Leon v. Tapas & Tintos, Inc. et al, No. 1:2014cv21133 - Document 23 (S.D. Fla. 2014)
Court Description: ORDER granting in part and denying in part 17 Motion to Dismiss. Plaintiff is granted leave to amend the complaint in accordance with this Order, and must do so by no later than 10/29/2014. Plaintiff must also file his written notice consenting to become a party member by no later than 10/29/2014. Defendants must file both a motion to dismiss, should it choose to do so, and an answer to the amended pleading by no later than 11/20/2014. Signed by Judge Federico A. Moreno on 10/7/2014. (rtn)
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Leon v. Tapas & Tintos, Inc. et al Doc. 23 UNI TED STATES DI STRI COURT FOR THE CT SO UTH ERN D I STRI OF FLO RI A CT D M im iDi son a vii Cas Number 14e : 21133- V- ORENO CI M REm ALDO SEGUN DO LEON , a nd a 1 1 sm ia l s t t d i vi s i l ry- iua e ndi dual , Pl n if aitf , TAPAS & TI NTOS, m C. a NI nd COLAS D. J USTO,i vi ly, ndi dua l De e nt . f nda s / O R DER G M N TI G I PA RT A N D D EN YI G I PAR T M O TI N TO D I I N N N N O SM SS Pli ifRenado Se antf i l gundoLe brngst sa tonagans De e nt Ta & Ti os l , on i hi c i i t f nda s pas nt ,nc. ar sa a and ba l t i M im iBea h, a i tN iol sJ t diecorand owneroft e t ur nt r ocaed n a c and ga ns c a uso, r t he r sa a .Pli ifa lge hewa e pl dbyt De e nt be we nM a c 2006a e t ur nt antf le s s m oye he f nda s t e rh ndNove r mbe 2011 a t t hi dute i uded f , nd ha s is ncl ood pr r ton,cooki di hw a hi cl a ng,a epa a i ng, s s ng, e ni nd j nio i lwo k. l hi Fis Ame de Co li ,Plitf alg sDee d nsfie t pa a t ra r n s rt n d mp ant an if l e fn a t ald o y e ovetmei vi ai oft FarLa Stndar Ac ( ri n olton he i bor a ds t Count la 1)i opel rtlaeda i t s nd 1,mpr ry eait gans Plitf i voaino Fl. tt j4 0.0 ( u t 1) mica sfe Plitf i p y n h m a a an if n ilt f a S a. 4 2 5 Co n 11, s lsiid an if n a i g i s n o i e nde tc r c orr t rt n a ge r le pl e i vi aton oft Fl rda De e i a nd pe n onta t ahe ha ne a m oye n ol i he o i c ptve nd Unfi Trde Pr tc s Ac ( unt l , a is d fa e t rt ns ba e on t s ar a acie t Co V) nd sue rudulnt ax eur sd hi mica sfc to i v oaino 2 U. 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Pli tf m us alo fl hi wrte notc c entng t o y a e ha t 201 a n if t s ie s itn ie ons i o bec omeapa t m e ry mberbyno lt rt n O c obe 29.2014.De e nt mus tl bo h amoto t a e ha t r f nda s t ie t in o dimi s s d i c s s , houl t hoos t do s a an a we t t a nde pl di by no lt r t n e o o, nd ns r o he me d ea ng a e ha N o be 20. 4. vem r 201 Le St gal andar d W he r i on a moton t dim is a c tmus vi w t compli i t lghtm os n ulng i o s s , our t e he ant n he i t f vor bl t t pl ntf a ac ep t pl ntf swel- e dedf t astue.Se StJos ph'Hos , a a e o he ai if nd c t he ai if lpla acs r e . e s p. l c v Ho p. r o , 9 F.d9 8, 3( 1hCi. 9 6 .Thi tn th we e , o sn t p l n . . s Co p.fAm.7 5 2 4 95 1 t r 1 8 ) s e e, o v r d e o a py t lg l o cu i n .S eAs c o v I b l 1 9S. . 9 7, 9 ( 0 9 .M o e v r Swl ielg l o e a c n lso s e h rh .q a , 2 Ct 1 3 1 49 2 0 ) ro e ,t hl e a l c l i c n pr de t f a wor of a compl i ,t y mus be s oncusons a ovi he r me k ant he t uppore by f c ua td at l alg to . l a 1 5 Tho e'ta t a alg to smu t ee o g t riearg torle a v le ains' d t 9 0. s 'l cu l l ain s b n u h o as ih t eif bo e ' l e t s c a i lve on t as umpton t taloft c he pe ultve e l he s i ha l he ompli ' alegai a e t e. 