This complaint alleges fraud and other claims against multiple defendants related to a residential mortgage loan. It alleges that brokers misrepresented the terms of an adjustable interest-only loan, failed to disclose their financial interest, and steered the plaintiff into an unfavorable loan. The complaint further alleges that the lender and subsequent loan servicers knew or should have known of the fraudulent conduct but still approved and serviced the loan. The plaintiff seeks damages and equitable relief.
Loan Fraud and Misrepresentation Lawsuit Against Lender and Brokers
1. 1 Jamil L. White (Bar No. 244028)
Michae] D. Maloney (Bar No. 208297)
2 LOUIS I WHITE Superior Court Of California
5600 H Street, Suite 100
3 Sacramento, Califomia 95819
Telephone: (916)594-7241 02/27/2012
4 Facsimile: (916)594-7247
5 Attomeys for Plaintiff
MARSHA SCRIBNER
6
7
8 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
9 COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO
10
11 MARSHA SCRIBNER, an individual; Case No.:
12 Complaint for Dainages and Equitable
Plaintiff, Relief for:
13
1. Fraud
14 2. Breach of Fiduciary Duty
CALIFORNIA LOAN SERVICING, LLC, a 3. Negligence
15 business entity; FRANK YAN, an individual; 4. Violation of Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code
JAMES SALONDAKA, an individual; SCME §17200 et seq.
16 MORTGAGE BANKERS, INC., a business 5. Negligent Misrepresentation
entity; BANK OF AMERICA, a business entity; 6. Intentional Infliction of Emotional
17 and DOES 1 through 100, inclusive. Distress
18 Defendants.
Department
19 Assignments
20 Demand for Jury Trial Case Management 39
Law and Motion 54
21 Minors Compromise 22
22
PRELIMINARY ALLEGATIONS
23
1. MARSHA SCRIBNER ("Plaintiff) is the victim offraudulentactivities committed by her
24
lender and brokers in connection with a residential mortgage loan transaction ("Loan"). Although
25
Plaintiffhas diligently met her obligations relating to the Loan, she continues to suffer damages
26
relating to the fraudulent activities ofher lender and broker.
27
///
28 ///
1
COMPLAINT
2. 1
2. Plaintiff is the rightful owner of real property located in Sacramento County and
2
commonly known as 8822 BREAKER POINT COURT, ELK GROVE, CA 95758 ("Property").
3
Venue is therefore proper in Sacramento County.
4 PARTIES
5
3. At all times relevant. Plaintiff was and is an individual residing in the State of Califomia,
6
County of Sacramento.
^ 4. Plaintiff is informed, believes, and thereon alleges, that at all times mentioned herein,
8 CALIFORNIA LOAN SERVICING, LLC ("CAL-LOAN") is a diversifiedfinancialmarketing
9 and/or services corporation engaged primarily in residential mortgage banking, loan servicing,
10 and/or related businesses. CAL-LOAN is believed to be a residential mortgage broker who
11 falsely induced Plaintiff into refinancing her home. Plaintiff is informed and believes, and thereon
12 alleges, that at all times mentioned herein, CAL-LOAN is a limited liability corporation regularly
13 conducting business in the State of Califomia.
14 5. Plaintiff is informed, believes, and thereon alleges, that at all times mentioned herein,
I^ Defendant FRANK YAN ("YAN") was the broker, employee, agent and/or representative of
Defendant CAL-LOAN who solicited Plaintiff to refinance her loan. Plaintiff fiirther alleges that
16
YAN was one of two brokers who misrepresented the terms of the Loan. Defendant YAN held
17
himself out to Plaintiff as the broker, representative, and employee ofDefendant CAL-LOAN,
18
and was acting within the course and scope of that employment when he came into contact with -
19
Plaintiff and negotiated the Loan at issue. Plaintiff is informed and believes, and thereon alleges,
20
that at all times mentioned herein. Defendant YAN was and is an individual residing in the State
21
of Califomia.
