Summary
holding that subject matter jurisdiction was not present where federal claims depended on finding state court writ of possession invalid
Summary of this case from Fly v. Multnomah Cnty. Sheriff's Dep'tOpinion
Case No: C 13-0836 SBA
06-28-2013
GERARD DUENAS, HAROLD GOLDMAN, Plaintiffs, v. STEVEN FREITAS, AKA STEVE FREITAS, in his Official and Private Capacity, SONOMA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, KATHRYN STRALEY in her official and private capacity, DEUTSCHE BANK, NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, MICHAEL S. AND MARY C. BASKAUSKAS, DOES 1-15, Inclusive, Defendants.
ORDER GRANTING
DEFENDANTS' MOTIONS TO
DISMISS
Docket 12, 21
Plaintiffs Gerard Duenas ("Duenas") and Harold Goldman ("Goldman") bring the instant pro se action against Deutsche Bank National Trust Company ("Deutsche Bank"), along with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office (erroneously sued the "Sonoma County Sheriff's Department"), Sonoma County Sheriff Steven Freitas and Sonoma County employee Kathryn Straley, in their personal and official capacities (collectively "Sheriff Defendants"). Plaintiffs allege that Defendants improperly obtained and then attempted to serve a Writ of Possession to recover possession of property leased to Goldman by Duenas, who lost the property through foreclosure. Plaintiffs allege claims under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ("FDCPA"), 15 U.S.C. § 1682 et seq., the Due Process Clause and the Fourth Amendment, and the Protecting Tenants in Foreclosure Act ("PTFA").
The parties are presently before the Court on the Sheriff Defendants' Motion to Dismiss First Amended Complaint ("Amended Complaint"), Dkt. 12, and Deutsche Bank's Motion to Dismiss Amended Complaint, Dkt. 21. Having read and considered the papers filed in connection with this matter and being fully informed, the Court hereby GRANTS the motions for the reasons set forth below. The Court, in its discretion, finds this matter suitable for resolution without oral argument. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 78(b); N.D. Cal. Civ. L.R. 7-1(b).
I. BACKGROUND
A. FACTUAL SUMMARY
1. Foreclosure of the Property
Duenas is the former owner of residential real property located at 6285 Highway 12, Santa Rosa, California (the "Property"). First Am. Compl. ("FAC") Ex. B, Dkt. 10. In or about 2005, Duenas obtained an adjustable rate rider loan from IndyMac Bank, F.S.B. ("IndyMac"), which was secured by the Property. Id. On a date not specified in the pleadings, Deutsche Bank assumed ownership of Duenas' loan from IndyMac. Around 2007, Duenas defaulted on his mortgage, resulting in a Notice of Default being recorded against the Property on November 27, 2007. Deutsche Bank Req. for Jud. Notice ("RJN") Ex. A, Dkt. 21-2. Deutsche Bank eventually completed its non-judicial foreclosure of the Property on April 11, 2011. Id. Ex. B, Dkt. 21-3.
According to the Bank, Duenas delayed its foreclosure efforts by filing four separate bankruptcy petitions. See Bank's Mot. at 2 n.2.
2. Unlawful Detainer Action
On June 3, 2011, after completing the foreclosure process, Deutsche Bank filed an unlawful detainer action against Duenas in the Sonoma County Superior Court. FAC Ex. H. At that time, the Property was occupied by Goldman, who had leased the Property from Duenas for the time period from December 3, 2009 to December 2, 2014. Goldman Decl. ¶ 1, Dkt. 3.
On August 4, 2011, the Superior Court entered judgment in the unlawful detainer action and issued a Writ of Possession in favor of Deutsche Bank. RJN Exs. P, Q, Dkt. 21-17, 21-18. In response, Goldman appealed the judgment to the Appeal Department of the Sonoma County Superior Court and obtained a stay of the Writ of Possession. Id. Ex. S, Dkt. 20-20. The Appeal Department rejected Goldman's argument that he was protected by the PTFA, among other claims, and affirmed the judgment on November 7, 2012. Id. Ex. V, Dkt. 21-23. On February 11, 2013, the Superior Court vacated the stay of the judgment and directed the clerk to issue a Writ of Possession. Id. Ex. W. The clerk issued the writ on the same date. FAC Ex. A.
