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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-06913 ']"""""1"". ",',' . .. h-' ., RICHARD H. KISIELEWSKI, Plaintiff IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA v. PHICO GROUP, INC., CAROLYN F. SCANLAN and SHERYL SIMMONS, Defendants CIVIL ACTION 01 - {gq 10 - LAW . Ciu't-L~~ NOTICE 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 Plaintiff. 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 1-800-990-9108 NOTICIA Le han demandado a usted en la corte. Si usted quiere defenderse de estas demandas expuestas en las paginas siguientes, listed tiene viente (20) dias de plaza al partir de la fecha de la demanda y la notificacion. Dated debe presentar una apariencia escrita 0 en persona 0 par abogado y archivar en la corte en forma escrita sus defensas 0 sus objeciones alas demandas en contra de au persona. Sea avisado que si usted no se defiende, la corte tomara medidas y puede entrar una orden contra usted sin previa aviso 0 notificacion y por cualquier queja 0 alivio que es pedido en la peticion de demanda. Usted puede perder dinero 0 sus propiedades 0 otros derechos importantes para usted. LLEVE ESTA DEMANDA A UN ABODAGO INMEDIATAMENTE. SI NO TIENE ABOGADO 0 SI NO TIENE EL DINERO SUFICIENTE DE PAGAR TAL SERVICIO, VAYA EN PERSONA 0 LLAME POR TELEFONO A LA OFICINA CUYA DIRECCION SE ENCUENTRA ESCRITA ABAJO PARA AVERIGUAR DONDE SE PUEDE CONSEGUIR ASISTENCIA LEGAL. CUMBERLAND COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION 2 Liberty Avenue Carlisle, PA 17013 1-800-990-9108 STROKOFF & COWDEN, P.C. 132 State Street, P.O. Box 11903 Harrisburg, PA 17108 (717) 233-5353 '{;"~ ~ - ~'T"'~" """~ ^- ,.. -,,=- ~~ I'" ,'< - 1Mlll>"""". ,~,~ r~'I!~.-- " RICHARD H. KISIELEWSKI, Plaintiff IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA v. PHICO GROUP, INC., CAROLYN F. SCANLAN and SHERYL SIMMONS, Defendants CIVIL ACTION - LAW 0/- I.,.qlJ C;u~l ~~ COMPLAINT The Plaintiff, Richard H. Kisielewski, by and through counsel, Strokoff & Cowden, P.C., hereby files the following Complaint and avers as follows: 1. Plaintiff, Richard H. Kisielewski, is an adult individual residing at 17 Kelly Drive, Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013 . 2. Defendant, PHICO Group, Inc., is a Pennsylvania corporation authorized to do business in this Commonwealth with its principal offices at One PHICO Drive, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania 17055. 3. Defendant Carolyn F. Scanlan is President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Defendant PHICO Group, Inc. Her workplace is located at H.H.A.P., 4750 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, pennsylvania 17111. 4. Defendant Sheryl M. Simmons is Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Defendant PHICO Group, Inc. Her ~~""" " r"',~_ ,_ ""'_- " '-'1-"--" -". !, - ~, ,,-- ~"-",..,~,, '--~''',,",= ,",,". ~ ,~,- principal place of business is the same as Defendant PHICO Group, Inc. 5. In October of 1996, the Plaintiff commenced employment with the Defendant PHICO Group, Inc. as a Vice President of Administration. 6. On or about July 18, 2001, the Plaintiff and Defendant PHICO Group, Inc. entered into a confidential Separation Agreement and General Release (hereafter Agreement) Because of this confidentiality, a true and correct copy of this Agreement is not attached hereto, but Plaintiff is prepared to attach same should any Defendant object on the basis of Pa. R.C.P. 1019 (i) 7. Beginning October 31, 2001, Defendant PHICO Group, Inc. failed to make the regular, semi-monthly salary continuation payment due on the that date, and has failed to make any regular, semi-monthly salary continuation payments to Plaintiff since that date. 8. Defendant PHICO Group, Inc. also has failed to reimburse the Plaintiff on October 31, 2001 and November 30, 2001 for the monthly premiums totaling $711.48 he paid for COBRA coverage for group health and dental insurance for the months of October and November 2001, respectively. - 2 - <~~ ,Jl>WL _0 -'1 '-'-"=, I' '1' """"""~"'" ~< ~..::.'C~ " ~ ,,~,- "':~-,r.wi,~_" COUNT I - BREACH OF CONTRACT KISIELEWSKI V. PHICO, GROUP, INC. 9. The averments contained in paragraphs 1 through B of this Complaint are hereby incorporated as if completely set forth herein. 10. By failing to pay Plaintiff semi-monthly salary continuation payments required under the Agreement, and by failing to reimburse Plaintiff appropriate sums for group health and dental insurance expenses required under said Agreement, Defendant PHICO Group, Inc. is in material breach of the Agreement. 11. Paragraph 11 of the Agreement provides that as part of the remedy for the Defendant PHICO Group, Inc.'s breach of any provision of the Agreement, it will be responsible for the plaintiff's reasonable legal costs arising from the breach. