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finding that a memorandum distributed to employees about a co-worker's employment-related misconduct was protected by the common interest privilege
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No. 05 Civ. 7869 (SAS).
November 4, 2009.
Joanna Andrea Diakos, Esq., Sarah Peck Kenney, Esq., David Scott Versfelt, Esq., K L Gates LLP, New York, NY, for Plaintiff Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc.
Sheldon Eisenberger, Esq., The Law Office of Sheldon Eisenberger, New York, NY, for Defendant Scott McNulty.
Gordon Mehler, Esq., Law Offices of Gordon Mehler, P.L.L.C, New York, NY, for Defendants Lori McNulty, AWOL, and Revolutionary Graphics, Inc.
David Lawrence Blank, Esq., Schwartz Simon Edelstein Celso Kessler LLP, Florham Park, NJ, for Defendant Michael Connell.
Dan E. LaBelle, Esq., Halloran Sage LLP, Westport, CT, for Defendants Frank Franze and The Windwood Group LLC.
Michael S. Devorkin, Esq., Allyson Rachel Albert, Esq., Shawn Preston Ricardo, Esq., Golenbock Eiseman Assor Bell Peskoe LLP, New York, NY, for Defendants Dwain Taylor and ADK America, Inc.
Henry Ellis Klingeman, Esq., Krovatin Klingeman LLC, Newark, NJ, David Lawrence Blank, Esq., Schwartz Simon Edelstein Celso Kessler LLP, Florham Park, NJ, for Defendant Essential Communication Ink LLC.
OPINION AND ORDER
I. INTRODUCTION
FUJIFILM U.S.A. ("Fuji") brings this action alleging mail and wire fraud and commercial bribery in violation of the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO"), common law fraud, conspiracy to defraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. Defendant Scott F. McNulty asserts a counterclaim against Fuji alleging defamation. Defendants Frank Franze and The Windwood Group LLC ("Windwood") (together "Windwood Defendants") assert counterclaims against Fuji alleging breach of contract and fraud. Fuji now moves to dismiss all three counterclaims. For the reasons discussed below, Fuji's motions are granted.
See 18 U.S.C. §§ 1962(c)-(d).
II. BACKGROUND
A detailed description of the facts can be found in this Court's 7/17/09 Order. See Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. v. McNulty, 640 F. Supp. 2d 300, (S.D.N.Y. 2009); see also Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. v. McNulty, No. 05 Civ. 7869, 2009 WL 3334867 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 14, 2009). The instant Opinion and Order provides a summary of the facts relevant to the Windwood Defendants' and McNulty's counterclaims. Otherwise, the instant Opinion and Order assumes familiarity with the underlying facts of this case and the parties involved.
A. The Alleged Defamation
Fuji initiated the instant action on September 9, 2005, alleging that the defendants coordinated a series of schemes to defraud Fuji. On September 9, 2005, the same day that Fuji filed its Complaint, Fuji sent a memorandum (the "September 9 Memorandum") to its employees regarding the claims filed against McNulty. McNulty alleges that Fuji sent the September 9 Memorandum to "third parties including parents of children participating in McNulty's son's hockey league" (the "Hockey Parents"). In its entirety, the September 9 Memorandum states:
See Complaint ("Compl.") ¶ 14. Fuji filed an Amended Complaint on August 6, 2009. McNulty's counterclaim arises out of the original complaint. Consequently, all references to the Complaint herein are to Fuji's original complaint.
See Answer with Counterclaim and Cross-Claim of Defendant Scott F. McNulty ("McNulty Answer") ¶ 152.
See id. ¶ 155.
I [Atsushi Yoneda, a senior Fuji executive] wanted to communicate with all of you about a civil action Fujifilm USA has taken that may cause you concern, and may generate media attention in the days ahead. Fuji Photo Film USA has filed a civil complaint in the US District Court against a former employee, Scott McNulty, and a number of other defendants. As described in the complaint, this action arose out of a series of fraudulent schemes orchestrated by Scott McNulty, with the specific intent to defraud our company, involving certain outside vendors hired by Scott McNulty to process rebates and perform certain advertising, marketing, promotional and web design maintenance services. At this time, no other Fujifilm employees are known to be involved in this matter.
This is an unfortunate and regrettable situation that occurred over the course of nine years, ending in 2004. These schemes were extremely well hidden and difficult to uncover. As you know, we have strengthened our compliance policies and procedures, which can help to prevent this kind of fraud in the future.