On February 15, 2013, Goldman filed a Notice of Removal in this Court which purported to remove the closed unlawful detainer action. See Deutsche Bank Nat'l Trust Co. v. Gerard Duenas, No. C 13-0738 RS. Deutsche Bank timely filed a motion to remand. On April 2, 2013, Magistrate Judge Joseph Spero issued a Report and Recommendation in which he recommended granting the motion and remanding the action to state court. RJN Ex. Y, Dkt. 21-26. In particular, Magistrate Judge Spero found that Goldman's removal was untimely, diversity jurisdiction was lacking, no federal question was presented by the unlawful detainer action, and that Goldman's proposed cross-claims under the PTFA and the Fourteenth Amendment did not provide a basis for removal jurisdiction. On April 7, 2013, District Judge Richard Seeborg issued an Order adopting Magistrate Judge Spero's recommendation and remanded the action. See Deutsche Bank Nat. Trust Co. v. Goldman, No. C 13-0738 RS, 2013 WL 1663549 (N.D. Cal. Apr. 2, 2013), adopted 2013 WL 1662437 (N.D. Cal. Apr. 17, 2013).
B. PROCEDURAL HISTORY
1. Original Complaint and Temporary Restraining Order
On February 25, 2013—ten days after Goldman attempted to the remove the unlawful detainer action—Duenas and Goldman filed a verified Complaint in this Court against the Sheriff Defendants. The Complaint alleged four causes of action for violation of: (1) the FDCPA; (2) the Due Process Clause; (3) the Fourth Amendment; and (4) the PTFA. Dkt. 1. Plaintiffs also filed an application for a TRO to enjoin the Sheriff Defendants from proceeding with the eviction of Goldman then allegedly scheduled for February 27, 2013. Dkt. 3.
On February 26, 2013, the Court denied Plaintiffs' TRO Application on the grounds that Plaintiffs had failed to provide notice of the application to Defendants, and that Plaintiffs had failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on their claims. Order Denying Ex Parte Appl. for a TRO, Dkt. 5; see 2013 WL 707033. First, the Court found that: (1) Plaintiffs' challenge to the Writ of Possession issued in connection with the state court unlawful detainer proceeding was likely barred by the Rooker-Feldman doctrine; (2) Goldman's claim under the PTFA was not cognizable because he did not allege Deutsche Bank failed to comply with its notice provisions, and because Congress did not create a private right of action to enforce the PTFA; (3) no Fourth Amendment violation had been stated because a writ of possession may be effectuated without a warrant; and (4) no plausible claims had been stated against the Sheriff Defendants, whose only action is their attempt to service the notice of eviction.
2. First Amended Complaint
On March 5, 2013, Plaintiffs filed a 69-page First Amended Complaint ("Amended Complaint"), consisting of 142 paragraphs and numerous exhibits attached thereto. Dkt. 10. As before, the Amended Complaint alleges four causes of action for violation of the FDCPA, violation of due process, violation of the Fourth Amendment, and a claim by Goldman under the PTFA. In addition to the Sheriff Defendants, the Amended Complaint joins Deutsche Bank along with Michael and Mary Baskausas, who purchased the Property after foreclosure, as party-defendants.
There is nothing in the docket to indicate that Plaintiffs served Michael and Mary Baskausas with Summons and the Amended Complaint. The Court's rationale for dismissing the action applies equally to these unserved defendants. See Silverton v. Department of Treasury, 644 F.2d 1341, 1345 (9th Cir. 1981) (holding district court "may properly on its own motion dismiss an action as to defendants who have not moved to dismiss where such defendants are in a position similar to that of moving defendants or where claims against such defendants are integrally related").
