Crespo v. Brachfeld Law Group, P.C. et al, No. 0:2011cv60569 - Document 41 (S.D. Fla. 2011)

Court Description: ORDER denying in part and granting in part 34 Defendant The Brachfeld Law Group's Motion for Summary Judgment and denying in part and granting in part 35 Defendant Meridian Management Solutions, LLC's Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by Judge James I. Cohn on 9/28/2011. (npd)

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Crespo v. Brachfeld Law Group, P.C. et al Doc. 41 UNI TED STATES DI STRI COURT CT SO UTHERN DI STRI O F FLO RI CT DA CASE NO .1160569- VCl COHN/ SELTZER EDW A RD CRESPO ,an i vi , ndi dual Pl ntf, ai if VS. THE BRACHFELD LAW G RO UP,a Cal or a i ni f pr essi of onalcor aton and M ERI AN por i DI MANAG EM ENT SOLUTI NS,LLC,a Calor a O i ni f cor aton, por i Def endant s. / O RDER DENYI I PART AND GRANTI I PART DEFENDANT THE NG N NG N BM CHFELD LAW GROUP' M OTI N FO R SUM MARY JUDGM ENT AND DENYI S O NG I PART AND G RANTI I PART DEFENDA NT M ERI AN M ANAG EM ENT N NG N DI SO LUTI NS.LLC' M OTI N FOR SUM MA RY JUDG M ENT O S O THI CAUSE i bef e t Cour upon Def S s or he t endantThe Br el Law Gr achf d oup, P. ' Mo in f Summar J gmen (Br h el Mo i ' E 34)an De en t C. to or S y ud t ' ac f d ton' DE ' ) d f dan Mer an Ma gemen Solton LL S Mo i f Summar J dgmen E 35 i di na t u i s, C' t or on y u t DE ) (Mer an Mot ' ( ol c iel ' ton f Summar J gmen '.Th Cour has s i di i ) c l t y ' i s or on' e v Mo y ud t) e ' t car ul consi ed t Motons f Sum mar Judgment Pl ntf Edwar Cr ef l y der he i or y , ai if d espo' s Memor dum i Opp iont Def dan ' Mo i f Summar J gmen ( 39 an n ost o en t ton or i s y ud t DE ) (opp ion', l ft e pari ' bmisi s, i o he- ie f l a ie i t e ' ost ' aIo h ' i ) t su s on and s t s ul dvs d n h es y pr i l em ses. 1 BACKG RO UND . Pl n i Edwar Cr po (pl n i 'fl sutagai tDef dan sTh Br h el ait f f d es u ait f) i f ed i ns en t e ac f d Def endant di notfl r y m em or s d i epl e anda i suppor oft rM otons f n t hei i or Sum m ar Judgm entby t deadl ofSept ber23,2011. y he i ne em Dockets.Justia.com L Gr (Br f d' an Merdi Man aw oup s achel ' d i an agemen Solt s,L (Mer an' ' ) t ui on LC s i ' l di ) (ol t el ' f dan s'al n t at c l i y ' en t ' l g h debtc l c i c l Def dan smad t ec v De ) egi ol t e ons al s en t eo Pl nt f ilt t e Fai Deb Col ton Pr t esAc (FDCPA', 1 U. C. 1 2ai i voa e h f r t l i ac i ec c t' ' ' 5 S. j 69 ) 1 692p an t e Fl i Con merCol ton Pr t esAc (FCCPA', Fl St . d h or da su l i ac i ec c t$ ' ' a. at j ) 5 55 559.85. Se Compl n ( 1. Cou tI l esvi a i oft e FDCPA 59. - 7 e ait DE ) n al eg olt ons h agai tMer an. Compl n I 21 26. Coun 1al gesvolton o t e FCCPA ns i di ait N t1 l e i ai s fh a n tMer an. I $ - 3. Cou II l esvi at s o t FDCPA ag n t gais i di d. :27 3 nt I al eg ol i f he on ais Br h el I 1 3 39. Coun I al gesvol i s o t e FCCPA a n tBr h el ac f d. d. 5 4tV l e i at on f h gais ac f d . I 1 40d. 1 46. % Accor ng t Pl ntf,debthe owed on t Cii di o ai if wo tbank cr tcar account was edi d s pl aced i o col tons w ih Def nt l i ec t endant Compl n I 11 1 , e Br h el La s ait N - 2. Th ac f d w . Gr s St em entofUndi ed Fact i Suppor ofIs M oton f Sum m ar Judgm ent oup' at sput sn t t i or y ( 3 ! 3.Pl nt fa err eied a s i of el DE 4) ( ai i lt ec v f er es t ephon c l fom De end t i whih e al r s f ans n c t f l t pr de hi w ih di osur r r by t FDCPA and FCCPA . hey ai o ovi ed m t scl es equied he Compl n $1 1 1 Dur t e e ph e c l,Pl n i as edst a Def ait 1 4- 5. i h s on al aitf s ng s f h t endans t m i epr sr esent t hi t t wer afiat wih a l fr . I T 23, 36, ed o m hat hey e fl ed t aw im d. N i 29, 42. Pl ntf seeks hi act damages, st ut y dam ages,punii damages,coud cost , ai if s ual at or tve s and ator f t ney ees. See Com pl nt Def ai . endant have separ el m oved f sum mar s at y or y - j dgmen on Plit f cai . u t an i ' l ms fs l.DI I SCUSSI N O A.LegalSt andar ds Th Cour maygr ts e t an ummar j dgmen ' t e peadigs t e dic