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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-1904 IN THE COURT OF COMMO"J PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA JOSEPH A. THORN. Plaintitl v. CIVIL ACTION - JURY TRIAL DEMANDED CREDITOR FINANCIAL GROUP. Defendant. No.: Of..." -/96Y NOTICE TO PLEAD C-Iu~l~~ TO THE DEFENDANT NAMED HEREIN: You have been sued in court. If you wis~ to deferld against the claims set forth i~ the following pages, yoe rnllst take ac~ion within twenty (20) days after this Complai:1t j s .served, by entering a written appeara~ce personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the court YOllr defenses or objectiors to the cla'ms set forth against you. vou are warned that jf you fail ~o tio so, the case may proceed without further rotj.ce for any money claimed in the Comp:aint, or for a~y other claim or relief requested by the Plaintiff. You may lose reoney or property or other rights important to you. YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP. Cumberland County Bar Association 32 S. Bedford Street, Carlisle, PA 1-800-990-9108,717-249-3166 NOTICIA Le :-:di: cienarlcL:=:.do d ust(':c: (';n _d -1: ~_:i :Jste~J ':F]~ n~ ~jefcrjd(;r':'E- de:' r;~sta::=; demandas eXV..:.e-:as en l,,:~; pa.:;_~na-_-;l _f.';::-,_'e,"'C, '--='::3 t '::'cJ ~"i nc vient~~ (<,C;, d~3S de plaza al par~ir rle la fecr'B (ie '_a e}:cr~ta 0 erl p;~sana 0 p'jr ~bo(Jad8 i archival' en la corte en for~a excri~a sus de~e~'s~s a SllS cbj~ctiorlfls ~dS :jemaLde, la corte tomara rr,edidas 'j ;)Ue'2,e entr,Jy W",,::;' nrjen CC));tLJ U:-;' (;d ,::,in previa aviso 0 not~ficacior y par cualq~~er queja a alivio que es eL 1a pe:::ic:~ion de demand,?,. U::-.-:;ted pnede perder ciiner~J C sus p:':Jpiec::ac1E:s () otr'=:.~,:; d~rec~os i~portantes par~ ~sted. LLE\-'E :'::3T,D, DEt-'lZ\.:':CA A UN A3CC;I\CU I:'jIH:~.I; ATP'"~-1ENTE. :~::: NO '['I':::<:E 1\3(;(_~;\ :,c::() ::: [ NO l'=~KE EL ~INERO SUFIC=E~T= D~ PAGAR TAL SERVIC:ON, VAYA EN PERS()\A C) L~A~~ POR TELEFCNC _P" LP. CF=CINA CUY.D. DIR::::CCIC)I-J Sr~ FU::::DE::ONSECU i k .~.r:.I::;TEt-L:L\ 1,~'J_:,6,L. IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PFNNSYL VANIA JOSEPH A. THORl\. Plaintitt: v. CIVIL ACTION - JURY TRIAL DEMANDED CREDITOR FINANCIAL GROUP, Defendant. No.: ot--J9o'/ COMPLAINT And now comes Plaintiff: by and through his counseL and filcs this Complaint and in support thercot: avers the tollowing: COUNT I 1. Jurisdiction tor this Action is assertcd under the Pennsylvania Fair Credit Extcnsion Unili.wmity Act. 73 P.S. ~2270 et scq. 2. Plaintitr is an individual rcsiding in this Commonwealth, and a consumer. 3. Defendant Creditor Financial Group. is a busincss entity engaged in the busincss of collccting consumer debts as wcll as purchasing consumer dcbts in default. within this Commonwealth with a mailing address 3131 South Vaugh Way, Suite 110. Aurora. Colorado. 80014. 4. Violating provisions of the Fair Dcbt Collection Practices Act also violate thc Pennsylvania FCEU. 73 P.S. ~2270.4(a). 5. That defcndant cngaged in unfair methods of compctition and unfair or deccptivc acts or practices. as detined by FCEU and the regulations. including but not limited to, violations 01'37 Pa.Code ~~303.3(3). 303.3(14), 303.3(18), 303.6 and 73 P.S. ~201-2(4). 6. Defendant's acts as described herein wcre done with malicious, intentionaL willful. reckless, negligent and wanton disregard ti.lr PlaintiIrs rights with the purpose of coercing Plaintijfto pay the alleged debt. regardless of whether Plaintiff actually owcs the alleged debt as statcd by defendant. 7. As a result of the above violations, Plaintiff is entitled to statutory. actual. treblc and punitive damagcs and attorney's fees and costs. WHEREFORE, plaintitf rcquests that this Honorable Court issue judgment on his behalf and against defendants for a statutory penalty. treble damagcs, punitive damages. attorney fecs and costs pursuant to 73 P.S. ~2270.5. COUNT II 8. Jurisdiction for this action is asserted pursuant to the Fair Dcbt Collection Practices Act. 15 U.S.c. S 1692, et seq. CFDCPA"). particularly] 5 U.S.C. S] 692k(d) and 28 U.S.c. S1337. 9. Venue lies in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.c. 139\(b). 10. Plaintifr is an individual and consumer pursuant to 15 U.S.e. S I 692a(6). 11. Defendant is a debt collector as dcfined by \ 5 U.S.c. I 1692a(3 ). 12. On or about Fcbruary 7. 2005. defendant contacted Plaintiff by telephone which arc communications relating to a "debt" as defincd by 15 USe. ] 1692a(2) and \ 692a(5). 