22
6. Plaintiff is infonned, believes, and thereon alleges, that at all times mentioned herein.
23
Defendant JAMES SALONDAKA ("SALONDAKA") was one of two brokers, employees,
24
agents and/or representatives ofDefendant CAL-LOAN, who misrepresented the terms of the
2^ Loan to Plaintiff. Defendant SALONDAKA held himself out to Plaintiff as the broker,
26 representative, and employee ofDefendant CAL-LOAN, and was acting within the course and
27 scope of that employment when he came into contact with Plaintiff and negotiated the Loan at
28
COMPLArNT
3. 1
issue. Plaintiff is informed and believes, and thereon alleges, that at all times mentioned herein.
2
Defendant SALONDAKA was and is an individual residing in the State of Califomia.
3
7. Plaintiff is informed and believes, and thereon alleges, that at all times mentioned herein,
4 SCME MORTGAGE BANKERS, INC. ("SCME") is a diversifiedfinancialmarketing and/or
5 services corporation engaged primarily in residential mortgage banking, loan servicing, and/or
6 related businesses. Defendant SCME is believed to be the residential mortgage lender who
7 originated PlaintifPs residential Loan. Plaintiff is informed and believes, and thereon alleges, that
8 at all times mentioned herein, Defendant SCME is a corporation regularly conducting business in
9 the State ofCalifomia. Defendant SCME is believed to have assigned, sold, and/or transferred its
10 interest in the loan to Countrywide Home Loans.
11 8. Plaintiff is informed and believes, and thereon alleges, that at all times mentioned herein,
22 BANK OF AMERICA ("BOFA") is a diversifiedfinancialmarketing and/or services corporation
12 engaged primarily in residential mortgage banking, loan servicing, and/or related businesses.
Plaintiff is informed, believes, and thereon alleges that, in July 2008, BOFA purchased
Countrywide Home Loans, thereby acquiring Countrywide Home Loans' interest in PlaintifPs
15
Loan.
16
9. Plaintiff is ignorant of the tme names and capacities of the Defendants sued herein under
17
the fictitious names Does 1 through 100, inclusive, and Plaintiff will amend this complaint to
18
allege such names and capacities at such time when they are ascertained. Each fictitiously named
19
Defendant is responsible in some manner for the wTongfiil acts complained of herein.
20
10. Plaintiff is informed, believes, and thereon-alleges that at all times herein mentioned, each
21
Defendant was acting as the agent, servant, employee, partner, co-conspirator, and/or joint
22
venturer of each of the remaining Defendants. Each Defendant was acting in concert with each
23
remaining Defendant in all matters alleged, and each Defendant has inherited any and all
24
violafions or liability of their predecessors-in-interest. Additionally, each Defendant has passed
25
any and all liability to their successors-in-interest, and at all times were acting within the course
26
and scope ofsueh agency, employment, partnership, and/or concert of action.
27
///
28
COMPLAINT
4. 1
STATEMENT OF FACTS
2
11. In or about January 2007, Defendant YAN, as broker, agent, and representative of
3
Defendant CAL-LOAN, solicited Plaintiff by phone to discuss refinancing the mortgage on
4 PlaintifPs Property.
5 12. After speaking to Defendant YAN, Plaintiff pursued refinancing her home loan with the
6 primary goal of consolidating her debts into a single payment. As such, at the direction and
7 counsel ofDefendant YAN, Plaintiff decided to refinance the Property through CAL-LOAN.
8 Plaintiff relied on Defendant YAN's promises that she would receive the best interest rates and
9 loan available to her.
10 13. To this end. Plaintiff began working with Defendants YAN, SALONDAKA, and CAL-
1.1 LOAN (collectively, "BROKERS"). Defendants BROKERS held themselves out as qualified
22 brokers representing Plaintiffs interests, and, as such, BROKERS owed Plaintiff fiduciary duties
22 including, but not limited to, the duty to disclose all terms and conditions of the fransaction.