er an yu t' h l n , h s ov y d i f di osur mat i s on fl , and any afi t show t t e i no genui i scl e eral i e fdavi s hat her s ne ssue as t o 2 an mat i f c andt tt e mo an i en ie t aj dgmen asa m a t o lw. y erala t ha h v t s t ld o u t t ter f a ' ' F R. v. 5 c .Th mov t' st iial e on bit o if mig t e ed. Ci P. 6( ) e an ' bear he nt r sp si ly f n or n h i i di rctcour oft basi f is m oton, an i t yn t os pori s o (h r c d) sti t he s or t i d den i ig h e t f on f t e e or w hi i bel ch t i eves dem onstat t absence ofa genui i r e he ne ssue ofm at i f t' Cel ex eral ac ' ot . Cor v. r t 477 U. 31 3 ( 98 .Todic ge t i bur en,he mov tmus n. Catet, S. 7, 23 1 6) s har hs d t an t dem onstat a l ofevi r e ack dence suppodi t nonm ovi pary' case. L a 3 ng he ng t s d t 25. = . Afert mo tha me i bu den un Rue 5 c , h bur en ofpr duci t he van s tt r s der l 6( ) t e d o ton shit t t nonm ovi pary who ' ustdo m or t si pl show t t e i som e fs o he ng t ' m e han m y hat her s m et aphysi doubtas t t m at i f t ' M at cal o he eral ac s sushia El I t ec. ndus.Co v.Zenih t . . Radi Cor , U. 5 4,5 ( 9 .Th non m o ig pary' n r ymer y o o n.475 S. 7 86 1 86) e - vn t' may ot el el n al l i ordeni s i i own pl ng,'buti t m us com e f war w ih ' egatons al n t s eadi ' ns ead t or d t specii fc f s showi a genui i act ng ne ssue f ti .' Fe R.Ci.P. e) Ma s hi 475 U. at or ral' d. v 56( ; t us t a, S. 587. As l as t non- ovi pary has had an am pl oppoduni t c ong he m ng t e t o onduct y di scover i m ustcom e f war wih afim atve evi y, t or d t fr i denc t suppor is cl m e o t t ai . Ander v.Li t Lobby.I ., 477 U. 2 2 ( 98 .' mer lcn ia' f son bery nc S. 42, 57 1 6) ' A e s itl o l evi dence suppodi t opposi pady' posii wilnotsufi t e m ustbe enough ng he ng s ton l fce; her o a sh wig t at hej y c l r s bl f f t tpar ' W alerv. bv 911 f o n h t ur oud ea ona y i or ha t ' k nd y. Dar , F. 1 73,1 77 ( 1h Ci.1 0) It e evienc ad anc d b t non movn padyds 2d 5 5 1 t r 99 . f h d e v e y he - ig ' i mer y col abl ori notsi fcanty pr i , s el or e, s gnii l obatve ummar j dgmen maybe gr t ' yu t an ed. ' An s 47 U. at2 50 ( i t omied) der on, 7 S. 49- ct i a ons t . t B.Pl ntl has Suf i enty Est i ai i fci l ablshed a Consum erDebt Undert FDCPA and FCCPA. he Sec i 1 2e mak ia voltonoft FDCPA f a d tc l t dt )u e t 69 on es t i a i he or eb ol or'o s ec I 3 any f se,deceptve,orm i eadi r esent i ormeans i connecton w ih t al i sl ng epr aton n i t he c l tonofa deb . 1 U. C. 1 2e. Bo h De en t al i t ei Mo i f ol i ec t' 5 S. j 69 ' t f dan s l n h r t or ege ons Sum m ar Judgm entt Pl ntf has f l t est i t t al y hat ai if ai o abl hat he l ed sh eged debti a s ' on merdeb 'a t a t m i de ied u der1 U. C. 1 2a. Mér an Mot a ' su c t s h t er s fn n 5 S. j 69 i di i t on 6'Br h el Mot a 5.Tie 1 U. C. 1 2a( )d ies' t as' y obl i or , ac f d i t on t 5 S. j 69 5 efn ' ' ' l deb ' an i on gat al l eged obl i ofa consumert pay m oney arsi outofa tansac i i whi t i on gat o i ng r ton n ch he mon ,pr ed isur e, s vc whih ar t e su j to t tans tonar ey op y,n anc or er ies c e h bec f he r aci e pr i f p s , ami orhou eh d pur os . 1 U. C. 1 a( . Th i l or er onalf l mary y, s ol p es' 5 S. j 692 5) e ' FDCPA f t defnes ' urher i ' Consum er as ' hat alper obl ed oral ' ' any ur son i gat l egedl y obi t t pa an deb . 1 U. C. 1 l ed o y y t' 5 S. j 692a( . ga ' 3) Ac or n t Def dans, h ar en ied t s c dig o en t t ey e t l o ummar j dgmen on Coun s I t yu t t and IIoft Com pl ntbecaus athi deposii ' ai ifwas unabl t t i t t I he ai e, s ton,' ntf Pl e o estf o he y n u e o t e or n tan c i orc gesgii r e t t e s j td , pr i at r f h i alr sa t gi on har vng i o h ubec ebt was i l s mary f per or sonal f i orhousehol pur , am l y d poses. Merdi M oton at6'see al Br el ' i an i , so achf d M oton at5. The Cour di ees. Durng hi deposii Pl ntf nevert ii t he i t sagr i s ton, ai if estfed hat utl ized hi cr tcar f noni s edi ds or consum erpur poses. I ead,Pl ntf m er