Titus v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. et al, No. 3:2015cv05690 - Document 86 (W.D. Wash. 2017)
Court Description: ORDER granting in part and denying in part 66 Joint Motion for Summary Judgment; granting 69 Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by Judge Robert J. Bryan.(JL)
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Titus v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. et al Doc. 86 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT TACOMA 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 TERESA S. TITUS, CASE NO. 3:15-cv-05690 Plaintiff, v. WELLS FARGO, N.A., WELLS FARGO HOME MORTGAGE, FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION aka FANNIE MAE, NORTHWEST TRUSTEES SERVICES, INCL., RCO LEGAL P.S., and MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM (MERS), ORDER ON (1) WELLS FARGO, FANNIE MAE, AND MERS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND (2) JOINT MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF DEFENDANTS NORTHWEST TRUSTEE SERVICES INC. AND RCO LEGAL, P.S. Defendants. THIS MATTER comes before the Court on two matters: the Motion for Summary 20 Judgment (Dkt. 66) filed by several defendants: Wells Fargo, N.A. and Wells Fargo Home 21 Mortgage (collectively, “Wells Fargo”), Federal National Mortgage Association, aka Fannie 22 Mae, and Mortgage Electronic System (“MERS”); and the Joint Motion for Summary Judgment 23 of Defendants Northwest Trustee Services, Inc. and RCO Legal, P.S (Dkt. 69). The Court has 24 ORDER ON (1) WELLS FARGO, FANNIE MAE, AND MERS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND (2) JOINT MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF DEFENDANTS NORTHWEST TRUSTEE SERVICES INC. AND RCO LEGAL, P.S. - 1 Dockets.Justia.com 1 considered the pleadings filed in support of and in opposition to the motions, oral argument by 2 the parties held in open court on June 5, 2017, and the remainder of the file herein. PROCEDURAL HISTORY 3 The Court previously dismissed all claims against Fannie Mae and MERS. Dkt. 47 at 16. 4 5 Because there are no pending claims against Fannie Mae and MERS, for both defendants the 6 motion for summary judgment is moot.1 7 Concerning Wells Fargo, the Court dismissed all claims except those for violations of the 8 Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) (Claim 1) and the Washington Consumer 9 Protection Act (CPA) (Claim 5), as well as a common law claim for breach of contract (Count 10 3). Dkt. 47 at 16. The Court dismissed all claims against RCO Legal, except the claim for violations of the 11 12 FDCPA (Claim 1). Dkt. 33 at 8. The Court dismissed all claims against Northwest Trustee 13 except the claim for violations of the FDCPA (Claim 1). Dkt. 32 at 9. 14 RELEVANT FACTS 15 16 17 The facts substantiated by the record are recited in favor of the nonmoving party, Ms. Titus. In 2007, Ms. Titus executed a promissory note (“Promissory Note”) to obtain a mortgage 18 loan from SunTrust Mortgage, Inc. Dkt. 67-1. The Promissory Note named Ms. Titus as 19 Borrower and SunTrust Mortgage as Lender. The Promissory Note states that the Borrower 20 “understand[s] that the Lender may transfer this Note” and that “anyone who takes this Note by 21 transfer . . . is called the ‘Note Holder.’” Id. To secure her obligations under the Note, Ms. Titus 22 23 24 1 The motion is filed by Fannie Mae and MERS but does not make arguments specific to them; presumably they filed this motion pro forma in an abundance of caution. ORDER ON (1) WELLS FARGO, FANNIE MAE, AND MERS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND (2) JOINT MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF DEFENDANTS NORTHWEST TRUSTEE SERVICES INC. AND RCO LEGAL, P.S. - 2 1 executed a Deed of Trust, which listed Ms. Titus as Borrower and SunTrust Mortgage as Lender. 