Instead, Plaintiff, through her trust and reliance in BROKERS, was steered into executing an
14
unfavorable loan without the full knowledge of its terms.
15
14. Over the phone. Plaintiff provided Defendant YAN with the information he requested in
16
order to complete a Uniform Residential Loan Application ("URLA"). Plaintiff was subsequently
17
contacted by a second agent of CAL-LOAN, Defendant SALONDAKA, who continued
18
processing Plaintiffs loan application. As with YAN, SALONDAKA promised at all times to
19
protect PlaintifPsfinancialwelfare through finding the best interest rates and loan available.
20
15. Plaintiff informed Defendants YAN and SALONDAKA that she wanted a standard, fixed
21
rate loan. Instead, BROKERS counseled Plaintiff that an interest-only loan would be in
22 Plaintiffs best interest, purportedly based on the ability to pay a lower monthly payment. Based
2^ on thefinancialinformation provided by Plaintiff, BROKERS represented that the most favorable
24 loan Plaintiff qualified for was an adjustable interest-only loan at 6.375%. Defendants
25 BROKERS failed to disclose the negative aspects of this type of loan, including the inevitability
26 of much higher payments once the rate began to adjust. Instead, BROKERS represented to
27 Plaintiff that interest-only payments were the best option for PlaintifPs fmancial situation.
28
COMPLAINT
5. 1
16. Defendants BROKERS fiirther represented to Plaintiff that she would be able to easily
2
obtain refinancing ofthe Loan in the future. In reliance on the advice and purported expertise of
3
BROKERS, Plaintiff proceeded with the Loan fransaction.
4 17. Prior to closing. Plaintiff did not receive a copy of any of the Loan documents to review.
5 Upon closing, a notary presented Plaintiff for the first time with the relevant documents. Plaintiff
6 is informed and believes, and thereon alleges, that an agent of CAL-LOAN instmcted that the
7 loan documents be back dated to disguise that they had not been provided earlier.
8 18. Neither Defendant YAN nor SOLONDAKA was present at closing. Instead, BROKERS
9 sent a notary to Plaintiffs place of employment who rushed Plaintiff through signing during a
10 break without any explanation of the documents and without sufficient opportunity to read the
11 paperwork prior to signing. As such, Plaintiff did not notice that the material terms of the Loan
22 differed from those promised to her by Defendants BROKERS. As a result of Defendants'
22 conduct. Plaintiff had neither knowledge nor reasonable opportunity to leam the true terms of the
Loan.
14
19. On Febmary 20, 2007, Plaintiff executed a promissory note ("Note") and Deed ofTrust
15
("Deed") in. favor ofDefendant SCME. The Deed was recorded on Febmary 28, 2007. The Deed
16
contains a provision for attomey's fees.
17
20. Plaintiff began making payments in accordance with the Loan, and Plaintiffhas continued
18
to meet her obligations under the Loan.
19
21. In September 2010, Plaintiff became suspicious of the trae nature ofher loan after
20
receiving multiple solicitations from companies providing loan reviews. Based on these
21
suspicions. Plaintiff hired an independent consulting company to review her loan documents.
22 After this review was completed. Plaintiff leamed for the first time the extent of Defendants'
2-^ fraudulent acts as described herein. Had Plaintiff been aware of Defendants' unlawful acts at the
24 time of closing, Plaintiff would not have executed the Loan. As such, discovery was delayed
25 until September 2010 equitably tolling the applicable statute of limitations.
26 22. The review revealed that Defendants BROKERS misrepresented and/or concealed the tme
27 terms of the Loan. Specifically, YAN and SALONDAKA represented to Plaintiff that she would
28
COMPLAINT
6. 1
only be required to pay interest for the first five years. In actuality. Plaintiffs payments were
2
stmctured to apply to the interest for the first ten years.
