HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-4002tj'_., r 1 t
? t C T HO ?CTAtRY
a 6I VA -2 PH 12: 53
..; I ERLAND COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA
Burton Neil & Associates, P.C.
By: Brit J. Suttell, Esquire ID. NO. 204140
1060 Andrew Drive, Suite 170
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 696-2120
Attorney for Plaintiff
CITIBANK (SOUTH DAKOTA), N.A.
701 East 60th Street N
Sioux Falls, SD 57117
Plaintiff
V.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
DEBORAH A CALLAGHAN : NO.
162 Fieldstone Drive, Carlisle PA 17015-9036
Defendant CIVIL ACTION -LAW
Complaint - Notice
You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the following pages,
you must take action within (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 claim 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. THIS OFFICE CAN
PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT HIRING A LAWYER.
IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS OFFICE MAY BE ABLE TO
PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER LEGAL
SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE.
LAWYER REFERENCE AND INFORMATION SERVICE
Cumberland County Bar Assoc.
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Telephone No. 717-249-3166 or 800-990-9108
C-49329
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7. Before plaintiff mailed Exhibit A, defendant had for many months made payments on
account of the billing statement or retained the statement without payment.
8. Defendant's actions as set forth above constituted an account stated between parties
for the sum of $27,168.95 which sum reflects the Exhibit A statement balance less credits, if any,
which were applied subsequent to the date of Exhibit A.
Wherefore, plaintiff demands judgment against defendant for the sum of $27,168.95, and
the costs of this action.
Burton Neil & Associates, P.C.
By:
Bp (t J. Suttell, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
The law firm of Burton Neil & Associates, P.C. is a debt collector.
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How To Reach Us
www.citicards.com
1-800-756-4000
Account Member Customer Service
DEBORAH A CALLAGHAN
Account Activity
Account Number BOX 6500
SIOUX FALLS
SD
Nov 09-Dec 08, 2010 INAMEMP6151 Member Since 1989 ,
57117
Minimum Payment Due: New Balance: ... .?? w,... N#
Summary of Account Activity
$27,168.95 $27,168.95 Previous Balance $26,495.35 Fees
Payment Due Date: Payments $0.00
Sale Post
Description Amount
01/06/2011 Payment must be received by 6:00 PM Other Credits -$0.00 12/08 LATE FEE- NOV PAYMENT PAST DUE 35.00
local time on the payment due date. Purchases +$0.00 -, °°-
Late Payment Warning: if we do not receive your
Cash Advances
+$0.00 TOTAL FEES FOR THIS PERIOD 35.00
minimum payment by the date listed above, you may
have to pay a late fee of up to $35 and your APRs m
aY Fees Charged +$35.00
Interest Charged
be Increased up to the variable Penalty APR of 28.99
94. Interest Charged +$638.60
New Raba- J7 1Aa Or Post Description Amount
Minimum Payment Warning: If you make only the
minimum payment each period, you will pay more in
interest and it will take you longer to pay off your
balance. For example:
If you make no 4 You wlll pay off And you wlil end
additional charges the balance shown up paying an
using this card and on this statement estimated total
each month you pay. In about... of,,.
Only the minimum 1 month(s) $27,169
payment
For information about credit counseling services, call 1-877-337-8188.
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Past Due Amount $4,681.69
Amt. Over Credit Limit $4,078.95
Credit Limit $23,090
Available Credit $0
Cash Advance Limit $13,800
Available Cash Limit so
SLatement Closing Date 12/08/2010
Days in Billing Cycle 30
12108 INTEREST CHARGED TO STANDARD ADV 380.23
12108 INTEREST CHARGED TO STANDARD PURCH 258.37
TOTAL INTEREST FOR THIS PERIOD 638.60
2010 Totals Year-to-Date
Total fees charged in 2010 $208.00
Total Interest charged In 2010 $3,657.29
Interest Charge Calculation
Your Annual Percentage Rate (APR)ls the annual Interest rate on your account.
Annual Percentage Balance Sub1ect to
Type of Balance Rate (APR) Interest Bate Interest Charge
PURCHASES
Standard Purch 28.990% (V) $10,844.24 (D) $258.37
ADVANCES
Standard Adv 28.990% (V) $15,958.50 (D) $380.23
Help is available! Please call the toll-free number shown above to learn about our
special payment options. Call Monday - Friday, 7 am to 9 pm, or Saturday, 8 air to 5
pm, Central Time. Please give us the opportunity to assist you.
