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Home My WebLink About03-1737IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA LANDMARK COMMERCIAL REALTY INC., Plaintiff Vo JAMES E. SCHLUSSER Defendant NO. CIVIL ACTION - LAW JURY TRIAL DEMANDED NOTICE TO DEFEND TO: James E. Schlusser 11 Creek Road Carlisle, PA 17013 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. Cumberland County Bar Association 2 Liberty Avenue Carlisle, PA 17013 Telephone: (717) 249-3166 or 1-800-990-9108 Document #: 262119.1 IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA LANDMARK COMMERCIAL REALTY INC., Plaintiff V. JAMES E. SCHLUSSER Defendant NO. CIVIL ACTION - LAW JURY TRIAL DEMANDED NOTICIA USTED HA SIDO DEMANDADO/A EN LA CORTE. Si usted desea defenderse de las demandas que se presentan mas adelante en las siguientes paginas, debe tomar acci6n dentro de los proximos veinte (20) dias despues de la notificacion de esta Demanda v Aviso radicando personalmente o por medio de un abogado una comparecencia escrita y radicando en la Corte por escrito sus defensas de, y objecciones a, las demandas presentadas aqui en contra suya. Se le advierte de que si usted falla de tomar accion como se describe anteriormente, el caso puede proceder sin usted y un fallo por cualquier suma de dinero reclamado en la demanda o cualquier otra reclamacion o remedio solicitado por el demandante puede ser dictado en contra suya por la Corte sin mas aviso adicional. Usted puede perder dinero o propiedad u otros derechos importantes para usted. USTED DEBE LLEVAR ESTE DOCUMENTO A SU ABOGADO IMMEDIATAMENTA. SI USTED NO TIENE UN ABOGADO O NO PUEDE PAGARLE A UNO, LLAME O VAYA A LA SIGUIENTE OFICINA PARA AVERIGUAR DONDE PUEDE ENCONTRAR ASISTENCIA LEGAL. Cumberland County Bar Association 2 Liberty Avenue Carlisle, PA 17013 Telephone: (717) 249-3166 or 1-800-990-9108 Document #: 262119.1 IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA LANDMARK COMMERCIAL REALTY : INC., : Plaintiff : ; V. : JAMES E. SCHLUSSER : : Defendant : NO. /73'1 CIVIL ACTION - LAW JURY TRIAL DEMANDED COMPLAINT AND NOW COMES Plaintiff, Landmark Commercial Realty, Inc. ("Landmark"), by and through its attorneys, Metzger Wickersham Knauss & Erb, P.C., and files the within Complaint and in support thereof states the following: 1. Landmark is a corporation organized, operating and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with a principal place of business located at 20 Erford Road, Lemoyne, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. 2. Defendant, James E. Schlusser ("Schlusser") is an adult individual with an address of 11 Creek Road, Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. 3. Landmark is a commercial real estate agency engaged in the business of locating potential buyers and tenants, and negotiating the terms and conditions of the sale and lease agreements for commercial properties. Document #: 262119.1 3 4. David Remmel ("Remmel") is the President and Broker of Record for Landmark and is thereby authorized to bring the within action under the Pennsylvania Real Estate Licensing Act. 5. Landmark believes and therefore avers that at all times material hereto Schlusser was the owner of real property located at 10 Long Lane, (the "Property") Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, 17055. 6. Robert E. Diehl and Nancy C. Diehl ("Diehl") were the previous owners of the Property until they sold it to Schlusser on March 21, 1997. 7. At some time prior to December 24, 1990, Landmark procured Salem Carpet Mills, Inc. ("Salem") as a tenant for the Property, which signed a lease with Diehl for an unknown term, for a gross annual rent of $56,000.00. COUNT I - BREACH OF CONTRACT 8. On or about September 26, 1990, Thomas Posavec, a real estate agent and duly authorized representative and agent of Landmark, sent to Diehl a letter setting forth the terms and conditions of Diehl's business relationship with Landmark for the payment of commissions relative to the leasing of the Property. A true and correct copy of the September 26, 1990 letter is attached hereto and marked as Plaintiff's Exhibit "A." Document #: 262119.1 4 9. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the September 26, 1990 letter, Diehl was to pay 5% commission to Landmark in the amount of $700.00, on a quarterly basis. 