I felt it was important to share this information with you, and assure you that Fujifilm is a company that maintains the highest legal and ethical standards. Actions of this kind will not be tolerated. I ask you to join with senior management and our compliance management team in ensuring that all policies and procedures are followed, and in being vigilant to protect our company against behavior of this sort in the future.
September 9 Memorandum, Ex. B to 9/21/09 Declaration of Joanna A. Diakos, Counsel for Fuji ("Diakos Decl.").
McNulty alleges that the September 9 Memorandum caused damage to his professional reputation and subjected him "ridicule and contempt." As a result of Fuji's distribution of the September 9 Memorandum, McNulty alleges he sustained damages amounting to "not less than $1 million."
McNulty Answer ¶¶ 156, 159.
Id. ¶ 161.
B. The Alleged Breach of Contract
The Windwood Defendants allege that from April 2003 to August 2004, Windwood provided Fuji with information technology services including software development, infrastructure development, and project administration relating to Fuji's customer rebate program. The Windwood Defendants further allege that Fuji violated its agreement to pay for Windwood's services. The Windwood Defendants allege that Fuji's failure to pay resulted in approximately $80,000 in damages.
See Answer, Special Defenses, Cross Claim and Counterclaim of Defendants Frank Franze and the Windwood Group LLC ("Windwood Answer") at 16.
See id.
See id.
C. The Alleged Fraud
The Windwood Defendants allege that in approximately April 2004, Fuji asked Windwood to continue providing its services while Fuji transitioned its customer rebate program to an in house operation. The Windwood Defendants allege that Fuji told Windwood that Fuji would continue to pay for Windwood's services during the transition period, but, in fact, had no intention of paying. The Windwood Defendants allege that, based on Fuji's representation, Windwood continued to provide services to Fuji and have suffered $80,000 in damages as a result.
See id.
See id. at 16-17.
See id. at 17.
III. APPLICABLE LAW
A. Motion to Dismiss
In deciding a motion to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the court must "accept as true all of the factual allegations contained in the [counterclaim]" and "draw all reasonable inferences in the [non-movant's] favor." However, the court need not accord "[l]egal conclusions, deductions or opinions couched as factual allegations . . . a presumption of truthfulness."
Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 572 (2007). Accord Rescuecom Corp. v. Google Inc., 562 F.3d 123, 127 (2d Cir. 2009).
Ofori-Tenkorang v. American Int'l Group, Inc., 460 F.3d 296, 298 (2d Cir. 2006).
In re NYSE Specialists Sec. Litig., 503 F.3d 89, 95 (2d Cir. 2007) (quotation marks omitted).
To survive a 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, the allegations in the [counterclaim] must meet a standard of "plausibility." A counterclaim is facially plausible "when the [non-movant] pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the [movant] is liable for the misconduct alleged." Plausibility "is not akin to a probability requirement," rather plausibility requires "more than a sheer possibility that a [movant] has acted unlawfully." Pleading a fact that is "merely consistent with a [movant's] liability" does not satisfy the plausibility standard.
Twombly, 550 U.S. at 564.
Ashcroft v. Iqbal, ___ U.S. ___, 129 S. Ct. 1937, 1949 (2009) (quotation marks omitted).
Id. (quotation marks omitted).
Id. (quotation marks omitted).
When determining the sufficiency of a claim under Rule 12(b)(6), the court is normally required to consider only the allegations on the face of the pleading. "Documents that are attached to the [pleading] or incorporated in it by reference are deemed part of the pleading and may be considered." The court is only allowed to consider documents outside the pleading if the documents are integral to the pleading or subject to judicial notice. B. Defamation
Roth v. Jennings, 489 F.3d 499, 509 (2d Cir. 2007).
See Global Network Commc'ns, Inc. v. City of New York, 458 F.3d 150, 156 (2d Cir. 2006).
Under New York law, a claim for defamation must allege "(1) a false statement about the [complainant]; (2) published to a third party without authorization or privilege; (3) through fault amounting to at least negligence on [the] part of the publisher; (4) that either constitutes defamation per se or caused `special damages.'" A statement that "tend[s] to injure another in his or her trade, business or profession" is defamatory per se. A pleading asserting a cause of action for defamation "is only sufficient if it adequately identifies `the purported communication, and an indication of who made the communication, when it was made, and to whom it was communicated.'" 1. Section 74 of the New York Civil Rights Law
Gargiulo v. Forster Garbus Esqs., No. 06 Civ. 2461, 651 F. Supp. 2d 188, 2009 WL 2868727, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 3, 2009) (citing Dillion v. City of New York, 261 A.D.2d 34, 38 (1st Dep't 1999)).