How to Reach Us
1-800-756-4000
Customer Service
BOX 6500
Account Number SIOUX FALLS, SD 57117
Access your account online: www.clticards.com
Please be sure to pay on time. If you submit your payment by mail, we suggest you
mail it no later than 1213012010 to allow for enough time for regular mail to reach
us.
2of2
Verification
I, -( ena Reynolds , am employed by Citicorp Credit Services, Inc. (USA)
(hereafter CCSI), a subsidiary of plaintiff, Citibank (South Dakota), N.A. CCSI is a service
provider for plaintiff in that it services credit card accounts owned by plaintiff. I am authorized to
make this verification on behalf of plaintiff. The statements of facts set forth in the complaint are
true and correct upon my information and belief and are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.
C.S. Section 4904, relating to unworn falsification to authorities.
Signature
C-49329
Deborah A Callaghan
Account number ending in 6151
1000
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BURTON NEIL & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
By: Derek Blasker, Esquire, Id. No. 202150
1060 Andrew Drive, Suite 170
West Chester, PA 19380
610-696-2120
Attorney for Plaintiff
CITIBANK (SOUTH DAKOTA), N.A.
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
v.
DEBORAH A CALLAGHAN
Defendant
: NO. 11-4002 CIVIL
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
PLAINTIFF'S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT'S
PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS TO COMPLAINT
Plaintiff Citibank (South Dakota), N.A., by its counsel, Burton Neil & Associates, P.C.,
hereby answers defendant's preliminary objections to plaintiff's complaint, or so much thereof as
is relevant, as follows:
1. Denied as stated. Plaintiff filed suit to recover the past due balance owed to Citibank
(South Dakota), N.A. on a Citi MasterCard.
2. Admitted.
First Preliminary Objection - Pa R.C.P. 1028(a)(2) - Failure to Conform to Rule of Court
3. Admitted. It is admitted that the complaint states in complaint paragraph 4 that
"Plaintiff furnished consumer credit to the defendant by means of a(n) Citi MasterCard credit
card with account number ending in 6151, hereinafter referred to as the credit card account."
4. Denied. Pa R.C.P. 1019(h) is a document which speaks for itself. Any interpretation
of the Rule that is contrary to the express language of the Rule is specifically denied.
5. Denied. It is denied that plaintiff failed to comply with Pa R.C.P. 1019(h). It is
denied that the complaint sets forth a claim or defense that is based upon an express agreement.
It is further denied that the underlying assent that forms the basis of the account stated is an
agreement that must be express. To the contrary, the account stated is a cause of action that may
be based upon an agreement that is implied in law from the actions or inactions of the parties.
6. Denied. Pa R.C.P. 1019(i) is a document which speaks for itself. Any interpretation
of the Rule that is contrary to the express language of the Rule is specifically denied. It is denied
that the complaint fails to comply with Rule 1019(i). As set forth in Pa R.C.P. 1019(i), "when a
claim or defense is based upon a writing, the pleader shall attach a copy of the writing..." By the
express language of the Rule, defendant's objection must fail. Plaintiff set forth several claims
based upon a single writing, and that writing is attached as Exhibit A to the complaint. By way
of further response, each of the cases cited in defendant's objection paragraph 6 are claims
brought under a breach of contract action, not an account stated theory. The account stated
theory has been recognized in Fayette County, and Fayette County has held that a single
statement of account is all that is required when pleading the account stated. (See Citibank
(South Dakota)N.A. v Ryan Federer, Docket # 753 of 2010 GD (Ct. Comm. Pl. Fayette 2010)
and Citibank (South Dakotal N.A. v Chad E Beatty, Docket # 3161 of 2008 GD (Ct. Comm. Pl.
Fayette 2008) attached as Exhibits 1 and 2).
7. Denied. It is denied that a single claim or defense is based upon alleged terms of an
agreement. The account stated cause of action is one based upon a running account and the sole
writing required, when pleading such cause of action, is the statement of account that reflects the
account balance on the date of the final statement sent to the defendant. Plaintiff did attach such
statement of account to the complaint.