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Fl J 30, 1 .I Schai r t Cour f t tPli if prn , 245 M D. a.une 201 ) n nbe g,he tound ha antf tha me el r pe t t sa ut y lnguag ve ba i a ng not ng ele i t wa off c ua k s r y e aed he tt or a e r tm, ddi hi s n he y a t l mat , t di i t algai t bec us y. 201 W L306229 a * l Ru ht t ter' hus kndgngjhe le tons o oncl or ' 2 ' t ' 2 t 3. n s on,he Cour f t oundt t ai ifç sf ie t al gean f ct t s ha Pl ntf i a ld o le ha y a s o uppor t ec l or sa e thes onc us y tt ment,' nd s'a t tSa meercttonoft eeme si i ufi e t saeacai '2011W L 2601 45a *2. ha t j r e iai l he l nt s ns tcint o tt l m. ' 2 t To e t bls a prma f ci c ef f iur t pa ove tme c sa ih i a e as or a l e o y ri ompe a i a orm i mum ns ton nd/ ni wa unde FLSA, e oye mus de tat $ 1 a e oyme r ai hi ( t t ges r an mpl e t monsr e;t ) n mpl nt eltons p, 2) hathe ( e oye enga di i ertt c mpl r ge n nt sae ommec a ( t tt e oye wor ove f t hour pe re, nd 3) ha he mpl e ked r ory s r wee but snot dove tm ewa s'M or v Fami Dolarst e , nc.551F. 1 k wa pai ri ge .' gan . l y l or s l , 3d 233,1 277 n.68( 1hCi.2008) W ihrs ctt t t r ee nt Pli ifhass fcentyalege t the 1t r . t e pe o he hid lme , antf ufii l l d ha w o ked ove f t hour pe w e k butw a notpai ove tm e. W ih r s c t t fr t e e e , r r ory s r e s d ri t e pe t o he i s l m nt Pli if has s tce l de onsr t a e pl antf ufi inty m taed n m oyme r l tons p be wee hi s l a ea h nt e ai hi t n m ef nd c Dee nt Under29 U. C.j203 çe oye ' i dei aska i vi le o d b a fnda . S. , smpl e' s fned ûny ndi dua mplye y n e o r' a ' m pl r' sdefne asi ny pe s a tng diec l ori r ty i t i e e tof mpl ye , nd f oye 'i i d s ' e a r on c i r ty ndiecl n he nt r s a e pl ri r lton t a e pl e. Ast De e ntJ t Pl ntf a lgesM r J t i t n m oye n ea i o n m oye ' ' o f nda uso, ai if le . uso s he diecora owne ofTa & Ti os ai iff rhe a lgest tDefnda J t al wih r t nd r pas nt .Pl ntf ' t r le u ha e nt uso, ong t Ta a & Tit s ç a a s l t c nr l v rPan ifsh u so wo k't tsth wo kp ro d p s n o ,d d b o ue o to o e litf o r f r s ha t l e r ef nne h ' l b Pl ntf wasa it r pm'of heDe e y ai if n n eg al t t f ndan s busnes , a t tt ai ifpe f t ' i s' nd ha i ntf ronne hi wor ' pl d s k e iey a t De e nt ' f c lte a us d De e nt 'equi e a s i s' Thi i ntr l t he f nda s a iiis nd e f nda s pm nt nd upple . ' s s s fiintoe tbl hDee d nsa t mp o es' n e F A.Se , . , v r zPe e v S n o d u fce t sa i fn a t s ' l y r 'u d r LS s e e eg.Ala e r z . a f r Oran Kenne Cl ,I .51 F. 11 11 ( 1hCi.2008)(i ngt a i vi lwho l do l ub nc, 5 3d 50, 60 1 t r tndi hat n ndi dua i ivol d i t t y-o- y ope a i 'ofac s n ve n he i t da da r ton' ompa o who hasçs edie tr ponsbiiy f r ny r 'om r c es i lt o t s pevii ofa e oye 'ma bec i rda Se oye'unde t saut) he u r son n mpl e' y onsdee n çmpl r' r he tt e . W ih rs ctt t s c elme ,duq rt FLSA,an e oye i rquie t pay t e pe o he e ond e nt ç nde he g mpl r s e rd o o tme c veri ompe a i i t e o c n esa ih e e prs c r ori vi lc r ge. ns ton f he mpl yee a t bls ntr i e ove age ndi dua ove a ' ' Thor v AIRe t atonSe vie ,I .448F.d 1 4,1 66(11hCi. .Fordndi dual ne . I sor i r c s nc, 3 26 265t r2006) ç vi i c rge't a yunde t FLSA,a e oye mus ha be n(1 e ovea 'o ppl r he n mpl e t ve e ) ngage i commer or( dn ce 2) e ge i t pr tonofgoodsf c nga d n he oduci or ommece. U. C.j207()(ttngS empl rs l r 29 S. a sai t no oye hal e oy a ofhi e pl eswho ..i e ag i c mer e ori t pr ton ofgoods f mpl ny s m oye . s ng ed n om c n he oduc i or c omm e c ..orawor ek l ert n f t hour u es s h e pl er e ve compe a i re .f kwe ong ha ory s nl s uc m oye ec i d ns ton a art nols t nonea onehaftme t r ulrrt' . t ae e s ha nd - l i s he eg a ae' ) F rn vd a c v rg ,s l e o e i e g g di c mmec ih ie g g di a t t s o idiiu l o ea e ta n mply e s n a e n o re f e s n a e n ci i l vie t tc tt e i e s at c m e c notm er l af e ti.'Thomps v Robi on I . 