HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-4386V
KOPE & ASSOCIATES, LLC
BY: SHANE B. KOPE, ESQUIRE
ATTORNEY ID 92207
395 St. Johns Church Road, Suite 101
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 761-7573
sbkope@kopelaw.com
R.J.'S TRANSPORT, LLC,
Plaintiff,
vs.
BRENNER FINANCIAL, INC.,
Defendant.
Attorney for Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO.
CIVIL ACTION
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
N O T I C E TO DEFEND AND CLAIM RIGHTS
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
32 SOUTH BEDFORD STREET
CARLISLE, PA 17013
KOPE & ASSOCIATES, LLC
BY: SHANE B. KOPE, ESQUIRE
ATTORNEY ID 92207
395 St. Johns Church Road, Suite 101
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 761-7573
sbkope@kopelaw.com
Attorney for Plaintiff
R.J.'S TRANSPORT, LLC, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
vs. : NO.
BRENNER FINANCIAL, INC., : CIVIL ACTION
Defendant.
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
COMPLAINT
1. Plaintiff, R.J.'s Transport, LLC (hereinafter "Plaintiff'), is a limited liability
company with an address of 1233 Claremont Road, Carlisle, PA, 17013.
2. Defendant, Brenner Financial, Inc. (hereinafter "Defendant"), is a
corporation with a last known address of 2222 Paxton Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17105.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
3. On or about April 11, 2005, Plaintiff entered into a written Closed-End
Lease Agreement (hereinafter "April 2005 Agreement") with Defendant for the lease of a
2005 Peterbilt Tractor (hereinafter "Peterbilt"), more particularly identified in the April
2005 Vehicle Lease Order, a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto, marked
as Exhibit "A" and made a part hereof.
4. By the terms of the April 2005 Agreement, Plaintiff was to make
approximately Thirty-Six (36) payments of $1,933.00, commencing on or about May 1,
2005, and to pay a security deposit of $1,785.00 due at the inception of the April 2005
Agreement; Plaintiff would have the option to purchase the Peterbilt for $1.00 upon
satisfactory completion of the April 2005 Agreement on or about May 1, 2008.
5. On or about August 24, 2005, Plaintiff entered into a written Closed-End
Lease Agreement (hereinafter "August 2005 Agreement") with Defendant for the lease
of a 1988 East Dump Trailer (hereinafter "East"), more particularly identified in the
August 2005 Vehicle Lease Order, a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto,
marked as Exhibit "B" and made a part hereof.
6. By the terms of the August 2005 Agreement, Plaintiff was to make
approximately Thirty (30) payments of $605.00, commencing on or about September 1,
2005, and to pay a security deposit of $605.00 due at the inception of the August 2005
Agreement; Plaintiff would have the option to purchase the East for $1.00 upon
satisfactory completion of the August 2005 Agreement on or about March 1, 2008.
7. On or about February 16, 2006, Plaintiff entered into a written Closed-End
Lease Agreement (hereinafter "2006 Agreement") with Defendant for the lease of a
2003 Kenworth Triaxle with Dump Bed (hereinafter "Kenworth"), more particularly
identified in the 2006 Vehicle Lease Order, a true and correct copy of which is attached
hereto, marked as Exhibit "C" and made a part hereof.
Page 2 of 9
8. By the terms of the 2006 Agreement, Plaintiff was to make approximately
Sixty (60) payments of $2,492.00, commencing on or about March 1, 2006, and to pay a
security deposit of $2,492.00 due at the inception of the 2006 Agreement; Plaintiff would
have the option to purchase the Kenworth for $1.00 upon satisfactory completion of the
2006 Agreement on or about March 1, 2011.
9. On or about June 1, 2007, Plaintiff entered into a written Closed-End
Lease Agreement (hereinafter "June 2007 Agreement") with Defendant for the lease of
a 1997 Mac Dump Trailer (hereinafter "Mac"), more particularly identified in the June
2007 Agreement and Vehicle Lease Order, true and correct copies of which are
attached hereto, marked as Exhibit "D" and made a part hereof.
10. By the terms of the June 2007 Agreement, Plaintiff was to make
approximately Thirty-Six (36) payments of $1,113.00, commencing on or about July 1,
2007, and to pay a security deposit of $1,113.00 due at the inception of the June 2007
Agreement; Plaintiff would have the option to purchase the Mac for $1.00 upon
satisfactory completion of the June 2007 Agreement on or about June 1, 2010.
11. After entering the June 2007 Agreement, Plaintiff was paying a total
monthly payment of $6,143.00 as a result of the four (4) different leases as set forth
above.
12. Plaintiff, in an attempt to lower its monthly payment, approached
Defendant about combining all four leases into one lease.
Page 3 of 9
13. Accordingly, on or about November 30, 2007, Plaintiff ostensibly entered
into a fifth written Closed-End Lease Agreement (hereinafter "Final Agreement") with
Defendant upon Defendant's offer to combine all prior leases under the Final
Agreement in order to lower Plaintiff's monthly lease payments. There was no lease
agreement signed by or presented to Plaintiff that set forth these terms, all that was
provided was a 2007 Lease Order that reflected the Kenworth as the vehicle for which
the 2007 Lease Order applied. A true and correct copy of this Lease Order is attached
hereto, marked as Exhibit "E" and made a part hereof.
14. By the terms of the Final Agreement, Plaintiff was to make approximately
Forty-Two (42) payments of $4,061.00, commencing on or about December 1, 2008,
and to pay a security deposit of $3,605.00 due at the inception of the Final Agreement.
15. These payments, according to the Defendant, were to cover the Kenworth,
Peterbilt, East and Mac.
16. Other than a 2007 Vehicle Lease Order, which reflects only the Kenworth,
there is no documentation to support the combining of the four prior Agreements.
17. There is no documentation that invalidated the prior leases; specifically,
the April 2005 Agreement, the August 2005 Agreement and the June 2007 Agreement.
18. By the time Plaintiff entered into the Final Agreement with the Defendant,
Plaintiff had paid an approximate total of $57, 990.00 or Thirty (30) payments towards
the Peterbilt pursuant to the April 2005 Agreement, leaving Plaintiff with the relatively
Page 4 of 9
low amount due on the Peterbilt of approximately $11,598.00 or Six (6) remaining
payments.
19. Likewise, By the time Plaintiff entered into the Final Agreement with the
Defendant, Plaintiff had paid an approximate total of $15,730.00 or Twenty-Six (26)
payments towards the East pursuant to the August 2005 Agreement, leaving Plaintiff
with an even lower amount due on the East of $2,420.00 or Four (4) remaining
payments.