Stern v. Cosby, No. 07 Civ. 8536, 645 F. Supp. 2d 258, 2009 WL 2460609, at *9 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 12, 2009) (citing Liberman v. Gelstein, 80 N.Y.2d 429, 435 (1992)).
Scholastic, Inc. v. Stouffer, 124 F. Supp. 2d 836, 849 (S.D.N.Y. 2000) (quoting Broome v. Biondi, No. 96 Civ. 0805, 1997 WL 83295, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 10, 1997)).
A privilege exists under section 74 of the New York Civil Rights Law for "the publication of a fair and true report of any judicial proceeding" by a person, firm, or corporation. "For a report to be fair and true within the meaning of [section] 74, it is enough that the substance of the article be substantially accurate." The report is not required to use the same words as the pleadings to convey the substance of the judicial proceeding and "[t]he challenged language . . . `should not be dissected and analyzed with a lexicographer's precision.'" However, the privilege does not apply to statements in a report that imply misconduct beyond that alleged in the judicial proceeding on which the report is based.
Southridge Capital Mgmt., LLC v. Lowry, No. 01 Civ. 4880, 2003 WL 68041, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 7, 2003) (quotation marks omitted).
Idema v. Wager, 120 F. Supp. 2d 361, 369 (S.D.N.Y. 2000) (quoting Becher v. Troy Publ'g Co., Inc., 183 A.D.2d 230, 234 (3rd Dep't. 1992)). Accord, Lacher v. Engel, 33 A.D.3d 10, 17 (1st Dep't 2006) (finding that an attorney's statement in a New York Law Journal article that his client was "poorly served by a member of [the legal] profession to whom duty came well after other aims and interests" was a fair and true report of the malpractice action filed against the client's former attorney (alteration in original)).
See Daniel Goldreyer, Ltd. v. Van de Wetering, 217 A.D.2d 434, 436 (1st Dep't 1995) ("If the published account, along with the rest of the article, suggests more serious conduct than that actually suggested in the official proceeding, then the privilege does not attach, as a matter of law." (citations omitted)); Ocean State Seafood, Inc. v. Capital Newspaper, Div. of Hearst Corp., 112 A.D.2d 662, 666 (3d Dep't 1985) (the section 74 "privilege does not apply when the news account of the judicial proceeding is combined with other facts or opinions to imply wrongdoing").
The section 74 privilege is absolute and is not defeated by allegations of malice or bad faith. However, in Williams v. Williams, the New York Court of Appeals carved out an exception to the section 74 privilege for situations where a litigant "maliciously institute[s] a judicial proceeding alleging false and defamatory charges, and . . . then circulate[s] a press release or other communication based thereon." The Williams exception is narrow "and does not apply `in the absence of any allegation that the . . . action was brought maliciously and solely for the purpose of later defaming the plaintiff.'"
See Pelayo v. Celle, 270 A.D.2d 469, 469 (2d Dep't 2000) (citing Glendora v. Gannett Suburban Newspapers, 201 A.D.2d 620, 620 (2d Dep't 1994)).
23 N.Y.2d 592, 599 (1969).
Riel v. Morgan Stanley, No. 06 Civ. 524, 2007 WL 541955, at * 12 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 16, 2007) (alteration in original) (quoting Branca v. Mayesh, 101 A.D.2d 872, 873 (2d Dep't 1984)).
2. The Common Interest Privilege
New York also recognizes a qualified common interest privilege when the defamatory statement is made between persons who share a common interest in the subject matter. A party alleging defamation can overcome the common interest privilege by showing that the defamatory statement was made with either common law or constitutional malice. "Common-law malice mean[s] spite or ill will, and will defeat the privilege only if it is the one and only cause for the publication." "Constitutional or actual malice means publication with [a] high degree of awareness of [the publication's] probable falsity or while the defendant in fact entertained serious doubts as to the truth of [the] publication." "`Mere conclusory allegations, or charges based upon surmise, conjecture, and suspicion are insufficient to defeat the qualified privilege.'"