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands damages against Defendant PHICO Group, Inc. in the amount of $46,976.71, (consisting of $17,625 in salary continuation payments past due as of the date of this Complaint, $27,928.85 salary continuation payments coming due to Plaintiff subsequent to the filing of the Complaint and $1,422.96 in reimbursement for group health and dental insurance expenses). the reasonable legal costs authorized by the Agreement, costs of suit and such other further relief which this Court deems just and proper. - 3 - _L , ,"-'~'~'"'~ " ~." ~ T , ~ COUNT II - VIOLATION OF WAGE PAYMENT AND COLLECTION LAW KISIELEWSKI v. PHICO GROUP, INC. and SCANLAN and S,IMMONS 12. The averments contained in paragraphs 1 through 11 of this Complaint are hereby incorporated as if completely set forth herein. 13. Salary continuation payments and reimbursement for group health and dental insurance expenses under the Separation Agreement and General Release constitute "wages" under the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law. 14. Defendant PRICO Group, Inc. failed to pay Plaintiff appropriate salary continuation payments required on October 31, 2001, November 15, 2001 and November 30, 2001, under the Agreement and also has failed to reimburse plaintiff the group health and dental insurance expenses under said Agreement when due on October 31, 2001 and November 30, 2001 and Plaintiff believes, and therefore avers, that Defendant PRICO Group, Inc. will not be making the semi-monthly salary continuation payment required to be paid to him in the future. 15. Defendants Scanlan and Simmons are both actively involved in the Defendant PRICO Group Inc.'s decision making, including decisions as to what corporate obligations to honor and pay, and Plaintiff believes, and therefore avers, that they were both actively involved in the decision to stop making the aforementioned payments to the Plaintiff. - 4 - 'i.~,:1'li3n,L]iT e~= "" , -- ~- 1r - ~-~ if- -" ~-" - "-".~-- 16. None of the Defendants have asserted any good faith reason why PHICO Group, Inc. has ceased to make the semi- monthly wage continuation payments or premium reimbursements to the Plaintiff, and Plaintiff believes and therefore avers, that there is no good faith reason for such nonpayments. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against Defendants PHICO Group, In. and Scanlan and Simmons, jointly and severally, pursuant to the Wage Payment and Collection Law, in the amount of $46,976.71, plus 25% liquidated damages (under 43 P.S. ~260.10) plus reasonable attorneys fees, costs of suit and such other further relief which this Court deems just and proper. DATE: / v l-t!() / Respectfully submitted, STROK~& C~WDEN, P. . By: ~( Elliot A. okoff, I.D. No. 1667~ BY:~ ~ - -..../___. Mario R. Bordogna, ES~ I.D. No. 80905 132 State Street PO Box 11903 Harrisburg, PA 17108-1903 (717) 233-5353 Attorneys for Plaintiff - 5 - ~)~'tll',"l!f,~:Il;"l1iJL,,~;__, _ "'f ,~ , ~ 1,- ~_ "- . ~-, - ~-",'~,,~ .~" ~-, ,~~ ;"'=_4' ". <,~~~, - ~""~.'-~ RICHARD H. KISIELEWSKI, Plaintiff IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA v. PHICO GROUP, INC., CAROLYN F. SCANLAN and SHERYL SIMMONS, Defendants CIVIL ACTION - LAW VERIFICATION I, RICHARD H. KISIELEWSKI, certify 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 herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. ~4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities. K~W.~~ RICHARD H. KISIEL WSKI DATE: 1~/l.do, -~ ,,:<, '-~.. " -' -"'I' "'_7_ 0_ .~ -> ..n "--'~'~~~f'''~"' " -i'f!l i RICHARD H. KISIELEWSKI Plaintiff IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA v. PRICO GROUP, INC. CIVIL ACTION - LAW and No. 01-6913 CAROLYNF. SCANLAN and SHERYL SIMMONS Defendants. PRAECIPE FOR ENTRY OF APPEARANCE TO THE PROTHONOTARY: Kindly enter our appearance on behalf of defendant, Sheryl Simmons. WOLF, BLOCK, SCHORR AND SOLIS-COHEN LLP Jf{J~ Jonathan D. Wetchler Identification No.: 40796 Douglas Diaz Identification No.: 84385 1650 Arch Street, 22nd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 977-2000 Dated: December 20, 2001 Mark S. Stewart Identification No.: 75958 212 Locust Street, Suite 300 Harrisburg, P A 17101 (717) 237-7160 DSH,30336.1 "'~~lTIi~~_~. _fl!!I! ..'_ ,,~~_ ?~, ., -. ~, -,- ,,' . . . "'_".~ ~,_-.__"",,,.4~"'_~~"~""'_II'\''1___ CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that on December 20,2001, I caused to be served a copy of the foregoing Praecipe for Entry of Appearance on the following, via fax and first class mail, postage pre-paid: Strokoff & Cowden, P.C. 132 State Street P.O. Box 11903 Harrisburg, P A 17108 717-233-5806 (fax) jU~.. Mark S. Stewart Dated: December 20, 2001 DSH:30336. \ V'~!lt'%1:""'., ,~- -", ~- -," ~ " "-"", " -- ~~ __ I~ ~~__~w,t"'f""<lIll"",,~..