3
23. Likewise, the review revealed that after five years Plaintiffs interest rate would adjust and
4 could increase up to 11.375%. Plaintiff was never provided with an interest or adjustment rate
5 schedule, and BROKERS never explained the significance of the adjustment or how it would be
6 calculated. Additionally, the impact of the adjustment on the total cost of the Loan was never
7 explained to Plaintiff.
8 24. At the time Defendants BROKERS procured the loan for Plaintiff, both YAN and
9 SALONDAKA expressly assured Plaintiff that they were acting in her best interests and
10 providing her with the best loan available. Defendants BROKERS knew, or should have known,
11 that their assurances regarding the nature of the loan were false and misleading.
22 25. In actuality. Defendants BROKERS received a greater commission or bonus for placing
22 borrowers in loans with relatively high yield spread premiums. As such, borrowers like Plaintiff
were steered and encouraged into loans with unfavorable terms that had a specified risk grade less
14
favorable than other risks for which the borrowers would have been qualified.
15
26. In addition. Plaintiff leamed for the first time through the review ofher loan documents
16
that BROKERS had a substantial financial interest in pushing Plaintiff into the Loan in the form
17
of a yield spread premium. At no point in time did Defendants BROKERS disclose to Plaintiff
18
their financial interest in the Loan.
19
27. By thetimePlaintiff refinanced in Febmary 2007, an imminent crash in the housing
20
market was widely expected. Defendants BROKERS knew or should have known that there was
21
a substantial risk that Plaintiffs Property value would decline in the years following this
22 refinance. As such. Defendants BROKERS knew or should have knowoi that counseling Plaintiff
23 to refinance into a volatile loan would negatively affect Plaintiff.
24 28. Likewise, said Defendants knew, or should have known, that their promises of refinancing
25 were false and misleading, inasmuch as they knew that the Loan was volatile and the market was
26 poised to change. As such, by representing that the Loan was in Plaintiffs best interests and
27 could be easily refinanced, Defendants BROKERS provided harmful and damaging advice to
28 Plaintiff.
6
COMPLAINT
7. 1
29. Furthermore, Defendant SCME knew, or should have known, that Defendant CAL-LOAN
2
and its agents. Defendants YAN and SALONDAKA, were engaging infraudulentconduct.
3
Defendant SCME approved a loan application riddled with facial irregularities that would put
4 Defendant SCME on notice that Defendants BROKERS breached their fiduciary duties, and
5 thereby ratified thefraudulentconduct ofDefendants BROKERS.
6 30. Defendants BROKERSfraudulentiyinduced Plaintiff into executing a loan agreement
7 BROKERS knew, or should have known, that Plaintiff could not afford. Defendant SCME knew
8 about these misrepresentations, yet approved the loan and assented to the benefits of the loan.
9 Defendant SCME then assigned, sold, and/orfransferredits interest to Countrywide, which was
10 subsequentiy acquired by BOFA.
11 31. SCME'sfraudulentactions and associated liability passed to Countrywide through the
22 assignment,fransfer,or sale of the Loan from SCME to Countrywide, and Defendant BOFA
22 assumed the liability through its acquisition of Countrywide.
32. Plaintiff, in need of a more affordable mortgage payment, contacted Defendant BOFA on
14
or around May of 2011 to explore the loan modification options provided by BOFA.
15
33. Since this time. Defendant BOFA has continually reassigned her loan modification case
16
from representative to representative. These representatives include, but are not limited to,
17
"Charlotte," "Johnny" (ID #2807), "Valerie," "Lauren" (ID #8203), "Jackie" (ID # 2910), "Tara"
18
(ID #8633), Linda Brown and Marlene Okolyta. Plaintiff is currently assigned to Ruben Luna, an
19
authorized representative ofDefendant BOFA.
20
34. These reassigrmients occur regularly on a thirty (30) day basis. These reassignments of
21 Defendant BOFA representatives has been done with the intent to delay any proposed loan
22 modification until Plaintiffhas no choice but to discontinue payments and fall behind on her
23 mortgage payments.