y st ed t nst ai if el at hat he di notS pecii l r em bereach i vi d ' s fcal em y ndi dual char orwhatiwas f . Deposii ge t or' ' ton ofEd d Cr po,Exhbi1t Br h el sMo i f Summar J war es i t o ac f d' ton or y udgmen (cr p t ' es o ' Dep. ( 3 1 a 1 9- 0. Pl n i su ted an a f iwi hi Oppo t t t e ' DE 4- ) t 3: 1 ' ) aitf bmi f t fi t t s dav h sion o h i pr esentM otons f Sum m ar Judgmenti whi he st es t ' know wih cedai y i or y n ch at hat I t nt t aIoft char m ade by m e wer consum erchar f iem s ofper hat I he ges e ges or t sonal , f i and househol use. Idi notchar any non- sonali s t m y cr tcar ' am l y, d d ge per t em o edi ds. ' Afi iofEd d Cr po,Exhbt1t Pl n i' Op sion (cr sp Af.)( 39- ): f t dav war es ii o ait f po t u e o f' DE 1 1 fs i 4 12. Thus,t Cour fnds t Pl ntf has successf l dem ons r ed a di ed i he ti hat ai if ul y tat sput ssue ofm at i f as t whet t debtati eral act o her he ssue was consum erdebtand deni es De en t ' t f s f dan s mo i or ummar j gmen . ons y ud t Addional Mer an mo esf s t l i y, i di v or ummar j dgmen on Coun l, ait f yu t t I Pl n i ' fs FCCPA cl m ,on t same gr ai he ounds. The FCCPA si i l defnes ' ml y i ar consum erdebt as ' ' ' obl i oral ' any i on gat l eged obl i ofa consumert pay m oney arsi outofa i on gat o i ng tan acin i whc t mone pr ery is an e,ors vieswhih ar t e s j t r s to n ih he y, op t, n ur c er c c e h ubec oft tansacton ar prm arl f per he r i e i i or sonalf i orhousehol pur y , am l y, d poses,whet or her n tsu h obl i h b r e t j dgmen . Fl St t j 55 55( ) For h o c i on as een educ d o u gat t' a. a . 9. 1 . t e ' r easons outi above,t Coud fnds t Pl ntf has successf l demons r ed a l ned he i hat ai if ul y tat di ed i sput ssue ofm at i f as t t exit e ofconsumerdebtand deni eral act o he s enc es M erdi s M oton as t CountI. i an' i o I C.A Di sput I ed ssue ofM at i FactExi as t W het Br eral sl o her achf d Com pled el i w ih t FDCPA' Di osur Requiem ent t he S scl e r s. Br hel alo mo esf s ac f d s v or ummar j dgmen on Coun 1 , ait r FDCPA yu t t 1 Pl n i s 1 f cl m ,on t gr ai he ounds t i pr ded Pl ntf w ih aI necessar di osur hat t ovi ai if t I y scl es. Spe f al ,FDCPA Sec i 1 2e( 1 pr i t at'th f lr t dico e i t e cic l i y t 69 1 ) ovdes h l e ai e o s ls n h on l u i tal r t com m uni i wih t consumerand,i addii it i tal nii w i en t caton t he n ton, f he nii com m uni i wih t consum eri or ,i t i talor com m uni i t t caton t he s al n hat nii al caton, hat he debtcol ori atem ptng t col a debtand t any i or aton obt ned wi be l ect s t i o l ect hat nf m i ai l l used f t pur or hat pose,and t f l e t di ose i subsequentcom m uni i t he ai ur o scl n catons hat t ec h ommunc t i fo a d tc l t 'volt t e FDCPA. 1 U. C. ia i s r m eb ol or i a es h on ec 5 S. j 1 692e( 1 .Tie 1 U. C. 1 d( smi l pr bt uh pl emen o t eph 1 ) t 5 S. j 692 6) i l y ohii t e ac l ar s t f el one c l wi ou meani f dico e of he c l ' i t y' 1 U. C.j 1 d( . al t t s h ng ul s lsur t al s den i . 5 S. er t' 692 6) 5 Ac or ngt Br h el i i en ie t s c di o ac f d,t s t ld o ummar j dgmen be us i s t t yu t ca e t en Pl ntf a I t w hi di osed t i was seeki t col debt Br el M oton at ai if eter ch scl hat t ng o l ect . achf d i 7. Thus,Br el cont achf d ends,aI phone cal bet I l s ween Pl ntf and Br el ai if achf d r esent i wer subsequentcom m uni i w hi onl r r t cal s t epr atves e catons ch y equied he l o er di ose t wer debtcol or Br el Moton at8. Br el ataches Exhi t scl hey e l ect s achf d i achf d t bis . 