13. Agents of defendant made telephone calls to Plaintiff. which contained false, misleading, confusing and harassing statements, including, threats of litigation, and in general, were abusive in nature as well as name-calling. 14. Plaintilf advised the defendant that he had an attorney and to contact his attorney. 15. Despite being told this information. the dctendant continued to attcmpt to collect the alleged debt and harass Plainti ff 16. The PlaintifTtried find out what debt the dcfendant was attempting to collect. 17. Thc defendant refused to advise PlaintitTthc name ofthc original crcditor. he would only give an amount. 18. Defendant told Plaintiff that he did not nced an attorney because PlaintitTwas not eligible for bankruptcy. 19. Defendant told PlaintitT he was a "crook" which was probably why he needed an attorney. 20. PlaintitT ended the call. never knowing what alleged debt the defendant was attempting to collcct. 21. At all pcrtinent times hereto, the defendant was attempting to collect a debt relating to a consumer transaction. (Hereinafter the "alleged debt.") 22. Defendant communicated with plaintiffon or alier one year before the date of this action. in connection with collection efforts, by letters. telephone contact or other documents. with regard to plaintilrs alleged debt. 23. The telephone calls made by agents of defendant contained false. misleading. confusing and harassing statemcnts, including. threats of litigation, rude and foul language as well as name-calling. 24. At all times pertinent hereto. the defendant was acting to confuse, deceive, coerce and in general. create a false sense of urgency on the part of the Plaintilrwith respect to the alleged debt. while refusing to identi fy the alleged debt. 25. Plaintiff believes and thcrdore avers that the del'endant failed to aff()rd PlaintitTthe opportunity to dispute the alleged debt. interest charges. late fees and/or other amounts added to his alleged account. 26. Defendant demanded the balance in full, never affording the Plainti 1'1' an opportunity to set up partial payments. 27. Plaintiff believes and therefore avers that the allegcd debt was sold to defendant in violation of Pcnnsylvania law. 28. Plaintiff believes and therefore avers that trans(er of the alleged debt, creatcd a benefit to the defendant and the original creditor involved in thc transfer. and any attempt to collect the alleged amount is deceptivc. misleading and/or fraudulcnt. 29. Agents of defendant madc threats of litigation against Plaintiff. 30. Thc FOCPA states that a violation of statc law is a violation of the FOCP A. 15 U.s.e. 91692n. Pcnnsylvania law states. in pcrtinent part. 18 Pa.C.S. 97311 : '"Unlawful collection agcncy practices. (a) Assignment of claims. It is lawful for a collection agency, for thc purpose of collecting or enforcing thc payment thereoC to take an assignment of any such claim from a creditor. ifall of the (()llowing apply: I. The assignment between thc creditors and collection agency is in writing; 2. The original agreemcnt betwecn the creditor and debtor does not prohibit assignments. 3. The collection agency complies with the act of Occember 17. 1968... (b. I )Unfair or deceptivc methods. It is unlawful for a collcctor to collcct any amount. including any intcrcst. tec. chargc or cxpcnsc incidcntal to thc principal obligation. unless such amount is cxpressly provided in thc agreement crcating thc debt or is permittcd by law." 31. The FOCI' A states. a debt collcctor may not use unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. 15 U.S.c. 91692f. Ocfendant violated this scction of the FOCI' A. 32. The FOCP A statcs. a dcbt collcctor may not usc false, dcceptivc or misleading rcprcsentation or means in connection with the collcction of any debt. 15 U.S.c. 91692e. Oclendant violated this scction of thc FDCPA. 33. The FOCI'A statcs. a dcbt collcctor may not cngagc in any conduct thc natural consequence of which is to harass. oppress or abuse any person in connection with thc collection of a debt. IS U.S.c. S 1692d. Defendant violated this section of the FDCP A. 34. Thc FDCPA states. a debt collector may not communicatc. in conncction with the collection of any debt. with any person other than the consumer. IS U.S.C. S I 692c(b ). Defendant violatcd this section of the FDCPA. 35. The FDCPA states. it is unlawful to add interest. charges, fees or other costs unless authorized by law or contract Plaintiff does not have a contract with Defendant. 