See El-Hennawy v. Davita, Inc., 50 A.D.3d 625, 626 (2d Dep't 2008) (citing Foster v. Churchill, 87 N.Y.2d 744, 751 (1996); Liberman, 80 N.Y.2d at 437).
See Phelan v. Huntington Tri-Village Little League, Inc., 57 A.D.3d 503, 505 (2d Dep't 2008) (citing Liberman, 80 N.Y.2d at 437-39); Konikoffv. Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 234 F.3d 92, 98 (2d Cir. 2000).
Konikoff, 234 F.3d at 98 (alterations in original) (citations and quotation marks omitted).
Id. at 99 (alterations in original) (quotation marks omitted).
Golden v. Stiso, 279 A.D.2d 607, 608 (2d Dep't 2001) (quoting Kamerman v. Kolt, 210 A.D.2d 454, 455 (2d Dep't 1994)).
C. Breach of Contract
To make out a breach of contract claim under New York law plaintiffs must show "(1) the existence of an agreement, (2) adequate performance of the contract by the [claimant], (3) breach of contract by the [accused], and (4) damages." To show that an enforceable contract existed, the claimant must plead facts surrounding the formation of the contract such as the date the parties entered into the contract, the major terms of the contract, the parties to the contract, and that the party to be bound assented to the contract. A breach of contract claim "that fails to allege facts sufficient to show that an enforceable contract existed between the parties is subject to dismissal." Additionally, the claimant must allege the specific provisions of the contract upon which the breach of contract claim is based. A claim for breach of contract cannot be sustained by a conclusory statement that the accused breached a contract.
Eternity Global Master Fund Ltd. v. Morgan Guar. Trust Co. of N.Y., 375 F.3d 168, 177 (2d Cir. 2004) (quotation marks omitted).
See Berman v. Sugo LLC, 580 F. Supp. 2d 191, 202 (S.D.N.Y. 2008).
Id. (quotation marks omitted).
See Sheridan v. Trustees of Columbia Univ. In City of New York, 296 A.D.2d 314, 315 (1st Dep't 2002); Matter of Sud v. Sud, 211 A.D.2d 423, 424 (1st Dep't 1995).
See Berman, 580 F. Supp. 2d at 202.
D. Fraud
"The elements of fraud under New York law are: (1) a misrepresentation or a material omission of material fact which was false and known by [the accused] to be false, (2) made for the purpose of inducing the [claimant] to rely on it, and (3) justifiably relied upon by the [claimant], (4) who then suffered an injury as a result of such reliance." A complaint alleging fraud must satisfy Rule 9(b)'s requirement that "the circumstances constituting fraud . . . be stated with particularity." To comply with the requirements of Rule 9(b), a plaintiff must: "(1) specify the statements that the plaintiff contends were fraudulent, (2) identify the speaker, (3) state where and when the statements were made, and (4) explain why the statements were fraudulent." "Allegations that are conclusory or unsupported by factual assertions are insufficient." Additionally, "[a]n action for fraud `cannot exist when the fraud claim arises out of the same facts as a breach of contract claim with the sole additional allegation that the defendant never intended to fulfill its express contractual obligations.'"
City of New York v. Smokes-Spirits.com, Inc., 541 F.3d 425, 454 (2d Cir. 2008).
Fed.R.Civ.P. 9(b). Accord ATSI Commc'ns, Inc. v. Shaar Fund, Ltd., 493 F.3d 87, 99 (2d Cir. 2007).
Rombach v. Chang, 355 F.3d 164, 170 (2d Cir. 2004) (quotation omitted). Accord ATSI, 493 F.3d at 99 (citing Novak v. Kasaks, 216 F.3d 300, 306 (2d Cir. 2000)).
ATSI, 493 F.3d at 99. Accord Rosner v. Bank of China, 528 F. Supp. 2d 419, 425 (S.D.N.Y. 2007).
Astroworks, Inc. v. Astroexhibit, Inc., 257 F. Supp. 2d 609 (S.D.N.Y. 2003) (quoting PI, Inc. v. Quality Prods., Inc., 907 F. Supp. 752, 761 (S.D.N.Y. 1995).
E. Amendments to Pleadings
"Rule 15(a) provides that, other than amendments as a matter of course, a party may amend the party's pleading only by leave of court or by written consent of the adverse party; and leave shall be freely given when justice so requires." "[W]hether to permit a plaintiff to amend its pleadings is a matter committed to the Court's sound discretion." However, the Supreme Court has explained
Slayton v. American Express Co., 460 F.3d 215, 226 n. 10 (2d Cir. 2006) (quotation marks omitted).
