Sewell v. Wells Fargo Bank N.A. et al
Filing
99
MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Samuel G. Wilson on 8/14/2012. (eot)
CL S OFFI U. DI O URT
FRK'
CE S. SX
AT ROANOKEI A
V
FI ED
L
At 1i 2 1
s
22
I TH E UN I
N
TED STATES DI
STR I C O U RT
CT
FO R TH E W E STERN DI
STRI O F VI G I I
CT
R N A
R O A NO K E D I ISIO N
V
AD RI
ENN E SEW ELL,
JULI ,
BY;
,
s
Ci lA c i N o.7: v001
vi ton
11c
24
Pl ntf
ai it
M E M O R AND UM O PI I
N ON
V.
W ELL S FA R G O BA N K ,N . .and
A
W ELL S FA R G O & C O M PAN Y
D ef
endant
s.
By:Sam ue G.W is
l
l on
U nie St esD i t i tJudg
t d at
sr c
e
Thi i a aci puruan t t c tsdi riyj iditon, U. C.j 1 b
s s n ton s t o he our' vest urs ci 28 S.
332, y
pl i ifA dre w Se e l a f m e W e l Fa go br k t le ,a ns de e n s W els Fa g
a ntf
im
w l, or r ls r
m e l r gai t f nda t
l r o,
N. andW el Fago& Co ny(ole tvey,ç el Fago' f br c ofc rc an
A.
ls r
mpa c lci l s ls r ' or ea h onta t d
W
)
def a i a i i outof W e l Fa g sde s o t t r i t Se e l By e r i rm e or ndum
am ton rs ng
ls r o' cii n o e m na e w l.
a le
m a
o ni t cou tf
pi on, he r oundt tSewel hadpl d f c ss fce t s vi W el Fa go' Nove r
ha
l
e a t ufiint o ur ve ls r s
mbe
22, 1 m oton t di m i s Tho h Se e lwasa a - ile pl e a he t ore of
201 , i o s s .
ug w l
n tw l m oye nd r he i s
t ou ha he l- e d legai ns cc pt d s r
la lt hadr m ane fui 1t ecour f nd t tt we lplade a l to , a e e a tue
ibiiy
e i d l d, h
andviwe i t lghtmos fvor l t Se l, a i yalge ( )abr c ofco rc bas
e d n he i
t a abe o welplusbl le d 1 ea h
nta t ed
ona r dbutt i r dbe ft a ( dea tonba e o W el Fa go' sae nt t
ccue
mdelve e neis nd 2) fmai s d n ls r s ttme s o
ba c t e sa utSe e lst r i ton. Them a t ri no be or t c r on t pa te
nk usom r bo
w l' e m na i
te s w f e he ou t he ri s'
'Se lhass itd at aloff vesonsofhe c pli . ( eMe Op. , l ECFNo 3 )Th
wel
ubm te ot
our ri
r om ant Se m. 1 n.,
. 2. e
co tba e ise ri memor ndum opi on o t f rhve son.
ur s d t a ler
a
ni n he ou t r i
Thec t est tSewelhasfld ase ofm oi i t sc e sx e n i t a,wih sxoft m
our not ha
l
ie lw
tons n hi as - it e n otl t i
he
p sd t gh rmoinfrsmmayj d me t S meaebe s e b ia c rce, l oh r ijc te re n t
o tai e to o u r u g n. o r lmih d y n c ua iswhi tes ne th o is o
n
e
pr ousyar d.Rahe t n e gi t i fulspoi - poi ,i s fc t sy t tt c t cos y
evi l gue
t r ha nga ng her a t ntby- nt t ufies o a ha he our has l el
e
xami d e hm otonand, hienotw ihi t dicou a z l a
ne ac
i
w l
s ng o s r ge eaous dvoca y, i sc elm a hav
c beleve ouns
y e
u rao a l mutpidte epo e dn s S e28U.. j1 2 (t n atre o oh rpes na mie t
ne s n by lile h s rc e ig . e
SC. 9 7 t y ton y r te ro d t d o
A
t
c
onduc c s si a c toft Unie Stts...wh s m uli i t pr ee ngsi anyca eunr s bl and
t a e n ny our he td ae
o o tples he oc di n
s
ea ona y
ve tousy m a ber quiedby t cour t stsy pe s l t e s coss ex ns ,anda t ne 'fes
xai l y e r
he
t o a if ronaly he xce s t, pe es
tor ys e
r a o a l i c re b c u eo s c c n u t'.
e s n b y n u r d e a s f u h o d c.)
'
Theco tfndsnom e i i Se lsousa ngm otonsa t r f ede e t m .
ur i
rt n wel' ttndi
i nd he eor nis he
z LERK
co smoinsf rs mma yj d me t Afe mo t so d s o e ya dafu r of ing , e l
r s - to o u r u g n . tr n h f ic v r n lry fl s S wel
i
hasye t e t bls a f c ua ba i t s
t o sa ih a t l ss o uppor he cli s The c tt e or fndsno ti bl
t r am .
our her f e i
ra e
is s gr t W el Fago' motonf s mmayj
sue , ans ls r s i or u r udgme , de esSe lscos moton.
ntand ni wel' r s i
1.
