Giovinale v. JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Filing
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MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING 7 Defendant's Motion for Partial Dismissal, GRANTING 11 Motion for leave to amend.(Signed by Judge Gray H Miller) Parties notified.(rkonieczny, 4)
United States District Court
Southern District of Texas
ENTERED
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
HOUSTON DIVISION
NANCY GIOVINALE,
Plaintiff,
v.
JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
Defendant.
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March 23, 2017
David J. Bradley, Clerk
CIVIL ACTION H-16-986
MEMORANDUM OPINION & ORDER
Pending before the court is defendant JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.’s (“Chase”) partial
motion to dismiss plaintiff Nancy Giovinale’s complaint (Dkt. 1, Ex. B). Dkt. 7. Having considered
the motion to dismiss, response, reply, and applicable law, the court finds that Chase’s partial motion
should be GRANTED. Additionally, Giovinale’s introductory and breach of fiduciary duty claims
should be DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE, and her breach of contract, breach of express warranty,
and Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act claims should be DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
In her response, Giovinale requests leave to amend her complaint in the case of a dismissal. Dkt. 11
at 3. The court finds that Giovinale’s request for leave to amend her complaint should be
GRANTED.
I. BACKGROUND
This case arises from Giovinale’s claim against Chase for unauthorized withdrawals from
her accounts at Chase. Dkt. 1, Ex. B at 3. Giovinale claims she has been a customer of Chase or its
“predecessor in interest” for approximately ten years and is classified as a “Private Client.” Dkt. 1,
Exs. B, F. Beginning around January 1, 2013, Giovinale alleges that there were approximately
twenty-five (25) unauthorized withdrawals from her checking account and unauthorized early
terminations of her Certificates of Deposit. Id. Further, Giovinale alleges that at least half of these
unauthorized withdrawals were made at a Chase branch directly, and that Chase failed to verify her
signature before cashing the checks. Dkt. 1, Ex. B at 3.
Giovinale lives in Venezuela, and she monitors the account with the assistance of her
daughter Maria Giovinale, who also lived abroad at the time of the alleged unauthorized
withdrawals. Dkt. 1, Ex. F. Because the Giovinales lived abroad, the bank statements were sent to
a mailing address in Venezuela. Id. When Giovinale did not receive bank statements, she assumed
it was because of the poor service of the Venezuelan postal system. Id. Therefore, Giovinale claims
that she did not discover the fraudulent withdrawals until June 2013 when her daughter returned to
the United States, accessed the account, and found it was empty. Dkt. 1, Ex. F. Giovinale alleges
the bank failed to notify her of any unusual activity during the seven months of fraudulent
transactions. Id. Giovinale filed suit against the bank because it refused to provide fraud protection.
Id. The bank notified Giovinale that its refusal was because Giovinale failed to notify the bank of
the unauthorized transaction within thirty days of receipt of her first bank statement showing these
transactions. Id.
On September 6, 2013, Maria Giovinale wrote the bank and enumerated the alleged
unauthorized transactions that took place. Id. The letter outlines a total of $152,050 in unauthorized
wire transfers and $323,840 in checks cashed by an unauthorized person who successfully changed
the address on the bank account and requested a checkbook from the bank several months after the
fraud began. Id.
On January 20, 2016, Giovinale filed an original petition against Chase in the 165th Judicial
District Court for Harris County, Texas. Dkt. 1, Ex. B. On April 11, 2016, Chase removed the case
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to federal court. Dkt. 1. Chase filed a partial motion to dismiss Giovinale’s claims except for those
under section 3.420 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code. Dkt. 7. Giovinale responded, and
Chase replied. Dkts. 11, 14.
II. LEGAL STANDARD
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8(a)(2) requires only that the pleading contain “a short and
plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2).
A court may dismiss a complaint for “failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.” Fed.