20. Considering that Plaintiff only made Twenty-one (21)out of Sixty (60)
payments towards the Kenworth, or $52,332.00 out of $149,520.00, and Five (5) out of
Thirty-Six (36) payments towards the Mac, or $5,565.00 out of $40,068, the bulk of the
Final Agreement consisted of payments towards the Kenworth and the Mac.
21. Between December, 2008 and May, 2009, Plaintiff had fallen behind in its
payments pursuant to the Final Agreement; specifically, Plaintiff fell behind four to five
payments for an approximate total of $16, 728.34.
22. As a result, Defendant repossessed the Kenworth and sold it for $42,
000.00.
23. Subsequently, Defendant informed Plaintiff that it was closing out the Final
Agreement and demanded that Plaintiff return the Peterbilt, East and Mac.
24. There is no documentation authorizing repossession of these remaining
vehicles.
Page 5 of 9
25. Further, by the time Plaintiff fell behind in its payments pursuant to the
Final Agreement, Plaintiff would have paid off the Peterbilt and the East in their entirety.
26. By way of illustration, Plaintiff made approximately eleven payments
totaling $44,671.00 pursuant to the Final Agreement. If the amount of $44,671.00 is
divided between the four vehicles, then Plaintiff would have paid approximately,
$11,167.75 towards each vehicle. In considering that Plaintiff only owed an
approximate amount of $2,420.00 on the East when Plaintiff entered into the Final
Agreement (or $1,815.00 if the security deposit of $605.00 is subtracted from this
amount), than the approximate amount of $8,747.75 (or $9,352.75 if considering the
security deposit) would have been over paid on the East and applied to the remaining
vehicles. So, in essence, Plaintiff paid approximately $14,083.66 towards the Peterbilt,
Mac and Kenworth (or $14, 285.33 if considering the security deposit) by the time of
Plaintiffs default. This amount would have more than paid off the Peterbilt considering
that Plaintiff only owed approximately $11,598.00 (or $9,813.00 if considering the
security deposit) on the Peterbilt by the time of Plaintiff's default.
27. Plaintiff also installed upgrades in the Peterbilt at considerable cost to
Plaintiff.
28. Nevertheless, the Defendant did not offer the Plaintiff an option to
purchase the titles to the East or Peterbilt for $1.00 pursuant to the April 2005 and
August 2005 Agreements.
Page 6 of 9
29. Plaintiff is not disputing that the Kenworth and Mac would not have been
paid off by the time of Plaintiff's default.
30. In light of the above, Plaintiff offered that Defendant repossess the Mac
(the Kenworth was already repossessed), but allow Plaintiff to purchase the Permanent
Registration and Certificates of Title (hereinafter "Title") to the Peterbilt and East for
$1.00 pursuant to the April 2005 and August 2005 Agreements. The Defendant refused
and continues to demand that Plaintiff return the Mac, East and Peterbilt.
31. The Defendant has, and continues to threaten to repossess the Mac,
Peterbilt and East.
COUNT I - REPLEVIN
32. Paragraphs 1 through 29 above are incorporated herein by reference as
though more fully set forth at length.
33. By refusing to sell the Peterbilt and East to Plaintiff for $1.00 pursuant to
the April and August 2005 Agreements, the Defendant deprived Plaintiff of its right to
said vehicles, without Plaintiff's consent and without lawful justification.
34. Plaintiff has performed all conditions precedent necessary to obtain Title
to the Peterbilt and East and to have said Titles properly reflect Plainitff's ownership on
these vehicles, but the Defendant wrongfully refuses to transfer the Titles to these
vehicles over to Plaintiff.
35. Plaintiff avers that this conduct of Defendant constitutes conversion.
Page 7 of 9
36. Plaintiff has an immediate right to possession of the Titles to the Peterbilt
and East, both of which are currently in the possession of Defendant.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for Judgment against Defendant in Count I of this
Complaint as follows:
a For the transfer of the Titles for the Peterbilt and East to Plaintiff so
that these Titles reflect Plaintiff as sole owner of the Peterbilt and East
with no other liens or encumbrances; and
b For such other relief that the Court deems just and proper.
COUNT II - BREACH OF CONTRACT
37. Paragraphs 1 through 34 above are incorporated herein by reference as
though more fully set forth at length.
38. Plaintiff entered into Agreements with Defendant for the lease of the
Peterbilt and East as set forth above.
39. These Agreements allowed for the sale of the Peterbilt and East to the
Plaintiff for $1.00 upon payment, in full, of the agreed upon price contained in the
Agreements.
40. Plaintiff paid Defendant all sums to which they were entitled under the
Agreements.
41. Defendant's failure to give the Plaintiff valid Title, following Plaintiffs
payment, in full, of the agreed upon price constitutes a breach of contract.
Page 8 of 9
42. Plaintiff incurred additional expenses in reliance of defendants' contractual
obligations for which plaintiff is entitled to be reimbursed.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for Judgment against Defendant in Count II of this
Complaint as follows:
a For the transfer of the Titles for the Peterbilt and East to Plaintiff so
that these Titles reflect Plaintiff as sole owner of the Peterbilt and East
with no other liens or encumbrances;
b For reimbursement of incidental and reliance expenses; and
c For such other relief that the Court deems just and proper
Respectfully Submitted,
SHANE
Date: 61 '712 00'?
IATES, LLC
K
ESQUIRE
Page 9 of 9
VERIFICATION
I, Elizabeth Settle, owner of R.J.'s Transport, LLC, the Plaintiff in this matter,
have read the foregoing Complaint. I verify that my averments in this Complaint are
true and correct and based upon my personal knowledge. I understand that any false
statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. 4904 relating to
unsworn falsifications to authorities.
Dated: (p ?? ?-
Elizabet ettle
0
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f
(1 THE C- 'i
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KOPE & ASSOCIATES, LLC
BY: SHANE B. KOPE, ESQUIRE
ATTORNEY ID 92207
395 St. Johns Church Road, Suite 101
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 761-7573
sbkope@kopelaw.com
R.J.'S TRANSPORT, LLC,
Plaintiff,
vs.
BRENNER FINANCIAL, INC.,
Defendant.
r^, ^?
Attorney for Plaintiff c
IN THE COURT OF COMIVM PLEAS E ;
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, P NNS-YLVANIA
NO.
