HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-5863IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. Oa_ >OV3
vs.
DAVID KONEFF and SUSAN KONEFF
Defendants.
PRAECIPE FOR WRIT OF SUMMONS
To the Prothonotary:
Kindly issue a writ of summons in the above-captioned action.
. J
teve D. Shadowen, I.D. No. 41953
Gordon A. Einhorn, I.D. No. 59006
Attorneys for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS LLP
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 231-4000
Dated: December 9, 2002
HBDATA:8021
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
vs.
No. Jq S-&63
DAVID KONEFF and SUSAN KONEFF
Defendants. rill o
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WRIT OF SUMMONS
To: David Koneff
760 Seitz Drive
Lewisberry, PA 17339
You are hereby notified that Rite Aid Corporation has commenced an action against
you.
Dated: December ?4 2002
Prothonotary
Cumberland County
By:
/?J r
Deputy
HBDATA:8021
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. Oa '-5 -963
vs.
DAVID KONEFF and SUSAN KONEFF
Defendants.
WRIT OF SUMMONS
To: Susan Koneff
760 Seitz Drive
Lewisberry, PA 17339
C o `-
e?
You are hereby notified that Rite Aid Corporation has commenced an action against
you.
Dated: December11?2002
Prothonotary Cumberland County
By
14
Deputy T
HBDATA:8021
6-
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. 02-5863
VS.
DAVID KONEFF and SUSAN KONEFF
Defendants
PLAINTIFF RITE AID CORPORATION'S
SECOND PETITION FOR ISSUANCE OF
COMMISSIONS TO TAKE OUT OF STATIC; DEPOSITIONS
Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation ("Rite Aid") by its undersigned attorney, respectfully
petitions this Court pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 4015 and 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5325 for the issuance of
commissions to take depositions upon oral examination on the following basis:
1. Rite Aid commenced this action on December 9, 2002 by the filing of a
praecipe for writ of summons and the writ was issued on that same date. This action was brought by
Rite Aid against David Koneff, a former employee in its Tax Department, as the result of an internal
investigation which showed that Mr. Koneff, while an employee of Rite Aid, misappropriated funds
from the company with the assistance of certain outside individuals and entities. In order to draft its
complaint, Rite Aid requires certain additional information which it will obtain through depositions which
will be held pursuant to the commissions requested herein.
HBDATA:8102
2. Rite Aid proposes to take the deposition upon oral examination of the
Custodian of Records of Cornerstone South, Inc. 2100 W. 76th St., Suite 510, Hialeah, Florida 33016
on January 29, 2003 at 10 o'clock a.m. at the law offices of Kenny Nachwalter Seymour Arnold
Critchlow & Spector, 400 Miami Center, 201 South Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Flordia 33131,
before a court reporter licensed in the State of Florida pursuant to a Notice of Deposition dated
December 20, 2002, a true and correct copy of which is attached as Exhibit A.
3. Rite Aid requires the deposition of the Custodian of Records in that he will be
able to provide information concerning the sale of real estate in Osceola County, Florida to David
Koneff and to fellow Rite Aid employee, Daniel Semic on or about March 2, 1998, transactions that
were apparently related to the misappropriation of funds. The deposition of this individual will aid Rite
Aid in preparing its Complaint against Defendant Koneff asserting the misappropriation of Rite Aid
funds.
4. Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 4007.1(d) and as stated in the attached Notice of
Deposition, Rite Aid proposes to serve Cornerstone South, Inc. with a subpoena or its equivalent under
the laws of the State of Florida.
5. For the taking of the above depositions, Rite Aid will retain certified court
reporters who are competent and qualified to execute a commission for taking the depositions of the
above individuals.
6. The court reporters to be retained by Rite Aid will not be attorneys of any party
to this action nor relatives or employees of any party or such party's attorney, and will have no financial
interest in this action as would disqualify him/her under Pa.R.C.P. 4015(c).
HBDATA:8102
2
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation respectfully requests that this Court
authorize the issuance of commissions to take out-of-state testimony pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 4015
and 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5325, of the Custodian of Records of Cornerstone South, Inc. upon oral
examination in accordance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil :Procedure.
Respectfu submitted,
tev . Shadowen., I.D. No. 41953
ordon A. Einhorn, I.D. No. 59006
Attorneys for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS LLP
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 231-4000
Dated: December 20, 2002
HBDATA:8102
3
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. 02-5863
vs.
DAVID KONEFF and SUSAN KONEFF
Defendants.
DEFENDANT RITE AID CORPORATION'S
NOTICE OF ORAL DEPOSITION
TO: David Koneff
Susan Koneff
760 Seitz Road
Lewisberry, PA 17339
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on Wednesday, January 29, 2003,
commencing at 10:00 a.m., Plaintiff will take the deposition of the Custodian of Records, Cornerstone
South, Inc., by oral examination pursuant to Rule 4007.1 of the :Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
The deposition will be held at the offices of Kenny Nachwalter Seymour Arnold Critchlow & Spector,
400 Miami Center, 201 South Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida 33131, and will continue thereafter
from day to day until completed. You are invited to attend and examine the witness.
Steve D. Shadowen, I.D. No. 41953
Gordon A. Einhorn, I.D. No. 59006
Attorneys for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS LLP
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 231-4000
Dated: December 20, 2002
HBDATA:8035
Custodian of Records to bring the following documents:
1. All documents referring or relating to the sale of Lots 1 and 4 in Poinciana Estates,
Osceola County, Florida to David Koneff on or about March 2, 1998.
2. All documents referring or relating to the sale of Lots 8 and 11 in Poinciana Estates,
Osceola County, Florida to David Semic on or about March 2, 1998.
3. Copies of all checks, evidence of wire transfers or monetary transfers of any kind that
refer or relate to the transfer of funds in payment for Lots 1, 4, 8 and 11 in the sales of
those properties on or about March 2, 1998.
4. Any and all documents evidencing, effectuating, reflecting, or otherwise establishing any
sale, conveyance, hypothecation, quitclaim, gift, devise, or other transfer of any fee
interest, mortgage interest, leasehold interest, or other ownership or evidentiary interest
the aforesaid real property (or of any portion or portions of the aforesaid real
property), including but not limited to deeds, deed polls, leases, quitclaim instruments,
bills of sale, hypothecation instruments, mortgages, assignments agreements, agreements
of sale, title affidavits, settlement sheets, settlement agreements, transfer-tax affidavits,
recording instruments, or correspondence relating to any, some, or all of the aforesaid
documents.
HBDATA:8035
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing PLAINTIFF RITE AID
CORPORATION'S PETITION FOR ISSUANCE OF COMMISSIONS TO TAKE OUT OF
STATE DEPOSITIONS was served via U.S. mail this 20th day of December 2002 on:
David Koneff
760 Seitz Road
Lewisberry, PA 17339
Susan Koneff
760 Seitz Road
Lewisberry, PA 17339
on A.Einhorn
HBDATA:8102
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DEC°1 9 2002
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. 02-5863
vs.
DAVID KONEFF and SUSAN KONEFF :
Defendants.
PROPOSED ORDER
AND NOW, this day of December, 2002, upon consideration of Plaintiff Rite
Aid Corporation's Petition Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 4015(b) and 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5325 for the
issuance of commissions to take depositions, IT IS ORDERED that the Petition is GRANTED and the
Prothonotary is directed to issue commissions to take the depositions of the following individuals upon
oral examination in accordance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure pursuant to the Notices
of Deposition dated December 19, 2002:
Custodian of Records
MailBoxes, Etc. No. 2522
976 McLean Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10704
Claire Zimmerman, Branch Manager
First Union Bank
515 Union Boulevard
Totowa, NJ 07512
c
oa
HBDATA:8032
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D.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. 02-5863
vs.
DAVID KONEFF and SUSAN KONEFF
Defendants.
PLAINTIFF RITE AID CORPORA'TION'S
PETITION FOR ISSUANCE OF COMMISSIONS
TO TAKE OUT OF STATE DEPOSITIONS
Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation ("Rite Aid") by its undersigned attorney, respectfully
petitions this Court pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 4015 and 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5325 for the issuance of
commissions to take depositions upon oral examination on the following basis:
1. Rite Aid commenced this action on December 9, 2002 by the filing of a
praecipe for writ of summons, and the writ was issued on that same date. This action was brought by
Rite Aid against David Koneff, a former employee in its Tax Department, as the result of an internal
investigation which showed that Mr. Koneff, while an employee of Rite Aid, misappropriated funds
from the company with the assistance of certain outside individuals and entities. In order to draft its
complaint, Rite Aid requires certain additional information which it will obtain through depositions which
will be held pursuant to the commissions requested herein.
HBDATA:8032
2. Rite Aid proposes to take the deposition upon oral examination of Claire
Zimmerman, Branch Manager of First Union Bank, Totowa Boro Office, 515 Union Boulevard,
Totowa, New Jersey 07512 on January 27, 2003 at 10 o'clock a.m. at the law offices of Velardo &
Velardo, P.C., 66 Park Street, Montclair, New Jersey 07042, before a court reporter licensed in the
State of New Jersey, pursuant to a Notice of Deposition dated December 19, 2002, a true and correct
copy of which is attached as Exhibit A.
3. Rite Aid requires the deposition of Ms. Zimmerman in that she will be able to
provide information concerning an account at the Totowa, New Jersey branch into which funds were
deposited which were apparently misappropriated by Defendant David Koneff while he was Director
of Sales Tax of Rite Aid Corporation. The deposition of Ms. Zimmerman will aid Rite Aid in preparing
its Complaint against Defendant Koneff asserting misappropriation of Rite Aid funds.
4. Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 4007.1(d) and as stated in the attached Notice of
Deposition, Rite Aid proposes to serve Claire Zimmerman with a subpoena or its equivalent under the
laws of the State of New Jersey.
5. Rite Aid proposes to take the deposition upon oral examination of custodian
of records, MailBoxes, Etc. No. 2522, 976 McLean Avenue, Yonkers, New York 10704 on
January 20, 2003 at 10 o'clock a.m. at the offices of Judicial Reporting Services, 120 Bloomingdale
Road, Suite 104, White Plains, New York 10605 before a court reporter licensed in the State of New
York pursuant to a Notice of Deposition dated December 19, 2002, a true and correct of which is
attached as Exhibit B.
HBDATA:8032
2
6. Rite Aid requires the deposition of the custodian of records in that it is believed
that a private mail box was rented at MailBoxes Etc. No. 2522 for use as a business address by a
vendor which may have conspired with Defendant Koneff to misappropriate funds from Rite Aid and
further that the rented mail box was used to receive funds misappropriated from Rite Aid. The
custodian of records will be able to provide information relating to the identity of those who rented the
mail box and the history of its rental.
7. Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 4007.1(d) and as stated in the attached Notice of
Deposition, Rite Aid proposes to serve the custodian of records of MailBoxes, Etc. No. 2522 with a
subpoena or its equivalent under the laws of the State of New York.
8. For the taking of the above depositions, Rite Aid will retain certified court
reporters who are competent and qualified to execute a commission for taking the depositions of the
above individuals.
9. The court reporters to be retained by Rite Aid will not be attorneys of any party
to this action nor relatives or employees of any party or such party's attorney, and will have no financial
interest in this action as would disqualify him/her under Pa.R.C.P. 4015(c).
HBDATA:8032
3
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation respectfully requests that this Court
authorize the issuance of commissions to take out-of-state testimony pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 4015 and
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5325, of Claire Zimmerman, and the custodian of records of MailBoxes, Etc. No.
2522 upon oral examination in accordance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
submitted,
SteXD. Shadowen,
Gordon A. Einhorn, I.D. No. 59006
Attorneys for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS LLP
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 231-4000
Dated: December 19, 2002
HBDATA:8032
4
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing PLAINTIFF RITE AID
CORPORATION'S PETITION FOR ISSUANCE OF COMMISSIONS TO TAKE OUT OF
STATE DEPOSITIONS was served via U.S. mail this 19th day of December 2002 on:
David Koneff
760 Seitz Road
Lewisberry, PA 17339
Susan Koneff
760 Seitz Road
Lewisberry, PA 17339
HBDATA:8032
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. 02-5863
vs.
DAVID KONEFF and SUSAN KONEFF
Defendants.
DEFENDANT RITE AID CORPORATION'S
NOTICE OF ORAL DEPOSITION
TO: David Koneff
Susan Koneff
760 Seitz Road
Lewisberry, PA 17339
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on Monday, January 27, 2003, commencing at
10:00 a.m., Plaintiff will take the deposition of Claire Zimmerman, Branch Manager of First Union
Bank, Totowa Boro Office, by oral examination pursuant to Rule 4007.1 of the Pennsylvania Rules of
Civil Procedure. The deposition will be held at the offices of Velardo & Velardo, P.C., 66 Park
Street, Montclair, New Jersey 07042, and will continue thereafter from day to day until completed.
You are invited to attend and examine the witness.
Steve D. Shadowen, I.D. No. 41953
Gordon A. Einhorn, I.D. No. 59006
Attorneys for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS LLP
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 231-4000
HBDATA:8035
Branch Manager to bring the following documents:
All documents relating to the opening and maintenance of FirstUnion Account
No. 3008902433.
2. All correspondence between FirstUnion Bank and the owners and/or agents of
that account.
3. All monthly statements for that account from the date it was opened until the
present or the date on which it was closed.
4. Copies of all canceled checks drawn on the account from January 1, 1997
through the present date.
HBDATA:8035
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. 02-5863
vs.
DAVID KONEFF and SUSAN KONEFF
Defendants.
DEFENDANT RITE AID CORPORA?TION'S
NOTICE OF ORAL DEPOSITION
TO: David Koneff
Susan Koneff
760 Seitz Road
Lewisberry, PA 17339
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on Monday, January 27, 2003, commencing at 10:00
a.m., Plaintiff will take the deposition of the Custodian of Records, MailBoxes, Etc. No. 2522, 976
McLean Avenue, Yonkers, New York 10704, by oral examination pursuant to Rule 4007.1 of the
Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. The deposition will be held at the offices of Judicial Reporting
Services, 120 Bloomingdale Road, Suite 104, White Plains, New York 10605, and will continue
thereafter from day to day until completed. You are invited to attend and examine the witness.
Steve D. Shadowen, I.D. No. 41953
Gordon A. Einhorn, I.D. No. 59006
Attorneys for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS LLP
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 231-4000
HBDATA:8035
Custodian of Records at MailBoxes, Etc. to bring the following documents:
All documents relating to the opening and maintenance of Mail Box No. 225 at
MailBoxes, Etc. No. 2522, Yonkers, New York during the years 1997-1999 during
which time Box No. 225 was designated to receive mail for an entity known as "New
York Sales Tax CR." These documents include but are not limited to a list of all
persons or entities whose mail was to be accepted at this box and the identity and
address of all persons authorized to have access to or control of this box between
1997-1999.
2. All correspondence between MailBoxes, Etc. No. 2522 and the renters and/or agents
for the renters of Mail Box No. 225 during the years 1997-1999.
Complete documentation of all rental payments made on Mail Box No. 225 including
but not limited to copies of any checks submitted in payment of rental fees.
HBDATA:8035
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1 1 L.J .-.?'
DEC 1 9 2002
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. 02-5863
vs.
DAVID KONEFF and SUSAN KONEFF
Defendants
COMMISSION
TO: Any Notary Public or Court Reporter Licensed in the State of New York
Having confidence in your prudence and fidelity, we have appointed you, and by these
presents do give unto you full power and authority, in pursuit of an Order made in our Cumberland
County Court of Common Pleas in the above cause, between Rite Aid Corporation and David Koneff
and Susan Koneff to call before you at a certain day and place, by you, for that purpose, to be
appointed, the Custodian of Records, MailBoxes, Etc. No. 2522, 976 McLean Avenue, Yonkers,
New York, NY 10005-1101, as a witness in this cause; and then and thereto examine the witness
upon his respective oath or solemn affirmation, touching the premises, and reducing his testimony to
writing. And when you shall have so done, you are to send the same to the attorneys of record in this
action.
Further, that the courts of General Jurisdiction of the State of New York are requested
to lend assistance with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, the issuance of subpoenas directing
compliance.
In testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of our Court to be affixed, this
day of pee . , 200
TRUE COPY FROM RECORD
In Testimony wh:rcof, I here unto set my hand
Carlisle, Pa.
and a nWIdf/dAof?l.
Th' ......U..
Pro onotary
HBDATA:8034
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
vs.
DAVID KONEFF and SUSAN KONEFF
Defendants
No. 02-5863
COMMISSION
TO: Any Notary Public or Court Reporter Licensed in the State of New Jersey
Having confidence in your prudence and fidelity, we have appointed you, and by these
presents do give unto you full power and authority, in pursuit of an Order made in our Cumberland
County Court of Common Pleas in the above cause, between Rite: Aid Corporation and David Koneff
and Susan Koneff to call before you at a certain day and place, b:y you, for that purpose, to be
appointed Claire Zimmerman, Branch Manager of First Union Bank, Totowa Boro Office, 515 Union
Boulevard, Totowa, New Jersey 07512, as a witness in this cause; and then and there to examine the
witness upon her respective oath or solemn affirmation, touching the premises, and reducing her
testimony to writing. And when you shall have so done, you are to send the same to the attorneys of
record in this action.
Further, that the courts of General Jurisdiction of the State of New Jersey are requested
to lend assistance with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, the issuance of subpoenas directing
compliance.
In testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of our Court to be affixed, this -2L
day of eC • , 200 A.
TRUE COPY FROM RECORD
In Testimony whereo'r, I here unto set my hand
and the sea i rou at Carlisle, Pa.
the co ns?L
Thi ..i y f. ?..JG.
. d:5
P otaryHBDATA:8034
ALI Pr thornaaryr
DEC fY3?002 (?.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. 02-5863
vs.
DAVID KONEFF and SUSAN KONEFF
Defendants.
PROPOSED ORDER
AND NOW, this day of December, 2002, upon consideration of Plaintiff Rite
Aid Corporation's Petition Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 4015(b) and 42. Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5325 for the
issuance of commissions to take depositions, IT IS ORDERED that the Petition is GRANTED and the
Prothonotary is directed to issue commissions to take the depositions of the following individuals upon
oral examination in accordance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure pursuant to the Notices
of Deposition dated December 20, 2002:
L=s?
K
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0?lt
box?c„ Kon,ePF
Custodian of Records
Cornerstone South, Inc.
2100 W. 76th Street, Suite 510
Hialeah, FL 33016
C .
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? J.
HBDATA:8102
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. 02-5863
vs.
DAVID KONEFF and SUSAN KONEFF
Defendants.
COMMISSION
TO: Any Notary Public or Court Reporter Licensed in the State of Florida
Having confidence in your prudence and fidelity, we have appointed you, and by these
presents do give unto you full power and authority, in pursuit of an Order made in our Cumberland
County Court of Common Pleas in the above cause, between Rite Aid Corporation and David Koneff
and Susan Koneff to call before you at a certain day and place, by you, for that purpose, to be
appointed the Custodian of Records of Cornerstone South, Inc., 2100 W. 76th St., Suite 510,
Hialeah, Florida 33016, as a witness in this cause; and then and there to examine the witness upon his
respective oath or solemn affirmation, touching the premises, and reducing his testimony to writing.
And when you shall have so done, you are to send the same to the attorneys of record in this action.
Further, that the courts of General Jurisdiction of the State of Florida are requested to
lend assistance with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, the issuance of subpoenas directing
compliance.
testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of our Court to be affixed, this
day of 200 a,
6?eal?fm-
Pfo--tb nota
Seal of the Court
HBDATA:8034
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff
V.
DAVID KONEFF and SUSAN KONEFF,
Defendants
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
No. 02-5863
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
PRAECIPE FOR ENTRY OF APPEARANCE
TO: Curt Long, Prothonotary
Cumberland County Courthouse
One Courthouse Sqaure
Carlisle, PA 17013
PLEASE ENTER our appearance on behalf of defendants David Koneff and Susan
Koneff in the above-captioned matter.
COSTOPOULOS, FOSTER & FIELDS
By:-
David J. Foster, Muire
I.D.#23151
Leslie M. Fields, Esquire
I.D.#29411
831 Market Street
P.O. Box 222
Lemoyne, Pennsylvania 17013
(717) 76111-2121
t f$ f b?
Dated:
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, David J. Foster, Esquire, certify that I have served a true copy of the foregoing Praecipe
for Entry of Appearance on the individual(s) listed below by depositing the same in the United
States mail, first-class, postage prepaid, from Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, addressed as follows:
Steve D. Shadowen, Esquire
Gordon A. Einhorn, Esquire
SCHNADER, HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS, LLP
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Counsel for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
? n ,? 0
David J. Foster, quire
Dated: , Ro 3 -
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SHERIFF'S RETURN - OUT OF COUNTY
CASE NO: 2002-05863 P
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
RITE AID CORPORATION
VS
KONEFF DAVID ET AL
R. Thomas Kline
, Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff who being
duly sworn according to law, says, that he made a diligent search and
and inquiry for the within named DEFENDANT
KONEFF SUSAN
but was unable to locate Her
deputized the sheriff of YORK
in his bailiwick
serve the within WRIT OF SUMMONS
to wit:
He therefore
County, Pennsylvania, to
On January 15th , 2003 , this office was in receipt of the
attached return from YORK
Sheriff's Costs: So answer
Docketing 6.00
Out of County .00 -
Surcharge 10.00 R. Thomas Kline
.00 Sheriff of Cumberland County
.00
16.00
01/15/2003
SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL LEWIS
Sworn and subscribed to before me
this day o
J"j A.D.
Prothonotafry
SHERIFF'S RETURN - OUT OF COUNTY
CASE NO: 2002-05863 P
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
RITE AID CORPORATION
VS
KONEFF DAVID ET AL
R. Thomas Kline
, Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff who being
duly sworn according to law, says, that he made a diligent search and
and inquiry for the within named DEFENDANT
KONEFF DAVID
but was unable to locate Him
deputized the sheriff of YORK
in his bailiwick
, to wit:
He therefore
County, Pennsylvania, to
serve the within WRIT OF SUMMONS
On January 15th , 2003 , this office was in receipt of the
attached return from YORK
Sheriff's Costs: So answ
Docketing 18.00
Out of County 9.00
Surcharge 10.00 R. Thomas Kline
Dep York County 43.33 Sheriff of Cumberland County
.00
80.33
01/15/2003
SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL LEWIS
Sworn and subscribed to before me
this day of? a
?7 6V3 A.D.
Prothonotary
)5,j
THE PRXV EXME5$ INC. YOg,, Pq 1>Cp2 5E3...I
COUNTY OF YORK
OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF
28 EAST MARKET ST., YORK, PA 17401
14.
SHERIFF SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS
PROCESS RECEIPT and AFFIDAVIT OF RETURN PLEASE TYPE ONLY LIE 1 THRU 12
DO NOT DETACH ANY COPES
1. PLAINTIFF/S/
2. COURT NUMBER
Rite Aid Corporation
Q')-rQ91 -4-41
3. DEFENDANT/S/ 4. TYPE OF WRIT OR COMPLAINT
David Koneff et al Writ of Summons
SERVE 5. NAME OF INDIVIDUAL, COMPANY, CORPORATION, ETC. TO SERVE OR DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY TO BE LEVIED, ATTACHED, OR SOLD.
Susan Koneff
6 ADDRESS (STREET OR RFO WITH BOX NUMBER, APT NO ,CITY, BORO, TWP., STATE AND ZIP CODE)
AT
760 ??-J+-z Drive Tip lb A 17339
7. INDICATE SERVICE: ? PERSONAL ? PERSON IN CHARGE DEPUTIZE ?
? 1ST CLASS MAIL ? POSTED ? OTHER
York
NOW December 11 20 02 I, SHERIFF OF COUNTY, PA, do hereby deputize the sheriff of
York COUNTY to execute th' ake return t according
to law. This deputization being made at the request and risk of the plaintiff.
8. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION THAT WILL ASSIST IN EXPEDITING tFRVIrF SHERIFF OF L;UUNTY
OUT OF COUNTY
CUMBERLAND
ADVANCED FEE PAID BY ATTY.
NOTE: ONLY APPLICABLE ON WRIT OF EXECUTION: N.B. WAIVER OF WATCHMAN - Any deputy sheriff levying upon or attaching anyfpsrophertydeputyunder or the sheriff the writmay leave same
without a watchman, in custody of whomever is found in possession, after notifying person of levy or attachment, without liability on the part
herein for any loss, destruction, or removal of any property before sherifrs sale thereof.
ouc to any plaintiff
9. TYPE NAME and ADDRESS of ATTORNEY /ORIGINATOR and SIGNATURE
E231-4000 LEPHONE NUMBER 11. DATE FILED
STEVE D. SHADOWEN 12-9-02
12. SEND NOTICE OF SERVICE COPY TO NAME AND ADDRESS BELOW: (This area must be completed if notice is to be mailed).
CUMBERLAND CO SHERIFF
lmrw
13. lack
nowledge receipt of the writ R. AyR EN S
or complaint as indicated above.
16. HOW SERVED: PERSONAL ( ) RESIDENCE ( POSTED( ) POE(
17. ? 1 hereby certify and return a NOT FOUND because I am unable to locate the individual, compai
18. NAME AND TITLE OF INDIVIDUAL SERVED/ LIST ADDRESS HERE IF NOT SHOWN ABOVE (I
21 ATTEMPDat?e me rville Mile Int. Da Miles Int. 7
22.
23.
u.
41. ?
42.1
550.1
C
SHERIFF'S OFFICE ( ) OTHER
etc. named above. (See remarks below.)
3tionship to Defendant) 19. Otte
Time i Miles i Int. I Date
7///// /??1?
' '/ I ! --
SERVICE CALL
(717) 771-9601
15. Bprgirp(igrMearing Date
SEE REMARKS BELOW
e 20. Time
I
Date Time
nce Costs 24. Service Costs 25. N/F 26. Mileage 27. Postage 28. Sub Total 29. Pound 30. Notary 31. Surchg. 32. Tot. Costs 33. Casts Due or Refund Check No.
Ign County Costs 35. Advance Costs 36. Service Costs 37. Notary Cert. 38. Mileage/Postage/Not Found 39. Total Costs 40. Costs Due or Refund
¢MED 9 SW RS
f ,4RIAL 44. Signa
MELISSA J. SHAFFER, -Ate . TARY Dep. n O
City of York, York County 6. Si ature of o k 4 47. D TE
My Co i6giop Expires April 20, 2008 Co my Sheri
W M. HOSE Ji 1-9-03
48. Signature Foreign v 49. DATE
County Sheriff
NOWLEDGE RECEIP OF SH IFF' TURN IGNATURE
1THORIZED ISSUING AUTHORITY AN rn r 51 DATE RFCFIVFA
b F? 3.
/ ?
THE R1MNf EFPpE55, INC. YORK, PP IJG02 1553BfTBl1 / /-1 c_
??- S / M
1/Vl ('? 0 r/1 MC 3/OI
COUNTY OF YORK
OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF
28 EAST MARKET ST., YORK, PA 17401
SHERIFF SERVICE
PROCESS RECEIPT and AFFIDAVIT OF RETURN
1
3.
Rite Aid Corporation
SERVICE CALL
(717) 771-9601
INSTRUCTIONS
PLEASE TYPE ONLY LIE 1 THRU 12
DO NOT DETACH ANY COPES
4. TYPE OF WRIT OR COMPLAINT
David Koneff et al Writ of Su coons
SERE 5 NAME OF INDIVIDUAL COMPANY CORPORATION, ETC. TO SERVE OR DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY TO BE LEVIED, ATTACHED, OR SOLD
David Koneff
6. ADDRESS (STREET OR RFO WITH BOX NUMBER, APT. NO., CITY, BORO, TWP., STATE AND ZIP CODE)
AT 760 Seitz Drive Lewisberry, PA 17339 01 ?
7. INDICATE SERVICE: ? PERSONAL ? PERSON IN CHARGE DEPUTIZE ? 1ST CLASS MAIL L) POSTED ? OTHER
NOW Decl Aber 1J. 2002 I, SHERIFF OF'6M COUNTY, PA, do hereby deputize the sheriff of
York COUNTY to execut e ake return according
to law. This deputization being made at the request and risk of the plaintiff. f -
8. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION THAT WILL ASSIST IN EXPEDITING SERVICE: SHERIFF OF *MW COUNTY p
OUT OF COUNTY Oberland
CUMBERLAND
ADVANCED FEE PAID BY ATTY
NOTE: ONLY APPLICABLE ON WRIT OF EXECUTION: N.B. WAIVER OF WATCHMAN - An deputy sheriff le
without a watchman, in custody of whomever is found in vying upon or attaching any property under within writ may leave same
herein for any loss, destruction, or removal of an possession, after notifying person of levy or attachment, without liability on the part of such deputy or the sheriff to any plaintiff
any Property before sheriffs sale thereof. ,
9. TYPE NAME and ADDRESS of ATTORNEY/ ORIGINATOR and SIGNATURE
10. TELEPHONE NUMBER 11. DATE FILED
STEVE D.SHADOWEN 30 N. 3rd ST. STE 700 HBG,PA 17101 1231-4000 12-9-02
12. SEND NOTICE OF SERVICE COPY TO NAME AND ADDRESS BELOW: (This area must be completed if notice is to be mailed).
CUMBERLAND CO. SHERIFF
13. 1 acknowledge receipt of the writ /
or complaint as indicated above. R. AH R EN 14. DAiT? RECEII(6D
16. HOW SERVED: PERSONAL(L4RESIDENCE (y( POSTED( ) POE( ) SHERIFF'S OFFICE ( ) lOiTHUELR
( )
17. ? I hereby ce rtify and return a NOT FOUND because I am unable to locate the individual, company, etc. named above. (See remarks below.)
18. E AND TITLE OF INDIVIDUAL SERVED I LISTADDRESS HERE IF NOT SHOWN ABOVE (Relationship to Defendant) 19. to o
1. ATTEMPTS Date Time t t n
Miles Int. Date Time Miles Int. Date Time Miles Int. Date Time Miles Int. Date Ti' Iles
i
?C7
Costs 24. ervice Costs 25. N/F 26. Mileage
28. Sub Total 129.
35. Advance Costs 136. Service Costs 37. Notary Cert. 38.
1516{p rafioo/Hearing Date
SEttESS REMARKS BELOW
20. Time of
Int. I Date I Time I Miles I' Int.
30. Notary 31. Surchg. 132. Tot. Costs 33. Costs
/-/I-6-p?
Found 139. Total Costs 1 40. Costs Due or Refund
No.
e7?
41. AFFIRMED and subscribed to before me this 9 O AN RS
42. day of 44. Signs 5 E
A tits 1N?p? Dep. She JS
_ELISSA J: $HAFFER, Ootry tiblicT RY 4 S
tN ign re of k lJ
.City of York, York County Coun Sheri 47. D TE
?j2 Gr.
?
I PSI Onnnission pir 20,2 j HOSE 4!22L?
48, Signs of Foreign G 4- J-9-03
9. DATE
County Sheriff
50. I ACK OWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THE SHERIF ' RN GNATURE
OF A THORIZED ISSUING AUTHORITY ANn Tt 51. DATE RFr:FivFn
FEB 0 7 2,00,?'
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
vs.
No. 02-5863
DAVID KONEFF and SUSAN KONEFF ;
Defendants.
ORDER
AND NOW, this ? day of February, 2003, upon consideration
of Plaintiff
Rite Aid Corporation's Third Petition Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 4015(b) and 42 Pa. Cons. Stat.
§ 5325 for the issuance of commissions to take depositions, IT IS ORDERED that the Petition is
GRANTED and the Prothonotary is directed to issue commissions to take the depositions of the
following individuals upon oral examination in accordance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil
Procedure pursuant to the Notices of Deposition dated February 3, 2003:
Custodian of Records Custodian of Records
Bank of America Total Bank
1 SE Third Avenue 2720 Coral Way
Miami, FL 33131 Miami, FL "33145
Custodian of Records Custodian of Records
Ocean Bank Eastern National Bank
780 NW 42nd Avenue 799 Brickell Plaza
Miami, FL 33126 Miami, FL 33131
J.
