Chris Cuccia Complete Construction LLC Versus Ashley Constance Carey ( 2023 )

CHRIS CUCCIA COMPLETE NO. 22-C-595
CONSTRUCTION LLC
FIFTH CIRCUIT
VERSUS
COURT OF APPEAL
ASHLEY CONSTANCE CAREY
STATE OF LOUISIANA
February 24, 2023
Linda Wiseman
First Deputy Clerk
IN RE ASHLEY CONSTANCE CAREY
APPLYING FOR SUPERVISORY WRIT FROM THE TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT,
PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, DIRECTED TO THE HONORABLE DONALD A.
ROWAN, JR., DIVISION "L", NUMBER 830-193
Panel composed of Judges Fredericka Homberg Wicker,
Marc E. Johnson, and John J. Molaison, Jr.
WRIT GRANTED, IN PART; WRIT DENIED, IN PART;
REMANDED
Relator, Ashley Carey, seeks review of the trial court’s November 29, 2022
judgment that overruled her peremptory exception of no cause of action and dilatory
exception of vagueness of the petition in favor of Plaintiff, Chris Cuccia Complete
Construction, LLC.1 For the following reasons, we grant the writ, in part, deny the
writ, in part, and remand the matter with instructions.
No Cause of Action/No Right of Action
In her exception of no cause of action, Ms. Carey argued that Plaintiff has no
cause of action against her because she never had a contract with that company;
rather, she had a contract with C’s Complete Construction Contractor. In opposition,
Plaintiff contended that Chris Cuccia Complete Construction, LLC is an entity filed
with the Louisiana Secretary of State and holds a contractor’s license, and C’s
1
Ms. Carey also listed the overruling of her exception of res judicata as an assignment of error. However,
Ms. Carey does not brief any argument regarding the exception of res judicata and “submits to this Honorable Court
that the Trial Court erred in denying Defendant Ashley Carey’s Exceptions of No Right of Action and Vagueness.”
Assignments of error that are not argued in the body of the brief are considered abandoned. Parish of St. Charles
through Dept. of Planning & Zoning v. Carey, 20-457, p. 4 (La. App. 5 Cir. 10/6/21), --- So.3d ----,
2021WL4592125 n. 4, citing, Uniform Rules---Courts of Appeal, Rule 2-12.4. Thus, the overruling of the exception
of res judicata is deemed abandoned and will not be addressed in this disposition.
22-C-595
Complete Construction Contractor is simply a condensed name. It averred that Chris
Cuccia’s name and signature appears on all paperwork.
In the petition, Plaintiff alleged that it is a limited liability company doing
business in the state of Louisiana, and Chris Cuccia is its agent. It alleged that the
causes of action stem from an agreement to contract for home and home office
improvement services between it and Ms. Carey to be performed at Ms. Carey’s
home and home office. It further alleged Ms. Carey failed to pay the remaining
balance owed to Plaintiff for the completion of the project (breach of contract claim);
Ms. Carey has a debt on an open account amounting to $31,106 (open accounts
claim); Ms. Carey falsely and intentionally represented that she would provide the
funds necessary for the labor and expenses associated with the completion of the
project (fraud claim); and Ms. Carey has been unjustly enriched and refused to
adequately compensate Plaintiff for the benefit (unjust enrichment claim). Plaintiff
attached a contractor agreement and invoices with the logo for C’s Complete
Construction Contractor to its petition. The agreement stated that it was between
Chris M. Cuccia and Ms. Carey for the building of fire protection walls, and all
materials and labor were included in the $5,000 contract price.
Because the peremptory exception of no cause of action raises a question of
law and the trial court’s decision is based only on the sufficiency of the petition, an
appellate court reviews the judgment sustaining or overruling a peremptory
exception of no cause of action de novo. Succession of Gendron, 17-216 (La. App.
5 Cir. 12/27/17), 236 So.3d 802, 807. An exception of no cause of action questions
whether the law extends a remedy to anyone under the factual allegations of the
petition. Id. On an exception of no cause of action, no evidence may be introduced
and the well-pleaded facts in the petition must be accepted as true. Id. Any doubt
should be resolved in favor of finding that the petition states a valid cause of action.
Id.After de novo review, we find that Plaintiff has stated valid causes of action
in its petition. The law affords remedies for those causes of action (breach of
contract, open accounts, fraud, and unjust enrichment) to anyone under the factual
allegations of Plaintiff’s petition. However, we find that Plaintiff’s petition has
failed to sufficiently allege that it has the right to bring those actions. 2
The peremptory exception of no right of action functions as a test of whether
the plaintiff has a real and actual interest in the action. Wallace C. Drennan, Inc. v.
