HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-10330
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
CASSELL CONCRETE, LLC,
Plaintiff No. Q$ - `?33 Ctv i ( l errM
VS.
DONALD J. FARINELLI, Individually
And FARINELLI CONSTRUCTION, INC.,
Defendants
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 defense
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
32 S. Bedford Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Telephone (717) 249-3166
PECHT & ASSOCIATES, PC
By: A",--
Herbert P. Henderson, II, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
55 West High Street
Elizabethtown, PA 17022
Telephone: (717) 367-2800
Attorney I.D. #56304
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
CASSELL CONCRETE, LLC, No 0 9 _ jp33
Plaintiff
VS.
DONALD J. FARINELLI, Individually
and FARINELLI CONSTRUCTION, INC.,
Defendants
COMPLAINT
1. Plaintiff herein is Cassell Concrete, LLC, a Pennsylvania Limited Liability Company with a
principal place of business located at 1205 Manor Drive, Suite 100, Mechanicsburg,
Pennsylvania 17055.
2. Defendant Farinelli Construction, Inc., is believed to be a Pennsylvania business corporation
with a principal place of business located at 3 Kacey Court, Suite 101, Mechanicsburg,
Pennsylvania 17055.
3. Defendant Donald J. Farinelli is an adult individual with a last known mailing address of 3
Kacey Court, Suite 101, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania 17055.
4. At all times relevant hereto Plaintiff was in the business of providing materials, supplies and
labor in what is commonly referred to as concrete installation and construction business.
COUNT I - CASSELL VS FARINELLI CONSTUCTION, INC.
BREACH OF CONTRACT
5. Paragraphs 1 through 4 are incorporated herein as though set forth at length.
6. Prior to April 5, 2006, Plaintiff and Defendants entered into an oral contract whereby Plaintiff
was to provide certain concrete construction services for Defendants.
7. Plaintiff provided Defendants with certain concrete construction labor, services, and materials
and issued Defendants statements as follows:
Start Date Job Identification Contract Price
a. April 5, 2006 Arborfield 17 $1,299.55
b. April 5, 2006 Arborfield 18 $1,299.55
Total $2,599.10
8. Plaintiff provided all supplies, materials and labors in a good and workmanlike manner and in
accordance with accepted principles within the principles of construction within the concrete
installation industry.
9. Plaintiff has issued Defendants a series of statements and demanded payment but Defendants
have failed or otherwise refused to make full payment. A true and correct copy of the
Invoices issued totaling $2,599.10 are attached hereto, and incorporated herein by reference
as though set forth at length and marked collectively as Exhibit "A".
10. Defendants have failed to pay $1,147.50 of the invoices when due, which is a material breach
of the parties' oral contract.
11. As a result of Defendants' breach of the parties' oral contract, Plaintiff has suffered damages
in the amount of $1,147.50, plus costs of suit.
12. As set forth Plaintiff has made repeated demands for payment to which the Defendants have
refused or otherwise failed to pay or to state, what, if any, portion of the invoice or services
performed was not in accord with the contractual specifications or were considered to be a
"deficiency item" as defined in the Contractor and Subcontractor Payment Act.
13. As a result of the Defendants' failure to comply with the Contractor and Subcontractor
Payment Act, Plaintiff is entitled to a penalty equal to 1% per month of the amount not paid
from November 26, 2005 through trial and until time of payment and Plaintiff, if a recovery
is awarded, is entitled to reasonable attorney's fees and expenses related to the prosecution of
this matter.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, Cassell Concrete, LLC, demands judgment in its favor and against
Defendant, Farinelli Construction, Inc. in the amount of $1,147.50 plus a penalty of 1% per month on
said amount until paid, plus reasonable attorney fees, litigation expenses and costs of suit.