02- 12-cII
HBDATA:8253
3f t?
0 :1 (=!d ? 1 031 Co
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. 02-5863
vs.
DAVID KONEFF, DANIEL SEMIC, F & S
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC., d/b/a
NEW YORK SALES TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL
& STATE CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
DECLARATION OF GORDON A. EINHORN
I am an attorney with Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP, attorneys for
Rite Aid Corporation in the above matter.
2. Following the commencement of this action I caused a series of subpoenas to
be served on various banks through which the funds passed which were misappropriated by defendants
from Rite Aid as detailed in the Complaint.
3. On or about December 23, 2002 I caused a deposition subpoena to be served
on First Union Bank, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania requesting various documents including monthly
statements and canceled checks concerning an account owned by Defendant F & S Corporate
Advisors d/b/a New York Sales Tax Credit. This subpoena was issued because Rite Aid knew from
its own canceled checks that 32 checks sent to New York Sales Tax Credit had been deposited into
this First Union account.
HBDATA:8819
subpoena, First Union Bad produced Monthly statements
response to this canceled checks revealed that
4. In The Yoxk Sales Eden wrote checks on the First Union
and canceled checks for
Defendant Brian Corp
to Aid check,
Inc.
shortly after the deposit of each Ri orate Advisors,
Corporate Advisors, Inc. or Federal & State s in Florida, including Nations
account payable to F & S companies at bank
owned by those comp
which were deposited into accounts Banks, ocean Bank,
Total Bank, andEastemNationalBank• subpoenaon
5 on or about March 4> 2003 I caused to be served a deposition
ents relating to an
production of various documents
s lvania copies of
Fulton Bank, Lancaster, Penn Y bank statements and account at that bank owned by Defendant David Koneff including
checks deposited by Koneff into that account.
In response to this subpoena Fulton Bank produced Koneff s monthly
6' These documents reveal that each
statements and copies of checks deposited into Koneff s account. thereafter wrote one or
time Brian Eden deposited Rite Ard's funds into a Florida account,
ff into his account at Fulton Bank.
more checks to David Koneff which were deposited by Kone
and 2000 Koneff receive numerous checks totaling approximately S1.6 million-
Between 1997 ies of some of the checks received by Koneff.
e and correct cop be
Attached hereto as Exhibit 1 are 20031 caused a second deposition subpoena to
7 on or about March 28,
Lancaster, Pennsylvania requesting copies of canceled checks that Koneff had
n Fulton Bank,
served o
roduced copies of checks written
written on his Fulton Bank account.
Pro
8 in response to the subpoena, Fulton Bank
neff on his account. These checks and records of electronic transfers showed the
by David Ko
HBDATA'M19
following:
-2-
a. approximately $678,000.00 was transferred to Koneff s investment
account at Charles Schwab & Co.;
b, approximately $400,000.00 was used to purchase certificates of
deposit from Fulton Bank;
C. approximately $300,000.00 was used as partial payment for the
construction of Koneff s residence at 76 Seitz Drive, Lewisberry,
pennsylvania17339;
d. approximately $110,000.00 was used to purchase two parcels of land
located in Hampshire County, West Virginia.
9. On or about February 11, 2003 I caused a deposition subpoena to be served
on Eastern National Bank, Miami, Florida concerning an account at the bank owned by Federal &
State Corporate Advisors, Inc. The subpoena also requested documents pertaining to this account
and canceled checks. This was one of the Florida accounts into
including copies of monthly statements
which Brian Eden deposited funds that were initially deposited at First Union Bank after being received
from Rite Aid. It was used by Eden for this purpose from July 1999 until December 1999.
10. In response to the subpoena, Eastern National Bank produced monthly
statements and canceled checks. These canceled checks again confirmed Fulton Bank's records that
checks had been written by Brian Eden to David Koneff which were deposited by Koneff into his
Fulton Bank checking account. One canceled check shows that Federal & State Corporate Advisors
sent a check for $218,128 to Mumper Construction, Co. ("Mumper") as the initial payment for the
construction of Koneff's home. Records previously obtained from Mumper show that this was the
exact amount of the initial payment credited to Koneff.
HBDATA:8819
-3-
11
The canceled checks also show that between July 16,
2000, Eden sent numerous checks to Daniel Semic totaling $274,760.82.
A correct copies of some of the checks received by Semic.
1999 and June 26,
Attached hereto as Exhibit 2
are true an
12. Using the information produced by First Union Bank and Fulton Bank, I
constructed a chart showing how checks written by Rite Aid to New York Sales Tax Credit were
initially deposited into New York Sales Tax Credit's account at First Union Bank; that the money was
then transferred by check to various accounts in Florida belonging to F & S Corporate Advisors or
Federal & State Corporate Advisors; and that checks were then written on the Florida accounts to
at Fulton Bank. A true and correct copy of the chart I
David Koneff and deposited in his account
created using information produced by the banks is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.
13.
The foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge,
information, and belief and are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. 4904 relating to unworn
falsification to authorities.
Dated: June 10, 2003
HBDATA:8819
-4-
Exhibit A
FEDERAL & STATE CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.
xiww. nq r.. wart sw
IWEVI, MRwR ]1011
?]' tout
FOR J r^`x fC? ?y
w0o12ssw ];0ss0aR15s?:
1266
DE6?v'
s 136,zs%w
SIM
06 1as7ssf•06 1001362500010
T
)1
l/
S F kk'rY 4?1W?,?
6004
FEDERAL & STATE CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC,
111"57 n- YDwxE21110
.. 64 4R ..
PATS w.
PAY ? Jsll3,7to-
TOMIT
VI?Q /?+?R?(.fM1+r?.Wf'1 ?? i j?+N ..J??i'DDUM1Re ®c
?%EastemNationalBank - ----
sN • Rw s.,N
?? iwu nw. NR,
f?
FOR
?- - r006004r C0s7002533f: 13i1800006r. fpp 11375000.'
1?Y
4
- 6022
FEDERAL & STATE CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.
]a MST
DAYS °/ 24 ¢9
iuixe ?N1 .J s f0 ry0.r?
of .
RS ME=
ggyy stern National Bank
FOR
J0005000000!
w006022w 1:0670025330 11118000061'
Dkk! ] d`
"ValM1NII91i
Yfd {15
Xk4 tl } ,•
Exhibit B
FEDERAL & STATE CORPORATE ADVISORS, MG. ` *a?ku ' ?$
,. n IVES"6Pr STREET M 1310 A?
uV iEAV FL^R10R JXI.6 '
.Ltd x1
PRY
I'D M,
,001 National Bank '
FOR _. .. _ _. ... ._. __ __... _.._ ? .? ...
1'00602LO 1:OS70et5334 ll.li Dt?a6,;;r+
Exhibit C
Rite Aid Checks to NY Sales Tax Credit
Deposited to NY Sales Tax Credit
Acct No: 2030089024334 NY Sales Tax Credit F&S checks to Koneff
checks to F & S Corp Advisors Deposited to Koneff Account
Deposited to F&S Accounts in No: 3632-28686 at Fulton Bank
at First Union Florida Banks Payor Bank in ( )
Date Amount Date Check No. Bank Amount Date Check No Bank Amount
1/16/97 $89,500.00 1/2197
1/17/97 1040
1041 (NB)
(OB)' $6,000.00
$4,000.00 _ 1/3197
_ 1/17197 243
247 (OB)
(OB) $573.50
_ $573.50
1124197 1042 (TB) $4,000.00 1/17/97 248 (OB) _$573.50
1/21/97 249 (OB) $573.50
Totalal for January $1,147.00
1/29/97 $168,934.00 2/5/97 1043 (TB) $63,000.00 1/30/97 252 (013) $573.50
_ 216/97 1044 (CS) $100,000.00 2/7/97 253 (OB) $573.71
2/21/97 1045 (CS) $100,000.00 2/11197
2/12/97 5002
_ 6110 (C/TB)
(TB) $833.65
$573.50
" - - 2/20/97 5973
_ 2127197 5979
Total Total f (NB)'
(NB) $573.71
$573.50
$3,701.57
3/5/97. $85,569.00 3/12/97 1046 (TB) $85,000.00 ?
3/5/97 5985
3/18197 5994 (NB)
(NB) $573.50
- $573.50
-
-
$85,664.70
4/10/97
-
4/21/97
4/21197
047
1048
NB) $53,400.00
(TB) $32,000.00 3/20/97 5997
3/21/97, _ 6006
3124/97 5005,
3/27/97 6009
- 4/3/97. 6015
Total for March
4/10/97 6021
4/14/97 5008 (NB)
(NB)
(C/TB)
(NB)
(NB);
(NB)
(C/TB) $573.50
$1 $891.75
$891.65
$573.50
$ .50
$14,,368368.90
$573.50
$1,023.40
- 4/17/97 ' _ 6026 (NB) $573.50
1 4/24/97 6031, (NB) 573.50
"-" - - _ 4/24/97 6032 (NB) $24,311.11
-
_ '
-
-, 5/1/97
j 8/97
7 6038
. _
. 6043
6 044 (NB)
(NB)
(NB) , _ $635.50
$635.50
$1 683.14
. 5/97 6051 (NB) $635.50
Total for April $45,644.65
5/19/97 $53,600.00 5/22/97 . 6057 (NB) _ $635.50
5/29/9,7
- 1 5012 (CB) $529.56
? __5_/29/97
- 6063 (N
(NB)
$635.50
Total May
for _ $1,800.56
6/5/97 $34,495.00 6/11/97 1052 (TB) $53,600.00 6/5/97 6070 (NB) $635.50
- 6/18/97 1053 (CS) $34,495.00 6/5/97
6112197
- 6/19/97
6/24/97
6_/26/97 6071
6078
_ - 6084
: _ 5017
6090 (NB)
(NB)
(NB)
(C/TB)
(NB) $4,448.50
$635.50
$635.50
$4,449.00
$635.50
7/3/97 6097 ___(NB) $22,242.61
_
- 7/3/97 6096 (NB) $635.50
- -- "-- _ 7/6/97 5_0_22_ (C/TB) $1,149.40
Total for June $35,467.01
7/9/97 $55,220.00 7/23/97 1054 (TB) $55,000.00 7/10/97 6104 (NB) $635.50
7117197 6110 (NB) _ $635.50
7/24/97
_ 6116
--- (NB) $635.50
`- - _
8/1/97 6122 (NB $635.50
Total for July $2,542.00
TB =Total Bank
NB = Nations Bank/Intercontinental Bank
'.OB = OceanOcean Bankj? __
'CS = Check issued to Cornerstone South and Deposited to its account at Total Bank
_
C/TB = Check from Cornerstone South's account at Total Bank
Rite Aid Checks to NY Sales Tax Credit) NY Sales Tax Credit rae cnecKS to Konen
Deposited to NY Sales Tax Credit _ checks to F & S Corp Advisors Deposited to Koneff Account
Acct No: 2030089024334 n
Deposited to F8S Accounts i
No: 3632-28686 at Fulton Bank
_
at First Union Florida Banks Payor Bank in ( )
Date Amount Date Check No. Bank Amount Date Check No Bank Amount
8/6/97 $160,700.00 8/21/971 1055 (TB) $160,000.00 8/8/97 5 (TB) $716.52
_
8/14
1/97
8/21/971
8/22197 6128
5029
6132 (TB)
(TB)
TB)
$635
$ .19
$635
.50
$2,184.80
$635.50
8/29/97 6137 (TB) $635.50
9/4/97
$178,000.00
9/15/97
1057'
(TB)
$178,000.00 Total fo
9/5/97
9/5/971
9/11/971
9/19/97
9/25/97
Total for r August
6144 ,
6143
6142
6150
6155
6159
September
(TB)
(TB)
(TB)
(TB)
(TB)
(TB) $7,788.01
$31,314.26
$ $6 5.49
$6
35.50
$635.50
$635.50
$635.50
$36,034.75
10/7197 $110,000.00 10/27/97 1058 (TB) $110,000.00 10/7/97 6163 (TB) $635.50
10/7/97 5036 (CliB) $2,899.81
10/9197 8540 (TB) $800.00
-
__
-- 10/10/97
10/10/97
_10/10/97 _
_ 6167
6168
6169 (TB)
(TB)
(TB) $635.50
1 _ $2,734.41
$3,044.17
10/17/97 6175 (TB) _ $635.50
10124/97 6179 TB) $635.50
10/31/97 6185 (TB) $635.50
_ 10/31/97. 6186 (TB) $3,591.01
_.
11/7/97 16191 (TB) $635.50
--
11/14/97 6195 (TB) $635.50
11121197 6199 !(TB) $635.50
-
-
-
-__
_ 11/28197
--11/28/97
--1211/97
12/5/97
12/12/97 6202
6203
5040
6207
6211 (TB)
(TB)
(C/TB)
(TB)
(TB) $635.50
$5,877.51
1 $1,225.19
$635.50
$635.50
Total for Oct., $27,162.60
Nov., and Dec.
Total $1,021,682.70 Total $175,657.05
TB Total Bank
NB = Nations Bank/Intercontinental Bank
_ OB =Ocean Bank
__ CS =Check issued to Cornerstone South and Deposited to its account at Total Bank _
C/TB =Check from Cornerstone South's account at Total Bank
Rite Aid Checks to NY Sales Tax Credit NY Sales Tax Credit checks to _
. Deposited to NY Sales Tax Credit Federal & State Corp Advisors
Account No: 2030089024334 posited to Federal & State Corp Advisors
at First Union Acct No: 606106765-06 at Total Bank
- _Federal & State Corp Advisors _
checks to Koneff
± Deposited to Koneff Account
No: 3632-28686 at Fulton Bank
7 i
Date Amount Date -
Check No. Amount Date Check No Amount
12119197 $139,000.00 1/21/98 1059 $70,000.00 1/29/98 495098 $30,000.00
1/21/98 1060. $69,000.00 1/29/98 495097 _ $6,000.00
1/30/98 2 $5,069.42
1/19/98
$173,929
213/98
1061
$173,929.00
- Total for
_ 2/3/98
- January $41,069.42
495101 $5,407.00
_ : 216/98. 5 $860.25
_ 2/13/98 0.25
_ $8
- 2/19/98 1004
- _ $7,046.00
3/4/9$172,258.00
3/16/98
3/18/98
1063
1064 2/20/98 11 1
Total for February
-- $86,129.00 /1 /98 17-11
$86,129.00 3/13/98 120018
3/19/98. 1018
3120/98 23
/23/98 1027
3/23/98 1025
3/23/98 1023 5
$860.25
$15,033.75
_ $860.25
$86625
$18,000.00
$860.25
$6,577.20
$12,000.00
$34,002.00
_ 3/27/98 26
Total for March ' $860.25
$74,020.20
4/7198 $193,509.00 4/15/98 1065 $96,754.50 413/98 29 $860.25
- 4/15/98 1066 $96,754.50
_
-- -- '. 4/18/98 1036
4110198 32
4/17/98 35
4/24/98 38
4/30/981 1039 $15,000.00
$860.25
$860.25
$860.25
. $27,725.00
- T Total for April $46,166.00
5/6198 $175,600.00 5/27/98 1070 $87,800.00 5/1/98, 41 $860.25
5/28/98 1069 $87,800.00 , 518/98 44 1 $860.25
5115/98 47 $860.25
5/22/98 50 $860.25
-?
5/29/98 53 $860.25
Total for May $4,301.25
. 6/3/98 $174,500.00 6/22/98 1071 $87,250.00 . 6/1/98 1060 $3,000.00
_ 6/26/98 1072 $87,250.00 6/3/98 1062 $16,820.00
- __ 98 56 $860.25
- _ 6/8/98
. 1056 $40,333.34
-- - 6/12/98 1 59 _$860.25
_ _ _ 6/19198 62 ' $860.25
_
-. _ _ 6/26/98 1076 $_350.00
-? _ 6/26/98 65 $860.25
Total for June $63,944.34
1 .
-- 7/9198 $177,500.00 7/23/98(?) ' 1074 $95,000.00 . 7/3/98 68 $860.25
7/24/98(?) 1075 $82,500.00 . 7/8198 1085 $8,400.00
7/8/98 1084 $40,333.33
-
-?-- 7/10198 71 _ $860.25
_ 7/17198 74 $860.25
7/22/98 1091 $19,625.64
7/24/98 77 $860.25
7/31/98 80 $860.25
Total for July $72,660.22
8/6/98 $179,300.00 8/25/98 1076 $79,534.32 8/3/98 1103 $15,220.32
_ 8/26/98 1077 $50,000.00 8/5/98 1. 1111 $43,333.33
8/27/98 . 1078"` $50,000.00 815/98 1106 ' $10,875.00
8/7198 83 $860.25
8114/98 86 $860.25
" Checks 10 76, 1077, & 1078 not produced'" 8/1_5/98 1119 $4,200.00
-- 8/21/98 89 $860.25
8/28/98 . 92 $860.25
Re Aid Checks to NY Sales Tax Credit NY Sales Tax credit cnecKS to reaeral a amre ?ul I, .V.
_ it
Deposited to NY Sales Tax Credit Federal & State Corp Advisors checks to Koneff
Account No: 2030089024334 Deposited to Federal & State Corp Advisors Deposited to Koneff Account
at First Union Acct No 606106765-06 at Total Bank" No: 3632-28686 at Fulton Bank
Date Amount Date Check No. Amount Date Check No Amount
Total for August $77,069.65
"
918/98 $179,500.00. 9/27/98 1079 _ $89,975.00 914/98- 95. $860.25
9/30/98' 1080 $89,525.00 9/9/98 1135 $6,105.00
9/9
9/98'
9/11/98 1133
99
98 $1,303.33
$27,704.70
$860.25
9/18/98
9/18/981 103
105 $1,046.25
$2,910.27
".
- 9124/98 108
' $
$953.25
?Z
Total for Septemb
r .30
$4111,
_
- 10/2/98
10/6/98
10/8198
10/9/98 1
1137
1143
114 L
$953.25
$19,050.00
$7,290.67
$953.25
10/16/98 , 117 $953.25
10/19/98 1157, $17,000.00
10119198 1159 $37,366.67
" 10/19/98 1162 $5,685.97
10/23/98 120 $953.25
10/30/98 123 $953.25
" - Total fo r October $91,159.56
11/5/98 $182,229.07? 11/23/98 1083 $89,000.00 11/13/98 . 130 _ $953.25
11/23/98 1084 $93,000.00
- 11/20/98 133 $953.25
- "- _ _ _ 11124198 1179 $5,000.00
11/24/98 1180 $55,000.00
- 11/27/9 136 $953.25
Total for r November ' $62,859.75
12/2198 $184,400.00 12/14/98(?) 1085 _ $92,000.00 1214/98 139 $953.25
12/17/98(?) , 1086 $98,000.00 12/11/98 . 142 $953.25
-" -
--- 12115/98 _ 1202 $16,500.00
" - 12/15/98 1201 $17,309.27
12/18/98 145 $953.25
_
_"- - 12/25/98 149 $31,139.50
- 12/25/98 148 $953.25
? Total for December !. $68,761.77
Total $1,749,496.00 Total $658,789.21
Rite Aid Checks to NY Sales Tax Credit
Deposited to NY Sales Tax Credit I
Acct No: 2030089024334 NY Sales Tax Credit _ Federal & State Corp Advisors
checks to Federal & State Corp Advisors _ checks to Koneff
Deposited to Federal & State Corp Advisors ?- Deposited to Koneff Account
at First Union Acct No: 606106765-06 at Total Bank No: 3632-28686 at Fulton Bank
or Acct No: 1118000006 at Eastern National
Bank beginning w/ check no. 1103
Date Amount Date Check No. Amount Date Check No Amount
1/41991
3/3/99 _ $183,000.00.
$186,600.00 1/11/99
1/12/99
3/14/99 1087
1089
1090 _ $65,500.00
$59,000.00
$59,000.00 _
1/15/99 - 1219
1/15/99 1222
Total for January
3/16199 1232 $8,435.52
_ $49,425.00
$57,860.52
000
.00
$10,
3/15/99
1091
$61,500.00
_ 3/16/99 .44
$
,368
_ 5
3116/99 1092 $66,100.00
26199
. 3/
1238
$1,400.00
4/2/99 152 $17854.02
- Total for February $34,622.46
?- 4/6/99 $181,000.00 4120199 1093 $61,000.00 4/12/99 1045 $35,944.83
. _
4/20/99 1094 $65,000.00 4/13/99 missing $107,928.55
/3/99`
185,000.00 4/20/99
5/10/99
5/11/99
5/12/99 1095
1096
1097
1098 _ $55,000.00
$61,000.00
$65,000.00,
$59,000.00 4/23/99 1242
4/30/99 1244
Total for March
5/14/99, At
5/16/99
5/17/99 $10,284.80
$8,966.00
$163,124.18
$860.25
$6,102.00
$6,475.67
$843.25
-?
1254 $55,000.00
5/25/991 1256 $2,075.00
5/28/99 164 $843.25
-
6/1/99
$188,400.00
619/99
6/10/99
1099
1100
$59,000.
$65,000.00 _ Total for April
0 6/4/99 167
6/11/99' 170 $72,199.42
$843.25
$843.25
6/12199; 1101 $64,400.00 '. 6/18/99 173 _ $843.25
-- 6121199 1262 $6,937.74
6/21/99 1266 $136,250.00
6/25/99 176 $843.25
"-- - Total fo r June $146,560.74
-
7/1/99 $189,150.00 7/10199 1103 $58,500.00 7/2/99 179 $843.25
7/10/99 1104 $71,650.00
-
- 7/9/99 182 $843.25
_ _ 7/14/99 1105
- 15
9,000.00
- /l 4/99
7/16/99
7/19/99
7123/99
7/28/99 6002
185
6007
_ 188
6013
. $9,282.00
$843.25
$5,231.78
$843.25
' $4,000.00
/4199
185,000.00
110199
8112/99
1106
1107
69,000.00
$61,000.00 7/30/99
8/2199
Total f
816199
8/15/99 _ 191
1 6004
or July
194
_ 6018 $843.25
$113,750.00
$136,480.03
.25
$7,290,290.59
8/16/99 1108 $55,000.00 8/16/99 . 6020 $11,040.00
8/20/99 200 $843.25
8/24/99 6022 $50,000.00
8/27/99 203 $843.25
Total for August $70,860.34
9/10199 $188,000.00 '. 9/23/99 1111 $58,000.00 _ 9/10/99'.. 209 $843.25
9/23/99 1112 $79,000.00 9/16199 6027 $16,205.05
9/24/99 1113 $54,000.00 9/17/99 212 $843.25
9120/99 6033 $7,000.59
9/24/99 215 $843.25
Total for September $25,735.39
Rite Aid Checks to NY Sales Tax Credit NY Sales Tax Credit
Deposited to NY Sales Tax Credit checks to Federal & State Corp Advisors
Acct No, 2030089024334 Deposited to Federal & State Corp Advisors
at First Union Acct No: 606106765-06 at Total Bank
or Acct No: 1118000006 at Eastern National
- Bank beginning w/ check no. 1103 Federal & State Corp Advisors
checks to Koneff
Deposited to Koneff Account
No: 3632-28686 at Fulton Bank
Date Amount Date Check No. Amount Date Check No Amount
9/29/99 $183,000.00 10110/99 1114 _ $56,000.00 10/1/99 218, $843.25
_ 10/11/99 1115 $68,000.00 10/8/99 221 $843.25
II - 10/??9 1117 $59,000.00 10/15/99 _ 224 $843.25
?NI _
I 10/22/99 226 $843.25
F for October $3,373.00
10/27/99 $186,000.00 11 /?/99 1118 $68,000.00 10129199 228
$843.25
11/3/99 1119 $63,000.00 11/5/99 230` $843.25
1
-
12/1199 11/4/99
00.001 12/6/99
$196 1120
121 $55,000.00
?
$69,000.00 11/12/99
11/19199
11/19199
11/26/99
Total for N
- 12/3/99 232
234
235
238
ovember
240 $843.25
$917.69
$15,887.50
$934.41
$20,269.3
5
$934.41
,
_ 1217/99 1122 _ $67,000.00 12/8/99 . 6061 $2,500.00
1218199 1123. $60,000.00 ;l 2110/99 242 _ $934.41
-- -
-"- 12/20199 1124 $1,305.41
?- - 12/14199
12/15/99 6066
6072 $5,000.00
' _ $9,134.69
'Memo says "close account" 12/17/99 . 244 _ $934.41
12V120//99 1 6079 _ $300.00
- 12124/99 _ 246 _ $934.41
12/31/99 248 $934.41
Total for December $21,606.74
Total $2,051,150.00 Total , $752,692.17
Rite Aid Checks to NY Sales Tax Credit NY Sales Tax Credit checks to _ Federal & State Corp Advisors
Deposited to NY Sales Tax Credit Federal & State Corp Advisors checks to Koneff
Account No: 2030089024334 Deposited to Federal & State Corp Advisors Deposited to Koneff Account
at First Union Bank Acct No: 606106765-06 at Total Bank No: 3632-28686 at Fulton Bank
or Acct No: 1118000006 at Eastern National-
- - Bank beginning w/ Check No: 103
Date Amount Date Check No: Amount Date Cheek No Amount
N/A N/ 2/9/00 6084 $4,978.43
6088
3/9/00 $5,458.63
"?? -- ..6091
3/17/00
4/29/00 6094
6/26/00 6111 _ $1,547.50
$10,684.72
$5,137.01
8/4/00 255 $1,227.00
" 8/22/00 6112
8/25/00 257
/31/00-- cashiers check .
A
_
Total for 2000 $4
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. 02-5863
VS.
DAVID KONEFF, DANIEL SEMIC, F & S
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC., d/b/a
NEW YORK SALES TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL
& STATE CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
NOTICE TO DEFEND
YOU HAVE BEEN SUED IN COURT. If you wish to defend against the claims set
forth in the following pages, you must take action within twenty (20) days after this complaint and notice
are served, by entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the
court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to
do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you by the court
without further notice for any money claimed in the Complaint or for any other claim or relief requested
by the Plaintiffs. YOU MAY LOSE MONEY OR PROPERTY OR OTHER RIGHTS
IMPORTANT TO YOU.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF
YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR
TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN
GET LEGAL HELP.
Legal Services, Inc.
8 Irvin Row
Carlisle, PA 17013
Telephone: (717) 243-9400
HBDATA:8819
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. 02-5863
vs.
DAVID KONEFF, DANIEL SEMIC, F & S
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC., d/b/a
NEW YORK SALES TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL
& STATE CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
COMPLAINT
Preliminary Statement
This case involves the misappropriation from Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation ("Rite Aid")
of at least $6 million by David Koneff ("Koneff') and Daniel Semic ("Semic"), both former employees
in Rite Aid's Tax Department, and co-conspirators F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc. ("F & S"), Federal
& State Corporate Advisors, Inc. ("Federal & State") and their President, Brian Eden ("Eden").
Pursuant to their scheme, defendants contrived to create the appearance that F & S (d/b/a New York
Sales Tax Credit) had been retained by Rite Aid to audit sales tax payments made by Rite Aid to the
State of New York for the purpose of obtaining refunds for Rite Aid of tax overpayments made to the
state. From 1996 through 1999, defendants Eden and New York Sales Tax Credit submitted requests
for payments to Rite Aid falsely claiming to have earned them for sales tax refunds obtained for Rite
Aid. These requests were received and approved by Defendants Koneff and Semic despite the fact
HBDATA:8808
that New York Sales Tax Credit had not obtained any tax refunds for Rite Aid and were not entitled to
any payments, a fact of which Koneff and Semic were well aware. Between January 1996 and
December 1999 Koneff and Semic directed that in excess of 40 payments be made by Rite Aid to
New York Sales Tax Credit totaling more than $6 million. These misappropriated funds were then
shared by the Defendants Koneff, Semic, Eden, F&S, and Federal & State. Rite Aid brings the claims
stated below in order to recover its funds wrongfully obtained by the Defendants.
Parties
1. Rite Aid Corporation is a corporation incorporated in the state of Delaware
and has its principal place of business in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
2. Defendant David Koneff is a former employee of Rite Aid and until April of
2000 held the position of Manager in Rite Aid's Tax Department. On information and belief, David
Koneff is a resident of York County, Pennsylvania residing at 760 Seitz Drive, Lewisberry,
Pennsylvania 17339.
Defendant Daniel Semic is a former employee of Rite Aid and until July of 2000
held the position of Senior Director in Rite Aid's Tax Department. On information and belief, Semic is
a resident of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
4. Defendant F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., d/b/a New York Sales Tax Credit
is a Florida corporation with its principal place of business at 2100 West 76`h Street, Suite 510,
Hialeah, Florida 33016.
Defendant Federal & State Corporate Advisors, Inc. is a Florida corporation
with its principal place of business at 2100 West 76`h Street, Suite 510, Hialeah, Florida 33016.
_2_ HBDATA:8808
6. Defendant Brian Eden is the President and registered agent of Defendants F &
S Corporate Advisors, Inc. and Federal & State Corporate Advisors, Inc. Eden is a resident of
Florida.
Facts Common to All Counts
Rite Aid has retail drugstores throughout much of the country and buys goods
and services in numerous states.
8. In purchasing goods and services, Rite Aid is periodically charged state sales
tax despite the fact that the transactions should have been exempt from such payment under state law.
In order to recoup these funds, Rite Aid occasionally uses the services of outside firms which 1) audit
the sales tax payments paid by Rite Aid to individual states; 2) identify overpayments; and 3) obtain
refunds for Rite Aid from the state taxing authorities. These outside firms are paid commissions based
upon a percentage of the moneys refunded.
9. Defendants Koneff and Semic, as managers within Rite Aid's Tax Department,
were intimately familiar with these procedures and were in a position to abuse those procedures for
personal gain.
10. On information and belief, Defendant Eden operates various companies which
obtain tax refunds and credits for corporate clients and is also intimately familiar with these procedures
and how they can be misused.
11. In or about January 1996, Defendants Koneff, Semic, Eden, and F & S,
conspired to defraud Rite Aid and misappropriate its funds.
12. According to the defendants' scheme, Eden, through his company New York
Sales Tax Credit (a d/b/a of defendant F & S), submitted requests for payment to Rite Aid falsely
HBDATA:8808
-3-
claiming that sales tax refunds had been obtained from New York State and requesting payment of
commissions based upon the amount of the purported tax refunds. These requests were received at
Rite Aid by Koneff and Semic who, knowing that they were false, approved the payments and directed
that checks be issued by Rite Aid to New York Sales Tax Credit.
13. In furtherance of this scheme, on or about April 5, 1996 Defendant Eden
opened a checking account at First Union Bank, Totowa, New Jersey in the name of F & S Corporate
Advisors, Inc. d/b/a New York Sales Tax Credit. Eden also rented a private mailbox at MailBoxes,
Etc. in Yonkers, New York to be used as a mailing address for Rite Aid's payments to New York
Sales Tax Credit. New York Sales Tax Credit had no actual place of business in New York state or,
for that matter, anywhere. The Yonkers address was apparently obtained solely to create the
appearance that New York Sales Tax Credit was a legitimate New York-based company.
14. The Defendants' plan was put into effect in or about January 1996 when the
first request for payment was made by New York Sales Tax Credit requesting a payment in the amount
of $5,000.00. According to plan, Koneff and Semic approved payment of the full amount, despite the
fact that the commission had not been earned. During the balance of 1996, nine more checks in the
same manner totaling more than $1 million.
15. Bank records obtained from First Union Bank and several other banks for the
period January 1997 through 2000 show how defendants routed the misappropriated funds.
16. In January 1997, Koneff and Semic wrongfully approved payment to New
York Sales Tax Credit of $89,500.00. Rite Aid's check in this amount was sent to New York Sales
Tax Credit's mailbox in Yonkers, New York and was subsequently deposited by Eden or his agent into
New York Sales Tax Credit's account at First Union Bank.
-4- HBDATA:8808
IT Shortly after the money was deposited into the New York Sales Tax Credit
Account, Defendant Eden wrote checks on the account made payable to F & S and deposited these
checks into accounts belonging to F & S at several banks in Florida.
