COLES et al v. RITZ CARLTON RESIDENCE et al
Filing
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MEMORANDUM AND/OR OPINION. SIGNED BY HONORABLE NORMA L. SHAPIRO ON 6/12/2013. 6/14/2013 ENTERED AND COPIES E-MAILED. (aeg, )
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
ANTHONY COLES and
MICHAEL CASINO
v.
RITZ CARLTON RESIDENCE and
RESIDENCE CONDOMINIUM
NORMA L. SHAPIRO, J.
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CIVIL ACTION
NO. 13-1461
JUNE 12, 2013
Before the court is defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ first amended complaint.1
Plaintiffs Anthony Coles and Michael Casino allege that, on January 20, 2012, they went to the
Ritz Carlton Residence (“the Ritz”) to look at a condominium unit. Plaintiffs allege they viewed
a model unit and were rushed off the premises. As they exited, plaintiffs were stopped and
handcuffed by police officers. Plaintiffs were detained for about thirty minutes and then released.
They allege a Ritz employee reported them to police because they are African American.
Plaintiffs state four counts against defendants: (I) denial of their right to make and enforce
contracts under 42 U.S.C. § 1981; (II) violation of their civil rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983;
(III) unlawful discrimination under Pennsylvania common law; and (IV) punitive damages.
Defendants have moved to dismiss all counts. In their response, plaintiffs concede they cannot state
claims for Counts II through IV, and they request leave to file a second amended complaint stating
a claim only under § 1981. The court held oral arguments on May 13, 2013. For the reasons stated
below, the motion to dismiss all counts will be granted, and plaintiffs will be given leave to amend
their complaint to state a plausible claim under § 1981.
1
Plaintiffs have listed the Ritz Carlton Residence and Residence Condominium as separate defendants. It is
unclear whether these are the same entity or two distinct entities. In their second amended complaint, plaintiffs
should make clear which entity or entities they intend to sue.
I. STANDARD OF REVIEW
Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6), a district court may dismiss all or part of
an action for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. A complaint must contain
sufficient facts, accepted as true, to state a claim that is plausible on its face. Ashcroft v. Iqbal,
556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009); Bell Atlantic v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544 (2007). A complaint is facially
plausible if it pleads “factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that
the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 663. “Threadbare recitals
of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements,” do not establish
a plausible allegation. Id.
A plaintiff may amend his or her complaint once as a matter of course. Fed. R. Civ. P.
15(a)(1). For additional amendments, the plaintiff must receive the opposing party’s written
consent or the court’s leave. Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(2). The court grants leave to amend freely
“when justice so requires.” Id. However, leave to amend may be denied if amendment would be
futile. Arab African Int’l Bank v. Epstein, 10 F.3d 168, 174 (3d Cir. 1993). Futility means that
the amended complaint would fail to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. In
reviewing for futility, the district court applies the same standard of legal sufficiency applying to
a Rule 12(b)(6) motion. In re Burlington Coat Factory Sec. Litig., 114 F.3d 1410, 1434 (3d Cir.
1997).
II. DISCUSSION
Plaintiffs concede they cannot state claims for Counts II through IV, so the court will
grant the motion to dismiss those counts. Plaintiffs believe they can state a claim under § 1981
(Count I), and they request leave to file a second amended complaint containing only that claim.
Defendants argue the § 1981 claim should be dismissed without leave to amend because
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amendment would be futile.
Section 1981 prohibits racial discrimination in the making and enforcing of contracts:
“All persons within the jurisdiction of the United States shall have the same right . . . to make
and enforce contracts . . . as is enjoyed by white citizens.” 42 U.S.C. § 1981(a). To state a claim
under § 1981, plaintiffs must allege that: (1) they are members of a racial minority; (2)
defendants intended to discriminate on the basis of race; and (3) the discrimination concerned the
making and enforcing of a contract. Pryor v. Nat’l Collegiate Athletic Ass’n, 288 F.3d 548, 569
(3d Cir. 2002). “[A] plaintiff cannot state a claim under Section 1981 unless he has (or would
have) rights under the existing (or proposed) contract that he wishes ‘to make and enforce.’”2
Domino’s Pizza, Inc. v. McDonald, 546 U.S. 470, 479 (2006).
Respondeat superior liability is available in actions against private employers under
§ 1981. See, e.g., Flanagan v. Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services Ctr., 876 F.2d
1231,1235 (5th Cir. 1989); Springer v. Seaman, 821 F.2d 871, 881 (1st Cir. 1987). Liability may
be imputed to an employer for the acts of its employees when the plaintiff demonstrates either
“that the employer was aware of the alleged misconduct and failed to take action or that the
employer or an authorized supervisor directly participated in the illicit act.” Goodwin v. Fast
Food Enterprises No. 3, LLP, 2012 WL 1739830, at *3 (W.D. Pa. May 16, 2012).
Plaintiffs allege they viewed a model condominium unit at the Ritz. They assert that an
employee at the Ritz discriminated against them, by rushing them off the premises and
contacting the police, because they are African American. It is unclear whether plaintiffs ever
intended to purchase a condominium unit. Plaintiffs have sufficiently alleged that they are
2
The contractual relationship “need not already exist, because § 1981 protects the would-be contractor
along with those who already have made contracts.” McDonald, 546 U.S. at 476.
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members of a racial minority and that a Ritz employee intended to discriminate against them
based on their race. However, plaintiffs have failed to allege that the discrimination related to a
contract under which plaintiffs have, or would have, rights. Plaintiffs have not stated a claim
under § 1981. The court will grant the motion to dismiss Count I.
Plaintiffs may be able to state a plausible claim of contract interference under § 1981 if
they allege they intended to form a contract and were prohibited from doing so by defendants.
Plaintiffs must also allege facts demonstrating that defendants are liable under a respondeat
superior theory. Since plaintiffs may be able to state a claim under § 1981, amendment would
not be futile. The court will grant plaintiffs leave to file a second amended complaint.
IV. CONCLUSION
Defendants’ motion to dismiss all counts in plaintiff’s first amended complaint will be
granted. Plaintiffs will be given leave to amend their complaint to state a plausible claim under
§ 1981. An appropriate order follows.
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