15 U.S.c. S 1692f and S I 692e(2)(A) and (B). Defendant violated thesc sections or the FDCPA. 36. The FDCP A provides ccrtain rights to thc consumer regarding his right to disputc the alleged debt, 15 U.S.c. S 1692g. Dcfendant violated this section of the FDCPA. 37. The FDCPA states that a debt collector may not communicate with a consumer ifhc knows that thc consumer is reprcsented by an attorncy. DetCndant violated this section orthe FDCPA. 38. Defendant made its collection communications intentionally confusing, misleading and otherwise deceptivc to the Plaintilfs, in violation of 15 U.S.C. sI692e(5) and (10). SI692t(8) and S1692j, scc also. In rc Belile, 208 B.R. 658 (E.D. Pa 1977). 39. Delendant's communications crcated a t'11sc scnse ofurgcncy on the past of Plaintiff in violation of the FDCPA. Tolcntino v. Friedman, 833 F. Supp. 697 (N.D. Ill. 1993); Sluvs v. Haml. 831 F. Supp. 321 (S.D.KY. 1(93): and Rosa v. Gavnor. 784 F. Supp I (D. Conn. 1989). 40. Any threat oflitigation is false if the defendant rarely. sues consumer debtors or if the dcfendant did not intend to sue the Plaintifr Bentlv v. Grcat Lakes Collection l3ureau. 6 F.3d 62 (2d Cir. ] 998). See also. 15 U .S.c. S 1692e(5). 15 U.S.c. S 1692e( 10). 41. At all time pertinent hereto. the defendant was acting by and through its ag('nts. servants and/or employees, who were acting within thc scope and eourse of their employment. and under the direet supervision and control of the defendants herein. 42. At all times pertinent hereto, the conduct of' detCndant. as well as its agents, servants. and/or employees. was malicious, intentional. willful. reckless. negligcnt and in wanton disregard for f'edcral and state law and thc rights of'the Plaintiffhcrcin. 43. Defendant's letters were intentionally confLlsing and deceptivc. in violation of 15 {I.S.C. sI692e(5) and (10), SI692l{S) and ijI692j. 44. Plaintiff was confused. deceivcd and believed that litigation was imminent if settlemcnt was not made. 45. The above mcntioned acts with sUPPOliing cascs demonstrates that the conduct of' detCndants rises to the level needed for punitivc damagcs. 46. Detendant, in its collection etTorts. violated the FDCPA. inler alia. Sections 1692. b, e, d. e, L g. h. and/or n. 47. Defendant, in its collection cfl;Jrts. used lalse or deeeptivc aets and intended to oppress and harass plaintiff. 48. That as a result of the wrongful tactics of' detendants as aforementioncd. plaintiff has been subjected to anxiety. harassment. intimidation and annoyance f;)r which compensation is sought WHEREFORE, PlaintifT respectfi.Illy requests that his Ilonorable Court cnter judgment on her behalf and against defendants and isslle an Ordcr: (A) Award PlaintilT statutory damagcs in the amollnt of' One Thousand Dollars ($1.000.00l for each violation of the FDCP ^ and/or each separate and discrete incident in which each of the defendants' have violated the FDCP/\ and I()r which Plaintiff could have tiled a separate action but consolidated her claims for judicial economy. (B) Award Plaintitfgeneral damages and punitive damages t()f anxiety. harassment. and intimidation directed at him in an amount not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00). as well as the repetitive nature of defendants form letters. (e) A ward Plaintiff costs of this litigation. including a reasonable attorney's fee at a rate of $350.00/hour t()f hours reasonably expended by his attorney in vindicating his rights under the FDCPA. permitted by 15 U.S.c. 01692k(a)(3). (D) Award declaratory and injunetivc relief: and such other reliefas this lIonorablc Court deems necessary and proper or law or equity may provide. \ i '\, Dated: 3/30/06 By: Is/Deanna L 'nn ~ar co Deanna Lynn Saracco. Attorney for Plaintiff 76 Greenmonl Drive Enola, Pennsylvania 17025 Telephone 717-732-3750. Fax 717-728-9498 Email: SaraccoLaw@aol.com ~ -\.g.. (Q U( c.Q t VI ~.':.. n :.~"" -ro 4'\ <f1 \: ; 1 ;:,,~; - <'1.;.~,) \G \) (,,",: - -- - -J -", ...:t C> _0' - ~ ~ r -' w C' \) :F -" \Y FINEMAN KREKSTEIN & HARRIS, P .C. BY RICHARD J. PERR, ESQUIRE Attorney l.D. No. 72883 United Plaza, Suite 1800 30 South 17th Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 PHONE 215-893-9300 FAX 215-893-8739 e-mail: rperr@finemanlawfirm.com Attorneys for Defendant Credit Financial Group JOSEPH A. THORN, Plaintiff v. CREDITOR FINANCIAL GROUP, Defendant COURT OF COMMON PLEAS COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND CIVIL NO. 06-1904 JURY TRIAL DEMANDED PRAECIPE OF NOTICE OF REMOVAL You are directed to take notice that the above action has been removed to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania at I :06-cv-00915-CCC, pursuant to the attached Notice of Removal filed with the Clerk of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on May 2, 2006. A copy ofthe Notice of Removal is attached hereto as Exhibit 1. By Dated: Mav 5. 