HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-2373Prisiila Lopez,
Cumberland County, PA
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
;
: Daniel N. Gordon, P.C. and
: Daniel N. Gordon, Esquire, an
: individual, and CACV of Colorado LLC,:
: 3390 West 11th Avenue, Suite D,
: Eugene, OR 97402
Plaintiff(s) & Addresses
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 Oreeumont Drive
Enola, Pennsylvania 17025
Phone 717-732-3750
SaraccoLaw~aol.com
S~gnature of Attorney
Supreme Court ID# ') ? ~r/c/
Dated:~-,~/~t ~://O/~ '
WRIT OF SUMMONS
TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S):
YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE-NAMED PLAINTIFF(S) HAS/HAVE
COMMENCED AN ACTION AGAINST YOU.
Prothonotary
Dated: ~ & (~, aba ¥ By:%,
Deputy
MARGOLIS EDELSTEIN
BY: Barry Kronthal, Esquire
Identification No.: 55672
3510 Trindle Road
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 975-8114
Attorney for Defendants,
Daniel N. Gordon, P.C.,
Daniel N. Gordon, Esquire and
CACV of Colorado, LLC
PRISILLA LOPEZ,
Plaintiff,
DANIEL N. GORDON, P.C. and
DANIEL N. GORDON, ESQUIRE,
an individual, and CACV OF
COLORADO, LLC,
Defendants.
iN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Civil Action
NO. 04-2373
NOTICE OF FILING OF NOTICE OF REMOVAL
TO: PROTHONOTARY, COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY
In compliance with 28 U.S.C. Section 1446, you are hereby notified of the filing of a Notice
of Removal for the above-captioned case to the United States District Court for the Middle District
of Pennsylvania, a copy of which is attached hereto.
Date:~
Respectfially su~l~itted,
_D~. Gor~on, P.C.,
Dan}Itel 1,~do/fl, Esquire and
CACV of C~florado, LLC
%JS44 (Rev. 3/99) CIVIL COVER SHEET
The JS-44 civil cover sheet and the information coats ned herein neither repIace nor supnlement the filing and service of pleadings or other papers as required
by law, except as provided by local rules of court. This form, approved by the Judicial ~nferenee of the United States in September 1974, is required for the
use of the Clerk of Court for the purpose of initia~g the civil docket sheet (SEE SEPARATE FNSTRL~TION SHEET)
I. (a) PLAINTIFFS DEFENDANTS
(bi County o f Resid~n¢ ¢ of First Listod Plaintiff
(EXCEPT IN U,S. PLAINTIFFCASES)
(C) At~meys (Firm Name, Address, an d Telephone Number)
moor Drive
Il. BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Pl,¢,,s-x..i, o,, Bo~ o,~y)
[] I U.S. Government
Plaintiff
[] 2 U.S. Government
Defendant
Federal Questica
(U.S. Governrmnt Not a Party)
[] 4 Diversgy
(Indicate Citizenship of Parties
in Item III)
IV. NATURE OF SUIT
(Refer to Instruction sheet)
Please insert l~ture of Suit Code
Pm i.,ert =* on C mmerce ( vcPA
Daniel N. 6ordon,
Glorado, ULt..
(TN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES Oi'~y)
NOTE: Ilq LAND CONDEMNATION CASES.USE THE LOCATION OF THE
],.AND INVOLVED.
III. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES
(For Diversty Cases Only) (Pisa* an "X" in O n. ann for P[ai~$ff and O ne Boa fat D~fen dan0
Citizen of This S~te [] I [] I Incorporated or Principal Place [] 4 [] 4
of Business In This State
CitizenofAnotherStato [32 [] 2 IncorporatedandPrin¢ipal [] 5 [3 5
of Business In Another State
CitizenorSubjectofa []3 [] 3 Foreign Nation [3 6 [] 6
V. ORIGIN
(PLACE AN "X" IN ONE BOX ONLY) Appeal to
n I Original 2 Removed from E] 3 Remanded from [] 4 Reinstated [] 5 Transferred rom [] 6 Multldisttict n 7 Judge from
Proceeding State Court Appellate Court or aaother district
Reopened (specify) Litigation Magistrate
Judgment
VII. REQ UESTE D IN [] CHECK IF THIS IS A CLASS ACTION DEMAND $
CHECK YES only ifdemanded in complaint
COMPLAINT:
UNDER F,R.C.R 23
VIII. RELATED CASE(S)
N/ l
DATE
(See insmsction$): JUDGE
alONATUR~OF~
FOR,
RECEIPT#
AMOUNT
APPLYING [FP,
JUDGE
MAOIJUDOE
(Rev. 3/6/03 USDC-PAMD)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
PRISILLA LOPEZ
Plaintiff,
CIVIL ACTION NO.:
DANIEL N. GORDON, P.C. and
DANIEL N. GORDON, ESQUIRE, an
individual, and CACV OF
COLORADO, LLC,
Defendants.
NOTICE OF REM~OVAL
TO: THE HONORABLE JUDGES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR
THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Defendants, Daniel N. Gordon, P.C., Daniel N. Gordon, Esquire and CACV of Colorado,
LLC, hereby give Notice of Removal &this action fi.om the Court of Common Pleas &Cumberland
County, where it is now pending under Civil Action No. C~4-2373, to the United States District Court
for the Middle District of Permsylvania, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 1441, et seq. In support of
this Removal, Defendants aver as follows:
1. Plaintiff, Prisilla Lopez, filed a Civil Action Complaint against Defendants, Daniel N.
Gordon, P.C., Daniel N. Gordon, Esquire, an individual, ~ad CACV of Colorado, LLC, in the Court
M:~mdir\Carol~qo tic eRemoval.Ph silliaLopez.wpd.
of Common Pleas of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania on or about June 7, 2004. (A true and
correct copy of the Plaintiff's Complaint, without admission as to any averments therein, is attached
hereto as Exhibit "A").