W a hovi Ba l hi e Se e li 2005. W he W e l Fa go a r d W a hovi a is
c
a rk r d w l n
n ls r cquie
c
a nd t
e oye sa t e of2008,i i plm e e polce t ti publs dpa ty i t W el Fa go
mpl e t he nd
t m e ntd i is ha t ihe rl n he ls r
Tea M e rHa
m
mbe ndbook a t Ba sCodeofEt csa Busne sConduc .Ea h yea s
nd he nk'
hi nd
i s
t c
r
W els Fa go r qui e ise pl yee t r vi w a f ma l a know l
l r e r d t m o s o e e nd or ly c
edge t e polci sa
hos
i e nd
pr e e .l Fe uayof201 Se lddj tt twhe s sgne aE-ea M e r
oc durs n br r
0, wel i us ha n he i d i- m mbe
l
Ac w l e e ' s a i t ha be n pr ded t lrk t a c s t o i W e l Fa go
kno edg m nt' t tng, t ve e ovi
l
he it o c es he nlne ls r
Te m M e rHandbook. 1unde sa t tt polcesi c ansdono c tt e a e es
a
mbe
r tnd ha he ii t ont i
t onsiut n xpr s
o i idc rctofe oymenta t tmye oy n i a wil' ( .
r mple onta
mpl
, nd ha
mpl me t s t l.' Mot Summ. .Ex.A.
J
,
7,ECFNo.65- ) TheTe m Me rHa
2.
a
mbe ndbookis l rieae t naur ofSe l'
tef etrtd he t e
wels
em pl ent
oym :
Thi ha boo c ai e s nta i or a i abou W els Fa go Hum a
s nd k ont ns s e i l nf m ton
t
l r
n
Res c ( polces ...l i mea tasa oulneofpolcesa pr e es
oures HR) ii . t s n n ti
ii nd oc dur
c rng W elsFar a iss i a i s i i no ac r tofe oye
ove i
l go nd t ubsdire - t s t ontac
mpl e
tihtg'
l g sj'
r
Thi ha
s ndbook i no a co r to e pl e . Y oure pl m e wih a W e l
s t ntac f m oym nt
m oy nt t
ls
Fa go c pa hasno s ii t r orl ng h;bot you a W elsFa go ha
r om ny
pec ted e m
e t
h
nd
l r
ve
t r g t t r i t y e pl e a any tm e, ih o w ihoutad nc
he i ht o e m na e our m oym nt t
i wt r t
va e
no i e a w ih orw ihoutca e.
tc nd t
t
us
Thi i c l d E pl m e a w il' Onl a o t c rofW els Far a t l ve
s s ale t
em oy nt t l.
' y n fi e
l
go t he e l
ofe c i vi e pr i ntorhi her a t i ed by t s ni H um a Res c
xe utve c es de
g , u horz
he e or
n
our es
M anagerf yourbusi gr
or
ness oup,m ay aler yotrat wilst us or ent i o an
t
l - l at
er nt
agreem entf em pl entf a specii perod oftm e. A ny m odiicaton t
or
oym
or
fed i
i
t i o
youra - ilem pl e s a us m us be c im e i wrtng by an ofi e of
tw l
oym nt t t
t onfr d n ii
tc r
W e l Fa go a t lve ofe utvevi epr sde o hi he ,a ho i dby t
ls r t he e l xec i c e i nt r g r ut rze
he
s ni Hum a Res ce M a e f ryolrbus ne sgr
e or
n
our s nag r o
z i s oup.
(d,a 8,1 )
1 t 4.2
One ofW e l Fa go' wr te polci s i t uc ed t ta i vi
ls r s it n i e ns r t ha n ndi dualt le ' ca h- a e
e l r s s dr w r
t a s ul no e e a c r a n m a m um am ount W he a t le a tm ul t d t m uc c s
ot l ho d t xce d e t i xi
.
n e l r ccz a e oo
h ah
a ne edt r ducet a
nd ed o e
he mount t t lrwa s
, he ele s uppos dt ç e l'he e es c h.Thet le
e o û l't xc s as
s
el r
(aldt deli tle'orûis tle' a co ihe t sts bye ei ac htsl'i o
c le he û lng elr' ç rt elr' c mpls d hi ak ntrng as dae'nt
s
f
)
t ba se e toni r co d- e ng s t m a ee to c ly dieci t s l t at ng
he nk' l cr c e r ke pi yse nd lc r nia l r tng he a e o t
buyi
tle'( localdt t e ondtle' .Thefrttle t nphysc lydelveedt ûs d'ca h
elr' as le he t c elr'
s
)
is elr he
ial i r he çol ' s
t t s c t ler The s c t l rve ii d t a oun , e r d t ca h t ' n t ba s
o he e ond e l .
e ond ele r fe he m t r co de he s û
buy' i he nk'
eecr cr or ke pi s t m,a r t i t c h.Ther s twas ors d ha be n,a
l toni ec d- e ng yse nd e aned he as
e ul
, houl ve e
r d ton oft frtt le ' c s dr we t alt l st n t al we m a m um- af t
e uci
he is el rs a h- a r ot o es ha he lo d xi
ac
r lc e a t tmet t le lt rba a e hi orhe c h dr we .