CIVIL ACTION
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
MOTION FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION
Plaintiff respectfully moves this Honorable Court for a Preliminary Injunction
pursuant to Rule 1531 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure and alleges in
support thereof as follows:
1. On or about June 29, 2009, Plaintiff filed a verified Complaint with the
Court. A true and correct copy of the verified Complaint is attached hereto as Exhibit
"A" and is incorporated by reference as if set forth in full herein.
2. As more specifically stated in the verified Complaint, Defendant is
wrongfully intending to repossess Plaintiff's 2001 Peterbilt Tractor (hereinafter
"Peterbilt") and Plaintiff's 1988 East Dump Trailer (hereinafter "East"), both of which are
two of the only remaining assets of Plaintiff's business and sole source of income.
Because Plaintiff's business is a transport business where various goods and freight are
transported via intrastate and interstate commerce, Plaintiff relies on the Peterbilt and
East to run its business; indeed, Plaintiff's business would cease to exist without the
Peterbilt and East.
3. As more specifically stated in the Complaint, Plaintiff is the rightful owner
of the Peterbilt and East and Defendant is wrongfully intending on repossessing these
vehicles.
4. Unless the requested Preliminary Injunction is granted, plaintiff will suffer
irreparable harm which cannot be compensated by damages, because the continued
livelihood of the Plaintiff and its employees depends on the continued operation of
Pliaintiff's business.
5. Defendant will not suffer any appreciable injury if the Preliminary
Injunction is granted, because the status quo will simply continue uninterrupted pending
the outcome of the underlying action, during which time defendant will merely be
restrained from committing wrongful acts.
6. Defendant's wrongful conduct is actionable and plaintiff's right is clear.
7. Plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits of its claims.
8. Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law.
9. There is an underlying action that will ultimately decide the permanency of
this injunction.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests this Honorable Court to enter an
order pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1531 as follows:
Page 2 of 3
a that the defendant be ordered to appear, following due notice, and show cause
why a Preliminary Injunction should not be issued during the pendency of this
action according to the prayer of the Complaint and the requested injunctive
relief;
b that an injunction shall issue preliminarily until final hearing, and permanently
thereafter, enjoining defendant from repossessing or otherwise interfering with
Plaintiff's possession of the Peterbilt and East;
c that the Court's Order shall remain in full force and effect until such time as this
Court orders otherwise.
Respectfully Submitted,
Date: 61 Z (?//Z 0 u ?
Page 3 of 3
VERIFICATION
I, Elizabeth Settle, owner of R.J.'s Transport, LLC, the Plaintiff in this matter,
have read the foregoing Motion for a Preliminary Injunction. I verify that my averments
in this Motion are true and correct and based upon my personal knowledge. I
understand that any false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.
C.S. 4904 relating to unsworn falsifications to authorities.
Dated: Cv a2e 0q
Elizabeth ttle
KOPE & ASSOCIATES, LLC
BY: SHANE B. KOPE, ESQUIRE
ATTORNEY ID 92207
395 St. Johns Church Road, Suite 101
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 761-7573
sbkope@kopelaw.com
R.J.'S TRANSPORT, LLC,
Plaintiff,
vs.
BRENNER FINANCIAL, INC.,
Defendant.
Attorney for Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO.
CIVIL ACTION
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
N O T I C E TO DEFEND AND CLAIM RIGHTS
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
32 SOUTH BEDFORD STREET
CARLISLE, PA 17013
EXHIBIT
A
KOPE & ASSOCIATES, LLC
BY: SHANE B. KOPE, ESQUIRE
ATTORNEY ID 92207
395 St. Johns Church Road, Suite 101
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 761-7573
sbkope@kopelaw.com
Attorney for Plaintiff
R.J.'S TRANSPORT, LLC, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
vs. : NO.
BRENNER FINANCIAL, INC., : CIVIL ACTION
Defendant.
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
COMPLAINT
1. Plaintiff, R.J.'s Transport, LLC (hereinafter "Plaintiff'), is a limited liability
company with an address of 1233 Claremont Road, Carlisle, PA, 17013.
2. Defendant, Brenner Financial, Inc. (hereinafter "Defendant"), is a
corporation with a last known address of 2222 Paxton Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17105.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
3. On or about April 11, 2005, Plaintiff entered into a written Closed-End
Lease Agreement (hereinafter "April 2005 Agreement") with Defendant for the lease of a
2005 Peterbilt Tractor (hereinafter "Peterbilt"), more particularly identified in the April
2005 Vehicle Lease Order, a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto, marked
as Exhibit "A" and made a part hereof.
4. By the terms of the April 2005 Agreement, Plaintiff was to make
approximately Thirty-Six (36) payments of $1,933.00, commencing on or about May 1,
2005, and to pay a security deposit of $1,785.00 due at the inception of the April 2005
Agreement; Plaintiff would have the option to purchase the Peterbilt for $1.00 upon
satisfactory completion of the April 2005 Agreement on or about May 1, 2008.
5. On or about August 24, 2005, Plaintiff entered into a written Closed-End
Lease Agreement (hereinafter "August 2005 Agreement") with Defendant for the lease
of a 1988 East Dump Trailer (hereinafter "East"), more particularly identified in the
August 2005 Vehicle Lease Order, a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto,
marked as Exhibit "B" and made a part hereof.
6. By the terms of the August 2005 Agreement, Plaintiff was to make
approximately Thirty (30) payments of $605.00, commencing on or about September 1,
2005, and to pay a security deposit of $605.00 due at the inception of the August 2005
Agreement; Plaintiff would have the option to purchase the East for $1.00 upon
satisfactory completion of the August 2005 Agreement on or about March 1, 2008.
7. On or about February 16, 2006, Plaintiff entered into a written Closed-End
Lease Agreement (hereinafter "2006 Agreement") with Defendant for the lease of a
2003 Kenworth Triaxle with Dump Bed (hereinafter "Kenworth"), more particularly
identified in the 2006 Vehicle Lease Order, a true and correct copy of which is attached
hereto, marked as Exhibit "C" and made a part hereof.
Page 2 of 9
8. By the terms of the 2006 Agreement, Plaintiff was to make approximately
Sixty (60) payments of $2,492.00, commencing on or about March 1, 2006, and to pay a
security deposit of $2,492.00 due at the inception of the 2006 Agreement; Plaintiff would
have the option to purchase the Kenworth for $1.00 upon satisfactory completion of the
2006 Agreement on or about March 1, 2011.
9. On or about June 1, 2007, Plaintiff entered into a written Closed-End
Lease Agreement (hereinafter "June 2007 Agreement") with Defendant for the lease of
a 1997 Mac Dump Trailer (hereinafter "Mac"), more particularly identified in the June
2007 Agreement and Vehicle Lease Order, true and correct copies of which are
attached hereto, marked as Exhibit "D" and made a part hereof.