2007 W L ha ons iut nt r t e om r e, e y f c t' on . ns , nc , 271 ,a * ( . Fl Se .1 2007)(ii Thor ,448F. at1 ) û e oye mus 4091 t 3 M D. a. pt 7, ctng ne 3d 266 . $ mpl e t An tie typa tcpag)i t a ua move ntofpe s ort ngsi i e sae c dr cl rii te n he ct l me rons hi n ntrtt ommeceby() r i - 4- wo kn f r a isnmznai of itrtt c mme c , . o (i b rg lry u ig te r ig o n n t e tly t ne sae o re . r i y e ua l sn h . ) i tume alte ofi e sat c me ce i hi wor e. ,r gul and r c r ntus ofi e sa e nsr nt iis ntr t e om r n s k, g. e ar e ure e nt rt t tl phone t e a ma l, ta l''d tGoodsc s t m ovei i e sat c ee ,elgr ph, is or r ve .'l s ea e o n ntr t e omm e c onc t y r e e he ra h t cuso rf whom t yaei e 'l ( tngThor 448F. a 1 ) Thus a e c he tme or he r ntnded. d cii ' ne, 3d t 267 . ,n e oy rwho d c e goodst tpr vi l m o i i e sae c mpl e s has s pur ha e ousy ved n ntr t t omm e cef i r sa eus ' r or nta t t e' ora e o ewho'e gelli an f t ri rsaemove ntoft goodsgs no covee n mplye snga s n y urhe ntatt me he il t rd unde t Ac .' d r he t'I I t sca e Pli ifsdute i udedf pr aton, n hi s , antf ' i s ncl ood epar i cooki dihwas ng, e ng, ng, s hi cl ani a dj nio ilwo k.Pli t falg st th wa id vd al e a e i c mmec b c u eh n a tra r ani le e ha e s n i iu ly ng g d n o re e a s e f r gul l ha e a wor d o goodsa matra st twe em ove ac os sa elne .Ho ve , e ary ndl d nd ke n nd e i l ha r d r s tt i s we r i a a st tDe e antTa s & Ti os a r saur nt pr pa e f t be s r ed i t l a t ppe r ha f nd pa nt , e t a , e r s ood o e v n he oc l r t ur nt Pl ntf doe not l t t hef l e r t esa a ; ai if s alege ha t ood atr e unwdt i e sa ec o ntr tt omm e c Theme ef c r e. r at t tt f od ma ha pa s i i e sa ecommer e prort a rvi att r s a a doe not ha he o y ve s ed n nt rt t c i o ri ng he e t ur nt s m e n t tt Pli ifwase ged i c a ha he antf nga n omm e c f i vi r e or ndi dualc r .Thomps 2007 W L ove age on, 271 ,a #3; eealoMari v Brce 201 W L 2587484( D. a. une1 201 ;fo zv. 4091 t s s tn . i no, 4 S. Fl J 0, 4) pe T p Chfl v,I c, 0 7 W L 4 47 4 ( D. a No 3 ,2 0 ) ih r s c t ds wah n , o e n . n .2 0 2 6 S. Fl. v. 0 0 7 .W t e pe t o ih s i g ce nig a dj nt ra wo k Plitf smi ryh sn talg d ta a y ç o d a d mae il, la n , n a io il r , anif i l l a o le e h t n i o s n tras' a g ' wha e rt e ma be,we e lt rr t ne t i e sa e c t ve hos y r a e e ur d o nt rt t omm e ce Pli if t r f e,ha not r . antf , he e or s e t bls i vi s a i hed ndi dualc r ge ove a . 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C.j203() Fore eprs c r ,Sheg mus ha move i c S. s. ntr ie oveage i oods t ve t d n ommec a s tme re t ome i ; t y do notha t be c r nty movi i c he ve o ure l ng n omm e c ' Thomps 2007 W L 271 r e.' on, 4091 at*3. , M or ove ,Cong es ' a ton i 1 oft wo dséo m a e i s't t saut e e r r ss ddii n 974 he r tr t ral' o he t t e xpande t d he n mb r f mp o e s u j c t t eAc. g.Poyc r v E&SLa d cpigs r ieI c, 6F.d u e o e ly r s be t o h tF. , l ape . n s a n e vc , n .61 3 1 1 ,1 ( 1hCi. 0)(ntmr tngS tras' dool orot ra tce ne e s r f dong 2 7 224 1 t r 201 i e ei ç eil'as ç s he rils c s ay or i ma t o ma ngs mehi 'orc r ki o t ng'f ommecilpur es. r a pos ) The Cour fndsi r s bl t i e t t fr t goods orm a e i l us d i Ta & Ti os t i t ea ona e o nf r ha , i s , t r a s e n pas nt move i i ert t c d n nt sae omm e c bef et ywer de i r t t r t ur nt ors c r e or he e lve ed o he esa a , e ond,ha t g t t he oods orm ae il han e byPl i ifi hi va i dutes-f pr aton,cooki dihwa hi tra s dld antf n s rous i ood epar i ng, s s ng, ce nig, nd a io il r - r i c sayf r on o ma i gs mehig'o t er sa r ts la n a j n tra wo k wee t e s r o d ig r k n o t n 'f rh e tu = ' ne c omm e cal pos s Fo t s r s ns Pl i ifhass fce l alege e e rs c r gea t r i pur e . r he e ea o , antf ufi inty l d nt m ie ove a the moi nt d s s sa e Se Lo z 2 0 W L 4 4 6 a * (idn e tr rs c v rg s tsid ; to o imis tg . e pe, 0 7 2 7 4 t 2 fn ig n ep