COUNT II - CASSELL VS DONALD J. FARINELLI, INDIVIDUALLY
BREACH OF CONTRACT
14. Paragraphs 1 through 13 are incorporated herein as though set forth at length.
15. Defendant Donald J. Farinelli is the sole owner of the Defendant Farinelli Construction, Inc.
and said construction company is in effect, his "alter ego" and he alone benefits from the use
of Farinelli Construction, Inc., which is in effect no more than a corporate shell of his
individual self.
16. Defendant Donald J. Farinelli individually personally represented to Plaintiff that he would
ensure any and all obligations owed by his solely owned construction company would be
paid.
17. As set forth Plaintiff has made repeated demands for payment to which the Defendants have
refused or otherwise failed to pay or to state, what, if any, portion of the invoice or services
performed was not in accord with the contractual specifications or were considered to be a
"deficiency item" as defined in the Contractor and Subcontractor Payment Act.
18. As a result of the Defendants' failure to comply with the Contractor and Subcontractor
Payment Act, Plaintiff is entitled to a penalty equal to I% per month of the amount not paid
from November 26, 2005 through trial and until time of payment and Plaintiff, if a recovery
is awarded, is entitled to reasonable attorney's fees and expenses related to the prosecution of
this matter.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Cassell Concrete, LLC, demands judgment in its favor and against
Defendant Donald J. Farinelli individually in the amount of $1,147.50 plus a penalty of 1% per month
on said amount until paid, plus reasonable attorney fees, litigation expenses and costs of suit.
COUNT III - CASSELL VS. DONALD J. FARINELLI INDIVIDUALLY AND FARINELLI
CONSTRUCTION, INC.
UNJUST ENRICHMENT
19. Paragraphs 1 through 18 are incorporated herein by reference as though set forth at length.
20. Plaintiff provided materials and labor to Defendants in the amount of $1,147.50.
21. As a result of Defendants' failure to pay Plaintiff the balance of $1,147.50 Defendants have
been unjustly enriched in the amount of $1,147.50.
22. Plaintiff conferred benefits on Defendants.
23. The benefits conferred were non-gratuitous.
24. There was an appreciation of those benefits by Defendants.
25. Acceptance and retention of these benefits by Defendants, under the circumstances, is
inequitable and without payment of value.
26. As a result of Defendants' failure to pay Plaintiff, Defendants have been unjustly enriched in
the amount of $1,147.50 plus interest of I% per month.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, Cassell Concrete, LLC, demands judgment in its favor and against
Defendant Donald J. Farinelli, individually and Defendant Farinelli Construction, Inc. in the amount
of $1,147.50 plus a penalty of I% per month on said amount until paid, plus reasonable attorney fees,
litigation expenses and costs of suit.
Respectfully Submitted,
By:
Herbert P. Henderson, 11, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
55 West High Street
Elizabethtown, PA 17022
(717) 367-2800
I.D. # 56304
VERIFICATION
I, Stephen P. Gift, hereby swear and affirm that I am the Managing Member of Cassell Concrete,
LLC, Plaintiff herein, and that I am authorized on behalf of the Company to execute this verification. I
hereby verify that all the information set forth within the preceding 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.A. Section 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
CASSELL CONCRETE, LLC
Date:
Stephen P. Gift, nager
Cassell Concrete, LLC
1205 Manor Dr, Suite 100
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Phone: 717 766-3555
Fax: 717 766-4005
--------------
Eidl gyp" ?