WHEREFORE, plaintiff requests this honorable Court to overrule defendant's objection
based upon failure to conform to Law or Rule of Court.
Second Preliminary Objection - Pa R.C.P. 1028(a)(4) - Demurrer
8. Admitted in part, denied in part. It is admitted that plaintiff has not alleged any of the
elements of a breach of contract cause of action. It is denied that the complaint was brought
under a breach of contract theory. As stated in complaint paragraph 8, "Defendant's actions as
set forth above constituted an account stated between the parties for the sum of $27,168.95."
Since the complaint was brought under an account stated theory, plaintiff is not required to plead
the elements of a breach of contract cause of action.
WHEREFORE, plaintiff requests this honorable Court to overrule defendant's objection
based upon defendant's demurrer.
Third Preliminary Objection - Pa R.C.P. 1028(a)(3)
9. Admitted in part, denied in part. It is admitted only that plaintiff s complaint did not
set forth the dates or amounts of each individual purchase, the dates and amounts of each
payment, and/or the individual finance charges that were applied to defendant's credit card
account. The balance of the allegation is denied. It is denied that when pleading an account
stated, a party is required to set forth such individual transactions, or the individual items which
make up the account stated. Such a requirement would be a requirement to plead purely
evidentiary matters. Further, such requirement would be contrary to Pa R.C.P. 1019(a), which
requires a party to plead the material facts in a concise and summary form.
10. Denied. It is denied that either Pa R.C.P. 1019 or Pa R.C.P. 1028(a)(3) require a
party to plead purely evidentiary matters. To the contrary, Pa R.C.P. 1019(a) states that "The
material facts on which a cause of action or defense is based shall be stated in a concise and
summary form." There is not a single averment in the complaint that is based upon time, place,
and/or items of special damages, therefore Pa R.C.P. 1019(f) is not triggered. As such, plaintiff
is not required to plead such specifically. The demand for relief in the complaint is one for
actual, not special damages. Further, Pa R.C.P. 1028(a)(3) does not set forth any requirements
for pleading, just a basis for objecting.
11. Denied. It is denied that the complaint fails to conform to an express Rule of Court.
Defendant's third objection sets forth a general objection under Pa R.C.P. 1019, however
defendant failed to set forth the subsection that plaintiff allegedly failed to comply with.
Assuming defendant is arguing that Pa R.C.P. 1019(f) applies, such objection should fail for the
reasons set forth in response paragraph 10 above.
WHEREFORE, plaintiff requests this honorable Court to overrule defendant's objection
based upon insufficient specificity.
BURTONNplp,,& ASSOCIATES, P.C.
By:
Derek Ml*er, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
In making this communication, we advise our firm is a debt collector.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF FAYETTE COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA,
CIVIL DIVISION
CITIBANK
(SOUTH DAKOTA), N.A.,
Plaintiff,
VS.
RYAN FEDERER,
Defendant.
- h,
. C3
No. 753 of 2010, G.D.
OPINION AND ORDER
SOLOMON, P.J.
November 24, 2010
Before the Court are preliminary objections filed by Defendant, Ryan
Federer, to the Complaint of Plaintiff, Citibank (South Dakota), N.A.
Defendant objects to the lack of an assignment or debt buying arrangement,
objects to. the allegation of an account stated, .and.. objects . to the lack of . _
specificity pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1019ft
DISCUSSION
In the context of preliminary objections, the court must accept as true
all well pled facts and the reasonable inferences deducible therefrom, but not
EXHIBIT
conclusions of law. Hess v. Fox Rothschild, LLB', 925 A.2d 798 (Pa.Super.
2047). Gekas v. Shapp, 364 A.2d 691 (Pa. 1976). With this tenet to guide
us, we must look to the complaint to determine whether it sets forth a cause
of action which, if proved, would entitle the plaintiff to the relief sought. Id.
If such is the case, the demurrer may not be sustained. Id. On the other
hand, if the complaint fails to set forth a cause of action, a preliminary
objection in the nature of a demurrer is properly sustained. Id.