McCarthy v. Dun Bradstreet Corp., 482 F.3d 184, 200 (2d Cir. 2007) (quotation marks omitted).
If the underlying facts or circumstances relied upon by a plaintiff may be a proper subject of relief, he ought to be afforded an opportunity to test his claim on the merits. In the absence of any apparent or declared reason — such as undue delay, bad faith or dilatory motive on the part of the movant, repeated failure to cure deficiencies by amendments previously allowed, undue prejudice to the opposing party by virtue of allowance of the amendment, futility of amendment, etc. — the leave sought should, as the rules require, be "freely given."
Foman v. Davis, 371 U.S. 178, 182 (1962). Accord, e.g., Jin v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., 310 F.3d 84, 101 (2d Cir. 2002).
Accordingly, "`[i]t is the usual practice upon granting a motion to dismiss to allow leave to replead.'"
Vacold LLC v. Cerami, No. 00 Civ. 4024, 2002 WL 193157, at *6 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 6, 2002) (quoting Cortec Indus., Inc. v. Sum Holding L.P., 949 F.2d 42, 48 (2d Cir. 1991)). Accord Hayden v. County of Nassau, 180 F.3d 42, 53 (2d Cir. 1999) ("When a motion to dismiss is granted, the usual practice is to grant leave to amend the complaint.").
IV. DISCUSSION
A. McNulty Fails to State a Claim for Defamation
In determining the sufficiency of McNulty's defamation claim, I considered the September 9 Memorandum and the content of Fuji's Complaint. The September 9 Memorandum is incorporated by reference and integral to McNulty's pleading. See Gargiulo v. Forster Garbus Esqs., No. 06 Civ. 2461, 651 F. Supp. 2d 188, 2009 WL 2868727, at * 1 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 3, 2009) (noting that in a defamation action, the court "may consider documents attached to the complaint or incorporated by reference, such as the affidavits containing the allegedly actionable statements"); Riel, No. 06 Civ. 524, 2007 WL 541955, at *4, *8 (considering documents beyond the complaint, including the document containing the alleged defamatory statement). Fuji's Complaint is subject to judicial notice. See Blue Tree Hotels Inv. (Canada), Ltd. v. Starwood Hotels Resorts Worldwide, Inc., 369 F.3d 212, 217 (2d Cir. 2004). With his opposition memorandum, McNulty submitted a declaration and an affidavit containing additional details about Fuji's alleged conduct. I did not consider either document because they are not properly before the court on a motion to dismiss. See Friedl v. City of New York, 210 F.3d 79, 84 (2d Cir. 2000) ("[A] district court errs when it . . . relies on factual allegations contained in legal briefs or memoranda in ruling on a 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss.") (citations and quotation marks omitted); Leonard F. v. Israel Discount Bank of New York, 199 F.3d 99, 107 (2d Cir. 1999) ("In adjudicating a Rule 12(b)(6) motion, a district court must confine its consideration to facts stated on the face of the complaint, in documents appended to the complaint or incorporated in the complaint by reference, and to matters of which judicial notice may be taken.") (quotation marks omitted).
McNulty alleges that "[a]ll of the statements contained in the [September 9] Memorandum alleging wrongdoing on McNulty's part were defamatory." Even assuming that the statements regarding McNulty in the September 9 Memorandum are false, were published to third parties with the required level of fault, and injured McNulty in his trade, business, or profession, McNulty fails to state a claim for defamation because the statements made in the September 9 Memorandum fall within the section 74 privilege. Alternatively, McNulty fails to state a claim for defamation because he fails to adequately plead that Fuji distributed the September 9 Memorandum to anyone other than Fuji employees and Fuji's distribution of the September 9 Memorandum to its employees falls within the common interest privilege.
McNulty Answer ¶ 156.