2. Defendants, Daniel N. Gordon, P.C., Daniel N. Gordon, Esquire, an individual, and
CACV of Colorado, LLC, were served with Plaintiff's Complaint on June 7, 2004.
3. According to PlaintilTs Complaint, Defendants, Daniel N. Gordon, P.C. and Daniel
N. Gordon, Esquire, are a Law Firm and an individual, respectively, who are debt collectors engaged
in the business of collecting consumer debt in the Commonwealth of Penns. ylvania with a mailing
address of 3990 West 11th Avenue, Suite D, Eugene, OR 97402. (See, Exhibit "A", Paragraph 2).
4. According to Plaintiff's Complaint, Defendant, CACV of Colorado, LLC, is a business
engaged in the purchasing of consumer debts in default and then attempting to collect said debts.
Plaintiff failed to provide a mailing address for CACV of Colorado, LLC. (See, Exhibit "A",
Paragraph 3).
5. In her Complaint, Plaintiff is seeking equitable and monetary relief under the
Pennsylvania Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act ("PFCEU"), 73 P.S. §2270, et seq., the Fair Debt
Collection Practices Act ("FDCPA"), 15 U.S.C. § 1692,, et seq., 28 U.S.C. § 1337. It also appears
that Plaintiffis seeking relief under the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection
Law ("UTPCPL"), 73 P.S. §201.3.1 and the Debt Collection Practices Regulations issued under 37
Pa. Code §303.1 et seq. Plaintiff's claims are based upon the alleged unfair methods of competition
and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in connection with the collection ora debt.
6. In Count I of the Complaint, Plaintiff sets :Forth a cause of action against Defendants
under the Pennsylvania Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act, 73 P.S. §2270, et seq., for unfair
M :\mdir\Car ol2qotice RemovaI.PrisilliaLopez.wpd.
methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts in attempting to collect a debt (See, Exhibit "A"
Paragraphs 1 through 7).
7. In Count II of the Complaint, Plaintiff sets forth a cause of action against Defendants
under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1692, et seq., for attempting to collect a
debt by using unfair or unconscionable means, including, but not limited to:
(a) using false, deceptive or misleading representation or means;
(b) engaging in conduct meant to harass, oppress or abuse any person in
connection with the collection e, fa debt;
(c) communicating with any person other than the consumer in connection with
the collection of debt;
(d) adding interest, charges, fees or other costs not otherwise authorized by law
or contract to the existing debt;
(e) failing to inform the consumer of her rights to dispute the alleged debt;
(f) forwarding collection communications which were intentionally confusing,
misleading and otherwise deceptive to the Plaintiff; and
(g) creating a false sense of urgency ,an the past debt.
(See, Exhibit "A", Paragraphs 8 through 52)
8. It appears that Plaintiff is attempting to set: forth an additional cause of action against
Defendants for violation of the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law,
73 P.S. §201-3.1 and the Debt Collection Practices regulations issued under 37 Pa. Code §303.1, et
seq., based upon alleged unfair methods of competition mad unfair or deceptive acts or practices in
an attempt to collect a debt.~ (See, Exhibit "A", paragraphs 53 through 58).
9. In a second "Count 1/", contained within paragraphs 59 through 99, it appears that
Plaintiff is attempting to set forth a cause of action under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15
U.S.C. § 1692, et seq. on substantially similar grounds, under identical statutes and demanding
identical relief as alleged by Plaintiffin the first Count 1I, contained within paragraphs 8 through 52.2
(See, Exhibit "A", paragraphs 59 through 99 as compared against paragraphs 8 through 52).
10. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1331, "the District Courts shall have original jurisdiction of
all Civil Actions arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States."
11. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1441(b), "any Civil Action of which the District Courts have
original jurisdiction founded on a claim or right arising under the Constitution, treaties, or laws of the
United States shall be removable without regard to the citizenship or residence of the parties."
12. According to 28 U.S.C. § 1441(c), "whenever a separate and independent claim or
cause of action within the jurisdiction conferred by Section 1331 is joined with one or more otherwise
non-removable claims or causes of action, the entire case :may be removed and the District Court may
determine all issues therein."
13. As the Plaintiff has raised claims under the laws of the United States, this case is
removable to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
14. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1446(b), this Notice is filed within thirty (30) days after
service of Plaintiff's Complaint upon Defendants, Daniel N. Gordon, P.C., Daniel N. Gordon,
Paragraphs 53 through 58 of Plaintiff's Complaint are pled after the first of t~o Attorney signature lines. Moreover,
paragraphs 53 through 58 do not appear to be conhained within a specific "Count." T~erefore, it is unclear if Plaintiffintended
to set forth this cause of action or if paragraphs 53 through 58 are typographical errors.
2
Again, paragraphs 59 through 99 of Plaintiff's Complaint are set forth after the first of two Attorney signature lines and are
pled within the second "Count ii',. Plainfiffalleges substantiallysimilar the~. identical statutes and demands identicalreliefas
set forth in the original "Count Il", paragraphs 8 through 52. Therefore, it is unclear what Plaintiff's intentions are with respect
to the second Count Il or if it is purely typographical error.
M:\mdir\CarolRqoticeRemoval. PrisithaLopez.wpd.
Esquire, an individual, and CACV of Colorado, LLC.
15. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1446(d), a cop), of this Notice of Removal is being filed with
the Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Curn~erland County and is being served upon the
Plaintiff.
WHEREFORE, Defendants, Daniel N. Gordon, P.C., Daniel N. Gordon, Esquire, an
individual, apd CACV of Colorado, LLC, hereby remove this action now pending against it in the
Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County to the United States District Court for the Middle
District of Permsylvania.