The first preliminary objection of Defendant is for Plaintiff's failure to
attach an assignment to the Complaint. Unless a claim is alleged to be based
on a written contract, there is no necessity to attach a writing. In Plaintiffs
Complaint, there is neither an allegation that the debt owed was assigned to
Plaintiff, nor an allegation that Plaintiff purchased the debt. Since the Court
is bound to accept all well plead facts as true, we are constrained to accept
the fact that no assignment of the debt was made. Thus, the preliminary
objection based on Plaintiff's failure to attach the assignment must be
overruled.
Defendant's second preliminary objection is for legal insufficiency of
the Complaint on the theory of account stated. This action is based on the
legal recovery theory of account stated, and is not a breach of contract
action. An "account stated" is an account in writing, examined and accepted
-2-
by both parties. Leinbach v. Wolle, 61 A. 248 (Pa. 1905). Acceptance need
not be express, but may be implied from circumstances. Id. The necessary
averments in a complaint based upon an account stated is that there had been
a running account, that a balance remains due upon that account, that the
account has been rendered unto the defendant, that the defendant has
assented to the account and a copy of said account is attached to the
complaint. Rush's Service Center Inc. v. Genareo, 10 Pa. D. & C. 4th 445,
1991 WL 338317 (Pa.Com.Pl. 1991).
Stated somewhat differently, an account stated is broadly defined as
an agreement, based on the prior transactions between the parties to an open
account, that the items of the account are true and that the balance struck is
due and owing from one party to another. Am. Jur. 2d, Accounts and
Accounting § 26. To produce an account stated, the account must be
rendered, and the other party must accept, agree to, or acquiesce in the
- - correctness of the account. David v. Yeitscher Magnesitwerke_Actien
Gesellschaf , 35 A.2d 346 (Pa. 1944); Ryon v. Andershonis, 42 Pa. D. &
C.2d 86, 1967 WL 8749 (Pa.Com.Pl. 1967).
In the courts of Pennsylvania, there is disagreement as to whether the
doctrine of "account stated" can apply to actions based on unpaid credit
cards. See, Target National Bank v. Kilbride, 10 Pa. D. & C.5th 489
-3-
(Pa.Com.P1.2010) (holding credit card company had failed to establish a
prima facie case of account stated); American Express Centurion v. Decker,
9 Pa. D. & C.5th 299 (Pa.Com.P1.2009) (noting disagreement in
Pennsylvania courts as to whether the account stated cause of action may be
used to collect a credit card debt). A customer's ongoing receipt of credit
card statements without objecting to them can give rise to an inference that
the customer has accepted the balance shown as due. When a debtor has had
an opportunity to scrutinize the account, his or her silence is prima facie
evidence of acquiescence in an account stated. Pierce v. Pierce, 48 A. 689
(Pa. 1901).
There is no binding authority on point as to whether an account stated
cause of action is legally permissible in an action to recover unpaid credit
card debt. Finding that case law does not exempt credit card cases from an
account stated cause of action, we must overrule the preliminary objections.
See, American Express Centurion. v. Decker, supra.
Defendant's third objection argues a lack of specificity pursuant to
Pa.R.C.P. 1019(f) for Plaintiff failing to plead specifically the date sand
amounts of charges, fees, fines, interest, and the like. After review of the
Complaint,. Plaintiff pled sufficient facts to pursue an account stated cause of
action, and this preliminary objection must be ovemzled.
-4-
WHEREFORE, we will enter the following Order.
BY THE IT,
P.J.
BALD R. SOS OMON,
PRESIDENT JUINCIF
ATTEST:
,UE AIND AT7'E ap COPY
NOTARY
-5-
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF FAYETTE COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA,
CIVIL DIVISION
CITI13ANK
(SOUTH DAKOTA), N.A.,
Plaintiff,
vs.
RYAN FEDERER,
Defendant.
N
C.i
Z
lJ
UJ
No. 753 of 2010, G.D.
ORDER
AND NOW, this 24th day of November, 2010, it is hereby
ORDERED and DECREED that the preliminary objections of Defendant,
Ryan Federer, are overruled.
ATTEST
PRESIDENT JUDGE
RUE AND ATTESTED Copy
-6-
0-i3bou
SOX ON 1 POS.
CITIBANK (SOUTH DAKOTA), N.A. IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff
V.
: FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 3161 of 2008 GD
CHAD E. BEATTY SR.