Kerner, 21-664 (La. App. 5 Cir. 8/17/22), 348 So.3d 194, 199. The determination
of whether a plaintiff has a right of action is a question of law, which the appellate
court reviews de novo. Id. In examining an exception of no right of action, a court
focuses on whether a plaintiff belongs to a particular class of persons to whom the
law grants the cause of action asserted in the suit, and the court assumes that the
petition states a valid cause of action. Id.Here, the contract agreement presented has the logo of C’s Complete
Construction Contractor and states that the contract is between Chris M. Cuccia and
Ms. Carey. However, the Plaintiff’s petition does not assert any relation of the
company to C’s Complete Construction Contractor or Mr. Cuccia’s agency to enter
into an agreement on behalf of C’s Complete Construction Contractor. Thus, we
2
An appellate court may raise and consider the peremptory exceptions of no right of action and no cause of
action sua sponte. Warren v. HDI Global Insurance Company, 21-570 (La. App. 5 Cir. 5/16/22), 341 So.3d 1249,
1253 n. 1, writ denied, (La. 11/1/22), 349 So.3d 10.
2
find that Plaintiff’s petition does not sufficiently allege its right to bring any of the
alleged causes of action. Therefore, we remand the matter to the trial court with
instructions that it afford Plaintiff an opportunity to remove the grounds for the
objection of no right of action, if they are able to do so, within a reasonable time
delay, pursuant to La. C.C.P. art. 934.
Vagueness
In her exception of vagueness, Ms. Carey argued that paragraphs 12 and 13
of Plaintiff’s petition, which respectively allege fraud and unjust enrichment, were
so vague that she was unable to respond to them. Plaintiff countered by arguing that
the circumstances surrounding the alleged fraud, namely Ms. Carey’s
representations and insinuations that she would pay Plaintiff for the work to be
performed, were specifically alleged in its petition.
In its petition, Plaintiff alleged that Ms. Carey entered into a contract for home
and home office improvements with it to remedy code violations for her home office.
The petition alleged communications between Plaintiff and Ms. Carey regarding
revisions to the contract and costs. It further alleged that Plaintiff performed labor
under the terms of the contract, and Defendant accepted the project and retained the
benefits of the labor. Paragraphs 12 and 13 of Plaintiff’s petition state the following:
12.
III. FRAUD
(Pursuant to LA Civ Code 1953)
Plaintiff re-alleges and re-incorporates all statements of fact and
law set forth in preceding paragraphs as if fully stated herein.
Defendant committed fraud, by and through her various acts and
omissions, as described in more detail both in above and subsequent
paragraphs. After Plaintiff began the requested services, Defendant
falsely and intentionally represented to Plaintiff that she would provide
funds necessary for the labor and expenses associated with the
completion of the Project. Defendant knew at the time of conveying
these representations that they were false or made them recklessly
without knowledge that the representations were true.
Defendant made this misrepresentation in order to gain an unjust
advantage or to cause damage or inconvenience to Plaintiff. This
misrepresentation was relied upon by Plaintiff and substantially
influenced Plaintiff’s consent in entering the aforementioned
agreement. Plaintiff has suffered damages as a result of such fraud.
13.
IV. UNJUST ENRICHMENT/QUANTUM MERUIT
(in the alternative if the Court finds that no other remedies are available to
Plaintiff)
Plaintiff re-alleges and re-incorporates all statements of fact and
law set forth in preceding paragraphs as if fully stated herein, Louisiana
law is clear. A person should not be able to unjustly enrich herself at
the expense of another. By completing the Project for Defendant,
Plaintiff conferred a benefit upon Defendant. Defendant has
acknowledged and appreciated the benefits conferred by Plaintiff.
Defendant has refused to adequately compensate Plaintiff for
3
conferring such benefit upon her. Manifest injustice would result if
Defendant were allowed to retain such benefit without justly
compensating Plaintiff. Such acts and omissions on the part of
Defendant were the actual and proximate cause of harm to Plaintiff. As
a result of such conduct, Plaintiff has suffered damages amounting to
$31,106.00.
La. C.C.P. art 891 requires that a petition “contain a short, clear, and concise
statement of all causes of action arising out of, and of the material facts of, the
transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the litigation.” The purpose of
an exception of vagueness is to place the defender on notice of the nature of the facts
sought to be proved, so as to enable him to identify the cause of action and prevent
its future litigation after a judgment is obtained in the present suit. Wood v. Wood,
14-405 (La. App. 5 Cir. 11/25/14), 165 So.3d 181, 187. With an objection to
vagueness, a defendant is not entitled to demand exactitude and detail of pleading
beyond what is necessary to fulfill the stated purposes. Id. “A plaintiff’s petition is
sufficient as long as it fairly informs the defendant of the general nature of the cause
of action and alleges facts sufficient to allow the defendant to prepare a defense.”
Id., quoting, Springer v. Nannie O’Neal Apts., 13-570 (La. App. 3 Cir. 11/13/13),
125 So.3d 606, 608. Because the trial court’s judgment on an exception of vagueness
is based on a factual determination, the appellate court reviews the trial court’s
judgment under the manifest error standard of review. Id.After reviewing all of the allegations pleaded in Plaintiff’s petition, we find
that Plaintiff’s petition sufficiently pleads fraud3 and unjust enrichment against Ms.