7,8,and 9 t is M oton as evi e t an FDcpA- plantw r t di osur w as ot i denc hat com i i en scl e t m ade t Pl ntf. Br el M oton at7. Exhi t7 i a f m col i I t and o ai if achf d i bi s or l ons eter ect Exhi t 8 and 9 ar prntout oft fl actviy f Pl ntf t cr tcar . As bis e i - s he i e i t or ai i wo edi ds rs Pl ntf poi s outi hi Opposii none oft ai if nt n s ton, hese exhi t es abl bi t i s shes t a hat col i I t whi com pl w ih 15 U. C. 1 2e( 1 wasev s tt Pl n i . l ons eter ch ect i es t S j 69 1 ) er en o ait f f . Opposii at8.Thus, he Cour fnds t a di ed i ton t ti hat sput ssue ofm at i f texit as t eral ac s s o whet Br el com pl wih t FDCPA' di osur r r ent z her achf d i ed t he S scl e equiem s . D.A Di sput I ed ssue ofM at i FactExi s as t W het Br eral st o her achf d el Repr esent i M i epr atves sr esent t Thev W er Ahor ed hat e neys.ButSum m ar v Judom enti Pr s operon Cl m s t Br ai hat achf d Thr ened t Take LegalActon el eat o i Agai Pl ntl. nst ai i Br c f d f rh s ss a h el u t er eek ummar j dgmen on Coun 1 , aitf FDCPA c t yu t t 1 Pl n i' 1 fs oun , Pl ntf al r s Br el s assedi t subsequentdi osur t ai i so ebut achf d' f on hat scl es hat Br el made t Pl ntf durng t ephone conver i wer sufi ent Opposii achf d o ai if i el satons e fci ton at8. Accor ng t Pl ntf,because a def di o ai if endants FDCPA com pl e i m easur ' i anc s ed ' accor ng t t I di o he eastsophitcat consum erst s i ed andar ,'Pl ntf' know l d ' ai ifs edge t t hat he cal wer f a debtcol ton pur l s e or l i ec pose i ir evant J .The Coud agr t t s rel #= ees hat he El event Cicui r r appl i oft 'eastsophi i ed consumer s andar t h r t equies i on he I cat stcat 't ' do det m i w het ' debtcol ton pr tce has a t er ne her ' a l i ec ac i endency orcapaci t dec ve.'' t o y ei Jet v.Cr tBur er edi eau.I ,760 F. 1168, 1 75 ( 1h Ci.1 5) Non h es nc. 2d 1 1 t r 98 . et el s, because t Cour fnds t e i a di ed i he ti her s sput ssue ofm at i f tas t whet eral ac o her Br el pr ded Pl ntf a wrten com m uni i whi di osed t Br el was achf d ovi ai if it caton ch scl hat achf d a debtcol oratem ptng t col a debtand t any i or aton obt ned woul be l ect t i o l ect hat nf m i ai d used f t pur or hat pose,t Cour decl t det m i w het t subsequentor he t i nes o er ne her he al di osur satsfed t FDC PA. scl es i i he . . 6 because i cl m s t i r esent i di notm i epr t ai hat t epr s atves d sr esentt wer ator hey e t neys or t eat I hr en egal i agai Pl ntf Br el M oton at8- The FDCPA pr bis acton nst ai if achf d i 9. ohi t . 'thef s r es t t ori ia i t atan i vdu i an a t ne or ha an ll ale epr en a i l on mpl t h c on y ndii als tor y t t y com m uni i i fom an ator ,' 1 U. C.j1 2e( , caton s r t ney ' 5 S. 69 3) and 'the t ea t t e an 'l hr t o ak y I acton t cannotI l be t i hat egal y aken ort i noti ended t be t hat s nt o aken.' 1 U. C. 5 S. j 1 e( . Br chel ct Pl n i' d 692 5) a f d i es ait f epost t t y asevdenc t a n Br h el fs ion es i i mon i e h t o ac f d r esent i everr esent t he orshe was an ator durng any oft epr atves epr ed hat t ney i he t ephone cal and t no Br el r es atve evert eat el l s hat achf d epr ent i hr ened t t l o ake egal a t ag n tPl n i .Oppo t a 9 ( t g Cr po Dep.. ci on ais ait f f sion t cin es i i ) I Opposii Pl ntf st es t he bel n ton, ai if at hat i eved he r ved t ephone cal fom ecei el l r s ator t neys because,durng t fr t phone cal he r ved, Br el i he ist wo l s ecei achf d r esent i i ii t sel as cali fom ' t ney Erca Br el s ofi .'' epr atves dentfed hem ves l r ' or ng at i achf d' fce Cr poAf. N 3 5.Si l l Pl n i s a e t tdurn hi fr tc es fI - mi y, aitf t t s ha ig s i ommunc tonwi a ar f s ia i t h Br el r esent i he was t d t ' need . . . t nam e and num berofyour achf d epr atve, ol hat d we he ator ey' I 1 3. Ont s r or t e Cour fn t atPl n i ha de s r ed t a a t n . d. 1 ' hi ec d, h t ids h ait f s mon tat h t f di ed i sput ssue ofm at i f texi s as t whet com m uni i Br el m ade t eral ac st o her catons achf d o Pl ntf wer f sel aleged t be fom an ator . See Rosenau v.Uniund Cor , ai if e al y l o r t ney f p. 53 F.d 21 22 ( d Ci. 008 ( ol ng t a deb c l t Iterfom c l t 9 3 8, 4 3 r 2 ) h di h t t ol i e t r ol i ec on ec on com pany' 'egaldeparm ent'whi i f em pl s' l t , ch n act ' oyed no ator t neys, coul be d i er et as m eani t ator nt pr ed ng hat t neys had pl ayed r e i wrtng orsendi I t , and ol n ii ng eter t usqu ied asm il n und FDCPA) h ali f seadig er . By contast Pl ntf has pr ded no evi r , ai if ovi dence t Br el evert eat hat achf d hr ened t o t eI ak egal i agai hi i he di notpay hi debt W hen asked athi deposii acton nst m f d s s ton . 