2006 FINEMAN KREKSTEIN & HARRIS, P.C. fi4f1l1) 12 1 /1, 11 RIeHA 1. PERR, ESQUIRE J Attorneys for Defendant CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, RICHARD J. PERR, ESQUIRE, hereby certify that on this date I served a true and correct copy of the foregoing Praecipe of Notice of Removal electronically or by first class mail, postage prepaid, on the following: Deanna Lynn Saracco, Esquire 76 Greenmont Drive Enola, P A 17025 saraccolaw@aol.com Attorneys for Plaintiff j?~~ PIM RICHARD J. PE , ESQUIRE Dated: May S. 2006 ___.wJ~~,;:;;..~ '" '. ~'lkN..~'tBft, _ ~.,~. .._-'''''__IF'''-____ ~ .~ EXHIBIT "A" JS44 (Rev. 07/89) Case 1 :06-cv-00915-CCC Document 1-2 CIVIL COVER SHEET Page 1 of 1 Filed 05/02/2006 The J5-44 civil cover sheet and the Information cOntained hareln nelther replace nor supplement the filing and service of pleadings or other papers aa required by law, except as provided by local rules of court. This form, approved by the Judicial Confetenee 01 the United Slales In September 1974.18 required for the usa of the Clerk of Court fortne purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE REVERSE OF THIS FORM.) I (8) PLAINTIFFS JOSEPH A. THORN (b) COUNTY OF RESIDENCE OF FIRST LISTED PLAINTIFF Cumberland (EXCEPT IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES) C ATIORNEYS (FIRM NAME, ADDRESS, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER) Deanna Lynn Saracco, Esquire 76 Greenmont Drive Enola, PA 17025 PHONE 717-732-3750 FAX 717-728-9498 II. BASIS OF JURISDICTION I"L'CEAN XII ONE BOX ONLY) IJ 1 U.a. GOVERNMENT llilI 3 FEDERAL QUES110N Plalnlilf (u.s. Government Not. Party) o 2 U.S. GOVERNMefT -... o .. DNERSITY (lndluleCI"unahlpof P.rtIn In Item Nl) DEFENDANTS CREDITOR FINANCIAL GROUP COUNTY OF RESIDENCE OF FIRST LISTED DEFENDANr (IN U.S. PLAlNTIFF CASES ONLY) NOTE, IN LAND CONDEMNATKlN CASES, USE THE LOCArKlN OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED ATTORNEYS (IF KNOWN) Richard J. Perr, Esquire Fineman Kreksteln & Harris, P.C. 30 S. 17'h St., Suite 1800, Philadelphia, PA 19103 PHONE 215-893-8724 FAX 215-893-8739 EMAIL: errfinemanlawfirm.com III. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (pLACE AN x 'N ONE BOX (For Diversity Cases Only) FOR PlAINTIFF AND ONE BOX FOR DEFENDANT} PTF DEF PTF DEF Citizen oIThIs State [J1 [J1 Incorpontled or PrIncipllll'lactl [J4 [J' 01 BUll...., In lb. ...... ClUnn of AnoUlIIf' stille [J2 [J2 Irw=orporated md Prlndpal Pllce [J. [J. of BUllnnllln Another Stat. ClIIMnlllfSulJJectora [J3 [J3 forelllnNdon [JI [JI ForwlOnCountry IV. CAUSE OF ACTION (CITE THE u.s. CIVIL SfATUTE UNDERWH\CH YOU ARE FILING AND WRITE A BREF STATEMENT OF CAUSE. 00 NOT CITE JURlSCICTIOtW... STATUTES UNLESS DIVERSITY.) . Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. !l!l1692, et seq. V. NATURE OF SUIT (PLACE AN X IN ONE BOX ONLY) CONTRACT TORTI FORFElTURElPENALTY BANKRUPTCY OTHER STATUTES []110....11Q PmsoNAL INJURY PERSONAL INJURY []el0~ ,,,,,- 0"_ Cl20fMIN C310Al,.. CS82Perel,ql/rillIY- ClIZOOlIw'FoodI.[)ug 2eUSC1511 R'J~~~~MleIII D'I3O"....Agt [] as ~:..~ s.mnd a423W11tJdr.M1l 0410MIbUII []f40~llllllUmn [] 315 Ai""PnIducl: ...- 21USC8l1 2lIUSCt57 D430s.nband~ Dl80~f1ICW~nI .-" [] 3a5 '"-'" ~IY- Oll3Ot.lqllarL... IJUOCa\vrwllellCCRIlMIetc. [)a20~lll~LIIlltl& """"-" PROPERTY RIGHTS I. ErolaKMtInl 01 ...... C_AIbRloI~ 0640 RAITNCk 0"'_ .....".. C3:lDF...EmpI"..... 1~IIlJPftIdud 1:1 850 AllhRIgI 0"'_ 1J470~~... []151~" ....." U_ 0...__ 0"'_ D.fO=~ t115a "-YdOlfUlIId -. DlMOT,.~ -- 0"'_ PERSONAL PROPERTY 0"'_ ,....- D$45MIIIMPnldud 0"'_ SOCIAl.. SII:CURITY ""- 0'" :t..... OSlO OhrFruj Dl&3~"~ D371 TrWl'I.......... DN1 HIA(1sstf1 CI75Cu11om..~ 01' v.nn.. &.wllll []365.....\fahIra D 38D 0lIW P-.I LABOR D882I18d1L1q1(823) 12USC:M10 alecJ~'SuJh; --" _D_ [JIISDrNCA)WWf405(a)l C.l~AelJ [] I'" OItwCorrtrlcl: []3e00lWPIfDlal D 3M Prq:Iqo.n.g. C110feitLabclr........ D 1M "Dr.-XVI DlII2Eca1al1l1:8llblluIcIn C195CcnraetPn:W:lu.blily ,."" .......u_ .. CNllR8l(~>> DIllIS~""""" D720 1.aborIMQIn~ DIllM~All-'lorl/vJ. ...... FED2RAL TAX SUITS D8lI5F~d ,_.. REAL PROPE/UY CML RIGHTS PRISONER PETmoNS 0""_ Da1OT_(U.8.Pl....., D900~d"_~ C21aLllnll~ []441Vallng OSlO MDllorlIlIIV8CIlI _" M_ UndIrEqUll~1l:l -'" DIn IRS-Tl*dP.ny --- 0220_ c..:t~ ....... []10&0RaIwlIyIilar "use"", DKO~of C230RInt....I~ 0"'_ -"""" '" -- D:HOTcglal,and - 0S30 ..... D1flO OIwLabor 88100Ih.