Jessica Swider v. David McHugh Trust ( 2023 )

If this opinion indicates that it is “FOR PUBLICATION,” it is subject to
revision until final publication in the Michigan Appeals Reports.
STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
JESSICA SWIDER and ERIC SWIDER, UNPUBLISHED
March 2, 2023
Plaintiffs-Appellants,
v No. 358935
Oakland Circuit Court
DAVID MCHUGH TRUST and DAVID E. LC No. 2020-181639-CH
MCHUGH,
Defendants-Appellees.
Before: CAVANAGH, P.J., and SERVITTO and GARRETT, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Plaintiffs, Jessica Swider (Jessica) and Eric Swider (Eric), appeal as of right an order
granting summary disposition in favor of defendants, David McHugh Trust (the Trust) and David
E. McHugh (McHugh). Although the majority of plaintiffs’ claims of error lack merit, we agree
that the trial court erred by granting summary disposition of plaintiffs’ harassment (civil stalking)
claim. We therefore reverse the trial court’s order with respect to that claim, but affirm in all other
respects.
I. BACKGROUND
This case concerns foreclosure of plaintiffs’ residential real property. Plaintiffs executed
a mortgage in favor of The State Bank (TSB) on March 18, 2015, and a second mortgage in favor
of the Trust on August 27, 2015. Plaintiffs defaulted on both loans. The Trust foreclosed its
mortgage first and was the high bidder at the sheriff’s sale on December 10, 2019. The sheriff’s
sale for TSB’s mortgage took place on January 14, 2020, and TSB was the high bidder at that sale.
McHugh subsequently purchased TSB’s interest while this action was pending.
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Jessica initiated this action the day before the six-month redemption period for the Trust
mortgage would have expired.1 The trial court entered orders extending the redemption periods
for both mortgages while it considered whether to grant a preliminary injunction, but ultimately
determined that an injunction was not called for. Both redemption periods expired thereafter
without plaintiffs exercising their redemption rights.
Plaintiffs’ second amended complaint alleged six counts. Count I sought declaratory relief
rescinding or cancelling the Trust mortgage sheriff’s sale on the basis that the underlying note was
usurious and violated the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (DFA),
12 USC 5301 et seq. Counts II and III involved similar allegations, again claiming that the note
was usurious and violated the DFA, respectively. Count IV sought declaratory or equitable relief
concluding that defendants formally redeemed the first mortgage but purchasing TSB’s interest
during the redemption period. Count V alleged a claim of civil conspiracy, and Count VI alleged
a harassment claim.
Defendants moved for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(7), (8), and (10),
identifying several reasons for dismissal of plaintiffs’ claims challenging the Trust foreclosure and
the validity of the underlying debt. Defendants also argued that summary disposition of plaintiffs’
civil conspiracy claim was appropriate because plaintiffs failed to plead the necessary elements,
while their harassment claim failed as a matter of law because it involved McHugh’s contacts with
plaintiffs for the purpose of collecting the debt owed the Trust, which constituted a legitimate
purpose that did not qualify as harassment. The trial court granted defendants’ motion in its
entirety without explanation.
II. STANDARDS OF REVIEW
We review de novo a trial court’s grant of summary disposition. El-Khalil v Oakwood
Healthcare, Inc, 504 Mich 152, 159; 934 NW2d 665 (2019). Defendants moved for summary
disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(7), (8), and (10), and the trial court did not specify which subrule
it applied to each issue raised in defendants’ motion. But this Court will review a trial court’s
ruling under the correct subrule in any event. Computer Network, Inc v AM Gen Corp, 265 Mich
App 309, 313; 696 NW2d 49 (2005).
MCR 2.116(C)(7) governs summary disposition when a claim is barred by certain defenses,
including the implications of a prior order or judgment, Wells Fargo Bank, NA v Null, 304 Mich
App 508, 517; 847 NW2d 657 (2014), or a statute of limitations, Kincaid v Cardwell, 300 Mich
App 513, 522; 834 NW2d 122 (2013). “This Court reviews de novo a trial court’s decision on a
motion for summary disposition pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(7) to determine whether the moving
party was entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Wells Fargo Bank, 304 Mich App at 518. In
doing so,
1
Jessica was the only plaintiff in the initial complaint and sued only the Trust. Eric and McHugh
were added as parties by way of amended complaints. The operative complaint is plaintiffs’
second amended complaint.
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this Court must accept all well-pleaded factual allegations as true and construe them
in favor of the plaintiff, unless other evidence contradicts them. If any affidavits,
depositions, admissions, or other documentary evidence are submitted, the court
must consider them to determine whether there is a genuine issue of material fact.