~ ,I" _~_.H SHERIFF'S RETURN - REGULAR CASE NO: 2001-06913 P COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA: COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND KISIELEWSKI RICHARD H VS PHICO GROUP INC ET AL KENNETH GOSSERT , Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, who being duly sworn according to law, says, the within COMPLAINT & NOTICE was served upon PHICO GROUP INC the DEFENDANT , at 0958:00 HOURS, on the 12th day of December, 2001 at ONE PHICO DRIVE MECHANICSBURG, PA 17055 by handing to ROBERT LONG, VP LEGAL a true and attested copy of COMPLAINT & NOTICE t0gether with and at the same time directing His attention to the contents thereof. Sheriff's Costs: Docketing Service Affidavit Surcharge 18.00 5.85 .00 10.00 .00 33.85 So Answers: .,-o..--!..c;;" ~ --:-P' c./,:..".'~/ . 01- . -,';:-,'~';::' _,-"<.:>--:-;:'~-.1"~,.r. -:'" .-/' r".. ,;:"____..:-' ~ . __~___' ~__. , . R. Thomas Kline 12/27/2001 STROKOFF & COWDEN me this .I~ day of Sworn and Subscribed to before By: Q..q; ~~ A.D. .. , j) Pf;,:::) ~ r rothonotar m-0""N,"-WJll% ~ ","", - ,a~ -'I 1- - .. "n ~,. ~" SHERIFF'S RETURN - REGULAR CASE NO: 2001-06913 P COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA: COUNTY OF CuMBERLAND KISIELEWSKI RICHARD H VS PHICO GROUP INC ET AL KENNETH GOSSERT , Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff of Cumberland county,pennsylvania, who being duly sworn according to law, says, the within COMPLAINT & NOTICE was served upon SIMMONS SHERYL M the DEFENDANT , at 0958:00 HOURS, on the 12th day of December, 2001 at ONE PHICO DRIVE MECHANICSBURG, PA 17055 by handing to ROBERT LONG VP LEGAL a true and attested copy of COMPLAINT & NOTICE together with and at the same time directing His attention to the contents thereof. Sheriff's Costs: Docketing Service Affidavit Surcharge 6.00 .00 .00 10.00 .00 16.00 So Answers: ~/-. ~ ..6';/ .. ~ ~ . __ ",_.1" :r; ?".P.";?,&.4."'-1~ . R. Thomas Kline 12/27/2001 STROKOFF & COWDEN Sworn and Subscribed to before By: me this d~ _ day of q,uu( ~2J A.D. }JiWI {2 n,~pj,-" ~ rothonotary ''"'~~~.:!]TI ',~,_ - '~ '"T" ~~.~ ~~ SHERIFF'S RETURN - OUT OF COUNTY CASE NO: 2001-06913 P COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA: COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND KISIELEWSKI RICHARD H VS PHICO GROUP INC 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: SCANLAN CAROLYN F but was unable to locate Her in his bailiwick. He therefore deputized the sheriff of DAUPHIN County, Pennsylvania, to serve the within COMPLAINT & NOTICE On December 27th, 2001 , this office was in receipt of the attached return from DAUPHIN Sheriff's Costs: Docketing 6.00 Out of County 9.00 Surcharge 10.00 Dep Dauphin County 29.25 .00 54.25 12/27/2001 STROKOFF & COWDEN So answ~.~..;..:. ;. / R.~/ Sheriff of Cumberland County Sworn and subscribed to before me this :</h-d day Of~ h-v.2.-- A.D. ~() fhJf;J'~ <-f,dj Prothonotary n"~'""'t:~,Im",_,>>,!,';'" "- '1" !' . ~"'~ .." "',~' l~~ , .~ -"";;' ,- .~"~; - "~ ,','\,-./,-';-.'"'' @ffb::t of t4~ ~4~riff William T. Tully Solicitor J. Daniel Basile Chief Deputy Mary Jane Snyder Real Estate Deputy Michael W. Rinehart Assistant Chief Deputy Dauphin County Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101 ph: (717) 255-2660 fax: (717) 255-2889 Jack Lotwick Sheriff Commonwealth of Pennsylvania KISIELEWSKI RICHARD H vs County of Dauphin SCANLAN CAROLYN F Sheriff's Return No. 3512-T - -2001 OTHER COUNTY NO. 01-6913 AND NOW: December 17, 2001 at 1:10PM served the within COMPLAINT upon SCANLAN CAROLYN F by personally handing to KIM ROBINSON, SECRETARY 1 true attested copy(ies) of the original COMPLAINT and making known to him/her the contents thereof at H.H.A.P. 4750 LINDLE ROAD HBG, PA 17111-0000 Sworn and subscribed to So Answers, Jf~ efore me this 18TH day of DECEMBER, 2001 (\ ~ c-. (fJOflMU)) I . PROTHONOTARY Sheriff of Dauphin County, Pa. <""1"11 _~~ By "11CSm.<14 Deputy Sheriff Sheriff's Costs: $29.25 PD 12/17/2001 RCPT NO 157804 STRUBHA ,~j~,"~"1\'mI~,_ -: ' ~ 0- ,__"'~,"')J If "',,' ~'~"""-'>l"~""'~~="F""""''''~''''J ,- In The Court of Common Pleas of Cumperland County, PennsylvanIa Richard H. Kisielewski VS. PHlOO Group. Inc. et al SERVE: No. 01 6913 civil Now, Decanber 10, 2001 , I, SHERIFF OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, P A, do hereby deputize the Sheriff of Dauphin County to execute this Writ, this deputation being made at the request and risk of the Plaintiff. ~~~?L Sheriff of Cumberland County, PA Affidavit of Service Now, ,20_, at 0' clock M. served the within upon at by handing to a 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 SERV1CE MILEAGE AFFIDAV1T $ $ '.~r,,::>;",,"'!"~,~r . ,--~,,~ . i'., "" ~,"-'-r-- " ~- [, , ~~ , ~ ~, .. ~~"'",,"""~!P"' - ",.