Metzler Asset Management GmbH et al v. Aliff et al

Filing 48

ORDER AND OPINION granting 43 Motion to Remand to State Court. Clerk's Notice: Attorneys are responsible for supplementing the State Record with all documents filed in Federal Court. Signed by Honorable Margaret B Seymour on 8/1/2018.(mdea )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COLUMBIA DIVISION
Metzler Assett Management GmbH
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and Joseph Heinz, on behalf of themselves )
and all others similarly situated,
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Plaintiffs,
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vs.
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Gregory E. Aliff, James A. Bennett,
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John F.A.V. Cecil, Sharon A. Decker,
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D. Maybank Hagood, Lynne M. Miller,
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James W. Roquemore, Maceo K. Sloan,
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Alfredo Trujillo, Dominion Energy, Inc.,
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and Sedona Corp.,
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Defendants.
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____________________________________)

C/A No. 3:18-505-MBS

ORDER AND OPINION

Plaintiffs Metzler Asset Management GmbH and Joseph Heinz, on behalf of themselves and
all others similarly situated, filed this shareholder class action complaint in the Richland County,
South Carolina, Court of Common Pleas on February 8, 2018. Plaintiffs allege that Defendants
Gregory E. Aliff; James A. Bennett; John F.A.V. Cecil; Sharon A. Decker; D. Maybank Hagood;
Lynne M. Miller; James W. Roquemore; Maceo K. Sloan; and Alfredo Trujillo, as members of the
Board of Directors of SCANA Corporation (“SCANA”), breached their fiduciary duties to the
shareholders of SCANA in certain respects. Plaintiffs further allege that Defendants Dominion
Energy, Inc. and Sedona Corp. aided and abetted the Board of Directors in breaching their fiduciary
duties. Dominion Energy, Inc. and Sedona Corp. removed the action to this court on February 21,
2018, contending that the court has subject matter jurisdiction under the Class Action Fairness Act,
28 U.S.C. §§ 1332, 1453 (“CAFA”).

In two related actions, the court determined that removal is not proper under CAFA because
Plaintiffs’ allegations of aiding and abetting fall within the exception to CAFA jurisdiction set forth
in 28 U.S.C. § 1332(d)(9). As the court lacked subject matter jurisdiction, these actions were
remanded to state court. See Firemen’s Retirement Sys. of St. Louis v. Addison, C/A No. 3:18-501MBS; City of Warren Police & Fire Retirement Sys. v. SCANA Corp., C/A No. 3:18-509-MBS. This
matter now is before the court on Plaintiffs’ motion to remand, which motion was filed on July 11,
2018.1 See 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c). Plaintiffs contend that the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction
for the reasons set forth in Firemen’s Retirement System and City of Warren. The court agrees. As
the court previously found, section 1332(d)(9) should be read to encompass Plaintiffs’ aiding and
abetting claims as “concerning” or “relating to” one or all of the exceptions to CAFA set forth
therein.
The court is informed that Defendants do not intend to file a memorandum in opposition to
Plaintiffs’ motion, given the court’s prior ruling. Plaintiffs’ motion to remand (ECF No. 43) is
granted.
IT IS SO ORDERED.

/s/ Margaret B. Seymour
Senior United States District Judge
Columbia, South Carolina
August 1, 2018

1

Plaintiffs inadvertently included Jimmy E. Addison as a Defendant on the caption of
their motion to remand.
2