ie o ea e aife ) Dizv J gu rRe t r n Gr u LLC,6 F.u p. 1 4 ,1 4648 ( D. a 2 0 )( n ig a . a a sau a t o p, 49 s p zd 3 3 3 - S. Fl. 0 9 t dn i r sa r n e o e sh n ldmae il i c mmec a dweet eeo es b e tt FLS . e tu a t mply e a de tras n o re n r h rf r u j c o A) Ac or ngl De e nt 'M oton t Dimi sast Co sland 1 i de ed. c di y, f nda s i o s s o unt 1 s ni I. I Dee nt'M oton t Dimisast CountI I( t i or Dicharge i Gr ed fnda s i o s s o I Re alat y s ) s ant W ihoutPr j c t eudie. De e ntar ue t tPl ntf ha f ie t sae a cai f r t it y dic r unde f nda g s ha ai if s al d o t t l m or e ala or s ha ge r Se ton 440. ci 205,Fl r da St t es U nde t s a ut ,t o e pl r s l di c g t e t n t oi a ut . r he t t e t m oye ha l s har e, hr a e o N di c r e, i i i t or c c a e pl e by r as of s h e pl ees va i cl m f s ha g ntm da e, oer e ny m oye e on uc m oy ' ld ai or co pe a i ora t m p t cl i c pe a i unde t W or rsCom pe a i Law . Fl St t m ns ton te t o a m om ns ton r he ke ' ns ton ' a. a . ' - 6- j440. Tosaeaprmafci c ef rt it ydichageunde Fl Stt j440. Pli if 205. tt i a e as or ealaor s r r a. a . 205, antf mus s t the( )e gedi saut iypr e tdaci t ( a a s empl t how ha 1 nga n tt orl otce tviy, 2) n dvere oymen a ton t ci o ure a ( t ad rea tonwa ca al rltdt t Pl ntf spr ecedaci te . tl cc rd, nd 3)he ves ci s us ly eae o he ai if ot t tviis Lite v Unie Te hnolgis 1 F. 956, 9( 1h Ci.997) s ealoSir n iv.Tr out Fi . td c o e , 03 3d 95 1 t r1 ; e s e misk ans h n. Cop.21 F.d9 , 0 9 ( 1hCi.0 0 (fi n a p iaino Ti eVlrtlaina ay i r , 6 3 45 95 - 51 1 t r2 0 ) afnnig p lc to f t l eaito n lss l t rtlaor dic r cli unde Fl i saesaut) o eait y s hage am r orda tt tt e . Pli ifc antf once s he o y fl d a f tton f W o ke ' Compe ato Be ft' on or de nl ie s ii or r rs pe ns i n ne is' ar und J y 1 201 r o ul 3, 3, oughl t nt m ont a trhi empl ym e e y we y hs fe s o nt nded wih De e nt. Thi t f nda s s a tviy i c e ry pr eced u rt sat e butf r obvi r a ons f is t s i f t c us l ci t s l a l ot t nde he t ut , o ous e s a l o atsy he a a r lton whe et adve s a ton occ r d welbe or t pr e t a tviy. ea i r he re ci ure l f e he ot ced c i t Ra he ,Pl i tf s e s t a l ge t hi t ot c e a t viy' r l t t hi r ue t t t r a n if e m o le hat s s e t d c i t ' e a es o s eq s s o pr De e d nst p y fro ttn ig me ia blsse n fo a ij r s sane d rn hs fn a t o a o usa dn dc l i tmmig r m n n u y u ti d u i g i l e o me t nNo e e 5 2 1 Healg sh p t an if nn tc o t sij r i daey mply n o v mb r , 01 . l e e u Plitf o oie fhi n u y mme itl, e andt thewa t na e onNove r21 2011 t a r ee o e a ton -bec us oft ha s enni t d mbe , - he dve s mplym nt c i a e he r peaedr quess l es e e Pl i ifa gue t tt iyi De e nt hi a ci nf'lr e t e t . n s nc , antf r s ha s f ng f nda of s c de t oughor l not z a r que t f pa e ss or yment medial lsconsiut aS i cai f c of c bil tt es l d l m or ompe atonoratemptt cai val ns i t o lm c ompe a in u rt W or rsCompe a i Law. ns to nde he ke ' ns ton ' ' Pl ntf ha f l t pl d s fcintf t t s ai if s aied o ea ufi e ac s o uppor t c l ol a s ri t twhe he t he onc us y s e ton ha n ' ii d Def nda ofhi a ci nt he wa as e tng a vai cli f wor s c l te not e nt s c de , s s ri ld a m or ker ' ompe ai ' ns ton.' Ame Co . t!61. Fort s ras ,heCour grnt t Motont Dimisa t Coun Il nd. mpla 1 he e e ons t t a s he i o s s s o tl 1Court t oughoutFl i and i t sditi have c it nty i er et t sat e t pr ect s hr orda n hi srct onss e l nt pr ed he t ut o ot empl oyeesa ns r alaton f flng orûpur ui 'wor rs compens i cl ms.f. ,Smih v.Pi gai t et i i or ii t s ng' ke ' aton ai g. t ezo T c olg an Prf s ina Ad 's 42 So. d 1 2 l 4( a.1 3)(çO) lgsau eh spr c ie e hn o y d o e so l m r , 7 2 8 , 8 F1 98 ç ur e ilt r a os rb d ( wi o tp eu ie Plitf i g a tdla t