18. Shortly after these deposits were made, Defendant Eden wrote checks on these
Florida accounts made payable to Defendants Koneff and Semic thereby distributing to them their
share of the misappropriated funds. On information and belief, other portions of these funds were
distributed to Defendant Eden and possibly others.
19. This pattern was repeated on a nearly monthly basis over the next three years.
In all, Semic and Koneff caused Rite Aid to send at least 42 payments to New York Sales Tax Credit
totaling in excess of $6 million. Rite Aid's final payment to New York Sales Tax Credit was made in
December 1999. Beginning at least as early as January 1997, each of these payments was first
deposited into New York Sales Tax Credit's First Union Bank account and then transferred to Florida
accounts belonging to F & S Corporate Advisors or another Eden company, Federal & State
Corporate Advisors, Inc., before being distributed to Koneff, Semic, Eden, and possibly others.
20. Between January 1997 and August 2000, Defendant Koneff received checks
from F & S and/or Federal & State totaling more than $1.6 million, representing his share of the
misappropriated funds. Defendants Semic and Eden are believed to have received similar amounts.
21. Throughout this entire period, Defendants concealed their activities from Rite
Aid which was unaware of their actions. Rite Aid only recently became aware of Defendants' acts
following an investigation leading to the discovery of the above facts.
HBDATA:8808
-5-
CountI- Fraud
22. Plaintiff repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations set forth in
paragraphs 1 through 21 of this Complaint as though set forth here in full.
23. As described in detail above, Defendants Eden and F & S submitted numerous
payment requests to Rite Aid falsely claiming that sales tax refunds had been obtained for Rite Aid and
requesting payment of commissions based upon the purported refunds.
24. These misrepresentations were intentional and were made for the purpose of
inducing Rite Aid to send funds to New York Sales Tax Credit.
25. As described in further detail above, Defendants Koneff and Semic
misrepresented to Rite Aid that New York Sales Tax Credit was entitled to payment of the
commissions in that they approved the payment requests submitted to Rite Aid and directed that checks
be sent to New York Sales Tax Credit.
26. Koneff s and Semic's misrepresentations were intentional and were made for
the purpose of inducing Rite Aid to pay the funds.
27. Rite Aid justifiably relied on Defendants' misrepresentations to it and paid the
funds based upon the misrepresentations.
28. As a direct result of Defendants' misrepresentations, Rite Aid has suffered
substantial monetary damages and other harm to its business.
29. To the extent that any of the misappropriated assets have been placed in joint
accounts with non-parties or have otherwise been transferred, Rite Aid avers that these transfers were
fraudulent and requests that they be voided pursuant to the Pa. Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, 12
Pa.C.S.A. § 5101 etseq.
HBDATA:8808
-6-
WHEREFORE, Rite Aid demands judgment against David Koneff, Daniel Semic,
Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State Corporate Advisors, Inc. in an
amount to be determined at trial, together with injunctive relief, pre- and post judgment interest, costs,
attorneys fees, punitive damages and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Count II - Conversion
30. Plaintiff repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations set forth in
paragraphs 1 through 29 of this Complaint as though set forth here in full.
31. Defendants have converted Rite Aid's money by intentionally and wrongfully
exercising ownership, dominion and control over the funds obtained under false pretenses from Rite
Aid.
32. As a direct and proximate cause of Defendants' conversion of Rite Aid's funds,
Rite Aid has suffered and will continue to suffer monetary damages and other harm to its business.
WHEREFORE, Rite Aid demands judgment against David Koneff, Daniel Semic,
Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State Corporate Advisors Inc. in an
amount to be determined at trial, together with injunctive relief, pre- and post-judgment interest, costs,
attorneys fees, punitive damages, and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Count III - Misappropriation of Funds
33. Plaintiff repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations set forth in
paragraphs I through 32 of this Complaint as though set for here in full.
34. Defendants misappropriated and used for their own purposes funds which were
given to them under false pretenses.
HBDATA:8808
-7-
35. As the direct and proximate result of Defendants' action, Rite Aid has suffered
substantial monetary and other harm to its business.
WHEREFORE, Rite Aid demands judgment against David Koneff, Daniel Semic,
Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State Corporate Advisors Inc. in an
amount to be determined at trial, together with injunctive relief, pre- and post judgment interest, costs,
attorneys fees, punitive damages, and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Count IV - Civil Conspiracy
36. Rite Aid repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations set forth in
Paragraph I - 35 of this Complaint as though set forth here in full.
37. Defendants combined or agreed to defraud Rite Aid and to convert and
misappropriate its funds.
38. Defendants entered this combination or agreement with the intent to defraud
Rite Aid and to convert and misappropriate its funds.
39. As the direct and proximate result of Defendants' action, Rite Aid has suffered
substantial monetary and other harm to its business.
WHEREFORE, Rite Aid demands judgment against David Koneff, Daniel Semic,
Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State Corporate Advisors Inc. in an
amount to be determined at trial, together with injunctive relief, pre- and post judgment interest, costs,
attorneys fees, punitive damages, and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Count V - Fraudulent Misrepresentation
40. Rite Aid repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations set forth in
Paragraphs I through 39 of this Complaint as though set forth herein full.
HBDATA:8808
-8-
41. In or about July 2000, Rite Aid and Defendant Semic entered into a Consulting,
Severance and Release Agreement ("Agreement') pursuant to which Semic was paid his regular rate of
pay for 52 weeks and continued to receive certain benefits after the termination of his employment with
Rite Aid.
42. Prior to entering into the Agreement, Semic concealed from Rite Aid his acts of
misconduct as alleged in Paragraphs 1 through 39 above.
43. Semic's concealment of his misconduct constituted a material misrepresentation
and was done with the intent to mislead Rite Aid and in order to induce Rite Aid to enter into the
Agreement.
44. Rite Aid justifiably relied on Semic's failure to disclose material information and
but for his concealment of these material facts, Rite Aid would not have entered into the Agreement.
45. As the direct and proximate result of Semic's action, Rite Aid has suffered
harm in that it made severance payments to Semic and provided other benefits pursuant to the
Agreement.
WHEREFORE, Rite Aid demands judgment against Daniel Semic in an amount to be
determined at trial together with injunctive relief, pre- and post judgment interest, costs, attorneys fees,
punitive damages, and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
teve D. Shadowen, I.D. No. 41953
Gordon A. Einhom, I.D. No. 59006
SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS LLP
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 231-4000
Dated: June 10, 2003 Attorneys for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
HBDATA:8808
-9-
VERMCATION
James J. Comitale, Esquire, deposes and says that I am Associate Counsel for Rite
Aid Corporation, and that while I do not have personal knowledge of all of the facts
recited in the foregoing Complaint, the information contained therein has been collected
and made available to me by others and said Complaint is true and correct to the best of
my knowledge, information and belief and is therefore verified on behalf of Rite Aid
Corporation. I make this statement subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. § 4904 relating
to unswom falsification to authorities.
By: w
mes J. Comitale, Esquire
Senior Associate Counsel
Rite Aid Corporation
Datedv n-z?, 3,0
CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE
This is to certify that I served a true and correct copy of the attached Complaint upon
the following persons, by the following means and on the date stated:
Via Hand Delivery
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie M. Fields, Esquire
COSTOPOULOS, FOSTER & FIELDS
P.O. Box 222
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Gor A. Einhom
Dated: June 10, 2003
-10- HBDATA:8808
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. 02-5863
vs.
DAVID KONEFF, DANIEL SEMIC, F & S
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC., d/b/a
NEW YORK SALES TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL
& STATE CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
EX PARTE PETITION
FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION
Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation ("Rite Aid") petitions this Court for a preliminary
injunction pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1531 and in support thereof states the following:
Plaintiff has filed a verified complaint in equity, attached as Exhibit A, alleging,
inter alia, that its former Tax Department employees, Defendants David Koneff ("Koneff') and Daniel
Semic ("Semic") conspired with Defendant Brian Eden ("Eden") and his companies to defraud Rite Aid
of approximately $6 million and that Koneff and Semic personally received a substantial portion of
those funds.
2. As alleged in the complaint, Rite Aid periodically retains the services of
companies to audit sales tax payments made by Rite Aid to various states and to obtain refunds of any
overpayments. As employees in Rite Aid's Tax Department, Koneff and Semic were aware of this and
HBDATA:8718
knew how the system might be abused for their personal gain. The remaining defendants were involved
in the business of providing tax refund services to corporate clients like Rite Aid and had similar
knowledge.
3. In or about 1996 defendants entered into a scheme whereby Eden, through his
company New York Sales Tax Credit, would submit requests for payment to Rite Aid falsely claiming
that sales tax refunds had been obtained for Rite Aid and requesting payment of commissions based
upon the amount of the purported tax refunds. According to the plan, these fraudulent requests would
be received at Rite Aid by Koneff and Semic who would approve payment and direct that checks be
issued to New York Sales Tax Credit.
4. The plan was put into effect in or about January 1996 when Eden and New
York Sales Tax Credit began to submit to Rite Aid fraudulent requests for payments. Between January
1996 and December 1999, at least 42 such requests were submitted to Rite Aid and all were approved
by Koneff and Semic for payment. At their direction, Rite Aid paid to New York Sales Tax Credit an
amount in excess of $6 million.
5. Beginning at least as early as January 1997, the funds sent by Rite Aid to New
York Sales Tax Credit were deposited by Defendant Eden or his agent into a checking account owned
by F & S Corporate Advisors d/b/a New York Sales Tax Credit at First Union Bank and were shortly
thereafter transferred by Eden to F & S Corp. Advisors' checking accounts at various Florida banks.
Money Received by Defendant Koneff
6. After each deposit of the money into the F & S Corporate Advisors' Florida
accounts, Defendant Eden sent one or more checks written on these accounts to Koneff who
subsequently deposited each check into his checking account at Fulton Bank in Harrisburg,
HBDATA:8718
-2-
Pennsylvania. Between January 1997 and August 2000, Koneff deposited to his Fulton Bank account
checks from F & S Corp. Advisors (or related entities) totaling approximately $1.6 million.
Records from Fulton Bank show that Koneff subsequently moved the bulk of
the misappropriated funds from his Fulton Bank account to the following locations:
a. Approximately $678,000 was transferred to Koneffs investment
accounts at Charles Schwab & Co., Account Nos. 5184-8499 and
5184-8457.
b. Approximately $400,000 was used to purchase certificates of deposit
from Fulton Bank.
C. Approximately $300,000 was used as partial payment for the
construction of Koneffs current residence located at 760 Seitz Drive,
Lewisberry, Pennsylvania 17339.
d. Approximately $110,000 was used to purchase two parcels of land
located in Hampshire County, West Virginia.
On information and belief, Koneff continues to own the real property identified
in Paragraph 7 above.
9. On information and belief, Koneff continues to hold funds in his Schwab
accounts and to hold funds in the form of certificates of deposit at Fulton Bank.
10. Rite Aid requests that this Court enjoin Defendant Koneff from selling,
transferring or dissipating any of the assets identified in Paragraph 7, all of which were purchased using
funds misappropriated from Rite Aid and which Rite Aid seeks to recover through this action. Such
action is necessary to preserve the status quo until such time as this Court determines the rights of each
party.
HBDATA:8718
-3-
11. Koneff should not be permitted to spend, transfer or utilize any of the assets
identified above, until such time as a hearing is held and this Court finally determines the respective
rights of the parties named herein, for the following reasons:
a. Rite Aid is threatened with immediate and irreparable harm because
Koneff will continue to dissipate and convert the funds misappropriated
from Rite Aid unless Koneff is enjoined from taking such action.
b. In relation to the foregoing, immediate and irreparable injury will be
sustained by Rite Aid before a hearing can be held on Plaintiffs motion
for preliminary injunction, in that Koneff is likely to dissipate, transfer or
relocate the monetary assets and to transfer ownership of the above
identified real property in order to place all these assets beyond Rite
Aid's reach.
12. To the extent that any of the property identified in Paragraph 7 is currently held
jointly by Koneff and his wife, Rite Aid is entitled to recover the entire asset pursuant to the
Pennsylvania Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, 12 Pa. C.S.A. § 5101 et seq.
Money Received b Defendant Semic
13. It is alleged on information and belief that Defendant Eden also regularly sent
checks from the Florida accounts of F & S Corporate Advisors and Federal & State Corporate
Advisors to Defendant Semic representing his share of the funds misappropriated from Rite Aid. For
example, between July 1999 and June 2000 Eden sent Semic checks from these accounts totaling
approximately $275,000.00 and Semic deposited these funds into his account at First Union Bank.
14. In all likelihood, Semic received a one-third share of the misappropriated funds
totaling approximately $1.6 million, the same amount known to have been received by Defendant
Koneff.
HBDATA:8718
-4-
15. Rite Aid requests that this Court enjoin Defendant Semic from transferring,
dissipating, or selling any of these assets or property purchased with these assets in that the assets were
misappropriated and Rite Aid seeks to recover them through this action. Injunctive relief is necessary
to preserve the status quo until such time as this Court determines the rights of each party.
16. Semic should not be permitted to spend, transfer, or utilize any of the assets
identified above, until such time as a hearing is held and this Court finally determines the respective
rights of the parties named herein for the following reasons:
a. Rite Aid is threatened with immediate and irreparable harm because
Semic will continue to dissipate and convert the funds misappropriated
from Rite Aid unless Semic is enjoined from taking such action.
b. In relation to the foregoing, immediate and irreparable injury will be
sustained by Rite Aid before a hearing can be held on Plaintiffs motion
for preliminary injunction, in that Semic is likely to dissipate, transfer or
relocate the monetary assets and to transfer ownership of the above
identified real property in order to place all these assets beyond Rite
Aid's reach.
17. To the extent that any of the property held by Semic is held with him jointly with
his wife, Rite Aid is entitled to recover the entire asset pursuant to the Pa. Uniform Fraudulent Transfer
Act, 12 Pa.C.S.A. § 5501 et seq.
WHEREFORE, Rite Aid requests, pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1531(a) that prior to notice
and hearing, a preliminary injunction be granted by this Court:
Enjoining David Koneff from taking any of the following actions:
a. Withdrawing or transferring any funds presently in Koneff s accounts at
Fulton Bank or any other bank;
b. Withdrawing or transferring any funds presently in Schwab Account
Nos. 5184-8499 and 5184-8457 or any other accounts owned by
Koneff at Schwab or any brokerage firm;
HBDATA:8718
-5-
C. Cashing, transferring ownership or in any way disposing of any
certificates of deposit owned by Koneff and issues by Fulton Bank or
any other bank;
d. Selling, transferring ownership or in any way disposing of or
encumbering the two properties owned by Koneff in Hampshire
County, West Virginia;
e. Selling, transferring ownership or in any way disposing of or
encumbering Koneffs residence located at 780 Seitz Drive,
Lewisberry, PA 17339.
Enjoining Daniel Semic from taking any of the following actions:
a. Withdrawing or transferring any funds presently in Semic's account at
First Union Bank or at any other bank;
b. Withdrawing or transferring any funds presently in any investment
account;
C. Cashing, transferring ownership, or in any way disposing of any
certificates of deposit owned by Semic;
d. Selling transferring ownership, or in any way disposing of or
encumbering any real property owned by Semic.
Rite Aid further requests that this Court schedule and hold a timely hearing, pursuant to
Pa. R.C.P. 1531(d), pertaining to the continuance of such preliminary injunction.
Respectfully submitted,
?St vee D Sha o en (LD #41953)
Gordon A. Einhorn (ID #59006)
SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS LLP
30 North Third Street - Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 231-4000
Dated: June 10, 2003 Attorneys for Plaintiff
HBDATA:8718
-6-
VERIFICATION
James J. Comitale, Esquire, deposes and says that I am Associate Counsel for Rite
Aid Corporation, and that while 1 do not have personal knowledge of all of the facts
recited in the foregoing Ex Parte Petition for Preliminary Injunction, the information
contained therein has been collected and made available to me by others and said Petition
is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief and is therefore
verified on behalf of Tote Aid Corporation. 1 make this statement subject to the penalties
of 18 Pa. C.S. § 4904 relating to unworn falsification to authorities.
By: c --.
James . Comitale, Esquire
Senior Associate Counsel
Rite Aid Corporation
bated:
CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE
This is to certify that I served a true and correct copy of the attached Ex Parte
Petition for Preliminary Injunction upon the following persons, by the following means and on the
date stated:
Via Hand Delivery
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie M. Fields, Esquire
COSTOPOULOS, FOSTER & FIELDS
P.O. Box 222
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Daniel Semic
6115 Parson Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17111-3851
Via US Express Mail - Return Receipt
Brian Eden
4611 S. University Drive, #206
Davie, FL 33328
5 rdon A. EI orn
Dated: June 10, 2003
HBDATA:8718
Exhibit A
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. 02-5863
Vs.
DAVID KONEFF, DANIEL SEMIC, F & S
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC., d/b/a
NEW YORK SALES TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL
& STATE CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
NOTICE TO DEFEND
YOU HAVE BEEN SUED IN COURT. If you wish to defend against the claims set
forth in the following pages, you must take action within twenty (20) days after this complaint and notice
are served, by entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the
court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to
do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you by the court
without further notice for any money claimed in the Complaint or for any other claim or relief requested
by the Plaintiffs. YOU MAY LOSE MONEY OR PROPERTY OR OTHER RIGHTS
IMPORTANT TO YOU.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF
YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR
TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN
GET LEGAL HELP.
Legal Services, Inc.
8 Irvin Row
Carlisle, PA 17013
Telephone: (717) 243-9400
HBDATA:8819
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. 02-5863
VS.
DAVID KONEFF, DANIEL SEMIC, F & S
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC., d/b/a
NEW YORK SALES TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL
& STATE CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
COMPLAINT
Preliminary Statement
This case involves the misappropriation from Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation ("Rite Aid")
of at least $6 million by David Koneff ("Koneff') and Daniel Semic ("Semic"), both former employees
in Rite Aid's Tax Department, and co-conspirators F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc. ("F & S"), Federal
& State Corporate Advisors, Inc. ("Federal & State") and their President, Brian Eden ("Eden").
Pursuant to their scheme, defendants contrived to create the appearance that F & S (d/b/a New York
Sales Tax Credit) had been retained by Rite Aid to audit sales tax payments made by Rite Aid to the
State of New York for the purpose of obtaining refunds for Rite Aid of tax overpayments made to the
state. From 1996 through 1999, defendants Eden and New York Sales Tax Credit submitted requests
for payments to Rite Aid falsely claiming to have earned them for sales tax refunds obtained for Rite
Aid. These requests were received and approved by Defendants Koneff and Semic despite the fact
HBDATA:8808
that New York Sales Tax Credit had not obtained any tax refunds for Rite Aid and were not entitled to
any payments, a fact of which Koneff and Semic were well aware. Between January 1996 and
December 1999 Koneff and Semic directed that in excess of 40 payments be made by Rite Aid to
New York Sales Tax Credit totaling more than $6 million. These misappropriated funds were then
shared by the Defendants Koneff, Semic, Eden, F&S, and Federal & State. Rite Aid brings the claims
stated below in order to recover its funds wrongfully obtained by the Defendants.
Parties
1. Rite Aid Corporation is a corporation incorporated in the state of Delaware
and has its principal place of business in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
2. Defendant David Koneff is a former employee of Rite Aid and until April of
2000 held the position of Manager in Rite Aid's Tax Department. On information and belief, David
Koneff is a resident of York County, Pennsylvania residing at 760 Seitz Drive, Lewisberry,
Pennsylvania 17339.
Defendant Daniel Semic is a former employee of Rite Aid and until July of 2000
held the position of Senior Director in Rite Aid's Tax Department. On information and belief, Semic is
a resident of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
4. Defendant F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., d/b/a New York Sales Tax Credit
is a Florida corporation with its principal place of business at 2100 West 76h' Street, Suite 510,
Hialeah, Florida 33016.
Defendant Federal & State Corporate Advisors, Inc. is a Florida corporation
with its principal place of business at 2100 West 76th Street, Suite 510, Hialeah, Florida 33016.
-2_ HBDATA:8808
Defendant Brian Eden is the President and registered agent of Defendants F &
S Corporate Advisors, Inc. and Federal & State Corporate Advisors, Inc. Eden is a resident of
Florida.
Facts Common to All Counts
7. Rite Aid has retail drugstores throughout much of the country and buys goods
and services in numerous states.
In purchasing goods and services, Rite Aid is periodically charged state sales
tax despite the fact that the transactions should have been exempt from such payment under state law.
In order to recoup these funds, Rite Aid occasionally uses the services of outside firms which 1) audit
the sales tax payments paid by Rite Aid to individual states; 2) identify overpayments; and 3) obtain
refunds for Rite Aid from the state taxing authorities. These outside firms are paid commissions based
upon a percentage of the moneys refunded.
9. Defendants Koneff and Semic, as managers within Rite Aid's Tax Department,
were intimately familiar with these procedures and were in a position to abuse those procedures for
personal gain.
10. On information and belief, Defendant Eden operates various companies which
obtain tax refunds and credits for corporate clients and is also intimately familiar with these procedures
and how they can be misused.
11. In or about January 1996, Defendants Koneff, Semic, Eden, and F & S,
conspired to defraud Rite Aid and misappropriate its funds.
12. According to the defendants' scheme, Eden, through his company New York
Sales Tax Credit (a d/b/a of defendant F & S), submitted requests for payment to Rite Aid falsely
HBDATA:8808
-3-
claiming that sales tax refunds had been obtained from New York State and requesting payment of
commissions based upon the amount of the purported tax refunds. These requests were received at
Rite Aid by Koneff and Semic who, knowing that they were false, approved the payments and directed
that checks be issued by Rite Aid to New York Sales Tax Credit.
13. In furtherance of this scheme, on or about April 5, 1996 Defendant Eden
opened a checking account at First Union Bank, Totowa, New Jersey in the name of F & S Corporate
Advisors, Inc. d/b/a New York Sales Tax Credit. Eden also rented a private mailbox at MailBoxes,
Etc. in Yonkers, New York to be used as a mailing address for Rite Aid's payments to New York
Sales Tax Credit. New York Sales Tax Credit had no actual place of business in New York state or,
for that matter, anywhere. The Yonkers address was apparently obtained solely to create the
appearance that New York Sales Tax Credit was a legitimate New York-based company.
14. The Defendants' plan was put into effect in or about January 1996 when the
first request for payment was made by New York Sales Tax Credit requesting a payment in the amount
of $5,000.00. According to plan, Koneff and Semic approved payment of the full amount, despite the
fact that the commission had not been earned. During the balance of 1996, nine more checks in the
same manner totaling more than $1 million.
15. Bank records obtained from First Union Bank and several other banks for the
period January 1997 through 2000 show how defendants routed the misappropriated funds.
16. In January 1997, Koneff and Semic wrongfully approved payment to New
York Sales Tax Credit of $89,500.00. Rite Aid's check in this amount was sent to New York Sales
Tax Credit's mailbox in Yonkers, New York and was subsequently deposited by Eden or his agent into
New York Sales Tax Credit's account at First Union Bank.
HBDATA:8808
-4-
17. Shortly after the money was deposited into the New York Sales Tax Credit
Account, Defendant Eden wrote checks on the account made payable to F & S and deposited these
checks into accounts belonging to F & S at several banks in Florida.
18. Shortly after these deposits were made, Defendant Eden wrote checks on these
Florida accounts made payable to Defendants Koneff and Semic thereby distributing to them their
share of the misappropriated funds. On information and belief, other portions of these funds were
distributed to Defendant Eden and possibly others.
19. This pattern was repeated on a nearly monthly basis over the next three years.
In all, Semic and Koneff caused Rite Aid to send at least 42 payments to New York Sales Tax Credit
totaling in excess of $6 million. Rite Aid's final payment to New York Sales Tax Credit was made in
December 1999. Beginning at least as early as January 1997, each of these payments was first
deposited into New York Sales Tax Credit's First Union Bank account and then transferred to Florida
accounts belonging to F & S Corporate Advisors or another Eden company, Federal & State
Corporate Advisors, Inc., before being distributed to Koneff, Semic, Eden, and possibly others.
20. Between January 1997 and August 2000, Defendant Koneff received checks
from F & S and/or Federal & State totaling more than $1.6 million, representing his share of the
misappropriated funds. Defendants Semic and Eden are believed to have received similar amounts.
21. Throughout this entire period, Defendants concealed their activities from Rite
Aid which was unaware of their actions. Rite Aid only recently became aware of Defendants' acts
following an investigation leading to the discovery of the above facts.
HBDATA:8808
CountI - Fraud
22. Plaintiff repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations set forth in
paragraphs 1 through 21 of this Complaint as though set forth here in full.
23. As described in detail above, Defendants Eden and F & S submitted numerous
payment requests to Rite Aid falsely claiming that sales tax refunds had been obtained for Rite Aid and
requesting payment of commissions based upon the purported refunds.
24. These misrepresentations were intentional and were made for the purpose of
inducing Rite Aid to send funds to New York Sales Tax Credit.
25. As described in further detail above, Defendants Koneff and Semic
misrepresented to Rite Aid that New York Sales Tax Credit was entitled to payment of the
commissions in that they approved the payment requests submitted to Rite Aid and directed that checks
be sent to New York Sales Tax Credit.
26. Koneff's and Semic's misrepresentations were intentional and were made for
the purpose of inducing Rite Aid to pay the funds.
27. Rite Aid justifiably relied on Defendants' misrepresentations to it and paid the
funds based upon the misrepresentations.
28. As a direct result of Defendants' misrepresentations, Rite Aid has suffered
substantial monetary damages and other harm to its business.
29. To the extent that any of the misappropriated assets have been placed in joint
accounts with non-parties or have otherwise been transferred, Rite Aid avers that these transfers were
fraudulent and requests that they be voided pursuant to the Pa. Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, 12
Pa. C.S.A. § 5101 et seq.
HBDATA:8808
-6-
WHEREFORE, Rite Aid demands judgment against David Koneff, Daniel Semic,
Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State Corporate Advisors, Inc. in an
amount to be determined at trial, together with injunctive relief, pre- and post judgment interest, costs,
attorneys fees, punitive damages and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Count II - Conversion
30. Plaintiff repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations set forth in
paragraphs 1 through 29 of this Complaint as though set forth here in full.
31. Defendants have converted Rite Aid's money by intentionally and wrongfully
exercising ownership, dominion and control over the funds obtained under false pretenses from Rite
Aid.
32. As a direct and proximate cause of Defendants' conversion of Rite Aid's funds,
Rite Aid has suffered and will continue to suffer monetary damages and other harm to its business.
WHEREFORE, Rite Aid demands judgment against David Koneff, Daniel Semic,
Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State Corporate Advisors Inc. in an
amount to be determined at trial, together with injunctive relief, pre- and post judgment interest, costs,
attorneys fees, punitive damages, and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Count III - Misappropriation of Funds
33. Plaintiff repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations set forth in
paragraphs 1 through 32 of this Complaint as though set for here in full.
34. Defendants misappropriated and used for their own purposes funds which were
given to them under false pretenses.
HBDATA:8808
35. As the direct and proximate result of Defendants' action, Rite Aid has suffered
substantial monetary and other harm to its business.
WHEREFORE, Rite Aid demands judgment against David Koneff, Daniel Semic,
Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State Corporate Advisors Inc. in an
amount to be determined at trial, together with injunctive relief, pre- and post judgment interest, costs,
attorneys fees, punitive damages, and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Count IV - Civil Conspiracy
36. Rite Aid repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations set forth in
Paragraph 1 - 35 of this Complaint as though set forth here in full.
37. Defendants combined or agreed to defraud Rite Aid and to convert and
misappropriate its funds.
38. Defendants entered this combination or agreement with the intent to defraud
Rite Aid and to convert and misappropriate its funds.
39. As the direct and proximate result of Defendants' action, Rite Aid has suffered
substantial monetary and other harm to its business.
WHEREFORE, Rite Aid demands judgment against David Koneff, Daniel Semic,
Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State Corporate Advisors Inc. in an
amount to be determined at trial, together with injunctive relief, pre- and post judgment interest, costs,
attorneys fees, punitive damages, and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Count V - Fraudulent Misrepresentation
40. Rite Aid repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations set forth in
Paragraphs 1 through 39 of this Complaint as though set forth herein full.
HBDATA:8808
41. In or about July 2000, Rite Aid and Defendant Semic entered into a Consulting,
Severance and Release Agreement ("Agreement") pursuant to which Semic was paid his regular rate of
pay for 52 weeks and continued to receive certain benefits after the termination of his employment with
Rite Aid.
42. Prior to entering into the Agreement, Semic concealed from Rite Aid his acts of
misconduct as alleged in Paragraphs 1 through 39 above.
43. Semic's concealment of his misconduct constituted a material misrepresentation
and was done with the intent to mislead Rite Aid and in order to induce Rite Aid to enter into the
Agreement.
44. Rite Aid justifiably relied on Semic's failure to disclose material information and
but for his concealment of these material facts, Rite Aid would not have entered into the Agreement.
45. As the direct and proximate result of Semic's action, Rite Aid has suffered
harm in that it made severance payments to Semic and provided other benefits pursuant to the
Agreement.
WHEREFORE, Rite Aid demands judgment against Daniel Semic in an amount to be
determined at trial together with injunctive relief, pre- and post judgment interest, costs, attorneys fees,
punitive damages, and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
teve D. Shadowen, I.D. No. 41953
Gordon A. Einhorn, I.D. No. 59006
SCHNADER HARRisoN SEGAL & LEWIS LLP
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 231-4000
Dated: June 10, 2003 Attorneys for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
HBDATA:8808
-9-
VERIFICA'T'ION
James 1. Comitale, Esquire, deposes and says that I am Associate Counsel for Rite
Aid Corporation, and that while I do not have personal knowledge of all of the facts
recited in the foregoing Complaint, the information contained therein has been collected
and made available to me by others and said Complaint is true and correct to the best of
my knowledge, information and belief and is therefore verified on behalf of Tote Aid
Corporation. I make this statement subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. § 4904 relating
to unsworn falsification to authorities.
By:
-Mmes J. Comitale, Esquire
Senior Associate Counsel
Rite Aid Corporation
Dated. ?Yv n1,&, 10 "?
CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE
This is to certify that I served a true and correct copy of the attached Complaint upon
the following persons, by the following means and on the date stated:
Via Hand Delivery
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie M. Fields, Esquire
COSTOPOULOS, FOSTER & FIELDS
P.O. Box 222
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Gor A. Einhorn
Dated: June 10, 2003
-10- HHDATA:8808
r? c;
22
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff
V.
DAVID KONEFF, DANIEL
SEMIC, F & S CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC., d/b/a NEW
YORK SALES TAX CREDIT,
FEDERAL & STATE
CORPORATE ADVISORS,
INC., and BRIAN EDEN,
Defendants
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION- LAW
NO. 02-5863 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this IP day of June, 2003, upon consideration of Plaintiff's Ex Parte
Petition for Preliminary Injunction, all documents and declarations in support thereof and
any opposition thereto, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Defendant David Koneff is hereby enjoined and prohibited from taking any of the
following actions:
a. Withdrawing or transferring any funds presently in
Koneff's accounts at Fulton Bank or any other bank;
b. Withdrawing or transferring any funds presently in
Schwab Account Nos. 5184-8499 and 5184-8457 or any other
accounts owned by Koneff at Schwab or any brokerage firm;
c. Cashing, transferring ownership or in any way disposing
of any certificates of deposit owned by Koneff and issues by
Fulton Bank or any other bank;
d. Selling, transferring ownership or in any way disposing of
or encumbering the two properties owned by Koneff in
Hampshire County, West Virginia;
e. Selling, transferring ownership or in any way disposing of
or encumbering Koneffs residence located at 780 Seitz
Drive, Lewisberry, PA 17339.
lj`, ?SNN d
n
Defendant Daniel Semic is hereby enjoined and prohibited from taking any of the
following actions:
a. Withdrawing or transferring any funds presently in
Semic's account at First Union Bank or at any other bank;
b. Withdrawing or transferring any funds presently in any
investment account;
c. Cashing, transferring ownership, or in any way disposing
of any certificates of deposit owned by Semic;
d. Selling, transferring ownership, or in any way disposing of
or encumbering any real property owned by Semic.
