HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-1338IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 0,V- 43 3 ??-
Kathryn V. Rupp Paul W. Zwicker, an individual
Mechanicsburg, PA Zwicker & Assoc., PC
80 Minuteman Road
Andover, MA 01810-1031
Plaintiff(s) & Addresses I Defendant(s) & Addresses
PRAECIPE FOR WRIT OF SUMMONS
TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF SAID COURT:
Please issue writ of summons in the above-captioned action. Writ of Summons shall be issued
and forwarded to (X ) Attorney ( ) Sheriff.
Deanna Lynn Saracco, Esquire
76 Greenmont Drive
Enola, Pennsylvania 17025
Phone 717-732-3750
SaraccoLaw@aoLcom
and John P. Neblett
kj I a-4: .moo
Signature of Attorney
Dated: 2/26/08
WRIT OF SUMMONS
TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S):
YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE-NAMED PLAINTIFF(S) HAS/ AVE
COMMENCED AN ACTION AGAINST YOU.
Prot onotary
Dated: dove By:
Deputy
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Kathryn Rupp Civil Action No.: 08-1338
Plaintiff,
V.
Jury Trial Demanded
Paul W. Zwicker, attorney debt collector
Zwicker & Assoc., P.C.
Defendants.
NOTICE TO PLEAD
TO THE DEFENDANT NAMED HEREIN:
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 is 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 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
1-800-990-9108, 717-249-3166
NOTICIA
Le han demandado a usted en la corte. Si usted quire defenderse de
estas demandas expuetas en las paginas siquientes, usted tiene viente (20)
dias de plazo al partir de la fecha de la excrita o en persona o por abogado y
archivar en la corte en forma excrita sus defensas o sus objectiones a las
demande, la corte tomara medidas y puede entrar una orden contra usted sin
previo aviso o notificacion y por cualquier queja o alivio que es pedido en la
peticion de demanda. Usted puede perder dinero o sus propiedades o otros
derechos importantes para usted.
LLEVE ESTA DEMANDA A UN ABOGADO IMMEDIATAMENTE. ST NO TIENE ABOGADOO SI
NO TIENE EL DINERO SUFICIENTE DE PAGAR TAL SERVICION, VAYA EN PERSONA 0 LLAME
POR TELEFONO A LA OFICINA CUYA DIRECCION SE PUEDECONSEGUIR ASISTENCIA LEGAL.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Kathryn Rupp Civil Action No.: 08-1338
Plaintiff,
V.
Jury Trial Demanded
Paul W. Zwicker, attorney debt collector
Zwicker & Assoc., P.C.
Defendants.
COMPLAINT
GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8
Jurisdiction for this Action is asserted under the Pennsylvania Fair Credit Extension
Uniformity Act, 73 P.S. §2270 et seq.
Plaintiff is a consumer located within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Defendants Paul W. Zwicker and Zwicker & Assoc., P.C., are business entity/law firm,
engaged in the business of collecting consumer debts in this Commonwealth with a
mailing address of 80 Minuteman Road, Andover, MA 01810-1031.
Violating provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act also violate the
Pennsylvania FCEU, 73 P.S. §2270.4(a).
On or about April 2007, Defendant contacted Plaintiff by letter and telephone.
Plaintiff believes and therefore avers that Defendant does not have a valid assignment and
is therefore, unlawfully attempting to collect the alleged debt.
Plaintiff believes and therefore avers that Defendant added interest to the alleged debt, in
violation of Pennsylvania law.
Plaintiff believes and therefore avers that Defendant used false, deceptive and misleading
tactics in order to harass and coerce Plaintiff into paying the alleged debt that contains
interests, fees and costs that Plaintiff disputes.
v'
COUNT I - PENNSYLVANIA FAIR CREDIT
EXTENSION UNIFORMITY ACT 73 P.S. §2270 et sect
9. Plaintiff hereby incorporates the foregoing as if fully set forth herein.
10. The FDCPA states that a violation of state law is a violation of the FDCPA. 15 U.S.C.
§1692n. Pennsylvania law applies to this Action. 18 Pa.C.S. §7311:
11. Plaintiff believes and therefore avers that Defendant violated 18 Pa. C.S. §7311.
12. Plaintiff further believes that Defendant violated provisions of the Fair Debt Collection
Practices Act, as alleged in the General Allegations and Count II, as such, said violated
also violate the Pennsylvania FCEU, 73 P.S. §2270.4(a).
13. That Defendant engaged in unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or
practices, as defined by FCEU and the regulations, including but not limited to, violations
of 37 Pa.Code §§303.3(3), 303.3(14), 303.3(18), 303.6 and 73 P.S. §201-2(4).
14. Defendant' acts as described herein were done with malicious, intentional, willful,
reckless, negligent and wanton disregard for Plaintiff's rights with the purpose of
coercing Plaintiff to pay the alleged debt.
15. As a result of the above violations, Plaintiff is entitled to statutory, actual, treble and
punitive damages and attorney's fees and costs, in an amount of not less that $30,000.00.
WHEREFORE, plaintiff requests that this Honorable Court issue judgment on his behalf
and against Defendant for a statutory penalty, treble damages, punitive damages, attorney fees
and costs pursuant to 73 P.S. §2270.5.
COUNT It - FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICE ACT
15 U.S.C. §1692 ET SEQ.
16. Jurisdiction for this action is asserted pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act,
15 U.S.C. §1692, et seq. ("FDCPA"), particularly 15 U.S.C. §1692k(d) and 28 U.S.C.
§1337.