R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6). To survive a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, a plaintiff must plead “enough
facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Gines v. D.R. Horton, Inc., 699 F.3d 812,
816 (5th Cir. 2012) (quoting Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570, 127 S. Ct. 1955 (2007)).
“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.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal,
556 U.S. 662, 678, 129 S. Ct. 1937 (2009). “Factual allegations must be enough to raise a right to
relief above the speculative level . . . on the assumption that all the allegations in the complaint are
true (even if doubtful in fact).” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555. As part of the Twombly-Iqbal analysis,
the court proceeds in two steps. First, the court separates legal conclusions from well-pled facts.
Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678–79. Second, the court reviews the well-pled factual allegations, assumes they
are true, and then determines whether they “plausibly give rise to an entitlement of relief.” Id. at
679.
Generally, when “considering a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, a district court
must limit itself to the contents of the pleadings, including attachments thereto.” Collins v. Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter, 224 F.3d 496, 498 (5th Cir. 2000). Here, the court will consider Giovinale’s
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complaint (Dkt. 1, Ex. B) and the attached September 6, 2013 letter from Maria Giovinale to Chase
(Dkt. 1, Ex. F).
III. ANALYSIS
Chase moves to dismiss all of Giovinale’s claims, except those arising under section 3.420
of the Texas Business and Commerce Code.1 Dkt. 7. Giovinale’s complaint does not completely
enumerate her causes of action, but Chase’s partial motion to dismiss addresses the following claims
which appear within her complaint: an introductory claim, breach of contract, breach of common law
and statutory express warranty, breach of fiduciary duty, and violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade
Practices Act (“DTPA”) (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. §§ 17.41–17.63)). Dkt 7 at 1. Chase also
argues that some of Giovinale’s claims are pre-empted by section 3.420. Dkt. 7 at 6–10. In her
response, Giovinale agrees that she is suing for “statutory violations of the Uniform Commercial
Code, breach of common law and statutory express warranty for services, breach of fiduciary duty,
breach of contract and deceptive trade practice.” Dkt. 11 at 1. The court will address each of these
claims in turn.
A.
Introductory Claim
Giovinale initially pleads that she “brings suit for all causes of action both common law and
statutory” and then states any subsequent allegations are made “by way of specification, but not
limitation” of her claims. Dkt. 1, Ex. B at 4. Chase challenges that this is a “catch all claim” that
should fail under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8 and Twombly. Dkt. 7 at 4. Giovinale responds
that this paragraph was merely “the introductory paragraph” to explain that the suit was brought in
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Giovinale refers to this as “the Texas version of the Uniform Commercial Code,” “the
Texas UCC,” and “3.420 of the UCC” in different sections of her complaint and response. Dkt. 1,
Ex. B at 5; Dkt. 11 at 1–2.
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common law and statutory law, but also argues that the court should not dismiss any claims in this
paragraph. Dkt. 11 at 2. If this introductory paragraph is an attempt to state a claim, the court agrees
with Chase, that it is not a sufficient statement to give the defendant “fair notice of what the claim
is and the grounds upon which it rests.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2); Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555. To the
extent that this introductory paragraph is a claim, Chase’s motion to dismiss the claim is
GRANTED.
B.
Breach of Contract
In her complaint, Giovinale claims that Chase “breached its contract with the plaintiff” and
that she is, therefore, entitled to attorney’s fees. Dkt. 1, Ex. B at 5. Chase argues that this claim
should be dismissed because it does not even identify the contract that was breached. Dkt. 7 at 8.
In pleading a breach of contract, a plaintiff generally must plead facts showing: “(1) the
existence of a valid contract; (2) performance or tendered performance by the plaintiff; (3) breach
of the contract by the defendant; and (4) damages sustained by the plaintiff as a result of the breach.”
Mullins v. TestAmerica, Inc., 564 F.3d 386, 418 (5th Cir. 2009) (quoting Aguiar v. Segal, 167
S.W.3d 443, 450 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2005, pet. denied)). A conclusory statement that
a contract was breached does not meet the pleading requirements of Rule 8(a). See, e.g., Motten v.