10. By the terms of the June 2007 Agreement, Plaintiff was to make
approximately Thirty-Six (36) payments of $1,113.00, commencing on or about July 1,
2007, and to pay a security deposit of $1,113.00 due at the inception of the June 2007
Agreement; Plaintiff would have the option to purchase the Mac for $1.00 upon
satisfactory completion of the June 2007 Agreement on or about June 1, 2010.
11. After entering the June 2007 Agreement, Plaintiff was paying a total
monthly payment of $6,143.00 as a result of the four (4) different leases as set forth
above.
12. Plaintiff, in an attempt to lower its monthly payment, approached
Defendant about combining all four leases into one lease.
Page 3 of 9
13. Accordingly, on or about November 30, 2007, Plaintiff ostensibly entered
into a fifth written Closed-End Lease Agreement (hereinafter "Final Agreement") with
Defendant upon Defendant's offer to combine all prior leases under the Final
Agreement in order to lower Plaintiff's monthly lease payments. There was no lease
agreement signed by or presented to Plaintiff that set forth these terms; all that was
provided was a 2007 Lease Order that reflected the Kenworth as the vehicle for which
the 2007 Lease Order applied. A true and correct copy of this Lease Order is attached
hereto, marked as Exhibit "E" and made a part hereof.
14. By the terms of the Final Agreement, Plaintiff was to make approximately
Forty-Two (42) payments of $4,061.00, commencing on or about December 1, 2008,
and to pay a security deposit of $3,605.00 due at the inception of the Final Agreement.
15. These payments, according to the Defendant, were to cover the Kenworth,
Peterbilt, East and Mac.
16. Other than a 2007 Vehicle Lease Order, which reflects only the Kenworth,
there is no documentation to support the combining of the four prior Agreements.
17. There is no documentation that invalidated the prior leases; specifically,
the April 2005 Agreement, the August 2005 Agreement and the June 2007 Agreement.
18. By the time Plaintiff entered into the Final Agreement with the Defendant,
Plaintiff had paid an approximate total of $57, 990.00 or Thirty (30) payments towards
the Peterbilt pursuant to the April 2005 Agreement, leaving Plaintiff with the relatively
Page 4 of 9
low amount due on the Peterbilt of approximately $11,598.00 or Six (6) remaining
payments.
19. Likewise, By the time Plaintiff entered into the Final Agreement with the
Defendant, Plaintiff had paid an approximate total of $15,730.00 or Twenty-Six (26)
payments towards the East pursuant to the August 2005 Agreement, leaving Plaintiff
with an even lower amount due on the East of $2,420.00 or Four (4) remaining
payments.
20. Considering that Plaintiff only made Twenty-one (21)out of Sixty (60)
payments towards the Kenworth, or $52,332.00 out of $149,520.00, and Five (5) out of
Thirty-Six (36) payments towards the Mac, or $5,565.00 out of $40,068, the bulk of the
Final Agreement consisted of payments towards the Kenworth and the Mac.
21. Between December, 2008 and May, 2009, Plaintiff had fallen behind in its
payments pursuant to the Final Agreement; specifically, Plaintiff fell behind four to five
payments for an approximate total of $16, 728.34.
22. As a result, Defendant repossessed the Kenworth and sold it for $42,
000.00.
23. Subsequently, Defendant informed Plaintiff that it was closing out the Final
Agreement and demanded that Plaintiff return the Peterbilt, East and Mac.
24. There is no documentation authorizing repossession of these remaining
vehicles.
Page 5 of 9
25. Further, by the time Plaintiff fell behind in its payments pursuant to the
Final Agreement, Plaintiff would have paid off the Peterbilt and the East in their entirety.
26. By way of illustration, Plaintiff made approximately eleven payments
totaling $44,671.00 pursuant to the Final Agreement. If the amount of $44,671.00 is
divided between the four vehicles, then Plaintiff would have paid approximately,
$11,167.75 towards each vehicle. In considering that Plaintiff only owed an
approximate amount of $2,420.00 on the East when Plaintiff entered into the Final
Agreement (or $1,815.00 if the security deposit of $605.00 is subtracted from this
amount), than the approximate amount of $8,747.75 (or $9,352.75 if considering the
security deposit) would have been over paid on the East and applied to the remaining
vehicles. So, in essence, Plaintiff paid approximately $14,083.66 towards the Peterbilt,
Mac and Kenworth (or $14, 285.33 if considering the security deposit) by the time of
Plaintiff's default. This amount would have more than paid off the Peterbilt considering
that Plaintiff only owed approximately $11,598.00 (or $9,813.00 if considering the
security deposit) on the Peterbilt by the time of Plaintiff's default.
27. Plaintiff also installed upgrades in the Peterbilt at considerable cost to
Plaintiff.
28. Nevertheless, the Defendant did not offer the Plaintiff an option to
purchase the titles to the East or Peterbilt for $1.00 pursuant to the April 2005 and
August 2005 Agreements.
Page 6 of 9
29. Plaintiff is not disputing that the Kenworth and Mac would not have been
paid off by the time of Plaintiff's default.
30. In light of the above, Plaintiff offered that Defendant repossess the Mac
(the Kenworth was already repossessed), but allow Plaintiff to purchase the Permanent
Registration and Certificates of Title (hereinafter "Title") to the Peterbilt and East for
$1.00 pursuant to the April 2005 and August 2005 Agreements. The Defendant refused
and continues to demand that Plaintiff return the Mac, East and Peterbilt.
31. The Defendant has, and continues to threaten to repossess the Mac,
Peterbilt and East.
COUNT I - REPLEVIN
32. Paragraphs 1 through 29 above are incorporated herein by reference as
though more fully set forth at length.
33. By refusing to sell the Peterbilt and East to Plaintiff for $1.00 pursuant to
the April and August 2005 Agreements, the Defendant deprived Plaintiff of its right to
said vehicles, without Plaintiff's consent and without lawful justification.
34. Plaintiff has performed all conditions precedent necessary to obtain Title
to the Peterbilt and East and to have said Titles properly reflect Plainitff's ownership on
these vehicles, but the Defendant wrongfully refuses to transfer the Titles to these
vehicles over to Plaintiff.
35. Plaintiff avers that this conduct of Defendant constitutes conversion.
Page 7 of 9
36. Plaintiff has an immediate right to possession of the Titles to the Peterbilt
and East, both of which are currently in the possession of Defendant.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for Judgment against Defendant in Count I of this
Complaint as follows:
a For the transfer of the Titles for the Peterbilt and East to Plaintiff so
that these Titles reflect Plaintiff as sole owner of the Peterbilt and East
with no other liens or encumbrances; and
b For such other relief that the Court deems just and proper.