7 whe h h wa e ert eat d wi Ii ton, ait fs aed un i c l t t'n o. t er e s v hr ene t iga i Pl n i t t ht f equvo al ha ' ) y ( The conver i nevergott t poi . espo Dep.at68: 18. Pl ntf' satons o hat nt' 'Cr 13ai i s f Opp ionan Afi vif lo addr swh s ost i d f t ait da es y ummar j dgmen s l no be gr t yu t houd t an ed t Br chel ont s isu Ac or ngl Br chel s mo i f s o a f d hi s e. c di y, a f d' t or ummar j dgmen a t on yu tso CountIIi gr ed onl as t al I s ant y o l i t Br el t eat egatons hat achf d hr ened Pl ntf wih I ai if t egal acton i he di notpay hi debtort eat i f d s hr ened t t e I o ak egalacton i coul notot wi i t d her se I l i tt e. egal ns iut 3 y E. A Di sput I ed ssue ofMat i FactExi s as t W het t Oct eral st o her he ober4.2010 Tel phone Conver i w as a Com m uni i under15 U. C.q 1692a( orFl e saton caton S. 2) a. - St t j 5 55( . a . 59. 51 Mer an alo cai t atii en ied t s i di s l ms h t s t l o ummar j d t y u gmen on b h Coun sIan t ot t d 1 because t Oct 1 he ober4,2010 conver i t Pl ntf had wih Regi Reynol saton hat ai if t na ds w her ' i an M anagement' l e Merdi 'fashed on Pl ntf' cal I w as nota ai ifs l D er d m uni i 'as t t m i defned undereihert FDCPA orFCCPA . M erdi ' com caton' hat er s i t he i an Moton at7. The FDCPA defnes ' i i ' m uni i ' 'he conveyi ofi or aton com caton'as ' t ng nf m i r dig a deb di t oridi t t an p s t ou an medi ' 1 U. C. egar n t r l n r l o y er on hr gh y ec y ec y um. 5 S. j ' I a separ e sec i ofis Moton,Br el ar n at ton t i achf d gues t i i entted t hat t s il o su mmar j dgmen be aus i n v 61 mi epr en ed t ati c l ton yu t c e t e er1 ) sr es t h t ol i ( s ec r e en a ieswer Iwy s; 2)t atMs Br hf d was I en ed i t e St e o Tex ; epr s t t v e a er ( h . ac el i s n h at f as c ( )ort atIiat wa t e en ori nen ag n tMr Cr po. Br h el Mot 3 h ig i t on s hr at ed mmi t ais . es ' ac f d i ' on at10.As st ed above,t e i a genui i at her s ne ssue ofmat i f tas t whet eral ac o her Br el r esent i m i epr ent t Pl ntf t t wer I achf d epr atves sr es ed o ai if hat hey e awyer s. Addion l s t al ummar j dgmen i pr erf rBr f d ont I i is o wh h i y, yu ts op o achel he i t s ue f et er m ed Br el evert eat achf d hr ened I i i agai tPl ntf. Fi l Br el i notent l t igaton t ns ai if nal y, achf d s i ed o t s ummar j dg tr di t e Er a Br h el al gat s.Asex aied i Pl n i y u men egar ng h i ac f d l i c e on pl n n aitfs f afi t Pl ntf I ed up t phone num ber he r ved cal fom and di f davi, ai if ook he s ecei l r s scover ed t t wer r st ed t u i an Managem entSol i hat hey e egi er o Merdi utons,LLC'and nott Law ' he Ofie o Er a Br h el as h be r es t t hm. Cr o AE 1 7.Th , f f i ac f d c c ad en epr en ed o i esp 1 us Pl ntf' al ai ifs l i r egatons egar ng Erca Br el r at t hi cl m s t Br el di i achf d el e o s ai hat achf d r esent i m i epr epr atves sr esent t t wer ator ed hat hey e t neys i vi aton of15 U. C. n ol i S. j1 e( . 692 3) 8 1 692a( . The de i t o ' ommuniat 'un t e FCCPA i i t al Fl St t j 2) fnion f' i c c i ' der h on s den i . a. a . c 5 55 5) Ac or n t Mer an,ti a c 59. ( . c dig o i i s ompan ' n di y i ame onl'and i no eng ed i n y' s t ag n t debtcol ton busi he l i ec ness. Merdi M oton at8.4 Merdi f i an i i an udhercont ends t t hat he O c ober4,2010 conver i i whi Pl ntf com pl ned abouthow Br el t saton n ch ai if ai achf d r esent i handl debtcol i cal was nota ' m uni i 'becaus i was epr atves ed l on l ect s ' com caton' et nota conver i aboutdebt saton . The FDCPA does notest i ' cat i r e t onl an expl tdem and abl a egorcal ul hat y sh i ci f paym entwi qualy as a com m uni i m ade i connecton wih t col ton ofa or l l i f caton n i t he l i ec debt' Gbur v.Li on Loan Ser ci LP, 61 F. 380, . ' ek t t vi nc 4 3d 385 ( t Ci. 0) 7 h r 201 . Det m i ng whet