efe t d t he i he el r a e l nc d s
r as a r
I Fe ua y of201 W e l Fa go s ni i t g tve age La r W ila sbe n a
n br r
0, ls r e or nvesi a i
nt r y li m
ga n
i si a i i o ac h- a s tgea Se l' br nc Durng t i tgai n,W ila s
nve tg ton nt as dr wer hora t we ls a h. i he nvesi to
lim
l a ed t tc r a n t le sw e e usng ts m t a a to ' t f l e y s
em
ha e t i e l r r i kha r ns c i ns' o a s l how c h- a e t t l
as dr w r o a s
be ow t a l
l he lowed m a m um . l t s s m ta a tons t fr tt l w o d e e a c s s e
xi
n he e ha r ns c i , he i s eler ul nt r a h al
i o t bank' el c r ni r c d- e ng s t m a a s cond t le w oul el c r c l buy t
nt he
s e t o c e or ke pi yse nd e
e lr
d e t oni aly
he
c s butt fr tt le woul not ysi l delv rt c s t t s ond t l r The t fr t
a h, he is el r
d ph cal
y ie he a h o he ec
ele . n he is
t le w oul bal nce hi orhe dr w e t s
el r
d a
s
r a r o how a a ce t bl c h t ala ç e ' he
n c p a e as ot nd s buy' t
r
undelve e ca h f om t s cond t le . U sng t sm e hod,t fr tt l rcoul bal nc hi or
i r d s r he e
e l r i hi t
he i s ele
d a e s
2W elsFago as publs aBeneisBook whihe ai t vai be isa lbl t ban
l r lo
ihed
ft
c xpl ned he rous neft vaia e o k
e pl es Li t Tea M embe Ha
m oye . ke he m
r ndbook,heBeneisBoo c ai d adicam e :d hier di t s
t
ft
k ont ne
s li r t l ea ng hi
W
maeilb a r ta . .th plnsaep o ie a ab n ftoeiil ta me e sa dt ieiil
tra, e wae h t . (le a r r vd d s e eit lgbe e m mb r n her l be
g
de
pende s Parii toni t eplnsdoesnotc tt t ag a eeorconr ctofe pl e twihW els
nt. tcpai n hes a
onsiue uarnt
ta
m oym n t
l
Fag . .' ( tS mm.. A.1 , No 6 -.
ro . . Mo . u J Ex. , 0 ECF . 53)
'
3
he ca h dr we t r fec a a ce a et a wihoutr m o ng c s fom t dr we .Thesder s a r o e l t n c ptbl ot l t
e vi a h r he a r
i
e f t ofc s ,w a t te ec r c ba r c dsbre l r l c e i c a e ca h- r w e t t l .
f ec , our e s ha l toni nk e or
i fy efe t d nac ur t s d a r o a s
A fe l am i oft t le s pr c i e,W ila s c be t r ug t ba sel c r c
tr e ng he e l r ' a tc
li m om d h o h he nk' e toni
r co dsi s a c ofs l- lnce r buy pat m s Hef
e r n e r h e lbaa -e
te .
ound t ts n t l sha e ge i t
ha eve eler d nga d n he
s pi i patr a t tSe l ha be n i ve i ni oft ta a i ast s c le
us cous te n nd ha wel d e nvol d n ne he r ns ctons he o- a ld
s c tle .On M a c 11, 0, iln i e v e
e ond e lr
r h 201 W li ms ntr i wed Se l a t oft o he s pece
wel nd wo he t r us t d
t le s Thoug s e oft ta a tons ha i e e a tons a 1t eet le sa it t
e lr .
h om
he r ns c i
d nnoc nt xpl na i , l hr e l r dm ted o
e gi i t pr ctce I ed,Sewel s gne a doc e a i tng he i ol m e :
nga ng n he a i . nde
li d
um nt dm ti
r nv ve nt
Q: youa knowldget tyourpatcpai wihpr e sngbuysa s lson
Do
c
e ha
rii ton t oc s i
nd el
t s t m w ihoute ha ng c h t m ai t i ca h lm is f o he t le s i
he ys e
t
xc ngi as o
n a n s i t or t r e l r s
m a pul i t t l s tl m e ta a f l ii ton?
ni atng he eler e te n nd a sfca i
A :lnow und s a t tbuta t tm e di no .
er t nd ha
t he i
d t
(s Adre Se l)
// inne wel3
( .Summ. Ex. 88,ECFNo.65- ) W iln e nt lyi e ve t ot rtles
Mot
J. A,
3. lims ve ual ntr iwed he he elr
(e uli i smia a si 4 a drpore hi fndi t W el Fa g sSe orHuma
rs tng n i lr dmisons) n e td s i ngs o ls r o' ni
n
3On J 1 , 201, ntesmed yta WelFag fldismoinfrs mmayj d me tS welfe
une 5
1o h a a h t l ro i t to o u r u g n, e l i d
s
e
l
h ro moinfrs mmayj g n .Ne ryamo t ltr S wel v dt torc terc r 'b ofrn a
e wn t o u r ud me t al
o
nh ae, e lmo e o s re th e o d' y feig
c
c ofhe e iewrte a ison m itke y bei ngt tt e iedoc e wa notpr e i t rcor
opy
r ntr itn dm s i - sa nl levi ha he ntr
um nt s
es nt n he e d.