If no facts are in dispute, and if reasonable minds could not differ regarding the
legal effect of those facts, the question whether the claim is barred is an issue of
law for the court. However, if a question of fact exists to the extent that factual
development could provide a basis for recovery, dismissal is inappropriate.
[Dextrom v Wexford Co, 287 Mich App 406, 428-429; 789 NW2d 211 (2010)
(citations omitted).]
MCR 2.116(C)(8) tests the legal sufficiency of the complaint. El-Khalil, 504 Mich at 159.
A court considering summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(8) must decide the motion on the
pleadings alone, accepting all factual allegations as true. Id. at 160. “A motion under MCR
2.116(C)(8) may only be granted when a claim is so clearly unenforceable that no factual
development could possibly justify recovery.” Id.
“A motion under MCR 2.116(C)(10), on the other hand, tests the factual sufficiency of a
claim.” El-Khalil, 504 Mich at 160. The standard of review for dispositive motions brought under
MCR 2.116(C)(10) is well settled:
In evaluating a motion for summary disposition brought under this subsection, a
trial court considers affidavits, pleadings, depositions, admissions, and other
evidence submitted by the parties, MCR 2.116(G)(5), in the light most favorable to
the party opposing the motion. Where the proffered evidence fails to establish a
genuine issue regarding any material fact, the moving party is entitled to judgment
as a matter of law. [Trueblood Estate v P&G Apartments, LLC, 327 Mich App 275,
284; 933 NW2d 732 (2019) (quotation marks and citation omitted).]
“A genuine issue of material fact exists when the record leaves open an issue upon which
reasonable minds might differ.” El-Khalil, 504 Mich at 160 (quotation marks and citation
omitted). “The trial court is not permitted to assess credibility, weigh the evidence, or resolve
factual disputes, and if material evidence conflicts, it is not appropriate to grant a motion for
summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(10).” Pioneer State Mut Ins Co v Dells, 301 Mich App
368, 377; 836 NW2d 257 (2013).
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III. REDEMPTION OF THE SENIOR MORTGAGE2
Defendants moved for summary disposition of plaintiffs’ claims relating to the Trust
foreclosure on the basis that the claims were rendered moot when the redemption period for TSB’s
senior mortgage expired, thereby extinguishing plaintiffs’ and the Trust’s interests in the property
and vesting title in McHugh, as the purchaser of TSB’s sheriff’s deed. Plaintiffs argue on appeal
that that their declaratory relief counts were not moot because the trial court could have determined
that defendants redeemed the property. We disagree. We review this issue under MCR
2.116(C)(10). See El-Khalil, 504 Mich at 160.
The purchaser of a property at a properly conducted foreclosure sale “becomes the owner
of an equitable interest in the mortgaged premises which ripens into a legal title if not defeated by
redemption as provided by law.” Trademark Props of Mich, LLC v Fed Nat’l Mtg Ass’n, 308 Mich
App 132, 138-139; 863 NW2d 344 (2014) (quotation marks and citation omitted). “If a mortgagor
fails to avail him or herself of the right of redemption, all the mortgagor’s rights in and to the
property are extinguished.” Bryan v JPMorgan Chase Bank, 304 Mich App 708, 713; 848 NW2d
482 (2014). Moreover, when a property is subject to multiple mortgages, failure to redeem
following foreclosure of a senior mortgage also extinguishes the lien of a junior mortgagee.
Advanta Nat’l Bank v McClarty, 257 Mich App 113, 125; 667 NW2d 880 (2003).
Count I of plaintiffs’ second amended complaint sought declaratory relief rescinding or
cancelling the Trust foreclosure on the basis that the underlying note was unlawful. But it is
undisputed that TSB foreclosed on its mortgage in January 2020 and that plaintiffs did not redeem
the senior mortgage, even after the trial court extended the redemption period. The lack of
redemption extinguished plaintiffs’ rights in the property, as well as the rights of the Trust as junior
mortgagee. Thus, even if the trial court ultimately determined that the Trust foreclosure was
improper, a judgment in plaintiffs’ favor would not have any practical effect because plaintiffs
would still be without any legal right to the property by operation of law for failure to redeem the
senior mortgage. In other words, Count I was rendered moot by expiration of the TSB mortgage
redemption period. See Barrow v Detroit Election Comm, 305 Mich App 649, 659; 854 NW2d
489 (2014) (explaining that an issue is moot if it is impossible for a court to grant relief or entry
of a judgment would not have a practical effect on an existing controversy).
2
We reject defendants’ contention that review of the Trust foreclosure is barred by the law-of-the-
case doctrine, which applies “only to issues actually decided, either implicitly or explicitly, in [a]
prior appeal.” Grievance Administrator v Lopatin, 462 Mich 235, 260; 612 NW2d 120 (2000).