Attention: U t7ZRT
Terms I Due Date
04/05/06
Quantity I Description
553.0 Garage Floor
Invoice No.: 1227
Page No.: 1
Date: 04/05/06
Customer No.: 513
P.O. Number Salesperson
Arborfield 17
Unit Price Extended Amount
2.35 SQ FT 1,299.55
Item Total 1,299.55
Plus Sales Tax 0.00
Invoice Total 1,299.55
EXHIBIT
Cassell Concrete, LLC
1205 Manor Dr, Suite 100
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Phone: 717 766-3555
Fax: 717 766-4005
Attention:
Terms
Quantity I Description
553.0 Garage Floor
Invoice No.: 1226
Page No.: 1
Date: 04/05/06
Customer No.: 513
Due Date P.O. Number
04/05/06 Arborfield 18
Unit Price
2.35 SQ FT
Salesperson
Extended Amount
1,299.55
Item Total 1,299.55
Plus Sales Tax 0.00
Invoice Total 1,299.55
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CASE NO: 2008-01033 P
SHERIFF'S RETURN - REGULAR
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
CASSELL CONCRETE LLC
VS
FARINELLI DONALD J ET AL
MARK CONKLIN Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff of
Cumberland County,Pennsylvania, who being duly sworn according to law,
says, the within COMPLAINT & NOTICE was served upon
FARINELLI CONSTRUCTION INC the
DEFENDANT , at 1015:00 HOURS, on the 15th day of February-, 2008
at 3 KACEY COURT
SUITE 101
MECHANICSBURG, PA 17055
KIM NEGLEY
by handing to
ADULT IN CHARGE
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 6.00
Service .00
Affidavit .00
Surcharge 10.00
a/a1 9- .00
16.00
Sworn and Subscibed to
before me this day
of ,
So Answers:
R. Thomas Kline
02/19/2008
PECHT & ASSOCIATES
By:
Deputy Sheriff
A. D.
CASE NO: 2008-01033 P
SHERIFF'S RETURN - REGULAR
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
CASSELL CONCRETE LLC
VS
FARINELLI DONALD J ET AL
MARK CONKLIN , Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff of
Cumberland County,Pennsylvania, who being duly sworn according to law,
says, the within COMPLAINT & NOTICE was served upon
FARINELLI DONALD J the
DEFENDANT
at 3 KACEY CT
STE 101
MECHANICSBURG, PA 17055-9221 by handing to
KIM NEGLEY ADULT IN CHARGE
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 10.56
Affidavit .00
Surcharge 10.00
38.56
Sworn and Subscibed to
before me this day
of
at 1015:00 HOURS, on the 15th day of February-, 2008
So Answers:
R. Thomas Kline
02/19/2008
PECHT & ASSOCIATES
By. 9?__
Deputy 'Sheriff
A. D.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
CASSELL CONCRETE, LLC,
Plaintiff
No. 08-1033 CIVIL TERM
V.
DONALD J. FARINELLI, individually
and FARINELLI CONSTRUCTION, INC.,
Defendants
PRAECIPE FOR ENTRY OF APPEARANCE
TO: PROTHONOTARY
Kindly enter my appearance in the above-referenced proceeding on behalf of
Defendants, Donald J. Farinelli, individually, and Farinelli Construction, Inc.
Respectfully submitted,
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC
By
mes W. K Attorney I. fl, o 47245
100 Pine Street
P. O. Box 1166
Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166
(717) 232-8000
Attorneys for Defendants
Dated: October 10, 2008
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Linda C. Sents, Legal Secretary to James W. Kutz, Esquire at McNees,
Wallace & Nurick, hereby certify that on this date a true and correct copy of the
foregoing document was served via U. S. Mail, First Class, postage prepaid, upon the
following:
Herbert P. Henderson, II, Esquire
Pecht & Associates, PC
55 West high Street
Elizabethtown, PA 17022
Date: October 13, 2008
Linda C. Sents
rs
al
fT
elf,
:5
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
CASSELL CONCRETE, LLC, ;
Plaintiff No. 08-1033 CIVIL TERM
V.
DONALD J. FARINELLI, individually
and FARINELLI CONSTRUCTION, INC.,
Defendants
NOTICE TO PLEAD
TO: CASSELL CONCRETE, LLC and its attorney
Herbert P. Henderson, II, Esquire
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED TO FILE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE
ENCLOSED NEW MATTER AND COUNTERCLAIM WITHIN TWENTY (20) DAYS FROM
SERVICE HEREOF OR A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU.