( eI F r oi fc fldS welse t esae n wihisJ n lt moinfrsmmayj d me t Fi l , n
W 1 ag n at ie e l ni ttme t t t u e 5h to o u r u g na nal o
s
' r
)
y
J y25, 2,Se l e s d courea movedt e udehe e iewrte adm ison,cl m i t ti wa
ul
201
welr vere
s nd
o xcl
r ntr itn
si
ai ng ha t s
he rayandapr tofd es .Them o i i anovelbeatd,a vexaiusefor t r as e tbls df csand
as
oduc
ur s
ton s
, l e nd
to
f t o ec t sa ihe a t
is .
s ues
4The< it adm isonsi ud t f lw i t''ea tviy o el to cal buyi s li m o y
ten
si ncl ed he olo ng:d' ci t f ecr ni ly
lh
ng/elng ne
wi o th c s p y ial c a gn ha d b t e tlellh s e g igo sn elb g ne ly n.l
t u te ah h sc l h n ig n s ewen elrs a ben on n ic e a mpo me t
h
y
rme rmysl Ad in (e l ,a dtreohes p riiaigi ti p atc . ( tS mm. . x. 85
e mbe et re ne S wel (n he t r) at p tn n hs rcie' Mo. u J E A, ,
l
l
c
'
ECFNo 6 -)(in da miso d tdMac l , 01 ) $ a k o e g ta Imisae myb ln es ets I
. 53 sg e d sin ae rh 5 2 0 . < c n wld e h t sttd aa c h e o
l
wo l beu d rtec s lmi.Thsa tvt satd3y asa oa dwa tu h t u b Ad ir (e l.We
ud n e h ah i t i cii tre er g n s a g to s y reme S wel
y
l
wo l b ya dslmo e wi o te c a gn mo y A1o tetl r ddti smep o e l e' ( o.S mm. .
ud u n el n y t u x h n ig ne . l f h el s i hs a r c dz . M t u J
h
e
r '
Ex. 8 , No 6 -)(in da miso d tdMa l 2 1 ) û nlh vet . . eu e t l ti od r
A, 6 ECF . 53 sg e d sin ae y 2, 0 0 . ç
Whe a o . b nd rhe i n re
mi
t beb ln e , . 1 i sl(ah i tes tm, v nto g te. . n yi si wi me a d( e lwo l)
o aa c d . . dd elc s )n h yse e e h u h h . mo e s tl t , n S wel ud
l h
s lib c t mei tes se ' ( tS mm. . . 8 , No 6 -)(in da miso d tdMac 1 ,
elt a k o n h y tm. Mo. u J Ex A, 7 ECF . 53 sj e d sin ae rh 1
'
2 0 .On tl rh we e, dno sg a a miso a dç e a u igp oa t a da n u c dta sewa
01 ) e el , o v rdi t in n d sin n ç g n sn r fnl n n o n e h t h s
e
b
y
r sg n a d lf t er o ' ( o . u J E A, 4, No 6 - )
e inig n e t h o m. M t S mm. . x. 8 ECF . 5 3.
'
4
Re our esAd s rand t DititM a er Al t e oft m a ee t W el Far s d
s c
vio
he src nag . l hr e he gr d hat ls go houl
t r i t t i ved e pl es On M a c 15, 0,W e l Fa g notfed Se li w rtng
e m na e he nvol
m oye .
rh
201
ls r o ii
wel n ii
t ti ha t r i t he , f ec i i m e a e y, t ts wasç te i bl f r hie.
ha t d e m na ed r e f tve m di t l and ha he
ç lgi e or e r '
no
'
( otSu J Ex. 1 ECFNo. 2.
M . mm. . A, ,
65- )
Se lt n fl t sl ws t Afe muli ea e m e st core tde i e i sa
wel he ied hi a ui. tr tpl m nd nt o r c fcinc e nd
as e t hergr
s r ot
oundsf r lef Se e le nt ly r fned he c ai s t i l de n a i
or e i , w l ve ua l e i
r l m o nc ude f m ton,
br a h ofco r c ,a w r ult r i ton. l t fnali a a i n o herc pl i a s ri
ec
nt a t nd ongf e m na i
n he i nc m to f
om a nt s e tng
t e gr nds Se e lc a m e t tW e l Fa go de a e herwhe ba e pl esdi c s
hos ou , w l l i d ha
ls r
fm d
n nk m oye
s us ed
he t r i ton w ih va i pe pl t tW els Fa g br ac d a con r c by t r i tng he f
r e m na i
t r ous o e, ha
l r o e he
t a t e m na i
r or
c us whe t r w asi f c no ca e f t r i to a t r f e no bas s f rw ihhol ng
a e
n he e
n at
us or e m na i n nd he e or
i o t di
be tt , nd t tW e l Fa go w r uly t r i t d he i vi a i ofVi gi a spublc polc
ne i s a ha
ls r
ongf l e m na e r n ol ton
r ni '
i
i y.