a n t alg fcss p o t hi a s rint a t u rj dc . anif s rne e ve o me d o l e a t u p ri s se t h t h e ng o he a s re a vald cli f wo ke s c s e td i am or r r ' ompens ton whe he sm pl no ii d De e ai n i y tfe f ndan oft t he a ci nt Fore m pl Pl ntf c n a lge f ct t de onsr t t ta at es d m at rhe i c de . xa e, ai if a le a s o m tae ha s hr hol te s e il t me c lbene isundert r e tsa u e. ntted o dia ft he elvan t t t 11 De e a s M o i t Dimisa t Co tI ( o a ino FDUTPA)i Gr ntdwih 1. f nd nt' ton o s s s o un V Vil to f s a e t Pr j c eudie. l CountI Pli ifal ge De e n V, antf le s f ndan smi cas ii dhi a a fi pende c r cor' t s l sfe m s n tnde nt onta t , ' whe hewa i f c a houry empl e,i vi aton oft Fl i De e i a Unf i Tr de n s n at n l oye n ol i he orda c ptve nd ar a Prctc Ac ( a ies t FDUTPA) Asars ti addii t notr c vi pa ntofo ri hour due . e ul,n ton o e ei ng yme vetme s t t al ge m icls ii ton,Pli ifwa una et fl pr pe i om etx r t r a l tt o he le d s a sfcai antf s bl o ie o r nc a e u ns nd os he be isofwihhed txes Def nda sal Pl ntf l kssa ng unde FDUTPA bec us he neft t l a . e nt lege ai if ac t ndi r a e mus be ac um e unde t saut t ons r r he t t e. Th e p e sp r s o FDUTPA i Sto p o e tt e c n u n p bl a lgtmae e x r s u po e f s l l r tc h o s mig u i nd e ii t g c busnes e e prs fom t ewho e gei u armet i s ntr ies r hos nga n nf i hodsofc pe ii orunc c o bl om tton, ons i na e, de ptve orunfi acsorprci s i t co uc ofa tade or c ce i , ar t a tce n he nd t ny r ommec ' Fl Stt j re. a. a . ' 5 . 2 2 ; e as 5 .0 4 )(u te d fnn p r os a % kEn )saec n u rp oe to 0120 4 ) se lo 012 2 3 frh r ei ig u p e s s ig tt o s me r tcin ma a e or e t c it wih esa ihe polces of f de a lw r l tng t c ume nd nf c men ons sent t tbls d ii e r l a e ai o ons r p oe to .)(mp a i a d d .Se to 5 . 1 4 )p o ie ta,Sin a ya t n b o g tb a r tcin' e h ss d e ) ci n 012 12 r vd s h t s l n ci r u h y ' l o pe s who ha s f e al sa ar s tofavi a i f t spa ts hpe sonm a r c era ual r on s ufer d os s e ul olton o hi r, uc r y e ov ct d ma e r '( mp a i a d d .I 2 01 t etnn t e s n'e a e tefr rtnn,'o s me , a g s.'e h ss d e ) n 0 ,h e l ro 'rplc d h o me e ç n u r' j p c ' awr g ul s hagebe a s ofa e o e' p s tofawor r ' ompe ai cam.) Pli if on f dic r c u e n mplye s urui ke s c ns ton li ' . antf ' hasf l t ciet acas s aied o t o e upportng t noton t si pl Cnotf ng Def i he i hat m y l iyi endantofhi acci ' s dent' cons iut a vald wor s compens ton cl m . tt es i ker ' a i ai - 8- a c t ha notbe ncla t whet rt same e expa nd ours ve e e ras o he hi ndm nt ndedt sa ut t non- ns r . he tt e o co ume s TheCour l t ookst t l sa i hit y an r e diti c tde ii nst fnd t tt o he egiltve sor d ec nt srct our c so o i ha he t r ç ron, whiebr de ngt s opeofFDUTPA,sila iso yt co um e s l Car ol e m û s ' l oa ni he c pe ' tl pple nl o ns r . n r l v ftwcçHomeCentr ,l .201 W L 1 . p . e s nc, 4 928669( D.Fl.M a 6,201 ,t dititcou tf nd S. a y 4) he src r ou t ti helgiltvehit r oft 2001a e e i c t st Fl rdaLe sa ur di noti e ha d e sa i so y he t m ndm nt ndi a e he o i gilt e d ntnd t e nd t FDUTPA t non- ons r . l at* Ra he ,thepu os oft ame m e wa o xpa he o c ume s' d ' 3. t r l t m e he nd nt s t clrf ha r m e e av l et i vi l unde heFDUTPA a ea s a ia et busnes e .' o a iyt t e di s aiabl o ndi dua s rt r l o va lbl o i s s' I co i t t sc ncuson,t dititc t t t t Hous ofRe e e ai sComm it eon n m ng o hi o l i he src our cied o he e pr s nt tve te Ag i ulu e& Cons rAfaisAnal i, 685, a c 1 2001 pa 4, r i t c rc t r ume f r yss HB M r h 2, , ge whe en he omm it tee ( e s ned t tt t r S r on' i undert t i ude busnes e ,s c ng ng Sons r t i ao r ha he e m t s ' s pe sood o ncl i s s o ha i c ume ' o l r on'woul ca iyt tr medisa lbl t i vi l ar