24
FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
25 Fraud
(Against all Defendants)
26
35. Plaintiff incorporates all allegations of this complaint and re-alleges them as though they
27
were fully set forth herein.
28
7
COMPLAINT
8. 1
36. Defendants conduct, as alleged above, constitutes fraud.
2
37. Defendants knowingly and recklessly made false and misleading statements that Plaintiff"
3
relied on to her detriment and was damaged thereby.
4 38. Defendants BROKERS intentionally or recldessly misrepresented material facts.
5 Defendant CAL-LOAN, through its agents YAN and SALONDAKA, promised Plaintiff that it
6 would act in her best interests and secure for her the best loan available. Defendants BROKERS
7 further promised that Plaintiff could later refinance the loan. These promises were false and
8 misleading.
9 39. Defendants BROKERS failed to disclose significant terms pertaining to the Loan.
10 Defendants concealed that Plaintiffs monthly Loan payments for the first ten (10) years would by
11 interest only. Likewise, Defendants failed to disclose to Plaintiff the trae interest schedule or
22 adjustment rate of the Loan, or the impact of these terms on the total cost of the Loan.
22 40. All of these representations and omissions made by Defendants BROKERS were false and
material, and these material representations and omissions were made with the knowledge of their
14
falsity or with reckless disregard for the tmth.
15
41. Defendants intended for Plaintiff to rely on these material representations and omissions,
16
and Plaintiff did rely on these representations when she put her faith on the purported expertise of
17
Defendants BROKERS and assented to the advice provided by Defendants BROKERS with
18
respect to the procurement of the Loan.
19
42. Plaintiff reasonably relied on said representations in signing the loan agreement and
20
making mortgage payments.
21
43. Defendant SCME encouraged and incentivized the fraud perpefrated by Defendants
22 BROBCERS. As such, SCME further perpetuated the fraud through its acceptance of the Loan
23 application and ratification of the fraud committed by BROKERS. SCME'sfraudulentactions
24 and associated liability passed to Countrywide through the assignment,fransfer,or sale of the
25 Loan from SCME to Countrywide, and Defendant BOFA assumed the liability through its
26 acquisition of Countrywide.
27 44. The conduct ofDefendant BOFA, as alleged above constitutes fraud. Defendant BOFA's
28 authorized representatives knowingly and recklessly made false and misleading statements
8
COMPLAINT
9. 1
regarding material facts including, but not limited to, BOFA's willingness to consider Plaintiff, in
2
good faith, for a loan modification.
3
45. Defendant BOFA knew or should have known that refiising to consider Plaintiff for a
4 modification while she was current on their loan and then stonewalling Plaintiffs modification
5 inquiries for several months could create an insurmountable deficiency which Plaintiff would be
6 unable to pay on demand.
7 46. As a result ofPlaintiffs reliance, she is entitled to actual damages including, but not
8 limited to, loss ofraoneyand property including, but not limited to, losses through overcharges
9 and unlawfully unfavorable loan terms, incurred attorneys' fees and costs to save his home, a loss
10 of reputation and goodwill, destraction of credit, severe emotional disfress, loss of appetite,
21 fiiastration, fear, anger, helplessness";'mervousness, anxiety, sleeplessness, sadness, and depression,
22 according to proof at trial but within the jurisdiction of this Court.
^2 47. Defendemts are guilty of malice,fraudand/or oppression, as defined in Califomia Civil
Code § 3294. Defendants' actions were malicious, willfijl, and in conscious disregard of the rights
14
and safety of Plaintiff in that the actions were calculated to injure Plaintiff. As such. Plaintiff is
15
entitled to recover, in addition to actual damages, punitive damages to punish Defendants and to
16
deter them from engaging in fiiture misconduct.
17
SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION
° Breach of Fiduciary Duty
2g (Against Defendants CAL-LOANS, YAN, SALONDAKA and SCME)
48. Plaintiff incorporates all allegations of this complaint and re-alleges them as though they
20
were fully set forth herein.