On J nua y 27,201 t c te e e a m e or ndum opi on a or rdi m i s ng Se e l s
a r
2, he our nt r d
m a
ni nd de s s i
w l'
w r ult r i ton cl i buttnd ng t ts ha fnaly pl d f t s fci ntt s
ongf e m na i
am
i i ha he d i l e ac s uf i e o uppor he
t r
c r c a de a a i c a m s The c te a ne t tt w e lpl ade a l ga i ,a ce t d
onta t nd f m ton l i .
our xpl i d ha he l- e d le tons c p e
a t u a vi
s r e nd ewed i t lg mos f vor bl t Se l plusbl al ge abr a h ofco r c
n he i ht t a a e o wel, a i y le d
ec
nta t
baedo W el Fago' algedfitr t prvi a nzdbe ft.( eM e Op.5, No.
s n ls r s le alle o o de cc e neis Se m.
ECF
3 ) Thec tf rhe e anedt tSe lhadsae aplusbl dea in cam ba e o
2.
our ut r xpli ha wel ttd a i e fmato li s d n
he a l ga i ns t pe s he r ng W e l Fa go' sat m e t i e r d t tW e l Fa g
r le t o hat r ons a i
ls r s t e n s nf r e ha
ls r o
tr nae Se lf pr e wihmone o honesy.(d.a 1 ) Onc a i t et
emi td wel or oblms t
yr
t 1 t 2.
e gan,hos wo
cli aebeor t c tnow ont pates cos- tonsfrs
ams r f e he our,
he ri ' r smoi o ummayj me .
r udg nt
II
.
W he e uai W elsFago' eale Rul 1 b)6)moi t dimis t co t
n val tng l r s rir e 2( (
ton o s s,he ur
lbe a l co t u Sewel' co pl i ta a l
i r ly nsr ed
l s m a n nd lowed he br c ofc r c c a m t pr ce d ba e
r ea h
ont a t l i o o e s d
o t s ngl t y t tSe e lha a c u butno r e ved, ne ist w hi h s w o d ha
n he i e heor ha w l d c r ed,
t ec i be ft o
c he ul ve
be n e il had W e l Far no t r i t d he i t m a ri d d.Though g ve t be tt
e ntted
ls go t e m na e r n he nne t i
i n he ne i
o t do a mont ofdicove y,Se lpe sssi o us a i r t rt n de
f he ubt nd
hs
s r wel r it n bf c tng a he ha monsr tng
ta i
a acua ,f cualbasss
n t l at
i uppori he b e c ofc r tc am .Afe ha ng r e d hund e
t
ng r r a h ontac l i
tr vi eviwe
r ds
ofpa ofe de e a ha ng f l
ges vi nc nd vi olowed m yra de d- nd f t a l ga i ,t c ti y
i d a e ac ual le tons he our s et
una e t di c r a f c ua ba i f Se e l sc a m a t r f e gr nt W e l Fa g s m oto f
bl o s e n a t l s s or w l' l i nd he e or a s ls r o'
i n or
s mmayj d me t5
u r u g n.
û-l ep anln u g o Rue5 ()ma ae tee tyo s mmayj d me t atr
ilh li a g a e f l 6 c nd ts h n r f u r u g n , fe
ga qua etmef dic y a upon moton,a i tapa t who f ist m a a s
de t i or s over nd
i gans
ry
a l o ke howi
ng
s fc e t e t bls t e s e e ofa el m e e s nta t t tpary' c e, o w hi h t t
ufi i nt o s a i h he xi t nc
n e nt s e i l o ha
t s as and n
c ha
pa t wilbe rt bur nofpr a til' ltxCo p. Cart,477U. 31 323( 986 .
ry l a he de
oof t ra.'Ceoe r v. tet
S. 7,
1 )
Theeaet eeee nt t abr c ofc r ta toni Vigi a ( )algalye oce bl
r r hr lme s o ea h ontac ci n r ni: 1 e l nf r a e
oblg tonofadee ntt apli if ( t defnd tsvi ai orbrac oft to i ton;
iai
fnda o antf; 2) he e an ' olton
e h ha blgai
a ( ij yorda get t pli ifc usdbyt brac oft to i to Fia v.Ge g
nd 3) nur
ma o he antf a e
he e h ha blgain. lk
or e,
267Va. 2, 4(
61 61 2004) nVigi a e oy nti a wilunls ot nvs sae andma be
.I r ni, mpl me s t l e s he ie ttd
y
t r i t f r a r as orf no r s a a l Lo kha tv.Com m onw e t Ed .Sys,247
e m na ed o ny e on or ea on t l. c r
a1h uc
.