COUNT II - BREACH OF CONTRACT
37. Paragraphs 1 through 34 above are incorporated herein by reference as
though more fully set forth at length.
38. Plaintiff entered into Agreements with Defendant for the lease of the
Peterbilt and East as set forth above.
39. These Agreements allowed for the sale of the Peterbilt and East to the
Plaintiff for $1.00 upon payment, in full, of the agreed upon price contained in the
Agreements.
40. Plaintiff paid Defendant all sums to which they were entitled under the
Agreements.
41. Defendant's failure to give the Plaintiff valid Title, following Plaintiffs
payment, in full, of the agreed upon price constitutes a breach of contract.
Page 8 of 9
42. Plaintiff incurred additional expenses in reliance of defendants' contractual
obligations for which plaintiff is entitled to be reimbursed.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for Judgment against Defendant in Count II of this
Complaint as follows:
a For the transfer of the Titles for the Peterbilt and East to Plaintiff so
that these Titles reflect Plaintiff as sole owner of the Peterbilt and East
with no other liens or encumbrances;
b For reimbursement of incidental and reliance expenses; and
c For such other relief that the Court deems just and proper
Respectfully Submitted,
KOPE & ASSOCIATES, LLC
SHANE B. KOPE, ESQUIRE
Date:
Page 9 of 9
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Shane B. Kope, Esquire, do hereby certify that on June 30, 2009, 1 served a
true and correct copy of the foregoing Motion for Preliminary Injunction via first class
mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
Brenner Financial, Inc.
2222 Paxton Street
Harrisburg, PA 17105
TES, LLC
Shane B. sq.
395 o ns rch Road, Suite 101
mp Hill, PA 170
(717) 761-7573
Sheriffs Office of Cumberland County
R Thomas Kline F?LF il`,?,?L
Sheriff OF THE F AC NOTAPY
Ronny R Anderson ?4?Ntr ct sf ir?nb?17A
Chief Deputy 2?Q4 JUL 23 AM 9: 4 9
Jody S Smith pr i 1 r_r r.
`"
Civil Process Sergeant crFF,ce F r,.? sr FRiFr , .1
Edward L Schorpp
Solicitor
R.J.'s Transport, LLC
vs.
Brenner Financial, Inc. I Case Number
2009-4386
SHERIFF'S RETURN OF SERVICE
07/06/2009 R. Thomas Kline, Sheriff who being duly sworn according to law states that he made a diligent search and
inquiry for the within named defendant, to wit: Brenner Financial, Inc., but was unable to locate them in
his bailiwick. He therefore deputized the Sheriff of Dauphin County, PA to serve the within Complaint and
Notice according to law.
07/13/2009 Dauphin County Return: And now, July 13, 2009 I, Jack Lotwick, Sheriff of Dauphin County,
Pennsylvania, do hereby certify and return, that I made diligent search and inquiry for Brenner Financial,
Inc. the defendant named in the within Complaint and that I am unable to find her in the County of Dauphir
and therefore return same NOT FOUND.
SHERIFF COST: $37.44
July 20, 2009
SO ANSWERS,
R THOMAS KLINE, SHERIFF
tf>e oft e?s ".r-
Mary Jane Snyder
Real Estate Depu
William T. Tully f
Solicitor
Dauphin County
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101
ph: (717) 780-6590 fax: (717) 255-2889
Jack Lotwick
Sheriff
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
County of Dauphin
Charles E. Sheaffer
Chief Deputy
Michael W. Rinehart
Assistant Chief Deputy
R.J.'S TRANSPORT, LLC
VS
BRENNER FINANCIAL, INC.
Sheriff s Return
No. 2009-T-1896
OTHER COUNTY NO. 2009-4386
I, Jack Lotwick, Sheriff of the County of Dauphin, State of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify and return,
that I made diligent search and inquiry for BRENNER FINANCIAL, INC. the DEFENDANT named in the
within COMPLAINT and that I am unable to find him/her in the County of Dauphin, and therefore return
same NOT FOUND, JULY 13, 2009.
BUSINESS IS NO LONGER AT THIS ADDRESS; B & G'S TRAILOR REPAIRS IS AT THIS
ADDRESS
Sworn and subscribed to
before me this 14TH day of July, 2009
A7???
NOTARIAL SEAL
ARY JANE SNYDER, Notary Publi
Highspire, Dauphin County
EMY Commission Expires Sept 1 2010
So Answers,
Sheriff of Daup o
By
Deputy Sheriff
Deputy: LISA BRESSLER
Sheriffs Costs: $41.25 7/8/2009
In The Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
R.J.'s Transport, LLC
Brenner Financial, Inc.
2222 Paxton Street
Harrisburg, PA 17105
vs.
Civil No. 2009-4386
Now, July 6, 2009, I, SHERIFF OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA, do hereby deputize the Sheriff of
Dauphin County to execute this Writ, this deputation being made at the request and risk of the Plaintiff.
5nentt of Cumberland County, PA
Now,
within
upon
at
by handing to
a
and made known to
me this day of 20Affidavit of Service
Sworn and subscribed before
20 , at_______o'clock
copy of the original
So answers,
Sheriff of
COSTS
SERVICE $
MILEAGE
AFFIDAVIT
M, served the
the contents thereof.
County, PA
-am
LAW OFFICES STEPHEN C. NUDEL, PC
Stephen C. Nudel, Esquire
Attorney ID #41703
Bret Keisling, Esquire
Attorney ID #201352
219 Pine Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 236-5000
R.J.' S TRANSPORT, LLC,
Plaintiff
V.
BRENNER FINANCIAL, INC.,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA
: NO. 09-4386
CIVIL ACTION -LAW
PRAECIPE TO ENTER APPEARANCE
Please enter the appearance of Bret Keisling, Esquire, Stephen C. Nudel, Esquire
and Law Offices Stephen C. Nudel, PC, as attorneys for Defendant.
Respectfully submitted,
Date: <:? }-- 9, z C)o t
LAW OFFICES STEPHEN C. NUDEL, PC
Ste . udel, Esquire
Attorney ID #41703
Bret Keisling, Esquire
Attorney ID #201352
219 Pine Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 236-5000
Attorneys for Defendant
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing has been duly served upon the
following, by depositing a copy of the same in the United States Mail, first-class, postage
prepaid, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as follows:
Shane B. Kope, Esquire
Kope & Associates, LLC
395 St. Johns Church Road
Suite 101
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Date: 0 13 0 q 0 C`
R LED --C,",- it CE
OF THE 2009 SEP 10 AM l!: 11
?.iI i 1
Ni ?'t
R.J.'S TRANSPORT, LLC,
PLAINTIFF
V.
BRENNER FINANCIAL, INC.,
DEFENDANT
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 09-4386 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 11th day of September, 2009, upon consideration of
Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction, and review of correspondence from
both counsel in this case,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that Defendant Brenner
Financial Inc., shall file its response to the Motion for Preliminary Injunction on ok'
before September 18, 2009.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND DIRECTED that pending further Court
Order, Brenner Financial Inc. shall take no action to repossess and/or sell any Of
the vehicles subject to this action. A status conference with counsel shall be held
on Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. in chambers of Courtroom No. 5
of the Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
By the Court,
Shane B. Kope, Esquire
/Attttorney for Plaintiff
? Bret Keisling, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
bas
r
1
1?k? - ?JA
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
FILED--C 1' CE
OF THE PROO JONOTARY
2009 SEP i ! Fli 3, 3 6
LAW OFFICES STEPHEN C. NUDEL, PC
Stephen C. Nudel, Esquire
Attorney ID #41703
Bret Keisling, Esquire
Attorney ID #201352
219 Pine Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 236-5000
R.J.' S TRANSPORT, LLC, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA
Plaintiff
V.
NO. 09-4386
BRENNER FINANCIAL, INC.,
Defendant
: CIVIL ACTION -LAW
DEFENDANT'S RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S
MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION
Defendant, Brenner Financial, Inc., by and through its attorneys, Stephen C.
Nudel, Esquire, Bret Keisling, Esquire and Law Offices Stephen C. Nudel, PC
respectfully submit this Response to Plaintiff's Motion for a Preliminary Injunction and
in support thereof aver the following:
Admitted.
2. Denied with clarification. In Defendant's Answer to the Complaint,
Defendant avers that it is entitled to repossess the Peterbilt. By way of further
clarification, the East Dump Trailer was repossessed prior to the filing of Plaintiff's
Motion. Plaintiff's "reliance" on vehicles for which it has not paid its lease obligations is
irrelevant. Defendant is entitled to repossess any vehicles for which Plaintiff refuses or is
unable to pay, notwithstanding any effect it may or may not have on Plaintiff's business.
w
3. Denied. It is denied that Plaintiff is the rightful owner of the Peterbilt and
East vehicles. Plaintiff has failed to fulfill its payment obligations under lease
agreements. Further, Defendant's intent to repossess any vehicles under the lease
agreements is due to Plaintiff's multiple and repeated breaches of the lease agreements.
4. Denied. Although Plaintiff may or may not suffer harm, this is not the sort
of harm that entitles it to preliminary injunction. Fundamentally, any harm Plaintiff
suffers will be as a direct and sole result of its multiple breaches of its agreements with
Defendant.
5. It is denied that Plaintiff will not suffer any appreciable injury if Plaintiff's
Motion is granted. Defendant will be denied its legal rights under law and contract.
Plaintiff now seeks to have the Court provide it with relief from Plaintiff's own breaches
and defaults under its agreements with Defendant.
6. It is denied that Defendant's conduct is wrongful. It is further denied that
Plaintiff's right is clear. To the contrary, it is clear by Plaintiff's own admission in its
Complaint that it committed multiple breaches of its agreements with Defendant.
7. Denied. Plaintiff is clearly unlikely to succeed because its claims have no
merit.
8. It is admitted that Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law, because Plaintiff
seeks a remedy for its own breaches and defaults of its agreements. This does not mean
that Plaintiff is entitled to injunctive relief.
9. Although it is admitted that there is an underlying action, it is denied that
said action would determine the "permanency" of any injunction. It is denied that a
preliminary injunction is warranted at all. But regardless, the conclusion of the
underlying action will negate the need for any injunction at all.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests this Honorable Court to deny
Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction.
Respectfully submitted,
LAW OFFICES STEPHEN C. NUDEL, PC
Date:
Ste
p en C.
ud 1, Esquire
7
Attorn 41703
Bret Keisling, Esquire
Attorney ID #201352
219 Pine Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 236-5000
Attorneys for Defendant
0
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing has been duly served upon the
following, by depositing a copy of the same in the United States Mail, first-class, postage
prepaid, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as follows:
Shane B. Kope, Esquire
Kope & Associates, LLC
395 St. Johns Church Road
Suite 101
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Date: S'O' `
??Z oc-n Bret eish , Es uire
")F
2009 SEP 18 F,l 2: C
LAW OFFICES STEPHEN C. NUDEL, PC
Stephen C. Nudel, Esquire
Attorney ID #41703
Bret Keisling, Esquire
Attorney ID #201352
219 Pine Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 236-5000
R.J.' S TRANSPORT, LLC,
Plaintiff
V.
BRENNER FINANCIAL, INC.,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA
NO. 09-4386
CIVIL ACTION -LAW
ANSWER, NEW MATTER AND COUNTERCLAIM
AND NOW, comes Defendant, Brenner Financial, Inc., by and through
undersigned counsel, Stephen C. Nudel, Esquire, Bret Keisling, Esquire and Law Offices
Stephen C. Nudel, PC and in support of its Answer, New Matter and Counterclaim avers
the following:
1. Admitted.
2. Admitted.
3. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that the parties entered
into a Closed-End Lease Agreement for a 2005 Peterbilt Tractor. By way of further
response, the document attached as Exhibit "A" to Plaintiff's Complaint is a written
document which speaks for itself and any attempt to characterize its contents is denied.
4. Admitted. By way of further response, Plaintiff did not fulfill its
obligations under the April 2005 Agreement.
5. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that the parties entered
into a Closed-End Lease Agreement for a 1988 East Dump Trailer. By way of further
response, the document attached as Exhibit "B" to Plaintiff's Complaint is a written
document which speaks for itself and any attempt to characterize its contents is denied.
6. Admitted. By way of further response, Plaintiff did not satisfy its
obligations under the August 2005 Agreement.
7. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that the parties entered
into a Closed-End Lease Agreement for a 2003 Kenworth Triaxle with Dump Bed. By
way of further response, the document attached as Exhibit "C" to Plaintiff's Complaint is
a written document which speaks for itself and any attempt to characterize its contents is
denied.
8. Admitted. By way of further response however, Plaintiff did not satisfy its
obligations under the 2006 Agreement.
9. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that the parties entered
into a Closed-End Lease Agreement for a 1997 Mac Dump Trailer. By way of further
response, the document attached as Exhibit "D" to Plaintiff's Complaint is a written
document which speaks for itself and any attempt to characterize its contents is denied.
10. Admitted. By way of further response, Plaintiff did not satisfy its
obligations under the June 2007 Agreement.
2
11. Admitted.
12. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that Plaintiff approached
Defendant about combining four existing leases into a single lease. After reasonable
investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief
as to the truth of the remaining averments in this paragraph and such averments are
therefore denied.
13. Denied as stated. Plaintiff did in fact enter into a fifth written Closed-End
lease agreement ("Final Agreement") in November 2007. It is denied that Plaintiff
"ostensibly" entered into said agreement. Further, Defendant's "offer" was in response to
Plaintiff's request to lower its payments as stated in paragraph twelve of the Complaint.
Further, it is clear that the November 30, 2007, Agreement incorporated the previous
leases. Plaintiff's own conduct subsequent to the November 30, 2007, Agreement make
this clear in that Plaintiff immediately stopped making any payments on the previous
leases because they, in fact, had been absorbed into the November 30, 2007, Agreement.
Nonetheless, the documents attached as Exhibit "B" to the Complaint are writings and
any attempt to characterize their contents is therefore denied.
14. Admitted.
15. Admitted with clarification. The payments were a refinancing of the
remaining balances due on the Kenworth, Peterbilt, East and Mac vehicles.
16. Denied. The Final Agreement clearly incorporates the subsequent
outstanding balances. The value of the Kenworth is significantly less than the amount of
3
the Lease. In addition, Plaintiff's own conduct supports that the subsequent leases were
combined. Plaintiff acknowledged in paragraph twelve of its Complaint that it had
approached Defendant in order to reduce its lease payments. Further, subsequent to the
November 2007 Agreement, Plaintiff did not make any payments whatsoever on the
previous leases.
17. Denied. The Final Agreement incorporated the previous leases into its
terms. By way of further response, Plaintiff's conduct makes clear that the Final
Agreement included the previous leases, in that Plaintiff never made any payments
whatsoever towards the previous leases after the Final Agreement was executed.
18. Denied. By the time Plaintiff entered into the Final Agreement with the
Defendant, Plaintiff had paid a total of $54,124 or Twenty-eight (28) payments on the
Peterbilt lease, leaving Plaintiff Eight (8) remaining payments in addition to late fees.
Any attempt to characterize the remaining payments as `the relatively low amount due' is
further denied.
19. Denied. By the time Plaintiff entered into the Final Agreement with the
Defendants, Plaintiff had paid a total of $14,047.40 or approximately Twenty-three and
one fifth (23 and 115) payments on the East lease, leaving Plaintiff approximately Six and
four fifth's (6 and 4/5) remaining payments in addition to late fees.
20. Denied. Pursuant to Plaintiff's request, the Final Agreement incorporated
all past due amounts into a single lease. Plaintiff now attempts to retroactively carve out
4
what payments were for what vehicles without regard to the contractual agreements and
obligations arising from the Final Agreement.
21. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that Plaintiff fell behind
on its payments pursuant to the Final Agreement. By way of clarification, as of May,
2009 Plaintiff had a past due balance in the amount of $16,993.19, or approximately ;Four
and one fifth (4 and 115) payments in addition to late fees.
22. Admitted.
23. Admitted.
24. Denied. The original credit terms executed by Plaintiff expressly
authorizes repossession. Moreover, repossession is permitted under law.
25. Denied. Plaintiff apparently attempts to characterize its payments as if the
Final Agreement did not exist. It is irrelevant that Plaintiff under some circumstance or
another would have fulfilled its obligations under past lease agreements. The fact of the
matter is that Plaintiff, by its own admission, fell behind in its original leases, and then
fell behind in the November 2007 Agreement. Its attempt to re-characterize its payments
has no bearing on the simple fact that Plaintiff did not honor the November 2007 Final
Agreement.
26. Denied. It is denied that Plaintiff accurately characterizes the effect of
payments it made on its lease obligations to Defendant. Plaintiff is attempting to re-
characterize payments and apply them to certain lease agreements even though, at its
request, renegotiated the terms of its lease agreements. Once Plaintiff executed the Final
Agreement, any attempt to apply subsequent payments to previous agreements is
inaccurate and irrelevant.
27. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without sufficient information
to form a belief as to the accuracy of the averments in this paragraph and said averments
are denied.
28. Denied as stated. Defendant did not offer Plaintiff an option to purchase
the titles to the East or Peterbilt vehicles pursuant to April 2005 and August 2005
agreements because Plaintiff did not fulfill its obligations under those agreements.
Moreover, when the obligations under these agreements were incorporated into the
November 2007 Agreement at Plaintiff's request, Plaintiff failed to honor its obligations
under that Agreement. Accordingly, Plaintiff did not fulfill its obligations and was not
entitled to exercise a purchase option.
29. Admitted with clarification. Plaintiff admits that the Kenworth and Mac
were not paid off. However, all of the remaining vehicles in Plaintiff's possession were
incorporated into the November 2007 Agreement and Plaintiff was therefore in default on
its remaining obligation to the Defendant.
30. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that Plaintiff has
"offered" to purchase vehicles under an agreement that no longer exists. However,
Plaintiff is not entitled to purchase any vehicles because of its default on the November
2007 Final Agreement. Subsequent to the filing of this Pleading, Defendant has lawfully
repossessed all of the subject vehicles.
6
31. Admitted with clarification. It is admitted that Defendant has continued to
maintain its right to repossess vehicles under its agreements with Plaintiff. However,
Defendant has lawfully repossessed all of the subject vehicles.
COUNT I: REPLEVIN
32. This is a paragraph of incorporation to which no response is required.
33. Denied as a legal conclusion to which no response is required. By way of
further answer, it is denied that Defendant deprived Plaintiff of any rights to purchase any
agreements, because Plaintiff defaulted on its agreements with Defendant, and therefore
did not have an option available. Further, Defendant at all times has conducted itself in
total accord with law and its contractual obligations.
34. Denied. It is denied that Plaintiff has performed all of its obligations
arising under the November 2007 Agreement and prior agreements with Defendant. It is
denied that Defendant refuses to transfer title to Plaintiff on the disputed vehicles.
Plaintiff is in default of its obligations, and therefore is not entitled to a purchase option.
35. Denied as a legal conclusion to which no response is required. Moreover, it
is specifically denied that Defendant has converted Plaintiff's property. Defendant has at
all times acted in accordance with law and its contractual rights and responsibilities.