21
49. Defendants YAN, SALONDAKA and CAL-LOAN represented themselves as qualified
22
mortgage brokers to Plaintiff and represented that they were acting in Plaintiffs best interests.
23
Plaintiff hired Defendants YAN, SALONDAKA and CAL-LOAN as her real estate broker. As
24
such, Defendants BROKERS acted on Plaintiffs behalf for the purpose of refinancing Plaintiffs
25 Property. Thus, Defendant YAN, SALONDAKA, and CAL-LOAN were all agents for the
26 Plaintiff by express and implied confract and by operation oflaw.
27 ///
28
COMPLAINT
10. 1
50. Accordingly, Defendants YAN, SALONDAKA and CAL-LOAN each owed a fiduciary
2
duty tb the Plaintiff to act primarily for Plaintiffs benefit, to act with proper skill and diligence,
3
and to refrain from making a personal profit at the expense of Plaintiff.
4 51. Likewise, as Plaintiffs agents. Defendants BROKERS owed Plaintiff a duty of loyalty
5 and a duty of fafr dealing at all times.
6 52. Defendants BROKERS sold Plaintiff a loan which consisted of the refinancing of a
7 consumer loan. Plaintiff, at the direction of said Defendants, entered into the agreement because
8 BROKERS advised Plaintiff that they could get her the best deal and the best interest rates
9 available on the market.
10 53. Defendants BROKERS knew, or should have known, that these assurances were false and
11 misleading. As a brokerage firm and as Plaintiffs agents. Defendants BROKERS had a duty to
22 disclose all terms and conditions of the fransaction. However, BROKERS failed to disclose
22 material terms affecting Plaintiffs interests.
54. Defendants BROKERS did not disclose that the Loan was interest only for the first ten
14
(10) years. Additionally, BROKERS did not disclose to Plaintiff the trae interest schedule or
15
adjustment rate ofthe Loan, or the impact of these terras on the total cost of the Loan.
16
* Defendants BROKERS also failed to disclose the Yield Spread Premium they were paid for
17 placing Plaintiff in a high-risk loan.
18 55. Defendants BROKERS owed afiduciaryduty to Plaintiff to warn Plaintiff of the
19 propensities of the market in both the short and long term. Defendants BROKERS held
20 specialized knowledge of the housing market. As brokers, they are familiar with the housing
21 market, thus enabling them to proffer good, relevant advice. BROKERS knew, or should have
22 known, that a market crash was imminent. As such, Defendants had a duty to wam Plaintiff that
2-^ the housing market could "crash" at any moment, thus restricting Plaintiffs ability to refinance in
24 the future. Nonetheless, Defendants promised Plaintiff that she could refinance the loan.
25 56. As Defendants BROKERS proffered advice that they knew, or should have known, was
26 not in Plaintiffs best interest, Defendants breached their fiduciary duty to Plaintiff.
27 57. Defendant SCME encouraged and incentivized Defendants BROKERS' breach of their
28 fiduciary duties. Specifically, Defendant SCME aided and abetted Defendants BROKERS'
10
COMPLAINT
11. 1
breach offiduciaryduties because Defendant SCME knew, or should have known, that
2
Defendants BROKERS breached the fiduciary duties owed to Plaintiff. Defendant SCME could
3
have determined from loan documents provided for its review that the substantial terms were not
^
5 disclosed to the borrower.
58. In addition to knowing that Defendants BROKERS' conduct constituted a breach of
6 fiduciary duties. Defendant SCME substantially assisted and/or encouraged Defendants
7 BROKERS' breaches because SCME finalized the entirefransaction,thereby ratifying
8 BROKERS' conduct.
9 59. Plaintiffhas been damaged as a result of each Defendant's breaches, as indicated above.