Va.98,10 ( 994) Butast Su e Cour ofVigi aha notd,be us t o-ald trnge
2 1 . , he pr me
t r ni s e ca e t c le fi
s
be tt 't t bet rempl
neis end o te
oyeemor e i ovepe f ma ea ls e t nove , 1t t
al, mpr
ror nc nd e s n ur r al o he
ditnc a nt oft e o r'DulnyFo ,l .v.Aye s 220Va. 51 ( 979 ,
si t dva age he mplye,' a
ods nc
r,
502, 0 1 ) a
5Su r u g n i a p o raewhe Kh pe dn s teds o eya dds l u emae il o tl, n
mmayj d me ts p rp it n ç e la ig ,h ic v r n icosr tras n ie a d
t
a yafd vt s o ta teei n g n ieis ea t a ymaeila t n ta temo a ti e t ldt j d me t
n fia is h w h th r s o e un su s o n tra fc a d h th v n s nie o u g n
t
a amatro lw. F d R. v P. 6c() Th pat mo igfrsmmayj d me t asteb r e o
s te fa ' e . Ci. 5 ()2 . e ry vn o u r u g n ber h ud n f
'
i or i t co toft ba i f ism oton a i ntf ngt eparsoft r cor t tde o tat t a e
nf m ng he ur he ss or t
i nd de iyi hos
t he e d ha m nsr e he bs nce
o ag n ieiseo maeilfc.Ceoe Cop v. tet 4 7U. 31 , 2 ( 9 6 .I rve n as mmay
f e un su f tra at ltx r. Cart 7 S. 7 3 3 1 8 ) n e iwig u r
j d me t t nu d rRue56 tec utt s d a a1utsa l ifrn e i fv ro t n n vn p ry.
u g n moi n e l ,h o r t t rw lj si be n ee c s n a o fhe o mo ig at '
o
mu
'
UntdSae v CaoiaTrn fr rCo, 8F.d8 2 8 5(t Ci.1 9 )(in An ro v Liet Lo b .
i tts . rln a some .97 2 3 , 3 4h r 9 2 ct g des n . b rv b v
e
i
l .47 U. . 4 , 5 ( 9 6
nc, 7 S 2 2 2 5 1 8 :.
6
l aly e or a e o i to t pa a r d be ft ma a iewhe an e oye t c pt'a
eg l nf ce bl blga i n o y cc ue ne is y rs
n
mpl e ç e s' n
ac
e o rspr s o t ebe ksbyc tnui t wor f t e oye ,s iaa 50 0,
mplye' omie f hos net
oni ng o k or he mpl r ee p t 9-1
51 Tha i pr ciey t lmie t y on whih t c ur pr vi l alo d Se l' cli
3. t s e s l he i t d heor
c he o t e ousy l we wels am
f ac nzd be ft t pr e d.
or c e ne is o oc e
Se l ha g ounded he Dul Foodsde i c ta tf - ne iscai on t
wel s r
r mw
- rved on r c -orbe ft l m
he
pr miet ts wa e ttedt a c ue be tt unl ss wasdic r d f c us a t t
e s ha he s n il o c r d neis es he
s ha ge or a e, nd ha
W e l Far devi e a r s t t i e he f c s s t ti c l wilhol t e b lt .
ls go
s d ea on o e= nat r or au e o ha t ou d tz d hos ene i s6
Se e lha e nde cons de a e r s c s i a e f t o esabls t s c o nes ofhe
w l s xpe d
i r bl e our e n n f or t t i h he pe i us s
r
tr nai (ori t e, colatr l atc nghe ownsg da si ofwr
emi ton f nsanc by l ealy ta ki r
ine dmison
ongdoi .
ng)
D e pie m ont ofdicove y, e r Se e lhasm ar ha e not ng s i t W e l Fa go
s t
hs
s
r how ve , w l
s l d hi how ng hat ls r
w ihhel be t s w oul ha r e ve ha W e l Fa g t nni t he wihoutc us
t d ne ks he
d ve ec i d d ls r o e na ed r t
a e.
Though Se e lha me i
w l s ntoned a va i t ofbe ft t w hi h s f el e il s ha of e ed no
rey
ne is o
c he e s ntted, he s f r
7
evi nc ofa unflildoblgai t ta t ly(re nplusbl a ist he . Be us
de e n ufle i ton ha cual o ve a i y) pple o r
ca e
6Se l fa d he a gume asf l :Q en tW elsFa gof s y a us Ad inneSewelof
wel rme r r
nt olows ç
Def dan
l r alel cc ed re
l
fliyi b l ngr c dsa t n frd he ba edont sf ia i DefndantW el Fago t us t fle
asf ng arki e or nd he ie r s
hi abrc ton. e
ls r hen ed he as
aleg in a ar as t de AdrenneSe l bot be isa monea ycompens to t ts ha eaned.
l ato s e on o ny i
wel h neft nd
tr
ain ha he d r
Unde Vigni Iw,upontr i to a a - ilempl
r ri a a
e m nain n tw l
oyeec nr co f b e h ofc rctbas d o t deni of
a e ver or r ac
onta
e n he
al
eanede pl ebe is Defnda W el Far sagum e st tt e pl eha
r
m oye neft. e nt ls go' r
nt ha he m oye ndboo i notac nta tae
ks
o rc r
smpyirlv n. . Dua yF d .n . Ay r, 2 Va 5 2 2 0SE.d1 6(9 9 . ( s Op Mo.