This ex parte preliminary injunction shall not be effective until Plaintiff has filed a
bond or deposited legal tender with the Cumberland County Prothonotary in the amount
of $250,000.00 in accordance with Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1531(b). A
hearing on whether this injunction should be dissolved, continued or modified is
scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, 2003, at 2:30 p.m., in Courtroom No. 1, Cumberland
County Courthouse, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
?S'teve D. Shadowen, Esq.
Gordon A. Einhorn, Esq.
30 North Third Street
Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Attorneys for Plaintiff
RKs
o lo-)3-63
A
BY THE COURT,
avid J. Foster, Esq.
Leslie M. Fields, Esq.
P.O. Box 222
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
,/Daniel Semic
6115 Parson Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17111-3851
/Brian Eden
4611 S. University Drive #206
Davie, FL 33328
:rc
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
vs.
No. 02-5863
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, F & S CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC., d/b/a NEW YORK SALES
TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC. and BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
STIPULATION AND ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this -ft&ay of June, 2003, pursuant to the stipulation of the parties
contained herein, it is hereby ordered that the preliminary injunction issued by this Court on June 13,
2003 is continued subject to the modifications contained in this Order which are as follows:
Defendants David and Susan Koneff (collectively "Koneff') are hereby
enjoined and prohibited from taking any of the following actions:
a. Cashing, transferring ownership or in any way disposing of any
certificates of deposit owned by Koneff and issued by Fulton Bank or
any other bank;
b. Selling, transferring ownership or in any way disposing of or
encumbering any real property owned by Koneff including, but not
limited to, the property at 780 Seitz Drive, Lewisberry, Pennsylvania
17339 and properties located in Hampshire County, West Virginia;
C. Withdrawing or transferring any funds presently in Schwab account
numbers 5184-8499 and 5184-8457 or any other accounts owned by
HBDATA:8877
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Koneff at Schwab or any other brokerage firm, with the exception that
Koneff shall be permitted to transfer a total of $65,000.00 from his
Schwab accounts to his checking account at Fulton Bank to be used to
meet his reasonable and necessary living expenses. In addition, Koneff
may withdraw from his Schwab accounts the amount necessary to pay
annual real estate taxes on the properties owned by him. However,
prior to any such withdrawals, Koneff shall provide to Plaintiff's
counsel copies of bills showing the amount of real estate taxes owed;
d. Withdrawing or transferring any funds presently in Koneff s accounts at
Fulton Bank or any other bank with the exception that Koneff may
withdraw the amount of $19,000 (currently on deposit in his Fulton
Bank checking account) and the funds transferred to that account from
the Schwab investment accounts as noted in Paragraph c. The
withdrawals from the Fulton Bank account shall not exceed $7,000 per
month exclusive of any amounts used to pay real estate taxes;
e. Other than those transactions specifically stated in this Order, Koneff
may not transfer, cash, sell, or otherwise dispose of any assets (whether
held individually or jointly) nor permit any such disposition of jointly
held assets;
Within fourteen (14) days of the date of this Order, Koneff shall
provide to Plaintiff s counsel a full accounting of all assets, whether held
individually, jointly, or in some other manner;
the following actions:
g. From the date of this Order, Koneff shall provide to Plaintiffs counsel
copies of all monthly statements for all bank and investment accounts
which he holds either individually or jointly;
Defendant Daniel Semic is hereby enjoined and prohibited from taking any of
a. Cashing, transferring ownership or in any way disposing of any
certificates of deposit owned by Semic;
b. Selling, transferring ownership or in any way disposing of or
encumbering any real property owned by Semic;
C. Withdrawing or transferring any fiords presently in any investment
accounts owned by Semic, with the exception that Semic shall be
permitted to transfer a total of $57,000.00 from his investment
'2'
HBDATA:8877
accounts to his checking account at First Union Bank to be used to
meet his reasonable and necessary living expenses. In addition, Semic
may withdraw from his investment accounts the money necessary to
pay annual real estate taxes on the properties owned by him.
However, prior to any such withdrawals, Semic shall provide to
Plaintiff's counsel copies of bills showing the amount of real estate taxes
owed;
d. Withdrawing or transferring any funds presently in Semic's accounts at
First Union Bank or any other bank with the exception that Semic may
withdraw the amount of $27,000 (currently on deposit in his First
Union Bank checking account) and the funds transferred to that
account from the Schwab investment accounts as noted in Paragraph c.
The withdrawals from the First Union account shall not exceed $7,000
per month exclusive of any amounts used to pay real estate taxes;
e. Other than those transactions specifically stated in this Order, Semic
may not transfer, cash, sell, or otherwise dispose of any assets (whether
held individually or jointly) nor permit any such disposition of jointly
held assets;
Within fourteen (14) days of the date of this Order, Semic shall provide
to Plaintiff's counsel a full accounting of all assets, whether held
individually, jointly, or in some other manner;
g. From the date of this Order, Semic shall provide to Plaintiff's counsel
copies of all monthly statements for all bank and investment accounts
which he holds either individually or jointly;
It is further Ordered that in the event this matter has not been resolved within one (1)
year from the date of this Order, Defendants may request the Court grant an additional amount for
reasonable and necessary living expenses.
As stated in the Court's Order of June 13, 2003, the preliminary injunction shall not be
effective until Plaintiff has filed a bond or deposited legal tender with the Cumberland County
Prothonotary in the amount of $250,000.00 in accordance with Pa. R. Civ. P. 1531(b). In light of the
HBDATA:8877
-3-
stipulation of the parties relating to the above terms of the injunction, the hearing scheduled for Tuesday,
June 17, 2003 at 2:30 pm is hereby canceled.
BY THE COURT
?esley Ol r.
The above terms are stipulated and agreed to by Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation, and
Defendants David Koneff and Daniel Semic, through their respective counsel.
.. rr _ 6/i7 /e 3
o n A. ,or Date
ttorneys for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
J
/
David J. Foster Date
William C. Costopoulos
Attorneys for Defendants Koneff and Semic
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HBDATA:8877
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON :PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
VS.
No. 02-5863
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, F & S CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC., d/b/a NEW YORK SALES
TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC. and BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
STIPULATION AND ORDER OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL
IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED AND CONSENTED that HANGLEY
ARONCHICK SEGAL & PUDLIN, Suite 700,30 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101-
1701, are hereby substituted in place and stead of SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS
LLP, Suite 3600, 1600 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 as attorneys of record for plaintiffs
in the above-captioned action.
Dated: July 1, 2003
SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS LLP
By: O'aen ,
Diana S. Donaldson
Suite 3600
1600 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
HBDATA:8943 v1
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that I served a true and correct copy of the foregoing STIPULATION
AND ORDER OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL on counsel for all parties via First Class
mail addressed as indicated below:
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie M. Fields, Esquire
COSTOPOULOS, FOSTER & FIELDS
P.O. Box 222
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Daniel Semic
6115 Parson Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17111-3851
Brian Eden
4611 S. University Drive, #206
Davie, FL 33328
Dated: July 1, 2003
onic . 'ebuck
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HANGLEY ARONCHICK SEGAL & PUDLIN,
By:
Steve Pl. Shadowen
Gordon A. Einhorn
Suite 700
30 North Third Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1701
(717) 364-1030
SO ORDERED
Dated:
JUDGE
HBDATA:8943 vl
SHERIFF'S RETURN - OUT OF COUNTY
CASE NO: 2002-05863 P
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
RITE AID CORPORATION
VS
KONEFF DAVID ET AL
R. Thomas Kline
, Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff who being
duly sworn according to law, says, that he made a diligent search and
and inquiry for the within named DEFENDANT , to wit:
SEMIC DANIEL
but was unable to locate Him
deputized the sheriff of DAUPHIN
in his bailiwick. He therefore
serve the within COMPLAINT & NOTICE
County, Pennsylvania, to
On July 3rd , 2003 , this office was in receipt of the
attached return from DAUPHIN
Sheriff's Costs: So answers _ --
Docketing 18.00
Out of County 9100
Surcharge 10.00 Thomas Kline
Dep Dauphin County 30.50 Sheriff of Cumberland County
.00
67.50
07/03/2003
SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL LEWIS
Sworn and subscribed to before me
this Y'? day of L
d.Ln-3 A. D.
i Prothoncta
In The Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Rite Aid Corporation
vs.
David Koneff et al
SERVE: Daniel Senic
No. 02-5863 civil
Now, June 11, 2003 , I, SHERIFF OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA, do
hereby. deputize the Sheriff of Dauphin County to execute this Writ, this
deputation being made at the request and risk of the Plaintiff.
Sheriff of Cumberland County, PA
Affidavit of Service
Now,
within
upon
at
by handing to
a
, 20, at o'clock M. served the
copy of the original
and made known to
the contents thereof.
So answers,
Sheriff of County, PA
Sworn and subscribed before
me this ` day of , 20_
COSTS
SERVICE $
MILEAGE
AFFIDAVIT
(? ixe oaf thr o$4ext ff
Mary Jane Snyder
Real Estate Deputy
William T. Tully
Solicitor
Dauphin County
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101
ph: (717) 255-2660 fax: (717) 255-2889
Jack Lotwick
Sheriff
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania RITE AID CORPORATION
vs
County of Dauphin SEMIC DANIEL
Sheriff's Return
No. 1415-T - - -2003
OTHER COUNTY NO. 02 5863
J. Daniel Basile
Chief Deputy
Michael W. Rinehart
Assistant Chief Deputy
AND NOW:June 23, 2003 at 9:10AM served the within
NOTICE & COMPLAINT upon
SEMIC DANIEL by personally handing
to SHARON SEMIC (WIFE) 1 true attested copy(ies)
of the original NOTICE & COMPLAINT and making known
to him/her the contents thereof at 6115 PARSON DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA 17111-0000
Sworn and subscribed to
before/ me this 23RD day of JUNE, 2003
PROTHONOTARY
So Answers, Sheriff of Dauphin County, Pa.
By 530?i7 D
eputy Sheriff
Sheriff's Costs: $30.50 PD 06/17/2003
RCPT NO 179815
SS
NATHAN C. WOLF, ESQUIRE
ATTORNEY ID NO. 87380
35 EAST HIGH STREET
CARLISLE PA 17013
(717) 243-6090
ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT EDEN
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff
Vs.
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF:
DANIEL SEMIC, F & S ,
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX
CREDIT, FEDERAL AND STATE :
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.
and BRIAN EDEN
Defendants
TO THE PROTHONOTARY:
NO. 2002 - 5863 CIVIL TERM
PRAECIPE
Please enter my appearance for the defendant, Brian Eden, in the above matter.
July 8, 2003
WOLF
ney for Plaintiff
35 East High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-6090
Attorney ID No. 87380
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. 02-5863
VS.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, F & S CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC., d/b/a NEW YORK SALES
TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC. and BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
STIPULATION AND ORDER OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL
IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED AND CONSENTED that HANGLEY
ARONCHICK SEGAL & PUDLIN, Suite 700,30 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101-
1701, are hereby substituted in place and stead of SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS
LLP, Suite 3600, 1600 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 as attorneys of record for plaintiffs
in the above-captioned action.
Dated: July 1, 2003
SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS LLP
By: l1kw to
Diana S. Donaldson
Suite 3600
1600 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
HBDATA:8943 vt
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that I served a true and correct copy of the foregoing STIPULATION
AND ORDER OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL on counsel for all parties via First Class
mail addressed as indicated below:
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie M. Fields, Esquire
COSTOPOULOS, FOSTER & FIELDS
P.O. Box 222
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Daniel Semic
6115 Parson Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17111-3851
Brian Eden
4611 S. University Drive, #206
Davie, FL 33328
Dated: July 1, 2003
MonicA ebuck
HBDATA:8943 vi
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UV 2 2003
HANGLEY ARONCHICK SEGAL & PUDLIN,
By:
Ste . Shadowen
Gordon A. Einhorn
Suite 700
30 North Third Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1701
(717) 364-1030
HBDATA:8943 vi
SO ORDERED
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RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff
V.
IN THE C01JRT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Civil No. 02-5863
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC,
F & S CORPORATE ADVISORS, n ?, n
INC., d/b/a NEW YORK SALES cr G, n
TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN,
Defendants
PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS OF DEFENDANT i
SUSAN KONEFF
AND NOW comes the Defendant, Susan Koneff, by and throucjf? hef
attorney, David J. Foster, Esquire, COSTOPOULOS, FOSTER & FIELDS,
and respectfully files the following Preliminary Objections to the
Plaintiff's Complaint:
1. On or about June 10, 2003, the Plaintiff, Rite Aid
Corporation ("Rite Aid"), filed a civil complaint against the
Defendants alleging that they participated in a scheme to defraud
the Plaintiff in excess of $6 million for sales tax refunds not
actually earned; it later added Susan Koneff to the caption as a
defendant.
2. The Plaintiff alleges that in purchasing goods and
services for its drugstores, it is charged sales tax for certain
transactions which should be exempt from such payment under state
law. See Complaint at paras. 7-8.
3. The Plaintiff avers that, in order to recoup the sales
1
taxes paid, it employs outside firms to audit the sales tax
payments, identify overpayments and obtain refunds from the
respective states. See complaint at para. 8.
4. The Plaintiff states that Defendants David Koneff and
Semic, as managers with Rite Aid, ,were intimately familiar with
these procedures and how they can be misused." See Complaint at
para. 9.
5. The Plaintiff alleges that Defendants David Koneff, Semic,
Eden and F & S conspired to defraud Rite Aid and misappropriate its
funds by having Defendant Eden, through Defendant F & S, submit
requests for payment to Rite Aide falsely claiming that sales tax
refunds had been obtained from New York State and requesting
payment of commissions based upon the amount of the purported tax
refunds, which commission payments were made by Rite Aid through
Defendants David Koneff and Semic. See Complaint at paras. 11-12.
6. According to the Plaintiff's Complaint, this plan started
in January 1996 and continued until August 2000, with at least 42
payments made by Rite Aid to New York Sales Tax Credit in excess of
$6 million. See Complaint at paras. 13-20.
7. Plaintiff brings counts of fraud, conversion,
misappropriation of funds and civil conspiracy against all
Defendants and a count of fraudulent misrepresentation against
Defendant Semic.
8. Plaintiff broadly claims that it "has suffered substantial
2
monetary and other harm to its business." See complaint at paras.
28, 32, 35 and 39.
9. Plaintiff demands judgment against the Defendants "in an
amount to be determined at trial, together with injunctive relief,
pre- and post-judgment interest, costs, attorneys fees, punitive
damages, and such other relief as the Court, deems just and proper."
See Complaint, prayers for relief under Counts I-V.
10. Plaintiff's Complaint is silent as to conduct allegedly
committed by Defendant Susan Koneff.
11. Defendant Susan Koneff respectfully files the following
preliminary objections to the Plaintiff's Complaint.
-1__??J FF/o rmmnlaint:
Failure to state a Claim for Relief
12. Plaintiff's Complaint makes no allegations whatsoever
against Defendant Susan Koneff and her alleged role, if any, in the
alleged conspiratorial scheme to defraud Rite Aid.
13. As to Defendant Susan Koneff, the Plaintiff has failed to
state a claim against her for fraud, conversion, misappropriation
of funds and civil conspiracy.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Susan Koneff moves that the Plaintiff's
Complaint be dismissed with prejudice as to her for failure to
state a claim for relief.
3
Koneff and Semic
14. Defendant Susan Koneff hereby incorporates by reference,
as if fully set forth herein, all the preliminary objections
asserted by Defendants David Koneff and Seemic.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Susan Koneff moves for the relief
requested in the preliminary objections failed by Defendants David
Koneff and Semic.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
David J. Fos r, Esquire
COSTOPOULOS, FOSTER & FIELDS
831 Market Street/P.O. Box 222
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Phone: (717) 761-2121
ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT SUSAN KONEFF
DATED: August 2003.
4
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, David J. Foster, Esquire, attorney for Defendant Susan
Koneff, do hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the
within PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS was served upon the counsel for the
plaintiff, Rite Aid Corporation, by placing same in the United
States Mail, first-class postage prepaid, on the below date
addressed as follows:
Steve D. Shadowen, Esquire
Gordon A. Einhorn, Esquire
SCHNADER HARRISON
Suite 700
30 North Third Street
101
Harrisburg,
BY D Es uire
avid J. F'o r, q
6
DATED: August 2003.
?-5
C7 n
T' i r F.
(A -<
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC,
F & S CORPORATE ADVISORS,
INC., d/b/a NEW YORK SALES
TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN,
Defendants
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Civil No. 02-5863
PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS OF DEFENDANTS
DAVID KONEFF AND DANIEL SEMIC
AND NOW come the Defendants, David Koneff and Daniel Semic, by
and through their attorney, David J. Foster, Esquire, COSTOPOULOS,
FOSTER & FIELDS, and respectfully file the following Preliminary
Objections to the Plaintiff's Complaint:
1. On or about June 10, 2003, the Plaintiff, Rite Aid
Corporation ("Rite Aid"), filed a civil complaint against the
Defendants alleging that they participated in a scheme to defraud
the Plaintiff in excess of $6 million for sales tax refunds not
actually earned; it later added Susan Koneff to the caption as a
defendant.
2. The Plaintiff alleges that in purchasing goods and
services for its drugstores, it is charged sales tax for certain
transactions which should be exempt from such payment under state
law. See Complaint at paras. 7-8.
3. The Plaintiff avers that, in order to recoup the sales
1
taxes paid, it employs outside firms to audit the sales tax
payments, identify overpayments and obtain refunds from the
respective states. See Complaint at para. 8.
4. The Plaintiff states that Defendants David Koneff and
Semic, as managers with Rite Aid, "were :intimately familiar with
these procedures and how they can be misused.' See Complaint at
para. 9.
5. The Plaintiff alleges that Defendants David Koneff, Semic,
Eden and F & S conspired to defraud Rite Aid and misappropriate its
funds by having Defendant Eden, through Defendant F & S, submit
requests for payment to Rite Aide falsely claiming that sales tax
refunds had been obtained from New York State and requesting
payment of commissions based upon the amount of the purported tax
refunds, which commission payments were made by Rite Aid through
Defendants David Koneff and Semic; no allegations of any kind are
made against Defendant Susan Koneff. See Complaint at paras. 11-
12.
6. According to the Plaintiff's Complaint, this plan started
in January 1996 and continued until August 2000, with at least 42
payments made by Rite Aid to New York Sales Tax Credit in excess of
$6 million. See Complaint at paras. 13-20.
7. Plaintiff brings counts of fraud, conversion,
misappropriation of funds and civil conspiracy against all
Defendants and a count of fraudulent misrepresentation against
2
Defendant Semic.
8. Plaintiff broadly claims that it "has suffered substantial
monetary and other harm to its business.,, See Complaint at paras.
28, 32, 35 and 39.
9. Plaintiff demands judgment against the Defendants "in an
amount to be determined at trial, together with injunctive relief,
pre- and post-judgment interest, costs, attorneys fees, punitive
damages, and such other relief as the Court: deems just and proper.
See Complaint, prayers for relief under Counts I-V.
10. Defendants David Koneff and Semiic respectfully file the
following preliminary objections to the Plaintiff's Complaint.
I. Motion to Strike the "Preliminary Statement"
11. The Plaintiff's Complaint opens with a so-called
"Preliminary Statement, 11 which is a page-and-a-half narrative
summary of the accusations made against all the Defendants,
12. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1019(a) provides: "The material facts on
which a cause of action or defense is based shall be stated in a
concise and summary form."
13. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1022 provides: "Every pleading shall be
divided into paragraphs numbered consecutively. Each paragraph
shall contain as far as practicable only one material allegation.,,
14. The "Preliminary Statement" violates these rules because
the material facts are not stated in a "concise and summary form,"
it is not divided into consecutively numbered paragraphs, and it
3
contains more than one material allegation.
15. Moving Defendants are not able to conform to Pa.R.Civ.P.
1029 which requires them to admit or deny in a responsive pleading
"specifically to the paragraph in which the averment admitted or
denied is set forth[]" because of the narrative form of the so-
called "Preliminary Statement."
16. Further, the "Preliminary Statement" should be stricken
because it avers scandalous and impertinent matter, such as
accusing Defendants of participating in a "scheme," of having
"contrived to create the appearance" that Defendant F & S had been
retained by Plaintiff, of "falsely claiming" to have earned for
them sales tax refunds, and that Moving Defendants were "well
aware" that Defendant F & S was not entitled to payments.
17. The aforesaid allegations in the "Preliminary Statement"
are conclusory, argumentative, improper and prejudicial to the
Moving Defendants and are not averments of material fact to which
they can respond and against which they can defend.
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move that the "Preliminary
Statement" of Plaintiff's Complaint be stricken.
-- Count I
18. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1019(b) mandates in part: "Averments of
fraud or mistake shall be averred with particularity."
19. Count I of the Plaintiff's Complaint is an allegation of
4
fraud against Defendants and Moving Defendants in particular.
20. Count I, standing alone, consists of conclusory pleadings
of law against Moving Defendants and fails to allege fraud with any
let alone sufficient particularity.
21. Even reading Count I together with the so-called
"Preliminary Statement,' which Moving Defendants have moved to
strike, and the "Facts Common to All Parties," the averment of
fraud has not been pleaded with sufficient particularity.
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move to require that Plaintiff be
required to plead fraud in Count I with sufficient particularity.
III. Motion to Dismiss: Failure to State a Claim (Demurrer) in
Count I
22. The tort of "fraud," properly known in Pennsylvania as
that of "fraudulent misrepresentation, 11 contains the following
essential elements: that the defendant made a misrepresentation to
the plaintiff; the misrepresentation was fraudulent; the
misrepresentation was of a material fact; the defendant intended
that the plaintiff rely on it; the plaintiff in fact relied on the
material misrepresentation; and the plaintiff's reliance on it was
a factual cause of the harm suffered by the plaintiff.
23. As a matter of law, Count I of the Plaintiff's Complaint
fails to state a claim for "fraud" against Moving Defendants
because it fails to contain sufficient material facts.
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move that Count I of Plaintiff's
5
Complaint be dismissed for failure to state a claim.
IV. Motion for More Specific Pleading: Insufficiency of Pleading
-- Count II
24. Count II of the Plaintiff's Complaint is a count of
conversion.
25. In a conclusory manner, the Plaintiff avers that the
Defendants "converted Rite Aid's money by intentionally and
wrongfully exercising ownership, dominion and control over the
funds obtained under false pretenses from. Rite Aid."
26. This allegation is insufficiently specific to adequately
and properly apprise the moving Defendants of the claim against
them and prevents them from preparing a response and defense.
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move to require the Plaintiff to
plead Count II with more specificity.
V. Motion for More Specific Pleadin : Insufficiency of Pleading
-- Count III
27. In support of Count III for "Misappropriation of Funds,"
the entirety of the Plaintiff's allegation is: "Defendants
misappropriated and used for their own purposes funds which were
given to them under false pretenses."
28. The aforesaid averment is insufficiently specific to
adequately and properly apprise the Moving Defendants of the claim
against them and prevents them from preparing a response and
defense.
6
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move tc require the Plaintiff to
plead Count III with sufficient specificity.
VI. Motion for More Specific Pleading Insufficiency of Pleading
(Demurrer) -- Count IV
29. Count IV is an allegation of civil conspiracy against all
Defendants.
30. In boilerplate fashion, the Plaintiff alleges that all
the Defendants "combined or agreed to defraud Rite Aid and to
convert and misappropriate funds" and "entered this combination or
agreement with the intent to defraud Rite Aid and to convert and
misappropriate its funds."
31. The aforesaid averments are insufficiently specific to
adequately and properly apprise the Moving Defendants of the claim
against them and prevents them from preparing a response and
defense.
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move to require the Plaintiff to
plead Count IV of the Plaintiff's Complaint with sufficient
specificity.
VII. Motion for More Specific Pleadina Insufficiency of Pleading
-- Count V
32. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1019(b) mandates in part: "Averments of
fraud or mistake shall be averred with particularity.11
33. Count V of the Plaintiff's Complaint is an allegation of
fraudulent misrepresentation against Defendants and Moving
7
Defendants in particular.
34. The material facts set forth under Count V consist of
of conclusory pleadings of law against Moving Defendants and fail
to allege fraud with any let alone sufficient particularity.
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move to require the Plaintiff to
plead Count V of the Plaintiff's Complaint with sufficient
particularity.
VIII. Motion to Dismiss: Failure to State a Claim (Demurrer) in
Count V
35. The tort of "fraudulent misrepresentation" contains the
following essential elements: that the defendant made a
misrepresentation to the plaintiff; the misrepresentation was
fraudulent; the misrepresentation was of a material fact; the
defendant intended that the plaintiff rely on it; the plaintiff in
fact relied on the material misrepresentation; and the plaintiff's
reliance on it was a factual cause of the harm suffered by the
plaintiff.
36. As a matter of law, Count V of the Plaintiff's Complaint
fails to state a claim for "fraudulent misrepresentation" against
Defendant Semic because it fails to contain sufficient material
facts.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Semic moves that Count V of Plaintiff's
Complaint be dismissed for failure to state a claim.
8
IX. Motion for More Specific Pleading Failure to State Relief
Requested/Monetary Damages with Sufficient S ecificit
37. Counts I, II, III and IV of the Plaintiff's Complaint
allege that the Plaintiff has suffered "substantial monetary and
other harm to its business."
38. Plaintiff fails to state specifically what "other harm"
has been done to its business or how Moving Defendants have caused
that harm.
39. All counts of the Plaintiff's Complaint demand judgment
against all Defendants "in an amount to be determined at trial."
40. Plaintiff fails to state the monetary amount it demands
from each of the Moving Defendants.
41. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1021(a) states in part: "Any pleading
demanding relief shall specify the relief' sought."
42. Plaintiff's Complaint fails to specifically set forth the
relief sought and, therefore, the phrase "other harm to its
business" should be stricken/dismissed or, alternatively, pleaded
with sufficient specificity.
43. Also, Plaintiff should be required to state a specific
monetary amount it demands from each of the Moving Defendants.
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move to strike/dismiss the phrase
"other harm to its business" under Counts :C through IV; require the
Plaintiff to amplify "other harm" with specificity; and to order
the Plaintiff to state a specific monetary amount it demands from
9
each Moving Defendant under all Counts.
X. Motion to Strike/Dismiss: Failure to State Whether Amount
Claimed Exceeds Compulsory Arbitration Limits
44. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1021(c) requires that in counties having
compulsory arbitration, the plaintiff must. state whether the amount
claimed does or does not exceed that jur.'_sdictional limit.
45. Cumberland County has local rules governing compulsory
arbitration. See Rule 1301-1, et seq.
46. Plaintiff's Complaint, under the claim for relief under
all counts, fails to state whether the amount claimed exceeds the
compulsory arbitration limits.
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move to strike/dismiss the Claims
for Relief as to all counts of the Complaint.
XI. Motion to Strike/Demurrer Claims for Punitive Damages:
Failure to State a Claim upon which Relief may be Granted
47. Under each Count of the Complaint, the Plaintiff seeks
punitive damages in addition to other relief.
48. The award of punitive damages i_s reserved for the most
extreme, outrageous cases in which the defendant acts with a
particularly evil motive or wicked intent.
49. As a matter of law, the material facts alleged in the
Complaint fail to state a claim that would justify the award of
punitive damages against the Moving Defendants.
50. Plaintiff fails to allege that the conduct of the Moving
10
Defendants was outrageous, wanton and/or recklessly indifferent to
the rights of others.
51. Plaintiff fails to set forth any facts in the Complaint
which evidence outrageous, wanton and/or recklessly indifferent
conduct by the Moving Defendants.
52. Mere conclusory allegations, such as those pleaded in the
Complaint, are insufficient to support: a claim for punitive
damages.
53. Merely asserting a demand for punitive damages in the
prayer for relief, as Plaintiff has done, is insufficient to
support a claim for punitive damages.
54. Even assuming, as one must when evaluating a demurrer,
the truth of the allegations pleaded in the Complaint, the
Plaintiff has failed to allege facts which would support any
allegations of outrageous, wanton and/or recklessly indifferent
conduct by the Moving Defendants and/or claims for punitive
damages.
55. Based upon the foregoing, the Plaintiff has failed to
plead/state a claim upon which relief may be granted for punitive
damages and outrageous, wanton and/or recklessly indifferent
conduct with respect to the Moving Defendants.
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move to strike the claims for
punitive damages with prejudice and to preclude the Plaintiff from
seeking them at trial.
11
XII. Motion to Strike/Dismiss: Failure to Break Down Counts with
Respect to Each Individual Defendant
56. Plaintiff's Complaint contains five individual counts
referencing the Defendants without differentiation.
57. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1020(a) requires that where a plaintiff
states more than one cause of action against one or more
defendants, the claims against the respective defendants must be
pleaded in separate counts.
58. Plaintiff's Complaint violates Pa.R.Civ.P. 1020(a)
because it does not set forth each cause of action against each
defendant in a separate count under a separate heading.
59. In addition, under the respective claims for relief under
each count of the Complaint, the Plaintiff' fails to attribute what
portion of the monetary amount it claims from each defendant as
required by the rules of civil procedure.
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move to strike/dismiss the
Plaintiff's Complaint.
XIII. Motion to Strike/Dismiss Failure to Append Writing
60. Count V of the Plaintiff's Complaint references a
"Consulting, Severance and Release Agreement" executed between Rite
Aid and Defendant Semic.
61. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1019(1) states in pertinent part: "When any
claim or defense is based upon a writing, the pleader shall attach
a copy of the writing, or the material part thereof . . . . 11
12
62. Although the Plaintiff's claim in Count V is based upon
a writing, i.e., the "Consulting, Severance and Release Agreement,"
a copy of this writing was not attached to the Complaint as
required.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Semic moves to strike/dismiss the
Plaintiff's Complaint for failure to conform to the procedural
rules.
RESPECTFULLY SUB:KITTED:
David J. Fo er, Esquire
COSTOPOULOS, FOSTER & FIELDS
831 Market Street/P.O. Box 222
Lemoyne, PA 170,13
Phone: (717) 761-2121
ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANTS DAVID KONEFF
AND SEMIC
DATED: August 2003.
13
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, David J. Foster, Esquire, attorney for Defendants David
Koneff and Semic, do hereby certify that a true and correct copy of
the within PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS was served upon the counsel for
the Plaintiff, Rite Aid Corporation, by placing same in the United
States Mail, first-class postage prepaid, on the below date
addressed as follows:
Steve D. Shadowen, Esquire
Gordon A. Einhorn, Esquire
SCHNADER HARRISON
Suite 700
30 North Third Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
BY://^\\
David J. F ,ter, Esquire
DATED: August 2003.
14
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NATHAN C. WOLF, ESQUIRE
LAW OFFICE OF HAROLD 8. IRWIN, III
ATTORNEY ID NO 87380
35 EAST HIOH STREET, SUITES 201/202
CARLISLE PA 17013
(717) 243-6090
ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT BRIAN EDEN
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
: OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
: PENNSYLVANIA
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, F & S CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC., d/b/a NEW YORK
SALES TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL &
STATE CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.
and BRIAN EDEN
Defendants
"CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 2002-5883
NOTICE TO PLEAD
TO: Rite Aid Corporation
You are hereby notified to file a written response to the enclosed
Preliminary Objections within twenty (20) days from service hereof or a judgment
may be entered against you. _
Dated: August 12, 2003
1.i VVOIT, tsqulre
Mt. 87380
Law Office of Harold S. Irwin, III
35 East High Street, Suite 201/202
Carlisle, PA 1013
(717) 243-6090
Attorney for Defendant Brian Eden
NATHAN C. WOLF, ESQUIRE
LAW OFFICE OF HAROLD S. IRWIN, III
ATTORNEY ID NO 87380
35 EAST HIGH STREET, SUITES 201/202
CARLISLE PA 17013
(717) 243-6090
ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT BRIAN EDEN
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, F & S CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC., d/b/a NEW YORK
SALES TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL &
STATE CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.
and BRIAN EDEN
Defendants
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
: OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
: PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 2002-5863
DEFENDANT BRIAN EDEN'S PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS TO
PLAINTIFFS' COMPLAINT
Defendant Brian Eden, by his attorney, Nathan C. Wolf, Esquire, files these
preliminary objections to Plaintifrs complaint pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1017, representing
as follows:
Lack of In Personam Jurisdiction
1. Defendant preliminarily objects to the Plaintiffs complaint on the grounds
that this Court does not have In Personam Jurisdiction over the defendant, pursuant to
Pa.R.C.P. 1028(a)(1).