17. Venue lies in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1391(b).
18. Plaintiff is an individual and consumer pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1692a(6).
19. Defendants Moore are debt collectors as defined by 15 U.S.C. § 1692a(3).
20. Defendant Worldwide Assets Purchasing is not a creditor as defined by the FDCPA at 15
U.S.C. §1692a(4).
21. Defendants contacted Plaintiff during August of 2007, which are "communications"
relating to a "debt" as defined by 15 U.S.C. 11692a(2) and 1692a(5).
22. At all pertinent times hereto, the Defendants were hired to collect a debt relating to a
consumer transaction. (Hereinafter the "alleged debt.")
23. Defendants communicated with plaintiff on or after one year before the date of this
action, in connection with collection efforts, by letters, telephone contact or other
documents, with regard to plaintiff's alleged debt.
24. FDCPA requires debt collectors to comply with all state laws. 15 U.S.C. § 1692n.
Defendants violated Pennsylvania law states,18 Pa.C.S. §7311, as stated herein.
25. The FDCPA states, a debt collector may not use unfair or unconscionable means to
collect or attempt to collect any debt. 15 U.S.C. § 1692f. Defendants violated this section
of the FDCPA.
26. The Defendants violated 15 U.S.C. §1692e(2)(A), (5) and (10) by misrepresenting the
imminence of legal action by Defendants.
27. The Defendants violated 15 U.S.C. §1692e(3), by misrepresenting that an attorney was
involved in the collection of the alleged debt.
28. Defendants violated 15 U.S.C. § 1692f, by threatening and/or filing suit without proper
legal authority in Pennsylvania.
29. The FDCPA states, a debt collector may not use false, deceptive or misleading
representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. 15 U.S.C.
§1692e(5) and 00). Defendants violated these sections of the FDCPA.
30. The FDCPA states, a debt collector may not use unfair or unconscionable means to
collect or attempt to collect any debt. 15 U.S.C. § 1692f. Defendants violated this section
of the FDCPA.
31. The FDCPA states, a debt collector may not use false, deceptive or misleading
representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. 15 U.S.C. § 1692e.
Defendants violated this section of the FDCPA.
32. The FDCPA states, a debt collector may not engage in any conduct the natural
consequence of which is to harass, oppress or abuse any person in connection with the
collection of a debt. 15 U.S.C. § 1692d. Defendants violated this section of the FDCPA.
33. The Defendants violated 15 U.S.C. § 1692e(2)(A), (5) and (10) by misrepresenting the
legal status/amount of the alleged debt.
34. Defendants' collection communications were intentionally confusing, misleading and
otherwise deceptive to the Plaintiffs, in violation of 15 U.S.C. §1692e(5) and (10).
Defendants' communications created a false sense of urgency on the past of Plaintiff in
violation of the FDCPA.
35. At all time pertinent hereto, the Defendants were acting by and through its agents,
servants and/or employees, who were acting within the scope and course of their
employment, and under the direct supervision and control of the Defendant herein.
36. At all times pertinent hereto, the conduct of Defendants as well as their agents, servants,
and/or employees, was malicious, intentional, willful, reckless, negligent and in wanton
disregard for federal and state law and the rights of the Plaintiff herein.
37. Defendant's letters were intentionally confusing and deceptive, in violation of 15 U.S.C.
§ 1692e(5) and (10).
38. Plaintiff was confused, deceived and believed that litigation was imminent if settlement
was not made.
39. The above mentioned acts with supporting cases demonstrates that the conduct of
Defendant rises to the level needed for punitive damages.
40. Defendant, in its collection efforts, violated the FDCPA, inter alia, Sections 1692, b, c, d,
e, f, g, h, and/or n.
41. Defendant, in its collection efforts, used false or deceptive acts and intended to oppress
and harass plaintiff.
42. That, as a result of the wrongful tactics of Defendant as aforementioned, plaintiff has
been subjected to anxiety, harassment, intimidation and annoyance for which
compensation is sought.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that his Honorable Court enter judgment
on Plaintiff's behalf and against Defendant and issue an Order:
(A) Award Plaintiff statutory damages in the amount of One Thousand Dollars
($1,000.00) for each violation of the FDCPA or each separate and discrete
incident in which Defendant have violated the FDCPA.
(B) Award Plaintiff general damages and punitive damages for anxiety, harassment,
and intimidation directed at him in an amount not less than Ten Thousand Dollars
($10,000.00), as well as the repetitive nature of Defendant form letters.
C) Award Plaintiff costs of this litigation, including a reasonable attorney's fee at a
rate of $450.00 per hour, for hours reasonably expended by Plaintiff's attorney in
vindicating Plaintiff's rights under the FDCPA, permitted by 15 U.S.C.
§ 1692k(a)(3).
(D) Award declaratory and injunctive relief, and such other relief as this Honorable
Court deems necessary and proper or law?o`r,equity may provide.
Dated:3/17/08 By: /s/Deanna Lynn Saracco
Deanna Lynn Saracco, Attorney for Plaintiff
76 Greenmont Drive, Enola, PA 17025
Telephone 717-732-3750
Fax 717-728-9498
Email: SaraccoLaw@aol.com
John P. Neblett, Attorney
4660 Trindle Road, Suite 200
Camp Hill, PA 17011
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David D. Bueff
ltothonotary
VrkS. Sohonage, ESQ
Solicitor
J
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knee X Simpson
15G Deputy 1Pwthonotary
Irene E. W orrow
2 d Deputy (Prothonotary
Office of the Prothonotary
Cum6erCand County, Pennsy(vania
f>V - 1338 CIVILTERM
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 • Carf sfe, PA 17013 • (717) 240-6195 • T'ax (717) 240-6573