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC
By G44,W ,
?eA /
mes W. Kutz, Esquire 7
PA 47245
100 Pine Street
P. O. Box 1166
Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166
(717) 237-5441 (phone)
(717) 260-1714 (fax)
jkutz@mwn.com
Dated: October 13, 2008
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
CASSELL CONCRETE, LLC,
Plaintiff No. 08-1033 CIVIL TERM
V.
DONALD J. FARINELLI, individually
and FARINELLI CONSTRUCTION, INC.,
Defendants
ANSWER, NEW MATTER AND COUNTERCLAIM OF DEFENDANTS
DONALD J. FARINELLI AND FARINELLI CONSTRUCTION INC.
AND NOW come the Defendants, Donald J. Farinelli, individually (hereinafter
"Don Farinelli"), and Farinelli Construction, Inc. (hereinafter "Farinelli Construction"),
through their counsel, McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, and hereby respond to Plaintiffs
Complaint as follows:
1. Admitted upon information and belief.
2. Admitted.
3. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that Don Farinelli is an
adult individual who resides in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. It is denied that the
mailing address identified in Paragraph 3 is Don Farinelli's home mailing address.
4. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that Plaintiff was at one
time in the concrete installation and construction business. However, at some point in
2006, Plaintiff abandoned some of its contractual responsibilities with respect to
completing projects, and, upon information and belief, is no longer in the concrete
installation and construction business.
COUNTI
Cassell v. Farinelli Construction, Inc.
5. Paragraphs 1 through 4 are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully
set forth.
6. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that prior to April 5,
2006 Cassell Concrete, LLC and Farinelli Construction, Inc. entered into a contract
whereby Plaintiff would provide certain concrete construction services requested by
Farinelli Construction. It is denied that Plaintiff ever had a contract with Don Farinelli
individually. It is further denied that all of the terms of the contract were oral. Indeed,
Plaintiffs work was performed pursuant to a quotation provided by Cassell Concrete
LLC to Farinelli Construction in August 2005, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit A.
7. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that Plaintiff provided
Farinelli Construction with some concrete construction labor services and materials, and
it is admitted that Plaintiff issued invoices for the dates and the amounts set forth in
Paragraph 7. It is denied that Plaintiff ever provided Don Farinelli individually with any
such labor and materials, or ever issued Don Farinelli individually any such invoices. By
way of further answer, it is denied that the amounts set forth in the invoices identified in
Paragraph 7 are currently due and owing to Plaintiff, as more fully set forth herein.
8. Denied. It is specifically denied that Plaintiff provided as goods, materials,
supplies and labor in a good and workmanlike manner to Farinelli Construction and it is
further denied that Plaintiff performed its work in accordance with accepted principles in
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the construction and concrete installation industry. To the contrary, as a result of
certain deficiencies in Plaintiffs work, and as a result and certain delays in Plaintiff
performing its work, Farinelli Construction incurred additional costs, which are more fully
identified in the New Matter below, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Moreover, Plaintiff overbilled Farinelli Construction on numerous projects by overstating
the amount of square footage performed, which is not in accordance with any principles
of the construction and concrete installation industry.
9. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that Plaintiff issued
Farinelli Construction invoices from time to time following performance of work by
Plaintiff for Farinelli Construction. It is denied that Plaintiff ever issued Don Farinelli
individually any statements or payment demands. It is similarly denied that Farinelli
Construction has ever failed or refused to make any payments legitimately due Plaintiff.
To the contrary, Plaintiff has been paid in full for all work that had been performed. By
way of further answer, it is admitted that Plaintiff submitted the invoice to Farinelli
Construction attached as Exhibit A to the Complaint. It is denied that any moneys are
due and owing to Plaintiff under the terms of those invoices.
10. Denied. It is specifically denied that Defendant Farinelli Construction
every failed to pay any amounts which were due to Plaintiff, and it is further denied that
Defendant Farinelli Construction ever materially breached its contract with Cassell
Concrete. It is further denied that all of the terms of the contract were oral, as said work
was performed pursuant to the proposal attached hereto as Exhibit A. By way of further
answer, it is denied that Plaintiff ever had a contract with Don Farinelli individually, and
-3-
thus any allegation that Don Farinelli individually has any obligation to pay these
amounts is denied.