~ li RICHARD H. KISIELEWSKI, Plaintiff IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA v. PRICO GROUP, INC., CAROLYN F. SCANLAN and SHERYL SIMMONS, CIVIL ACTION - LAW No. 01-6913 Defendants NOTICE TO PLEAD TO PLAINTIFF RICHARD H. KISIELEWSKI: You are hereby notified to file a written response to the enclosed New Matter within twenty (20) days of service thereof or a default judgment may be entered against you. t(J~- Wolf, lac, Schorr and Soils-Cohen, LLP Mark S. Stewart, Esq. I.D. No. 75958 Counsel for Defendant Sheryl Simmons DSH30447.! /PHI206.143346 .;fIC1-""'"'~i!'Ii~_ .--'", - I"", I """l'W' .-- ~- '~"'-<".."..""."."'~'~~ t.iJj You are hereby notified to file a written response to the enclosed New Matter within twenty (20) days of service thereof or a default judgment may be entered against you. RICHARD H. KlSIELEWSKl, Plaintiff IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA v. PRICO GROUP, INC., CAROLYN F. SCANLAN and SHERYL SIMMONS, CIVIL ACTION - LAW No. 01-6913 Defendants ANSWER AND NEW MATTER Defendant, Sheryl Simmons, ("Simmons") answers Plaintiffs Complaint and states her New Matter as follows: 1. Admitted. 2. Admitted that Defendant, PHICO Group, Inc., is a Pennsylvania corporation authorized to do business in this Commonwealth. The remaining averments of Paragraph 2 of the Complaint are denied. To the contrary, PHrCO Group's principal offices are not at One PRICO Drive, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania 17055 but at H.H.A.P, 4750 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105. 3. Admitted that Defendant Carolyn F. Scanlan's workplace is located at H.H.A.P., 4750 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Denied that the zip code at this workplace is 17111. To the contrary, the zip code is 17105. Admitted that Defendant Scanlan is Chairman of the Board of Defendant PHICO Group, Inc. Denied that Defendant Scanlan is President and Chief Executive Officer of Defendant PHICO Group, Inc. To the contrary, Defendant Scanlan has never been President or Chief Executive Officer of Defendant PHICO Group, Inc. DSH:30447. J/PHI206-143346 '"-"A~~il'!!!!<> _ __ ~, __~. ,_ ~.. f~ . ,,~ l'>IiI'l!III!!' 4. Denied. To the contrary, Simmons is Senior Vice-President of Finance for PHICO Insurance Company (in Rehabilitation). Moreover, Simmons does not have a "principal place of business. " Simmons typically works at One PHICO Drive, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania 17055. 5. Admitted. 6. Admitted. 7.8. After reasonable investigation, Simmons is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the averments of Paragraphs 7-8 of the Complaint and therefore denies same. Count I - Breach of Contract - Kisielewski v. PHICO GrouD. Inc. 9. Paragraphs I through 8 of this Answer are hereby incorporated as if completely set forth herein. 10. The averments of Paragraph 10 of the Complaint apply only to Defendant PHICO Group, Inc. and no responsive pleading is required by Defendant Simmons. I\. The averments of Paragraph II of the Complaint apply only to Ddtmdant PHICO Group, Inc. and no responsive pleading is required by Defendant Simmons. Count II - Violation of Wage Payment and Collection Law Kisielewski v. PHICO GrouD. Inc. and Scanlan and Simmons 12. Paragraphs I through 11 of this Answer are hereby incorporated as if completely set forth herein. 13. The averments of Paragraph 13 of the Complaint allege conclusions oflaw to which no responsive pleading is required. To the extent that a response is required, they are denied. To the contrary, any salary continuation payments and reimbursement for group health DSK30447.1IPHI206.143346 -2. """~''''''',"''1'''JJ,",~' , ,-~ , , ~.".....,." ,~ I ' if ~" _ ,""'Ill]ilw , " , "~ 1.4l-~~~c'" and dental insurance expenses under the Separation Agreement and General Release do not constitute "wages" under the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law. 14. After reasonable investigation, Simmons is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the averments of Paragraph 14 ofthe Complaint and therefore denies same. 15. After reasonable investigation, Simmons is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the averment of Paragraph 15 that Defendant Scanlan is actively involved in the Defendant PHICO Group Inc. 's decision making, including decisions as to what corporate obligations to honor and pay. The remaining averments of Paragraph 15 of the Complaint are denied. To the contrary, Simmons is not actively involved in the Defendant PHICO Group, Inc. 's decision making, including decisions as to what corporate obligations to honor and pay. Moreover, Simmons was not involved in the decision to stop making payments to the Plaintiff. 16. The averments of Paragraph 16 of the Complaint allege conclusions oflaw to which no responsive pleading is required. To the extent a response is required, they are denied. To the contrary, Plaintiff did not request from Simmons any reason as to why PHICO Group, Inc has ceased to make the semi-monthly wage continuation payments or premium reimbursements to him. Moreover, Simmons does not have any authority to provide Plaintiff with any such reason. NEW MATTER 1. Plaintiff has failed to state a claim upon which relief may be granted against Defendant Simmons. 