-SalIAl:wy D245TIIIlPrududu.bllly []444W....... 0'" """'- """"" ...... D2lIDAlIOlhlrRM~ D440 ou..ClvIRWltI 054G............0lher D7It =-:~lnI:. osso_ VI. ORIGIN CJ 1 Original Proceeding 18I 2 Removed from State Court (PLACE AND X IN ONE BOX ONLY) o 3 Remanded from D .. Reinstated or Appellate Court Reopened CI 5 Transferred from another district (specify) o 6 MulUdlstrict CJ 7 Appeal to DIstrict Litigation Judge from Magistrate Judgment Checlc YES only if demanded In complaint JURY DEMAND: I8IYES 0 NO VII. REQUESTED IN COMPLAINT: 0 VIII. RELATED CASES(S) IF ANY NONE CHECK IF THIS IS A CLASS ACTION UNDER F.Re.p. 23 (See InstnJctIone): JUDGE DEMAND $ DOCKET NUMBER May 2, 2006 S"NATUREOF?J~RD J pVJL DATE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT Case 1 :06-cv-00915-CCC Document 1-1 Filed 05/02/2006 Page 1 of 3 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYL VANIA JOSEPH A. THORN, Plaintiff CIVIL ACTION v. NO. CREDITOR FINANCIAL GROUP, Defendant JURY TRIAL DEMANDED NOTICE OF REMOVAL Defendant CREDITOR FINANCIAL GROUP (hereinafter referred to as "CFG"), by its undersigned counsel, hereby petition this Court as follows, pursuant to 28 U.S.c. ~ 144I(b): I. CFG is a defendant in an action pending in the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas for Cumberland County, Civil No. 06-1904 ("the State Court Action"). CFG received a copy ofthe Complaint on or about AprilS, 2006. A true and correct copy of the Complaint in the State Court Action is attached hereto as Exhibit "A". 2. Plaintiff in the State Court Action is Joseph A. Thorn. See Exhibit "A". 3. Plaintiff's State Court Action alleges violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. ~~ 1692, et seq. 4. The State Court Action involves a question offederallaw. Pursuant to 28 U.S.c. ~ 1441 (b), "Any civil action of which the district court shall have original jurisdiction founded on a claim or right arising under. . . the laws of the United States shall be removable." 5. Since this case arises out of an alleged violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.c. ~~ 1692, et seq., this Court may properly remove the State Court Action based on 28 U.S.c. ~ 1441(b). 6. This Notice has been filed with the Court within thirty (30) days after purported service of the Complaint on defendant CFG. Case 1 :06-cv-00915-CCC Document 1-1 Filed 05/02/2006 Page 2 of 3 WHEREFORE, defendant Creditor Financial Group prays that the State Court Action be removed from the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas for Cumberland County, Civil No. 06- 1904, to this Court for proper and just determination. FINEMAN KREKSTEIN & HARRIS, P.c. By slRichard J. Perr RICHARD J. PERR, ESQUIRE (PA No. 72883) 30 South 17'h Street, Suite 1800 Philadelphia, PA 19103-4005 (v) 215-893-9300 (f) 215-893-8739 e-mail: rperr@finemanlawfirm.com Attorneys for Defendant Tate & Kirlin Associates Dated: Mav 2. 2006 2 Case 1 :06-cv-00915-CCC Document 1-1 Filed 05/02/2006 Page 3 of 3 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, RICHARD 1. PERR, ESQUIRE, hereby certify that on this date I served a true and correct copy of the foregoing Notice of Removal electronically or by frrst class mail, postage prepaid, on the following: Deanna Lynn Saracco, Esquire 76 Greenmont Drive Enola, P A 17025 saraccolaw@aol.com Attorneys for Plaintiff s/Richard J. Perr RICHARD J. PERR, ESQUIRE Dated: Mav 2. 2006 3 '3 riled05t02/20.06 page' o~ '10 . case'l..06_CV-009'15-COC oocument'l- . , ""'.,,"'.~. :0'...... .-' E IBIT " A:' \ \ . Case 1 :06-cv-00915-CCC Document 1-3 Filed 05/02/2006 Page 2 of 10 APR 17 2006 15:19 FR ST PAUL TRAVELERS 6513103657 TO 919372221970 P,04 .--. ,. ;'"'- ttJ-I$' - . . . IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS ctiMBERLAND COUNTY, PBNNSVL V A'NlA , . .' 'JOSEPH A:. mORN, P1~ : v. CIVIL ACTION. JURY mAL DBMANDED . CRBDIl'OR FlNANctAL GROUP, Defendant. No.: 6t.. - l'fdf (!i~~L '-r&1..'l' IIIO'nCB !'O PLEAD ,""".,..,."",,"-- 'l!O '.I!