10. Diehl diligently paid Landmark for commissions up through and including the First Quarter, 1997. 11. On March 21, 1997, Diehl sold the Property to Schlusser. On the same day, Schlusser signed a letter acknowledging and accepting Diehl's obligation to Landmark for the commission due. A true and correct copy of the March 21, 1997 Letter is attached hereto as Exhibit "B." 12. Schlusser made the quarterly commission payments to Landmark, beginning in the Second Quarter, 1997, until the Third Quarter, 1999, but has made no payments to Landmark since August 9, 1999. 13. It is believed, and therefore averred, that Salem, or its successor in interest, Shaw Carpet, remained in possession of the Property, up through and including June, 2001, a period of seven (7) quarters beyond the Third Quarter, 1999. 14. On or about December 9, 1999, Landmark sent to Schlusser an invoice for the commission for the period of 10/01/99 through 12/31/99 (Fourth Quarter, 1999) in the amount of $700.00. This invoice clearly contains a provision that any accounts over 30 days are subject to a 1.5% percent per month late charge fee. A true and correct copy of this invoice is attached hereto as Exhibit "C." Document #: 262119.1 20oo), commission and ongoing accrued finance charges. invoice is attached hereto as Exhibit "D." 16. Despite repeated demands of Landmark, 15. At the commencement of each quarter, starting with 1/31/00, (First Quarter, Landmark sent Schlusser an invoice requesting payment for the current quarter A true and correct copy of the 1/31/00 Schlusser has refused to pay the remaining commissions due and owing to Landmark for the period of October, 1999 through June 2001, for seven (7) quarters, for a total of $4,900.00. 17. Schlusser is also liable for finance charges in the amount of 1.5% per month on the sum of $700.00 ($10.50 per month) from January, 2000 through March, 2003 ($409.50); 1.5% per month on the sum of $700.00 from April, 2000 to March, 2003 ($378.00); 1.5% per month on the sum of $700.00 from July, 2000 through March, 2003 ($346.50); 1.5% per month on the sum of $700.00 from October, 2000 through March, 2003 ($315.00); January, 2001 through March, 2003 ($287.50); 1.5% per month on the sum of $700.00 from April 2001 through March, 2003 ($252.00); and 1.5% per month on the sum of $700.00 from July, 2001 through March 28, 2003 ($221.50). The total accrued interest through March, 2003 is $2,207.00. Schlusser is also liable for ongoing interest in the amount of 1.5% per month on the $4,900.00 due ($73.50/month). 18. At all times material hereto, Landmark acted in good faith and in accordance with the duties and obligations as provided in the December 26, 1990 Letter. Document #: 262119.1 VERIFICATION I, David Remmel, verify that the statements made in the foregoing Complaint are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. I understand that false statements are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. §4904 relating to unswom falsification to authorities. Date: Document ii: 262119.1 Exhibit A 1990 ~. Robert E. Diehl R~DCO*Inc. 500 ~e~O0 Enola~ PA RE: Salem Carpet MAll; Inc. Co~%mission Arrangement Dear Bob: The intent of this letter is to confirm our understanding of the leasing commission Rue to Landmark Commercial Realty, Inc. for procuring the Salem Carpet Mills, Inc. leaee in Silver $~rings Industrial Park, Mec~a~iosburg~ PA, The lea~ing commission =hall be 5% of the gross lease rental for the original term*of the lease and ~hall extend to any and all renewals, extensions, option periods, deed transfers, Or other continuance~ of a landlord-tenant relationship, payable quarterly as collected. Please acknowledge buy st~ntng below and returning one (1) copy fo~ our .S incerel y, LANDMARK cOMMERCIAL REALTY , INC, Thom~ T. P~ave¢ Real,or. Commercial/Industrial Sa!.es ACCEPTED BY Exhibit B March 21, 1997 Mr. James E. SchlusSer 11 Creek Road Carlisle, PA 17013 Robert E. & Nancy C. Diehl 500 Redco Drive Enola, PA 17025 Dear Mr. Schlusser: .Atta_ ched is a commission agreemen~~'~-a-~d--L~rrdmark Commer .... ~s the only commission obligation&Si: 10 Lon~ Lan~. th~ ~,;h .... : ....;~c~al R.?ity. Th~s Sincerely, .5~~ ~untmue arter semement. Nancy