2. Defendant is a resident of Florida and owns no real or personal property in
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
3. Defendant is not a principal in a Pennsylvania Corporation.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Brian Eden, preliminarily objects to the claims raised
by the Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation and, thus respectfully requests that this Honorable
Court grant this preliminary objection and dismiss the action brought against him by
Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation for lack of in personam jurisdiction.
Motion for a More Specific Pleading
1. Plaintiff filed a complaint against multiple defendants in this matter,
including inter alia, Susan Koneff.
2. Plaintiff identifies Defendant Susan Koneff on the caption of the Writ of
Summons to this action, upon the Notice to Defend filed with the Complaint and upon
the Complaint Coversheet.
3. Nevertheless, Plaintiff fails to specifically identify Defendant Susan Koneff,
her involvement in the causes of action identified and fails include Defendant Susan
Koneff in its prayers for relief.
4. Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1028(a)(3) permits Defendant Brian Eden to
request this Court issue an order upon Plaintiffs to file a more specific complaint
whereupon Plaintiff identifies sufficient facts from which Defendants can prepare an
adequate defense.
5. Plaintiff raises claims of, inter alia, Fraud, requiring Plaintiff to plead all
material facts with specificity, pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1019 subsections (a) and (b).
6. Plaintiff fails to identify the role and culpability of Defendant Susan Koneff,
whatsoever.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Brian Eden demands that this Honorable Court grant
the foregoing preliminary objection and direct the Plaintiff to prepare and file a more
specific pleading, or, in the alternative, to dismiss this action in its entirety for failure to
conform pleading to law or rule of court, with prejudice to the plaintiff.
Respectfully submitted,
Dated: August 12, 2003 --
4afb?C. squire
Lak-Offlce of Harold S. Irwin, III
35 East High Street, Suite 201/202
Carlisle, PA 1013
(717) 243-6090
Attorney for Defendant Brian Eden
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that I have served a true and correct copy of Defendants
Preliminary Objections upon the plaintiffs by placing same in the United States mail at
Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Regular Mail on this date, and addressed as follows:
GORDON A. EINHORN, ESQUIRE
30 North Third Street
Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1701
(Attorney for Plaintiff)
David J. Foster, Esq.
Leslie M. Fields, Esq.
COUSTOPOULOS, FOSTER & FIELDS
P.O. Box 222
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
(Attorneys for Defendants Koneff and Semic)
Dated: August 12, 2003
Law'bffice of Harold S. Irwin, III
35 East High Street, Suite 201/202
Carlisle, PA 1013
(717) 243-6090
Attorney for Defendant Brian Eden
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION
Plaintiff,
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF, NO. 02-5863
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC,
F & S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX
CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
Preliminary Statement
This case involves the misappropriation from Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
("Rite Aid") of at least $6 million by David Koneff ("Koneff') and Daniel Semic ("Semic"),
both former employees in Rite Aid's Tax Department, and co-conspirators F & S Corporate
Advisors, Inc. ("F & S"), Federal & State Corporate Advisors, Inc. ("Federal & State") and their
President, Brian Eden ("Eden"). Pursuant to their scheme, defendants contrived to create the
appearance that F & S (d/b/a New York Sales Tax Credit) had been retained by Rite Aid to audit
sales tax payments made by Rite Aid to the State of New York for the purpose of obtaining
refunds for Rite Aid of tax overpayments made to the state. From 1996 through 1999,
defendants Eden and New York Sales Tax Credit submitted requests for payments to Rite Aid
falsely claiming to have earned them for sales tax refunds obtained for Rite Aid. These requests
were received and approved by Defendants Koneff and Semic despite the fact that New York
Sales Tax Credit had not obtained any tax refunds for Rite Aid and were not entitled to any
payments, a fact of which Koneff and Semic were well aware. Between January 1996 and
December 1999 Koneff and Semic directed that in excess of 40 payments be made by Rite Aid to
New York Sales Tax Credit totaling more than $6 million. These misappropriated funds were
then shared by the Defendants Koneff, Semic, Eden, F&S, and Federal & State. Rite Aid brings
the claims stated below in order to recover its funds wrongfully obtained by the Defendants.
Parties
Rite Aid Corporation is a corporation incorporated in the state of
Delaware and has its principal place of business in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
2. Defendant David Koneff is a former employee of Rite Aid and until April
of 2000 held the position of Manager in Rite Aid's Tax Department. On information and belief,
David Koneff is a resident of York County, Pennsylvania residing at 760 Seitz Drive,
Lewisberry, Pennsylvania 17339.
Defendant Susan Koneff is the wife of Defendant David Koneff and, on
information and belief, resides with him at 760 Seitz Drive, Lewisberry, Pennsylvania 17339. A
portion of the funds misappropriated by David Koneff, Daniel Semic, Brian Eden and the
corporate defendants was placed in accounts or used to purchase property that is held jointly by
Susan Koneff and David Konef£ With the exception of the claim for conversion (Count II) in
which she is specifically named, Susan Koneff is joined as a nominal defendant.
4. Defendant Daniel Semic is a former employee of Rite Aid and until July
of 2000 held the position of Senior Director in Rite Aid's Tax Department. On information and
belief, Semic is a resident of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
2
5. Defendant Sharon Semic is the wife of Defendant Daniel Semic and, on
information and belief, resides in Dauphin County. A portion of the funds misappropriated by
David Koneff, Daniel Semic, Brian Eden and the corporate defendants was placed in accounts or
used to purchase property that is held jointly by Sharon Semic and Daniel Semic. With the
exception of the claim for conversion (Count II) in which she is specifically named, Sharon
Semic is joined as a nominal defendant.
6. Defendant F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc,, d/b/a New York Sales Tax
Credit is a Florida corporation with its principal place of business at 2100 West 76`h Street, Suite
510, Hialeah, Florida 33016.
Defendant Federal & State Corporate Advisors, Inc. is a Florida
corporation with its principal place of business at 2100 West 76th Street, Suite 510, Hialeah,
Florida 33016.
8. Defendant Brian Eden is the President and registered agent of Defendants
F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc. and Federal & State Corporate Advisors, Inc. Eden is a resident
of Florida.
Facts Common to All Counts
9. Rite Aid has retail drugstores throughout much of the country and buys
goods and services in numerous states.
10. In purchasing goods and services, Rite Aid is periodically charged state
sales tax despite the fact that the transactions should have been exempt from such payment under
state law. In order to recoup these funds, Rite Aid occasionally uses the services of outside firms
which 1) audit the sales tax payments paid by Rite Aid to individual states; 2) identify
overpayments; and 3) obtain refunds for Rite Aid from the state taxing authorities. These outside
firms are paid commissions based upon a percentage of the moneys refunded.
11. Defendants Koneff and Semic, as managers within Rite Aid's Tax
Department, were intimately familiar with these procedures and were in a position to abuse those
procedures for personal gain.
12. On information and belief, Defendant Eden operates various companies
which obtain tax refunds and credits for corporate clients and is also intimately familiar with
these procedures and how they can be misused.
13. In or about January 1996, Defendants Koneff, Semic, Eden, and F & S,
conspired to defraud Rite Aid and misappropriate its funds.
14. According to the defendants' scheme, Eden, through his company New
York Sales Tax Credit (a d/b/a of defendant F & S), submitted requests for payment to Rite Aid
falsely claiming that sales tax refunds had been obtained from New York State and requesting
payment of commissions based upon the amount of the purported tax refunds. These requests
were received at Rite Aid by Koneff and Semic who, knowing that they were false, approved the
payments and directed that checks be issued by Rite Aid to New York Sales Tax Credit.
15. In furtherance of this scheme, on or about April 5, 1996 Defendant Eden
opened a checking account at First Union Bank, Totowa, New Jersey in the name of F & S
Corporate Advisors, Inc. d/b/a New York Sales Tax Credit. Eden also rented a private mailbox
at MailBoxes, Etc. in Yonkers, New York to be used as a mailing address for Rite Aid's
payments to New York Sales Tax Credit. New York Sales Tax Credit had no actual place of
business in New York state or, for that matter, anywhere. The 'Yonkers address was apparently
4
obtained solely to create the appearance that New York Sales Tax Credit was a legitimate New
York-based company.
16. The Defendants' plan was put into effect in or about January 1996 when
the first request for payment was made by New York Sales Tax Credit requesting a payment in
the amount of $5,000.00. According to plan, Koneff and Semic approved payment of the full
amount, despite the fact that the commission had not been earned. During the balance of 1996,
nine more checks in the same manner totaling more than $1 million.
17. Bank records obtained from First Union Bank and several other banks for
the period January 1997 through 2000 show how defendants routed the misappropriated funds.
18. In January 1997, Koneff and Semic wrongfully approved payment to New
York Sales Tax Credit of $89,500.00. Rite Aid's check in this amount was sent to New York
Sales Tax Credit's mailbox in Yonkers, New York and was subsequently deposited by Eden or
his agent into New York Sales Tax Credit's account at First Union Bank.
19. Shortly after the money was deposited into the New York Sales Tax Credit
Account, Defendant Eden wrote checks on the account made payable to F & S and deposited
these checks into accounts belonging to F & S at several banks in Florida.
20. Shortly after these deposits were made, Defendant Eden wrote checks on
these Florida accounts made payable to Defendants Koneff and Semic thereby distributing to
them their share of the misappropriated funds. On information and belief, other portions of these
funds were distributed to Defendant Eden and possibly others.
21. This pattern was repeated on a nearly monthly basis over the next three
years. In all, Semic and Koneff caused Rite Aid to send at least 42 payments to New York Sales
Tax Credit totaling in excess of $6 million. Rite Aid's final payment to New York Sales Tax
Credit was made in December 1999. Beginning at least as early as January 1997, each of these
payments was first deposited into New York Sales Tax Credit's First Union Bank account and
then transferred to Florida accounts belonging to F & S Corporate Advisors or another Eden
company, Federal & State Corporate Advisors, Inc., before being; distributed to Koneff, Semic,
Eden, and possibly others.
22. Between January 1997 and August 2000, Defendant Koneff received
checks from F & S and/or Federal & State totaling more than $1.6 million, representing his share
of the misappropriated funds. Defendants Semic and Eden are believed to have received similar
amounts.
23. Throughout this entire period, Defendants concealed their activities from
Rite Aid which was unaware of their actions. Rite Aid only recently became aware of
Defendants' acts following an investigation leading to the discovery of the above facts.
24. The amounts demanded herein exceed the maximum for submission to
compulsory arbitration.
CountI - Fraud
25. Plaintiff repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations set forth in
paragraphs 1 through 24 of this Complaint as though set forth here in full.
26. As described in detail above, Defendants Eden and F & S submitted
numerous payment requests to Rite Aid falsely claiming that sales tax refunds had been obtained
for Rite Aid and requesting payment of commissions based upon the purported refunds.
27. These misrepresentations were intentional and were made for the purpose
of inducing Rite Aid to send funds to New York Sales Tax Credit.
28. As described in further detail above, Defendants Koneff and Semic
misrepresented to Rite Aid that New York Sales Tax Credit was entitled to payment of the
commissions in that they approved the payment requests submitted to Rite Aid and directed that
checks be sent to New York Sales Tax Credit.
29. Koneff s and Semic's misrepresentations were intentional and were made
for the purpose of inducing Rite Aid to pay the funds.
30. Rite Aid justifiably relied on Defendants' misrepresentations to it and paid
the funds based upon the misrepresentations.
31. As a direct result of Defendants' misrepresentations, Rite Aid has suffered
substantial monetary damages and other harm to its business.
32. To the extent that any of the misappropriated assets have been placed in
joint accounts held by the above defendants with others or have otherwise been transferred, Rite
Aid avers that these transfers were fraudulent and requests that they be voided pursuant to the Pa.
Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, 12 Pa.C.S.A. § 5101 et seq.
WHEREFORE, Rite Aid demands judgment against David Koneff, Daniel Semic,
Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State Corporate Advisors, Inc. in an
amount to be determined at trial, together with injunctive relief, pre- and post judgment interest,
costs, attorneys fees, punitive damages and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Count II - Conversion
33. Plaintiff repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations set forth in
paragraphs 1 through 32 of this Complaint as though set forth here in full.
34. Defendants Koneff, Semic, Eden, F & S, and Federal & State have
converted Rite Aid's money by intentionally and wrongfully exercising ownership, dominion
7
and control over the funds obtained under false pretenses from Rite Aid and by doing so without
consent or lawful justification.
35. A portion of the funds misappropriated from Rite Aid was placed by
David Koneff into accounts owned jointly by him with Susan Konef£ SusanKoneff
subsequently converted Rite Aid's funds by intentionally exercising ownership, dominion and
control over the money in these accounts, without consent or lawful justification.
36. A portion of the funds misappropriated from Rite Aid was placed by
Daniel Semic into accounts owned jointly by him with Sharon Semic. Sharon Semic
subsequently converted Rite Aid's funds by intentionally exercising ownership, dominion and
control over the money in these accounts, without consent or lawful justification.
37. As a direct and proximate cause of Defendants' conversion of Rite Aid's
funds, Rite Aid has suffered and will continue to suffer monetary damages and other harm to its
business.
WHEREFORE, Rite Aid demands judgment against David Koneff, Susan Koneff,
Daniel Semic, Sharon Semic, Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State
Corporate Advisors Inc. in an amount to be determined at trial, together with injunctive relief,
pre- and post-judgment interest, costs, attorneys fees, punitive damages, and such other relief as
the Court deems just and proper.
Count III - Misappropriation of Funds
38. Plaintiff repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations set forth in
paragraphs 1 through 37 of this Complaint as though set for here in full.
39. Defendants Koneff, Semic, Eden, F & S, and Federal & State
misappropriated and used for their own purposes funds which were given to them under false
pretenses.
40. As the direct and proximate result of Defendants' action, Rite Aid has
suffered substantial monetary and other harm to its business.
WHEREFORE, Rite Aid demands judgment against David Koneff, Daniel Semic,
Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State Corporate Advisors Inc. in an
amount to be determined at trial, together with injunctive relief, pre- and post judgment interest,
costs, attorneys fees, punitive damages, and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Count IV - Civil Conspiraev
41. Rite Aid repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations set forth in
Paragraph I - 40 of this Complaint as though set forth here in full.
42. Defendants Koneff, Semic, Eden, F & S, and Federal & State combined or
agreed to defraud Rite Aid and to convert and misappropriate its funds.
43. Defendants entered this combination or agreement with the intent to
defraud Rite Aid and to convert and misappropriate its funds.
44. As the direct and proximate result of Defendants' action, Rite Aid has
suffered substantial monetary and other harm to its business.
WHEREFORE, Rite Aid demands judgment against David Koneff, Daniel Semic,
Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State Corporate Advisors Inc. in an
amount to be determined at trial, together with injunctive relief, pre- and post-judgment interest,
costs, attorneys fees, punitive damages, and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
9
Count V - Fraudulent Misrepresentation
45. Rite Aid repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations set forth in
Paragraphs 1 through 44 of this Complaint as though set forth herein full.
46. In or about July 2000, Rite Aid and Defendant Semic entered into a
Consulting, Severance and Release Agreement ("Agreement") pursuant to which Semic was paid
his regular rate of pay for 52 weeks and continued to receive certain benefits after the
termination of his employment with Rite Aid.
47. Prior to entering into the Agreement, Semic concealed from Rite Aid his
acts of misconduct as alleged in Paragraphs 1 through 39 above.
48. Semic's concealment of his misconduct constituted a material
misrepresentation and was done with the intent to mislead Rite Aid and in order to induce Rite
Aid to enter into the Agreement.
49. Rite Aid justifiably relied on Semic's failure to disclose material
information and but for his concealment of these material facts, Rite Aid would not have entered
into the Agreement.
50. As the direct and proximate result of Sernic's action, Rite Aid has suffered
harm in that it made severance payments to Semic and provided other benefits pursuant to the
Agreement.
10
WHEREFORE, Rite Aid demands judgment against Daniel Semic in an amount
to be determined at trial together with injunctive relief, pre- and 1post judgment interest, costs,
attorneys fees, punitive damages, and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
V. S e D. Shadowen., I.D. No. 41953
ordon A. Einhorn, I.D. No. 59006
HANGLEY ARONCHICK SEGAL & PUDLIN
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 231-4000
Attorneys for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
Dated: September 15, 2003
11
VERIFICATION
James J. Comitale, Esquire, deposes and says that I am Associate Counsel for Rite
Aid Corporation, and that while I do not have personal knowledge of all of the facts recited in
the foregoing First Amended Complaint, the information contained therein has been collected
and made available to me by others and said First Amended Complaint is true and correct to the
best of my knowledge, information and belief and is therefore verified on behalf of Rite Aid
Corporation. I make this statement subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C. S. § 4904 relating to
unswom falsification to authorities. .
Dated: 0? I C1 I C, 3
By:
ames J. Comitale, Esquire
Senior Associate Counsel
Rite Aid Corporation
CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE
This is to certify that I served a true and correct copy of the attached First
Amended Complaint upon the following persons via first class mail:
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie M. Fields, Esquire
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Attorneys for Defendants Koneff and Semic
Nathan C. Wolf, Esquire
Irwin Law Offices
64 S. Pitt Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Attorneys for Defendant Eden
5v
oA. Einhorn
Dated: September 15, 2003
(7
7
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION
Plaintiff,
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF, NO. 02-5863
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC,
F & S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX
CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
PLAINTIFF RITE AID CORPORATION'S RESPONSE TO
PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS OF DEFENDANTS
DAVID KONEFF AND DANIEL SEMIC
Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation ("Rite Aid") responds to the preliminary objections
of Defendants David Koneff ("Koneff') and Daniel Semic ("Sernic") with corresponding
paragraph numbers as follows:
1. Admitted. By way of further response, the action was originally
commenced on December 9, 2002 by the issuance of Writ of Summons against David and Susan
Koneff.
2. Admitted.
3. Admitted.
4. Admitted.
5. Admitted. By way of further response, Defendant Susan Koneff is a
nominal defendant with respect to these claims.
6. Admitted.
Admitted.
8. Admitted that Rite Aid has suffered the losses stated in its complaint.
9. Admitted.
10. No response required.
1. MOTION TO STRIKE THE "PRELIMINARY STATEMENT"
11. Admitted that the Complaint contains a brief introduction outlining the
claims against the defendants and provided for the assistance of the court. All of the facts
averred in the preliminary statement are averred again, in greater detail, within the body of the
complaint.
12. Admitted that defendants correctly quote :Pa. R. Civ. P. 1019(a).
13. Admitted that defendants correctly quote :Pa. R. Civ. P. 1022.
14. The averments of paragraph 14 constitute conclusions of law to which no
response is required. To the extent a response is necessary, the averments are denied in that the
Preliminary Statement is merely an introduction provided for the benefit of the Court and which
need not be answered by defendants. Deibler v. Thrift Drug Co. of Penna., 34 Pa. D. & C.2d
209, 211 (Leb. C.C.P. 1964). As such, this paragraph need not be numbered and may contain
more than one allegation. In addition, the material facts stated in the preliminary statement are in
a concise and summary form and may be answered by defendants if they so desire.
15. Plaintiff's response to Paragraph 14 is incorporated herein by reference.
Furthermore, if defendants elect to respond to the Preliminary Statement they can fulfill the
requirement of Rule 1029 that "admissions and denials in a responsive pleading shall refer
specifically to the paragraph in which the averment .... is set forth" by referring to the
"Preliminary Statement."
16. Denied that the Preliminary Statement contains scandalous and
impertinent matter. Scandalous and impertinent matters are unnecessary allegations which bear
cruely upon the moral character of an individual and which are irrelevant to the material issues
before the Court. Fromm v. Fromm, 42 Pa. D. & C.2d 77, 83 (Dauph. C.C.P. 1967). The
description of the defendants' fraudulent conduct that are contained in the preliminary statement
are directly relevant to plaintiff s claims and are therefore neither scandalous nor impertinent.
17. Denied. On the contrary, the averments contained in the Preliminary
Statement are averments of material fact to which defendants can respond if they desire.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid requests that defendants' preliminary objection
to the Preliminary Statement be overruled.
II. MOTION FOR MORE SPECIFIC PLEADING: INSUFFICIENCY
OF PLEADING - COUNT I
18. Admitted that defendants correctly quote a portion of Pa. R. Civ. P.
1019(b).
19. Admitted.
20. Denied. On the contrary, the averments of Count I are sufficiently specific
as to state a claim for fraud.
21. Denied. On the contrary, the averments of Count I are sufficiently specific
as to state a claim for fraud.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that Defendants'
preliminary objection concerning Count I be overruled.
III. MOTION TO DISMISS: FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM
(DEMURRER) IN COUNT I.
22. The averments of Paragraph 22 constitute constitutions of law to which no
response is required.
23. The averments of Paragraph 22 constitute a conclusion of law to which no
response is required. To the extent a response is required, the averment is denied. Plaintiff s
averments in Count I contain sufficient material facts to state a claim for fraud.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to Count I be overruled.
IV. MOTION FOR MORE SPECIFIC PLEADING: INSUFFICIENCY
OF PLEADING - COUNT II.
24. Admitted.
25. Admitted that Defendants correctly quote a portion of Paragraph 31 of the
Complaint but deny that this statement is made in a conclusory manner. On the contrary, as part
of Count II, Plaintiff incorporates by reference paragraphs 1 through 29 of the Complaint which
contain a detailed description of defendants' acts.
26. Denied. On the contrary, because Plaintiff incorporates by reference the
detailed description of Defendants' activities, the allegation complained of is sufficiently specific
to apprise the defendants of the claim against them, allowing them to prepare a response and
defense.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to Count II be overruled.
V. MOTION FOR MORE SPECIFIC PLEADING: INSUFFICIENCY
OF PLEADING - COUNT III.
27. Denied. On the contrary, in support of it's claim for misappropriation of
funds, Plaintiff repeats and incorporates by reference the previous 32 Paragraphs of the
Complaint containing a detailed description of Defendants' actions.
28. The averment of Paragraph 28 is a conclusion of law to which no response
is required. If a response is required, the allegation is denied for the reasons stated in Paragraph
27 above.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to Count III be overruled.
VI. MOTION FOR MORE SPECIFIC PLEADING: INSUFFICIENCY
OF PLEADING (DEMURRER) - COUNT IV.
29. Admitted.
30. Admitted that Defendants correctly quote portions of Paragraphs 37 and
38 of the Complaint. It is denied that the allegations are made in a "boiler plate fashion."
31. The averments of Paragraph 31 constitute conclusions of law to which no
response is required. If a response is necessary, the averments are denied. On the contrary,
Plaintiff s claim for Civil Conspiracy includes Paragraph 1 through 35 of the Complaint, which
are repeated and incorporated by reference, thereby making the claim sufficiently specific to
apprise defendants of the claim against them and permitting them to prepare a response in
defense.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to Count IV be overruled.
VII. MOTION FOR MORE SPECIFIC PLEADING: INSUFFICIENCY
OF PLEADING - COUNT V.
32. Admitted that defendants correctly quote a portion of Pa. R. Civ. P.
1019(b).
33. Admitted.
34. Denied. On the contrary, the averments contained in Paragraphs 40
through 45 of the Complaint, which include the averments of the first 39 paragraphs of the
Complaint which are incorporated by reference, are sufficiently specific to allege a claim of
fraud.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to Count V be overruled.
VIII. MOTION TO DISMISS: FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM
(DEMURRER) IN COUNT V.
35. The averments in Paragraph 35 constitute: a conclusion of law to which no
response is required.
36. The averments in Paragraph 35 constitute a conclusion of law to which no
response is required. To the extent a response is required, the averment is denied. On the
contrary, Paragraphs 40 through 45 of the Complaint contain sufficient material facts to state a
claim for fraudulent misrepresentation.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to Count V of the Complaint be overruled.
IX. MOTION FOR MORE SPECIFIC PLEADING: FAILURE TO
STATE RELIEF REQUESTEDIMONETARY DAMAGES WITH
SUFFICIENT SPECIFICITY.
37. Admitted.
38. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that the other harms
referred to in the Complaint are not specifically identified in that they are still the subject of
investigation and will be disclosed prior to trial. It is denied that Plaintiff has failed to identify
the relief sought.
39. Admitted.
40. Admitted that no specific monetary demand is made. By way of further
response, Plaintiff s failure to state a specific monetary demand is in accordance with Pa. R.Civ.
P. 1021(b) which provides that "any pleading demanding relief for unliquidated damages shall
not claim any specific sum."
41. Admitted that defendants correctly quote a portion of Pa. R. Civ. P.
1021(a).
42. The averments of Paragraph 42 constitute a conclusion of law to which no
response is required. If a response is required, the averment is denied in that in each of its
claims, Rite Aid specifically sets forth the relief sought requesting "judgment ... in an amount to
be determined at trial, together with injunctive relief, pre- and post-judgment interest, costs,
attorneys fees, punitive damages, and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper."
43. Denied that Plaintiff should be required to state a specific monetary
amount it demands from each of the Defendants. On the contrary, Pa. R.C.P. 1021(b) prohibits
the demand of a specific sum.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to Counts I, II, III, and IV of the Complaint, alleging "failure to state relief
requested/monetary damages with sufficient specificity," be overruled.
X. MOTION TO STRIKE/DISMISS: FAILURE TO STATE
WHETHER AMOUNT CLAIMED EXCEEDS COMPULSORY
ARBITRATION LIMITS
44. The averment of Paragraph 44 constitutes a conclusion of law to which no
response is required.
45. Admitted.
46. Denied. On the contrary, Plaintiff's Complaint states that it seeks to
recover in excess of $6 million which was misappropriated by Defendants, an amount that is
obviously well in excess of the arbitration limit. Moreover, in it's First Amended Complaint,
which is being filed concurrently with these responses, Plaintiff explicitly states that the amount
sought is in excess of the arbitration limit.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection alleging "failure to state whether amount claimed exceeds compulsory arbitration
limits" be overruled.
XI. MOTION TO STRIKE/DEMURRER CLAIMS FOR PUNITIVE
DAMAGES: FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM UPON WHICH
RELIEF MAY BE GRANTED
47. Admitted.
48. The averment of Paragraph 48 constitutes a conclusion of law to which no
response is required.
49. The averment of Paragraph 49 constitutes a conclusion of law to which no
response is required. In the event a response is required, the facts alleged in the Complaint more
than adequately justify the award of punitive damages.
50. Denied. On the contrary, while the Complaint does not use the precise
words stated by Defendants, it is self-evident from the description of defendants' acts that these
acts were outrageous and wanton.
51. Denied. On the contrary, such facts are fully set forth in the Complaint.
52. Denied. On the contrary, Plaintiff does not use conclusory allegations but
fully sets forth facts sufficient to support a claim for punitive damages.
53. Denied. On the contrary, Plaintiff has set forth facts sufficient to support a
claim for punitive damages.
54. Denied. On the contrary, Plaintiff has alleged facts which fully support
the requirements for an award of punitive damages.
55. Denied. On the contrary, Plaintiff has alleged facts which fully support
the requirements for an award of punitive damages.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that Defendants'
preliminary objection to the demand for punitive damages be overruled.
XII. MOTION TO STRIKE/DISMISS: FAILURE TO BREAK DOWN
COUNTS WITH RESPECT TO EACH INDIVIDUAL
DEFENDANT.
56. Admitted that Plaintiff s Complaint contains five individual counts which
pertain to all defendants.
57. The averments of this paragraph constitute conclusions of law to which no
response is required. If a response is required, the averments are denied in that Pa. R.C.P.
1020(a) does not require that a cause of action be pleaded against only one defendant and that
other defendants must be pleaded in separate counts. On the contrary, Rule 1020(a) requires
only that each separate cause of action against a defendant must be stated in separate counts.
58. This statement constitutes a conclusion of law to which no response is
required. If a response is necessary, the averment is denied in that Rule 1020(a) does not require
that a cause of action be pleaded against only one defendant.
59. This statement constitutes a conclusion of law to which no response is
required. In the event a response is required, it is denied that the Rules of Civil Procedure
require Plaintiff to state what portion of the monetary demand it claims from each defendant.
Furthermore, the Complaint makes clear that Plaintiff seeks the :Full amount from each defendant.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to strike/dismiss the Complaint for failure to breakdown counts with respect to each
individual defendant be overruled.
XIII. MOTION TO STRIKE/DISMISS: FAILURE TO APPEND
WRITING
60. Admitted.
61. Admitted that Pa. R. Civ. P. 1019(i) states that a writing must be attached
to a pleading if a claim or defense asserted therein is "based upon" that writing.
62. Denied. On the contrary, Plaintiff's claim in Count V is not "based upon"
the "Consulting, Severance, and Release Agreement" between Rite Aid and Defendant Semic
and therefore that agreement need not be appended to the Complaint. The Complaint alleges that
Semic's misrepresentations induced Rite Aid to enter into the agreement.
10
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to strike/dismiss Plaintiff s Complaint for failure to append a writing be overruled.
46z==='
Ste . Shadowen, I.D. No. 41953
ordon A. Einhorn, I.D. No. 59006
HANGLEY A.RONCHICK SEGAL & PUDLIN
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 364-1004
(717) 364-1020 - facsimile
Attorneys for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
Dated: September 15, 2003
11
James J. Comitale, Esquire, deposes and says that I am Associate Counsel for Rite
Aid Corporation, and that while I do not have personal knowledge of all of the facts recited in
the foregoing Response to Preliminary Objections, the information contained therein has been
collected and made available to me by others and said Response is true and correct to the best of
my knowledge, information and belief and is therefore verified on behalf of Rite Aid
Corporation. I make this statement subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. § 4904 relating to
unworn falsification to authorities.
By: -
Jaynes J. Comitale, Esquire
Senior Associate Counsel
Rite Aid Corporation
Dated: 9 0
CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE
This is to certify that I served a true and correct copy of the attached Plaintiff Rite
Aid Corporation's Response to Preliminary Objections of Defendants David Koneff and Daniel
Semic upon the following persons via first class mail:
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie M. Fields, Esquire
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Attorneys for Defendants Koneff and Semic
Nathan C. Wolf, Esquire
Irwin Law Offices
64 S. Pitt Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Attorneys for Defendant Eden
Go n A. 'inhorn
Dated: September 15, 2003
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COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
INTHE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CUMBERLAND
RITE AID CORPORATION
plaintiff,
v• NO. 02-5863
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL ONEF ,, SHARON SEMIC,
TE ADVISORS, INC.,
F & S CORPORA SALES TAX
dtbla NEW YORK & STATE
CREDIT, FEDERAL
CORPO?'y ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN Defendants-
?Op
PLAINTIFF RITE AID CORI ATION'S RESPONSE TO
JECTIONS OF DEFENDANT BRIAN EDEN
PRELIMINARY OB responds to the preliminary objections
Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation ('Rite) id")
Defendant Brian Eden ("Eden") with corresponding paragraph numbers as follows:
of OF IN PERSONAM[ JURISDICTION
I LACK
Complaint on the grounds
1 Admitted that Eden preliminary objects to the
gowever, personal
personal jurisdiction over Defendant Eden. 2 and (4)
that the Court does not have t to 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5322 (a)(1), O'
jurisdiction exists over Defendant Eden pursuanMoreover,
Eden had sufficient minimum contacts with Pennsylvania for the Court to exert
jurisdiction.
CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE
This is to certify that I served a t,,
Aid e and correct copy of the attached Plaintiff
Rite
Corporation's Response to Preliminary Objections of Defendant Brian Eden upon the
following persons via first class mail:
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie M. Fields, Esquire
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Attorneys for Defendants Koneffand.Semic
Nathan C. Wolf, Esquire
Irwin Law Offices
64 S. Pitt Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Attorneys for Defendant Eden
57
on Dated: September 15, 2003
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2. After reasonable investigation, Plaintiff is unable to admit or deny the
truth of the averment contained in Paragraph 2 and, as such, it is denied.
After reasonable investigation, Plaintiff is unable to admit or deny the
truth of the averment contained in Paragraph 3 and, as such, it is denied.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection of Brian Eden requesting that the action against him be dismissed for lack of personal
jurisdiction be overruled.
II. MOTION FOR A MORE SPECIFIC PLEADING
1. Admitted that Plaintiff filed a complaint against multiple defendants including
Susan Koneff.
2. Admitted that Plaintiff identified Defendant Susan Koneff in the Writ of
Summons, the Notice to Defend and the Complaint cover sheet.
3. Denied that Plaintiff has failed to specifically identify Defendant Susan
Koneff, her involvement in the causes of action or in its prayers for relief. On the contrary, this
information is contained in Rite Aid's First Amended Complaint.
4. Admitted that Pa. R. Civ. P. 1028(a)(3) permits a defendant to request an
order requiring a more specific pleading.
5. Admitted that the Plaintiff has stated a claim for fraud. With respect to
Defendant Eden's statements concerning Pa. R. Civ. P. 1019, the Rule is a writing which speaks
for itself. By way of further response, each of the claims stated by Rite Aid in its Complaint and
First Amended Complaint is stated with sufficient specificity.
6. Denied. The role and culpability of Defendant Susan Koneff are identified
in the First Amended Complaint.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection of Defendant Brian Eden requesting a more specific pleading or, alternatively, the
dismissal of this action be overruled.
aSee-.ado en, I.D. No. 41953
G on A. Einhorn, I.D. No. 59006
ANGLEY ARONCHICK SEGAL & PUDLIN
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 364-1004
(717) 364-1020 - facsimile
Attorneys f<)r Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
Dated: September 15, 2003
VERIFICATION
James J. Comitale, Esquire, deposes and says that I am Associate Counsel for Rite
Aid Corporation, and that while I do not have personal knowledge of all of the facts recited in
the foregoing Response to Preliminary Objections, the information contained therein has been
collected and made available to me by others and said Response is true and correct to the best of
my knowledge, information and belief and is therefore verified on behalf of Rite Aid
Corporation. I make this statement subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. § 4904 relating to
unworn falsification to authorities.
By:w_ ` -.. w v
James J. Comitale, Esquire
Senior Associate Counsel
Rite Aid Corporation
Dated: r `? b
CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE
This is to certify that I served a true and correct copy of the attached Plaintiff Rite
Aid Corporation's Response to Preliminary Objections of Defendant Brian Eden upon the
following persons via first class mail:
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie M. Fields, Esquire
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Attorneys for Defendants Koneff and Semic
Nathan C. Wolf, Esquire
Irwin Law Offices
64 S. Pitt Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Attorneys for Defendant Eden
Dated: September 15, 2003
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION
Plaintiff,
V.
DAVID, KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, F & S CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC., d/b/a NEW YORK
SALES TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL &
STATE CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC
and BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
NO. 02-5863
PRAECIPE
To the Prothonotary:
Please list for argument at the next scheduled Argument court the preliminary
objections of Defendants David Koneff and Daniel Semic.
Respectfully submitted,
S e D. inado,,en, I.D. No. 41953
Gordon A.. Einhorn, I.D. No. 59006
HANGLEY ARONCHICK SEGAL & PUDLIN
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 364-1004
(717) 364-1020 - facsimile
Dated: October 1, 2003 Attorneys for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE
This is to certify that I served a true and correct copy of the attached Praecipe
upon the following persons via first class mail:
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie M. Fields, Esquire
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Attorneys for Defendants Koneff and Semic
Nathan C. Wolf, Esquire
Irwin Law Offices
64 S. Pitt Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Attorneys for Defendant Eden
Go n A. Einhorn
Dated: October 1, 2003
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RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC
F & S CORPORATE ADVISORS,
INC., d/b/a NEW YORK SALES
TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN,
Defendants
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Civil No. 02-5863
PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS OF DEFENDANTS
DAVID KONIVF, SUSAN KONEFF, DANIEL SEMIC AND SHARON SEMIC
AND NOW come the Defendants, David. Koneff, Susan Koneff,
Daniel Semic and Sharon Semic, by and through their attorney, David
J. Foster, Esquire, COSTOPOULOS, FOSTER & FIELDS, and respectfully
file the following Preliminary Objections to the Plaintiff's First
Amended Complaint:
1. On or about June 10, 2003, the Plaintiff, Rite Aid
Corporation ("Rite Aid"), filed a civil, complaint against the
Defendants alleging that they participated in a scheme to defraud
the Plaintiff in excess of $6 million for sales tax refunds not
actually earned; it later added Susan Koneff to the caption as a
defendant.
2. Defendants David Koneff and Daniel Semic timely filed
preliminary objections to the complaint.
3. On or about September 16, 2003, the Plaintiff filed a
first amended! complaint, adding allegations against Susan Koneff
ii 1
and Sharon Semic and naming them as defendants.
4. The Plaintiff alleges that in purchasing goods and
services for its drugstores, it is charged sales tax for certain
transactions which should be exempt from such payment under state
law. See Complaint at paras. 9-10.
5. The Plaintiff avers that, in order to recoup the sales
taxes paid, it employs outside firms to audit the sales tax
payments, identify overpayments and obtain refunds from the
respective states. See Complaint at para. 10.
6. The Plaintiff states that Defendants David Koneff and
Daniel Semic, as managers with Rite Aid, "were intimately familiar
with these procedures and how they can be misused." See Complaint
at para. 12.
7. The Plaintiff alleges that Defendants David Koneff, Daniel
Semic, Eden and F & S conspired to defraud Rite Aid and
misappropriate its funds by having Defendant Eden, through
Defendant F & S, submit requests for payment to Rite Aide falsely
claiming that sales tax refunds had been obtained from New York
State and requesting payment of commissions based upon the amount
of the purported tax refunds, which commission payments were made
by Rite Aid through Defendants David Koneff and Daniel Semic. See
Complaint at paras. 13-14.
8. Acco?ding to the Plaintiff's Complaint, this plan started
in January 196 and continued until August 2000, with at least 42
2
payments made by Rite Aid to New York Sales Tax Credit in excess of
$6 million. See Complaint at paras. 13-22.
9. Plaintiff brings counts of fraud, conversion,
misappropriation of funds and civil conspiracy against all
Defendants and a count of fraudulent misrepresentation against
Defendant Daniel Semic.
10. Plaintiff broadly claims that it "has suffered
substantial monetary and other harm to its business." See
Complaint at paras. 31, 37, 40 and 44.
11. Plaintiff demands judgment against the Defendants "in an
amount to be determined at trial, together with injunctive relief,
pre- and post-judgment interest, costs, attorneys fees, punitive
damages, and such other relief as the Court. deems just and proper."
See Complaint, prayers for relief under Counts I-V.
12. Defendants David Koneff, Susan Koneff, Daniel Semic and
Sharon Semic respectfully file the following preliminary objections
to the Plaintiff's Complaint.
I. Motion to Strike the "Preliminary Statement"
13. The Plaintiff's Complaint opens with a so-called
"Preliminary Statement," which is a page-and-a-half narrative
summary of the accusations made against all the Defendants,
14. Pa.?.Civ.P. 1019(a) provides: "The material facts on
which a causelof action or defense is based shall be stated in a
concise and summary form."
3
15. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1022 provides: "Every pleading shall be
divided into paragraphs numbered consecutively. Each paragraph
shall contain as far as practicable only one material allegation."
16. The "Preliminary Statement" violates these rules because
the material facts are not stated in a "concise and summary form,"
it is not divided into consecutively numbered paragraphs, and it
contains more than one material allegation.
17. Moving Defendants are not able to conform to Pa.R.Civ.P.
1029 which requires them to admit or deny in a responsive pleading
"specifically to the paragraph in which the averment admitted or
denied is set forth[] 11 because of the narrative form of the so-
called "Preliminary Statement."
18. Further, the "Preliminary Statement" should be stricken
because it avers scandalous and impertinent matter, such as
accusing Defendants of participating in a "scheme," of having
"contrived to create the appearance" that Defendant F & S had been
retained by Plaintiff, of "falsely claiming" to have earned for
them sales tax refunds, and that Moving Defendants were "well
aware" that Defendant F & S was not entitled to payments.
19. The aforesaid allegations in the, "Preliminary Statement"
are conclusory, argumentative, improper and prejudicial to the
Moving Defendants and are not averments of material fact to which
they can resp?nd and against which they can defend.
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move that the "Preliminary
4
Statement" of Plaintiff's Complaint be stricken.
II Motion for More Specific Pleading: Insufficiency of Pleading
- Count I
20. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1019(b) mandates in part: "Averments of
fraud or mistake shall be averred with particularity."
21. Count I of the Plaintiff's Complaint is an allegation of
fraud against Defendants and Moving Defendants in particular.
22. Count I, standing alone, consists of conclusory pleadings
of law against Moving Defendants and fails to allege fraud with any
let alone sufficient particularity.
23. Even reading Count I together with the so-called
"Preliminary Statement," which Moving Defendants have moved to
strike, and the "Facts Common to All Parties," the averment of
fraud has not been pleaded with sufficient particularity.
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move to :require that Plaintiff be
required to plead fraud in Count I with sufficient particularity.
III. Motion to Dismiss: Failure to State a Claim (Demurrer) in
Count I
24. The tort of "fraud," properly known in Pennsylvania as
that of "fraudulent misrepresentation," contains the following
essential elements: that the defendant made a misrepresentation to
the plaintiff; the misrepresentation was fraudulent; the
misrepresentation was of a material fact; the defendant intended
that the plaintiff rely on it; the plaintiff in fact relied on the
5
material misrepresentation; and the plaintiff's reliance on it was
a factual cause of the harm suffered by the plaintiff.
25. As a matter of law, Count I of the Plaintiff's Complaint
fails to state a claim for "fraud" against Moving Defendants
because it fails to contain sufficient material facts.
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move that Count I of Plaintiff's
Complaint be dismissed for failure to state a claim.
IV Motion for More Specific Pleading: Insufficiency of Pleading
Count II
26. Count II of the Plaintiff's Complaint is a count of
conversion.
27. In a conclusory manner, the Plaintiff avers that the
Defendants "converted Rite Aid's money by intentionally and
wrongfully exercising ownership, dominion and control over the
funds obtained under false pretenses from Rite Aid."
28. Plaintiff further avers in a conclusory manner that a
portion of the funds misappropriated were placed by Defendant David
Koneff into accounts jointly owned by him with Defendant Susan
Koneff, "who subsequently converted Rite Aid's funds by
intentionally exercising ownership, dominion and control over the
money in these accounts, without consent or lawful justification."
29. Plaintiff further avers in a conclusory manner that a
portion of t?e funds misappropriated were placed by Defendant
Daniel Semic ',into accounts jointly owned by him with Defendant
6
Sharon Semic, "who subsequently converted Rite Aid's funds by
intentionally exercising ownership, dominion and control over the
money in these accounts, without consent or lawful justification."
30. Those allegations are insufficiently specific to
adequately and properly apprise the Moving Defendants of the claim
against them 'land prevents them from preparing a response and
defense.
, Moving Defendants move to require the Plaintiff to
plead Count Il with more specificity.
-- Count III
31. In support of Count III for "Misappropriation of Funds,"
the entirety of the Plaintiff's allegation is: "Defendants
misappropriat4d and used for their own purposes funds which were
given to themlunder false pretenses."
32. The aforesaid averment is insufficiently specific to
adequately an4 properly apprise the Moving Defendants of the claim
against them and prevents them from preparing a response and
defense.
WHEREFOR?, Moving Defendants move to require the Plaintiff to
plead Count III with sufficient specificity.
33. Count IV is an allegation of civil conspiracy against all
7
sufficient particularity.
VIII Motion to Dismiss: Failure to State a Claim (Demurrer) in
Count V
39. The ,tort of "fraudulent misrepresentation" contains the
following essential elements: that the defendant made a
misrepresentation to the plaintiff; the misrepresentation was
fraudulent; the misrepresentation was of a material fact; the
defendant intended that the plaintiff rely on it; the plaintiff in
fact relied on the material misrepresentation; and the plaintiff's
reliance on it was a factual cause of the harm suffered by the
plaintiff.
40. As a matter of law, Count V of the Plaintiff's Complaint
fails to state a claim for "fraudulent misrepresentation" against
Defendant Daniel Semic because it fails to contain sufficient
material facts.
WHEREFOR8, Defendant Daniel Semic moves that Count V of
Plaintiff's Complaint be dismissed for failure to state a claim.
IX. Motion for More Specific Pleading: Failure to State Relief
Requested/monetary Damages with Sufficient Specificity
41. Counts I, II, III and IV of the Plaintiff's Complaint
allege that the Plaintiff has suffered "substantial monetary and
other harm to',its business."
42. Pl4ntiff fails to state specifically what "other harm"
has been doneiIto its business or how Moving Defendants have caused
9
that harm
43. All counts of the Plaintiff's Complaint demand judgment
against all Defendants "in an amount to be determined at trial."
44. Plaintiff fails to state the monetary amount it demands
from each of the Moving Defendants.
45. Pa.1R.Civ.P. 1021(a) states in part: "Any pleading
demanding relief shall specify the relief sought."
46. Plaintiff's Complaint fails to specifically set forth the
relief soughtand, therefore, the phrase "other harm to its
business" sho?ld be stricken/dismissed or, alternatively, pleaded
with sufficient specificity.
47. Also, Plaintiff should be required to state a specific
monetary amount it demands from each of the Moving Defendants.
WHEREFOR?, Moving Defendants move to strike/dismiss the phrase
"other harm to its business" under Counts I through IV; require the
Plaintiff to amplify "other harm" with specificity; and to order
the Plaintiff''to state a specific monetary amount it demands from
each Moving Defendant under all Counts.
48. Pa?R.Civ.P. 1021(c) requires that in counties having
compulsory arbitration, the plaintiff must state whether the amount
claimed does r does not exceed that jurisdictional limit.
49. Cumberland County has local rules governing compulsory
10
arbitration. See Rule 1301-1, et seq.
50. Plaintiff's Complaint, under the claim for relief under
all counts, fails to state whether the amount claimed exceeds the
compulsory arbitration limits.
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move to strike/dismiss the Claims
for Relief as'',to all counts of the Complaint.
XI Motion to Strike/Demurrer Claims for Punitive Damages:
51. Under each Count of the Complaint, the Plaintiff seeks
punitive damages in addition to other relief.
52. The award of punitive damages is reserved for the most
extreme, outrageous cases in which the defendant acts with a
particularly evil motive or wicked intent.
53. As a matter of law, the material facts alleged in the
Complaint fail to state a claim that would justify the award of
punitive damages against the Moving Defendants.
54. Plaintiff fails to allege that the conduct of the Moving
Defendants was outrageous, wanton and/or recklessly indifferent to
the rights of others.
55. Plaintiff fails to set forth any facts in the Complaint
which evidence outrageous, wanton and/or recklessly indifferent
conduct by the Moving Defendants.
56. Mer? conclusory allegations, such as those pleaded in the
Complaint, a?e insufficient to support. a claim for punitive
I? 11
damages.
57. Merely asserting a demand for punitive damages in the
prayer for relief, as Plaintiff has done, is insufficient to
support a claim for punitive damages.
58. Even assuming, as one must when evaluating a demurrer,
the truth of the allegations pleaded in the Complaint, the
Plaintiff has failed to allege facts which would support any
allegations of outrageous, wanton and/or recklessly indifferent
conduct by the Moving Defendants and/or claims for punitive
damages.
59. Based upon the foregoing, the Plaintiff has failed to
plead/state aclaim upon which relief may be granted for punitive
damages and loutrageous, wanton and/or recklessly indifferent
conduct with respect to the Moving Defendants.
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move to strike the claims for
punitive damages with prejudice and to preclude the Plaintiff from
seeking them at trial.
XII Motion to Strike/Dismiss: Failure to Break Down Counts with
Respect to Each Individual Defendant
60. Plajintiff's Complaint contains five individual counts,
four of which' reference the Defendants without differentiation.
61. PaI.R.Civ.P. 1020(a) requires that where a plaintiff
states more I,than one cause of action against one or more
defendants, the claims against the respective defendants must be
12
pleaded in separate counts.
62. Plaintiff's Complaint violates Pa.R.Civ.P. 1020(a)
because it does not set forth each cause of action against each
defendant in a ,separate count under a separate heading.
63. In addition, under the respective: claims for relief under
each count of the Complaint, the Plaintiff fails to attribute what
portion of the monetary amount it claims from each defendant as
required by the rules of civil procedure.
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move to strike/dismiss the
Plaintiff's Complaint.
XIII Motionjto Strike/Dismiss: Failure to Append Writing
64. Count V of the Plaintiff's Complaint references a
"Consulting, Severance and Release Agreement" executed between Rite
Aid and Defendant Daniel Semic.
65. Pa.R.Civ.P. 1019(i) states in pertinent part: "When any
claim or defense is based upon a writing, the pleader shall attach
a copy of the writing, or the material part thereof . . . ."
66. Alt$ough the Plaintiff's claim in Count V is based upon
a writing, i.e., the "Consulting, Severance and Release Agreement,"
a copy of this writing was not attached to the Complaint as
required.
WHEREFOR$, Defendant Daniel Semic moves to strike/dismiss the
Plaintiff's Complaint for failure to conform to the procedural
rules.
13
XIV Motion tp Strike "Notice to Defend"
67. Effective September 1, 2003, the text of the "Notice to
Defend" pursuant to Rule 1018.1, Pennsylvania Rules of Civil
Procedure, was1 substantially modified.
68. Plaintiff's first amended complaint contains the prior
text of the "Ootice to Defend."
69. Plaintiff's first amended complaint was filed after the
effective date of the newly-amended "Notice to Defend."
70. The "Notice to Defend" of the Plaintiff's complaint is
materially defective and must be stricken.
WHEREFORE, Moving Defendants move to strike/dismiss the
"Notice to Defend" of the Plaintiff's Complaint.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
David J. Fos r, Esquire
COSTOPOULOS, FOSTER & FIELDS
831 Market Street/P.O. Box 222
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Phone: (717) 761-2121
ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANTS DAVID KONEFF,
SUSAN KONEFF, DANIEL SEMIC AND
SHARON SEMIC
DATED: November 2003.
14
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, David J. Foster, Esquire, attorney for Defendants David
Koneff, Susan Koneff, Daniel Semic and Sharon Semic, do hereby
certify that la true and correct copy of the within PRELIMINARY
OBJECTIONS was served upon the counsel for the Plaintiff, Rite Aid
Corporation, by placing same in the United States Mail, first-class
postage prepaid, on the below date addressed as follows:
Steve D. Shad wen, Esquire
Gordon A. Ein orn, Esquire
Suite 700
30 North Thiryq Street
Harrisburg, P1 17101
BY:
David J. Fost Esquire
DATED: Novemlber -7 , 2003.
15
I
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION
Plaintiff,
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF, NO. 02-5863
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC,
F & S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX
CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
PLAINTIFF RITE AID CORPORATION'S RESPONSE TO
PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS OF DEFENDANTS
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF, DANIEL SEMIC AND
SHARON SEMIC TO PLAINTIFF'S FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation ("Rite Aid") responds to the preliminary objections
of Defendants David Koneff ("Koneff'), Susan Koneff, Daniel Semic ("Semic"), and Sharon
Semic with corresponding paragraph numbers as follows:
Admitted except as to Sharon Semic who was first named in the First
Amended Complaint. By way of further response, the action was originally commenced on
December 9, 2002 by the issuance of Writ of Summons against David and Susan Koneff.
2. Admitted.
3. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that the First Amended
Complaint was filed on or about September 16, 2003. It is denied that Susan Koneff was first
named a defendant at that time. On the contrary, Susan Koneff was made a defendant in the Writ
of Summons issued on December 9, 2002.
4. Admitted.
5. Admitted.
6. Admitted.
7. Admitted.
8. Admitted.
9. Admitted.
10. Admitted that Rite Aid has suffered the losses stated in its complaint.
11. Admitted.
12. No response required.
I. MOTION TO STRIKE THE "PRELIMINARY STATEMENT"
13. Admitted that the Complaint contains a brief introduction outlining the
claims against the defendants and provided for the assistance of the court. All of the facts
averred in the preliminary statement are averred again, in greater detail, within the body of the
complaint.
14. Admitted that defendants correctly quote Pa. R. Civ. P. 1019(a).
15. Admitted that defendants correctly quote Pa. R. Civ. P. 1022.
16. The averments of paragraph 16 constitute conclusions of law to which no
response is required. To the extent a response is necessary, the averments are denied in that the
Preliminary Statement is merely an introduction provided for the benefit of the Court and which
need not be answered by defendants. Deibler v. Thrift Drug Co. of Penna., 34 Pa. D. & C.2d
209, 211 (Leb. C.C.P. 1964). As such, this paragraph need not be numbered and may contain
2
more than one allegation. In addition, the material facts stated in the preliminary statement are in
a concise and summary form and may be answered by defendants if they so desire.
17. Plaintiff s response to Paragraph 16 is incorporated herein by reference.
Furthermore, if defendants elect to respond to the Preliminary Statement they can fulfill the
requirement of Rule 1029 that "admissions and denials in a responsive pleading shall refer
specifically to the paragraph in which the averment .... is set forth" by referring to the
"Preliminary Statement."
18. Denied that the Preliminary Statement contains scandalous and
impertinent matter. Scandalous and impertinent matters are unnecessary allegations which bear
cruely upon the moral character of an individual and which are irrelevant to the material issues
before the Court. Fromm v. Fromm, 42 Pa. D. & C.2d 77, 83 (Dauph. C.C.P. 1967). The
description of the defendants' fraudulent conduct that are contained in the preliminary statement
are directly relevant to plaintiffs claims and are therefore neither scandalous nor impertinent.
19. Denied. On the contrary, the averments contained in the Preliminary
Statement are averments of material fact to which defendants can respond if they desire.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid requests that defendants' preliminary objection
to the Preliminary Statement be overruled.
II. MOTION FOR MORE SPECIFIC PLEADING: INSUFFICIENCY
OF PLEADING - COUNT I
20. Admitted that defendants correctly quote a portion of Pa. R. Civ. P.
1019(b).
21. Admitted.
22. Denied. On the contrary, the averments of Count I are sufficiently specific
as to state a claim for fraud.
23. Denied. On the contrary, the averments of Count I are sufficiently specific
as to state a claim for fraud.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that Defendants'
preliminary objection concerning Count I be overruled.
III. MOTION TO DISMISS: FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM
(DEMURRER) IN COUNT I.
24. The averments of Paragraph 24 constitute conclusions of law to which no
response is required.
25. The averments of Paragraph 25 constitute a conclusion of law to which no
response is required. To the extent a response is required, the averment is denied. Plaintiff s
averments in Count I contain sufficient material facts to state a claim for fraud.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to Count I be overruled.
IV. MOTION FOR MORE SPECIFIC PLEADING: INSUFFICIENCY
OF PLEADING - COUNT II.
26. Admitted.
27. Admitted that Defendants correctly quote a portion of Paragraph 34 of the
Complaint but deny that this statement is made in a conclusory manner. On the contrary, as part
of Count II, Plaintiff incorporates by reference paragraphs I through 32 of the Amended
Complaint which contain a detailed description of defendants' acts.
28. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that Defendants
correctly quote a portion of the Amended Complaint. It is denied that the averment is made in a
conclusory manner. On the contrary, the averment is fully supported by the averments in the
Complaint.
29. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that Defendants
correctly quote a portion of the Amended Complaint. It is denied that the averment is made in a
conclusory manner. On the contrary, the averment is fully supported by the averments in the
Complaint.
30. Denied. On the contrary, because Plaintiff incorporates by reference the
detailed description of Defendants' activities, the allegation complained of is sufficiently specific
to apprise the defendants of the claim against them, allowing them to prepare a response and
defense.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to Count II be overruled.
V. MOTION FOR MORE SPECIFIC PLEADING: INSUFFICIENCY
OF PLEADING - COUNT III.
31. Denied. On the contrary, in support of it's claim for misappropriation of
funds, Plaintiff repeats and incorporates by reference the previous 37 paragraphs of the Amended
Complaint containing a detailed description of Defendants' actions.
32. The averment of Paragraph 32 is a conclusion of law to which no response
is required. If a response is required, the allegation is denied for the reasons stated in Paragraph
31 above.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to Count III be overruled.
VI. MOTION FOR MORE SPECIFIC PLEADING: INSUFFICIENCY
OF PLEADING (DEMURRER) - COUNT IV.
33. Admitted.
34. Admitted that Defendants correctly quote portions of Paragraphs 42 and
43 of the Complaint. It is denied that the allegations are made in a "boiler plate fashion."
35. The averments of Paragraph 35 constitute conclusions of law to which no
response is required. If a response is necessary, the averments are denied. On the contrary,
Plaintiffs claim for Civil Conspiracy includes Paragraph 1 through 40 of the Amended
Complaint, which are repeated and incorporated by reference, thereby making the claim
sufficiently specific to apprise defendants of the claim against them and permitting them to
prepare a response in defense.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to Count IV be overruled.
VII. MOTION FOR MORE SPECIFIC PLEADING: INSUFFICIENCY
OF PLEADING - COUNT V.
36. Admitted that defendants correctly quote a portion of Pa. R. Civ. P.
1019(b).
37. Admitted.
38. Denied. On the contrary, the averments contained in Paragraphs 45
through 50 of the Complaint, which include the averments of the first 44 paragraphs of the
Complaint which are incorporated by reference, are sufficiently specific to allege a claim of
fraud.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to Count V be overruled.
VIII. MOTION TO DISMISS: FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM
(DEMURRER) IN COUNT V.
39. The averments in Paragraph 39 constitute a conclusion of law to which no
response is required.
40. The averments in Paragraph 40 constitute a conclusion of law to which no
response is required. To the extent a response is required, the averment is denied. On the
contrary, Paragraphs 45 through 50 of the Complaint contain sufficient material facts to state a
claim for fraudulent misrepresentation.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to Count V of the Complaint be overruled.
IX. MOTION FOR MORE SPECIFIC PLEADING: FAILURE TO
STATE RELIEF REQUESTED/MONETARY DAMAGES WITH
SUFFICIENT SPECIFICITY.
41. Admitted.
42. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that the other harms
referred to in the Complaint are not specifically identified in that they are still the subject of
investigation and will be disclosed prior to trial. It is denied that Plaintiff has failed to identify
the relief sought.
43. Admitted.
44. Admitted that no specific monetary demand is made. By way of further
response, Plaintiff s failure to state a specific monetary demand is in accordance with Pa. R.Civ.
P. 1021(b) which provides that "any pleading demanding relief for unliquidated damages shall
not claim any specific sum."
45. Admitted that defendants correctly quote a portion of Pa. R. Civ. P.
1021(a).
46. The averments of Paragraph 46 constitute a conclusion of law to which no
response is required. If a response is required, the averment is denied in that in each of its
claims, Rite Aid specifically sets forth the relief sought requesting "judgment ... in an amount to
be determined at trial, together with injunctive relief, pre- and post-judgment interest, costs,
attorneys fees, punitive damages, and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper."
47. Denied that Plaintiff should be required to state a specific monetary
amount it demands from each of the Defendants. On the contrary, Pa. R.C.P. 1021(b) prohibits
the demand of a specific sum.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to Counts I, II, III, and IV of the Complaint, alleging "failure to state relief
requested/monetary damages with sufficient specificity," be overruled.
X. MOTION TO STRIKE/DISMISS: FAILURE TO STATE
WHETHER AMOUNT CLAIMED EXCEEDS COMPULSORY
ARBITRATION LIMITS
48. The averment of Paragraph 48 constitutes a conclusion of law to which no
response is required.
49. Admitted.
50. Denied. On the contrary, Paragraph 24 of Plaintiff s First Amended
Complaint explicitly states that the amount sought is in excess of the compulsory arbitration
limit.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection alleging "failure to state whether amount claimed exceeds compulsory arbitration
limits" be overruled.
XI. MOTION TO STRIKE/DEMURRER CLAIMS FOR PUNITIVE
DAMAGES: FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM UPON WHICH
RELIEF MAY BE GRANTED
51. Admitted.
52. The averment of Paragraph 52 constitutes a conclusion of law to which no
response is required.
53. The averment of Paragraph 53 constitutes a conclusion of law to which no
response is required. In the event a response is required, the facts alleged in the Complaint more
than adequately justify the award of punitive damages.
54. Denied. On the contrary, while the Complaint does not use the precise
words stated by Defendants, it is self-evident from the description of defendants' acts that these
acts were outrageous and wanton.
55. Denied. On the contrary, such facts are fully set forth in the Complaint.
56. Denied. On the contrary, Plaintiff does not use conclusory allegations but
fully sets forth facts sufficient to support a claim for punitive damages.
57. Denied. On the contrary, Plaintiff has set forth facts sufficient to support a
claim for punitive damages.
58. Denied. On the contrary, Plaintiff has alleged facts which fully support
the requirements for an award of punitive damages.
59. Denied. On the contrary, Plaintiff has alleged facts which fully support
the requirements for an award of punitive damages.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that Defendants'
preliminary objection to the demand for punitive damages be overruled.
XII. MOTION TO STRIKE/DISMISS: FAILURE TO BREAK DOWN
COUNTS WITH RESPECT TO EACH INDIVIDUAL
DEFENDANT.
60. Admitted that Plaintiff s Complaint contains some counts which pertain to
all defendants.
61. The averments of this paragraph constitute conclusions of law to which no
response is required. If a response is required, the averments are denied in that Pa. R.C.P.
1020(a) does not require that a cause of action be pleaded against only one defendant and that
other defendants must be pleaded in separate counts. On the contrary, Rule 1020(a) requires
only that each separate cause of action against a defendant must be stated in separate counts.
62. This statement constitutes a conclusion of law to which no response is
required. If a response is necessary, the averment is denied in that Rule 1020(a) does not require
that each count name only one defendant.
63. This statement constitutes a conclusion of law to which no response is
required. In the event a response is required, it is denied that the Rules of Civil Procedure
require Plaintiff to state what portion of the monetary demand it claims from each defendant.
Furthermore, the Complaint makes clear that Plaintiff seeks the full amount from each defendant.
10
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to strike/dismiss the Complaint for failure to break down counts with respect to each
individual defendant be overruled.
XIII. MOTION TO STRIKE/DISMISS: FAILURE TO APPEND
WRITING
64. Admitted.
65. Admitted that Pa. R. Civ. P. 1019(i) states that a writing must be attached
to a pleading if a claim or defense asserted therein is "based upon" that writing.
66. Denied. On the contrary, Plaintiff's claim in Count V is not "based upon"
the "Consulting, Severance, and Release Agreement" between Rite Aid and Defendant Semic
and therefore that agreement need not be appended to the Complaint. The Complaint alleges that
Semic's misrepresentations induced Rite Aid to enter into the agreement.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to strike/dismiss Plaintiff s Complaint for failure to append a writing be overruled.
XIV. MOTION TO STRIKE "NOTICE TO DEFEND"
67. Admitted that effective September 1, 2003 the text of the "Notice to
Defend" pursuant to Rule 1018.1 was modified.
68. Denied. On the contrary, the First Amended Complaint contains the new
text of the "Notice to Defend."
69. Admitted.
70. Denied. The First Amended Complaint contains the newly amended
"Notice to Defend" and is therefore not defective.
11
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid respectfully requests that the preliminary
objection to strike/dismiss the "Notice to Defend" of Plaintiff's Complaint be overruled.