a s a ia e t busnes e .' d. pe s d lrf ha e e vaia e o ndi dua s e lo val bl o i s s'1 (ii Se t St fAnal i a Ec ctng nae af yss nd onomi l c Sttme ,CS/ 208,Mach22,2001 pa c mpa t ae nt SB r , ge 6 .Thedititc the ctdt numeousot ditit r c essmiaryfndi zI e t s ) src ourt n ie o r her src cou t as i l l i ng. nde d,hi vr e ycour hasc e t t t t om o ha conc uson. l k seepi r st so tum, nc v M e c de Be US LLC, nec e con r i I . . r e s- nz A, 2 3W L 1 6 5 , t#12( D. l. rl 5 2 3 (Al o g FDUTPA ma e tn t prtc 01 78 3 6 a - S. F a Ap i 2 , 01 ) ' t u h l h y xe d o o e t busnes e iisbys h vi atvepr c ies 1tha noa iaton t e iisc i s ntte uc ol i a tc , i s pplc i o ntte ompl ni oft tous ai ng ori c onduc whih i nott r ul ofaco ume ta a i '' (iai omit . t c s he es t ns r rnscton.' ctton ted) ) 2 See, eg.I v ieStatgi Co . , nno atv r e c mmc's LLC v Vio ar ,I .20l W L 3l 58 ( . n, . r ph ma nc, 2 56 7 M D. Fl Au 3, 2 (e to 5 . 12) a a n d, p isonl t c s r ) Ke ts v Ne a. g. 201 ) s c in 0121 4 , s me de a ple y o on ume s ; re z . t Tan a to ,Lt , 5F. p.d1 39,1 5 ( D. a.00 (a )Do isv Sc ise tI .201 r s cins d.63 sup z 3 3 9 S. FI 2 9) s me; bbn . rp e,nc, 2 W L 60ll ( . Fl Fe 2 201 (n p nd n co ta t ale ngmica sfc to d sn th v 45 M D. a. b. 3, 2) ide e e t n rcor lgi s ls iiain oe o a e sa n un e j50121 ();/ Be c nPrp. tndig d r . 12)c a o o Mgmt,nc v PNR,Ic,8 S 2 2 ,2 ( a 4t I .. n . 90 o.d 74 78 Fl. h DCA 2 4)( tng tll Ia tt saec r d ciinsrr e e t i FDUTPA I ia i h vehedt t 00 noi ,ta t e s wo tt ou t e so -ae v n s n i g ton-a l ha t busi senttesmay notus FDUTPA f da agesactonsunl st i ve tans tonsi whi t nes ii e or m i es hey nvol r ac i n ch he bu ie se tt wa is fa tnga ac s mer'b tno ra higt eis e . sn s n iy s tel ci s on u y u t e c n h s u ) ' - 9- A dc umer'i one who ha enga d i t pur ha e ofgoodsors nic s Se N G. . lons ' s s ge n he c s e e. e L Tr e As ocats v Cel rt Cr s s I . 764 So. 672,674 ( a.3d DCA 2000 ;Natonal av l s i e . eb iy uie, nc, 2d Fl ) i Alo o im Pr g a / o rCj , a, n . . m S ig Hop.Emplye Be e Pln, 2 c h ls o r msco pe / Fl.I c v Pal prn s s z o e nht a 8 5 F. supp. 30 ( D. a.1 )Bas o t ale tonsi t Ame Compli , antf 299, 2-03 S. Fl 993 . ed n he lgai n he nded antPli if c nnotbe s i t be a S a ad o ç u e ,'as he ha not n0r ha he ale t hav e ag i a cons m r' s , s lged o e, ng ed n ny c ume ta a ton. Ac or ngl Pli ifdoes nothave s a ng t brng a cai ag ns ons r r ns c i c di y, a ntf t ndi o i l m ai t Dee d n sf rvoainof fn a t o ilt o FDUTP Th scam i d s se wi p eu ie3 A. i li s imis d t rj dc . h I V. De e a s M o in t Dimisa t Co V ( o a i o 26 U. C.j7 3 ( i fnd nt' to o s s s o unt Vi l ton f S. 4 4 *) s Grantd W ihPr j ceast Dee e t eudi o fndantJuso,and Grantd W ihoutPreudieast t e t j c o Dee f ndantTapas & Ti os nt . l Coun V,Pli ifale De e nt wif l fld a fa enti o ma i r t n due n t antf lges f nda s luly ie r udul nf r ton eur t De e o f ndan s i e i lm icl sfc tonofPl n ifasa i t ' nt ntona s as ii ai aitf n ndepe ntc r t r t rt n a nde ontacor ahe ha s a e oye i vi aton of26 U. C.j 7 4( . Asar ul,Pli ifalge Defnda sae n mpl e, n ol i S. 43 a) es t antf le s e nt r S tity la e't Pl ntf i a a s rc l ibl ' o ai if n n mounte lt t gr atrof$5, 00,ort s ofa ua s qua o he e e 000. he um ct l da gest Pl i if c t a r s bl a t ne 'f es De e nt a lge t twhe e net r ma o antf, oss nd ea ona e tor ys e . f nda s le ha r ihe Ta & Ti osorM r J t c nbec i r daS ier' t pu pore faudulntr t ', ndwhe e pas nt . uso a onsde e i l 'of he r td r f e eul a n r t t xco e nceas ocatd wiht flngof1 M I f he a ns que s i e t he ii 099- SC onnsC'ndie tywiht i vi ual çu r c l t he ndi d l r pori t i om eonhi pe s l a sa not hee iyis ngt f m ,' ai ifscli mus e tng he nc s r ona t xe nd t ntt sui he or 'Pl ntf am t be di m