C. Diehl /~~ &, ~,~/ Enclosure (Commission Agreemen0 J~rt~es E. Schlusser Exhibit C Invoice DATE INVOICE # 12/9/99 1200 20 E~ord Road · Lemoyne, Pennsylvania 17043 · 717-731-1990 · Fax: 717-731-8765 P.O. Box 3004 · Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-3004 · www. landmarkcr, com BILL TO Mr. James Schlusser 11 Creek Road Carlisle, PA 17013 TERMS ~( DUE DATE Due on receipt 12/9/99 DESCRIPTION Lease at Brenneman Circle to Salem Carpet Mills Commission due for 10/01/99 - 12/31/99 otal AMOUNT 700.00 $700.00 Make ail checks payable to: Larntmark Commercial Realty, Inc. ,dccounts over 30 days subject to 1.5%per month late charge. ~dccounts over 60 days will be turned over for COI. ZECTION ctnd possible LIEN ON J)ROPERTK. Exhibit D Invoice 20 Erford Road · Lemoyne, Pennsylvania 17043 · 717-731-1990 · Fax: 717-731-8765 P.O. Box 3004 · Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-3004 · www. landrnarkcr, com BILL TO Mr. James Schlusser 11 Creek Road Carlisle, PA 17013 TERMS Past DESCRIPTION Lease at Brenneman Circle to Salem Carpet Mills Commission due for 01/01/00 - 03/31/00 Finance Charges DUE DATE 1/31/'00 AMOUNT 700 10.50 I Total $710.S0 Make ail checks payable to: Izmdmark Commercial Realty, Inc. Accounts over 30 days subject to 1.5% per month late charge. ~Iccounts over 60 days will be turned over for COLLECTION and possible LIEN ON PROPERTK SHERIFF'S RETURN - REGULAR CASE NO: 2003-01737 p COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA: COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IJtNDMARK COMMERCIAL REALTY INC VS SCHLUSSER JAMES E HAROLD WEARY , Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, who being duly sworn according to law, says, the within COMPLAINT & NOTICE was served upon SCHLUSSER JAMES E the DEFENDANT , at 1415:00 HOURS, on the 28th day of ~ril at 211 NORTH MIDDLETON ROAD , 2003 CARLISLE, PA 17013 LEIGHANN SCHLUSSER, WIFE by handing to a true and attested copy of COMPLAINT & NOTICE together with and at the same time directing Her attention to the contents thereof. Sheriff,s Costs: Docketing 18 00 Service ' Affidavit 3.45 .00 Surcharge 10.00 31.45 Sworn and Subscribed to before me this %~ day of -'~47 ~ AD ! ~rothonotary So Answers: R. Thomas Kline 04/29/2003 METZGER WICKERSHAM By: p ty S~eriff IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA LANDMARK COMMERCIAL REALTY INC., Plaintiff Mo JAMES E. SCHLUSSER Defendant NO. 2003-CV-1737 CIVIL ACTION - LAW JURY TRIAL DEMANDED DATE OF NOTICE: May 20, 2003 To: James E. Schlusser 11 Creek Road Carlisle, PA 17013 .I, MPORTANT NOTICE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT BECAUSE YOU FAILED TO TAKE THE ACTION REQUIRED OF YOU IN THIS CASE. UNLESS YOU ACT WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU WITHOUT A HEARING AND YOU MAY LOSE YOUR PROPERTY OR OTHER IMPORTANT RIGHTS. . YOU SHOULD TAKE TI-IlS NOTICE TO A LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE FOLLOWING OFFICE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP: By: Lawyer Referral Service 2 Liberty Avenue Carlisle, PA 17013 Supreme Court ID # 58799 Young-suh Koo, Esquire Supreme Court ID # 87961 3211 North Front Street Harrisburg, PA 17110-0300 (717) 238-8187 Attorney for Plaintiff IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA LANDMARK COMMERCIAL REALTY INC., Plaintiff JAMES E. SCHLUSSER Defendant NO. 2003-CV-1737 C1VIL ACTION - LAW JURY TRIAL DEMANDED PRAEC~E TO SETTLE DISCONTINUE ~____~E~ TO THE PROTHONOTARY: Please mark the above-referc~nced matter settled, discontinued and ended with prejudice. METZGER WICKERSHAM KNAUSS & ERB, P.C. Attorney I.D. # 58799 3211 North Front Street P. O. Box 5300 Harrisburg, PA 17110-0300 (717) 238-8187 Attorneys for Plaintiff 289605~1 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE AND NOW, this 18th day of November, 2003, I, Bruce J. Warshawsky, Esquire, of Metzger, Wickersham, Knauss & Erb, P.C., attorneys for Plaintiff, hereby certify that I served a copy of the within Praecipe for Settlemem and Discontinuance this day by depositing the same in the United States mail, postage prepaid, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, addressed to: James D. Hughes, Esquire Salzmann, Hughes & Fishman 95 Alexander Spring Road Carlisle, PA 17013 289603-1