Chase Home Fin., 831 F. Supp. 2d 988, 1003 (S.D. Tex. 2011) (dismissing a breach of contract
claim for failing to indicate which contracts were breached and which provisions were breached);
Lehman Bros. Holdings v. Cornerstone Mortg. Co., No. CIV.A. H-09-0672, 2009 WL 2900740, at
*5 (S.D. Tex. Aug. 31, 2009) (holding that “bare-bones” allegations that a contract was breached by
a bank’s failure to properly service loans does not satisfy the pleading requirements of Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure).
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In her complaint, Giovinale only alleges that Chase was “in violation of its agreement to
verify the signature on the instruments” and that “all conditions precedent to bringing of this action
have occurred or been performed or excused.” Dkt. 1, Ex. B at 3, 5. In her response, Giovinale
further states that Chase’s alleged failure to verify the signature violated a “depository agreement.”
Dkt. 11 at 2–3. Giovinale’s minimal set of allegations do not rise beyond a conclusory allegation
that Chase breached an unspecified contract—the allegations do not identify the nature or existence
of the contract between Chase and Giovinale, provide any facts regarding either parties’ performance
obligations under the contract beyond a broad requirement that Chase verify signatures, or specify
what provisions of the speculative contract may have been breached. Without some factual
allegations regarding the nature of the contract and the breach to support her claim, Giovinale’s right
to relief for a breach of contract does not rise beyond a speculative level. Twomby, 550 U.S. at 549.
Therefore, Chase’s motion to dismiss Giovinale’s breach of contract claim is GRANTED.
C.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Giovinale also alleges that “Defendant Chase Bank was a fiduciary of the Plaintiff.” Dkt. 1,
Ex. B at 4. To the extent that including this phrase in her complaint is an attempt to state a claim
of breach of fiduciary duty, Chase moves to dismiss this cause of action. Dkt. 7 at 11. Giovinale
confirmed in her response that she is asserting a cause of action for breach of fiduciary duty. Dkt. 11
at 1–2.
Under Texas law, the elements of a breach of fiduciary duty claim are: (1) a fiduciary
relationship between the plaintiff and defendant, (2) a breach by the defendant of his fiduciary duty
to the plaintiff, and (3) an injury to the plaintiff or benefit to the defendant as a result of the
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defendant's breach. Jones v. Blume, 196 S.W.3d 440, 447 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2006, pet. denied);
Punts v. Wilson, 137 S.W.3d 889, 891 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2004, no pet.).
Chase argues that it did not have a fiduciary relationship with Giovinale because there is no
formal fiduciary relationship between a bank and its checking account holders. Dkt. 7 at 11. “The
relationship between a bank and its customers does not usually create a special or fiduciary
relationship.” Davis v. West, 317 S.W.3d 301, 312 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2009, no pet.)
(citing to Farah v. Mafrige & Kormanik, P.C., 927 S.W.2d 663, 675 (Tex. App.— Houston [1st
Dist.] 1996, no writ)); see also Fleming v. Tex. Coastal Bank of Pasadena, 67 S.W.3d 459, 461 (Tex.
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2002, pet. denied). However, in the absence of a formal fiduciary
relationship, an informal relationship can still exist. ARA Auto. Grp. v. Cent. Garage, Inc., 124 F.3d
720, 723 (5th Cir. 1997). Determining whether a fiduciary relationship exists is a fact-intensive
inquiry usually reserved for the jury, but the court may rule on the relationship as a matter of law
when there is no evidence that supports the existence of such a relationship. Id.