i s d. s se 3M or endantJus o, a show i off aud i or nar l r r i or t hol an t eover ast Def , o ng r s di iy equied n der o d i vi r ponsbl f t act ofacor aton.See Dani JaiAl Pal ,I v.Sykes,450 So.2d ndi dual es i e or he s por i a - ai ace nc. 11 4,l 20( a 1 4)(xpli ngt ta idi dua ma n b hedla ef t ea ton ofa 1 1 Fl. 98 e ani ha n n vi l y ot e l ibl or h ci s cor aton tunl si i shown t t c or ton w asor ze orempl por i û es t s hat he om a i gani d oyed t m i ea cr dior ort o sl d e t s o wolafa du o te ' .Plit fbig acam u d rF r ru p n h m.) ani rn s li n e DUTP a an t . ut , u h sfi dt L ' f A g is MrJ so b t a al o e pr de a f t s ovi ny ac ual uppor t alow t Courtt dr w t r t o l he o a he easonabl i er e t M r J t asan e nf enc hat . uso, ofi ofTapas& Ti os s d be i vi l labl f t ac i oft cor a i fcer nt , houl ndi dualy i e or he tons he por ton. 2 U.. j7 3 pr ie ,çifa ypes n wi f l flsafa d ln if nn t nr tm 6 SC. 4 4 ovd s s l n ro l ul ie ru u e t n o ai eu l l y o wih r s c t pa m e spum ore t bemadet an ot rperon,s ot rpe s m a brng a t e pe t o y nt td o o y he s uch he ron y i c vi a i f da esagans t pe s s flng s h r t m .' e t ih acli oftx fa i l cton or mag i t he ron o ii uc e u 'To sabls am a r ud unde 26U. C.j7434,Pl ntf mus pr ( )Dee nt is da i onnai rt n;2)The r S. ai if t ove: 1 fnda s sue n nf ton eur ( i or to r t wasfaudulnt a ( Dee nt wiluly is d a faudulnti or i nf main etma r e ; nd 3) fnda s lf l sue r e nf maton r ur Se r Ca aSala,l ,201 W L 61 et n. #o . s s nc. 3 84969 a * ( D. a. , t 7 S. Fl Nov.25,201 . 3) W ih r pec t t fr telm e ,t pa te c t es t o he is e nt he ri s once t tt 1 f de ha he 099 onnsa ei or ai n r nf m to rt s W ihr pe tt t scondee nt t Cour fndst f rt pur e of26U. C.j euna. t es c o he e lme ,he t i hat o he pos s S. 7434, ai if s fc e l lge t tDef nda Ta s& Ti osis dFor 1 M 1 sf Pl ntf has ufii ntyale d ha e nt pa nt s ue m 099- SC' or t pay e si ma t Pl ntf,a t t is d f m svi a e Se i n 7434 whe e Pli if he m nt t de o ai if nd hat he s ue or olt d cto r a ntf c d p o ry be c a sfe a a e oye r t rt n a i pende c r ct . Howeve , oul r pe l l s ii d s n mpl e ahe ha n nde nt onta or r Pli ifpr desno f cua s antf ovi a t l uppor t tDe e ntJ t wa aflroft a lgedfa en r t n tha f nda uso s ie he le r udul t e ur f m,ltaoneaknowi fl rofa fa e f m .I e Pl ntf at c ce t n 1 M I or e l ng ie r udulnt or nde d, ai if ta hes rai 099- SC f mst t Am e d Compli ,unde whih De e ntTa s& Ti osi lsedast i ye .' or o he nde ant r c f nda pa nt s it he s r' pa W ihr pec t t t r elm e , ai ifha f ie t a lges fcintf c st co l t t t es to he hid e ntPl ntf s al d o le ufi e a t o ncude ha ete Dee d n wilul o f a d lnl is e flertr .W hi c s 1w i Fo i ad susig ih r fn a t l l çr u u e t su d as eu ns fy y l a e a n lrd ic sn e t pladi sa r f rflng fa en t x r ur unde Se i 7434 i s r e cic tc t he e ng t nda d o ii r udul t a et ns r cton s pa s , r ui ours a o t cou r ha f und t ttwilul s 'i t c e oft s a ut l onnot avol a y, r und he nt y ve o ha s lf ne s' n he ont xt he t t e s c es unt r i t nto l oltonofalgal y, a t t a fa t c l r uiesSi en i na wr n e ina vi a i e dut ' nd ha t x r ud ypialy eq r tnt to l ongdoi ' ' ng.' V nhee v Ve c o,541Fe Appx.577,580( h Ci.201 ( tngMace v Comm ',48 ande de . c hi d. 6t r 3) cii il . r 9 F. 1 8 1 26( hCi. 3d 01 , 0 9t r 2007) Gr ; anadov.Comm ',792F. 91, (t Ci.1 ).Theeor r 2d 93 7h r 986) rf e, a t m oton t di m i s s ag d he com pl nt m us c ai s cii a l ga i s pori a t he i o s s t e, s t ai t ont n pe fc le tons up tng plusbl i ee et t( fndantlwilul fldf s i or i r ur .' a i e nfrnc ha Dee s lf ly ie ale nf maton et ns' W hiePl i ifhaspr vi d f c st s hema bea l mpl e' l antf o de a t o how y n i oye 'unde FLSA e ildt e r ntte o t i s nc ofW - f m s he