Date:~
Respectfully Submitted,
ELSTEIN
BYa--'-~ ~" ~'Z~ I -
BARR~"~4)NTHAL, ESQUIRE
Attorney for Defendants,
Daniel N. Gordon, p. C.,
Daniel N. Gordon, Esquire and
CACV OF Colorado, LLC
iN THE COUWF OF COMMON PLEA8
CUMBERLAND COUNTY PENN,~WLVANiA
Plslafiff,
CIVIL ACTION -JURY TRIAL
DEMANDED
No. l)4d,,~93
the claims set for. Ch in the ~ollowJnq pages, you must :~ke action
~l:b~n~~ after Lhi~ Comp~inL IS ~erved, by entering
a written appearance personally or by atLorney and fllio~ in
writing with ~he court yOUr defenses or objections ~o the claims
set forCb against you. You m~e warned thaL if you fail Lo do so,
the oase may proceed without further no:~(~e for any I~ohey claimed
in the Complaint, or for any o~hez clatm or relief requested by
the Plaintiff. You may lose money or p:operty or othe~ rights
~Ott {{{O/J'~D T~i T~IZ8 P.q~R TO YOUR L{k~fF~t AT ONCe. ZF YOU DO MOT
g{kV~ ~ LAW,BP, Ol~. C.M~O~ AFFORD O1~, GO TO O;t TBLE~EOI~ ~ OFFZ~E
BET gOi~{i i~mLOW TO FZZ~D OUT l~m~ YOU C.{k~T GaT LEQZ~Z, R~Lg.
C-shetland Couzlty lille Aaselal~lou
32 $. Bedfnrd $l,~et, Cnrll.lu, i'A
1-800.991L9108, 717-249.3166
p~azo a~ ps.tlr de ~a ~e,::hn ,~e La ext:rJt, u ~, ~r. {,,,r:.,:~ ,', p,~r .bc,9~dr, y archivar
nat~ioacian y pOC OUa~quiq~ quoin ,.~ .,1 IvLo ,4u. ,,:~ p~ctJd,, ~,:, tm pH? Leith de
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEA8
CUMBERLAN]D COUNTY PENN:,qYLVANIA
~lsflla Lopea, :
Plaintiff. :
!
~nnld N. Gordon, P.~.. nnd :
~nnlei ~. ~ordon, Esquire, -n :
individual, nnd CAL-'V of Colorado LLC,:
]Defendants. :
CIVIL A'CTION - JURY TRIAL
DEMANDKD
No. 04-2373
A~d now comes Plaintiff, by and thmug, h her 'coun.~l, trod I~lcs this Complaint ~d
supra t~og, ave~ the
Ju~ictlon ~r this A~ion is ~cfled under the P~nnsylvanla Fair C~dit Exmnsion
Uu[fo~ Act, 73 P,S. ~2270 ct seq.
De,eaSt D~i~ N. (}ordon, P.C.. is a law fi~ and Oordon is an it~dividual a~ a~ debt
~llectors e~ag~ in ~e bu~i~tess of collecting c[maum~r debt in this Commonwealth
~a mailing a~ms~ 3990 West I I~a Avenue. Suite I), Eugen~ OR 97402.
~nt CACV of CoIo~o is a business enti~ that in e~ged in pure.lng
~ns~et debm in deCault ~ then attempting t~ collect on ~id deb~, ns such, is ~t a
endlmr ~ dean~ ~ 15 U,S,C. ~41 trod Is liable undor ~tate and f~eml law, The
~ili~ addmaa for CACV ot'C'olontdo will be provid,~ by delbnd~t
Vtol~ing pmvinious orthe Fair ~bt Collect[on Pmcti~ Act also violate the
Pe~sylvania FCEU. 73 P,S. ~227~,4(aL
~at defendant en~ged in unl~k methods ol'com~lilim~ mid unfair or deceptive
p~fi~, ~ ~fln~ by FCEU aM ~e ~ulations. including hut not limited to. v[ola~ons
o~37 Pa, Code g~303,3(3), ~03,3(14), 303,3(IR), 303.6 and 73
~. Det'endaut's acts as described he~in w~.~: done with malicious, intentional will~l,
~kless, ncgligenl and wanton dls~gu~xl lbr Plaintl~s rights with thc put.se
~emi~ Plaintiff m ~y the alleged debt.
7, As a r~ult of the ~ve violation, Pluintiffis ~ntit{ed tu suuuto~, uclu~, treble ~d
p~itive ~m~ and ~ton~y's ~c~s m~d cos~,
~'~OR~, plain~ff ~qu~s~ that this I luno~ble Court issue judgement on his b~h~f
~d ~alu~ ~fend~ for a s~mto~ pe~hy, treble da~¢g punitive
~d ~a~ pumuaut m 73 P.S,
COUFr l[
8. ~ctiou for this ac~on {s ~se~ purs~l to thc F~lir ~bl
l~ U.S.C. ~ 16~, et seq, ("FDCPA"). pa,icu[~{y I ~ U.S.C. ~ l d~k(d) ~d 28 U.8.C.
~1337.
9. Veuue lies ~ this Disuicl pursuanl ~o 28 U.S.C. ~ 13V
10. P~u~ff{s ~ iudivid~l a,~ co~umer pul~uam to [5 U.S.C. ~{~92a(6).
{ !. Defender C~rdou is an atu~rncy and Go,on P(' is a business entity ~g~ {n the
~n~ ofcollc~ting de~ in ~{s ('eminent{th and
1~ U.8.C. ~i 169~3).
12. Defe~t CACV is a busine~ cnt{~ en~ In thc burliness oFpu~hased ~ns~r
deb~ in de~ull ~d {hen at~mpt{ng to cutlet lhu~ dcbl
dtfin~ by 15 U,S.C. ~1093a(3).