2. Plaintiff is unable to establish that Defendant Simmons was an "employer," as that term is defined by the Wage Payment and Collection Law, for reasons including, but not DSH:J0447.1/PHI206.14JJ46 - 3 - -"<',~"',;,,';'3''i:V~ '"' 1M "" ~ I ,. ~-~"= ",. 7"'l"""""""W?~'''' limited to, that Simmons was neither an agent nor officer of PHICO Group, Inc. at the time salary continuation payments and COBRA premium reimbursements to Plaintiff allegedly ceased. 3. Plaintiff is unable to establish that the money he claims is due him constitutes earned compensation for reasons including, but not limited to, that any payments provided him under his Separation Agreement and General Release were in return for a release, and were not earned for services rendered. 4. Defendant Simmons had no role or decision-making authority with respect to any decision to cease salary continuation payments and COBRA premium reimbursements to Plaintiff. 5. Plaintiffs claim against Defendant Simmons is barred by the bankruptcy filing by Defendant PRICO Group, Inc. and by the Rehabilitation Order with respect to PRICO Insurance Company (in Rehabilitation). DSH,30447.1/PH1206.143346 -4- ''''<'<''''W~"",-''17'',r""JII:II~l,,"~ <",< ~- _? I I~ """""'" - - ~ ~'. "'~~-,,-<"',.,~ WHEREFORE, Defendant Simmons respectfully requests that Plaintiffs Complaint against her be dismissed with prejudice and that judgment be entered in her favor. Respectfully submitted, t(~~h,"'LLP Jonathan D. Wetchler, Esquire I.D. No. 40796 Douglas Diaz, Esquire I.D. No. 84385 1650 Arch Street, 22nd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 977-2000 Mark S. Stewart, Esquire I.D. No. 75958 212 Locust Street, Suite 300 Harrisburg, P A 1710 I (717) 237-7160 Dated: January 4,2002 DSH,30447.I/PHI206-143346 - 5- ^"-'~Oj,~."""~~"",, '1" 1--<' " , ~~J L ~~ ~~" ~ _, ~_~~"l ""N;;o"'="""'~lI:"l1" Vf.RIFICA nON I. Sheryl Simmons. hereby veri fy Ihat I have read the slatements of the foregoing Answer and verify that lhe slalemems of fact made thelein arc true and eorreclln Ihe hest 0 f wy knowledge, information and belief. I understand that any false St31em6nls therein are subjecT 10 Ihe penalties contained in 18 Pe. C.S.A. ~ 4904 relating 10 unsworn falsification TO lIuthorities. Dated; Jancary --1.... 2002 . 050,81 SSDJ.1I111If206-14ll4a , , --~ ~" " ~r= ,~ , ,_~,,.~"""""~FF""p"''''r,,,,,,,,,,,.,,,,,, ,~, _ '_H" __." CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that on January 4, 2002, I caused to be served a true and correct copy of the foregoing Answer on the following, via fax and first class mail, postage prepaid: Elliot Strokoff, Esquire Strokoff & Cowden, P.C. 132 State Street P.O. Box 11903 Harrisburg, P A 17108 717-233-5806 (fax) Ilk ~-.4 ark s.tew .. Dated: January 4,2002 OSH:30447.1/PHI206.143346 '''''''''"'''''''''''''''V!~,:" ~_,_ . " r" """"",",-""'I'(~""'=F""""'('^""""'" IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA CIVIL DMSION RICHARD H. KISIELEWSKI, Plaintiff CIVIL ACTION - LAW v. 01-6913 Civil Term PHICO GROUP INC., CAROLYN F. SCANLAN and SHERYL SIMMONS, Defendants. NOTICE OF FILING OF NOTICE OF REMOVAL FILED ON BEHALF OF DEFENDANTS PHICO GROUP INCORPORATED, ET AL. TO: Office of the Prothonotary Cumberland County 2 Liberty Avenue Carlisle, P A 17013 You are hereby notified, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 11 1446(d), that on January 9, 2002, Defendants PHICO Group, Inc., et aI. filed a Notice of Removal of the above action from the Court of Conunon Pleas of Cumberland County to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. A copy ofthe Notice of Removal is attached. Respectful! y submitted, ~d2~~ Jill M. Lashay KLETT LIEBER ROONEY & SCHORLING 240 N. Third Street, Suite 600 Harrisburg, PA 17101-1503 (717) 231-7700 Dated: January 9, 2002 Attorneys for Defendants KRLSHAR: 18638. [ lrU\b{gUl \ \ , z I I -J PER HARRISBU RlCHARD H. KISIELEWSKI, IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA ,1\ 2 . A 11\,.. U ---~-~. l:CY Plaintiff CIVIL ACTION - LAW v. 01-6913 Civil Term PHICO GROUP me., CAROLYN F. SCANLAN : and SHERYL SIMMONS, RAMBO Defendants. NOTICE OF REMOVAL Pursuant to 28 U.S.e. S 1441, Defendants PHICO Group Incorporated, Carolyn F. Scanlan, and Sheryl Simmons (collectively referred to as "Defendants"), by their undersigned attorneys, hereby remove this action from the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County. Removal is based on the following: KRLSHAR: 18638.1 .~+vg~""I\II"!l.'!li'm!~~""... > .If. "_'__\ : _ ~, . " f,! ~.""_..