Though difficult to decipher, the gist of the Amended Complaint appears to be that the Deutsche Bank had no right to foreclose on the Property and therefore the resulting final judgment and Writ of Possession rendered in the UD action are void. E.g., FAC ¶¶ 31-33 36-41, 44. With regard to the Sheriff Defendants, Plaintiffs accuse them of improperly attempting to serve the notice of eviction and Writ of Possession on October 4, 2011 and February 20, 2013. Id. ¶6, 43. In particular, Plaintiffs allege that they served these documents without a warrant as purportedly required by the Fourth Amendment. Id. ¶ 118. As relief, Plaintiffs to request compensatory and punitive damages in the amount of $250,000 each against the Sheriffs Office, Sheriff Freitas and Deutsche Bank, and $80,000 from Fraley. Id. ¶ 138. In addition, Plaintiffs seek an injunction preventing Goldman's eviction and the sale of the Property, and declaratory relief in the form of an order declaring Duenas to be the owner of the property. Id. ¶¶ 134-138.
3. The Instant Motion
The Sheriff Defendants and Deutsche Bank both move to dismiss the Amended Complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction under Rule 12(b)(1) and for failure to state a claim under Rule 12(b)(6). Dkt. 12, 21. Alternatively, they argue Plaintiffs have otherwise failed to state a claim with respect to any of the claims alleged in the Amended Complaint. The matter is fully briefed and is ripe for adjudication. Because the motions present overlapping arguments, the Court discusses them together.
II. LEGAL STANDARD
A. LACK OF JURISDICTION
"A jurisdictional challenge under Rule 12(b)(1) may be made either on the face of the pleadings or by presenting extrinsic evidence." Warren v. Fox Family Worldwide, Inc., 328 F.3d 1136, 1139 (9th Cir. 2003). In a "facial" challenge, the court assumes the truth of plaintiff's factual allegations and draws all reasonable inferences in its favor. Doe v. Holy See, 557 F.3d 1066, 1073 (9th Cir. 2009). In the case of a "speaking" motion, the court is not restricted to the face of the pleadings and "may review any evidence, such as affidavits and testimony, to resolve factual disputes concerning the existence of jurisdiction." McCarthy v. United States, 850 F.2d 558, 560 (9th Cir. 1988). In that case, "[i]t then becomes necessary for the party opposing the motion to present affidavits or any other evidence necessary to satisfy its burden of establishing that the court, in fact, possesses subject matter jurisdiction." Colwell v. Department of Health and Human Servs., 558 F.3d 1112, 1121 (9th Cir. 2009) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). However, a facial attack need not be converted to a speaking motion where "the additional facts considered by the court are contained in materials of which the court may take judicial notice." Barron v. Reich, 13 F.3d 1370, 1377 (9th Cir. 1994) (citation omitted). "Once challenged, the party asserting subject matter jurisdiction has the burden of proving its existence." Rattlesnake Coalition v. United States Envtl. Protection Agency, 509 F.3d 1095, 1102 n.1 (9th Cir. 2007).
B. F AILURE TO S TATE A C LAIM
A complaint may be dismissed under Rule 12(b)(6) for failure to state a claim if the plaintiff fails to state a cognizable legal theory, or has not alleged sufficient facts to support a cognizable legal theory. Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep't, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1990). In deciding a Rule 12(b)(6) motion, courts generally "consider only allegations contained in the pleadings, exhibits attached to the complaint, and matters properly subject to judicial notice." Swartz v. KPMG LLP, 476 F.3d 756, 763 (9th Cir. 2007). The court is to "accept all factual allegations in the complaint as true and construe the pleadings in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party." Outdoor Media Group, Inc. v. City of Beaumont, 506 F.3d 895, 899-900 (9th Cir. 2007). To survive a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, the plaintiff must allege "enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face." Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007); see Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 1951 (2009). Where a complaint or claim is dismissed, leave to amend generally is granted, unless further amendment would be futile. Chaset v. Fleer/Skybox Int'l, 300 F.3d 1083, 1087-88 (9th Cir. 2002).