i l ree a t . . ln oo sl c v. es2 0 . 0 , 6 . 2 9 1 7 )5 Rep. p. t
'
Dimis4, No. . Bae o t t r u n,h c u tserirme rn u o iine pli dta t e l
s s ECF 28) s d n ha ag me tte o r' al mo a d m pno x ane h tt wel
e
s
ale f t plusbl s ngt W elsFar pr s d Se l va i be tt ...,ha Se lwor d f
lges acs a i y howi hat l go omie wel rous neis
t t wel ke or
W el Fa gof ra oxi ey fveyea s t tW elsFago it tonal cl sfedhe t nain i s h awa a
ls r o ppr matl i
r ,ha
l r neni ly asii r enni to n uc
y s
t a odp yn b neks a dta s eh s e ij rdb ta c n u t Asalg d to efcsaes f e tosae
o v i a ig e f , n h t h a be n nue y h t o d c. l e ,h s at r uf n t tt
e
ki
apa sbl cam frbe c o c nrc. ( eMe Op 5 ECFNo 3 .
lu i e li o r ah f o ta t' Se m. . ,
'
. 2)
Alhough Se l hasadmitdr pe tdl t there oyme wih W elsFa gowa on a a- lba i,
t
wel
te e ae y ha
mpl nt t
l r
s n twil ss
(e . ..Rep Mo. u J 6 ECFNo. 2 , n sei fc sg e ad c me ta k o e igten tr o h r
se ea, s . tS mm. . ,
7 ) a d h n a t in d o u n c n wldgn h aue f e
e ly n,Mo. s s Ex. ECFNo. 7 1, e l' ag me th sn w v ee fo h rDulnvF d
mpo me t( tDimis A,
2 -) S wels r u n a o er d r m e a oo s
te r ç litf o tie ad caainfo teditit n g r ma eteofr MrJ snBelta d e
h oy:t anif ban d e lrto r m h src ma a e who d h fe, .udo l h t o s
pl
,
esa ihavai ofe a a ptncecr tng a e oym e conr c r ga di t poston ofsr c m a ge '
tbls
ld fr nd cce a
eai n mpl
nt ta t e r ng he ii
e vie na n'
( p y S p . o . u J 3 ECF No 7 . Th r rman , o v r a s lt l n e i e c o ac nr c f r
Re l . u p M t S mm. . ,
. 9) e e e is h we e , b ou e y o v d n e f o ta t o
e ly n sbe toa yhigoh rta teb sca- le ly nt o tie a dtec utwi n t o ie te
mpo me t uj c t n t n te h n h ai twi mpo me d crn , n h o r l o c nsd r h
l
l
agum e f t r
r
nt urhe .
7Se 1rcts(u ne e s p o t)an e o camst b n tt:r ee d n W el Fag n get t
we1 e i b t v r u p rs umb r f li o e eis K fn a t ls ro e lcs o
e
icu emaent be ei er e b panifAd in eSe l. .' ( s Op M o. mm. . , No 7 )
n ld tr i n fs an d y litf re n wel . . Rep. p. tSu J 5 ECF . 2.
y
t
'
7
t l 5 ()ma d t stee tyofsl r j d me t. . g is ap rywh fist ma ea
k e 6 c n ae h nr t
Ru
mmay u g n . a an t a t o al o k
s
howi s fc e t e t bls t exi t nc ofa el m e te s ntalt t tpa t s c s ,a on
ng ufi i nt o s a i h he s e e n e n s e i o ha r y' a e nd
tM s.Se li no s ng u t hand
t
wel s t ui pon he
bookasac r tbutupont pr iesm a by W elsFa goi l ng
ontac
he om s
de
l r ncudi
rlv n p o ssc nan di teh nd o ' (d a 4. i ee d n WelFag as fi t icu esb tnil
ee a t r mie o tie n h a bo k. I. t ) r fn a t l r o lo al o n ld u sa t
'
s
s
a
e rig fo P i Ti Of ha ine e p i plitf. (d a 6. ç d rh p o e u e ta WelFag a re
ann s r m ad me ft tt v r ad anif' l. t ) t e te r c d rs h t l r o g ed
'
un
s
t a d b ,emiainwi o t a s g v a e ly earg tt sv rn ep y' (d a 1-1 . t lsFag
o bie y tr n to t u c u e a e n mpo e ih o e ea c a . l . t 8 9) t l ro
h
'
We
ha adut t pr deAdre Sewelwiha1 oft be ist ts eanedi udi t rgh t beei bl f
d
y o ovi
inne
l t l he neft ha he r ncl ng he i t o lgi e or
rhr . ( tS mm. .l , No 6 . l tfrh flec ag s Ms S wel udb ca ste a eiil fr
e ie' Mo. u J 2 ECF . 7) t o te as h re, . e lwo l e lsiid s lgbe o
'
Bu
rhie' ( py S p Mo. mm. . , No 7 . ' etr icu e b n t sc a p y n fra cue
e r . Re l. u p. tSu J 2 ECF . 9) Th ems n ld d e eks u h s a me t o c l d
'
a der e padtmeo fi ua eo p r nte, tr t la e eii lt frrhr , n sv rn ep y' (d a
n an d i i fknsrnc p o t i smaeni e v , lgbi y o e ie a d e ea c a . 1. t
u i
y
i
'
3.