Plaintiffs filed an application for leave to appeal the trial court’s order denying their motions for
preliminary injunctions, and this Court denied the application for failure to persuade the Court that
immediate review was necessary. Swider v David McHugh Trust, unpublished order of the Court
of Appeals, entered December 1, 2020 (Docket No. 354578). This Court did not express an
opinion on the merits of plaintiffs’ claims of error. As such, the law-of-the-case doctrine does not
preclude review. See Grievance Administrator, 462 Mich at 260.
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Plaintiffs maintain on appeal that the validity of the Trust foreclosure was not moot because
the trial court could determine that McHugh’s purchase of TSB’s interest constituted a formal
redemption by a junior lienholder, thereby preserving the parties’ respective rights, and Count IV
pleaded a valid claim for a declaratory judgment to that effect. We disagree.
Modern law generally treats trusts as legally distinct entities, “distinguishing between the
trustee personally or as an individual and the trustee in a fiduciary or representative capacity.”
1 Restatement Trusts, 3d, § 2, comment a, p 17.3 Michigan has a long history of recognizing this
distinction. See, e.g., Bankers’ Trust Co of Muskegon v Forsyth, 266 Mich 517, 519-521; 254 NW
190 (1934) (holding that judgments entered against company as trustee could not be enforced
against the company individually); Hein v Hein, 214 Mich App 356, 358; 543 NW2d 19 (1995)
(observing that the respondent consented to termination of trust as beneficiary, while objecting in
capacity as trustee). The only evidence before the trial court concerning this issue was the
quitclaim deed executed by TSB in favor of McHugh. The deed does not specify whether the
conveyance was made to McHugh individually or in his capacity as trustee.
Plaintiffs do not dispute that the Trust and McHugh are separate entities and, instead, argue
that the trial court should have ignored the legal distinction under the same principles that allow
courts to pierce the corporate veil protecting shareholders in order to avoid fraud or injustice.
Assuming, without deciding, that these corporate principles apply in this context, plaintiffs’ claim
of error still lacks merit. The equitable title a sheriff’s sale purchaser acquires is a property interest
that can be sold or assigned, even during the redemption period. Wells Fargo Bank v Country
Place Condo Ass’n, 304 Mich App 582, 592; 848 NW2d 425 (2014). Apart from their own
opinions regarding McHugh’s nefarious intentions, plaintiffs have not identified any reason that
McHugh’s purchase of TSB’s deed was improper. Moreover, plaintiffs’ opinion on this point is
at odds with binding Michigan precedent.
In Chauvin v American State Bank, 242 Mich 269, 271; 218 NW 788 (1928), the plaintiffs
granted a first mortgage to a bank and a second mortgage to two privates lenders. The bank
foreclosed the first mortgage and purchased the property at the sheriff’s sale. Id. Two days before
the redemption period expired, the private lenders purchased the property from the bank and
received a quitclaim deed reflecting the conveyance. Id. The plaintiffs argued on appeal that “the
deed from the bank to the second mortgagees, while right to redeem was open, operated in fact as
a redemption and not a transfer of inchoate title.” Id. at 272. The Supreme Court disagreed,
explaining that the second mortgagees had two options: they could redeem the first mortgage,
thereby increasing their mortgage interest, or they could purchase the bank’s title and have their
previous interest as second mortgagees merge with their title acquired by virtue of the purchase.
Id. at 272-273. The Court concluded that the second mortgagees understood the advantages of a
purchase in lieu of redemption, “and the quitclaim deed was intended to consummate a purchase,
just as it purports, and not a mere redemption.” Id. at 273. Thus, upon expiration of the redemption
3
Restatements of the law are not binding authority, but may be consulted for their persuasive
value. Livings Estate v Sage’s Investment Group, LLC, 507 Mich 328, 345 n 12; 968 NW2d 397(2021).
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period, the second mortgagees acquired legal title as specified by the foreclosure statute then in
effect. Id. at 272-273.
Consistent with Chauvin, even if McHugh was acting on behalf of the Trust when he
purchased TSB’s interest, the Trust’s status as the junior mortgagee would not convert the
transaction from a purchase to a redemption. The quitclaim deed unequivocally conveyed TSB’s
“right, title, and interest as Grantee of a Sheriff’s Deed” to McHugh without any language
suggesting an intent to redeem. Plaintiffs did not present any evidence to establish a material
factual dispute concerning the nature of the transaction between McHugh and TSB. Defendants
were entitled to judgment concerning Count IV as a matter of law. The trial court did not err by
granting summary disposition.