som et ng i a ' m uni i 'undert FDCPA i ves er ni her hi s ' com caton' he nvol I ng att woul be com m uni i s pur ooki he dcaton' pose, and t cont i whi iwas he ext n ch t m ade. I at386. Her Pl ntf r ved a debtr at phone calfom Def d. e, ai if ecei -el ed lr endant on s Oc ober4,2010 and ask t speak t a super sor Cr sp Af. 6. Foureen t ed o o vi e o f% t . Mer an al s n y mov sf su i di so eemigl e or mmar j dgmen on t e gr ds yu t h oun t Merdi i nota ' hat i an s ' debtcol or' defned undert FDCPA orFCCPA . The l ect 'as i he FDCPA defnes ' i ' debtcol t 'as d per who uses any i r ent iy of l or' ' ec any son nstum al t i er at com m er ort m ai i any busi nt st e ce he l n s ness t prnci pur he i pal pose ofwhi i t ch s he col i ofany debt orwho r ary col t oratem pt t col t diecty or l on ect s, egul l l s ec t so l , r l ec i r l debt owed ordue orasseded t be owed ordue anot '1 U. C. ndiecty, s o her ' 5 S. j . 1 2a( ) s alo Fl St . 559.5( whih ha a smi de i t Al ou 69 6 ' ee s a. at j , 5 6) c s i l fnion. t gh ar i h Merdi cies deposii t i ony fom Ral Ayal t M erdi i nota f i ng i an t ton estm r ph a hat i an s unctoni com pany and has notengaged i col i actviy,Pl ntf cont n l on i t ai if ect ends t ' ERI AN hat M DI M GMT'appear on hi cal i w hen he r ved a debtcolecton cal on Oct ' ed s l d er ecei l i l ober4, 201 Cr poAf. 6.Addio l, 0. es fV t nal when h I k u t e phon n i y e oo ed p h e umber f t e s or h cal he r ved,bot num ber wer r st ed t M erdi Managem entSol i , l s ecei h s e egi er o i an utons LLC. $ . 7.W h Plit fs e wi Ashey Myl ,h wast d t a ' i an =% en an i pok t f h l es e ol h t Merdi M anagem entand t Br el Law Gr he achf d oup i an entt wihi i f' l 1 9.Chr s iy t n t sel ' d. 1 i s Savoy al i or ed Pl ntf t Merdi M anagement's a sit com pany oft so nf m ai if hat i an i s er he . . Br el Law Gr ' J ! 1 Thu , he Cou fn t atPl n i h demon tat a achf d oup. #= 1 0. s t ' d ids h aitf as f s r ed . di ed i sput ssue ofm at i f tas t w het M erdi i a debtcol t undert eral ac o her i an s l or ec he FDCPA and FCCPA. 9 m i es I er Regi Reynol cal Pl ntf. I Durng t phone cal,Pl ntf nut at , na ds l ed ai if d. i he l ai if i cat t he bel ndi ed hat i eved Def endant wer vi atng t FDC PA. I Addii l s e ol i he d tonal y, . b f r t e c l o , Re nol t d Pl n i 'so t ts h w youtyt g to to e o e h alwas ver Ms. y ds ol ait f' l ha ' o fE r o e u f payi yourdebt ' I Based on t s r d,Pl ntf has est i ng s. d. hi ecor ai if abl shed t t Oct hat he ober 4,2010 phone calr at t 'nf m aton r l el ed o i or i egar ng a debtdiecty ori r ty ' See di r l ndiec l ' . 1 U. C. 1 5 S. j 692a( 'Fl St t j 5 554 ) Th Mer ans mot f su 2) a. a . 59. 5 . us, i ' , di i or mmar on y j dgmen a t Couns I d 1ont e ba st att eywer n tc u tso t an 1 h si h h e o ommunc ton wi n ia i s t hi t m eani oft FDCPA and FCCPA i deni he ng he s ed. F.A Di ed I sput ssue ofMat i FactExi s as t W het Pl nt/ i Entted t eral st o her ai i s il o NpnEconom i Dam ages Rel ed t Em otonalDi r c at o i stess. Bot Merdi an Br chel c t d t at he ar en ied t s h i an d a f d on en h t y e t l o umma yj gmen t r ud t on Pl ntf' cl m s f nonai i s ai or f econom i dam ages r at t em otonalditess because c el ed o i sr Pl ntf has notest i ai if abl shed t el ent ofan i entonali l i ofem otonal he em s nt i nfi on ct i di r cl m . Merdi M oton at8'Br el Moton at11. Def stess ai i an i , achf d i 5 endant assedi s' ons aboutt I ar i r t The FDCPA per is a pady t r he aw e ncorec . mt o ecover' act dam age any ual su t n b s ch p s a a r sul' fan FDCPA volton. 1 U. C. 1 2k a)1 . saied y u er on s e t o ' i ai 5 S. j 69 ( ( ) Th F e CCPA smi l p ovdest tlal yper onwhof l t c ywi an pr vii i l y r i ha ' n ar l s ai o ompl t y o son s h ofs.559. i I e f ac ualdam ages and f addii 72 s i abl or t or tonals at or dam ages as t t ut y he cour may al butnotexceedi $1, t herwih cour cost and r t l ow, ng 000,oget t t s easonabl e Br hf d mo esf s ac el v or ummar j dgmen ont s gr ds un Coun 11 yu t he e oun der t 1, Pl ntf' FDCPA cl m . Br el M oton at11. M erdi m oves f sum m ar ai ifs ai achf d i i an or y j dgmen on Coun I Pl n i ' FCCPA cl m. Mer an Mo i a 8. Th ar u t t I ait f , fs ai i di ton t e gumen i tn bot M otons i i i . h i s dentcal 10 ator e sf i ured byt e pai i ' Fl St t j 5 774 . t n y' ees nc r h l nt ' a. a . 