2 Dkt. 67-3. In December of 2010, Ms. Titus defaulted on her loan by deliberately not paying monthly 3 4 mortgage payments. Dkt. 74 at ¶12. She made the decision on the telephonic advice of Wells 5 Fargo employees, who, Ms. Titus represents, told her that defaulting on her loan was the only 6 way to gain eligibility to refinance her loan. Id. at ¶¶9-11. At that time, Ms. Titus was gainfully 7 employed and had over $70,000 in savings. Id. After defaulting on the loan, Ms. Titus qualified 8 for a HAMP loan modification (“Modified Loan Agreement”), which she executed on June 17, 9 2011. Id. at ¶13; Dkt. 67-6. The Modified Loan Agreement listed Wells Fargo as “Lender or 10 Servicer” and MERS as “nominee for lender and lender’s successors and assigns.” Id. at 2. The 11 agreement gave MERS “the right to exercise . . . the right to foreclose . . . and to take any action 12 required of the lender[.]” Id. at 12. Ms. Titus defaulted a second time in 2013, this time due to financial hardship. Dkt. 74 at 13 14 ¶15. By letter dated September 16, 2013, Wells Fargo informed Ms. Titus that her loan was in 15 default. Dkt. 74-1 at 2. The letter explained how Ms. Titus could cure the default and requested 16 that Ms. Titus continue making monthly loan payments. Id. A formal Notice of Default later 17 followed, naming Wells Fargo as the loan servicer. Dkt. 70-8. 18 On October 8, 2013, MERS, as nominee for SunTrust Mortgage, executed an Assignment 19 of Deed of Trust conveying the Deed of Trust to Wells Fargo. Dkt. 67-9. On December 19, 2013, 20 Wells Fargo executed a Beneficiary Declaration affirming its status as the “actual holder of the 21 promissory note . . . secured by the deed of trust.” Dkt. 67-8. The Beneficiary Declaration states 22 that “the trustee may rely upon the truth and accuracy of the averments made in this declaration.” 23 Id. 24 ORDER ON (1) WELLS FARGO, FANNIE MAE, AND MERS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND (2) JOINT MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF DEFENDANTS NORTHWEST TRUSTEE SERVICES INC. AND RCO LEGAL, P.S. - 3 1 Ms. Titus entered Chapter 13 bankruptcy on March 3, 2014, which remained pending 2 until April 17, 2015. Dkt. 74 at ¶¶15, 18. Thereafter Ms. Titus sought a second loan 3 modification. Represented by an attorney, Ms. Titus attended two foreclosure mediation 4 sessions, in July and September of 2015. Ms. Titus and Wells Fargo both signed an Agreement 5 to Participate in Foreclosure Mediation. Dkt. 74-3 at 2, 3. The mediation was unsuccessful. Dkt. 6 70-13 at 2, 3. According to Ms. Titus, Wells Fargo made only “take it or leave it” offers, without 7 meaningfully negotiating. Dkt. 74 at ¶34. A legal assistant to Ms. Titus’ then-attorney states that 8 at the July 2015 session she heard an attorney for Wells Fargo state, “We don’t have the note.” 9 Dkt. 74-6 at 7. 10 In support of Wells Fargo’s argument that it did (and still does) possess the Promissory 11 Note, at oral argument Wells Fargo—for the first time—produced what it represents to be the 12 original Promissory Note. Dkt. 85. The Promissory Note has an indorsement in blank by 13 SunTrust Mortgage and a signature signed in blue ink by Ms. Titus. Dkt. 85 at 3. According to 14 Wells Fargo’s records custodian, Shae Smith, Wells Fargo’s business records show loan 15 servicing by Wells Fargo beginning in December 1, 2007 and possession of the Promissory Note 16 on January 7, 2008. Dkt. 67 at ¶¶3, 4; Dkt. 67-2. 17 18 SUMMARY JUDGMENT STANDARD Summary judgment is proper only if the pleadings, the discovery and disclosure materials 19 on file, and any affidavits show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the 20 movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). The moving party is 21 entitled to judgment as a matter of law when the nonmoving party fails to make a sufficient 22 showing on an essential element of a claim in the case on which the nonmoving party has the 23 burden of proof. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1985). There is no genuine issue of 24 ORDER ON (1) WELLS FARGO, FANNIE MAE, AND MERS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND (2) JOINT MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF DEFENDANTS NORTHWEST TRUSTEE SERVICES INC. AND RCO LEGAL, P.S. - 4 1 fact for trial where the record, taken as a whole, could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for 2 the nonmoving party. Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586 3 (1986)(nonmoving party must present specific, significant probative evidence, not simply “some 4 metaphysical doubt.”). See also Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e). Conversely, a genuine dispute over a 5 material fact exists if there is sufficient evidence supporting the claimed factual dispute, 6 requiring a judge or jury to resolve the differing versions of the truth. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, 7 Inc., 477 .S. 242, 253 (1986); T.W. Elec. Service Inc. v. Pacific Electrical Contractors 8 Association, 809 F.2d 626, 630 (9th Cir. 1987). 9 The determination of the existence of a material fact is often a close question. The court 10 must consider the substantive evidentiary burden that the nonmoving party must meet at trial – 11 e.g., a preponderance of the evidence in most civil cases. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 254, T.W. Elect. 12 Service Inc., 809 F.2d at 630. Any factual issues of controversy must be resolved in favor of the 13 nonmoving party only when the facts specifically attested by that party contradict facts 14 specifically attested by the moving party. The nonmoving party may not merely state that it will 15 discredit the moving party’s evidence at trial, in the hopes that evidence can be developed at trial 16 to support the claim. T.W. Elect. Service Inc., 809 F.2d at 630 (relying on Anderson, supra). 17 Conclusory, nonspecific statements in affidavits are not sufficient, and “missing facts” will not 18 be “presumed.” Lujan v. National Wildlife Federation, 497 U.S. 871, 888-89 (1990). 19 20 21 DISCUSSION 1. FDCPA (Wells Fargo, Northwest Trustee, and RCO Legal) The purpose of the FDCPA is to “eliminate abusive debt collection practices by debt 22 collectors[.]” 15 U.S.C. § 1692(e). The FDCPA defines “debt collector” broadly. See 15 U.S.C. § 23 1692a(6). Specific to enforcing security interests, civil liability arises for violating 15 U.S.C. § 24 ORDER ON (1) WELLS FARGO, FANNIE MAE, AND MERS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND (2) JOINT MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF DEFENDANTS NORTHWEST TRUSTEE SERVICES INC. AND RCO LEGAL, P.S. - 5 1 1692f(6). Dowers v. Nationstar Mortgage, LLC, 852 F.3d 964, 970 (9th Cir. 2017), citing to Ho 2 v. Recontrust Co, NA, 840 F.3d 618, 622 (9th Cir. 2016). Section 1692f(6) prohibits: 3 4 5 6 [t]aking or threatening to take any nonjudicial action to effect dispossession or disablement of property if—(A) there is no present right to possession of the property claimed as collateral through an enforceable interest; (B) there is no present intention to take possession of the property; or (C) the property is exempt by law from such dispossession or disablement. 15 U.S.C. §1692f(6). 7 a. Wells Fargo. 8 Applied here, Wells Fargo does not deny that it has taken “nonjudicial action to effect 9 dispossession,” for example, through the February 9, 2014, issuance of a Notice of Foreclosure. 10 Dkt. 70-8. See also, Dkt. 74-1 at 2. The main issue then, is whether there is a material issue of 11 fact as to Wells Fargo’s “present right to possession” of the Subject Property. The Court finds 12 that there is not. 13 In defense of Wells Fargo’s position it has the right to possession, as the rightful, 14 undisputed holder of the Promissory Note, Wells Fargo points to the declaration of a Wells Fargo 15 records custodian, Shae Smith. Ms. Smith declares under penalty of perjury that “Wells Fargo 16 first received and held the original promissory note on January 8, 2008, and continued to hold the 17 Note, at all material times, to this day.” Dkt. 75 at ln. 16. Ms. Smith’s declaration refers to two 18 attached exhibits, a copy of the Promissory Note and a business record resembling a Wells 19 Fargo-generated loan activity spreadsheet. Id.; Dkt. 61-1; Dkt. 67-2. At oral argument, Wells 20 Fargo produced what it represents is the original Promissory Note, with an indorsement in blank 21 by SunTrust Mortgage. Dkt. 85. 