11. Denied. It is specifically denied that Farinelli Construction breached any
contract between Cassell and Farinelli Construction, and it is further denied that Plaintiff
has suffered any damages whatsoever as a result of any alleged breaches of contract.
By way of further answer, it is denied that Plaintiff is ever entitled to its "costs of suit".
By way of further answer, it is denied that Defendant Don Farinelli ever had a contract
with Plaintiff, and therefore the remaining averments of Paragraph 11 are denied.
12. Denied. It is specifically denied that Plaintiff has made "repeated
demands" for payment or that Defendant Farinelli Construction has ever improperly
refused to make payments to Plaintiff. It is further denied that Defendant Don Farinelli
individually had a contract with Plaintiff, and thus it is denied that Defendant Don
Farinelli had any obligation whatsoever to Plaintiff to make payments. By way of further
answer, it is specifically denied that Farinelli Construction has not identified the work
which was not in accordance with contractual specifications that Plaintiff performed. To
the contrary, representatives of Plaintiff were informed on numerous occasions in the
spring of 2006 that work it had performed for Farinelli Construction was either not in
conformance with specifications, or was not performed as scheduled, and that back
charges would be imposed due to the extra costs incurred by Farinelli Construction.
Notwithstanding repeated demands by Farinelli Construction for Plaintiff to perform its
work as previously agreed to, Plaintiff failed in numerous instances to properly perform
scheduled work. Representatives of Plaintiff were informed of these back charges
when they occurred. Thereafter, in a gesture of good faith, Farinelli Construction
-4-
ultimately paid moneys to Plaintiff, notwithstanding that Farinelli Construction had
legitimate back charges for same. By way of further answer, the remaining averments
of Paragraph 12 constitute conclusions of law to which no response is required. To the
extent a response is deemed required, it is denied that the Contractor and
Subcontractor Payment Act applies to this contract, as more fully set forth in the New
Matter below which is incorporated by reference. By way of further answer, it is denied
that Defendant Don Farinelli had any contract with Plaintiff, and it is therefore denied
that Defendant Don Farinelli has any obligations under the Payment Act.
13. Denied. Paragraph 13 avers a conclusion of law to which no response is
required. Accordingly, the same is denied. To the extent a response is deemed
necessary, it is specifically denied that Farinelli Construction failed to comply with the
Contractor and Subcontractor Payment Act, and it is further denied that Farinelli
Construction did not pay Cassell Concrete all of the moneys due and owing under the
contract. It is further denied that Plaintiff is entitled to any penalties, interests or
attorneys' fees under the Payment Act. Indeed, the Payment Act is not applicable to the
contract between the parties. However, to the extent the Payment Act is applicable to
the contract between the parties, it is Farinelli Construction which will be entitled to its
reasonable attorneys' fees related to the defense of this matter. By way of further
answer, it is denied that Defendant Don Farinelli had any contract with Plaintiff, and it is
therefore denied that Defendant Don Farinelli has any obligations under the Payment
Act.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Farinelli Construction respectfully requests that Count
I of Plaintiffs Complaint be dismissed, and that Farinelli Construction be awarded
-5-
reasonable attorneys' fees as a result of Plaintiffs baseless claim under the Payment
Act.
COUNT II
Cassell v. Don J. Farinelli Individually
Breach of Contract
14. Paragraphs 1 through 13 are incorporated by reference as though fully set
forth.
15. Denied. Paragraph 15 avers a conclusion of law to which no response is
required. To the extent a response is deemed necessary, it is specifically denied that
Farinelli Construction is the alter ego of Don Farinelli individually, and it is further denied
that he alone benefits from the use of Farinelli Construction. It is further denied that
Farinelli Construction is no more than a corporate shell of Don Farinelli's individual self.