-,,,,__ I. On or about December 4, 2001, Plaintiff Richard H. Kisie1ewski ("Plaintiff') commenced an action against Defendants in the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania captioned "Richard H. Kisie1ewski v. PHICO Group Inc., Carolyn F. Scanlan and Sheryl Simmons," No. 01-6913 Civil Term. 2. Defendant PHICO Group received a copy of Plaintiffs Complaint on or about December 12,2001. A copy of the Complaint is attached hereto as Exhibit A. As of this date, the Defendants have received no other process or pleadings in this case. 3. In this Complaint, Plaintiff Kisielewski alleges that Defendants failed to properly pay him severance pay and other employee benefits pursuant to a separation agreement. Severance pay plans, even if unfunded and paid from general assets, are employee welfare benefit plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ofl974, 29 U.S.C. 9 1001 et~. See Section 3(1)(A) and 3(1)(B) of ERISA, 29 U.S.C. 9 1002(1)(A) and (B); 29 C.F.R. 92510.3-1(3); Gilbert v. Burlington Indus.. Inc., 765 F.2d 320 (2d Cir. 1985), affd, 477 U.S. 901 (1986). 4. The Separation Agreement and General Release between PHICO Group Inc. and Plaintiff Kisielewski ("Agreement") qualifies as a welfare KRLSHAR:18638.! ~"":i$j1~"!f _ -.1 ~_ ~, _,,~,~ r' I . . - benefit plan under ERISA, 29 U.S.C. S 1002(1)(A) and (B). Pane v. RCA Corporation, 868 F.2d 631 (3d Cir. 1989); Darlin v. Consolidated Rail Corporation, 93 F .Supp. 2d 599 (ED. Pa. 2000). 5. Suits by a beneficiary to recover covered employee welfare benefits fall directly under Section 502(a)(1)(B) of ERISA, which provides an exclusive federal cause of action for resolution of such disputes and thus is properly removable to a federal district court. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. v. Taylor, 481 U.S. 58, 62-63 (1987). 6. Plaintiffs action is one over which the United States District Court has original jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. S 1331. 7. 28 U.S.C. S 1441(a) provides that "any civil action brought in a State court of which the district courts of the United States have original jurisdiction, may be removed by the defendant or the defendants, to the district court of the United States for the district and division embracing the place where such action is pending." 8. 28 U.S.C. S 1441(b) provides that "[a]ny civil action of which the district courts have original jurisdiction founded on a claim or right arising under the Constitution, treaties or laws of the United States shall be removable without regard to the citizenship or residence of the parties." KRLSHAR:18638.! '~'~'\""'\"~';'W')'~"';~"""'lt ,^'~' -'"~~ ,,'"""1 ". ~- "" ~~ = ~- '" ~~~"" ~ ~~..~~ ~ 9. Because this is an action over which federal district courts have original jurisdiction, and because Cumberland County is embraced by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the action is properly removed to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania under 28 U.s.c. 9 1441(a) and (b). 10. This Notice is timely under 28 U.S.C. 9 1446(b) in that it is filed within thirty (30) days after receipt by Defendants of a copy of the Complaint, the first pleading from which it could be ascertained that the case is removable. WHEREFORE, Defendants hereby remove the above action now pending in the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Respectfully submitted, a~~. Jill M. Lashay KLETT ROONEY LIEBER & SCHORLING A Professional Corporation 240 N. Third Street, Suite 600 Harrisburg, PA 17101-1503 (717) 231-7700 Attorneys for Defendants Dated: January 9, 2002 KRLSHARI86J8.1 ",,,,,,,;,c,~<\.:=,-,,,,:,,~_~~~,.,.... _, _.. "__ '. t , rr, ~~ -~ ..""""" - " CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Notice of Removal was served upon counsel for Plaintiff, by first class mail, postage prepaid, on January 9, 2002, at the following address: Elliot A. Strokoff, Esquire Mario R. Bordogna, Esquire Strokoff & Cowden, P.C. 132 State Street P.O. Box 11903 Harrisburg, P A 17108-1903 KRLSHAR: 186.38. ! ;,",,",';-"~':f~jF,,!''''~r . "" ~"~,=""'_ ~. _~"'_ ,__< , 'l,,", - ..~ CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that a true and c<,rrect copy of the foregoing Notice of Filing of Notice of Removal Filed on Behalf of Defendant PHICO Group Inc., et al. was served upon counsel for Plaintiff, by first class mail, postage prepaid, on January 9, 2002, at the following address: Elliot A. Strokoff, Esquire Mario R. Bordogna, Esquire Strokoff & Cowden, P.C. 132 State Street P.O. Box 11903 Harrisburg, PA 17108-1903 KRLSHAR: 18638.1 ~'{~'l1:1~;T<"""'T,~ ..,U!..1lT ~ , . ., 2 .@'! ~\ u. ~ " ~. ,--,.,,,y't'w_'f''l!ir,,,~.m _ r'J'i -<-~- ,.- " ~,., ~" ~ ~" ,....."... '" . , ~.... '- "-.- m >< % iii :::j )> .'~""'"""""'""~'~"""'~' ll.I~ H. !CIS:t"SLl!WSlCI, Ph1nt1ff IN THi COtm:r OF COMMON PL$S CUMBERLAND COUNTY, l'ENNSYLVANIA v. 01- iP9/J Co~l ~ CIVIL ACTION - :t.AW l'RICC Q10t1P, me. I CA:R.O%im F. SCANtAN aM smm.tt. SIMMONS, Defendants NOTIC'I tOfFY lIOO' "9:11 lIID S'IIBD Dr ClCI1:Ift. 