IV. JUDICIAL ESTOPPEL
Defendants also moved for summary disposition of plaintiffs’ claims challenging the
validity of the note that was secured by the Trust mortgage on the basis of judicial estoppel,
reasoning that plaintiffs’ failure to challenge the debt in Eric’s bankruptcy proceedings precluded
their claims in this action. Plaintiffs argue on appeal that judicial estoppel was inapplicable. We
disagree. We review this issue under MCR 2.116(C)(7). See Wells Fargo Bank, 304 Mich App
at 517.
The record concerning the bankruptcy proceedings is limited. Eric’s first bankruptcy case
was filed in 2018, and the Trust filed a proof of claim for $112,696.42 for “money loaned,”
indicating that the debt was secured by plaintiffs’ residence. Eric likewise identified the Trust on
his schedule of creditors with claims secured by property and indicated that Jessica was a codebtor
with respect to the Trust. He further disclosed that he had no claims against third parties. During
that case, the bankruptcy court entered an order for adequate protection payments authorizing
preconfirmation monthly disbursements of $400 to the Trust. The 2018 case was dismissed in July
2019 because of Eric’s failure to fully comply with the requirements of the Chapter 13 case.
Shortly thereafter, Eric filed a second bankruptcy petition, again identifying the Trust as a
secured creditor and reporting that he had no claims against third parties. A proposed Chapter 13
plan indicated that the Trust would receive monthly payments from the bankruptcy trustee.
Moreover, the Trust (through its counsel), Eric (through his bankruptcy counsel), and Jessica (as
codebtor) executed a stipulation requiring adequate protection payments and dictating that the
Trust could obtain an order granting in rem relief from the automatic stay as to both Eric and
Jessica if Eric defaulted on the adequate protection payments. The proposed plan was denied, and
the case was dismissed in October 2019.
In order to protect the integrity of the judicial and administrative processes, “[j]udicial
estoppel precludes a party from adopting a legal position in conflict with a position taken earlier
in the same or related litigation.” Id. at 537 (quotation marks and citation omitted). When a litigant
has unequivocally and successfully asserted a position in a prior proceeding, the litigant will be
estopped from asserting a “wholly inconsistent” position later. Id. (quotation marks and citation
omitted). In Spohn v Van Dyke Pub Sch, 296 Mich App 470, 480-481; 822 NW2d 239 (2012),
this Court explained that judicial estoppel arising from bankruptcy proceedings requires the
reviewing court to find:
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(1) [the plaintiff] assumed a position that was contrary to the one that she asserted
under oath in the bankruptcy proceedings; (2) the bankruptcy court adopted the
contrary position either as a preliminary matter or as part of a final disposition; and
(3) [the plaintiff’s] omission did not result from mistake or inadvertence.
[Quotation marks and citation omitted; alterations in original.]
Plaintiffs dispute the applicability of judicial estoppel because Jessica was the only debtor
to sign the note in favor of the Trust and could not have pursued her claims in Eric’s bankruptcy
cases. We disagree.
When a creditor files a proof of claim in a bankruptcy proceeding, the claim is deemed
allowed unless “a party in interest” objects. 11 USC 502(a). In In re Morton, 298 BR 301 (Bankr
CA 6, 2003),4 the debtor objected to several proofs of claim filed by creditors on the basis that her
estranged husband was the only party contractually obligated to pay the debts, and the court
considered whether the spouse was a party in interest with standing to respond to the debtor’s
objections. Id. at 304-307. The court observed that Fed R Bankr P 3005(a) permitted “an entity
that is or may be liable” to a creditor along with the debtor to file a proof of claim in the name of
the creditor. Id. at 306. The court reasoned that the debtor’s spouse might be liable for the
challenged claims, so the procedural rule afforded him the right to file a proof of claim on behalf
of the creditors. Id. By the same token, he was undoubtedly a party in interest with standing to
respond to the debtor’s objections. Id. The Morton court also looked to other courts’ treatment of
who constituted a party in interest, favorably citing the following:
[Party in interest] has been described as “an expandable concept depending
on the particular factual context in which it is applied.” In various contexts, a “party
in interest” has been held to be one who has an actual pecuniary interest in the case;
anyone who has a practical stake in the outcome of a case; and those who will be
impacted in any significant way in the case. [Id. at 307, quoting In re Cowan, 235
BR 912, 915 (Bankr WD Mo, 1999) (citations omitted).]
Applying this reasoning, the court opined that the debtor’s spouse was a party in interest because
he had a pecuniary interest in any decision relieving the debtor from the claimed debts, and
permitting him to participate advanced the goals of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 USC 101 et seq. In
re Morton, 298 BR at 307.