Giovinale argues that she had an informal fiduciary relationship with Chase, based on the
length of their dealings (Giovinale’s relationship with Chase has lasted “for years”) and based on the
trust that Giovinale placed in Chase with respect to her personal finances. Dkt. 11 at 2. Giovinale
cites to Lee v. Hasson, which held that “length of the relationship is another important factor in
determining whether a fiduciary relationship should be recognized,” but the court also acknowledged
that for arms-length business transactions “even a longstanding relationship of friendship or
cordiality is insufficient, without more, to establish an informal fiduciary relationship.” 286 S.W.3d
1, 15 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2007, pet. denied). Giovinale also argues that a fiduciary
relationship existed because the dealings between the parties have been long enough that she was
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justified in relying on Chase to act in her best interests, creating a confidential relationship. Dkt. 11
at 2 (citing Carr v. Weiss, 984 S.W.2d 753, 766 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 1999, no pet.)).
Texas courts give further guidance on determining if a fiduciary relationship exist by
clarifying that “[m]ere subjective trust does not . . . transform arm’s-length dealing into a fiduciary
relationship.” Meyer v. Cathey, 167 S.W.3d 327, 331 (Tex. 2005) (quoting Schlumberger Tech.
Corp. v. Swanson, 959 S.W.2d 171, 177 (Tex. 1997)). “Not every relationship involving a high
degree of trust and confidence rises to the stature of a fiduciary relationship.” Id. Further, Texas
courts “reject evidence of trust and confidence between the parties” as evidence of a fiduciary
relationship. ARA Auto. Grp., 124 F.3d at 725 (noting factors such as sharing profits or losses are
more dispositive of establishing a fiduciary relationship than the length of the relationship).
Though Giovinale alleges her banking relationship with Chase was long-lasting and she
trusted Chase with a large amount of her personal finances, these facts are not sufficient to plausibly
establish that her banking relationship was anything more than an arm’s-length business transaction.
Without alleging any facts to make the existence of a fiduciary relationship with Chase plausible,
Giovinale fails to state a claim for breach of fiduciary duty. Therefore, Chase’s motion to dismiss
Giovinale’s breach of fiduciary duty claim is GRANTED
D.
Breach of Common Law and Statutory Express Warranties
In her complaint, Giovinale alleges that Chase “violated those common and Texas UCC
warranty claims for beach [sic] of express warranty for services . . . [by] represent[ing] to the
Plaintiff the quality and/or characteristics of the services and promises the services would be those
of the highest quality and would at minimum include the safeguarding of Plaintiff’s funds from theft
of conversion as occurred here.” Dkt. 1-3 at 4–5. Giovinale claims that representations made by
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Chase “were the basis of the bargains” and that the defendant “breach[ed] the warranties and
representations given to the Plaintiff.” Id.
Chase argues that any warranty claims outside those created by section 3.420 should be
dismissed because Giovinale does not identify which promises gave rise to additional express
warranties. Dkt. 7 at 5. Giovinale does not directly respond to Chase’s argument, but rather
emphasizes that she is bringing breach of warranty claims under common law, the Texas UCC, and
the DTPA. Dkt. 11 at 2. Then, Giovinale only offers the conclusory statement that “Plaintiff has
provided sufficient legal and factual bases to put the Defendant on notice that it has brought forth
a breach of warranty [claim] . . . .” Id.
Texas recognizes a common law cause of action and a statutory cause of action for the breach
of an express warranty. Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. § 17.50(a)(2); Parkway Co. v. Woodruff, 901
S.W.2d 434, 438 (Tex. 1995). The DTPA does not create warranties, the warranty must be otherwise
actionable under common law or statute. Id. The DTPA does prohibit breach of warranties and
provides additional remedies for breach of warranty claims. Id. For that reason, the court will
address the breach of statutory and common warranty claims concurrently for the purposes of this
motion to the dismiss.