13. ~e~t's {ei~ lo Plaintifl'a~ "con{Inun}cat{u~' reluting
U.8.C. 11692~2) and
{4. At al{ ~n{~ut times hereto, I~e defendant was h{~ to, ~l{ect t~ debt ~{ating ~oa
consumer trm~aaction. (Hereinnl~r th~ "alice, cd dcht."l
15. Der'cadam communicated with plainti A'vn ,raller ~mc year belbre the date et'this action,
Io connection with collection efforts, by letters, telcphcme conlact or other dc~cumcnta,
with mgar([ to plalnti~'s alleged debL
16. On or ~ut Feb~ 5, 2~04, d~l~ndanl dmRed and realisM. ~u the Plain~lT,
m~, ~][~ion or "dunning" I~, which a~temp~ m ,:~rcc Plaintiff into payi~ the
~le8~ debt.
t 7. Pla~bellev~ ~d therefrom avc~ [hat Ou~on did 11ol mvl~ Plaint[~
18. P~intiffbetieves and theorem ave:'~ that attorneys use fl~lr lcl~d~eads ~ ~mtus in a
~y ~J[ecdon a~ncics cam~ut and tb~l u ~e~er i~m attorney adda a helghten~ urgency
to the claim,
19. Pl~tiffbelieves ~d themR~m avcm that m~sr atlonlcy debt co[l~t rarely, ifcver, file
~k agab~st ~n~me~.
20. Co~q have hem ~at die Ih~t oi'litiggLkm is pL~Ken[ ~lnlply ~u~e Lhc
~m ~ a~omey; thc letter need not explicitly threaten suit. ~~ 858
R~ 566 (3d tic. 1989). U~ted ~mics v. C'entml Adluslmen[ Bur~k ~7 F. Supp. 370,
397 ~,D. Tex.
2[. ~ ~omey's ifltcrsmte collation lettem ~tLSl avuJd mismpmsentinB the a~rney's
autho~ to sue ~ere he or slt~ is not udmit~ Io pm~ti.:e. ~,' e 868 F
2d 5~ (3d Cit. 1989),
~. It ~ long ~ held Ihat the P~'PA dyes not ~rmit attorneys to usc f~similc
a~. Clomon v. J~kaon, 998 F.2d 1314 (2d Cir.
23. Pl~ntiff~lievcs and therefore ave~ that thc rationale ~hiad thi~ talc ~ a
altomeys were not actlv~ly involved in tile cutlet/Jolt pruee,'~'L and by at le~t requtHn8 an
ac~l lignite, ~me degr~ o~tua) mvlew w~ Imp~tsed,
24. Defend~t's le~et Is clearly a mass.malled tbrm leuer.
26. D~d~t's letter does not stye that de~ndant is liceriscd to practice law in
27. P~ntiff~liev~ ~d the~l~ ave~ that C'AC'V of C0,1o~do. tLC and Daniel N. ~on
P.C. ~d Oo~on individually. ~t~ in con~ in e~er u} mlsl~d, conic ~
Platnflff~ ~[l aa tb~ I~1 ~phisticat~d em~umct.
28.
o~er ~ons und~ prinoi~l/~l Iheoriea ~q well ~ the FDCPA.
29. D~dant'a letter states that CAC'V is the o~er ~l'th~ alleg~ debt ~ such.
be~ev~s ~d ~cretbrc ave~ that neither ('AC'V nor Gordon individual or th~u~ biz law
~ b~ the proper authority under P~nnsylvania law ~o collec~ th~ alleged debt.
30. ~f~nt's Iot~rl~ would e~ily o~nlb~ the le~c~t ~ophistieated ~onsumer and
~ ~n~t~ m ~ly believe thai hc/~he cuuld be s~cl in an 6ut~t:st~e cou,. Rosa v.
O~v~[, 704 P. ~upp. I (D. ~onn.
31. P~intifl'bo[lev~ and the~lbre ave~ I1~( defendant's le~[ le,erhead ~s u~d
~m~tion ~tb the p~tie, of[aw, hul ~thcr as a debt collector for the sole pu~o~ of
in,idling the Plaintiff, ~ such. uve~h~wed the I:~'.'PA. ~ 1692g.
32. ~ PDCPA ~at~, a debt ~dlcctor may nol uae unlhir or uncon~kmable memos
~J[~ or at,pt to coll~l m~y dcbl. 15 U.S.C'. ~10~2f, Do~ndam vi~lat:d this s~tlon
of~e PDCPA.
:33. Tlte FDCPA states, a debt collector may not usc titlsu, deceptive or mlaleadln8
tept'eseatation or raem~s in connection wkh the eollcc:tiun of'arty debL 15 U.g.C.'. §ld92e.
Defendant violated thin section ortho F'DCPA.
34. The FDCPA states, n debt collector may no~ engage in any conduct the natural
consequence of which ia to harass, oppress or ebu~ any person in corm~tlon with the
eolk~tic~n of'a debt. 1.~ LJ.~,C, §1692d. Del;,:ndun! violated this section ofttlc ~'DCPA.
3~. Tho PDCPA states, a debt collector may not ut~n~l'tulll,',l.~, in eunn~tlon with the
~olle~t/ot~ of'm~y debt. with any posen mher d~an the consumer,
Defendant violated this secUon ot'~be Pr)CPA.
Th= F'DCPA states, it Is unlawful to design, compile ,und ['umisb any fl~rm knowing that
such form would bc used to create lite false believe in u consumer thai a person other
than the creditor ofsuch eonsmoer It pat'tlclpatlng in tlhe collection el'et In an attempt to
collect a debt such consumer allegedly ow¢s su~h creditor: when in tact such person
eot so pat'tt¢lpatlng. I~ LI,~,C, §1692J, Ll~:lbndant violated this section ortho FDCPA.