Although Morton addressed a nondebtor’s right to respond to the debtor’s objections, it
can be applied here by analogy. As noted earlier, a creditor’s claim is generally deemed allowed
absent an objection by a party in interest. 11 USC 502(a). The Trust asserted claims in both
bankruptcy cases. Jessica, as the sole debtor in the note and an owner of the property serving as
collateral, clearly had an actual pecuniary interest in the handling of that debt and a practical stake
in the outcome. Thus, Jessica was a party in interest and could have objected to the Trust’s claim
under 11 USC 502(a). There is no evidence that she objected to the validity of the debt. To the
4
This Court is not bound by decisions of federal courts, but may rely on federal decisions as
persuasive authority. Abela v Gen Motors Corp, 469 Mich 603, 607; 677 NW2d 325 (2004).
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contrary, she stipulated to adequate protection payments in the second case and relief from the
automatic stay in the event of a default in those payments. Consequently, we reject plaintiffs’
contention that Jessica’s limited role in the bankruptcy proceedings precludes application of
judicial estoppel.
Plaintiffs also argue that judicial estoppel was inapplicable because their claims in this case
are not wholly inconsistent with their position in the bankruptcy proceedings. We disagree. A
bankruptcy debtor must “file a schedule of assets and liabilities, a schedule of current income and
current expenditures, and a statement of the debtor’s financial affairs.” Spohn, 296 Mich App at
481. A potential cause of action is an asset that must be disclosed. Id. Moreover, “[t]he debtor
need not know all the facts or even the legal basis for the cause of action; rather, if the debtor has
enough information . . . prior to confirmation to suggest that it may have a possible cause of action,
then that is a known cause of action such that it must be disclosed.” Id. at 482 (quotation marks
and citation omitted). When a litigant pursues a cause of action that was not previously disclosed
in a bankruptcy case, the first requirement for judicial estoppel is established. Id. It is undisputed
that Eric did not disclose any potential claims concerning the validity of the Trust mortgage, nor
did Jessica object to the Trust’s proofs of claim in either bankruptcy proceeding. Yet in this case,
Counts II and III of plaintiffs’ second amended complaint allege that the debt secured by the Trust
mortgage was unlawful because it was usurious and violated DFA requirements. By asserting
claims challenging the validity of a debt that was acknowledged and unchallenged in the
bankruptcy cases, plaintiffs are attempting to advance a position contrary to the position they
assumed in the bankruptcy proceedings.
Finally, plaintiffs contend that as lay individuals they were unaware the note was unlawful,
so there was no basis for the trial court to conclude that they acted in bad faith. We disagree.
Plaintiffs’ position implicates the third requirement of judicial estoppel, i.e., that the omission “did
not result from mistake or inadvertence.” Id. at 481 (quotation marks and citation omitted).
Plaintiffs’ argument is unpersuasive because ignorance of the law will not relieve a litigant from
application of judicial estoppel on the basis of failure to disclose a claim in bankruptcy
proceedings, especially when the debtor was represented by counsel. Stanley v FCA US, LLC, 51
F4th 215, 221 (CA 6, 2022).
V. USURY
Concerning plaintiffs’ usury count, defendants sought summary disposition because the
note had a lawful interest rate on its face and the usury statute plaintiffs relied upon did not apply
to the note. Plaintiffs maintain that summary disposition was inappropriate because the note
referred to 11% interest without accounting for the “consulting fee” Jessica paid to McHugh, which
resulted in an actual interest rate that exceeded the statutory cap. The trial court did not err by
granting summary disposition of Count III because MCL 438.31c(7) did not apply to the
underlying note. We review this issue under MCR 2.116(C)(10). See El-Khalil, 504 Mich at 160.
Pursuant to MCL 438.31c(7), “[t]he parties to a purchase money mortgage or a second
mortgage may agree in writing for the payment of a rate of interest not to exceed 11% per annum.”
By its plain language, MCL 438.31c(7) limits the interest rate for a “purchase money mortgage”
or a “second mortgage.” For purposes of this provision, the Legislature defined those terms as
follows:
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(a) “Purchase money mortgage” means a mortgage secured by a first lien or
junior lien taken or retained by the seller of real property to secure all or part of the
purchase price of the property.
(b) “Second mortgage” means a mortgage from which the proceeds of a
loan or other extension of credit made by a third person are secured by a mortgage
on the real property for which the mortgagor has used the proceeds of the loan or
other extension of credit to pay all or part of the purchase price of the property.
[MCL 438.31c(7)(a) and (b).]
Both definitions unambiguously require that the mortgage be given as security for funds used to
pay “all or part of the purchase price of the property.”
Here, Jessica executed the note in August 2015, approximately five months after plaintiffs
purchased the property. Given this time lapse, we can infer that the note was not used to pay all
or part of the purchase price of the property. MCL 438.31c(7), therefore, did not apply, and the
trial court did not err by granting summary disposition of Count II.