Defendant : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Order
AND NOW, this day of 2001, it is hereby
ORDERED that defendant's preliminary objections are OVERRULED Ithheir entirety.
Y THE C'. '?yV r
Nxk-
-0 _
TRUE AND ATTEST D COPY 0 -
°
PROTHO NOTARY
EXHIBIT a
_„
Burton Neil & Associates, P.C.
By: Derek C. Blasker, Esquire ID. NO. 202150
1060 Andrew Drive, Suite 170
West Chester, PA 19380
610-696-2120
Attorney for Plaintiff
CITIBANK (SOUTH DAKOTA), N.A. IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff
V. : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 11-4002 Civil
DEBORAH A CALLAGHAN
Defendant CIVIL ACTION -LAW
Certificate of Service
I, Derek C. Blasker, Esquire, do hereby certify that I served a true and correct copy of the
within Plaintiff's Response to Defendant's Preliminary Objections to Complaint, proposed Order
and Praecipe for Listing Case for Argument on defendant's counsel, Michael J. Pykosh, Esquire, at
his address of record via first class mail, postage prepaid on the da/e set forth below.
Burton N41M 4siociates, P.C.
&cp Date: JA( By:
DerBlasker, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
The law firm of Burton Neil & Associates is a debt collector.
C-49329
C 01A FILE-ED-OFFICE
Praecipe for Listing Case for Argument 1DP THE PR0THoNOTAR`o,`
(Must be typewritten and submitted in duplicate)
2011 JUL 21 AM 11: 23
TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY: CUMBERLAND COUNT
PENNSYLVANIA
Please list the within matter for the next Argument Court.
CITIBANK (SOUTH DAKOTA), N.A.
Plaintiff
v.
DEBORAH A CALLAGHAN
Defendant
NO. 11-4002 Civil
1. State matter to be argued (i.e., plaintiffs motion for new trial, defendant's demurrer to
complaint, etc.):
Defendant's Preliminary Objections
2. Identify counsel who will argue case:
(a) for plaintiff: Derek C. Blasker, Esquire c/o Burton Neil & Associates,
P.C.
address: 1060 Andrew Drive, Suite 170, West Chester, PA 19380
b) for defendant: Michael J. Pykosh, Esquire
address: 2132 Market Street Camp Hill, PA 17011
3
4.
I will notify all parties in writing within two days that this case has been listed for
argument. r"
Argument Court Date: August 26, 2011
Derek C. Bla'OW,
Attorney for the P
The law firm of Burton Neil & Associates is a debt collector.
FILED-OFFICE
zaE THE PROTHONOTAFiY
2011 JUL 21 AM 11: 23
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA
Burton Neil & Associates, P.C.
By: Derek C. Blasker, Esquire ID. NO. 202150
1060 Andrew Drive, Suite 170
West Chester, PA 19380
610-696-2120
Attorney for Plaintiff
CITIBANK (SOUTH DAKOTA), N.A. IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff
v. CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 11-4002 Civil
DEBORAH A CALLAGHAN
Defendant CIVIL ACTION -LAW
Certificate of Service
I, Derek C. Blasker, Esquire, do hereby certify that I served a true and correct copy of the
within Praecipe for Listing Case for Argument on defendant's counsel, Michael J. Pykosh, Esquire,
at his address of record via first class mail, postage prepaid on
set forth below.
P.C.
Date: v 1 7V, By:
Attorney
The law firm of Burton Neil & Associates is a debt collector.
sker, Esquire
Plaintiff
C-49329
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33
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.,AN1 ? Y
P1SYl
Michael J. Pykosh, Esquire
ID # 58851
Dethlefs-Pykosh Law Group, LLC
2132 Market Street
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011
Telephone - (717) 975-9446
Fax - (717) 975-2309
mp -k? osh,,u'dplglaw.com Attorney for Defendant
CITIBANK (SOUTH DAKOTA), : COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
N.A., : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
V. No: 11-4002 - CIVIL
DEBORAH A CALLAGHAN,
Defendant Civil Action - Law
To: CitiBank (South Dakota), N.A.
c/o Brit J. Suttell, Esquire
Burton Neil & Associates, P.C.