The FDCPA staten, It ia ut~lawrul to add Imres~. charges. Ibea or other
authod=ed by law or eontmt: Plalntlffd¢~ts i~o! have 11 eontntet with D~fendunL I
U,8.C:. §ItSg'2fand {Jl6~ae(a~(A.~ m~d (G). Delbndunl violated this
PDC~A.
38. The FDCPA provides certain rights to the c(~nsurner regarding her righl to dispute the
alleged debL 15 U.S.C. §1692g. Detbndant violmcd thits section of the FDCPA.
39. The FDCPA states, a debt colle,'tor may not cummunlc.at= with a consumer ai the
consumer's place ofemploymen! if the debt collector kno,,~ or bus reason to know that
the consumer's employer pmhiblm the consttmer I~,lnl r~'~elvin8 such communications.
15 U.S,C. §1692c(a)(3). Detbndant violated thi~ sc'citizen ~l'the
4.0, De~ndant's eollectlon comlnuniuaduns were intumtll~nall), conI'bsing, misl~dlng and
oil.intwine deceptive to the PIaintit'f:~~ in violsti~n of 15 U..~,C:. § 1692e($) and (10),
§109'2f(8) and ,Il 16~2j..aLee also. in re IIcli(~. 208 B.R. 655 (R'..D, Pa 1977).
41. Defend~mt',~ r. ommunicaUon~ created ~ I)~1.~ sense or urget~ey on the past of Plaintiff In
vtolazlon ortho FDCPA, Tolenlin~ v. Friedm-q. 833 I:, ,Supp, 697 (N.D. IlL
Sluw v, H~md. 8:)1 F, Supp. 321 ($,D,N,¥. 1993): and R~a v, Cia?nee. 784 F, ,~upp
(D. Conn. 1989).
42. Any threat of litigation is thine il'the del~nda~tI ~m:[¥..~u~s consumer debtors or ir the
defendant aid not intend to sue the Plaintiff: .~entlv v, (treat Lakes Crollection
F,3d 62 (2d Cir. 1998), See al,~. 15 U,.X,C, §1692~'(5~, 1:5 I.J.~.C. §1692c(10).
43. At all time pertinent h~reto. Ihe d¢tlJndant ~v~ acting by and d)mugh [ts agents, servants
~md/or employees, wl~[~ ~=re acting witbi~ tl~ ~opc and course ol'ti~eir employmenL
and under the direct supervL~ion and eentrt~l of the del'~ndants herein.
44. At ail ttm~s poll[neat beretta, tile condor of del~ndtUll z~ well t~, their aScnl,$, servUltL~q
and/or employees, v~ malick,u~ inIemi(.~uL wiURd. :n.~Jkle.~.~. negligent m~d In wanton
disrega~ for fi~deral and .~tato [aw and tbe ri~thts el'the PluJntiffheretn.
4;5, Plaintiff believes and U~rcfbre ave,~ th'-mI thc D~fbndant'.~ ~gents mude t~.l~: threats of
lit!gotten.
46. Defenclanta threat of'litigatitm wa.~ lid.~e because del'bndanl do~ no~, nmtin¢ly tile suit
Ilgabl.st cormumer debton, in violation el' I $ U.S,C', § 1692e(5) and ( )
47. Defe~ldants l~em were intentionally con6.~aing and deceptive, ill violuUon ct' 15 U,8,C.'.
§1692e($) nt~d (10). §1692f(8) ~nd
48.
49.
$2.
Platatiffwns eon6tsed, deceived and believed that litit{atlon
was net made.
The above mentioned acts with supporting cases dc,~onstrates [hat the eonduc! of
defendants time{ to the level needed fo,' punitive dental{em.
Defendant, in {ts collect{on eflbrts, vie{sled
d, e, f. {, h, aud/.t n,
Defendant, {n its r~oi{cction cffoct~, used false or dv-'cept{ve sets and intended lo oppress
end he~e~s plalutiff;
That, e~ n result of'the ~wongfel I~ctt~ of dot~ndant.~ ~ ~t'brcmentioned, plainti~ hns
be~n subjected to amdety, har~sment, intlmJdatiun m~d ~u'mo,vanee fbr which
compensation JR sought.
WHEREI~ORE, Plaintiffrespcetfully requests thru his I-kmomble Coutm entcrJudgmont on her
behalf and againsl defendants and issue an O,xJ~r,
iA) Award Piaintiffstatuto~7 damages in tho amount oi'On~' 'l]~uu.sand Dollars i$1,000.00)
for each violation of the FDCPA or each separate and dii~mte incidem in which
defendanl~ have violated the FDCPA and Ibr which PlakilltJffcould have filed a ~parate
action but couseUdatcd her claims Ibr judicial ¢~:onomy'.
(B) Award Piaiutiffgeneral dm~agez and punitive damaL~ca R~r anxi~, harassm~t, and
intimidation d{tect,'d at him in an amount nol less than "rcn '['hou~nd Dollars
($I0,000,00). a.~ w~{{ as time repetitive na~u,'e o f d¢l'endants R,nn I~uors.
O) Award Plaintiffcoat. of thl,~ litigatiun, h~iuding a r~a.unab}e attomey'~ fee at a rate of
$300.Q{~/ho,,r for hout~ reasonably expended by his uttu,'ncy in vindicating his rights
IU:c~ f~
under tho FI)CPA, permitted by' 15 LI,.q.c, §1692k(a},(3).
Award declaratory and injunctive r~l[¢[~, and ~uch other relici"as this Honorable Court
deems neces.~ry and proper or law or equity ma)' pl'ovid¢.