St e D. Shadowen, I.D. No. 41953
ordon A. Einhom, I.D. No. 59006
HANGLEY ARONCHICK SEGAL & PUDLIN
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 364-1004
(717) 364-1020 - facsimile
Attorneys for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
Dated: March 25, 2004
12
VERIFICATION
James J. Comitale, Esquire, deposes and says that I am Senior Associate Counsel
for Rite Aid Corporation, and that while I do not have personal k nOwledge of all of the facts
recited in the foregoing Response to preliminary objections to First Amended Complaint, the
information contained therein has been collected and made available to me by others and said
Response is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief and is therefore
verified on behalf of Rite Aid Corporation. I make this statement subject to the penalties of 18
Pa. C.S. § 4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities. ' \?
By:
Ames J. Comitale, Esquire
Senior Associate Counsel
Rite Aid Corporation
Dated:_ )
CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE
This is to certify that I served a true and correct copy of the attached Plaintiff Rite
Aid Corporation's Response to Preliminary Objections of Defendants David Koneff, Susan
Koneff, Daniel Semic, and Sharon Semic to Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint upon the
following persons via first class mail:
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie M. Fields, Esquire
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Attorneys for Defendants Koneff and Semic
Nathan C. Wolf, Esquire
Irwin Law Offices
64 S. Pitt Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Attorneys for Defendant Eden
Vrdon. Einhorn
Dated: March 25, 2004
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff,
No. 02-5863
VS.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, F & S CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC., d/b/a NEW YORK SALES
TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC. and BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
STIPULATION AND ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this -day of June, 2003, pursuant to the stipulation of the parties
contained herein, it is hereby ordered that the preliminary injunction issued by this Court on June 13,
2003 is continued subject to the modifications contained in this Order which are as follows:
Defendants David and Susan Koneff (collectively "Koneff) are hereby
enjoined and prohibited from taking any of the following actions:
a. Cashing, transferring ownership or in any way disposing of any
certificates of deposit owned by Koneff and issued by Fulton Bank or
any other bank;
b. Selling, transferring ownership or in any way disposing of or
encumbering any real property owned by Koneff including, but not
limited to, the property at 780 Seitz Drive, Lewisberry, Pennsylvania
17339 and properties located in :Hampshire County, West Virginia;
C. Withdrawing or transferring any funds presently in Schwab account
numbers 5184-8499 and 5184-8457 or any other accounts owned by
HBDATA:8877
Koneff at Schwab or any other brokerage firm, with the exception that
Koneff shall be permitted to transfer a total of $65,000.00 from his
Schwab accounts to his checking account at Fulton Bank to be used to
meet his reasonable and necessary living expenses. In addition, Koneff
may withdraw from his Schwab accounts the amount necessary to pay
annual real estate taxes on the properties owned by him. However,
prior to any such withdrawals, Koneff shall provide to Plaintiff's
counsel copies of bills showing the amount of real estate taxes owed;
d. Withdrawing or transferring any funds presently in Koneffs accounts at
Fulton Bank or any other bank with the exception that Koneff may
withdraw the amount of $19,000 (currently on deposit in his Fulton
Bank checking account) and the funds transferred to that account from
the Schwab investment accounts as noted in Paragraph c. The
withdrawals from the Fulton Bank account shall not exceed $7,000 per
month exclusive of any amounts used to pay real estate taxes;
e. Other than those transactions specifically stated in this Order, Koneff
may not transfer, cash, sell, or otherwise dispose of any assets (whether
held individually or jointly) nor permit any such disposition of jointly
held assets;
f Within fourteen (14) days of the date of this Order, Koneff shall
provide to Plaintiff's counsel a full accounting of all assets, whether held
individually, jointly, or in some other manner;
g. From the date of this Order, Koneff shall provide to Plaintiff s counsel
copies of all monthly statements for all bank and investment accounts
which he holds either individually or jointly;
2. Defendant Daniel Semic is hereby enjoined and prohibited from taking any of
the following actions:
a. Cashing, transferring ownership or in any way disposing of any
certificates of deposit owned by Semic;
b. Selling, transferring ownership or in any way disposing of or
encumbering any real property owned by Semic;
C. Withdrawing or transferring any funds presently in any investment
accounts owned by Semic, with the exception that Semic shall be
permitted to transfer a total of $57,000.00 from his investment
-2- HBDATA:8877
accounts to his checking account at First Union Bank to be used to
meet his reasonable and necessary living expenses. In addition, Sernic
may withdraw from his investment accounts the money necessary to
pay annual real estate taxes on the properties owned by him.
However, prior to any such withdrawals, Semic shall provide to
Plaintiff's counsel copies of bills showing the amount of real estate taxes
owed;
d. Withdrawing or transferring any funds presently in Semic's accounts at
First Union Bank or any other bank with the exception that Semic may
withdraw the amount of $27,000 (currently on deposit in his First
Union Bank checking account) and the funds transferred to that
account from the Schwab investment accounts as noted in Paragraph c.
The withdrawals from the First Union account shall not exceed $7,000
per month exclusive of any amounts used to pay real estate taxes;
e. Other than those transactions specifically stated in this Order, Semic
may not transfer, cash, sell, or otherwise dispose of any assets (whether
held individually or jointly) nor permit any such disposition of jointly
held assets;
f. Within fourteen (14) days of the date of this Order, Semic shall provide
to Plaintiff's counsel a full accounting of all assets, whether held
individually, jointly, or in some other manner;
g. From the date of this Order, Semic shall provide to Plaintiff's counsel
copies of all monthly statements for all bank and investment accounts
which he holds either individually or jointly;
It is further Ordered that in the event this matter has not been resolved within one (1)
year from the date of this Order, Defendants may request the Court grant an additional amount for
reasonable and necessary living expenses.
As stated in the Court's Order of June 13, 2003, the preliminary injunction shall not be
effective until Plaintiff has filed a bond or deposited legal tender with the Cumberland County
Prothonotary in the amount of $250,000.00 in accordance with Pa. R. Civ. P. 1531(b). In light of the
3_ HBDATA:8877
stipulation of the parties relating to the above terms of the injunction, the hearing scheduled for Tuesday,
June 17, 2003 at 2:30 pm is hereby canceled.
BY THE COURT
?Jesley Ol
The above terms are stipulated and agreed to by Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation, and
Defendants David Koneff and Daniel Semic, through their respective counsel.
_
4?? n A. Einhorn Date
ttorn eys for Plaint ffRite Aid Corporation
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17
avrd J. Foster Date
William C. Costopoulos
Attorn eys for Defendants Koneff and Semic
TRUE COPY PROM AEDORD
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION
Plaintiff,
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF, NO. 02-5863
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC,
F & S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX
CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
STIPULATION AND ORDER OF COURT
Jll ?81004
AND NOW, this day of June, 2004 pursuant to the stipulation of the parties
contained herein, it is hereby ordered that the preliminary injunction issued by this Court on June
13, 2003 and modified by this Court's Stipulation and Order of Court on June 17, 2003, a copy
of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, is continued subject to the
modifications contained in this Order which are as follows:
Koneff may continue to withdraw funds not to exceed $7,000 per month
from his Fulton Bank checking account, exclusive of any amounts used to pay real estate taxes,
and may transfer funds from his Schwab accounts to his Fulton Bank checking account necessary
to cover the monthly withdrawals from the checking account.
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2. Semic may continue to withdraw funds not to exce d $
from his First Union Bank checking account, exclusive of an, e 7,000 per month
taxes, and maY transfer funds from his investment accounts to his1FirstsUniontBpay real estate
is
account necessary to cover the monthly withdrawals from the checking account.
3. The provisions of the Stipulation and Order of Court of June 13, 2003 as
modified by the Stipulation and Order of Court of June 17, 2003 shall continue in all other
respects.
The above terms are stipulated and agreed to by Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
and Defendants David Koneff and Daniel Semic, through their respective counsel.
ordon A. tinhorn
??o y
Attorneys for Rite Aid Corporation Date
David J. Fosterer
Dat
Attorneys for David Kone ff andDaniel Semic
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION
Plaintiff,
V.
DAVID, KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, F & S CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC., d/b/a NEW YORK
SALES TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL, &
STATE CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.
and BRIAN EDEN
NO. 612-5863
Defendants.
PRAECIPE
To the Prothonotary:
Please list for argument at the next scheduled Argument Court the preliminary
objections of Defendants David Koneff, Susan Koneff, Daniel .S'erllic, and Sharon Semic.
Respectfully submitted,
Dated: August 27, 2004
;teve D. Shadowen, I.D. No. 41953
Gordon A. Einhorn, I.D. No. 59006
HANGLEY ARONCHICK SEGAL & PUDLIN
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 364-1004
(717) 364-1020 -- facsimile
Attorneys for PZaintiffRite Aid Corporation
CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE
This is to certify that I served a true and correct copy of the attached Praecipe
upon the following persons via first class mail:
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie M. Fields, Esquire
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Attorneys for Defendants Koneff and Semic
Nathan C. Wolf, Esquire
37 South Hanover Street., Suite 201
Carlisle, PA 17013
Attorney for Defendant Eden
Dated: August 27, 2004 ?aur'don A. Einhorn
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PRAECIPE FOR LISTING CASE FOR ARGUMENT
(Must be typewritten and submitted in duplicate)
TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY:
Please list the within matter for the next Argument Court.
CAPTION OF CASE
(entire caption must be stated in full)
RITE AID CORPORATION
VS.
( Plaintiff )
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF, DANIEL SEMIC,
SHARON SEMIC, F & S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL &
STATE CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC., and
BRIAN EDEN 0
(Defendant)
No. 02 Civil 5863 19
1. State matter to be argued (i.e., Plaintiff's motion for new trial., defendant's
demurrer to complaint, etc.):
Preliminary Objections of Defendants David and Susan Koneff and
Daniel and Sharon Semic
2. Identify counsel who will argue case:
(a) for plaintiff: Gordon A. Einhorn, Esquire
Address: Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(b) for defendant: David J. Foster, Esquire
Address: Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
3. I w311 notify all Parties in writing within two days that this case has
been listed for argument.
4. Argument Court Date:
November 10, 2004
Dated:
for Plaintiff Rite Ai orporation
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NATHAN C. WOLF, ESQUIRE
ATTORNEY ID NO. 87380
37 SOUTH HANOVER STREET,
SUITE 201
CARLISLE PA 17013
(717) 241-4436
ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT EDEN
RITE AID CORPORATION, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC,
F & S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,: NO. 02-5863
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX
CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC., and
BRIAN EDEN,
Defendants
DEFENDANT BRIAN EDEN'S ANSWER TO
FIRST AMENDED COMPL UNT
NOW COMES Defendant, Brian Eden, by and through his attorney, Nathan C. Wolf,
Esquire, and Answers Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint as follows:
Parties
1. Admitted.
2. Admitted that Defendant David Koneff is a former employee of Rite Aid.
Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remainder this averment.
3. Admitted that Defendant Susan Koneff is the wife of Defendant David Koneff.
Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth that defendant Susan Koneff resides at 760 Seitz
Drive, Lewisberry, Pennsylvania 17339. The remainder this averment is denied.
4. Admitted that Defendant Daniel Semic is a former employee of Rite Aid.
Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remainder this averment.
5. Admitted that Defendant Sharon Semic is the wife of Defendant Daniel Semic.
Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth that Sharon Semic resides in Dauphin County. The
remainder this averment is denied.
6. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
7. Denied Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
8. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without knowledge or
information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment. It is admitted that
Defendant Eden is a resident of Florida.
Facts Common to All Counts
Admitted.
10. Admitted.
11. Admitted in part, denied in part. It is admitted that Defendants Koneff and
Semic were managers within Plaintiff's Tax Department. However the remainder of the
averment is denied as Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without knowledge
or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
12. It is admitted that Defendant Eden operated various companies which
obtained tax refunds and credits for corporate clients. The remainder of the averment is
denied.
13. Denied.
14. Denied.
15. Denied.
16. Denied.
17. Denied.
18. Denied.
19. Denied.
20. Denied.
21. Denied.
22. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
23. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable :investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
24. Admitted.
Count I-Fraud
25. Defendant Eden repeats and incorporates by reference the responses set
forth in paragraphs 1 through 24 of this Answer to Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint as
though set forth here in full.
26. Denied.
27. Denied.
28. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
29. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
30. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
31. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
32. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required. To the
extent that a response is required, Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Eden prays that this Honorable Court dismiss this claim
against the Defendant Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State
Corporate Advisors, Inc. with prejudice against the Plaintiff and award relief to Defendant
Eden in the nature of costs of this action and counsel fees, in addition to any other relief
that the Court deems appropriate.
Count II - Conversion
33. Denied. Defendant Eden repeats and incorporates by reference the
responses set forth in paragraphs 1 through 32 of Defendant Eden's Answer to Plaintiff's
Fast Amended Complaint as though set forth here in full.
34. Denied.
35. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable: investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
36. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
37. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required. To the
extent that a response is required, Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Eden prays that this Honorable Court dismiss this claim
against the Defendant Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State
Corporate Advisors, Inc. with prejudice against the Plaintiff and award relief to Defendant
Eden in the nature of costs of this action and counsel fees, in addition to any other relief
that the Court deems appropriate.
Count III - Misappropriation of Fu do &
38. Defendant Eden repeats and incorporates by reference the responses set
forth in paragraphs 1 through 37 of Defendant Eden's Answer to Plaintiff's Fast Amended
Complaint as though set forth here in full.
39. Denied.
40. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required. To the
extent that a response is required, Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Eden prays that this Honorable Court dismiss this claim
against the Defendant Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State
Corporate Advisors, Inc. with prejudice against the Plaintiff and award relief to Defendant
Eden in the nature of costs of this action and counsel fees, in addition to any other relief
that the Court deems appropriate.
Count IV - Civil Conspires
41. Defendant Eden repeats and incorporates by reference the responses set
forth in paragraphs 1 through 40 of Defendant Eden's Answer to Plaintiff's First Amended
Complaint as though set forth here in full.
42. Denied.
43. Denied.
44. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required. To the
extent that a response is required, Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Eden prays that this Honorable Court dismiss this claim
against the Defendant Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State
Corporate Advisors, Inc. with prejudice against the Plaintiff and award relief to Defendant
Eden in the nature of costs of this action and counsel fees, in addition to any other relief
that the Court deems appropriate.
Count V - Fraudulent Misrepresentation
45. Defendant Eden repeats and incorporates by reference the responses set
forth in paragraphs 1 through 44 of Defendant Eden's Answer to Plaintiff's First Amended
Complaint as though set forth here in full.
46. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without knowledge or
information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of tlvs averment.
47. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without knowledge or
information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
48. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without knowledge or
information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
49. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without knowledge or
information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
50. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required. To the
extent that a response is required, Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Eden prays that this Honorable Court dismiss this claim to the
extent that it would attach any liability-to the Defendant Brian Eden, F & S Corporate
Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State Corporate Advisors, Inc. with prejudice against the
Plaintiff and award relief to Defendant Eden in the nature of costs of this actions and
counsel fees, in addition to any other relief that the Court deems appropriate.
Dated: October, 2004
Na an C. olf, Esquire
mey r ndant Eden
upre Court ID #87380
37 S th Hanover Street, Suite 201
r We. PA 17013
(717) 241-4436
VERIFICATION
I, Nathan C. Wolf, Esquire, deposes and says that 1. am the attorney for Defendant
Brian Eden, and that while I do not have personal knowledge of all the facts recited in the
foregoing Defendant Brian Eden's Answer to Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint, the
information contained therein has been collected and made available to me by others and
said Answer to Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint is true and correct to the best of my
knowledge, information and belief at this point in time and is therefore verified on behalf of
Defendant Brian Eden. I make this statement subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. § 4904
relating to unswom falsification to authorities.
Dated: October, 2004
C. }Volf, Esquire
r Defendant Eden
CERTIFICATE OF SEIItVICE
I, Nathan C. Wolf, Esquire, hereby certifythat I have served a true and correct copy
of the attached Defendant Brian Eden's Answer to Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint
upon the following persons via first class mail:
Gordon A. Einhom, Esquire
Hangley, Aronchick, Segal & Pudhn
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1701
Attorney for plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie M Fields, Esquire
costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Attorneys for Defendants Koneff and. Semic
Dated: October lam, 2004
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION
Plaintiff,
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF, NO. 02-5863
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC,
F & S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX
CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
PRAECIPE FOR ENTRY OF JUDGMENT OF DEFAULT
TO: PROTHONOTARY
Please enter judgment of default in favor of Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation and
against Defendant Brian Eden for Defendant's failure to plead to the Amended Complaint in this
action within the required time. The Complaint contains a Notice to Defend within twenty (20)
days from the date of service thereof. Defendant was served with the Amended Complaint on
September 15, 2003 and Defendants answer was due to be filed on October 5, 2003.
Attached as Exhibit A is a copy of Plaintiffs written Notice of Intent to File
Praecipe for Entry of Default Judgment, which I certify was mailed by regular mail to the
Defendant at his last known address and to his attorney of record on June 30, 2004, which is at
least ten (10) days prior to the filing of this Praecipe.
Damages to be assessed at trial.
Respectfully submitted,
eve D. Shadowen, I.D. No. 41953
Gordon A. Einhorn, I.D. No. 59006
HANGLEY ARONCHICK SEGAL &t PUDLIN
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 364-1004
(717) 364-1020 - facsimile
Dated: October 22, 2004 Attorneys for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
2
CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE
This is to certify that I served a true and correct copy of the attached Praecipe
upon the following persons via first class mail:
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie M. Fields, Esquire
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Attorneys for Defendants Koneff and Semic
Nathan C. Wolf, Esquire
37 South Hanover Street, Suite 201
Carlisle, PA 17013
Attorney for Defendant Eden
<:f 2
ordon A. Einhom
Dated: October 22, 2004
36 North Third stree4 Suite 700
Hard9burg. m 17101-1701
717.364.1020 /facsimile
One Logan Square. 27th Floor
Philadelphia. M 2910 3-69 3 3
215.568-0300 /facsimile
20 Brace Road. Suite 201
Cherry Hill. al 06031-2634
656.616.2170 /facsimile
w .hangley.rom
Gordon A. Efnhom
Direct Dial: 717.364.1004
E-mail: gelnhom@hangtey.com
HANG LEY
ARONCHICK
SEGAL
PUDLIN
Attorneys of Low I A Professional corpora tion
June 30, 2004
Nathan C. Wolf, Esquire
Irwin Law Office
64 S. Pitt Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Re: Rite Aid Corporation v. David Koneff, et al.
Dear Nathan:
Enclosed is a Notice of Intent to File Praecipe for Entry of Default Judgment.
As you are aware, Mr. Eden is in default for failure to respond to Rite Aid's First Amended
Complaint.
A copy of this Notice has also been sent directly to Mr. Eden as required by
the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
Very truly yours,
GAE/jhb
Enclosure
Cc: Mr. Brian Eden
David J. Foster, Esquire
S>rs
rdon A. Einhorn
Exhibit A
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NATHAN C. WOLF, ESQUIRE
ATTORNEY ID NO. 87380
37 SOUTH HANOVER STREET,
SUITE 201
CARLISLE PA 17013
(717) 241-4436
ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT EDEN
RITE AID CORPORATION, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC,
F & S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,;
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX
CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC., and
BRIAN EDEN,
Defendants
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 02-5863
PETITION FOR RELIEF FROM JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT
NOW COMES Defendant, Brian Eden, by and through his attorney, Nathan C. Wolf,
Esquire, and respectfully submits this Petition to ask the Court to grant relief to Defendant, Brian
Eden, pursuant to Pa.RC.P. 237.3, and submits as follows:
1. Defendant, Brian Eden, received a copy of the Praecipe for Entry of Judgment of
Default, dated Friday, October 22, 2004, on Monday, October 25, 2004.
2. Defendant, Brian Eden, filed his Answer to Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint on
Monday, October 25, 2005, at 11:58 a.m., a copy is attached hereto.
3. On October 26, 2004, Defendant, Brian Eden, received a written notice from the
Prothonotary of Cumberland County that judgment -was entered against him
4. After making an inquiry with the Prothonotary, counsel for Defendant Brian Eden
learned that the Praecipe to Enter Default Judgment was not filed until 2:19 p.m. on
October 26, 2004.
5. The filing of the Default judgment byPraecipe of Plaintiff occurred after Defendant
Brian Eden filed his Answer to Plaintiff's Fast Amended Complaint, and the Default
judgment entered by the Prothonotary was entered, therefore, erroneously.
WHEREFORE, Defendant, Brian Eden, prays that this Court grant Defendant's Petition for
Relief from judgment by Default.
Respectfully submitted,
Nathan C. Wolf, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant Eden
Supreme Court ID #87380
37 South Hanover Street, Suite 201
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717), 241-4436
Dated: November -44-1 2004
NATHAN C. WOLF, ESQUIRE
ATTORNEY ID NO. 87380
37 SOUTH HANOVER STREET,
SUITE 201
CARLISLE PA 17013
(717) 241-4436
ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT EDEN
RITE AID CORPORATION, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF, :
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC,
F & S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,: NO. 02-5863
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX
CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC., and
BRIAN EDEN,
Defendants
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICF?
I, Nathan C. Wolf, Esquire, hereby certify that I mailed a truce and correct copy of the
foregoing Petition for Relief from judgment by Default to the below listed persons:
Gordon A. Einhom, Esquire
Hangley, Aronchick, Segal & Pudhn
30 North 'T'hird Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1701
Attorney for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie M Fields, Esquire
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Attorneys for Defendants Koneff and :Semic
Dated: November 2004 '
Nathan (LIXIolf, Esquire
NATHAN C. WOLF, ESQUIRE
ATTORNEY ID NO. 87380
37 SOUTH HANOVER STREET,
SUITE 201
CARLISLE PA 17013
(717) 241-4436
ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT EDEN
RITE AID CORPORATION, :IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF,
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA -
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC, -
F & S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,: NO. 02-5863
==
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX
CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC., and
BRIAN EDEN,
Defendants
DEFENDANT BRIAN EDEN'S ANSWER TO
FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
NOW COMES Defendant, Brian Eden, by and through his attorney, Nathan C. Wolf,
Esquire, and Answers Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint as follows:
Parties
1. Admitted.
2. Admitted that Defendant David Koneff is a former employee of Rite Aid.
Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without lmowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remainder this averment.
3. Admitted that Defendant Susan Koneff is the wife of Defendant David Koneff.
Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth that defendant Susan Koneff resides at 760 Seitz
Drive, Lewisberry, Pennsylvania 17339. The remainder this averment is denied.
4. Admitted that Defendant Daniel Semic is a former employee of Rite Aid.
Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without lulowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remainder this averment.
5. Admitted that Defendant Sharon Semic is the wife of Defendant Daniel Semic.
Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without lalowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth that Sharon Semic resides in Dauphin County. The
remainder this averment is denied.
6. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
7. Denied Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to tl':ne truth of this averment.
8. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without knowledge or
information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment. It is admitted that
Defendant Eden is a resident of Florida.
Facts Common to All Counts
9. Admitted.
10. Admitted.
11. Admitted in part, denied in part. It is admitted that Defendants Koneff and
Semic were managers within Plaintiff's Tax Department. However the remainder of the
averment is denied as Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without knowledge
or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
12. It is admitted that Defendant Eden operated various companies which
obtained tax refunds and credits for corporate clients. The remainder of the averment is
denied.
13. Denied.
14. Denied.
15. Denied.
16. Denied.
17. Denied.
18. Denied.
19. Denied.
20. Denied.
21. Denied.
22. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
23. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
24. Admitted.
Count I - Fraud
25. Defendant Eden repeats and incorporates by reference the responses set
forth in paragraphs 1 through 24 of this Answer to Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint as
though set forth here in full.
26. Denied.
27. Denied.
28. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
29. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
30. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
31. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable :investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
32. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required. To the
extent that a response is required, Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Eden prays that this Honorable Court dismiss this claim
against the Defendant Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State
Corporate Advisors, Inc. with prejudice against the Plaintiff and award relief to Defendant
Eden in the nature of costs of this action and counsel fees, in addition to any other relief
that the Court deems appropriate.
Count II - Conversion
33. Denied. Defendant Eden repeats and incorporates by reference the
responses set forth in paragraphs 1 through 32 of Defendant Eden's Answer to Plaintiff's
Fast Amended Complaint as though set forth here in full.
34. Denied.
35. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
36. Denied. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
37. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required. To the
extent that a response is required, Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Eden prays that this Honorable Court dismiss this claim
against the Defendant Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State
Corporate Advisors, Inc. with prejudice against the Plaintiff and award relief to Defendant
Eden in the nature of costs of this action and counsel fees, in addition to any other relief
that the Court deems appropriate.
Count III - Misappropriation of Fund
38. Defendant Eden repeats and incorporates by reference the responses set
forth in paragraphs 1 through 37 of Defendant Eden's Answer to Plaintiff's Fast Amended
Complaint as though set forth here in full.
39. Denied.
40. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required. To the
extent that a response is required, Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Eden prays that this Honorable Court dismiss this claim
against the Defendant Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State
Corporate Advisors, Inc. with prejudice against the Plaintiff and award relief to Defendant
Eden in the nature of costs of this action and counsel fees„ in addition to any other relief
that the Court deems appropriate.
Count IV - Civil Conspiracy
41. Defendant Eden repeats and incorporates by reference the responses set
forth in paragraphs 1 through 40 of Defendant Eden's Answer to Plaintiff's Fast Amended
Complaint as though set forth here in full.
42. Denied.
43. Denied.
44. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required. To the
extent that a response is required, Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Eden prays that this Honorable Court dismiss this claim
against the Defendant Brian Eden, F & S Corporate Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State
Corporate Advisors, Inc. with prejudice against the Plaintiff and award relief to Defendant
Eden in the nature of costs of this action and counsel fees, in addition to any other relief
that the Court deems appropriate.
Count V - Fraudulent Misrepresentation
45. Defendant Eden repeats and incorporates by reference the responses set
forth in paragraphs 1 through 44 of Defendant Eden's Answer to Plaintiff's Fast Amended
Complaint as though set forth here in full.
46. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without knowledge or
information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
47. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without knowledge or
information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
48. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without knowledge or
information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
49. Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without knowledge or
information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
50. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required. To the
extent that a response is required, Defendant Eden, after reasonable investigation, is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this averment.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Eden prays that this Honorable Court dismiss this claim to the
extent that it would attach any liability to the Defendant Brian Eden, F & S Corporate
Advisors, Inc., and Federal & State Corporate Advisors, Inc. with prejudice against the
Plaintiff and award relief to Defendant Eden in the nature of costs of this actions and
counsel fees, in addition to any other relief that the Court deems
Dated: October f' S -312004
0 ove S e t, S to 201
Carlisle, PA. 17013
(717) 241-4436
)Yforney fojyDefendant Eden
reme Dort ID #87380
37 u ffi Han r tr a ui
VERIFICATION
I, Nathan C Wolf, Esquire, deposes and says that I am the attorney for Defendant
Brian Eden, and that while I do not have personal knowledge of all the facts recited in the
foregoing Defendant Brian Eden's Answer to Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint, the
information contained therein has been collected and made available to me by others and
said Answer to Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint is true and correct to the best of my
knowledge, information and belief at this point in time and. is therefore verified on behalf of
Defendant Brian Eden. I make this statement subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. § 4904
relating to unworn falsification to authorities.
Dated: October , 2004
C. Wolf, Esquire
for Defendant Eden
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Nathan C. Wolf, Esquire, hereby certify that I have served a true and correct copy
of the attached Defendant Brian Eden's Answer to Plaintiff's Fast Amended Complaint
upon the following persons via first class mail:
Gordon A. Einhom, Esquire
Hangley, Aronchick, Segal & Pudlin
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1701
Attorney for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie K Fields, Esquire
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Attorneys for Defendants Koneff and Semic
Dated: October -`', 2004
N
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RITE AID CORPORATION, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN
KONEFF, DANIEL SEMIC,
SHARON SEMIC, F & M
CORPORATE ADVISORS,
INC., d/b/a NEW YORK SALES
TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL &
STATE CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC., and BRIAN
EDEN,
Defendants
NO. 02-5863 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 9`h day of November, 2004, upon consideration of Defendant
Brian Eden's Petition for Relief from Judgment by Default, it is ordered that:
1. A Rule is issued upon Plaintiff and remaining Defendants to show cause why
Defendant Brian Eden is not entitled to the relief requested;
2. Plaintiff and remaining Defendants shall file an answer to the petition within 21
days of the date of this order;
3. The petition shall be decided under Pa. R.C.P. 206.7;
4. Depositions shall be completed within 49 days of the date of this order;
5. Argument shall be held on Monday, January 31, 2005, at 11:00 a.m., in
Courtroom No. 1, Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
6. Briefs shall be submitted at least seven days prior to argument.
BY THE COURT,
J. j s ler, Jr.1,4
7AL S?
0,1
RITE AID CORPORATION : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN
KONEFF, DANIEL SEMIC,
SHARON SEMIC,
F & S CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC., d/b/a
NEW YORK SALES TAX
CREDIT, FEDERAL &
STATE CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN
NO. 2002 - 5863 CIVIL
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN RE: PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS OF DEFENDANTS KONEFF & SEMIC
TO PLAINTIFF'S AMENDED COMPLAINT
BEFORE HOFFER, P.J., OLER, GUIDO, JJ.
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 18TH day of NOVEMBER, 2004, after review of the parties'
briefs, and having heard argument thereon, Defendants' Preliminary Objections are
granted in part and denied in part. The Preliminary Objection to Plaintiff's "Preliminary
Statement" is GRANTED and said "Preliminary Statement" is STRICKEN. The
remainder of Defendants' Preliminary Objections are DENIED
Edward E. Guido, J.
,,,8feve D. Shadowen, Esquire
Gordon A. Einhorn, Esquire
.Pathan C. Wolf, Esquire
?David J. Foster, Esquire
:sld 1 r
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION
Plaintiff,
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF, NO. 02-5863
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC,
F & S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX
CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
ANSWER TO PETITION FOR RELIEF FROM
JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT
Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation ("Rite Aid") does not oppose Defendant Brian
Eden's Petition for Relief from Judgment by Default and answers the petition with
corresponding paragraph numbers as follows:
1. Admitted that the Praecipe for Entry of Judgment by Default was dated
Friday, October 22, 2004. With respect to the remaining averments in this paragraph, Plaintiff is
without sufficient information to admit or deny the truth of these averments.
2. Admitted. However, Plaintiffs' Praecipe for Entry of Judgment by Default
was received by the Prothonotary prior to that time.
Plaintiff is without sufficient information to admit or deny the truth of the
averments contained in Paragraph 3.
4. Plaintiff is without sufficient information to admit or deny the truth of the
averments in Paragraph 4. By way of further response, counsel for Plaintiff has been informed
by the Prothonotary that the Praecipe for Entry of Judgment by Default was received by the
Prothonotary's office on Monday morning, October 25, 2004 but because of a manpower
shortage in the Prothonotary's office, was not filed until sometime on Tuesday, October 26,
2004.
5. Admitted that due to the fact that the Prothonotary did not file the Praecipe
for Entry of Default Judgment and the Judgment by Default on the date the Praecipe was
received by the Prothonotary's office, the Default Judgment was filed after Defendant's answer
was filed.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation does not oppose the petition by
Defendant Brian Eden.
Respectfully submitted,
teve D. Shadowen, I.D. No. 41953
Gordon A. Einhorn, I.D. No. 59006
HANGLEY ARONCHICK SEGAL & PUDLIN
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 364-1004
(717) 364-1020 - facsimile
Attorneys for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
Dated: November 29, 2004
2
VERIFICATION
I, Gordon A. Einhom, counsel for Rite Aid Corporation, verify that the facts
stated in the foregoing Answer to Petition for Relief from Judgment by Default are true and
correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. I understand that any false
statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 relating to unsworn
falsification to authorities.
;Won A. Einhorn
Dated: November 29, 2004
CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE
This is to certify that I served a true and correct copy of the attached Answer to
Petition for Relief from Judgment by Default upon the following persons via first class mail:
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie M. Fields, Esquire
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Attorneys for Defendants Koneff and Semic
Nathan C. Wolf, Esquire
Irwin Law Offices
64 S. Pitt Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Attorneys for Defendant Eden
G on A. Einhorn
Dated: November 29, 2004
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Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
David J. Foster, Esquire
I.D. No.: 23151
ORIGINAL
831 Market Street/P.O. Box 222
Lemoyne, PA 17043-0222 Attorney for Defendants David & Susan
Phone: 717-761-2121 Koneff and Daniel & Sharon Semic
RITE AID CORPORATION
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNA.