~ D111'111HDD!' ........... II'lrDII!IIl' = ~oU have been .ued In cou~t. If you wish to defend against the claims let forth in the following ~a;eBI you must take action . within _!II:? (20) dava after this complaint is sarved, by enterin; a written appearance p.rlo~ally or by attornel and filing in writin; with the court your detenea. or objections to the claims set forth I;ainst you. YOU are warne~ that if you fail to do ao, the cI.e may proceed without further notice for any money claimed in tne Complaint, or for Iny other claim or relief requested by the Plaintiff. You may lose mo^_y or property or other rights important to you. YOV SBOOW TAD !fiIS li/Al'BIl ~ l'otJa :r.mm:a u 0'IIlCB - tr DW A :r.urDl\ 0.1\ ~ AJi'II'6RD 0IlB, GO 'I!O O~ !rBto3DOIItB aft I'OIml B1WJll' 'I!O FIHtl CllJ'l 1l1lBIllS YOU C7lN CZ'1' Ir8Q1,3;, ~~ ~ s ~ I~g~ I w U1 CD .' Camb.rIud CoUIU)' Bar AssodaCioll 32 S. Bedford Street, Carlisle, P A 1.soo..990-~08, 711-:&49-3166 MOI!!f!U. i' i Le hen demandado . usted en la co~t.. 91 .Itell quire dafenderse de aatal dd.&nd.. IIlPU.,,'.. ell lu pe!Jinea II.\IU1en".., lilted Uene vi.nta (20) db.. de plllO d part1>:' de le fache de 1e excriu 0 .n perlC1'la 0 pox: abagado 'I Irch1var an 1.. cotta en fo~ e~crit. sus detons.s 0 '111 objectionas alaI d..-nde, 1e corta t~. aad1des y pued. antrar una o~n ~ntrl lilted .in pravio Ivi.o 0 no~ifl.eacion y par cualquier que~. 0 alivio qUe ee pedl.do en 1. peticl.C1'I Ila damanda. Osted pu,cIe perder dinero 0 au. p~gpiedac\e. 0 atro. c1erechol tloponantu para 1l.Shd. , LLJM: ts~ DEHANCA A tJll J\80GADO XIISDIA'l'JlH!NTE, 51 NO 'l'X1l1lE l\8OWOO B1 110 'n1NJl m. DIllERO SIlFICI&:NTB 011 '''GAll '!'AI. SIlRvtCIOlI, VAYA EN Pi:RSOIIA 0 LLAAIl POll. TELllfOIlO A J,A grICIllA COlA D1RECCION IE J'UIIDl!ICONSEGIlIR ASI5TEllCIA UllllL. TF.ltlE CO'PY FROM RECORD lnt~~I1.bIlrd.llllrlfjllotl)"llllY Iiabll . ~.~~~~~~~ ,-~~o..~~ Case 1:06-cv-00915-CCC Document 1-3 Filed 05/02/2006 Page 3 of 10 APR 17 20~8 15;20 FR ST PAUL TRAVELERS 8513103857 TO 515372221570 P.0S . ,-... "'" . . '. , " '" INTHB caUlT OP COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COuNTY. PENNSYLVANIA JOSEPH A. THORN, PlaIauiff; . , v. CMI.,ACnON -JURY'I'RlAL DEMANDED . CREDITOR. fINANCIAL-GROUP, ~l. : . No.: roMPrMNT ADd !lOW eomes P1ab1ti1t by IIlICl throuzh bls COWliOl, and liles this Complaint IIIli in tl&pIlOrt thmot; _. dII followill&= COUNT I 1. JurisdictioIl!or Ihb Action Ii utelRd IIIlcler the l'eauylvlllia Fair CRlCiit Bxteasion Ullifomity Act. 13 P.S. i2270 It seq. '2. P1lllldff~ IIllndividu8l -''''''1m lhis Cmnmonwtalth, IIId a CO~. 3. Defendant Cteclitor p"UI8IIcii1 0r0IIp, 1& a busiaess r:nlity ona&gQd iIIlhc lIusineI, of co1kcIilli COIISIIII1el' ddl1a as wen as purcbasing COlISUlllff 1I,1ns In def&u\t, wftIlIn this Cormnonwealthwith allllll1lnisdd1esa3131 South Vaug\I Way,Sulre llO,~ CoICDdo,1I0014. 4. VJOIatlq ptolrisioas otthe Pair Dtbt Collection Practices Act also viola the PeIIns11vaoiaFCBU. 73 P.S. ~70.4(a). S. 'IbaI "..r..,pm; CIJIIIN in \III&lr methods of competitioll8l1d unfair or deceptlve aclI or pgu:tices, as cIef\xled by PCEU and the regulations, inCluding but lIot limited to. violallODS of3? Pa.Code 00303.3(3), 303.3(14), 303.3(18).303.6 and 73 P.B. ~201.2(4). 6. ~d.nt'l ~1lI N ci=lbecllltfoin wen done w1lb maUc.iOUB, In.tmfjOllll\. willful, recldoss, Qelliaent'llIId WIlUtan disregard fur Plainliff'. right. with lho pmposo of Case 1:06-cv-00915-CCC Document 1-3 Filed 05/02/2006 Page 4 of 10 ~PR 17 2006 15:20 FR 5T PRUL TRRVELERS 651~103657 TO 919372221970 P.06 . .' -, , r, ~. . '. . . , coeroing p\aintifflD pay tlu: alleged c1tbt, repr4less oCwhethet Plaintiff actlIaI1y owes'lbe 7. . , aUesed debt lIS stated by d.o~ As & laIIlt ottbll above vio!aliolll, P~Li e&\titlecl'to IlI.1JI\Iozy,llCtual,ll'ebJ.1IId pualtlve damagu IKlcll\UOm8Y's tees and POstli. WHEREll'ORE, p\aintiffla(UCllll that this Hoa.orable> Cowt issue judgmoat olllWl beba1f ...~ md ...100 defeudllll.18 for II. statutory pe>naIty, treble damages,. JlUlIitive'damages; attcmle)' lllca md ~ pursuant 10 73 P.s. 92270.5. COUNT n 8. JurisdictiOll for this eclion is asserted pII1$UJlIl to the Fair Debt Collection PJac1ioea M. 15U.S.C. II692,etscq. ("FDCPAj,p8l'liculady 15 U.s.C. il692k(c1) 81\d 28.U.S.C. 11337. 9. Venue lieS in this District pursllJlIt to 28 U.S.C. I391(b). 10. Plalmlffls ID individualllBd COll$IIlllOl' puzsuantto 15 U.s.C. ~I692a(6). 11, DchI"l1t Isa debt coIlectDfu defined by IS U.S.C. 1169~). 12. On or about FebrnaIy 1, 2005, ddcndant IlOntaoWd Plalntifrby W1epbOJlC ~d1 are c:ommunieal!OIIll1datlog to a "dobt" 88 clclIMd by IS U.s.C. 116921(2) IUd 16921(5). 13. Apts of detimdant made telcpboM calls to P1a\n~ which COIllaincd fllse, misI=dht1. coufuslng and I1amssi1'II Sl:Itemllllfl, Including, &eats ofliti&lllioD, and in general, were abusive i.u IIlItme IS well u 1WJleoCa1liIJa. 14. Plai\IdfI'advlscd the defCndaottbathe had. 