Carey. The factual allegations set forth in the petition place Ms. Carey on notice of
the nature of the facts for each of the causes of action that would allow her to prepare
a defense. Therefore, we find that the trial court properly overruled Ms. Carey’s
exception of vagueness.
Disposition
Accordingly, for the foregoing reasons, we grant the writ application, in part,
find sua sponte that Chris Cuccia Complete Construction, LLC has failed to
sufficiently allege its right to bring any of the alleged causes of action stated in its
petition, and remand the matter with the above-mentioned instructions. In all other
respects, the writ application is denied.
Gretna, Louisiana, this 24th day of February, 2023.
MEJ
JJM
3
In pleading fraud, the circumstances constituting fraud shall be alleged with particularity. La. C.C.P. art.
856.
4
CHRIS CUCCIA COMPLETE NO. 22-C-595
CONSTRUCTION LLC
FIFTH CIRCUIT
VERSUS
COURT OF APPEAL
ASHLEY CONSTANCE CAREY
STATE OF LOUISIANA
WICKER, J., DISSENTS, IN PART, WITH REASONS
While I agree with the majority disposition raising sua sponte the
exception of no right of action in this matter, I respectfully dissent, in, part, from
the majority disposition insofar as it finds that plaintiff sufficiently stated a cause
of action for fraud in its petition.
In its petition, plaintiff, Chris Cuccia Complete Construction, LLC,
alleged generally that relator-defendant, Ashley Carey, “committed fraud, by and
through her various acts and omissions… . Defendant falsely and intentionally
represented to Plaintiff that she would provide the funds necessary for the labor
and expenses associated with the completion of the Project.” In its petition,
plaintiff did not allege with specificity any date or circumstances during which
relator allegedly made such representations.
“La. C.C.P. article 856 states that when pleading fraud, the circumstances
constituting fraud shall be alleged with particularity.” Bottinelli Real Est., L.L.C.
v. Johns Manville, Inc., 19-0619 (La. App. 4 Cir. 12/27/19), 288 So.3d 179, 185,
quoting 831 Bartholomew Investments-A, L.L.C. v. Margulis, 08-0559 (La. App.
4 Cir. 9/2/09), 20 So.3d 532, 538. Conclusory allegations that
a defendant’s actions were “fraudulent” are “insufficient to set forth a cause of
action under La. C.C. article 1953.” Id. The court may disregard as mere
conclusions a petition’s general charges of fraud if they are unaccompanied by
formal allegations setting forth with particularity the circumstances alleged to
22-C-595
constitute the alleged fraud.” Thrasher Const., Inc. v. Gibbs Residential, L.L.C.,
15-0607 (La. App. 4 Cir. 6/29/16), 197 So.3d 283, 293, writ denied sub
nom. Thrasher Constr., Inc. v. Gibbs Residential, L.L.C., 16-1453 (La.
11/15/16), 209 So.3d 779. Where “[n]o specific people are named and no
particular activities are identified” a plaintiff has “failed to allege fraud with
sufficient particularity.” Hawkins v. Willow Inc., 12-0160 (La. App. 5 Cir.
10/16/12), 102 So.3d 900, 903.
Therefore, I respectfully dissent from the majority disposition insofar as it
denies relator’s writ application complaining of the trial court’s overruling of
defendant-relator’s exception of no cause of action as to plaintiff’s fraud claims.
FHW
2
SUSAN M. CHEHARDY CURTIS B. PURSELL
CHIEF JUDGE CLERK OF COURT
SUSAN S. BUCHHOLZ
FREDERICKA H. WICKER
CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK
JUDE G. GRAVOIS
MARC E. JOHNSON
ROBERT A. CHAISSON LINDA M. WISEMAN
STEPHEN J. WINDHORST
FIRST DEPUTY CLERK
HANS J. LILJEBERG
JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR. FIFTH CIRCUIT
MELISSA C. LEDET
JUDGES 101 DERBIGNY STREET (70053)
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL STAFF
POST OFFICE BOX 489
GRETNA, LOUISIANA 70054 (504) 376-1400
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www.fifthcircuit.org
NOTICE OF DISPOSITION CERTIFICATE OF DELIVERY
I CERTIFY THAT A COPY OF THE DISPOSITION IN THE FOREGOING MATTER HAS BEEN
TRANSMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIFORM RULES - COURT OF APPEAL, RULE 4-6 THIS
DAY 02/24/2023 TO THE TRIAL JUDGE, THE TRIAL COURT CLERK OF COURT, AND AT LEAST ONE OF
THE COUNSEL OF RECORD FOR EACH PARTY, AND TO EACH PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY
COUNSEL, AS LISTED BELOW:
22-C-595
E-NOTIFIED
24th Judicial District Court (Clerk)
Honorable Donald A. Rowan, Jr. (DISTRICT JUDGE)
M. Elizabeth Bowman (Relator) Christy M. Howley (Relator)
Jon S. McGill (Respondent)
MAILED