]By: /s/Deanna Lynn Sarac.~t
Deanna I,yrm ,%,~cco, ^ttornuy fur PlaiutllT
?60menm~,ul Dr{ye
Enola, Peunsylvunla 17025
Telephone 71 ?-732-3 ?$0. Fax 7 [ ?-728-'349P,
EmaJl: Saraceu I ~wf~.luol.-'u m
Jurlsdietiou for this Action is a,~uer, ed under Ihs Pennsylvania Unlhir Trade Practices and
Cousumor Pmt~x:tion Law, 73 P.S. 8201-3.1, particularly, the Debt Collection Practices
P, mgulatlons issued uuder 37 Pa. Code §303.! et s~.
Plaintiff is a dobtor as defiu~l by 37 Pu. Codc §303.2.
$4. Dei'eudaut an attomoy and a debt collector us defln~ by 37 Pa. Code 8303,2, with a
mailing add,ss of 3390 West I I'~ ^venue. Suilu D, I~iugunc, OR 97402.
55. Provisions of the Pen.sylvani~ Debt ('olleciion Prucri,~'us Regulations ar~ virtually
identical udt. h tho FDCPA and Ibc conduct uFduti:ndaal violal~l plalntit'i's rights under
P~msy{vau{a la.v.
$6. Thai defendant en{{a~ed in untkir .neihud, of co.u{~t}tiun and unfair or dcc¢~{ve acts or
practices, as d~Bued by UTPCPL, including but mn I{miicd to. via{arians of 37 Ps. Code
8§303.30), 303.3({ 4), 303.3( 18 ), 303.6 and 73 P.S. §201-2(4),
$7. D~endani's acts as dc,mcr{bed herein v~erc done with nm{i¢iuu.~, intcngol~ai, willful.
reckless, ueg{il~e~.t and wanton d}sm~rd fbr P{uh{tifl':, r{ghls with the pUrl~Se of
coeroin~ Plaintiff to {~ay {.he alle_u~ dub,..
58. A~ a ~esull: of the above viu[aiions, P{a}nt{il'{s entiik,'d to sial'utah, actual, t~b}e
pun{five dama8~ and attorney's Fees aud easts.
WIi~R~I~ORE, plaintiff requests thai this { {ono.'ab}e Courl issue judsmenl on {mis behalf and
ai~lim,st defeudanis for a statutory penally pursuant Io 73 P.S. §201 -V.2(al, ~reble dtunailes
pu~uaut to 73 P, $. §202-9.2(a), punitive dumug~s, costs a~t atiomcy's F~s pursuant lo 73 P,S.
§~0~ -9.~(a).
COUNT ii
59. Jurisdi¢{~ion for this action is uss~rtcd }mm,'suant to the F. ir ii, bt (,'o{leciton Pratt{cea Act,
!~ U.S.C. § 1692, et s~]. ("FDCPA"), purtiuuiarly I $ t ]!.~.C. 8 { 692k(d) and 28 U.$.C.
81337.
60. Veuu~ 1{es in this'District purau,,,~t tu 38 ~ {.~{.C.
61. Plaintiff is ~ individual und consumer {~urauan! up 1 :~ I.I.S.C. § {
62, Dct'cndgnt is an =ttomey mid a busir~ss en[it,yiie~) eni~agad ,~ ~h= busings u['col ~n
~b~ in thl, Commonw~kh and i~ a dubl cull~tur a~ deloused by 15 U.~.C. I I ~92a(3).
63. Def~aat's le~c~ to Plain~fl'e~ "c~mmunieat~m~' ~letin~ to a "debt" ~ ~fia~
I~ U.8.C. 1169~) an~ 1692~).
At ~[ p~Jnent dines hereto, the def~ndan{ wu hired t~,F cullc~t a debt relating m a
~u~m~ ~fion. (H~ ~br t~' ulleged debt.")
65. ~t eomm~icated wiih plalnlil1'~m t~r ILar one year ~tbm thc date or~is
in ~eotion ~th collection et~&~, by letters, telOphu,nu ~onmct or c~e~.
~th ~gard to pl~flti~s ~leg~ debl.
On or about Fe~ 5. 2(104, defen~am dratl~ and muilzd, m the Plaintiff, via
m~l. ~ll~lon or "donning" Io~e~, which u~en~pt a~ ~x~me Pl~ntl ~' into ~ying tho
~le~ debt.
P[a~ff~li~cs and t[lc~tbre av~ tha Ol~rdun dig m~t ~vicw PlaintJffls
PIs!~i~ii~ a~ the~lb~ avc~ tha attorneys u~ :heir letter,ds and s~tus in a
~y ~ll~tion agencies ~nnot and ~1 a letter ~nm~ euon~y ~ds u hcigh~ned u~ncy
to tl~e
69. P~ff ~liev~ ~d t~mtb~ avers thai m~t aUen~cy debt collector ~ely. if ever,
~it ~atnst co~sumei~.
70. Cou~ We held ~at the ~at or'litigation, is p~scnt simply because ~e letter ~m~
~m ~ a~omey; the later ~c~ lot ~xplmtlly tl~t~ut~ emi. ~ 868
F,2d ~66 (3d Cir. 1989). Unit~ 8ta~s v · ' ·
397 ~.D. Tax. 1986), . C~nt~tt Adsusmxc.nt Hu~t, 667 F. Supp. 370.
7[. ~ ~tO~ey'S iIl~l~e c~dlectmn letters must ,vod m~,rep~esentmg the aRorney s
au~otl~ ~ s~ ~e~ be or she is hOC admitt~ to p~ti,~e. ~, 868
F 2d 566 (3d Cir. 1989J.
72. It ~ long ~n held lbat the FDC~PA d~s n~t penmt attom~s to ~se f~s rode
sign~. ~ 988 l:.2d 1314 (2d Cir.