'all &!towy wilD oootacthis attomey. IS. DespIte belna told tl1l8 ilI1\nmation, the defendant continusl to attccnpt to oollog tho alleled debt IllCi h8rasa PJal.ntiff 16. The P!IiDIi1f tried find out w!Illt debt the defmdant was aUempling to collect. Case 1 :Ofi-cv-00915-CCC Document 1-3 Filed 05/02/2006 Paqe 5 of 10 APR 17 20~6 15:20 FR ST PRUL TRAUELER5 6513103657 TO SlS3722~lS70 P.07 .-. . , ,...., . , . . 17. The dd.~daui I'IflIIed to aIlvlee ~tl name of the orIgi!lal CRdltor, he wou1d oaIy FYO III amoUllt. 18. DcfindaJlt told PIalIllift'tluIl hc.did.lIQt a11lUorl1ey because PIalntlfr was NIt e1IiIbIe for baaIuuptoy. 19, De1imdant told PlaiDtiffha was . "Qtook" WlIlch wu probabb' why he ~ an lIltmIIcy. 20. plalntl.ff IIId.ed 11:10 caU, lIe\W knowina what alI.gcd debt the deteudant W8S altemptlng to collecL 21. At III peztinant times bctr:to., thll cIef=lrllllll was auemplillg to oollllOt. clabt rclilioa to .. consumor Irml'<;tion. (Hcrcilllftc the "alleged ~") 22. DeteIIdIm communi........ wllh.plaintitI on or after one year betbre the date of this &etian, In COIlIIeCtioD. with collllCtion e1rorta. by I~, telephone contact or other doeumeDla, willi. NS8II1 to r'olntiif's allesed debt 23. The talflJ1hoc.ecallunaclc by aaants of d.k1tjollt con1ained f.aIse, mlst-lillg. COIIi'IIsinc lIIId lwanlDg ~ illdudixos. c!lrWII of litigation, ruclc and. f'oullaoauage as well as ~n;.... 24. . At all times pertilXD.t hel'IItO, tbe ddendarlt was actin: to confiue, 4ective, Ooe-cce azld ill gcomd, create a false _ of \lfPllCY on the part oCdie Plaintiff with respect 10 the a!:legec1 debt, while ~ 10 iden~ the alleged debt 25. PlaiDliffbe\ieves and. theretora aV81S that the tIIo.fMda'lt failed to afford PJalntlffthe opportunity to dispute the alleged debt, interest ~hJ.r&es, late fee. lIDellor othfr amounts added to his alIepd ~1Il\t. 26. DeteAdanl dcmaadcd the bal8nce in fUll, J>>JYet: affilrdilli the PlaiIItI1f III opporl\lDity f9 set up padial paymen!.l. APR 17 2~gSl ~;~~-o/RO~~1 ~ACO~C;RA~~E~I~wnt 1-3SI Ili01e~d 05/02/2006 Paqe 6 of 10 ,. s ~ ~6S7 TO 9193722~1970 P.08 , . " . r-. ,~\ , . , 27, ~laiIlliff'beli_lIDd 1helefo1e _ tlJat the all6pd debt _ told to deCendallt in . , .; violailoll ofPeanty1'Y1IIia law. 28. Plllntiffbelleves aud ~ avc:n that.liaDsfi:r oftll, .u'lled debt, r.rt:lItecl... benefit to the dmndartt IIIIi the o!iiiDal crccIlWr illWlved In the 1reDsfer,Illd any altaIlpt to collect lllD allept amount is 4eeeplive, miIJ...A;11i and/or f'rauduIern.. 29. "'&f4U& of dcfCllldlmt IllIlde thredI of litigation agaI1\Jt Plaintiff -."""- 30. Tho FocPAIIlItIS Ihan violalionofstale law lsa. violatlonofthe PDCP.... IS U.S.o. 1169211. POlIDSylvanialaw l~inpertillOl\tpart, 18 Pa.C.S. F311: "UllIIwful collectlon apnoy pnlCtices. . . (aJ Aaalpment of olalJu. It is Iaw:til1 tbr .. collectlou aptlCY. tor the JlUlP01G of . colleotiDi or C'IIfilroID& Ibo paymrmt thmot to take an usIgmne.nt of."y ~ e1a1m from a creditor, ifall otthe fol\oWillgapply: 1. The asalpent betweeIl 1M OI'edilOt'S m1 co!1dOl\ IJFlICY is in wr\tInc; 2. TIw: ciripgIl apcmcat lMrLweenlhe creclitor lIllIi debtor does not proIUbit uPi""''''''''' . j. 'lbI co11aclion agenc, oolllplics with the al;t of December 17. 1968- (b.l)t1nf1lr ordeccptlve lIIIlhods. k is unJawM tor acol1cctor to coUcctllllJ' , aa\OIlI\t, Int:(udiug lIIIY il1ttm~ fcc, charge or llltptose iDciclelllll1 10 1M principal ob~on, IlIlle$s suc:h Imouut is cxptessly provided in tbc apement ClIlIIlini the debt or i$ permitted by 'lW." 31- The PDCPA states, a cIabt coUDCtor may not UJe Illlfalr or WlCIlIlSOlo1lab11l ~ tocol1cct oraU'.mpnoco~anycl&bt.lS U.S.C.gI692f. ~violltecllhisscctioDoftho JlDCPA. 32. -r= PeCP A states, a debt col1eotor may not use false, dGotpll'Ye Or misleading 1Cp~01l or means irt connection with the co1lectl.on ofany debt IS U.S.C. 11692&. Det"llncllllt 'YIo\ated. this section oftbe FDCP A. 33. the FDCP A '-1, a debt collector may not ensage In ."y conduc:t the nalIIral r.ase 1 :06-cv-00915-CCC Document 1-3 Filed 05/02/2006 Page 7 of 10 APR 17 20~'6 15:20 FR ST PAUL TRAUELERS 6513103657 TO 919372221970 P.09 l' ,~ ..... . . .. . . Conai~um ofWbicb i. to harass, O)'plC3S or abuaC anYpe:BIlll in connection witb tbe coUeetionohddl!. 15U.S,C.11692d. DefeDdsnt violated thiuectionoftheFDCPA. . . 34. 'The FDCP A states, a debt collector may 1IOt oolMlUl1lcate, lu coa=:tiori witlJ the c:olleetianofanydebt, with &ny persono1hcrlhan the CllllS\lDlCl. 15 U.S.c. fil692c(b). Dd'mdant violated this section of tile l'DCP A. . 