III. DISCUSSION
A. S UBJECT M ATTER J URISDICTION
The Rooker-Feldman doctrine provides that "'a losing party in state court is barred from seeking what in substance would be appellate review of the state judgment in a United States District Court, based on the losing party's claim that the state judgment itself violates the loser's federal rights.'" Doe v. Mann, 415 F.3d 1038, 1041 (9th Cir. 2005) (quoting Johnson v. De Grandy, 512 U.S. 997, 1005-1006 (1994)). "If a federal plaintiff asserts as a legal wrong an allegedly erroneous decision by a state court, and seeks relief from a state court judgment based on that decision, Rooker-Feldman bars subject matter jurisdiction in federal district court." Noel v. Hall, 341 F.3d 1148, 1164 (9th Cir. 2003); Kougasian v. TMSL, Inc., 359 F.3d 1136, 1139 (9th Cir. 2004) (Rooker-Feldman "prohibits a federal district court from exercising subject matter jurisdiction over a suit that is a de facto appeal from a state court judgment."). Where Rooker-Feldman applies, a federal court "must also refuse to decide any issue raised in the suit that is 'inextricably intertwined' with an issue resolved by the state court in its judicial decision." Noel, 341 F.3d at 1158.
Here, all of Plaintiffs' claims arise from Defendants' rightful efforts to enforce the Writ of Possession granted to Deutsche Bank following the judgment entered in its favor in the state court UD proceeding. According to Plaintiffs: (1) Deutsche Bank had no right to evict Goldman and obtain a Writ of Possession because it did not present an original of the promissory note during as part of the unlawful detainer action; (2) the Writ of Possession was not supported by an oath or affirmation; and (3) the Sheriff's Office served the Writ of Possession without an accompanying warrant. FAC ¶¶ 6, 12, 17, 21, 31, 17, 43. In addition, Plaintiffs specifically attack the state court judgment, claiming that: "The Foreclosure case, an unlawful detainer, filed against us in Sonoma County Superior Court is a void judgment, having been filed by a party without standing and capacity and cannot be enforced as a void judgment." Id. ¶ 44 (emphasis added).
In order for Plaintiffs to prevail in this action, the Court necessarily would have to conclude that the trial court erred in ruling for Deutsche Bank and therefore had no legal basis upon which to issue the Writ of Possession. In addition, the Court would effectively have to invalidate the writ. Plaintiffs had the opportunity to appeal the state court ruling, but apparently did not do so. Having lost in state court, the Rooker-Feldman doctrine precludes Plaintiffs from repackaging their claims under the guise of the federal law and collaterally attack the state court's decision in this Court. See Noel v. Hall, 341 F.3d 1148, 1158 (9th Cir. 2003) ("Once a federal plaintiff seeks to bring a forbidden de facto appeal, . . . that federal plaintiff may not seek to litigate an issue that is 'inextricably intertwined' with the state court judicial decision from which the forbidden de facto appeal is brought."); e.g., Al-Mansur v. Gross, No. C 12-5535 SBA, 2013 WL 3157919, *5-6 (N.D. Cal. June 20, 2013) (dismissing action with prejudice where plaintiff was prosecuting a de facto appeal of various statute court unlawful detainer judgments). Accordingly, the Court concludes that the Amended Complaint is subject to dismissal for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.
Defendants also raise jurisdictional challenges based on mootness and the Anti-Injunction Act. While these arguments have merit, they only pertain to Plaintiffs' requests for injunctive relief. The Rooker-Feldman doctrine bars Plaintiffs' action in its entirety because it seeks both directly and indirectly to challenge the state court's issuance of a Writ of Possession.
B. S UFFICIENCY OF C LAIMS
Alternatively, even if the Court were not deprived of subject matter jurisdiction, Plaintiffs have failed to allege any plausible legal claims.
1. FDCPA
Plaintiffs' first cause of action alleges that all Defendants violated the FDCPA by improperly foreclosing on the Property. The FDCPA prohibits "debt collectors" from engaging in various unlawful debt collection practices, including the making of "false, deceptive or misleading representations." 15 U.S.C. §§ 1692a & 1692e. A "debt collector" includes any person "who regularly collects or attempts to collect, directly or indirectly, debts owed or due or asserted to be owed or due another." Id. § 1692a(6). A "debt" is defined as "any obligation or alleged obligation of a consumer to pay money arising out of a transaction in which the money, property, insurance, or services which are the subject of the transaction are primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, whether or not such obligation has been reduced to judgment." Id. § 1692a(5).