'l:f)'Cll w15h co def....r. agaiut CIIe Gla_ let l:cn:tll l,n 1:lw !o11ClW1q paau. you __e talce aer.lc within t1Im1t:Y (20) days &"'1 t:bis Cofttp1aint:: =4 IfGt1ee an .HVe4, by enterinsr a wnt:t8A .~- pc-.Uy = by at.t:aZMY ad ~11ag m writiq wi~ tha ~ yaIQ;' de~eI1S's ooe o1lj.~ 1;0 1;M =l&1_ see C=t.b Sgail:lllt you. YClII. U'8..wa:cud that if you. fall to 40 10 the =ell may PJ:CIceed w1t:!1aut yW Illd a j~l: 1II&Y I:lo CJl,can<l ~c yell >>y !:he CaIU't vithoUt ~"' "ot:i... for a3II'J. _~c1,,;l.med iA t~ ~laine = for artY ot:hft' eJ,a1m 01' mief nqaetad by 'the Plaintin. Y=-y 10" IIIllUY or pJ:GPari;y Oll: ~ 1'.i.gh1;s 1\IIPlXt:a:at to ~. 1QlJ SIlQlIJl1J DJI 'fJIU DID :0 'IllS r.awua AI . ORI, D tD1J :Del JlCf aft " r.I:lIID 01 ~ aftoD On. CIO'tO oa Dt-w .; '" DIi OInCaIft lOJtG mlroOlf '1'0 n= oat WIIDII .1QlJ CU' AIL' LIGI:o JIlIQ. cCXP....r.>>mt ClCUIl'1'Y 1M NlSOC::u.o::cDf a t.iI:lertY AvUllo car1i'~', 'A 17013 1~IOO-"O-'101 1Q':%d1 to !WI iI_ftA.oW . Wleed en :La co::l:e. S~ Ulted. qu1e1:11 def~IIl" d.e, ..~.. 11-.".1... ~estn ft :Las patina. dguia.tes, ust:.4 tie2le vimt. (201 ' cU.. de plalO all'Ul:.i.J: 4e 1& fe..1s& de la dala:ada y la not.i.fi=..c1w. l1B1:eCl 4lotl. ;pn.ezLtu' \ilia aparieaaia _cd1:a 0 = pnou. " ,or 1Iboga&. y arc:hivaz en 1a ==1:0 en l!Cl~ esCJ:ita II\l,f dehAII&J Cl INS onjeciClD'. . 1.... A_.ft.!aw BI!. COIl.~n. da au perSQIIIA. 18& an.ado que d UlIted DO no 4111f:l.eZlde, 1.. ooree l:CllIIlln 1Ile4J.UIJ y p1!s40 e=uu 1lIIil ClI'dlII1 C!ClllU'& 1UJI:ed Ilin ,pnv1o avho Q uoeiUeao:t.OIl. Y p~ ;ulqlOiu ~a 0 a1ivio Q'JlI .. pedi.dc = :La p.e1c1C1Jl d..~. usee!! ~ pC%1laz dineTCl Q SUlI p:apisudec a oUS' cle%eCll\(l. illlpCnall~"" para ust.d, r.z.na __ ~.. It VJr llJIllDlUIO~' n 110 'nlIIUII UQlDDO 0 5X II) TUB .. IIDDCI l>YI-....~""" Ill: .~ 'fa!. SDVZa;:O. 'noD .. lI'""I"'<lIO. a 10UIIB IOl -.n'OIIO ~ u an=- ClIU lXI:UCQ:llII a 6II"~.....m ~ AIM!) tAU. A~ DaIIDB SB JQDI: ~DIH"""'" AI%~",.... r..mu... ._., ..' " _ '. Cl1JCl'...y.llJIlIl C:OlllftT !U A9SOCIA'l'ICIII' .,..~ :. . . :z LilMoet.y A_o ~-=',~ . .......n..., .'j '^ carUsl.. Plio 17a13 .:..... ... '. 1-8QO-Uo-t1a8 .._.:~~~ _....'.... ~. .~~~. ...~~h. ~.. A. .... .~. ... . - ., ',. .~ ,... . -:;'~ ' " ....... .; ....... "~CO" ~ - . . &'%A01tOI'J' " _.__. ._e~ 13:1 8""~.. 5="", ".0. ..Ha:1s1N%'9, PA 173.08 (711' 333-5353 llaoc 1U03 -""""'''''"~~I~,,!,,- ~"<~L~,~~_ _ _~~ "1~~' I 11. . ----,~,~~~.."~'" "-i,~'-",K"ii'0;;.7,"",,~, o. .' ll.IClWlJl it. JCIS:tnEWSKI, Ji'1.aineil:f IN THE COUltT OF COMMON PLEAS , ctlMBJ]I.:AND COUNTY, P~N~YLV1\NIA v. PHlea GROUP. INC., CAROLnT F. sCJOOAN and slmll"lL S:tMMO!.iS, Defend.ants CIVIt. AC'rION - LAW cClJGlumr 'the Plaintiff I RichaJ:d. X. JC1a1elewski. by and thr0U9h counsel. stJ:ckoff " cowden, P.Co, hereby files the following eomplaint and avers .Ii follcws: 1. pl&intiff, 1Ucl:lard. H. l(j.s1'.lewslci, is an adult; 1ndiviaual res1d1~ at 17 Kelly Drive, Carlisle, pennsylvania 170J.J. :I. Defendane, PRICe CWCl1,l.p, Inc., i. .. pennsylvania co:pol'at:.ion a~t:horiz.d to de business in thia CommOnwealth wit,h . its principal offices ae one PRICO Drive, M.chanic~. Pe~lvania 17055. 3. Defendant: carolyn F. scan1an i$ President, Chief sxecutive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Defendant PK!CO GrOUP, Ine, Her workplace is located at; S.H.A.P., 4750 Lindle Road., i{an:isl::lurg. PliInnIJylvania :I. 7111. 4. Defencianl; Sheryl M. Simmonll 1s Senior Vice president: and. Treasurar of Dafen4ane PRICO GrQ~P. Ine. ser -p -. 11, " - . , prinoipal place of busi~e.s is the lame as ~afendane pgICO Grcup, InC:. 5. In o~eober of 1996, che Plaintiff ccmm=noed ,mploymant with the Defendant PHICO Group, Inc. as a Vice President of Aaminiatration. Ei. On or about JUly 111, 2001, the Plaintiff and Defendan~ PHICO Grcup, Inc. Qneerad 1nto a confidential separation Agreement and General R.eleaa;e (hereafter As::eemen1:) . Because af this confidentiality, a true and ccrr.ct copy of this 1lQ:'.e1Mnt is not ateached hereto. but na1~tiff :is prepared to attac:h same shQUl4 any Defendant objeot on the basis of Pa. ~- Il. C. P. 1019 0.) . 7. Beginning Octobar 31, 2001, Defendant PRICO Group, :ene. failed tel make the regular, se1U.moIl.1:hly aalary continuation payment due on the that date, and has tailed to '\ malee any regula:!:, send-monthly .&la2:y- continuation payments to pl~intiff since that date. B. ~efendan1: PRICOGroup, Inc. al~Q haa failed to reimburSe '1;~ Plaintiff on October 31, 2001 and November 30. 2001 for the mcn~Y pr8mi~ totaling $711.46 he paid for coBRA coverage for group health and den~al 1nsU:ande for ths months of Oc~ober and November 2001, respeotive1y. .2- !