59. 2)6 E Cours i er etng t FDCPA have al t nt pr i he l owed r ecover f act dam ages r at y or ual el ed t em otonaldi r w ihoutpl ng an i entonali l i ofem otonaldi r o i stess t eadi nt i nfi on ct i stess cl m .Lauf an v.Phii & Bur I ,No.8: cvai m lns l ns. nc. 07- 2171- 23M SS,2008 W L 190604, T- a * ( D.Fl J 22, t 2 M. a. an. 2008 ( yi d en t mo i f s ) den ng ef dan ' ton or ummar u s yj dgmen on t pl ntf' em otonal s r dam ages undert FDCPA because pl ntf had ai if s i ditess he ai if e t l ed va afi vtt the s fer emo i al s r s ; ly v Gi i e, F. s abi sh i f i ha da u f ed t on dites l Ri . guer 631 e Sup 2d 1 5,1 5 ( D. . p. 29 31 E. Cal2009 ( ol ngt a t an wasno r r t p o e t e ) h di h t en t t equi o r v h ed el ement f a cl m f i entonali l ton ofem otonaldi r underCalor a l i s or ai or nt i nfi i c i stess i ni aw n f or er o r o erdama f emo i dites r a e t volton o FDCPAI Smi d t ec v ges or t onal sr s elt d o i a i f ; t h v. aw Ofieso Mi elN. ,1 4 B. 1 2, 89 ( Del 1 )( c ual L f c f t l Kay 2 R. 8 1 D. . 991 a t dama f r ch ges o W hi t e i no Fl i cas w her a pl ntf r l her s e orda e e ai if ecover dam ages ed r at t em otonal stess undert FCCPA,couds i er etng t FDCPA have el ed o i di r he nt pr i he al l owed r ecover f ac ual y or t dam ages r at t emotonal s r el ed o i ditess. Addii l t tonal he y, M i e Dit itofFl i has al ddl s rc orda l owed a pl ntf t r ai if o ecoveract dam ages r at t ual el ed o em otonal stess undert FCCPA. Bar v.Tom lnson,No. 05- 1390- 27EAJ, i di r he ker i 8: CVT- 20 W L 1 796 a * ( D.Fl J e 7, 06)(i n t atpl n i s oul b 06 6 45, t 3 M. a. un 20 f g h ait f h d e ndi f awar acual ded t damagesof$10, 00 underFCCPA f t f ,anxi y, 000. or he ear et emb r s t an em o i dites c s b def aras men , d t onal sr s au ed y endan) Furher e,he t. t mor t FCCPA pr des t :d hi i t s par shal be cons r t I i orr titt ovi hat ' Not ng n hi t l tued o i t es rc he m contnued appl ly oft f alFai DebtCol i Pr i Actt consumer i i i cabit he eder r l on actces ect o col ton pr tces i t s st e.Thi pad i i addii t t r r l i ec ac i n hi at s sn ton o he equiement and s r atons oft f egul i he eder ac .I t eventofany i al t n he nconsi ency bet st ween any pr si ovi on oft s par and any pr si oft f hi t ovi on he eder ac ,t pr si whi i m or pr ec i al t he ovi on ch s e ot tve o t e c u ordeb ors l e ai'Fl St t j 55 552.Thus t t e exen t at f h ons mer t halpr v l' a. a . 9. . ,o h t t h t FDCPA al he l r ows ecover f dam ages r at t emotonalditess,t FCCPA y or el ed o i sr he coul be i er et t al si i r d nt pr ed o l ow m l ecover ar y. 11 em otonaldi r undert FDCPA can be pr i stess he oved i ndependenty ofst e I l at aw r iemen sf it t equr t or n en i ifitonofemo inal s r s cai . onaln l i c to dites l m) Her Pl ntf has t tfed vi hi afi tand deposii t he sufer e, ai if es ii a s fdavi ton hat f ed em otonal s r based on Def i ditess endant conduc . Specii l , Pl ntf s at t as a s' t fcal ai if t es hat y r tofDef esul endant debtcol i ac i tes, h h ' fer d sr sr aed ij r o s' l on tvii ect e as ' f e tes elt n u i f su es angi chestcons rc i na, titons,shock, I ofappett i oss i nsom ni anxi y,ner e, a, et vousness, irt ly,em barassm ent hum iaton,i gnaton, and pai and suferng. Cr riabit i r , l i ndi i i n f i ' espo Af. ' f ! 