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC,
F&S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX CREDIT,
FEDERAL & STATE CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC., AND BRIAN EDEN
Defendants
NO. 02-5863
ANSWER OF DEFENDANT SHARON SEMIC
After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or
information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 1 of the
Complaint.
2. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 2 of the Complaint.
3. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 3 of the Complaint.
4. Admitted that Defendant Daniel Semic is a former employee of Rite Aid.
5. Admitted that Sharon Semic is the wife of Defendant Daniel Semic and
resides with him in Dauphin County. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining
allegations in paragraph 5 of the Complaint.
6. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 6 of the Complaint.
After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 7 of the Complaint.
8. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 8 of the Complaint.
9. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 9 not the Complaint.
10. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 10 of the Complaint.
11. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 11 of the Complaint.
12. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 12 of the Complaint.
13. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 13 of the Complaint.
14. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 14 of the Complaint.
15. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 15 of the Complaint.
16. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 16 of the Complaint.
17. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 17 of the Complaint.
18. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations iin paragraph 18 of the Complaint.
19. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 19 of the Complaint.
20. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 20 of the Complaint.
21. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 21 of the Complaint.
22. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 22 of the Complaint.
23. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 23 of the Complaint.
24. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 24 of the Complaint.
25. No answer required.
26. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 26 of the Complaint.
27. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 27 of the Complaint.
28. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 28 of the Complaint.
29. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 29 of the Complaint.
30. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 30 of the Complaint.
31. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 31 of the Complaint.
32. The allegations contained in paragraph 32 are conclusions of law which
require no answer pursuant to the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that.judgment be entered in her favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
33. No answer required.
34. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 34 of the Complaint.
35. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 35.
36. Denied that Sharon Semic converted Rite Aid's funds by intentionally
exercising ownership, dominion and control of the money in these accounts without consent
or lawful justification. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or
information sufficient to form a belief as to the remaining averments in paragraph 36.
37. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 37.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in her favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
38. No answer required.
39. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 39.
40. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 40.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in her favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
41. No answer required.
42. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 42.
43. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 43.
44. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 44.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in her favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
45. No answer required.
46. Admitted.
47. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 47.
48. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 48.
49. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 49.
50. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 50.
NEW MATTER
The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by the statute of
limitations.
2. The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by the doctrine of
laches.
3. The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by the doctrine of
unclean hands.
4. The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by virtue of the
fraudulent conduct of the Plaintiff.
6
5. The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by the illegal
conduct of the Plaintiff.
6. Any monies deemed to be unlawfully obtained by the Defendant was not
lawfully the property of the Plaintiff and Plaintiff therefore has no legal standing to assert any
claims thereto.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in her favor
and that the claims herein be dismissed.
Respectfully submitted,
David J. Foster,Esquire
I.D. No. 23151
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street/P.O. Box 222
Lemoyne, PA 17043-0222
Phone: 717-761-2121
-Attorney for Defendant
Dated: January 12- , 2005
7
VERIFICATION
I, Sharon Semic, hereby verify that the facts set forth in the foregoing
document are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief.
I understand that any false statements therein are made subject to the
penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. § 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Sharon Semic
Dated: /??O
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, David J. Foster, Esquire, certify that I have served a true copy of the foregoing
document on the individual(s) listed below by depositing the same in the United States mail,
first-class, postage prepaid, from Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, addressed as follows:
Steve D. Shadowen, Esquire
Gordon A. Einhorn, Esquire
SCHNADER, HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS, LLP
30 North Third Street, Suite '700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Counsel for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
By:
David J. Foster, squire
Dated: January I 2005
`
i
,:.n
.a.
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
David J. Foster, Esquire
I.D. No.: 23151
ORIGINAL
831 Market Street/P.O. Box 222
Lemoyne, PA 17043-0222 Attorney for Defendants David & Susan
Phone: 717-761-2121 Koneff and Daniel & Sharon Semic
RITE AID CORPORATION
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNA.
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC,
F&S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX CREDIT,
FEDERAL & STATE CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC., AND BRIAN EDEN
Defendants
NO. 02-5863
ANSWER OF DEFENDANT DANNIEL SEMIC
Admitted.
2. Admitted except that Defendant Koneff's position at Rite Aid was as Sales Tax
Manager.
3. Admitted that Defendant Susan Koneff is the wife of Defendant David Koneff.
4. Admitted.
5. Admitted that Defendant Sharon Semic is the wife of Defendant Daniel
Semic, and they reside together in Dauphin County.
6. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 6.
7. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 7.
8. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph S.
9. Admitted.
10. Upon information and belief, it is denied that, in purchasing good and
services, Rite Aid is periodically charged state sales tax, and that Rite Aid uses the services of
outside firms to recoup such state sales taxes.
11. Denied that Defendant Semic was intimately familiar with these procedures
and was in a position to abuse those procedures for personal gain.
12. On information and belief, it is admitted that the Defendant Eden operated
various companies which identified and assisted in obtaining tax refunds and credits for
corporate clients. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or
information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remainder of this paragraph.
13. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the averment that in or about January 1996,
Defendants Koneff, Semic, Eden, and F & S, conspired to defraud Rite Aid and
misappropriate funds.
14. The Defendant denies that, according to the Defendant's scheme, Eden,
through his company New York Sales Tax Credit, submitted requests for payment to Rite
Aid falsely claiming that sales tax refunds have been obtained from New York State and
2
requesting payment of commissions based upon the amount of the purported tax refunds,
and that these requests were received at Rite Aid by Defendants Koneff and Semic who,
knowing that they were false, approved the payments and directed that checks be issued by
Rite Aid to New York Sales Tax Credit.
15. After reasonable investigation, Defendant its without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 15.
16. Defendant denies that the Defendants' plan was put into effect in or about
January 1996 when the first request for payment was made by the New York Sales Tax
Credit requesting a payment in the amount of $5,000. Denied that, according to plan,
Koneff and Semic approved a payment of the full amount, despite the fact that the
commission had not been earned. Defendant cannot address the remaining allegation in
paragraph 16 as it does not make sense.
17. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 17.
18. Defendant denies that in January 1997, Koneff and Semic wrongfully
approved payment to New York Sales Tax Credit of $89,500. Denied that Rite Aid's check
in this amount was sent to New York Sales Tax Credit's mailbox in Yonkers, New York.
After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to
form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations in paragraph 18.
19. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 19.
20. As to the allegations of paragraph 20, Defendant asserts his right not to
incriminate himself under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution and proof
of the allegations is demanded.
21. Denied that this pattern (as set forth in the proceeding paragraphs) was
repeated on a nearly monthly basis over the next three years. Upon reasonable
investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth of the remaining allegations in paragraph 21.
22. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the averments that between January 1997 and
August 2000, Defendant Koneff received checks from F & S and/or Federal & State totaling
more than $1.6 million, representing his share of the misappropriated funds, and that
Defendants Semic and Eden are believed to have received similar amounts.
23. Defendant denies that the Defendants concealed their activities from Rite Aid.
After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to
form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations in paragraph 23.
24. The allegations of paragraph 24 are conclusions of law which require no
answer pursuant to the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
25. No answer required.
26. Defendant denies that Defendants Eden and F& S submitted numerous
payment requests to Rite Aid falsely claiming the sales tax refunds had been obtained from
Rite Aid and requesting payment of commissions based upon the purported refunds.
27. The averments of paragraph 27 are denied.
28. Defendant denies that Defendants Koneff and Semic misrepresented to Rite
Aid that New York Sales Tax Credit was entitled to payment of the commissions in that they
approved the payment requests submitted to Rite Aid and directed that checks be sent to
New York Sales Tax Credit.
29. Defendant denies that Defendants Koneff and Semic misrepresented to Rite
Aid that New York Sales Tax Credit was entitled to payment of the commissions in that they
approved the payment requests submitted to Rite Aid, and thus deny the averments of
paragraph 29.
30. Defendant denies that Defendants Koneff and Semic misrepresented to Rite
Aid that New York Sales Tax Credit was entitled to payment of the commissions in that they
approved the payment requests submitted to Rite Aid, and thus deny the averments of
paragraph 30.
31. Defendant denies that Defendants Koneff and Semic misrepresented to Rite
Aid that New York Sales Tax Credit was entitled to payment of the commissions in that they
approved the payment requests submitted to Rite Aid, and thus deny the averments of
paragraph 31.
32. The allegations contained in paragraph 32 are conclusions of law which
require no answer pursuant to the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in his favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
33. No answer required.
34. Denied that Defendants converted Rite Aid's money as set forth in the
Complaint and denied that Defendant obtained funds under false pretenses from Rite Aid as
set forth in the Complaint.
35. Defendant believes and therefore avers that the allegations contained in
paragraph 35 are directed to co-defendants only and require no answer pursuant to the
Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
36. Admitted that Defendant Semic placed funds from F & S into joint accounts
owned jointly by him and Defendant Sharon Semic. Denied that Sharon Semic converted
Rite Aid's funds by intentionally exercising ownership, dominion and control over the
monies in these accounts, without consent or lawful justification.
37. Denied that Rite Aid suffered loss as a result of the Defendants' conversion as
alleged in this Complaint.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in his favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
38. No answer required.
39. As to the allegations of paragraph 39, Defendant asserts his right not to
incriminate himself under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution and proof
of the allegations is demanded.
40. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 40.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in his favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
41. No answer required.
42. As to the allegations of paragraph 42, Defendant asserts his right not to
incriminate himself under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution and proof
of the allegations is demanded.
43. As to the allegations of paragraph 43, Defendant asserts his right not to
incriminate himself under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution and proof
of the allegations is demanded.
44. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 44.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in his favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
45. No answer required.
46. Admitted.
47. Denied that prior to entering into the agreement, Defendant concealed from
Rite Aid his acts of misconduct as alleged in the Complaint.
48. Denied; see answer to #47 above.
49. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph 49.
50. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph 50.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in his favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
NEW MATTER
1. The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by the statute of
limitations.
2. The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by the doctrine of
laches.
3. The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by the doctrine of
unclean hands.
4. The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by virtue of the
fraudulent conduct of the Plaintiff.
5. The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by the illegal
conduct of the Plaintiff.
6. Any monies deemed to be unlawfully obtained by the Defendant was not
lawfully the property of the Plaintiff and Plaintiff therefore has no legal standing to assert any
claims thereto.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in his favor
and that the claims herein be dismissed.
Respectfully submitted,
David J. Foster, Esquire
I.D. No. 23151
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street/P.O. Box 222
Lemoyne, PA. 17043-0222
Phone: 717-761-2121
-Attorney for Defendant
Dated: January LZ , 2005
9
VERIFICATION
1, Daniel Semic, hereby verify that the facts set forth in the foregoing
document are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief.
I understand that any false statements therein are made subject to the
penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. § 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
I )40--',A?rz
Daniel Semic
Dated: l ?-?
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, David J. Foster, Esquire, certify that I have served a true copy of the foregoing
document on the individual(s) listed below by depositing the same in the United States mail,
first-class, postage prepaid, from Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, addressed as follows:
Steve D. Shadowen, Esquire
Gordon A. Einhorn, Esquire
SCHNADER, HARRISON SEGAL & LEAS, LLP
30 North Third Street, Suite '700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Counsel for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
By:
David J. Fos , Esquire
Dated: January 1'y , 2005
c'. ?,
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
David J. Foster, Esquire
I.D. No.: 23151
ORIGINAL
831 Market Street/P.O. Box 222
Lemoyne, PA 17093-0222 Attorney for Defendants David & Susan
Phone: 717-761-2121 Koneff and Daniel & Sharon Semic
RITE AID CORPORATION
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNA.
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC,
F&S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX CREDIT,
FEDERAL & STATE CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC., AND BRIAN EDEN
Defendants
NO. 02-5863
ANSWER OF DEFENDANT SUSAN KONEFF
1. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 1 of the Complaint.
2. Admitted that Defendant David Koneff is a former employee of Rite Aid.
3. Admitted that Susan Koneff is the wife of Defendant David Koneff and resides
with him at 760 Seitz Drive, Lewisberry, PA 17339. After reasonable investigation,
Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
the remaining allegations in paragraph 3 of the Complaint.
4. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 4 of the Complaint.
5. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 5 of the Complaint.
6. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 6 of the Complaint.
After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 7 of the Complaint.
8. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 8 of the Complaint.
9. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 9 not the Complaint.
10. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 10 of the Complaint.
11. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 11 of the Complaint.
12. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 12 of the Complaint.
13. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 13 of the Complaint.
14. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 14 of the Complaint.
15. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 15 of the Complaint.
16. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 16 of the Complaint.
17. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 17 of the Complaint.
18. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 18 of the Complaint.
19. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 19 of the Complaint.
20. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 20 of the Complaint.
21. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 21 of the Complaint.
22. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 22 of the Complaint.
23. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 23 of the Complaint.
24. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 24 of the Complaint.
25. No answer required.
26. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 26 of the Complaint.
27. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 27 of the Complaint.
28. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 28 of the Complaint.
29. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 29 of the Complaint.
30. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 30 of the Complaint.
31. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 31 of the Complaint.
32. The allegations contained in paragraph 32 are conclusions of law which
require no answer pursuant to the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in her favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
33. No answer required.
34. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 34 of the Complaint.
35. Denied that Susan Koneff converted Rite Aid's funds by intentionally
exercising ownership, dominion and control of the money in these accounts without consent
or lawful justification. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or
information sufficient to form a belief as to the remaining averments in paragraph 35.
36. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 36.
37. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 37.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in her favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
38. No answer required.
39. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 39.
40. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 40.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in her favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
41. No answer required.
42. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 42.
43. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 43.
44. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 44.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in her favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
45. Defendant believes and therefore avers that the allegations contained in
paragraph 45 are directed to co-defendants only and require no answer pursuant to the
Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
46. Defendant believes and therefore avers that the allegations contained in
paragraph 46 are directed to co-defendants only and require no answer pursuant to the
Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
47. Defendant believes and therefore avers that the allegations contained in
paragraph 47 are directed to co-defendants only and require no answer pursuant to the
Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
48. Defendant believes and therefore avers that the allegations contained in
paragraph 48 are directed to co-defendants only and require no answer pursuant to the
Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
49. Defendant believes and therefore avers that the allegations contained in
paragraph 49 are directed to co-defendants only and require no answer pursuant to the
Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
50. Defendant believes and therefore avers that the allegations contained in
paragraph 50 are directed to co-defendants only and require no answer pursuant to the
Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
NEW MATTER
The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by the statute of
limitations.
6
2. The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by the doctrine of
laches.
3. The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by the doctrine of
unclean hands.
4. The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by virtue of the
fraudulent conduct of the Plaintiff.
5. The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by the illegal
conduct of the Plaintiff.
6. Any monies deemed to be unlawfully obtained by the Defendant was not
lawfully the property of the Plaintiff and Plaintiff therefore has no legal standing to assert any
claims thereto.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in her favor
and that the claims herein be dismissed.
Respectfully submitted,
David J. Foster, Esquire
I.D. No. 23151
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street/P.O. Box 222
Lemoyne, PA 17043-0222
Phone: 717-761-2121
-Attorney for Defendant
Dated: January 1, 2005
7
VERIFICATION
I, Susan Koneff, hereby verify that the facts set forth in the foregoing
document are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief.
I understand that any false statements therein are made subject to the
penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. § 4904, relating to unswom falsification to authorities.
Susan Koneff
Dated:
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, David J. Foster, Esquire, certify that I have served a true copy of the foregoing
document on the individual(s) listed below by depositing the same in the United States mail,
first-class, postage prepaid, from Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, addressed as follows:
Steve D. Shadowen, Esquire
Gordon A. Einhom, Esquire
SCHNADER, HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS, LLP
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Counsel for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
I3y: ?X
David J. Foster, squire
Dated: January M , 2005
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
David J. Foster, Esquire
I.D. No.: 23151
ORIGINAL
831 Market Street/P.O. Box 222
Lemoyne, PA 17043-0222 Attorney for Defendants David & Susan
Phone: 717-761-2121 Koneff and Daniel & Sharon Semic
RITE AID CORPORATION
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNA.
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC,
F&S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX CREDIT,
FEDERAL & STATE CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC., AND BRIAN EDEN
Defendants
NO. 02-5863
ANSWER OF DEFENDANT DAVID KONEFF
AND NOW comes the Defendant David Koneff, by and through his attorneys,
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields, and respectfully avers in answer to the Complaint as follows:
Admitted.
2. Admitted except that Defendant's position at Rite Aid was as Sales Tax
Manager.
3. Admitted that Defendant Susan Koneff is the wife of Defendant David Koneff,
and they reside together at 760 Seitz Drive, Lewisberry, PA 17339.
4. Admitted.
5. Admitted that Defendant Sharon Semic is the wife of Defendant Daniel
Semic.
6. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in. paragraph 6.
After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 7.
8. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in paragraph 8.
9. Admitted.
10. Upon information and belief, it is denied that, in purchasing good and
services, Rite Aid is periodically charged state sales tax, and that Rite Aid uses the services of
outside firms to recoup such state sales taxes.
11. Denied that Defendant Koneff was intimately familiar with these procedures
and was in a position to abuse those procedures for personal gain.
12. On information and belief, it is admitted that the Defendant Eden operated
various companies which identified and assisted in obtaining tax refunds and credits for
corporate clients. After reasonable investigation, Defendani is without knowledge or
information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remainder of this paragraph.
13. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the averment than in or about January 1996,
Defendants Koneff, Semic, Eden, and F & S, conspired to defraud Rite Aid and
misappropriate funds.
14. The Defendant denies that, according to the Defendant's scheme, Eden,
through his company New York Sales Tax Credit, submitted requests for payment to Rite
Aid falsely claiming that sales tax refunds have been obtained from New York State and
requesting payment of commissions based upon the amount of the purported tax refunds,
and that these requests were received at Rite Aid by Defendants Koneff and Semic who,
knowing that they were false, approved the payments and directed that checks be issued by
Rite Aid to New York Sales Tax Credit.
15. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 15.
16. Defendant denies that the Defendants' plan was put into effect in or about
January 1996 when the first request for payment was made by the New York Sales Tax
Credit requesting a payment in the amount of $5,000. Denied that, according to plan,
Koneff and Semic approved a payment of the full amount, despite the fact that the
commission had not been earned. Defendant cannot address the remaining allegation in
paragraph 16 as it does not make sense.
17. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 17.
18. Defendant denies that in January 1997, Koneff and Semic wrongfully
approved payment to New York Sales Tax Credit of $89,500. Denied that Rite Aid's check
in this amount was sent to New York Sales Tax Credit's mailbox in Yonkers, New York.
After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to
form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations in paragraph 18.
19. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 19.
20. As to the allegations of paragraph 20, Defendant asserts his right not to
incriminate himself under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution and proof
of the allegations is demanded.
21. Denied that this pattern (as set forth in the proceeding paragraphs) was
repeated on a nearly monthly basis over the next three years. Denied that Rite Aid's final
payment to New York Sales Tax Credit was made in December 1999. Upon reasonable
investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to
the truth of the remaining allegations in paragraph 21.
22. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the averments that between January 1997 and
August 2000, Defendant Koneff received checks from F & S and/or Federal & State totaling
more than $1.6 million, representing his share of the misappropriated funds, and that
Defendants Semic and Eden are believed to have received similar amounts.
21 Defendant denies that the Defendants concealed their activities from Rite Aid.
After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to
form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations in paragraph 23.
24. The allegations of paragraph 24 are conclusions of law which require no
answer pursuant to the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
25. No answer required.
26 Defendant denies that Defendants Eden and F & S submitted numerous
payment requests to Rite Aid falsely claiming the sales tax refunds had been obtained from
Rite Aid and requesting payment of commissions based upon the purported refunds.
27. The averments of paragraph 27 are denied.
28. Defendant denies that Defendants Koneff and Semic misrepresented to Rite
Aid that New York Sales Tax Credit was entitled to payment of the commissions in that they
approved the payment requests submitted to Rite Aid and directed that checks be sent to
New York Sales Tax Credit.
29. Defendant denies that Defendants Koneff and Semic misrepresented to Rite
Aid that New York Sales Tax Credit was entitled to payment of the commissions in that they
approved the payment requests submitted to Rite Aid, and thus deny the averments of
paragraph 29.
30. Defendant denies that Defendants Koneff and Semic misrepresented to Rite
Aid that New York Sales Tax Credit was entitled to payment of the commissions in that they
approved the payment requests submitted to Rite Aid, and thus deny the averments of
paragraph 30.
31. Defendant denies that Defendants Koneff and Semic misrepresented to Rite
Aid that New York Sales Tax Credit was entitled to payment of the commissions in that they
approved the payment requests submitted to Rite Aid, and thus deny the averments of
paragraph 31.
32. The allegations contained in paragraph 32 are conclusions of law which
require no answer pursuant to the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in his favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
33. No answer required.
34. Denied that Defendants converted Rite Aid's money as set forth in the
Complaint and denied that Defendant obtained funds under false pretenses from Rite Aid as
set forth in the Complaint.
35. Admitted that Defendant Koneff placed funds from F & S into joint accounts
owned jointly by him and Defendant Susan Koneff. Denied that Susan Koneff converted
Rite Aid's funds by intentionally exercising ownership, dominion and control over the
monies in these accounts, without consent or lawful justification.
36. Defendant believes and therefore avers that the allegations contained in
paragraph 36 are directed to co-defendants only and require no answer pursuant to the
Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
37. Denied that Rite Aid suffered loss as a result of the Defendants' conversion as
alleged in this Complaint.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in his favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
38. No answer required.
39. As to the allegations of paragraph 39, Defendant asserts his right not to
incriminate himself under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution and proof
of the allegations is demanded.
40. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 40.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in his favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
41. No answer required.
42. As to the allegations of paragraph 42, Defendant asserts his right not to
incriminate himself under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution and proof
of the allegations is demanded.
43. As to the allegations of paragraph 43, Defendant asserts his right not to
incriminate himself under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution and proof
of the allegations is demanded.
44. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph 44.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in his favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
45. No answer required.
46. The Defendant believes that the allegations contained in paragraph 46 apply
to co-defendants only and requires no answer pursuant to Pennsylvania Rules of Civil
Procedure.
47. The Defendant believes that the allegations contained in paragraph 47 apply
to co-defendants only and requires no answer pursuant to Pennsylvania Rules of Civil
Procedure.
48. The Defendant believes that the allegations contained in paragraph 48 apply
to co-defendants only and requires no answer pursuant to the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil
Procedure.
49. The Defendant believes that the allegations contained in paragraph 49 apply
to co-defendants only and requires no answer pursuant to the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil
Procedure.
50. The Defendant believes that the allegations contained in paragraph 50 apply
to co-defendants only and requires no answer pursuant to the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil
Procedure.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in his favor
and that the Complaint be dismissed.
NEW MATTER
The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by the statute of
limitations.
2. The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by the doctrine of
laches.
3. The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by the doctrine of
unclean hands.
4. The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by virtue of the
fraudulent conduct of the Plaintiff.
5. The claims of the Plaintiff against the Defendant are barred by the illegal
conduct of the Plaintiff.
Any monies deemed to be unlawfully obtained by the Defendant was not
lawfully the property of the Plaintiff and Plaintiff therefore has no legal standing to assert any
claims thereto.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that judgment be entered in his favor
and that the claims herein be dismissed.
Respectfully submitted,
David J. Foster, Esquire
I.D. No. 23151
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street/P.O. Box 222
Lemoyne, PA 17043-0222
Phone: 717-761-2121
--Attorney for Defendant
Dated: January K, 2005
VERIFICATION
I, David Koneff, hereby verify that the facts set forth in the foregoing
document are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief.
I understand that any false statements therein are made subject to the
penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. § 4904, relating to unworn falsification to authorities.
!L?'ADL- ? b ? z fy,ilk--'
David Koneff
Dated: ? I \2,, ;Q-Oor
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, David J. Foster, Esquire, certify that I have served a true copy of the foregoing
document on the individual(s) listed below by depositing the same in the United States mail,
first-class, postage prepaid, from Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, addressed as follows:
Steve D. Shadowen, Esquire
Gordon A. Einhorn, Esquire
SCHNADER, HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS, LLP
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Counsel for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
i
By:
David J. Foste , squire
Dated: January _I, 2005
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RITE AID CORPORATION, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN
KONEFF, DANIEL SEMIC,
SHARON SEMIC, F & S
CORPORATE ADVISORS,
INC., d/b/a NEW YORK SALES
TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL &
STATE CORPORATE
ADVISORS, INC., and BRIAN
EDEN,
Defendants NO. 02-5863 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 26th day of January, 2005, upon consideration of Defendant
Brian Eden's Petition for Relief from Judgment by Default, and of Plaintiff's Answer to
Petition for Relief from Judgment by Default, Defendant's petition is granted and the
default judgment is stricken. Oral argument previously scheduled for January 31, 2005,
is cancelled.
BY THE COURT,
J Wesley Oler, Jr'
,46ordon A. Einhorn, Esq.
30 North Third Street
Suite 700 1
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1701
Attorney for Plaintiff
n -00
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013 :i d 9z t-` f su02
'ri L c
Pavid J. Foster, Esq
Leslie M. Fields, Esq.
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Attorneys for Defendant
Koneff and Semic
than C. Wolf, Esq.
37 South Hanover Street
Suite 201
Carlisle, PA 17013
Attorney for Defendant Eden
:rc
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RITE AID CORPORATION
Plaintiff,
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF, NO. 62-5863
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC,
F & S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,
d/bla NEW YORK SALES TAX
CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC. and
BRIAN EDEN
Defendants.
PLAINTIFF RITE AID CORPORATION'S
ANSWER TO NEW MATTER
Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation ("Rite Aid") answers the new matter contained in
the Answers of Defendants David Koneff, Susan Koneff, Daniel Semic and Sharon Semic with
corresponding paragraph numbers as follows:
The averment contained in Paragraph 1 constitutes a conclusion of law to
which no response is required.
2. The averment contained in Paragraph 2 constitutes a conclusion of law to
which no response is required.
3. The averment contained in Paragraph 3 constitutes a conclusion of law to
which no response is required.
4. The averment contained in Paragraph 4 constitutes a conclusion of law to
which no response is required. In the event that any portion of Paragraph 4 is deemed to be
factual in nature, the averment is denied.
5. The averment contained in Paragraph 5 constitutes a conclusion of law to
which no response is required. In the event that any portion of Paragraph 5 is deemed to be
factual in nature, the averment is denied.
6. It is denied that the monies deemed to be unlawfully obtained by the
Defendant were not lawfully the property of the Plaintiff. On the contrary, all monies taken were
the Plaintiff s lawful property. The averment that Plaintiff has no legal standing to assert its
claims constitutes a conclusion of law to which no response is required.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation respectfully requests that judgment
be entered in its favor.
Respectfully submitted,
teve D. Shadowen, LD. No. 41953
Gordon A. Einhorn, I.D. No. 59006
HANGLEY ARONCHICK SEGAL & PUDLIN
30 North Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 364-1004
(717) 364-1020 -facsimile
Attorneys for Plaintiff Rite Aid Corporation
Dated: February 2, 2005
CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE
This is to certify that I served a true and correct copy of the attached Answer to
New Matter upon the following persons via first class mail:
David J. Foster, Esquire
Leslie M. Fields, Esquire
Costopoulos, Foster & Fields
831 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Attorneys for Defendants Koneff and Semic
Nathan C. Wolf, Esquire
Irwin Law Offices
64 S. Pitt Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Attorneys for Defendant Eden
ordon A. Einhorn
Dated: February 2, 2005
WRIRICATION
James J. Comitale, Esquire, deposes and says that I am Associate Counsel for Rite
Aid Corporation, and that while I do not have personal knowledge of all of the facts recited in
the foregoing Answers to New Matter, the information contained thcrein has been collected and
made available to me by others and said Response is true and correct to the best of my
knowledge, information and belief and is therefore verified on behalf of Rite Aid Corporation. I
make this statement subject to the penalties of I8 Pa. C.S. § 4904 rela ' to unswotn
falsification to authorities. \ ( t
By:
Dated: ?.0?
names J. CbWitale, Esquire
Senior Associate Counsel
Fite Aid Corporation
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RECEIVED JUL p 62005
RITE AID CORPORATION, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF, : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC, :
F & S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,: NO. 02-5863
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX
CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC., and
BRIAN EDEN,
Defendants
ORDER
AND NOW this day of July, 2005, upon consideration of the foregoing
Petition for Leave to Withdraw as Counsel for Defendant Brian Eden, the requested relief therein
his hereby GRANTED and counsel is hereby authorized to file a praecipe to withdraw as counsel
with the Prothonotary and to serve notice of this Order and such praecipe upon Defendant Brian
Eden and counsel for all other parties to this matter.
C ?
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ca
NATHAN C. WOLF, ESQUIRE
ATTORNEY ID NO. 87380
37 SOUTH HANOVER STREET, SUITE 201
CARLISLE PA 17013
(717) 241-4436
RITE AID CORPORATION, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC,
F & S CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC.,:
d/b/a NEW YORK SALES TAX
CREDIT, FEDERAL & STATE
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC., and
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 02-5863
BRIAN EDEN,
Defendants
Praecipe for Withdrawal of Appearance
To the Prothonotary.
Withdraw my appearance on behalf of Defendant Brian Eden.
July 11, 2005
C.
37 South Ha r Street, Suite 201
Carlisle, P ,AX013
717-241-4436
SUPREME COURT ID #87380
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HANGLEY ARONCHICK SEGAL & PUDLIN
By: Steve D. Shadowen, Esq. (No. 41953)
Gordon A. Einhom, Esq. (No. 59006)
30 N. Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 364-1004
(717) 364-1020 - facsimile
Attorneys for Plaintiff,
Rite Aid Corporation
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Plaintiff
V.
DAVID KONEFF, SUSAN KONEFF,
DANIEL SEMIC, SHARON SEMIC, F & S
CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC., d(b/a NEW
YORK SALES TAX CREDIT, FEDERAL &
STATE CORPORATE ADVISORS, INC., and
BRIAN EDEN,
Defendants.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON
PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND
COUNTY
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 02-5863
SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL
TO THE PROTHONOTARY:
Please withdraw the appearance of Steve D. Shadowen, Esq. and Gordon A. Einhorn,
Esq. of Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin as counsel of record for Rite Aid Corporation, Inc. and
enter the appearance of Keith R. Dutill, Esq. and Brian P. Seaman, Esq. of Stradley, Ronon, Stevens &
Young, LLP as counsel of record for Rite Aid Corporation.
"` -/ey-? -cam
ve D. Shadowen, Esq.
Gordon A. Einhom, Esq.
Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin
30 N. Third Street, Suite 700
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 364-1004
(717) 364-1020-facsimile
Keith R. utill, Esq.
Brian P. Seaman, Esq.
Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young LLP
30 Valley Stream Parkway
Malvern, PA 19355
(610) 640-5800
(610) 640-1965 - facsimile
Dated: r / 2 L Zo J,
Dated: e
LITIGATION 400332 v. I
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TRAVELERS
Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America
Hartford, CT 06183
icense No.
8(0?
CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
1 COURTHOUSE SQUARE
CARLISLE, PENNSYLVANIA 17013
I
Jul 8 nn
BY:
RITE AID CORPORATION
P.O. BOX 3165
CARLISLE, PENNSYLVANIA 17013
To Whom It May Concern:
We hereby rescind the Notice of Cancellation, dated 8/7/2008, which is applicable to the above captioned account. Please
enter this notification into your files immediately, thus avoiding any possible confusion. Your cooperation in this matter is
greatly appreciated.
RE: Policy Number 103975801
Policy Name: RITE AID CORPORATION
S-41210.502
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