22 The Court finds that there is no issue of material fact as to Wells Fargo’s ownership of 23 the Promissory Note, from January 2008 to present. There is no reasonable dispute that Wells 24 ORDER ON (1) WELLS FARGO, FANNIE MAE, AND MERS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND (2) JOINT MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF DEFENDANTS NORTHWEST TRUSTEE SERVICES INC. AND RCO LEGAL, P.S. - 6 1 Fargo presently possesses the Promissory Note, which SunTrust Mortgage indorsed in blank. 2 From that premise, the only conclusion supported by the record is that Wells Fargo received 3 possession of the Promissory Note in 2008. Wells Fargo’s receipt is substantiated by the 4 declaration of Wells Fargo’s business custodian, who represents that business records reflect 5 possession in January 2008, and by Wells Fargo’s conduct after 2008, where Wells Fargo acted 6 and held itself out to be the lender, corresponding with Ms. Titus about her loan default and 7 modifications. 8 9 Ms. Titus does not overcome the showing that, since 2008, Wells Fargo has held the Promissory Note. At oral argument and in her briefing, Ms. Titus points to two primary places 10 that she contends create an issue of material fact. First, Ms. Titus points to the various “versions” 11 of the Promissory Note. However, none of the distinctions among the versions, a stray check 12 mark, for example, show an intent by SunTrust Mortgage to do anything other than indorse in 13 blank. See Dkts. 82-8, 82-9, 82-11, 82-12. The minor, cosmetic differences do not negate the 14 force of a security interest possessed by a party and properly indorsed in blank under the rules. 15 See UCC §3-205. Second, Ms. Titus points to the comment by the RCO Legal attorney, who 16 stated, “We don’t have the note.” The admissibility of the statement under the rules of evidence 17 is questionable, but even if it were admissible, the comment provides no reasonable basis for a 18 trier of fact to reject Wells Fargo as holder of the Promissory Note. No context is provided for 19 the comment to create more than a theoretical, plausible alternative to the remainder of the 20 record. Wells Fargo undisputedly has held the note, and therefore, its action to pursue 21 nonjudicial foreclosure did not violate § 1692f(6). 22 23 As to the FDCPA claim, Wells Fargo’s motion for summary judgment of dismissal should be granted. 24 ORDER ON (1) WELLS FARGO, FANNIE MAE, AND MERS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND (2) JOINT MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF DEFENDANTS NORTHWEST TRUSTEE SERVICES INC. AND RCO LEGAL, P.S. - 7 1 b. Northwest Trustee and RCO Legal. 2 Because the record demonstrates that Wells Fargo held the Promissory Note since 3 January 2008, its named beneficiary, Northwest Trustee, was entitled to take actions to pursue 4 nonjudicial foreclosure. See §1692f(6). The same holds true for Wells Fargo’s attorney, RCO 5 Legal. Ms. Titus does not dispute this; she argues only that Wells Fargo did not possess the 6 Promissory Note in the first place, so its named beneficiary, Northwest Trustee, and attorney, 7 RCO Legal, were not entitled to enforce the note. Because there is no issue of material fact as to 8 Wells Fargo’s possession of the note, see above, Ms. Titus’ argument is unavailing. 9 10 11 12 As to the FDCPA claim, Northwest Trustee and RCO Legal’s motion for summary judgment of dismissal should be granted. *** The findings of this Court are particular to the chain of title produced in this case. This 13 holding should not be construed as support for lenders to trample the rights of consumer-debtors. 14 If, for example, Wells Fargo was not the holder of the Promissory Note or if SunTrust had not 15 indorsed the note in blank, Ms. Titus would probably have defeated summary judgment. 