By way of further answer, Cassell Concrete entered into a contract with Farinelli
Construction, as reflected by, among other things, the quotations attached hereto as
Exhibit A. At no time did any representative of Cassell Concrete believe it was ever
dealing or contracting with Don Farinelli individually and not Farinelli Construction.
16. Denied. Paragraph 16 avers a conclusion of law to which no response is
required. By way of further answer, Don Farinelli made no such representations as
averred in Paragraph 16 of Plaintiffs Complaint. By way of further answer, Paragraph
15 above is hereby incorporated by reference.
17. Denied. Paragraph 17 avers a conclusion of law to which no response is
required. To the extent a response is deemed necessary, Defendant hereby
incorporates Paragraphs 1 through 16 above as if fully set forth.
-6-
18. Denied. Paragraph 18 avers a conclusion of law to which no response is
required. To the extent a response is deemed necessary, Paragraphs 1 through 17
above are hereby incorporated by reference.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Don Farinelli demands judgment in his favor and
against Cassell Concrete, plus attorneys' fees and costs of suit as a result of the
frivolous nature of Plaintiffs claim.
COUNT III
Cassell v. Donald J. Farinelli Individually
and Farinelli Construction. Inc
Uniust Enrichment
19. Paragraphs 1 through 18 above are hereby incorporated by reference as if
fully set forth.
20. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that Plaintiff provided
materials from time to time to Farinelli Construction. It is denied that any amount is due
and owing from Farinelli Construction to Cassell Concrete which has not already been
paid. By way of further answer, it is denied that Plaintiff ever provided materials and
labor to Don Farinelli individually.
21. Denied. Paragraph 21 avers a conclusion of law to which no response is
required. Accordingly, the same is denied. It is specifically denied that Farinelli
Construction has refused to pay Plaintiff any amounts which are legitimately due and
owing to Plaintiff, and it is further denied that Defendant Farinelli Construction has been
unjustly enriched in any amount. By way of further answer, it is denied that Cassell
Concrete ever conferred benefits on Don Farinelli individually.
-7-
22. Denied. Paragraph 22 avers a conclusion of law to which no response is
required. By way of further answer, Plaintiff has never conferred any benefits on
Farinelli Construction which have not already been paid for by Farinelli Construction.
Plaintiff never conferred any benefits on Defendant Don Farinelli individually. By way of
further answer, Paragraphs 1 through 21 above are incorporated by reference.
23. Denied. Paragraph 23 avers a conclusion of law to which no response is
required. To the extent a response is deemed necessary, it is denied that any benefits
were conferred to Farinelli Construction which were not already paid for by Farinelli
Construction. By way of further answer, responses to Paragraphs 1 through 22 above
are incorporated by reference.
24. Denied. Paragraph 24 avers a conclusion of law to which no response is
required. To the extent a response is deemed necessary, it is denied that Defendant
Farinelli Construction ever benefited from anything conferred by Plaintiff which were not
already paid for by Farinelli Construction. It is specifically denied that Defendant Don
Farinelli ever appreciated any benefits conferred by Plaintiff. By way of further answer,
Paragraphs 1 through 23 above are incorporated by reference.
25. Denied. It is specifically denied that Defendant Farinelli Construction
accepted or retained any benefit without paying fair value for them. To the contrary, any
work performed or benefits conferred by Plaintiff to Defendant Farinelli Construction
was paid for in full by Farinelli Construction. It is further denied that Plaintiff ever
conferred any benefits on Don Farinelli individually. By way of further answer,
Paragraphs 1 through 24 above are hereby incorporated by reference.
-8-
26. Denied. It is specifically denied that Defendant Farinelli Construction has
failed or refused to pay Plaintiff, and it is further denied that Farinelli Construction has
been unjustly enriched in any amount. By way of further answer, Don Farinelli
individually has never been conferred benefits by Plaintiff, therefore the averments of
Paragraph 26 are denied. By way of further answer, Paragraphs 1 through 25 above
are incorporated by reference.