An express warranty is “[a]ny affirmation of fact or promise made by the seller to the buyer
which relates to the goods and becomes part of the basis of the bargain.” Tex. Bus. & Com. Code
Ann. § 2.313(a)(1). “Although express warranties are enforced in service transactions, warranty law
has developed primarily within the context of the sale of goods.” Humble Nat. Bank v. DCV, Inc.,
933 S.W.2d 224, 233 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1996, writ denied) (citing to Sw. Bell Tel.
Co. v. FDP Corp., 811 S.W.2d 572, 574 (Tex. 1991)). Therefore, the case law is equally applicable
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to express warranties for goods and services. Id. A statement that is mere puffing or the seller’s
opinion does not give rise to an actionable warranty. § 2.313(b); see also Presidio Enters, Inc. v.
Warner Bros. Distrib. Corp., 784 F.2d 674 (5th Cir. 1986). Vague or imprecise representations are
mere opinion and do not give rise to an express warranty. Humble Nat. Bank, 933 S.W.2d at 230.
Giovinale does not plead any specific facts regarding the alleged statements or promises
made by Chase that formed the express warranty of services—she merely offers that she was
promised an account with services of the “highest quality” that would be safeguarded from theft.
Dkt. 1, Ex. B at 5. The court finds that these statements are vague or mere opinion in nature and thus
do not give rise to a plausible allegation that an express warranty was established under common law
or statute. Therefore, Chase’s motion to dismiss Giovinale’s breach of express warranty claims is
GRANTED.
E.
Deceptive Trade Practices
Giovinale also claims that “[t]he Bank’s conduct violates the DTPA.” Dkt. 1, Ex. B at 5.
It is unclear to the court if Giovinale is attempting to assert an additional claim under the DTPA or
if she merely intends to rely on the DTPA to enforce the breach of warranty claims. Dkt. 11 at 1, 2.
However, out of thoroughness, the court will address Chase’s motion to dismiss any free-standing
DTPA claims not otherwise addressed in this opinion.
To state a valid claim under the DTPA, Giovinale must show (1) that she is a consumer, (2)
that the defendant engaged in false, misleading, or deceptive acts, and (3) that those acts were a
producing cause of her damages. Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. § 17.50(a)(1); see also Hugh Symons
Grp, plc v. Motorola, Inc., 292 F.3d 466, 468 (5th Cir. 2002).
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The only allegation of a false, misleading, or deceptive acts that the court finds in Giovinale’s
complaint is her allegation that Chase “acted in concert with the forger in effectuating the scheme
to defraud.” Dkt. 1, Ex. B at 3. The court observes that Giovinale does not re-allege that she has
a fraud claim or address Chase’s arguments for dismissing the fraud claim in her response. Dkt. 11.
In addition to meeting the plausibility standard, under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 9(b),
if a party is alleging fraud or mistake, the pleading must “state with particularity the circumstances
constituting fraud or mistake.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(b); United States ex rel. Grubbs v. Kanneganti, 565
F.3d 180, 185 (5th Cir. 2009) (noting that Rule 9(b) does not “supplant” Rule 8(a)). The Fifth
Circuit strictly interprets Rule 9(b), “requiring a plaintiff pleading fraud to specify the statements
contended to be fraudulent, identify the speaker, state when and where the statements were made,
and explain why the statements were fraudulent.” Dorsey v. Portfolio Equities, Inc., 540 F.3d 333,
339 (5th Cir. 2008) (quoting Herrmann Holdings Ltd. v. Lucent Techs. Inc., 302 F.3d 552, 564–65
(5th Cir. 2002)). The pleading requirements of Rule 9(b) apply to any allegations of fraud, including
those brought under Texas statutes such as the DTPA. Lone Star Ladies Inv. Club v. Schlotzky’s,
Inc., 238 F.3d 363, 368 (5th Cir. 2001); see, e.g., SHS Inv. v. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 798 F. Supp.
2d 811, 815 (S.D. Tex. 2011); Patel v. Holiday Hosp. Franchising, Inc., 172 F. Supp. 2d 821, 825
(N.D. Tex. 2001); Frith v. Guardian Life Ins. Co. of Am., 9 F. Supp. 2d 734, 742 (S.D. Tex. 1998).