None of the Defendants are alleged to be "debt collectors" within the meaning of the FDCPA. Moreover, a FDCPA claim cannot be predicated on actions relating to the filing and prosecution of an unlawful detainer action. David v. GMAC Mortg., LLC, No. C 11-2914 PJH, 2011 WL 6100616, *3 (N.D. Dec. 8, 2011) (dismissing FDCPA claim with prejudice which was based on defendants' foreclosure and filing unlawful detainer action against the plaintiffs); Brambila v. Reo Bay Area, LP, No. 11-3202 SI, 2011 WL 4031142, at *5 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 8, 2011) (concluding that unlawful detainer action brought against plaintiff to gain possession of the property is unrelated to a mortgage transaction, and therefore, outside the scope of FDCPA). The Court concludes that Plaintiffs' first cause of action under the FDCPA is legally infirm, and therefore, must be dismissed.
2. Constitutional Claims
Plaintiffs' second cause and third causes of action allege, respectively, that Defendants violated their right to due process and the Fourth Amendment by attempting to foreclose on the Property without legal cause to do so. E.g. FAC ¶¶ 100-122. The Court liberally construes these claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which allows individuals to sue government officials who violate their civil rights while acting "under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State." To maintain a claim pursuant to § 1983, a plaintiff must establish: (1) the deprivation of any rights, privileges or immunities secured by the Constitution or federal law, (2) by a person acting under the color of state law. See West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988); Nurre v. Whitehead, 580 F.3d 1087, 1092 (9th Cir. 2009). Section 1983 is not itself a source of substantive rights, but a jurisdictional vehicle for vindicating federal rights elsewhere conferred. See Thornton v. City of St. Helens, 425 F.3d 1158, 1164 (9th Cir. 2008) (citations omitted). "The purpose of § 1983 is to deter state actors from using the badge of their authority to deprive individuals of their federally guaranteed rights." McDade v. West, 223 F.3d 1135, 1139 (9th Cir. 2000).
With regard to Deutsche Bank, Plaintiffs' putative § 1983 claims fail for lack of state action. The defendant in a § 1983 case must have exercised power "possessed by virtue of state law and made possible only because the wrongdoer is clothed with the authority of state law." United States v. Classic, 313 U.S. 299, 326 (1941). A state actor acts under color of state law when he abuses the position given to him by the state. West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 49-50 (1988). The "under color of state law" requirement is an essential element of a § 1983 case, and it is the plaintiff's burden to establish this element. See Lee v. Katz, 276 F.3d 550, 553-54 (9th Cir. 2002). Purely private conduct, no matter how wrongful, is not covered under § 1983. See Ouzts v. Maryland Nat'l Ins. Co., 505 F.2d 547, 559 (9th Cir. 1974). Here, Deutsche Bank is a private entity that simply availed itself of state law procedures to recover possession of property that it had foreclosed upon. The Ninth Circuit has held that there is no state action in that circumstance. See Apao v. Bank of N.Y., 324 F.3d 1091, 1094-95 (9th Cir. 2002) (holding that with respect to foreclosure proceedings, there is "no state action in either the availability of such private remedies or their enforcement.").
As to the Sheriff Defendants, the Court finds that they are entitled to absolute immunity for their quasi-judicial acts relating to the court-ordered Writ of Possession. Quasi-judicial immunity derives from the long-recognized common law doctrine of judicial immunity and protects nonjudicial officers from "claims relating to the exercise of judicial functions." Curry v. Castillo, 297 F.3d 940, 947 (9th Cir. 2002); accord Coverdell v. Dept. of Social & Health Servs., 834 F.2d 758, 764-65 (9th Cir. 1987) (recognizing that "persons who faithfully execute valid court orders" are "integral parts of the judicial process" and therefore are covered by quasi-judicial immunity). Quasi-judicial immunity extends to claims for damages as well as declaratory, injunctive and other equitable relief. Mullis v. Bankr. Ct. for the Dist. of Nev., 828 F.2d 1385, 1394 (9th Cir. 1987).