35. The FDCP A states, it is UI11awNI to ~ iD.tIIrest. -ses. fees or other costs unless . aulbarized by law or contr;Qt; p~dClCl DOt have a co_I wCth D,.~t IS U.s.C,'1692fllld 116921l(2)(A) IIICI (B). Defeudam violated ~ scctiODJ oftbe FDCPA. 36. The FDCP A provides certaln riahts 10 tI\e llOlISUI1lCf resrina 1m dlht III dispIIle tile lI\eailddlbt, 15 U.S.c. ~1692g. DofendantviolJbdtlris~nofthePDCPA. 37. The FOCPA stAtc8 that ..debt lIOUe=rmay 1IOt~ with .. consuraer ifhc IaIoWllbat!be ooasumer is ~ by an Bitomey. Defeodant viobted Ibis section oftbe llDCP A. 38. OJ-I."t made its coUcetion communications intentItIIlllUY tllJIfuaili&. mil1eIdIq IIld othetWisedeceptivofo tbc PlainIlffJ, in viobuionof15 U.S.C.11692e(S) and (10), f1692f1:8) end 116921, socalsa., Jnle Belile. 208 B.!I.. 6SS (B.D. fa 1977). 39. ~s COlllJlIunicalions c;reated.. fIIsuenseofllrgenoy on tho pQt ofPlaintiJfin violation oftbeFDCt'A. r"lentlllO v. Frledmln. 833 P. Supp. 697 (N.D. nt. 1993); SluvllV.HancI. 83\ P. SIlpp. 32\ (S.D.N.Y. \993);and~uv. a..~r 7UP, Supp 1 (0. Conn. 1989). 40. An7 threat oflitiptian is:flWe jfthtl clefendau.t tIldy; BUl:# OOlllUIDtlf deblor. or Ifdae defendant iiid aot.intoll4 to sue tho Plaintiff. Bentlv v. Great r ~BI Coiled,," B"...~" 6 , APR 17 20~~S1 J i~~-C~RO~~1 ~-&iJ(CTRA~~E~~~nt 1-~51 :f~~86~~O.fb2~~~37fi~M~f 10 . . P.10 .--' ,. . Ii.3d 6:z (u '6r. 1998). See also, is U.S.C. ~1692e(S), IS V.S.C, fI692e(lO). 41. Ai 1111 tioie ~t hereto, the de&.ndanl wasllOlinS by IlI\4 Woup Its 1pIlI, seM1ItS Ill4IOf employees, who WIl(C actin; within 1ho SCOpe and coursll of their =ployment, II1d IIllCiet thcl direc:t ~ion and COllDOJ oftbe demro<l''!f- bereil\. 42. AJ, all times pertlneIlt hereto. the CODd\ICt or ~ as well IS illl agents, $tC\IBnls, and/or ~ploycel, _ mal IcioUS, InleJltiOllll!, wll1fu\, =k1ea. lIlOiligent and in wantOn disrepM for fedeta1 and state law and the righ~ of the Plaintiffheteln. 43. DefelId.at'llIbl'S were inte:lltloll81b confusing;md deceptive, in vio1ali.on. orts U.S.C. , "~",".--'-- fl692e(S)_OO), f1692t(8) and fl692j. 44. .PI.m.tIft'_ contused, deceived. and believed that UrigatiOQ was imminent ifseuletneal ViIS Dot made. 45. l'Iw above mentioned acts with supporting eases cbnons!latea that the eonduct of ~nt. rises to the 1cveI. needed rot puuitive damages. 46. o,r-dw... ill iaI collClltlon etrorls, .violated !be POOP A, 11ft., alia, SectioDIl692, b, a, do .., 110 h, ll1dIor n. 47. Def.daa,t, In its collection efb1a. ~ filIse or deceptive adS and ixw-ntlo:d to ona- and IIInaI plalntUt 48. Tha1, as a result of the 1lmIngfuI. talltioa of d"""r1...q as afOrementIoned, plaintlfflw been aabJectM to anxiety, hanIssIlleM, inlimidalion IIId auo~ for wbil<h COl'llptWtiOll is sought. WImRIi:l<ORE, P1aimifF respectfully requests that hi$ Honorable CoWl enter j\ldglnellt OD. her behalf'lIId apibat cWendantl aa<I issue an Order: (A) Award P1ainliffstaMolY cJanwaes in the arooUl\t or One Thollland Dou.n ($1,000.00) r.ase 1 :OR-cv-00915-CCC Document 1-3 Filed 05/02/2006 Page 9 of 10 APR 17 20~6 lS,~l FR ST PRUL TRAVELERS 6513103657 TO 919372221970 P.l1 , ,''''' , ... , , .. . . .. . ~ t:aeb '<Ilolal1on of the POCP '" lNllor each separals lIlld C!iscreto i'\l.Cid8ot ill which each ottbe def'eIldalIta' bAve violated lbo POCP A ml for wMolI Plalntiff' could bave filed. separatl8Clion but coasolid&ted hCl' c1alJ'Q1 for judicial economy. . r (6)' Award Plairuiff pnerat dmullgl\$1lIII punitive damups tin aIIlticty. ~t, aM ,""""'-.... iutiaVtlmQII. cIIm:tIld at him iIlllll /IIlIOUIIt DOt Jess thaD Tea 'fbg~d DoJ1arB ($10,000.00). IS wdl8ll the xepetltive natUre of defeadallts (ann 1eUl:rs. C) A,warcl p~tIfC costs oftbiJ l!tI.gatiOIl, inw1l4ln.i; & _liable .uom.ey's fee lit a raID of $3S0.llOJbDlIr for hours reallOIIlIbly expeaded by hi, I.ItnmeY in vil'dil:atil\& his rights Ull.darthoFDCPA.pennlttedb)' 15U,S.C. ~1692k(a.)(31., . (0) A\VIfd deelvatOlY IIId In./uactive relief, ~ I\Ieh otbc:r rdief lIB this Hol1Ol8hle Coud ~ _"""'}' and proper or law or equity Dalcd: 3130106 . By: .' DI8IIDIL Lyao SIII'8I:CO, Attoraey tbi: PIainlUf 76 (hClllllOnt Driw EnIl1a, POlIbI)'lvaDia.17025 T~DO 717.732-3750, FllX 71 10721-9498 Email: SlIllICCOLaw@aol.QOm .. ').~ Y':."; . ,;;,." ':11;.,"':' J.:'';.t~.' ',.j. "tl\...~. II 1"..., 'U.. 1 ~ ':'. .:. , "'.. ":J.~'j '--v ';~I-. .'1';',,'11. ' . ,0" " .r:'\~'I!o';"1."/~~""': ..t :~i,'" ""'1 : ,..,:~. I ~ .... . :'~' \~: '~')\). (ri'.. . .fl..:; : z~~ :;t". . . ~ .11''''\~1'' Ii ":', .;c. . .:::: .~~ ~-.! . \-,.... '),'" .... ';', . '.,. .r"t.:. 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