1. Distribution of the September 9 Memorandum Is Privileged Under Section 74 of the New York Civil Rights Law
McNulty contends that the section 74 privilege does not apply to the September 9 Memorandum. First, McNulty argues that the September 9 Memorandum "does not provide a fair and true report of the judicial proceeding." Specifically, McNulty points to the following statements in the September 9 Memorandum: (1) "we have strengthened our compliance policies and procedures, which can help prevent this kind of fraud in the future;" (2) "I felt it was important to share this information with you and assure you that Fujifilm is a company that maintains the highest legal and ethical standards;" and (3) "I ask you to join with senior management and our compliance management team in being vigilant to protect our company against behavior of this sort in the future." McNulty argues that these statements, when read in context, go beyond merely reciting the allegations of the Complaint and imply "serious further misconduct by McNulty" because they insinuate "that McNulty does not `maintain the highest legal and ethical standards,' participated in the `fraud' and engaged in deceitful `behavior of [the type described in the September 9 Memorandum].'"
Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion to Dismiss Defendant Scott F. McNulty's Counterclaim for Defamation ("McNulty Opp.") at 5.
Id. at 6 (emphasis omitted).
Id. (quoting the September 9 Memorandum).
McNulty's argument is unconvincing. To the extent the statements McNulty points to can be read as statements about McNulty, the statements do not imply that McNulty engaged in any misconduct other than that alleged in the Complaint. The remaining statements in the September 9 Memorandum that relate to McNulty either quote directly from or fairly summarize the allegations in the Complaint. Accordingly, the September 9 Memorandum provides a fair and true report of Fuji's judicial proceedings against McNulty.
See Compl. ¶ 14 ("This is an action arising out of a series of fradulent schemes orchestrated by McNulty, with the specific intent to defraud Fuji, involving certain outside vendors hired by McNulty for Fuji[] . . . to process rebates and to perform certain advertising, marketing, promotional and website design and maintenance services.")
Compare September 9 Memorandum, Ex.B to Diakos Decl. ("These schemes were extremely well hidden and difficult to uncover."), with Compl. ¶¶ 68-69 ("Defendants . . . fradulently concealed their actions from Fuji by engaging in a scheme whereby ADK [America, Inc.] issued false invoices to Fuji. . . . Such concealment prevented Fuji from discovering its claims herein, in that Fuji was unable to learn the true identity of the individuals and entities with which it was doing business, and Fuji was led to believe that servieces were being performed as reflected in the invoices it received and paid. . . .").
Second, McNulty argues that the Williams exception to the section 74 privilege is applicable because Fuji acted maliciously when distributing the September 9 Memorandum. However, McNulty fails to allege that Fuji filed its Complaint maliciously and for the sole purpose of defaming McNulty. Thus, McNulty's pleading is insufficient to invoke the Williams excetion to the section 74 privilege.
See McNulty Opp. at 6-9.
2. Fuji's Distribution of the September 9 Memorandum to Its Employees Is Protected Under the Common Interest Privilege
Fuji admits that it distributed the September 9 Memorandum to its employees. This distribution is protected by the common interest privilege because Fuji and its employees have a common interest in McNulty's alleged employment-related misconduct. McNulty argues that the common interest privilege is inapplicable because Fuji acted maliciously when distributing the September 9 Memorandum. McNulty's allegations that Fuji acted maliciously are conclusory and unsupported by any factual allegations. Thus, McNulty's allegations of malice are not entitled to a presumption of truthfulness and are insufficient to overcome the common interest privilege.
See September 9 Memorandum, Ex. B to Diakos Decl.; Memorandum of Law in Support of Plaintiff's Motion to Dismiss Defendant Scott F. McNulty's Counterclaim for Defamation at 3.
See Albert v. Loksen, 239 F.3d 256, 272 (2d Cir. 2001) ("Communications by supervisors or co-workers made in connection with the evaluation of an employee's performance, including allegations of employee misconduct and communications regarding the reasons for an employee's discharge, fall within the [common interest] privilege." (citing McNaughton v. City of New York, 234 A.D.2d 83, 84 (1st Dep't 1996); Mock v. LaGuardia Hospital-Hip Hosp., Inc., 117 A.D.2d 721, 722 (2d Dep't 1986)).
See McNulty Opp. at 9-10.
See McNulty Answer ¶ 155.
3. McNulty Fails to Adequately Plead that the September 9 Memorandum Was Distributed to Third Parties Other Than Fuji Employees
McNulty alleges that Fuji distributed the September 9 Memorandum to the Hockey Parents. McNulty fails to identify which parents received the September 9 Memorandum, whether those parents were also Fuji employees, who at Fuji distributed the September 9 Memorandum to the Hockey Parents, and when and where the distribution occurred. Accordingly, McNulty's pleading with respect to the Hockey Parents is insufficient to state a claim for defamation.