However, Giovinale does not plead any facts outside of her conclusory allegation that Chase
acted in concert with the alleged forger, and therefore she does not establish the circumstances of
the fraud with any particularity. With the exception of the warranty claim that was already addressed
by the court, Giovinale does not specify other facts which allege a “false, misleading, or deceptive
act” committed by Chase, let alone any details sufficient to meet the pleading standard required for
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claims of fraud. Therefore, Chase’s motion to dismiss Giovinale’s remaining DTPA claims is
GRANTED
F.
Preemption
Because the court finds that Giovinale does not state a claim for any of these causes of action,
it does not need to address Chase’s argument that Giovinale’s breach of warranty, breach of contract,
and DTPA claims may also be pre-empted by her claim under section 3.420. Tex. Bus. & Com.
Code Ann. § 1.103 (“[W]hile principles of common law and equity may supplement
provisions . . . they may not be used to supplant its provisions, or the purposes and policies those
provisions reflect”); Dkt. 7 at 6–8. The court observes that even if Giovinale’s claims had survived,
her recovery may be limited by Chase’s preemption arguments, because “[a] common law theory of
recovery that allows a plaintiff to exceed the maximum amount of liability as stated in section 3.420
is preempted.”
AMX Enterprises, Inc. v. Bank One, N.A., 196 S.W.3d 202, 207 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist] 2006, pet. denied); see also Southwest Bank v. Information Support
Concepts, Inc., 149 S.W.3d 104, 111 (Tex. 2004).
IV. LEAVE TO AMEND
Finally, Giovinale requests leave to amend her complaint. Dkt. 11 at 3. Rule15(a)(2) allows
a party to “amend its pleading only with the opposing party’s written consent or the court’s leave.”
Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(2). The Fifth Circuit has held that leave to amend should be granted liberally
unless the party has acted in bad faith or if granting leave to amend would cause prejudice. Jebaco,
Inc. v. Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 587 F.3d 314, 322 (5th Cir. 2009). Federal courts often give
plaintiffs at least one opportunity to cure pleading deficiencies. Great Plains Tr. Co. v. Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter & Co., 313 F.3d 305, 329 (5th Cir. 2002). However, granting leave to amend
is within the sound discretion of the district court, and leave may be denied if the court has good
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reason, including the futility of an amendment. Foman v. Davis, 371 U.S. 178, 182, 83 S. Ct. 227
(1962); Rosenzweig v. Azurix Corp., 332 F.3d 854, 864 (5th Cir. 2003).
The court observes that Giovinale’s request was made prior to the deadline in the court’s
scheduling order, which would have allowed Giovinale to amend her complaint freely without the
court’s leave. However, the court finds no evidence of bad faith on the part of Giovinale and that
amending the complaint will not cause prejudice, despite the progress of discovery in this matter.
It is in the interests of justice to GRANT Giovinale’s request for leave to amend. Dkt. 11 at 3.
However, based on its grounds for dismissing the claims, the court concludes that any amendments
to the introductory claim and the breach of fiduciary duty claim would be futile. Therefore the
introductory claim and breach of fiduciary duty claim are DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. The
remaining claims for breach of contract, breach of express warranty, and violation of the DTPA are
DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE, with leave to amend these claims only.
V. CONCLUSION
Chase’s partial motion to dismiss Giovinale’s claims, except those brought under section
3.420 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, is GRANTED. Dkt. 7. Giovinale’s introductory
claim and breach of fiduciary duty claim are DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. Giovinale’s breach
of contract, breach of express warranty, and DTPA claims are DISMISSED WITHOUT
PREJUDICE.
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Giovinale’s request for leave to amend her complaint is GRANTED. Dkt. 11 at 3. It is
therefore ORDERED that Giovinale may amend her pleadings within twenty (20) days from the date
of this order.
Signed at Houston, Texas on March 23, 2017.
___________________________________
Gray H. Miller
United States District Judge
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