36. Denied as a legal conclusion to which no response is required. By way of
further answer, Plaintiff does not have a right to possess any of the vehicles due to
Plaintiff's breaches and defaults.
7
WHEREFORE, Defendant Brenner Financial, Inc., respectfully requests this
Honorable Court enter judgment on its behalf and dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint with
prejudice.
COUNT II: BREACH OF CONTRACT
37. This is a paragraph of incorporation to which no response is required.
38. Denied. Plaintiff entered into multiple agreements with the Defendant.
Previous agreements were incorporated into the November 2007 Agreement. Plaintiff's
attempt to characterize the agreements between the parties is denied. Further, Plaintiff's
own conduct with regard to payments belies its argument.
39. Denied as stated. Plaintiff would have been entitled to purchase the
disputed vehicles for one dollar provided that Plaintiff fulfilled all of its obligations under
the agreements. However, Plaintiff did not fulfill its obligations. It was in multiple
breaches of the agreements prior to November 2007. The November 2007 Agreement
incorporated at Plaintiff's request previous agreements. Despite the attempt to lower
Plaintiff's payments, Plaintiff committed multiple breaches of the November 2007
Agreement. Therefore, Plaintiff was not entitled to exercise any purchase option under
the Agreement.
40. Denied. Plaintiff s Complaint makes multiple admissions of Plaintiff's
failure to pay Defendant sums due under the agreements.
8
41. Denied as a legal conclusion to which no response is required. By way of
further answer, Plaintiff did not fulfill its obligations under the various agreements, and
was not entitled to exercise a purchase option.
42. Denied as a legal conclusion to which no response is required. The
averments in this paragraph are also denied because, after reasonable investigation,
Defendant is without sufficient information necessary to form a response to these
averments.
WHEREFORE, Brenner Financial, Inc., respectfully requests this Honorable
Court enter judgment in its behalf and dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint with prejudice.
NEW MATTER
43. Paragraphs 1-42 above are incorporated herein as if set forth at length.
44. Plaintiffs claims are barred by the doctrine of unclean hands.
45. Plaintiff's claims may be barred by the doctrine of estoppel.
46. Plaintiff committed multiple breaches of its various agreements with
Defendant.
WHEREFORE, Brenner Financial, Inc., respectfully requests this Honorable
Court enter judgment in its behalf and dismiss Plaintiff s Complaint with prejudice.
COUNTERCLAIM: BREACH OF CONTRACT
47. Paragraphs 1-46 above are incorporated herein as if set forth at length.
48. As Plaintiff admits in its Complaint, it executed four (4) Vehicle Lease
Agreements with Defendant for four (4) vehicles, a Peterbilt Tractor, East Dump Trailer,
9
Kenworth Triaxle with Dump Bed, and a Mac Dump Trailer. See Exhibits A through D
to the Complaint.
49. As Plaintiff admits in its Complaint at ¶ 12, sometime prior to November
30, 2007, it approached Defendant about combining the four earlier lease agreements into
one lease.
50. As Plaintiff admits in its Complaint, in November 2007 Plaintiff entered
into a fifth Agreement ("Final Agreement") with Defendant. See Exhibit E to the
Complaint.
51. As Plaintiff requested, and as the parties agreed, the Final Agreement
combined the four earlier leases.
52. Plaintiff had a duty under the Final Agreement to make payments to the
Defendant in the amount of $4,061.00 per month.
53. As Plaintiff admitted in its Complaint at ¶ 21, Plaintiff breached its duty to
Defendant by failing to make payments as required under the Final Agreement.
54. Defendant has been harmed by Plaintiff's breach of the Final Agreement.
55. As a result of Plaintiff's breach, Defendant has repossessed the vehicles.
that were the subject of the Final Agreement.
56. Plaintiff currently owes Defendant $47,459.08 under the Final Agreement.
57. Defendant sold at auctions all of the vehicles except a Peterbilt Tractor.
58. Upon sale at auction of the Peterbilt Tractor, Plaintiff will be entitled to a
set-off of the amount the Peterbilt Tractor is sold for.
10
WHEREFORE, Defendant Brenner Financial, Inc., respectfully requests this
Honorable Court enter judgment on its behalf, and award Defendant no more than
$47,459.08 plus costs, attorneys' fees and whatever other such relief this Honorable
Court deems proper.
Date: '?: eiA \-7, 2o0 my
Respectfully submitted,
LAW OFFICES STEPHEN C. NUDEL, PC
St hen . Nuael, Esquire
Atto D #41703
Bret Keisling, Esquire
Attorney ID #201352
219 Pine Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 236-5000
Attorneys for Defendant
11
'VER.1 I'ICATION
1, John R. McGlree-?j.,, C hic4' I,inancial Officer of Breancr I'in.-mcial, bic., being
authorized to do so, vcriti' that the statements ill tlic foregoing tlocuirieni are true; nlxd
correct to the best of my knowl(Age, information and belief
I understand that an I'alse staterneuits herein arc made ubiect to the penalties of
18 Pa.C.'.S.A. Section 4904, relating to unmvorn falsilicat:ion. to authorities.
BRENNER FINANCIAL, TNC'.,
Daut : oq_i 7-6 9 Y:
John R. My ;( rreeti _
chic-I I'inancial Gf' er
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing has been duly served upon the
following, by depositing a copy of the same in the United States Mail, first-class, postage
prepaid, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as follows:
Shane B. Kope, Esquire
Kope & Associates, LLC
395 St. Johns Church Road
Suite 101
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Date:
qetin , Esquire
FLED 0l'r; ;E
OF Ti c `; ; w o?rT` Ry
7013 15EP € 3 Pil 2: 03
CLUB fit`
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R.J.'S TRANSPORT, LLC, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
BRENNER FINANCIAL, INC.,
DEFENDANT NO. 09-4386 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 29th day of September, 2009, upon consideration of
Plaintiff, R. J.'s Transport, LLC's Motion for a Preliminary Injunction, the
Defendant's response thereto, and after status conference with counsel, counsel
for the Plaintiff having indicated that the Plaintiff would be unable to post bond in
the case, and that Plaintiff does not desire a hearing;
The court finds that the issuance of an injunction in this case is not
warranted in that Plaintiff cannot show a reasonable probability of success on the
merits,
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that the Motion
for a Preliminary Injunction is DENIED and the stay previously issued by the
Court in its order dated September 11, 2009, is lifted.
By the Court,
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
,,.Xhane B. Kope, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
Bret Keisling, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
bas
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