)
Th e oft s mertfrt rdic son.Fis,Se lcli s wasen ildt t û ft'ofbei
r e he e i u he s us i
rt wel ams he
tte o he ç
bene i'
ng
cl sfe a telgi ef r hie.'Not t tndi t f tt tSe lhasfie t i ntf how W el Fa go
asiid s t i bl or e r '
wihsa ng he ac ha wel
ald o nde iy
ls r
c nrcu l b u di eft p o ieti t n t 'ic ranyddn t os i tee lye ha bo k, c
o ta tal o n t l o r vd hsd ek'(t etil i o d o n h mpo e nd o whih
y
s
be
dsli i sa a ac nr c) ten to srist d f to o at e ei' S c n , wel eest p i tme
icams t tms s o ta t,h oin tan he ei in f ç n ft' e o d Se lr fr o ad i
s
ni
b
of f whihW el Fa g ale yoweshe compenston.Se elsc elpr ousy atm p e t i r et
f or c
ls r o lgedl
r
ai
w l' ouns evi l te t d o ntoduc he
o i o o a e p r wi e sr g r n t ev leo t ep i t o f b t h c u t x l d d i a ce ryu t l
pnin f n x e t t s e adig h au f h a d i fl u t e o r e c u e t s la l n i y
n
me
me
u d rteFe ea Rue o CiiPrc d r.( e Or e, No 6 . No o l,h n,sha e ie c n t rp r
n e h d rl ls f vl o e u e S e d rECF . 2) t ny te it t vd n e o po el
y
beor t c tbutSe l herefha i c td t ts ha anegi bl amot ofpai tmeof whe W el
f e he our,
wel s l s ndiae ha he d
lgi e
mt
di
f n ls
Fa gotr nae he ,a tatcompens tonf pai tmeof i n t bassofherl ui:
r e mi td r nd h
ai or d i
f s ot he i
aws t
Q
A1rg t S thn g asalt bt ee aey ucamiga p r o ti
l ih . wi ig e r i l ih r, r o li n s a t fhs
c
te
lws th ty uh dac rana u t fa c e gadtmeot a tetmeyo weeltg , n
a uita o a eti mo n o c nld p i i f th i u r e o a d
l
you di tge alt twhe youwer tr nae
dn' t 1 ha
n
e e mi td?
A
The emi be f rhour , i hour l t tldi tr ceve.W hat1a
r ght ou
s fve s eh ha dn' e i
m
cl mi i t Iwa f s y tr i td, lha bul m ycaee t t sl el a now la not
ai ng s hat s alel em nae and d it
r r o hi ev , nd
m
duet tt moveonup i my c r r
ha o
n
a ee .
( pySu p. tS mm. . . 2 ECFNo 7 -. Thr , n fn l S wel i sg n rl t teBe ft
Re l p Mo. u J Ex B, ,
. 82) id a d ial e lct e eal o h neis
y,
e
y
Boo a r f r t as ve a - pln s camsmi ha ha s t ei lapplc ton.Acc di t t
k nd e es o e r ncepay a he li
ght ve d ome heortca
iai
or ng o he
Bene isBook,hepln i a lbl t a e o ea t çposto ei na i 'orat ubsa ilposto c nge.
ft
t a s vaia e o n mplye ferd iin lmi ton'
ç tnta iin ha '
s
'
( tS mm. . A.6 , No 6 - )Re adls o wheh rS welstnuiainte rt al c ul h v
Mo. u J Ex. , 8 ECF . 53. g r es f te e l' e n to h oei l o d a e
c y
quaii t rt pln,t Be ksBoo e anst tt pln i aûi f r benek pl a t tt r i
lfed mde he a he net
k xpli ha he a s twelae
t an' s ha em s
d srb du d r( eEmply eReie n lc meS c rt Ac, 9U.. j1 1e sqj'h te ly e h v a
ecie n e t
h
o e trme t n o e u i t2 SC. 00 t e .n ta mpo e s a e
y
'
rg tt s eu d rj5 2 a o ERIA (9U.. j13 )wh ntepa a mi srtrd ne acam, n ta
ih o u n e 0 () f S 2 SC. 12 e h ln d nitao e is li a d h t
e oyee s dus t t a i tfcai numbe ...51 ' n c r pondi wiht gover nta tt
mpl s houl e he s n den ii ton
pl
r
2'whe ores
ng t he
nme bou he
pln ( tS mm. . x. ,6 , 5 7 ECFNo. 53. S wel o sno c neth fc t th plni g v r e
a . Mo. u J E A. 8 7 , 6,
6 - ) e ld e t o tste atha te a s o en d
by ERI a i t a a gue t tû SA i ...ir eva be us t is i no t de alofbeneist ape s
SA, nd nse d r s ha C
ERI s rel nt ca e he s ue s t he ni
tt o r on
c r dby a empl ebe i plnbu t rg o t e plyee i t sca eM s Se elt c r a
ove e
n
oye neft a t he iht f he m o , n hi s
. w l, o oveage nd
o p rt t spo ie b tee o e '( s . p Mo. u J 1 , No 7 )
p o t i rvd d y h mply n' Rep Op . tS mm. . 9 ECF . 2.
mie
ERI pr m pt saelw st ttr aet 'e plyeew efr be t pl ,i udi t c mon lw
SA ee s tt a ha
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?