16 Although Ms. Titus ultimately cannot prevail in this case, despite the defendants’ argument to 17 the contrary, §1692f(6) could squarely apply to the type of situation that gave rise to Ms. Titus’ 18 claim. Enforcing security interests does not generally give rise to FDCPA liability, but there is an 19 unambiguous carve out under §1692f(6). Ho, 840 F.3d at 622 (“Ordinarily, section 1692f(6) 20 would protect a consumer against the abusive practices of a security enforcer who does not fit the 21 broader definition of a debt collector”). This order should not be read to the contrary. 22 23 Wells Fargo did not present the Court with a satisfactory explanation of why the original Promissory Note was not provided to Ms. Titus prior before argument. Wells Fargo’s position 24 ORDER ON (1) WELLS FARGO, FANNIE MAE, AND MERS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND (2) JOINT MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF DEFENDANTS NORTHWEST TRUSTEE SERVICES INC. AND RCO LEGAL, P.S. - 8 1 was, in effect, that Ms. Titus should trust Wells Fargo’s representations. While it would be 2 imprudent for the Court to ignore the late-filed Promissory Note for purposes of ruling on the 3 pending summary judgment motions, Wells Fargo can—and should—do better. 4 2. Violation of the Washington Consumer Protection Act (CPA) (Wells Fargo) 5 To prevail at trial on a CPA claim, the plaintiff must show: “(1) unfair or deceptive act or 6 practice; (2) occurring in trade or commerce; (3) public interest impact; (4) injury to plaintiff in 7 his or her business or property; (5) causation.” Bain v. Metro Mortgage Grp., Inc., 175 Wn.2d 8 83, 115 (2012), quoting Hangman Ridge Training Stables, Inc. v. Safeco Title Ins. Co., 105 9 Wn.2d 778, 780 (1986) (quotations omitted). At this stage in the proceedings, the plaintiff need 10 only establish an issue of material fact as to each of the Hangman elements. 11 Wells Fargo argues that summary judgment of dismissal is warranted because the claim 12 is time-barred. Dkt. 66 at 14, 15; Dkt. 75 at 8, 9. Wells Fargo argues in the alternative that Ms. 13 Titus has not made a sufficient showing as to each of the Hangman elements. 14 15 Ms. Titus argues that the statute of limitations was tolled by bankruptcy proceedings and that she has made a sufficient showing as to all Hangman elements. Dkt. 73 at 13-17. 16 The parties agree that a four-year statute of limitations applies. The CPA claim centers on 17 alleged misrepresentations by Wells Fargo to Ms. Titus starting in October of 2010, but this case 18 was not filed until August 28, 2015, so the claim is barred unless the statute of limitations is 19 tolled. According to Ms. Titus, bankruptcy proceedings, which were pending from March 3, 20 2014, until April 17, 2015, tolled the statute of limitations. Dkt. 73 at 14. Ms. Titus cites to RCW 21 4.16.230 and 11 U.S.C. § 108(c), see id., but neither statute applies. The state statute, RCW 22 4.16.230, provides for the tolling of a statute of limitations when “the commencement of an 23 action is stayed by injunction or a statutory prohibition,” but this case was not filed until after the 24 ORDER ON (1) WELLS FARGO, FANNIE MAE, AND MERS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND (2) JOINT MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF DEFENDANTS NORTHWEST TRUSTEE SERVICES INC. AND RCO LEGAL, P.S. - 9 1 bankruptcy proceedings. There was no stay. The bankruptcy statute cited similarly provides 2 statutory authority to pause judicial proceedings under certain circumstances while bankruptcy 3 proceedings are pending, but again, at the time of the bankruptcy filing there was no pending 4 litigation. Because the statute of limitations should not be tolled, the CPA claim should be barred 5 by the statute of limitations. 