Plaintiffs' due process and Fourth Amendment claims against the Sheriff Defendants is based on their having served an eviction notice pursuant to a facially-valid Writ of Possession issued by the Sonoma County Superior Court. There are no allegations of impropriety by the Sheriff Defendants in serving the eviction notice. Rather, Plaintiffs allege only that service of the eviction notice was improper ostensibly because the foreclosure of the property and resulting unlawful detainer judgment were improper. Because the sole allegations against the Sheriff Defendants relate to its mandatory duty to enforce the Superior Court's Writ of Possession, they are entitled to absolute immunity from Plaintiffs' claims. See Von Brincken v. Royal, No. 2:12-cv-2599-MCE-CKD PS, 2013 WL 211245, *3 (E.D. Cal., Jan. 10, 2013) (finding that § 1983 claims based on sheriff's deputies service of an eviction notice and writ of possession upon plaintiffs pursuant to a court order were absolutely immune under the doctrine of quasi-judicial immunity; see also Henry v. Farmer City State Bank, 808 F.2d 1228, 1238-39 (7th Cir. 1986) (sheriff who acted pursuant to official court order in enforcing a court-issued judgment entitled to quasi-judicial absolute immunity from liability for damages under § 1983).
Plaintiffs contend that quasi-judicial immunity does not apply to situations wh the government officials are acting "beyond the scope of their authority." Opp'n at 12. However, there are no facts alleged showing that the Sheriffs Office Defendants were acting outside the scope of their authority.
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In sum, Plaintiffs' § 1983 claims against Deutsche Bank and the Sheriffs Defendants are legally infirm and are therefore such claims are subject to dismissal.
3. Protecting Tenants in Foreclosure Act
The fourth cause of action of the Amended Complaint is brought by Plaintiff Goldman against all Defendants. FAC ¶¶ 123-124. The PTFA requires any party acquiring an interest in property through foreclosure to provide existing tenants with ninety days' notice to vacate. See Pub. L. No. 111-22, tit. VII, § 702, 123 Stat. 1632, 1660-61 (2009). Congress did not create a private right of action to enforce the PTFA. See Miller v. Chase Home Fin., LLC, 677 F.3d 1113, 1116 (11th Cir. 2012); Nat'l Trust Co. v. Eaddy, No. C 12-01845 YGR, 2012 WL 4173987, at * 1 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 18, 2012); Nativi v. Deutsche Bank Nat'l Trust Co., No. C 09-06096 PVT, 2010 WL 2179885 (N.D. Cal. May 26, 2010). The Court finds that Plaintiffs' fourth cause of action for violation of the PFTA is subject to dismissal.
IV. CONCLUSION
The Court finds that under the Rooker-Feldman doctrine it lacks subject matter jurisdiction to hear Plaintiffs' claims. Alternatively, Plaintiffs have failed to allege any plausible claims for relief. Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. Defendants' motions to dismiss are GRANTED.
2. The Clerk shall close the file and terminate all pending matters.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
_________________
SAUNDRA BROWN ARMSTRONG
United States District Judge
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT GERARD DUENAS et al,
Plaintiff,
v. STEVEN FREITAS et al,
Defendant.
Case Number: CV13-00836 SBA
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that I am an employee in the Office of the Clerk, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. That on June 28, 2013, I SERVED a true and correct copy(ies) of the attached, by placing said copy(ies) in a postage paid envelope addressed to the person(s) hereinafter listed, by depositing said envelope in the U.S. Mail, or by placing said copy(ies) into an inter-office delivery receptacle located in the Clerk's office. Gerard Duenas
6285 Sonoma Highway 12
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
Harold Goldman
6285 Highway 12
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
Richard W. Wieking, Clerk
By: Lisa Clark, Deputy Clerk