-i",0'*'-";'-"-,,"'~~'1"i\;'j)lIf,_.._"_ " 1" - - - ,,' " ~-- "!1llf!I.'R' .' ~ I - l'lUACS 01' CON'rlU.C'r 1t:tS%JLlI!!mo: v. Place, CD.OUP, me. 9. The averments contained in paragraphs 1 through B of this complaint a~e hereby incorporated as if completely Qat forth herein. 1.0. By faili.ng to pay Plaintiff lelll1-monthly salary continuation payments raquirad under the Ag:'eement, ;md by failing to reimburse Pl.!ntif~ approp~iata sums fa: group health and I!en~al insurance expensell requ.irllld under said 1-greement. tle1!enda:nt PRICO (h'oup. inc. is in material ~reac:ll ot the Agreement. ;1.1. Paragraph 11. of the AqreelM11t provic1ell wt as put of the remedy for the :Defendat\t PHICO Group, tnc.'. breach of any provision 0: the Agreement, 1t will be ~esponsible for the plaintiff'area.onable legal costs arising from the ~each. WHEllEPOllE. P1a!ntiff demands damages again5t Defendlmt PRiCO Group, Inc. in the amount of $46,976.71, (consisting of $17.625 in sala:y cont1nuaticn pa.yments past due as of the \!ate of ehis Complaint, q2'. 928.85 salary continuation payments eomi:lI!i due to i'la1ntHf sul:lnqwant to the ::i.ling of the Complaint ~ $1,422.96 in reimbursement for group health and dCI.l::al insw:ance expenSell). the reasonable lagal oosts authorized by the Aeree~nt, costs of 5uit and such other furcber relief whi~ t~ill ~ourc ~.cms ju.~ an4 p~op.r. - J - ---,,~#~f!1'~lI<<"~ , - 'P, '''''__~, - " .. ~ - ., ,~ ",.'V__~ "~" . ~ ~~"''''''''"'''''"~-'-'~ i?R co~ n _ V'IOLATl:(lI( OJ' lQGE PAlC)I1Dl'r Aml COLWlcr3:OH ~ :aSXXLBWSU v. li'SJ;co GaOtJ1I, l:HC. and. SO"",~ aDd. SI>>IO'l'S 12 . '!he ave:mentll c:onuined in paragraphs 1 thrOUSlh 11 ot this Complaint are hereby inco~orat~d as if completely !let torch bA::..in. 13. SaJ.uy c:ontinua1:lon payments and rsimbura;l100nt for group health and dental insurance expenses uncia%' the separation Agreement and General R~lease CQn8titute ~&ge.n \I.I:Ider the pennsyl.vania Wage Payment anCl collection LaW. 14. tlefenc1ant mICO Group, Inc. fa.;l.led to pay PlainUff appropriate ula%y c:oneinuaticn paytll8nts required on OctOber 31. 2001. November l~. 2001 and November 30, 2001, under the Agreement an~ also has ~a.il.d to nirabur.. PlainUff the g::o\1P hsaltn and dental inau:z:anc:e expenses under said Ag%:l!lement. whm dUl!l on oetoDez' 31. 200l and November 30, 2001 and naint:l.ff believes. and tharefo:re avers, that Dehndant l'HICO Group" J:nc. will not :be making the semi-mcnt:hly sa1uy \':one1nuaeion payntell:t :required t.o ba p...id to him in !:he :fut.ure. lS. OeJ:imdants Sc:anlan ~ $imlllOns are :bQtA ac:t1valy involved in the DafendBnt PRICe Group Inc.' Ii d.~.:l..ion making', ~ncluding deois1ons as to .wh~t \':orpo:~te obligations to honor md pay. and i'ldnciff believes, and therefore a.vers, that they were beth .c:tively involved ;l.n the d.cidon to atop making the ator~~10ne~ payment. ~Q the P1.intift. - 4 - ->:i""H;;'__:'''''~~ r "--"-_-1"1 "'," ~~~ <," "" _"=P"""'~"".'-"''''''''''"''"''''''''''''''''''~"""~=,"=""..",.-,,,=, Wi"' lICHAllD H. nSIiLEHSKI, Pldntiff ~N THE COURT OP COMMON PLUS CtJMBD.UoND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA v. PHleo GROUP, me.. CAROLYN F. sCANW and SHBR'XL SIHMQNS, Defendants crv:t:t. AC'I'ION - LAW Vlll.:tl:tCA1'1OX I, lUc:HAlD H. IaSI!IlZW8XI. eerc:1.fy that the statements made in the foregoing complaint are t:r:ue and conect to the best of ~ ~led;e, information and belief. I ucderstan~ that false statement:s herein ue 1I\8.de s\lbject to the penalties of 18 pa.C.S. 14904 relating to unsworn falsifioation to au~r1tia', 'i<~g'~'rl~ 1UckA2D Ii. KIst SIC! , , DATI: 1~/..l 01 i';.);~~~;r .~ _ ~ ~ 1 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Notice of Filing of Notice of Removal Filed on Behalf of Defendant PHlCO Group Inc., et al. was served upon counsel for Plaintiff, by first class mail, postage prepaid, on January 9, 2002, at the following address: Elliot A. Strokoff, Esquire Mario R. Bordogna, Esquire Strokoff & Cowden, P.C. 132 State Street P.O. Box 11903 Harrisburg, P A 17108-1903 KRLSHAR: 18638.1 "i "il"t'"'7"",~~~~,,""""~"'~,,"'m!!"flf~J'!t~,,~ ~ __,~ , _H " ~ ~-- "'~ ~- .- ~ ~.""">",,,,,,,"-, " Curtis R. Long Prothonotary Renee K. Simpson Deputy Prothonotary John E. Slike Solicitor i(ll Ct ~ e~ L-~qrOJ w 6~Z AIVl. <!&ffice of tbe flrotbonotarp <!Cumberlanb <!Countp Court of Common Pleas Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Docket No. 01- (/li3 J~i5lelewsb v:; {)h,'<:o (;-co"'f [;\(\;-kot S\a\es (YJiddle D:s-I-n'd- C,p",r4- Please acknowledge receipt of this case by signing and dating this document. Please send this back to: PROTHONOTARY OFFICE -' CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURTHOUSE ONE COURTHOUSE SQUARE CARLISLE, P A 17013 Attn: Becky Record received: Date: (signature & title) One Courthouse Square. Carlisle. Pennsylvania 17013 . (717) 240-6195 . Fax (717) 240-6573 ":~~","J~!fle,_, ~". _______:IT , ,'",' ~ ---, n ' ".!r -... ~~~==""""