1060 Andrew Drive, Suite 170
West Chester, PA 19380
You are hereby notified to file a written response to the enclosed New Matter within
twenty (20) days from service hereof or a judgment entered against you.
Mic ae J. ykosh, Esquire
Michael J. Pykosh, Esquire
1D # 58851
Dethlefs-Pykosh Law Group, LLC
2132 Market Street
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011
Telephone - (717) 975-9446
Fax - (717) 975-2309
mpykosh!a%dplglaw.com Attorney for Defendant
CITIBANK (SOUTH DAKOTA), COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
N.A., CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
V. No: 11-4002 - CIVIL
DEBORAH A CALLAGHAN,
Defendant Civil Action - Law
ANSWER TO PLAINTIFF'S COMPLAINT WITH NEW MATTER
AND NOW, comes the Defendant, Deborah A. Callaghan, by and through his
attorneys, Dethlefs-Pykosh Law Group, LLC, by Michael J. Pykosh, Esquire, who
responds to Plaintiff s Complaint as follows:
1. Admitted.
2. Admitted.
3. Denied. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without sufficient
knowledge as to the truth or veracity of the averments set forth in Paragraph 3 of
Plaintiff- s Complaint.
4. Denied. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without sufficient
knowledge as to the truth or veracity of the averments set forth in Paragraph 4 of
Plaintiffs Complaint.
5. Denied. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without sufficient
knowledge as to the truth or veracity of the averments set forth in Paragraph 5 of
Plaintiff's Complaint.
6. Denied. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without sufficient
knowledge as to the truth or veracity of the averments set forth in Paragraph 6 of
Plaintiff's Complaint.
7. Denied. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without sufficient
knowledge as to the truth or veracity of the averments set forth in Paragraph 7 of
Plaintiff s Complaint.
8. Denied. The averments as set forth in Paragraph 8 contain conclusions of
law to which no response is required.
WHEREFORE, the Defendant, Deborah A. Callaghan, demands judgment in his
favor and against Plaintiff with costs, attorney's fees and any other relief the Court deems
just.
DEFENDANT'S NEW MATTER
The Defendant, Deborah A. Callaghan, sets forth the following New Matter:
9. Defendant incorporates and makes part of this New Matter, Paragraphs 1 through
8 of the foregoing Answer to Plaintiff s Complaint as if fully set forth herein.
10. The claims made by Plaintiff are barred by the applicable Statute of Limitations.
11. The claims made by Plaintiff are barred by the Doctrine of Accord and
Satisfaction.
12. Plaintiff s Complaint fails as an account stated theory of recovery does not apply
in cases based upon credit card debt.
13. Plaintiff s actions may be barred by the Doctrine of Estoppel.
14. Plaintiff's actions may be barred by the Doctrine of Unclean Hands.
WHEREFORE, the Defendant, Deborah A. Callaghan, demands judgment in his
favor and against Plaintiff with costs, attorney's fees and any other relief the Court deems
just.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dated: (D i t By:
ichael J. Pykosh, Esquire
VERIFICATION
I, Deborah A. Callaghan, hereby verify that the statements of fact made in the
foregoing documents are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and
belief. I understand that any false statements therein are subject to the criminal penalties
contained in 18 Pa C. S. Section 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Date: - -
Deborah A. Callaghan 41--
Michael J. Pykosh, Esquire
ID # 58851
Dethlefs-Pykosh Law Group, LLC
2132 Market Street
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011
Telephone - (717) 975-9446
Fax - (717) 975-2309
mp ksh p aw.com Attorney for Defendant
CITIBANK (SOUTH DAKOTA), : COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
N.A., : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
V.
DEBORAH A CALLAGHAN,
Defendant
No: 11-4002 - CIVIL
Civil Action - Law
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing ANSWER and NEW MATTER,
was hereby served by depositing the same within the custody of the United States Postal
Service, First Class, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
CitiBank (South Dakota), N.A.
c/o Brit J. Suttell, Esquire
Burton Neil & Associates, P.C.