VI. DFA CLAIM
Defendants argued below that they were entitled to summary disposition of Count IV
because the DFA did not afford plaintiffs a private cause of action and, if it did, plaintiffs’ claims
were time-barred. Plaintiffs dispute both positions on appeal. Although we agree that the DFA
created a private cause of action for the types of violations alleged by plaintiffs, the trial court did
not err by granting summary disposition of this count because plaintiffs’ claim was either untimely
or moot following the nonredemption of the senior mortgage. We review this issue under MCR
2.116(C)(7), Kincaid, 300 Mich App at 522 (regarding statute of limitations), and (C)(8), El-
Khalil, 504 Mich at 159 (regarding legal sufficiency of complaint).
The mere fact that a person has been harmed by a violation of a federal statute does not
automatically create a private cause of action. Office Planning Group, Inc v Baraga-Houghton-
Keweenaw Child Dev Bd, 472 Mich 479, 496; 697 NW2d 871 (2005). Instead, a private cause of
action must be created by Congress, either expressly or by implication. Id. at 496-500. A cursory
analysis of the relevant statutory language suggests that a private cause of action does exist.
Plaintiffs’ DFA claim is premised on violations of the following statutory provisions:
In accordance with regulations prescribed by the Bureau, no creditor may
make a residential mortgage loan unless the creditor makes a reasonable and good
faith determination based on verified and documented information that, at the time
the loan is consummated, the consumer has a reasonable ability to repay the loan,
according to its terms, and all applicable taxes, insurance (including mortgage
guarantee insurance), and assessments. [15 USC 1639c(a)(1).]
and
No creditor may extend credit to a borrower in connection with a consumer
credit transaction under an open or closed end consumer credit plan secured by a
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dwelling or residential real property that includes a dwelling, other than a reverse
mortgage, that provides or permits a payment plan that may, at any time over the
term of the extension of credit, result in negative amortization . . . . [15 USC
1639c(f)5.]
Although the foregoing statutory language does not signal an intent to create a private cause of
action, § 1640(a) details the extent of monetary liability that may be imposed on “any creditor who
fails to comply with any requirement imposed under this part,” i.e., 15 USC 1631 through 15 USC
1651. The creditor’s liability includes “actual damage sustained by such person as a result of the
failure.” 15 USC 1640(a)(1). And with respect to violations of 15 USC 1639c(a), in particular,
the creditor is liable for “an amount equal to the sum of all finance charges and fees paid by the
consumer, unless the creditor demonstrates that the failure to comply is not material.” 15 USC
1640(a)(4). By identifying the amounts a person or class of people harmed by violations of 15
USC 1639c can recover, it would seem that Congress intended to create a private cause of action.
This conclusion is further bolstered by the following language from § 1640(e):
Except as provided in the subsequent sentence, any action under this section
may be brought in any United States district court, or in any other court of
competent jurisdiction, within one year from the date of the occurrence of the
violation . . . . Any action under this section with respect to any violation of section
1639, 1639b, or 1639c of this title may be brought in any United States district
court, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, before the end of the 3-year
period beginning on the date of the occurrence of the violation. This subsection
does not bar a person from asserting a violation of this subchapter in an action to
collect the debt which was brought more than one year from the date of the
occurrence of the violation as a matter of defense by recoupment or set-off in such
action, except as otherwise provided by State law. An action to enforce a violation
of section 1639, 1639b, 1639c, 1639d, 1639e, 1639f, 1639g, or 1639h of this title
may also be brought by the appropriate State attorney general in any appropriate
United States district court, or any other court of competent jurisdiction, not later
than 3 years after the date on which the violation occurs.
The foregoing provision regarding the time for bringing an action for DFA violations clearly
contemplates that 15 USC 1639c can be judicially enforced. And by stating in the last sentence
that an enforcement action may “also” be brought by a state attorney general, Congress implied
that such an action could likewise be brought by an individual as a private action. See also 15
USC 1640(k) (referring to the time limit for “a private action” for damages under 15 USC 1640(e)).
Nonetheless, the trial court did not err by granting summary disposition of plaintiffs’ DFA
claim because defendants were entitled to judgment as a matter of law for a different reason.
Defendants also moved for summary disposition of plaintiffs’ DFA claim on the basis that it was
5
15 USC 1639c(f) identifies exceptions to its prohibition of negative amortization, but the details
of those exceptions are not pertinent to this appeal.