73. P~lnflffbeliev~ ~d ~emfom ave~ thai Ihe t'~tio mia ~hmd this ~le w~ a conc~
· at artemis ~m not net vcl~ mvulvcd m the cull~t~on pro,ss, ~d by at least
~rlnff an actu~ signature, some deg~e uCuctual mvlc~w ~s
74. ~atlt's le~r Is cle~ly a m~s-mai[~ ~nn letter an,d in ~ct, it is ~cle~ wha
~ ~m ~ieh ~fend~t m~led his lbrm letter.
D~nd~ s le~r cindy ~ ira ns a lacs.nde signature.
76. ~f~nt's leper d~s not state that dereudam is license.d tt~ practice law in
77. ~fendant's le~head would easily cunl~se ~he I~st ~pl'~tsti~t~ consumer and e~
the ~u~t to f~sely believe that h~she c~uld ~ sued in an oul-o~-sml~ ~un. ~
~ 7~ F. Supp. I (D. Cimn. 1989).
78. Pl~n~ffbelieves and themtl~m ave~ tllat deC~ndant's legs etterhead ~a ~cq ~ In
coition with &e p~tlce Of law, but rather as u de~ collector for the ~le pu~se of
In~mt&t~g the PlaintiK as such, overa[ladt~w~d the I'~C'I?A. ~16928
79. ~e ~CPA s~ms. a debt cldl~tisr miry nut use onffair g~r ut~conscionable me~s to
coil~t or a~mpt {o collect any ~ebt. 15 tLS.C'. ~ I C~q2f. U~etbndmxt violated thls ~tlon
of the FDCPA.
~. ~e FDCPA a~es, a debt mltector may ~)t us~ tull. d~'ceptive or mislaying
81.
82.
83.
84.
8~.
86.
87.
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
94,
tepmaentatlon or means in u~)nncellon with the ~..ullecl Ion or any ~ebt. 15 U,S,C, ~ 1 &92e.
Defe~t violated ~ls ~tlun of the I~DC'PA.
~e FDCPA a~te~ a debt courior m~ not engage in uny condu~ the natural
~ue~e of ~ieh l~ (o har~. opp~sa or abu~ m~y ~mon In m~nn~tlon with ~e
~Ueo~on ora debt. I~ U,5.C. ~169~d. ~endant vlolmed 8~i~ ~tJon of the PDCP~
~e ~DCPA sta~. a debt collector m;ty nu~ oummuoi~te, in cunncotlon with tile
~ll~gon o~any debt. wi~ uny per~n other titan the ,:onsumc~. 15 U.S.C. 11692~).
~dMt violat~ ~ls s~lon of the I~[X'.PA.
~ FDCPA smt~, it is unlawful to design, compile m~d thmish ~y fo~ knowing ~
su~ fo~ would be u~ to c~te the ~olse ~lievc in a eensum~ t~t a pe~n ot~r
t~ thc ct~i~r or such ~sumer it pnaleJpating in th~ collation o~or in ~ ~empt to
~ll~t a~bt such coaster a[leg~ly o~ such cmd~ltur, when in ~ct such ~n Is
~t so pmictpmlnS. It U,8.C, t i692J. DePonent violated ~is ~tlon of~e ~CPA.
~e ~PA s~, it is unlawful to add lnte~sL charites. I~s or o~or ~s~ unless
au~oH~ by Iow or coat.ti PlaJntl ~'d~s not [~ ii coatract ~th ~f~n~t~t. 1S
U.8.C. {16~d ~1692~2)(A) mid (5L Dctbndont violated this s~tJon o~thc
~CPA.
~e FDCPA pmvi~s cern ~ghts to the coasumcr n~rdtng her right to dtapum ~e
~e~ debL i 5 U.S.C. {16~ Del~n~t vlolirt~ this ,cctlon o~the FDCPA.
~ FDCPA a~e~ n debt ~ll~r may not communieat~ with a ~nsumer at thc
~umer's place o~ emp[oymoul il'the debt collector knows or ha~ re.on to know thru
· e co~um~'s employer prohibits the consumer thn~ receiving such commtmJ~tion~
15 U.~.C. ~1692c(a)(3}, Derel~anl vkda~ this s~tJon ot'the FDCPA.
Def~d~t's ~ll~tlon communi~tkms we~ Jatentiur~ly con.sing, mis[e~i~ and
ote~e deeeptiv~ m ~e Plantin, Jn viola~on o~ 15 U.S.C. 11692~5) ~d (10)~
~16~8) m~d t 1692j. ~, In ~ ~lil~. 20~ B.R. 658 (E.D. Pa [ 97?).
~fe~t's communi~tJons created a ~lsc s~nse uf urg~ on ac paa o~ Plalaflffin
violation of the FDCPA. T~!entino v. Fdedmun. 833 [:. ~upp. 697 (N.D. IlL [993):
81uvs v. Hand. 83t F. 5opp. 321 (8.D.N.Y. Iq93): und Rosa v. Oa~or, 784 F. Supp l
~. Ce~. 1989),
~ ~ of Iltl~tton Is fal~ Jt't~ dulbndant m~ly, :sues consumer debto~ or if~e
defen~nt did not intend to sue the Plnimil~ B~ndv v..G~at Mk~ ~oll~tion B~ 6
P.~d 6~ (id Cir, 1998), S~m. 15 U.~.('. {1692e~5). 15 U.S.C, ~1692e~10).