6 Even were the CPA claim not barred by the statute of limitations, Ms. Titus has not made 7 a sufficient showing for at least three Hangman elements: public interest impact, injury to 8 business or property, and causation. Regarding public interest, Ms. Titus argues that other 9 consumers, like Ms. Titus, were told to stop making loan payments in order to qualify for a loan 10 modification. This conclusion is based only upon Ms. Titus’ experience with Wells Fargo, where 11 she “called the Wells Fargo call center many times and got a different employee each time [and] 12 received the same instructions each time.” Dkt. 73 at 15. Ms. Titus offers nothing beyond 13 vagaries and speculation. In her declaration, Ms. Titus describes two “similar situations where 14 Wells Fargo’s conduct has been egregious,” see Dkt. 74 at ¶¶41, 42, but beyond the fact that the 15 two anecdotes involve individuals with Wells Fargo home loans, neither anecdote is parallel to 16 this case. There is no showing, for example, of other individuals receiving similar telephonic 17 advice. See Hangman, at 105 Wn.2d at 790. 18 Regarding the injury to business or property, Ms. Titus states that “the injury that was 19 caused to Plaintiff is demonstrated in her Declaration,” but she does not cite to a specific 20 paragraph within her declaration. Dkt. 73 at 15. The paragraph that most directly articulates her 21 injury refers only to her personal health. See Dkt. 74 at ¶ 38. Anticipating that her personal health 22 is not a sufficient injury for CPA purposes, see Panag v. Farmers Inc. Co. of Wash., 166 Wn.2d 23 27 (2009), Ms. Titus attempts to bootstrap her personal injury to the welfare of her business. She 24 ORDER ON (1) WELLS FARGO, FANNIE MAE, AND MERS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND (2) JOINT MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF DEFENDANTS NORTHWEST TRUSTEE SERVICES INC. AND RCO LEGAL, P.S. - 10 1 argues that “stress . . . exacerbated her PTSD,” which “adversely impacts her business.” Dkt. 73 2 at 15. This argument is not supported by the record. Her declaration does not describe the harm 3 to her paralegal business with any specificity or clarity. Even assuming that her business had 4 suffered harm, there is no showing, beyond general psychological conditions allegedly sustained, 5 that the conduct complained of—Wells Fargo acting as if it were the loan owner when it was not, 6 in October of 2010—caused harm to her business. 7 8 9 On the record presented to the Court, Ms. Titus has not established an issue of material fact as at least three necessary elements for her CPA claim. Wells Fargo’s motion for summary judgment of dismissal should be granted as to the 10 CPA claim, because the CPA claim is barred by the statute of limitations, and Ms. Titus has not 11 established an issue of material fact as to several necessary elements. 12 3. Breach of Contract (Wells Fargo) 13 To survive summary judgment of a breach of contract claim, the nonmoving party must 14 establish an issue of material fact for the following elements: a contract imposed a duty; the 15 defendant breached the duty; the defendant caused the breach that resulted in harm to the 16 plaintiff. Northwest Indep. Forest Mfrs. V. Dep’t of Labor & Indus., 78 Wn.App. 707, 712 (Div. 17 II, 1995). 18 Ms. Titus advances three theories for the breach of contract claim: (1) in 2011, Wells 19 Fargo agreed to modify Plaintiff’s loan “without the authority to do so and [without] title to the 20 property,” (2) in 2015, during foreclosure mediation, Wells Fargo refused to disclose “how they 21 applied any net present values” when Wells Fargo “still did not have the authority to modify” the 22 loan; and (3) “breach of the mediation agreement,” Dkt. 73 at 11, 12. See Dkt. 27 at ¶¶45-45. 23 24 ORDER ON (1) WELLS FARGO, FANNIE MAE, AND MERS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND (2) JOINT MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF DEFENDANTS NORTHWEST TRUSTEE SERVICES INC. AND RCO LEGAL, P.S. - 11 1 The breach of contract claim against Wells Fargo fails under all three theories for one 2 fundamental reason: there is no showing that Wells Fargo breached a contract. Under the first 3 two theories, in 2011 and 2015, respectively, Wells Fargo allegedly agreed to modify the loan 4 without authority or title, but Ms. Titus’ briefing does not direct the Court to where in the record 5 such a contract term can be found. Nor would it matter, because as discussed above, Wells 6 Fargo, since January 2008, is the holder of the Promissory Note and is thus entitled to enforce its 7 security interest. 