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untimely under 15 USC 1640(e). Plaintiffs argue that the their DFA claim was not time-barred
because 15 USC 1640(k) dictates that when a creditor initiates foreclosure of a residential
mortgage loan, the consumer “may assert a violation by a creditor of . . . section 1639c(a) of this
title, as a matter of defense by recoupment or set off without regard for the time limit on a private
action for damages under subsection (e).” Plaintiffs’ position is unpersuasive. To the extent the
DFA claim was asserted as a defense to the Trust mortgage foreclosure, the defense was rendered
moot when the Trust mortgage was extinguished by the nonredemption of the senior mortgage
foreclosure. See Advanta Nat’l Bank, 257 Mich App at 125 (noting that foreclosure of a senior
mortgage extinguishes a junior mortgage in the absence of redemption). To the extent plaintiffs
sought damages for the DFA violations, the violations occurred at the time of the loan origination
in 2015, making their June 2020 lawsuit untimely under 15 USC 1640(e).
VII. CIVIL CONSPIRACY
Plaintiffs next argue that they presented a valid claim for civil conspiracy by alleging that
defendants engaged in a concerted action to claim ownership of plaintiffs’ property by unlawful
means. We disagree. We review this issue under MCR 2.116(C)(8). See El-Khalil, 504 Mich at
159.
“A civil conspiracy is a combination of two or more persons, by some concerted action, to
accomplish a criminal or unlawful purpose, or to accomplish a lawful purpose by criminal or
unlawful means.” Swain v Morse, 332 Mich App 510, 530; 957 NW2d 396 (2020) (quotation
marks and citation omitted). The existence of underlying tortious conduct is an essential element
of civil conspiracy. Urbain v Beierling, 301 Mich App 114, 132; 835 NW2d 455 (2013). Count
V alleged that defendants conspired to claim ownership of the property by unlawful means.
Plaintiffs argue on appeal that “[t]he underlying tort committed by [defendants] was the usurious
contract in order to obtain their ownership interest in the Property.” But it is clear from the
pleadings that the interest limit set forth on MCL 438.31c(7) did not apply to the note because the
proceeds were not used to pay all or part of the purchase price of the property. 6 Because the note
was not usurious, it could not serve as the underlying tort to support plaintiffs’ civil conspiracy
claim. The trial court did not err by granting summary disposition of plaintiffs’ civil conspiracy
claim.
VIII. HARASSMENT (CIVIL STALKING CLAIM)
Lastly, plaintiffs argue that the trial court erred by granting summary disposition of their
harassment claim because defendants made numerous unconsented contacts with plaintiffs and
their friends and family, which caused Eric to suffer physical and emotional ailments. We agree
that summary disposition was improper, as there was a question of fact regarding whether
6
Plaintiffs’ civil conspiracy count, as pleaded, also alleged that defendants pursued their unlawful
intent by having McHugh purchase TSB’s interest in the property in lieu of the Trust exercising
its redemption rights. Plaintiffs did not address this aspect of their civil conspiracy claim in their
appellate brief, thereby abandoning review of that theory. See McIntosh v McIntosh, 282 Mich
App 471, 484; 768 NW2d 325 (2009) (declining to decide an insufficiently briefed issue).
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McHugh’s contacts served a legitimate purpose. We review this issue under MCR 2.116(C)(10).
See El-Khalil, 504 Mich at 160.
MCL 600.2954 provides a stalking victim a civil cause of action, “with the elements of
civil stalking being the same as those in the criminal statutes.” Nastal v Henderson & Assoc
Investigations, Inc, 471 Mich 712, 721; 691 NW2d 1 (2005). Consistent with the definition of
stalking outlined in the Michigan Penal Code, MCL 750.1 et seq., “stalking constitutes a willful
course of conduct whereby the victim of repeated or continuous harassment actually is, and a
reasonable person would be, caused to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened,
harassed, or molested.” Id. at 722, citing MCL 750.411h(1)(d). “ ‘Harassment’ means conduct
directed toward a victim that includes, but is not limited to, repeated or continuing unconsented
contact that would cause a reasonable individual to suffer emotional distress and that actually
causes the victim to suffer emotional distress.” Nastal, 471 Mich at 722, quoting MCL
750.411h(1)(c). Conduct that serves a legitimate purpose, however, is excluded from the definition
of harassment. Nastal, 471 Mich at 722 citing MCL 750.411h(1)(c). Thus, such conduct “cannot
constitute harassment or, derivatively, stalking.” Nastal, 471 Mich at 723. Conduct “serves a
legitimate purpose” when it “contributes to a valid purpose that would otherwise be within the law
irrespective of the criminal stalking statute.” Id.In Nastal, the Supreme Court considered the extent to which surveillance by private
investigators constituted conduct that serves a legitimate purpose for purposes of a civil stalking
claim. Id. at 714. The plaintiff was involved in an automobile accident and subsequently sued the
operator and owner of the tractor-trailer that collided with his vehicle, seeking damages for a closed
head injury. Id. at 715. The defense retained a licensed private investigation firm to surveil the
plaintiff. Id. at 715-716. But each time the firm’s investigators undertook surveillance efforts, the
plaintiff eventually noticed their presence and either confronted the investigators, called the police,
or employed unusual driving techniques in an attempt to get behind their vehicles or otherwise
evade them. Id. at 716-718. After several unsuccessful surveillance attempts, the defense directed
the firm to cease their efforts. Id. at 718-719. The plaintiff later sued the investigators and their
supervisor for civil stalking. Id. at 719. The trial court denied the defendants’ motion for summary
disposition, reasoning that their surveillance initially served a legitimate purpose, but whether it
continued to serve that purpose after the investigators were discovered presented a question of fact.