WHEREFORE, Defendants request judgment in their favor and against Plaintiff
Cassell Concrete, LLC, and request that Counts I through III be dismissed, and that
attorneys' fees and costs of suit be awarded to Defendants.
NEW MATTER AND COUNTERCLAIM
New Matter
27. Farinelli Construction and Cassell Concrete, LLC entered into a contract
through which Cassell Concrete was to perform certain concrete installation work for
Farinelli Construction on dates and times to be subsequently agreed upon by Farinelli
Construction and Cassell Concrete.
28. As part of the contractual agreement between the parties, Plaintiff Cassell
Concrete provided a quotation to Farinelli Construction for work on a square footage
basis which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
29. From the summer of 2005 to the spring of 2006, Cassell Concrete
performed work from time to time as requested by Farinelli Construction.
30. In the spring of 2006, Cassell Concrete had committed to perform certain
concrete work on several residences being constructed by Farinelli Construction, and
-9-
had committed to performing that work in a timeframe specifically agreed upon by the
parties.
31. During the spring of 2006, Plaintiff Cassell Concrete breached its contract
with Farinelli Construction in numerous respects, including the following:
(a) material delays in performing promised work;
(b) refusal to work when requested and promised;
(c) effective work cycle; and
(d) billing Farinelli Construction for work which had not been
performed (i.e., overstating the square footage placed).
31. As a result of the breaches of contract set forth in the preceding
paragraph, Farinelli Construction made many efforts to contact Plaintiff in an effort to
complete its work as previously agreed. Notwithstanding these efforts, Plaintiff failed to
complete its work as promised, and committed other breaches of contract as set forth
above.
32. Accordingly, Defendant Farinelli Construction has suffered damages
through, inter alia, having to perform corrective work, having work performed by others,
having work performed out of sequence, and by paying Plaintiff over and above the
square footage of work which was actually performed.
33. As a result of the breaches of contract as identified in the preceding
paragraphs, and as a result of the costs to Farinelli Construction of these breaches of
contract, Farinelli Construction incurred damages in excess of any outstanding balance
allegedly due and owing to Cassell Concrete as reflected in the invoices identified in
-10-
Paragraph 7 of Plaintiffs Complaint. Accordingly, no money was due and owing under
those invoices.
34. In an effort to resolve the dispute between the parties amicably, Farinelli
Construction paid Cassell Concrete $1,451.60 in November 2007, and in doing so
assessed only some of the legitimate back charges it was entitled to assess.
35. Farinelli Construction has paid Cassell Concrete all sums due and owing
under the contract, and, to the extent any moneys are allegedly due and owing, Farinelli
Construction is entitled to payment of that amount as a result of Plaintiffs breaches of
contract.
36. Count I of Plaintiffs Complaint fails to state a cause of action for which
relief can be granted.
37. Count II of Plaintiff's Complaint fails to state a cause of action for which
relief can be granted.
38. Count III of Plaintiffs Complaint fails to state a cause of action for which
relief can be granted.
39. To the extent Plaintiffs Complaint seeks damages under the Contractor
and Subcontractor Payment Act, Section 503 of the Act (73 P.S. §503) specifically
provides that the Act is not applicable when six or fewer residential units are under
construction simultaneously.
40. The work performed by Cassell Concrete for Farinelli Construction all
involved residential units.
41. In April 2005, Cassell Concrete was not performed work on seven or more
residential units simultaneously.
- 11 -
42. Accordingly, the Payment Act does not apply to the contract between
Farinelli Construction and Cassell Concrete.
43. To the extent the Payment Act is held by this Honorable Court to apply to
the contract between Cassell Concrete and Farinelli Construction, Farinelli Construction
identified numerous deficiency items to Cassell Concrete in April of 2006 as the basis
for withholding payment.
44. At no time in April 2006, or for 15 months thereafter, did Plaintiff ever
object to Farinelli Construction holding money for the deficiency items.
45. Accordingly, to the extent the Payment Act applies, Farinelli Construction
held money as a good faith claim for deficiency items identified to Plaintiff.