8 9 The final theory, “breach of the mediation agreement,” is not cogently advanced in the briefing, see Dkt. 73 at 11, 12, but presumably it concerns Wells Fargo’s conduct at the two 10 foreclosure mediation sessions, in July of 2015 and September of 2015. See Dkt. 70-13 at 2, 3. 11 The second theory, which concerns Wells Fargo’s supposed refusal to hand over net present 12 value calculations, also relates to the parties’ conduct at the mediations. Presumably the 13 “mediation agreement” that Ms. Titus is referring to—although not cited to in the briefing—is 14 the Agreement to Participate in Foreclosure Mediation. Dkt. 74-3 at 2. This document “sets out 15 the understandings of the parties and the mediator” for the foreclosure mediation sessions, but 16 Ms. Titus does not direct the Court to terms of that agreement that would give rise to a claim for 17 breach of contract. Nor is it readily observable that Wells Fargo violated any binding terms. The 18 agreement uses binding language for some terms, giving the mediator immunity from civil 19 liability and requiring the parties to maintain confidentiality. Elsewhere the agreement uses non- 20 binding language, for example, when stating that parties “should: . . . actively present, discuss, 21 and explore options; negotiate willingly; and cooperatively; maintain a professional and 22 cooperative demeanor. . .” Id. (emphasis added). 23 24 ORDER ON (1) WELLS FARGO, FANNIE MAE, AND MERS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND (2) JOINT MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF DEFENDANTS NORTHWEST TRUSTEE SERVICES INC. AND RCO LEGAL, P.S. - 12 1 Beyond the mediation agreement, the Court is hard-pressed to find any other basis to 2 support a claim for breach of contract. At most, the record shows that the parties engaged in 3 mediation that reached an impasse, which does not give rise to a claim for breach of contract. 4 Ms. Titus has not made a showing of issues of material fact as to any of the three contract 5 theories advanced. Wells Fargo’s motion for summary judgment of dismissal should be granted 6 and the breach of contract claim dismissed. *** 7 8 9 10 THEREFORE, Wells Fargo, Fannie Mae, and MERS’ Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt. 66) is DENIED IN PART and GRANTED IN PART as follows: As to Fannie Mae and MERS, the motion is DENIED AS MOOT, because all claims 11 against Fannie Mae and MERS were previously dismissed. See Dkt. 47 at 16. Fannie 12 Mae and MERS are dismissed from the case. 13 14 15 As to Wells Fargo, the motion is GRANTED as to the three remaining claims. Wells Fargo is dismissed from the case. The Joint Motion for Summary Judgment of Defendants Northwest Trustee and RCO 16 Legal (Dkt. 69) is GRANTED. The FDCPA claim (Count 1) is dismissed against both 17 defendants. Northwest Trustee and RCO Legal are dismissed from the case. 18 There being no more pending claims, this case should be closed. 19 IT IS SO ORDERED. 20 The Clerk is directed to send uncertified copies of this Order to all counsel of record and 21 to any party appearing pro se at said party’s last known address. 22 23 24 ORDER ON (1) WELLS FARGO, FANNIE MAE, AND MERS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND (2) JOINT MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF DEFENDANTS NORTHWEST TRUSTEE SERVICES INC. AND RCO LEGAL, P.S. - 13 1 2 3 4 Dated this 6th day of June, 2017. A ROBERT J. BRYAN United States District Judge 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ORDER ON (1) WELLS FARGO, FANNIE MAE, AND MERS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND (2) JOINT MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF DEFENDANTS NORTHWEST TRUSTEE SERVICES INC. AND RCO LEGAL, P.S. - 14
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