Id.The Supreme Court disagreed and remanded for entry of summary disposition in the
defendants’ favor. Id. at 714-715. As noted above, the Court determined that conduct serves a
legitimate purpose, and is therefore exempt from the definition of “harassment, or derivatively,
stalking,” when it “contributes to a valid purpose that would otherwise be within the law
irrespective of the criminal stalking statute.” Id. at 723. Citing the Professional Investigator
Licensure Act, MCL 338.821 et seq., the Court reasoned that surveillance conducted to obtain
evidence in a lawsuit “is valid and well within the law.” Id. at 724. “It is only when the
surveillance ceases to serve or contribute to the purpose of securing the information permitted by
MCL 338.822(b) that conduct would be outside the statutory safe harbor of MCL 750.411h(1)(c)
and a civil action for stalking could be maintained.” Id. at 725. The Court opined that the trial
court erred when it found a genuine issue of fact concerning the legitimacy of the surveillance after
the plaintiff discovered it because undisputed testimony indicated that only continued surveillance
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at the time of discovery would be ineffective. Id. Later surveillance, “especially after a cooling
off period, could produce information useful to the case.” Id.Here, the evidence before the trial court concerning this claim was extremely limited.
Plaintiffs’ second amended complaint alleged that defendant “sent numerous unsolicited messages
by way of telephone and/or computer, to Plaintiff(s) and/or their relatives making various threats
and improper comments,” and that these actions caused plaintiffs emotional distress, damages, or
both. Plaintiffs also proffered Eric’s response to a discovery request, wherein he explained:
David McHugh has caused significant emotional distress dating back to
when the initial loan was made in August of 2015. My wife and I both received,
on a monthly basis, multiple text messages, phone calls, emails and in person visits
where he would inquire about the current months payment and then threaten that
he could foreclose on our home and leave us homeless and penniless. He also
threatened to, and ultimately did, contact our friends and families in [an] effort to
cause embarrassment, hurt our reputation and attempt to extract a future inheritance
from my 88 year old terminally ill mother.
Defendants provided no evidence to dispute the foregoing, instead relying solely on their bare
assertion, unsupported by any authority, that “a lender attempting to collect upon its debt would
certainly be within its rights to contact the borrowers due to their contractual relationship and see
why they are no longer paying.”
The circumstances at hand are a far cry from the situation addressed by the Supreme Court
in Nastal. Defendants rely on a contractual right to collect a debt, but failed to identify any
provision in the agreements with plaintiffs that would allow McHugh to repeatedly contact
plaintiffs by every available method. To the contrary, the notice provisions in both the mortgage
and promissory note call for written notice delivered in person or by mail. Neither document
purports to allow ceaseless communications by additional methods like text-messages, e-mails, or
by way of third parties. Moreover, while the defendants in Nastal presented unrebutted evidence
that their continued surveillance efforts may have produced useful information as authorized by
statute even though their earlier efforts were known to the plaintiff, there is no evidence from
which a fact-finder could determine that McHugh’s communications with plaintiffs’ family and
friends could actually serve defendants’ debt collection purpose. Rather, as plaintiffs suggest, a
fact-finder could view these acts as evidence that McHugh’s intent was to cause plaintiffs
embarrassment. See, e.g., Hayford v Hayford, 279 Mich App 324, 333; 760 NW2d 503 (2008)
(reasoning that even if the respondent had “a partially legitimate motive for the contact,” evidence
of the respondent’s unusual and extraordinary methods of obtaining information supported finding
that the respondent was not acting for a legitimate purpose). Because there was a question of fact
regarding whether McHugh’s contacts served a legitimate purpose, the trial court should not have
granted summary disposition of plaintiffs’ harassment claim.
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IX. CONCLUSION
For the reasons outlined in this opinion, we reverse the trial court’s order granting summary
disposition as it relates to plaintiffs’ harassment claim. In all other respects, we affirm. We do not
retain jurisdiction.
/s/ Mark J. Cavanagh
/s/ Deborah A. Servitto
/s/ Kristina Robinson Garrett
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