10 Plaintiff is entitled to actual damages including, but not limited to, loss of money and property
22 including but not limited to losses through overcharges and unlawfiilly unfavorable loan terms,
22 incurred attomeys' fees and costs to save their home, a loss of reputation and goodwill,
22 destraction of credit, severe emotional disfress, loss of appetite,fioisfration,fear, anger,
14
helplessness, nervousness, anxiety, sleeplessness, sadness, and depression, according to proof at
15
trial but within the jurisdiction of this Court.
16
60. Defendants consciously disregarded Plaintiffs rights, deliberately breaching the
17 irrespective fiduciary duties, showing willful misconduct,raalice,fraud,wantoimess, oppression,
18 and entire want of care, thus authorizing the imposition of punitive daraages pursuant to
19 Califomia Civil Code § 3294.
THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION
20 Negligence
21 (Against Defendants CAL-LOANS, YAN, SALONDAKA and SCME)
61. Plaintiff incorporates all allegations of this complaint and re-alleges them as though they
22
were fully set forth herein.
23
62. As alleged above. Defendants BROKERS owed Plaintiff fiduciary duties to exercise
24
reasonable skill and care in performing their duties on behalf of Plaintiff. Defendants held
25
themselves out as skilled brokers and were required to possess professional real estate licenses.
26
63. Defendants BROKERS breached their duties to Plaintiff when they used thefr knowledge
27
and skills to place Plaintiff in an unfavorable loan.
28
n
COMPLAINT
12. 1
64. Defendants acted negligently by failing to disclose terms material to the Loan, by
2
representing to Plaintiff that refinancing would be readily available in the fiiture, and by failing to"
3
warn Plaintiff of the potential risk that refinancing might not be available.
4
65. Defendant SCME acted negligentiy by promoting Defendants BROKERS'fraudand
5
breach offiduciaryduties, and by approving a loan that was originated in fraud.
6
66. As a result of Defendants' negligence, Plaintiffhas been damaged and is entitied to actual
7
damages including, but not liraited to, loss of money and property including but not limited to
8
losses through overcharges and unlawfully unfavorable loan terms, incurred attomeys' fees and
9
costs to save her home, a loss of reputation and goodwill, destmction of credit, severe eraotional
disfress, loss of appetite, fiiisfration, fear, anger, helplessness, nervousness, anxiety, sleeplessness,
11 sadness, and depression, according to proof at trial but within the jurisdiction of this Court.
FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION
23 Unfair Competition
Violation of Business and Professions Code Section 17200 et seq.
14 (Against all Defendants)
15 67. Plaintiff incorporates all allegations of this complaint and re-alleges them as though they
2g were fiilly set forth herein.
2y 68. Defendants' conduct, as alleged above, constitutes unlawfiil, unfair, and/or fraudulent
Jg business practices, as defined in the Califomia Business and Professions Code § lllOO et seq. As
applied, Califomia Business and Professions Code § 17200 et seq. borrows violations frora other
19
statutes and laws. Plaintiffs Califomia Business and Professions Code § 17200 allegations are
20
tethered to Plaintiffs causes of action for Fraud, Breach of Fiduciary Duties, and Negligence" as
21
alleged above.
22
69. As a result of Defendants' wrongful conduct, Plaintiffhas suffered various damages and
23
injuries according to proof at trial.
24
70. Plaintiff seeks injunctive relief enjoining Defendants frora engaging in the unfair business
25
practices described herein.
26
71. Plaintiff further seeks restitution, disgorgement of sums wrongfiilly obtained, costs of suit,
27 reasonable attorneys' fees, and such other and fiirther relief as the Court may deem just and
28 proper.
12
COMPLAINT
13. 1 FIFTH CAUSE OF ACTION
Negligent Misrepresentation
2 (Against All Defendants)
3
72. Plaintiff incorporates all allegations of this complaint and re-allege thera as though they
4
were fully set forth herein.
5
6 73. As indicated above. Defendantsraadecertain representations to Plaintiff, and asserted
7 them to be tme.
8 74. Such assertions were not tme.
9 75. Defendants had no reasonable grounds for believing the representation to be trae when
10 they made it.