At all time ~nem he.to, the deRsdant ~ ~tin8 by and thmu~ its agents. ~
~ot employ~ ~o ~ acting w{tt~Jn file ~ m~d ~u~ or'their emplo~enL
~ un~ gte di~ su~wision and cuntml or'the dulbndnna heroin,
M all dm~ ~nJnent he.to, the ~nduci ol'de(bndani as ~cll ~ ~elr ~ents. se~
~Wor ~ploy~s. ~s malielou~ intentional, ~llFul, rookie, negligent ~ in wan~n
· s~ tbr f~e~ and stale I~w and II~e dgha of the Plainti~'hemln,
~tn~ ~ltev~ a~ the~fore nvea tho the Defm~dun,t's ~ents made Pal~ threats of
II~on.
~nts ~t of[ili~tJon ~ I~l~ b~u~e defendant do~s aot routinely file suit
~!nst coaster debtors, in violation of IS U.S.C'. ~ 1692e(5) m~d (10).
~en~nts le~e~ ~ intentionally contusing ttnd de~:eptivc, in violation ol' 15 U.S.C.
95,
9~,
97.
98.
99.
Plalnt[ffwas cont'used~ deceived and ~liuwd thut Ild~flon
~e ~e m~lofl~d ~ with ~up~ln~
~fon~nC in ~ collection ~,{'tb~s. violated the ~[~'PA.
k~ ~ ~b,~d/or n.
Def~ in [~ ooll~tion eilb~, u~ed [bloc or deceptive acts nad intended Lo opp~ss
~ ~ ~ ~uk or~e wmnst~[ z~ttcs of defendants as aR~mmention~, plaintiff.s
b~n subj~ m ~xlety, hu~sment, inthnidatlon ~nd unno~t~e tbr which
WR~:RE~rOP.~, ptatntlft re.peotl'ully ~.que,~ts that hi, Hunomb[c C'ourt entet.ludsment on her
(A) Award P aintlff'atatuto~y damages m the amount u{ On= I housand Dollars ($ 1,000.00)
for each violation ortho Ft~P^ or each separate and discrete in~'ldent in which
defendants have violated the F~CPA and I( r wMch Humt'tYcould h~ve tried a separate
03)
ect[oo but consolidated her c~aim, [br.iudici~tt econumy.
Awatcl Ptaindffgeneml damagc~ and punldvc d~a~,es tbr ~nx~cty. ~ssmenL ~d
Intimidation d[~ ~t him [n ~ UlllOulll t~tlt [e~ Ibm1 '[*ct~ 'rhous.nd DoIl~
(S 10,000.00). u well aa tl~ ropetltive tutLur~ ofdulbndant~ Ibrm letters.
~.OO~.ur_~t hou~ re~qunably ~xpe~)d~l b) hi. ;~UOtqt~y Iff vindl~adn~ his d~h~
~t the P~PA, pertained by I S t L~,C, ~ 1692~(u)(3),
(D) A~ dec[a~ot7 ~d Injunctive ~fier. and such other I~l[et'= th~u Honorable
~ms n~e,~ ~d proper or ~uity may provide.
D~ 5~5/04 By: ~"
D~nn~ L~n ~aceo. Attom~ {~r PlalnttrT
76 G~IIIt~oeI [~rlw
~ml~, Pe~nsylvanlu 17U~
3~0 W~ I !dr A~, SuJto D
Daniel Goglon, P.C.
~Uome)' at L~w
[mIL0
C~,oiitor:
~Qrlgt~l Creditor:
tal C~,lrn~ Duo:
Our AccOu,t Number:
CACV of Cnlor~do. LLC
PKOVIDIAN BANK
S8.319,0t
!281 ! 160040200~?
~ p~IS[LLA LOPEZ
TIds {t~n Ires bom ~,t~lfled to co'oct
~a]~Jfl ~l~ (JUl ~ ~ ~Vt~ this I~ ~,,~ v,::~ ,' r .
Pl~ ~ ~ ~)~t ~ ~i$ o~cc at ~ o~t~s ~, Y,~ ma~ carl ~r mil ff~ numb~ Jls~
t2 ~unl~ is ~m b d~t co.tot. ~ls is afl ~mpt ~ ~llQct u .......
DA~II~L N. OORDO]~, P.C,
pRI ~ CI.I,,I.,A LOPI~2:
194-68-~41 $
Debtor
~I~4 ~ ~ f~TATF. S BANY~UFTCY CT,
.*t,,flDDI.~ DISTRICT OF pI~Di'SYI.VANIA
'..NO. 1.04-BK-02084-MDP
~ ~PT~O~ ~ Pl~OPRRTY
Dated:
C! IRRII~ MARICI:['I'
iNTRRIIR'I' ~ PROP~IRTY.
$1,000.00
l~.zR:~ ct:t'u Ily au ~.~ , m_
Auomey tbr Debtor
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
PRISILLA LOPEZ
Plaintiff,
DANIEL N.' GORDON, P.C. and
DANIEL N. GORDON, ESQUIRE, an
individual, and CACV OF
COLORADO, LLC,
Defendants.
CIVIL ACTION NO.:
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Notice of Removal was
served upon the following named parties by United States Mail, First Class, Postage Prepaid, on
the date indicated below:
Deanna Lynn Saracco, Esquire
76 Greenmont Drive
Enola, PA 17025
Respectfully Submitted,
BARR~y?NTHAL, ESQUIRE
Attorney Defendants,
Daniel N. Gordon, P.C.,
Daniel N. Gordon, Esquire and
CACV OF Colorado, LLC
M:kMDi: ~UMMY FILE\CertificateService. Lopez
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, the undersigned, do hereby certify that I have this j~/~day of ~-~ 2004,
served a tree and correct copy of the foregoing upon the person(s) and in the manner indicated
below:
Service hv First Class Mail~
Postage Prepaid. Addressed as Follows:
Deanna Lynn Saracco, Esquire
76 Greenmont Drive
Enola, PA 17025
By:
MARGOLIS EDELSTEIN
Carol Moose