ha f ie t i ude s ii f c ss ppori a i e e e ofs i t r he s ua e 2 or , s a l d o ncl pec fc a t u tng n nf r nc c en e , ie. ha De e nt wiluly fl faudulnti o ma i r t ns Ba eas e tonst tDef nt . t t f nda s lf l ied r e nf r ton eur . r s ri ha enda s t w't r t r t bef le, t tPl ntf r quese t tDe e nt payhi a an e oye i kne 'he e u ns o a s or ha ai if e t d ha f nda s m s mpl e wihouts ii f c sa t t who, t whe wh o how s r t pecfc a t s o he wha , n, y r uroundi t a t lflngofr t ns ng he c ua ii e ur - d e n tme tt e sa d r f rp e dn tx fa d. C An lpo lsv Ke so e Orh pe i o s o e h tn ad o la ig a r u / geo uo . y tn to dc S ci it,S. ,201 W L 292578 ( D.11 J n.23,201 ( nyi moton t dimiswhee pe alss C. 4 N. 1. a 4) de ng i o s s r Pl i ifa a ntf dvanc d s t ntalalega i ns det ii t w il u f lng off a e ubs a i l to a lng he lf l ii r udul ntr t ns û n hi e e ur ; s s l t ry-ihtpa c ai a i t t rysxpa sofata hmens( c t Cour te t aspa t hit eg ge ompl nt nd n he hit i ge tc t whih he tras r o t c ant,Ang opoul lysouti gr tdeai t e c a f he ompli ) el os a n ea t l he xa t mount t thealeg ae s ha l es r fa r udul nt t w a i whi h hebe i vest tHal de i t e f l e fgur s t da eon whi h H a l e , he y n c le ha l rved hes a s i e , he t c l a D ubi s it t faud e f lng t t I and t m otve t t D e e nd n ubm ted he r ul nt ii o he RS, he i s ha f ndan s had i t n s ti t m.) Fore mpl Pli ifat hesc rai 1 M l fr t hi c antbut ubmitng he ' . ' xa e, antf tac e t n 099- SC oms o s ompli , f is t ale de ais r ga di how s r t ns a e f s o f a a l o l ge t l e r ng uch e ur r al e r r udul ntot rt n t pur td e he ha he pore m icls ii a i orde a l r r ng a knowi a * 151 flngby eihe De enda . s a sfc ton, t is ega di ny ng nd 1 1 ii t r f nt Ac or ngl CountV i dimisd wihoutprj c ast Defnda Tapa & Ti os c di y, s s se t eudie o e nt s nt . Pl i ifi g a e l a t a e o add s cii aleg tonss a ntf s r nt d e ve o m ndt pe fc l a i uppori tngTa s& Ti os w 11 1 a pa nt ' 11 1 nd know i i s nc off a ng s ua e r udul nti or a i r t ns W ih r s c t D e e ntJ t Co V i e nf m ton e ur . t e pe t o f nda us o, unt s ds se wi p eu iea Pli tf h sfie t s t o t asn l alg to a t wh M r J t imisd t rj dc s an if a ald o e f rh ige le ain s o y . uso h s d be hel labl houl d i e. C oncl on usi Fort r ons pr ded above,i i AD JUD G ED t : he eas ovi ts hat ( )Dee ntsM otont Dimisa t Countl( olton ofFLSA a i tTa & 1 fnda ' i o s s so Vi ai gans pas Ti os a Count1 ( oltonofFLSA a i tNi asJ t i DENI nt ) nd 1 Vi ai gans col uso) s ED. ( Dee ntsMotont Dimisa t Countll( tlaoyDichagea i tTa s& 2) fnda ' i o s s s o I Reaitr s r gans pa Tit )i GRANTED W I nos s THOUT PREJ CE. UDI ()Dee ntsM otont Dimisast CountI ( oltonofFDUTPA ag ns Ta s 3 fnda ' i o s s o V Vi ai ai t pa & Ti osa NiolsJ t)i GRANTED W I PREJ CE. nt nd c a uso s TH UDI ( )Dee d n ' Moi n t Dimisa t Co n V ( oain o 2 U. C.j 7 3 )i 4 fn a ts to o s s s o u t Vilto f 6 S. 44 s GRANTED W I PREJ CE as t Niol s J t a GM NTED W I TH UDI o c a uso nd THOUT PREJ I ast Ta & Ti os UD CE o pas nt . Pl i ifi gr nt d la t a antf s a e e ve o mendt c he ompli i a or ncewih t sOr r a mus do ant n cc da t hi de , nd t s by no lt rt Oc obe 29.2014. Pl ntf m us alo fl hi wrte no i c e i t o a e han t r ai if t s ie s it n tce ons ntng o bec e a pa t m e be by no l t rt O c obe 29.201 Def nda sm us fl bot a m oton t om ry m r a e han t r 4. e nt t ie h i o dimis s d i c s s , houl t hoos t do s a a a we t t a nded pl di by no l e t e o o, nd n ns r o he me ea ng atr han Novem ber 20.2014. D ONE A N D ORD ERED i Cha be sa M i m i Fl i t s n m r t a , orda, hi da ofO c obe ,201 y t r 4. FEDERJ CO . NO UN I TED STA TES DI STRI J GE CT UD Copisp o de t e r vi d o: CounselofRecor d
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