Opinion
Case No. 2:13-cv-5729-ODW(JEMx)
08-12-2013
ERIK ROTHENBERG, Plaintiff, v. CATHERINE MARIE FRAZIER, and DOES 1-10, inclusive, Defendants.
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE RE FAIR
DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES
ACT AND SUBJECT-MATTER
JURISDICTION
The Court has reviewed Plaintiff Erik Rothenberg's Complaint, which advances five causes of action: two under federal laws and three under state or common laws. Upon closer inspection, the two federal causes of action are defectively pleaded. And so, it appears that this Court lacks subject-matter jurisdiction in this case.
I. LEGAL STANDARD
Dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6) can be based on "the lack of a cognizable legal theory" or "the absence of sufficient facts alleged under a cognizable legal theory." Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep't, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1990). A complaint need only satisfy the minimal notice pleading requirements of Rule 8(a)(2)—a short and plain statement—to survive a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim under Rule 12(b)(6). Porter v. Jones, 319 F.3d 483, 494 (9th Cir. 2003); Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). For a complaint to sufficiently state a claim, its "[f]actual allegations must be enough to raise a right to relief above the speculative level." Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007). While specific facts are not necessary so long as the complaint gives the defendant fair notice of the claim and the grounds upon which the claim rests, a complaint must nevertheless "contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face." Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009).
Iqbal's plausibility standard "asks for more than a sheer possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully," but does not go so far as to impose a "probability requirement." Id. Rule 8 demands more than a complaint that is merely consistent with a defendant's liability—labels and conclusions, or formulaic recitals of the elements of a cause of action do not suffice. Id. Instead, the complaint must allege sufficient underlying facts to provide fair notice and enable the defendant to defend itself effectively. Starr v. Baca, 652 F.3d 1202, 1216 (9th Cir. 2011). The determination whether a complaint satisfies the plausibility standard is a "context-specific task that requires the reviewing court to draw on its judicial experience and common sense." Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 679.
When considering a Rule 12(b)(6) motion, a court is generally limited to the pleadings and must construe "[a]ll factual allegations set forth in the complaint . . . as true and . . . in the light most favorable to [the plaintiff]." Lee v. City of L.A., 250 F.3d 668, 688 (9th Cir. 2001). Conclusory allegations, unwarranted deductions of fact, and unreasonable inferences need not be blindly accepted as true by the court. Sprewell v. Golden State Warriors, 266 F.3d 979, 988 (9th Cir. 2001). Yet, a complaint should be dismissed only if "it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts" supporting plaintiff's claim for relief. Morley v. Walker, 175 F.3d 756, 759 (9th Cir. 1999).
As a general rule, leave to amend a complaint that has been dismissed should be freely granted. Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a). However, leave to amend may be denied when "the court determines that the allegation of other facts consistent with the challenged pleading could not possibly cure the deficiency." Schreiber Distrib. Co. v. Serv-Well Furniture Co., 806 F.2d 1393, 1401 (9th Cir. 1986); see Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1127 (9th Cir. 2000).
A court may dismiss a claim sua sponte under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) for failure to state a claim, so long as it affords the plaintiff notice and an opportunity to be heard on the matter. Wong v. Bell, 642 F.2d 359, 361-62 (9th Cir. 1981).
II. DISCUSSION
Rothenberg's Complaint alleges two federal causes of action: Declaratory Relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2201, 2202; and Violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ("FDCPA"), 15 U.S.C. § 1692. Both of these are insufficiently plead to properly state a claim.
A. Rothenberg's FDCPA claim fails because Frazier is not a creditor as a matter of law
The purpose of the FDCPA is to eliminate abusive debt collection practices, including the harassment and abuse of consumers. 15 U.S.C. § 1692(e). "To effectuate this purpose, the Act prohibits a 'debt collector' from making false or misleading representations and from engaging in various abusive and unfair practices." Izenberg v. ETS Servs., LLC., 589 F. Supp. 2d 1193, 1198 (C.D. Cal. 2008); 15 U.S.C. §§ 1692(d)-(f). Accordingly, "[t]o state a claim for violation of the FDCPA, a plaintiff must allege that the defendant is a 'debt collector' collecting a debt." Izenberg, 589 F.Supp.2d at 1199.
A "debt collector" under the FDCPA is defined as any person who uses any instrumentality of interstate commerce or the mails in any business the principal purpose of which is the collection of any debts, or who regularly collects or attempts to collect, directly or indirectly, debts owed or due or asserted to be owed or due another. 15 U.S.C. § 1692a(6) (emphasis added).
The FDCPA expressly excludes from this definition any person collecting or attempting to collect a debt originated by that person. Id. § 1692a(6)(F)(ii). Moreover, "[t]he law is well-settled that creditors, mortgagors, and mortgage servicing companies are not debt collectors and are statutorily exempt from liability under the FDCPA." Costantini v. Wachovia Mortg. FSB, No. 2:09-cv-0406-MCE-DAD, 2009 WL 1810122, at *3 (E.D. Cal. June 24, 2009) (internal alterations omitted) (quoting Hepler v. Wash. Mut. Bank, F.A., No. CV 07-4804 CAS (Ex), 2009 WL 1045470 at *4, (C.D. Cal. Apr. 17, 2009)). And even more broadly, "most courts to examine this issue have concluded that foreclosure activity does not constitute 'debt collection'" under the FDCPA. Trinh v. Citibank, NA, No. 5:12-cv-03902 EJD, 2012 WL 6574860, at *7 (N.D. Cal. Dec. 17, 2012) (collecting cases).
Here, Rothenberg alleges that Frazier has fraudulently notarized documents and has participated in a conspiracy to deprive Rothenberg of his real property. (Compl. ¶ 17.) But there are no allegations suggesting that Frazier is a debt collector as defined under the FDCPA—she is a mere notary. (Compl. ¶ 7.) Even if Frazier's alleged forging of documents is true, the Court does not see how one could construe that conduct into acts that could be redressed under the FDCPA.
B. The Declaratory Judgment Act does not confer original jurisdiction
It is well settled that the Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201, 2202, is "procedural only" and does not extend the original jurisdiction of the federal courts. Skelly Oil Co. v. Phillips Petroleum Co., 339 U.S. 667, 671-72 (1950). Having discussed the defects in the FDCPA cause of action, this Declaratory Judgment cause of action alone is insufficient to invoke federal-question jurisdiction.
C. Rothenberg fails to establish diversity jurisdiction
Without a federal cause of action, only a sufficient showing establishing diversity jurisdiction can save this lawsuit from dismissal for lacking subject-matter jurisdiction. But Rothenberg fails to do so despite his conclusion that this case is a suit "between diverse citizens that involve an amount in controversy in excess of $75,000.00." (Compl. ¶ 4.) In fact, Rothenberg pleads himself out of diversity jurisdiction—he alleges that he an individual residing in California, and that Frazier is also an individual residing in California. (Compl. ¶¶ 6-7.) Diversity of citizenship requires that the parties be "citizens of different States." 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a)(1).
III. CONCLUSION
Accordingly, Rothenberg is hereby ORDERED TO SHOW CAUSE why the Court should not dismiss his FDCPA cause of action as a matter of law. Rothenberg is advised that if the FDCPA cause of action is dismissed, this Court must dismiss this case for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3).
Rothenberg must file a response to this order to show cause by August 19, 2013. No hearing will be held on this matter. Failure to timely file a response will result in dismissal of this case.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
____________________
OTIS D. WRIGHT, II
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE