or wrong ignores the factual allegations supportive of the breach of contract claim
and fraud claim. (Defs. Br. at 3.) Alter-ego liability does not give rise to its own cause of action; it must be considered
in conjunction with the causes of action alleged in the Complaint.
10
Defendants do not contest the adequacy of the pleadings with respect to the breach of contract claim, except insofar
as they argue that Plaintiff “makes no allegation that Maoli, [] was a signatory, or otherwise bound” by the Agreement.
(Defs. Br. at 11.) To the contrary, Plaintiff explicitly alleges that Maoli negotiated the terms of the Agreement and
was a signatory. (Compl. ¶¶4, 14 (“Maoli and Rost signed”).)
11
This decision only finds that Plaintiff has pled sufficient facts to proceed on a theory of alter-ego liability; it does
not definitively find that the corporate veil should be pierced, as that is a fact heavy determination reserved for later
in the litigation.
18
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, Defendants' motion to dismiss is GRANTED in part, and
DENIED in part. The Court thus grants Defendants' motion and dismisses the breach of the
covenant of good faith and fair dealing claim. The Court also denies Defendants' motion on the
remaining grounds, finding that Plaintiff has adequately pied a theory of alter-ego liability against
Maoli for breach of contract and fraud.
Defendants shall file an answer by January 5.i2018. Counsel for all parties are further
directed to appear for an initial case management and scheduling conference with the Comt
pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 16 on
JO.
vi.
~. 2018, at
11'•30 AM in Courtroom 218 of the
Charles L. Brieant, Jr. Comthouse, 300 Quanopas Street, White Plains, New York 10601. The
parties shall confer in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f) at least 21 days prior to the confei'ence
and attempt in good faith to agree upon a proposed discovery plan that will ensure trial readiness
within six months of the conference date. The paities shall also complete a Civil Case Discovery
Plan and Scheduling Order in advance of the conference. The Clerk of the Court is respectfully
directed to terminate the motion at ECF No. 24.
Dated:
December 6, 2017
White Plains, New York
SO ORDERED:
19
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