11 76. Defendants intended that Plaintiff rely upon their representations.
12 77. Plaintiffhas been daraaged as a result of each Defendants' misrepresentations, as
13 indicated herein. Plaintiff is entitled to actual daraages including, but not liraited to, loss of
14 money and property including but not limited to loss of down payment, loss of loan payments,
15 loss of equity, losses through overcharges, unfavorable loan terms, incurred attorneys' fees and
16 costs to save their horae, a loss of reputation and goodwill, destmction of credit, severe emotional
17 disfress, loss of appetite, fiiisfration, fear, anger, helplessness, nervousness, anxiety, sleeplessness,
18 sadness, and depression, according to proof at trial but within the jurisdiction of this Court.
19 78. Plaintiffs reliance on Defendants' representations was a substantial factor in causing her
20 harm.
SIXTH CAUSE OF ACTION
21 Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
22 (Against All Defendants)
79. Plaintiff incorporates all allegations of this complaint and re-alleges thera as though they
23
were fully set forth herein.
24
80. Defendants' conduct, as alleged herein, constitutes intentional infliction of emotional
25
distress.
26
///
27
///
28
13
COMPLAINT
14. 1
81. Defendants' conduct was outrageous and purposeful. Defendants employed numerous
2
misrepresentations in order to wrongfiilly induced Plaintiff into an unsustainable loan that
3
ultimately will lead to the loss ofher home.
4
82. Defendants undertook these actions with the intention of causing PlaintifPs eraotional
5
disfress, or a reckless disregard of the probability of causing Plaintiffs emotional distress.
6
83. Defendants knew or should have known that misrepresenting to Plaintiff that they had
7
been approved for a home loan with specific terms and then providing a loan with different and
8
raore burdensorae terras which would eventually cause her to lose their horae would cause
9
Plaintiff to suffer severe emotional disfress.
10
84. Plaintiff did in fact suffer severe emotional disfress in the form of confusion, fiiisfration,
11
fear, anguish, nervousness, helplessness, anxietj' and shock as a result of Defendants' abusive
12
conduct. For these reasons. Defendants are guilty of malice,fraudand/or oppression, as defined
13
in Califomia Civil Code § 3294. Defendants' actions were malicious and willful, in conscious
14
disregard of the rights and safety of Plaintiff, and calculated to injure Plaintiff. Accordingly,
15
Plaintiff is entitled to recover punitive damages frora Defendants pursuant to Califomia Civil
16
Code § 3294, in an amount according to proof.
17
DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL AND PRAYER FOR DAMAGES
18
19 WHEREFORE, Plaintiff MARSHA SCRIBNER demands a tiial by jury. Plaintiff prays
20 for ajudgment and order against Defendants, as follows:
21
1. That judgment is entered in Plaintiffs favor and against Defendants, and each of them;
22
2. For an order requiring Defendants to show cause, if they have any, why they should not be
23 enjoined as set forth below, during the pendency of the action;
24 3. For a temporary restraining order, preliminary and permanent injunction preventing
Defendants, or anyone acting in concert with thera, from collecting on the subject loan
25 and from causing the Property to be sold, assigned,fransferredto a third-party, or taken by
anyone or any entity;
26
4. For an order stating that Defendants engaged in unfair business practices;
27
5. For daraages, disgorgement, and injunctive relief;
28
14
COMPLAINT
15. 1 6. For compensatory and statutory damages, attorneys' fees, and costs according to proof at
trial;
2
7. For exemplary damages in an amount sufficient to punish Defendants' wrongful conduct
3 and deter future misconduct;
4 8. For such other and fiirther relief as the Court may deem just and proper.
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DATED: Febraary 27, 2012 Respectfully submitted,
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7 LOUIS I WHITE
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JAMIL L. WHITE
10 MICHAEL D. MALONEY
Attomeys for Piaintil
11 MARSHA SCRIBNER
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COMPLAINT