1 7 Bas d ont sf t r c d, h Cour fn t atPl n i ha demon tat a 1 3. e hi acual e or t e t ids h ait f s f s r ed di ed i sput ssue ofm at i f as t whet he m ay r eral act o her ecoveract dam ages r at t ual el ed o emot l s r s an De end t mot sf su i dite s d f an s' i or mmar j dgmen ar deni ona on yu t e ed. G .Pl ntf i NotEntted t Punii Dam ages Undert FCCPA Aoai ai if s il o tve he nst Def endantM prdi i an. Fi l Mer an mo esf s nal y, i di v or ummar j dgmen on Pl n i ' cai f rpu t e yu t ait f l m o niv fs i damages underCountI,Pl ntf' FCCPA cl m M erdi st es t i i entted t l ai if s ai i an at hat t s il o . s ummar j d y u gmen on Pl ntr cai f punt e damag b aus h ' s n t t ai i s l m or iv f i es ec e e ' ei ha her al l eged norpr esent evi ed dence ofany w if , want ori entonalm i l ul l on, nt i sconduc on t t he par ofM ERI AN t suppor a cl m f punii dam ages ' Merdi M oton at10. t DI o t ai or tve i an i . The FCCPA expl ty al i l l t coud t awar punii dam ages Fl St t j ci ows he o d tve a. a . . 559. 2 .To ob ai punt e damagesf vi at o t FCCPA, h pl n i mu t 77( ) t n iv i or ol i f he on t e ait # s est i t t def abl hat he endantact wih m al ous i ent Tal sh ed t i ci nt l ahassee Til Co.v.Dean, te . 1 I hi deposii , Pl ntf al t ii ext vel abouthow t n s ton ai if so estfed ensi y he Def endant debtcol i actvii caused hi fancee t calof t rengagem ent s' l on i tes ect si o l f hei . Cr po Dep. 78:- 7: Th c Iav t ej yt as es t c e bit ofMr es at 9 8 25. e oud e es h ur o s s he r di ly i . Cr espo' s or aboutShei Pi and hi br s t y l per a s oken engagem ent . 1 2 411So.d 20 205 ( a. s . . 1 )( in Hari v. 2 4, Fl Dit Ct App.982 ct g r Bene ii Fi Co.o i s fcal p. f J k on ie,3 So. *9 20 ( a.97 ) ' ie ..i t a wr f ac do ac s vl 38 2d 1 6, 0 FI 1 6). Mal . mpors ong ul t ne l c t ifitij yorwi ou a r onabe c s orex us ' Dean a 205 0 o n l nur c t t eas h l au e c e. ' t - 6. I O pposii Pl ntf s at t he i entted t punii dam ages undert n ton, ai if t es hat s il o tve he FCCPA because Merdi 'm per i an ' i sonat ator ed t neys . . . used t nam e ' ofi he I aw f ce' know i f l l hatconsum er lk m e woul t t t m ean t ator ng ulwelt s ie d ake hat o hat t neyswer e cali and ...di t s i entonal wih r ess di egar f how t consum er l ng, d hi nt i l t eckl y, sr d or he woul t such r esent i ' Cr d ake epr atons. espo Af $ 1 Th Cour fn t tont i ' f 3. e t ids ha hs . r d,Pl ntf as t non- ng pary,has notpr ecor ai it he movi t esent sufi entafimatve ed fci fr i evi dence t suppor mal ous i enton t par ofMerdi . See Si m ons v.W ash. o t i ci nt he t i an m M ut Fi ,l ,No.8: CV. n. nc. 06- 01613JDW TBM , 2007 W L 6 01, t* ( D. a.Feb. 411 a 2 M. Fl 2 200 ( ol ngt tPl n i di no esabl h mal i s it tent l h t pu t e 6, 7) h di ha aitf d t t i f s i ou n en ii er o niv c tng i dam agesw hen she m er y al el l eged t def hat endants r es atves i entonal and ' epr ent i nt i l y wif l har lul l y assed Pl ntf i an abusi manneron num er occasi by atem ptng ai if n ve ous ons t i t c l ta d tt t'h De en tkn w t Pl n i di n o '. c digl, o ol ec eb ha ' e f dan e he ait f d ot we' Ac or n y t f ) Mer an' mo i f s i s t or ummar j men i g an ed ast Coun l,n s f asPl n if di on y udg t s r t o t l i o ar ait f m ay notseek punii dam ages undert FCCPA tve he . 11 CO NCLUSI 1. ON I l oft f egoi i i ORDERED AND ADJUDG ED as f l ni ght he or ng, t s ol ows: 13 1. De en tTh Br ch el La Gr P. ' Mo i f Su f dan e a f d w oup, C. ton or mmar Ju S y dgmen ( t DE 34 i DENI I PART and GRANTED I PART; )s ED N N AI cl m s i Pl ntf Com pl ntagai tDef I ai n ai ifs ai ns endantThe Br el Law G r , achf d oup P. sur ve exceptf Pl ntf' cl m s underCountIIt Br el C. vi or ai i s ai f I hat achf d t eat hr ened t t I o ake egalacton agai Pl ntf; i nst ai if 3. Def endantM erdi M anagem entSol i , LLC' Moton f Sum m ar i an utons S i or y J dgme t( 35 i DENI I PART AND GRANTED I PART; u n DE ) s ED N N and 4. AIcl m s i Pl ntf' Com pl ntagai tDef I ai n ai ifs ai ns endantM erdi Managem ent i an Sol i utons,LLC sur ve exceptf Pl ntf' cl ms underCount1 f punii vi or ai ifs ai 1 or tve dam ages. DO NE AND O RDERED i Cham ber at or Lauder e,Br n s t dal owar Count d y, ti dyo s pe e, hs a f etmb r2011. lf Fl i orda, I JAM E 1 CO HN . Unie St es Di rctJudge t at st i 1 4

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