46. Accordingly, Plaintiffs claims under the Payment Act must fail because,
inter alia, the Act does not apply, and if the Act does apply, the claims were for funds
held in good faith for deficiency items. Moreover, no claim under the Payment Act can
be brought because no moneys are due and owing to Plaintiff.
47. To the extent that Farinelli Construction is the prevailing party in the
underlying action, for whatever reason, Farinelli Construction is entitled to its attorneys'
fees.
48. At no time did Plaintiff ever enter into a contract with Don Farinelli
individually.
49. At no time did Don Farinelli individually represent to Plaintiff that he
personally would be responsible for any debts of Farinelli Construction allegedly due
and owing to Plaintiff.
-12-
WHEREFORE, Defendants respectfully request judgment in their favor and
against Plaintiff with respect to Counts I through III of the Complaint.
Counterclaim
Farinelli Construction v. Cassell Concrete
50. Paragraphs 1 through 49 above are hereby incorporated by reference as if
fully set forth.
51. As a result of breaches of contract by Plaintiff, as more fully set forth
above, Defendant Farinelli Construction has incurred damages which have not yet been
fully calculated, but which are expected to exceed at least $1,000.
52. As a result of Plaintiffs actions, Defendant Farinelli Construction is entitled
to damages for defective work performed by Plaintiff, lost profit, other intangible costs
and overpayments made by Farinelli Construction to Plaintiff for work not performed.
These costs are reasonably expected to exceed $1,000.
53. To the extent that subsequent discovery reveals that the overbilling of
various projects were done fraudulently, Farinelli Construction reserves the right to
amend its Complaint to counts for fraud.
54. To the extent the Contractor and Subcontractor Payment Act is held to
apply to this contract, Farinelli Construction is entitled to reasonable attomeys' fees
under the terms of the Payment Act as the prevailing party.
-13-
WHEREFORE, Farinelli Construction respectfully requests judgment in its favor,
and against Cassell Concrete, in an amount in excess of $1,000, plus attorneys' fees
and costs of suit.
Respectfully submitted,
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC
By
!/ 4 1
Parries utz
Attorney I.D. No. 47245
100 Pine Street
P. O. Box 1166
Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166
(717) 232-8000
Attorneys for Defendants
Dated: October 10, 2008
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VERIFICATION
Subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.A. §4904 relating to unswom falsification to
authorities, I hereby certify that I am President of Farineill ConstnuAion, Inc., and am
authorized to execute this Verification on its behalf, and that the facts set forth in the
foregoing documwt are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and
belief.
a& I
Donald J. FarinellI
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Linda C. Sents, Legal Secretary to James W. Kutz, Esquire at McNees,
Wallace & Nurick, hereby certify that on this date a true and correct copy of the
foregoing document was served via U. S. Mail, First Class, postage prepaid, upon the
following:
Herbert P. Henderson, II, Esquire
Pecht & Associates, PC
55 West high Street
Elizabethtown, PA 17022
Date: October 13, ?- ????/
3, 2008
Linda C. Sents
t
t t?
3
-c? .
733
(David D. Bueff
Prothonotary
lUrkS. Sohonage, ESQ,
Solicitor
Wfnee X Simpson
Ft Deputy Prothonotary
Irene E. Morrow
2"d Deputy Prothonotary
Office of the Prothonotary
Cum6erfand County, Pennsylvania
08-/0-33 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF TERMINATION OF COURT CASES
AND NOW THIS 25TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2011, AFTER MAILING NOTICE OF
INTENTION TO PROCEED AND RECEIVING NO RESPONSE - THE ABOVE
CASE IS HEREBY TERMINATED WITH PREJUDICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH PA
R.C.P 230.2
BY THE COURT,
DAVID D. BUELL
PROTHONOTARY
One Courthouse Square • Suite 100 • CarCisfe, PA 17013 • (717 240-6195 • FaX (717 240-6573