1060 Andrew Drive, Suite 170
West Chester, PA 19380
Respectfully Submitted,
Dated: By:
Ichael J. Pykosh, Esquire
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BURTON NEIL & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
By: Derek Blasker, Esquire, Id. No. 202150
1060 Andrew Drive, Suite 170
West Chester, PA 19380
610-696-2120
Attorney for Plaintiff
CITIBANK (SOUTH DAKOTA), N.A. IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
DEBORAH A CALLAGHAN
: NO. 11-4002 CIVIL
Defendant : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
REPLY TO NEW MATTER
9. Denied. There are no facts set forth or alleged in the incorporated by reference
paragraphs to which a response is required. The allegation is denied pursuant to Pa R.C.P.
1029(d).
10. Denied. It is denied that plaintiff's cause of action is barred by the statute of
limitations. The complaint set forth a cause of action based upon defendant's default on a credit
card account. The applicable limitation for plaintiff's claim against defendant is four years from
the date of the last payment on the credit card account. See 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525 et. seq. The last
payment made on the credit card account that forms the subject matter of the complaint was
posted on, June 7, 2010. Since the date of the last payment reflects a payment made within the
applicable four year statute of limitations, plaintiff's claimed relief for the subject matter credit
card account is not barred by the statute of limitations.
11. Denied. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required. There are
no facts alleged in the averment, therefore, pursuant to Pa R.C.P. 1029(d), the allegation is
denied.
12. Denied. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required. There are
no facts alleged in the averment, therefore, pursuant to Pa R.C.P. 1029(d), the allegation is
denied.
13. Denied. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required. There are
no facts alleged in the averment, therefore, pursuant to Pa R.C.P. 1029(d), the allegation is
denied.
14. Denied. It is denied that the affirmative defense of unclean hands is one that is
available to the defendant. Unclean hands is an affirmative defense to an action brought in
equity, however this is an action at law. As such, defendant is precluded from asserting such
defense to plaintiff's claim for relief.
WHEREFORE, plaintiff prays that judgment be entered on its behalf and against
defendant as set forth in the complaint.
BVgNN NEIL & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
By:
Esquire
Attorney for
In making this communication, we advise our firm is a debt collector.
Verification
. (USA)
. .: ?._....'!``?. am cmployed by Citicorp Credit Se[1 ices, Inc
,,•.,f?cr' ('("S1"). a suhsidiarv ofC'itibank. N.A. (hereafter "Citibank"). which i; successor-in-
ur, r, st to plaintitt Citibank (South Dakota), N.A. C'C.'Sl is a service provider t'Or ( itihank in that
it services credit card accounts owned by Citibank. This includes accounts previous1% owned by
(')owh Dakota). VA.. which mervd intcf C.'itibank in or about July '011. 1 am
iic<i to make this verification «n behalf of Citibank. The statements of feints set t'vth in the
ply;tdin,? are trttc and correct upon my information and belief and are made subject to the penalties
of 18 Pa. C.S. Section 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Signature
,tfla'-han lkhorah \
Verification
Derek C. Blasker, Esquire, attorney for plaintiff, makes this statement on its behalf as to the
truthfulness of the facts set forth in the foregoing Reply to New Matter subject to the penalties of 18
Pa. C.S. Section 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities. Counsel, rather than an officer
or other representative of plaintiff is verifying the foregoing Reply to New Matter because plaintiff's
officers and/or representatives are outside the jurisdiction of the court and the verification of none
of them could be obtained within the time required to file this pleading. Plaintiff's counsel is
verifying plaintiff's Reply to New Matter based upon information and belief from information in his
file.
Date: ?L(
Burton Neil & Associates, P.C.
By: Derek C. Blasker, Esquire ID. NO. 202150
1060 Andrew Drive, Suite 170
West Chester, PA 19380
610-696-2120
Attorney for Plaintiff
CITIBANK (SOUTH DAKOTA), N.A. IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff
V. : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 11-4002 CIVIL
DEBORAH A CALLAGHAN
Defendant CIVIL ACTION -LAW
Certificate of Service
I, Derek C. Blasker, Esquire, do hereby certify that I served a true and correct copy of the
within Plaintiff's Reply to New Matter on defendant's counsel, Michael J. Pykosh, Esquire, at his
address of record via first class mail, postage prepaid on the gl4te set forth below.
Associates, P.C.
Date: LILA By:
De?Blasker, Esquire
Attorney or Plaintiff
The law firm of Burton Neil & Associates is a debt collector.
C-49329