See id.
See Ello v. Singh, 531 F. Supp. 2d 552, 581 (S.D.N.Y. 2007) (finding the plaintiff failed to state a claim for defamation because the plaintiff "fail[ed] to identify to whom [the alleged defamatory] statements were made, or the time and manner in which they were made"); Camp Summit of Summitville, Inc. v. Visinski, No. 06 Civ. 4994, 2007 WL 1152894, at *12 (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 16, 2007) (dismissing a defamation claim because the claimant "neither allege[d] who at Camp Summit made the defamatory remarks, nor to whom the comments were made"); Scholastic, Inc. v. Stouffer, 124 F. Supp. 2d 836, 849 (S.D.N.Y. 2000) (finding a claim for defamation insufficient because the claimant "fail[ed] to identify who made the alleged statements, at what times or places, and to whom the statements were made").
B. The Windwood Defendants Fail to State a Claim for Breach of Contract
The Windwood Defendants alleges that "Fuji agreed to pay for Windwood's [information technology consulting] services on an hourly basis," "Windwood performed its services in conformance with the agreement," and "Fuji failed and refused to pay Windwood for services rendered." However, the Windwood Defendants fail to allege any facts surrounding the formation of the contract and fail to point to the specific terms of the contract that Fuji breached. Accordingly, the Windwood Defendants' counterclaim for breach of contract fails because the Windwood Defendants neither adequately pled facts showing the making of a contract between Fuji and Windwood nor adequately pled facts showing that Fuji breached the terms of the contract.
Windwood Answer at 16.
It is also unclear from the Windwood Defendants' pleading whether the counterclaim is made on behalf of one or both of the Windwood Defendants. The counterclaim appears to be made on behalf of both Windwood and Franze, however, the Windwood Defendants never allege that Franze was a party to any contract with Fuji. See id.
C. The Windwood Defendants Fail to State a Claim for Fraud
The Windwood Defendants concede that their counterclaim for fraud arises out of the same facts as their counterclaim for breach of contract and do not oppose Fuji's motion to dismiss this counterclaim. Accordingly, the Windwood Defendant's counterclaim for fraud fails. D. McNulty May Amend His Counterclaim for Defamation and The Windwood Defendants May Amend Their Counterclaim for Breach of Contract
See Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion to Dismiss Defendants Frank Franze's and The Windwood Group LLC's Counterclaims ("Windwood Opp.") at 3.
McNulty seeks leave to amend his counterclaim for defamation and the Windwood Defendants seek leave to amend their counterclaim for breach of contract. Fuji relies on McCarthy v. Dun Bradstreet Corporation to oppose the Windwood Defendants' request on the ground that bringing counterclaims for the first time nearly four years after Fuji filed its initial complaint constitutes undue delay. In McCarthy, the Second Circuit affirmed the district court's denial, due to inordinate delay, of the plaintiffs' request to amend their complaint for the second time. The plaintiffs' request came nearly two years after the action commenced, after discovery had closed, and after the defendants had filed a motion for summary judgment.
See McNulty Opp. at 11; Windwood Opp. at 3.
482 F.3d 184, 202 (2d Cir. 2007).
See Reply Memorandum of Law in Further Support of Plaintiff's Motion to Dismiss the Counterclaims of Defendants Frank Franze and the Windwood Group LLC at 3-4. Fuji does not make a similar argument with respect to McNulty's counterclaim for defamation.
See McCarthy, 482 F.3d at 202.
See id.
Although four years have passed since Fuji filed its Complaint, the Windwood Defendants' delay is less significant than the plaintiffs' delay in McCarthy because this case has not yet progressed beyond the discovery phase. Additionally, unlike the McCarthy plaintiffs, the Windwood Defendants have not been given a prior opportunity to amend their pleading. In light of the preference for deciding cases on the merits and the permissive nature of Rule 15(a), the Windwood Defendants may amend their breach of contract counterclaim. Similarly, McNulty may amend his counterclaim for defamation.
V. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, Fuji's motions to dismiss McNulty's and the Windwood Defendants' counterclaims are granted. McNulty and the Windwood Defendants are granted leave to file amended counterclaims consistent with this Opinion within twenty days of this Order. The Clerk of the Court is directed to close these motions (Docket Nos. 90 and 93).
SO ORDERED: