Ocwen Loan Servicing, L.L.C. v. Burgette ( 2016 )


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  • [Cite as Ocwen Loan Servicing, L.L.C. v. Burgette, 
    2016-Ohio-3102
    .]
    STATE OF OHIO                    )                        IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
    )ss:                     NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
    COUNTY OF LORAIN                 )
    OCWEN LOAN SERVICING, LLC                                 C.A. No.    15CA010785
    Appellee
    v.                                                APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
    ENTERED IN THE
    DENNIS L. BURGETTE, et al.                                COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
    COUNTY OF LORAIN, OHIO
    Appellants                                        CASE No.   13CV181309
    DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY
    Dated: May 23, 2016
    MOORE, Presiding Judge.
    {¶1}    Defendants-Appellants Dennis and Linda Burgette appeal from the judgment of
    the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and dismiss in
    part.
    I.
    {¶2}    In 2007, Mr. Burgette executed a promissory note in favor of Bank of America,
    N.A. for the property located at 41641 Rambler Avenue in Elyria. Mr. Burgette and Ms.
    Burgette signed a mortgage with Bank of America, N.A., granting it a security interest in the
    property. At some point, the note was endorsed in blank and, in September 2012, the mortgage
    was assigned to Plaintiff-Appellee Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC (“Ocwen”).
    {¶3}    In August 2013, Ocwen filed a complaint in foreclosure and for reformation of
    mortgage against Mr. and Ms. Burgette, Blue View Corporation, and the Lorain County
    Treasurer. Mr. Burgette’s counsel filed an answer on behalf of “Defendants, [Mr.] Burgette, et
    2
    al[.],” denying the majority of the allegations. Subsequently, after receiving leave, Ocwen filed
    an amended complaint which added the unknown spouse of Mr. Burgette as a Defendant and
    excluded the claim for reformation of the mortgage. The amended complaint acknowledged that
    the personal obligations of Mr. Burgette on the note were discharged in bankruptcy and that
    Ocwen was not seeking a personal judgment against Mr. Burgette. The amended complaint
    asserted that the mortgage and note were in default and that Ocwen had satisfied all conditions
    precedent. Ocwen alleged that, because the note had been accelerated, it was entitled to recover
    $69,923.41 (the principal amount due and owing) from the sale of the property plus interest.
    Ocwen further asserted that Blue View Corporation might claim an interest in the property, but
    that its mortgage was subordinate to Ocwen’s. Ocwen attached to the complaint a copy of the
    note, mortgage, assignment of the mortgage, and an affidavit incorporating a stipulated entry
    from another case indicating that Blue View Corporation’s mortgage was subordinate to Bank of
    America, N.A.’s mortgage.
    {¶4}   No party filed an answer to the amended complaint. Thereafter, Ocwen filed a
    motion for default and summary judgment. It sought default judgment against Ms. Burgette,
    Blue View Corporation, the unknown spouse of Mr. Burgette and summary judgment against
    Mr. Burgette. Ocwen attached to the motion an affidavit along with a copy of the note and
    mortgage. Mr. Burgette’s counsel filed a combined motion in opposition and motion to dismiss
    on behalf of the “Defendants, [Mr.] Burgette, et al.” Ocwen responded, and for the first time
    asserted that, because Mr. Burgette had failed to file an answer to the amended complaint, he had
    waived all affirmative defenses, and the allegations in the complaint should be deemed admitted.
    {¶5}   The trial court granted a default judgment in favor of Ocwen against Ms.
    Burgette, Blue View Corporation, and the unknown spouse of Mr. Burgette. Additionally, it
    3
    denied Mr. Burgette’s motion to dismiss and granted summary judgment to Ocwen against Mr.
    Burgette. In so doing, the trial court did not address whether Mr. Burgette had waived his
    affirmative defenses or the consequences of Mr. Burgette’s failure to answer. However, in light
    of the wording of the entry, it appears the trial court declined to adopt Ocwen’s argument
    concerning those issues.1
    {¶6}   Mr. and Ms. Burgette have appealed, raising two assignments of error for our
    review.
    II.
    {¶7}   Initially, we address whether Ms. Burgette has standing to appeal the issues
    raised. Ocwen has argued that she lacks standing to pursue an appeal in this case given that none
    of the arguments raised relate to the default judgment entered against her.
    {¶8}   The trial court granted a default judgment against Ms. Burgette after it determined
    that she failed to file an answer or otherwise plead. Ms. Burgette does not challenge the grant of
    default judgment against her or otherwise assert that the trial court erred in determining she
    failed to answer or plead. Instead, she challenges the trial court’s grant of summary judgment to
    Ocwen against Mr. Burgette and the trial court’s denial of what it characterized as Mr. Burgette’s
    motion to dismiss.2 Ms. Burgette has not demonstrated that she has been aggrieved by the trial
    1
    As noted above, while Ocwen very briefly argued below in its reply brief that, because
    Mr. Burgette failed to answer the amended complaint, the allegations in the complaint should be
    deemed admitted, the trial court did not adopt this position, and Ocwen has not advanced this
    position on appeal. Accordingly, we will not address this issue on appeal and will proceed as
    though the allegations were not deemed admitted. See Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust Co. v. Byrd,
    9th Dist. Summit No. 27280, 
    2014-Ohio-3704
    , ¶ 11 (concluding that the issue of whether
    borrower’s failure to deny conditions precedent with particularity in accordance with Civ.R. 9(C)
    resulted in an admission was not before the Court where bank failed to raise the issue in its
    summary judgment motion). We take no position on the merits of the issue.
    2
    The record contains filings which indicate that Mr. Burgette’s counsel also may have
    been representing Ms. Burgette in the trial court. Some filings purport to be filed solely on
    4
    court’s rulings that have been appealed or explained how the rulings adversely affected her rights
    in light of the default judgment entered against her. See Smith v. Allied Home Mtge. Corp., 9th
    Dist. Lorain No. 12CA010145, 
    2012-Ohio-5434
    , ¶ 4. Accordingly, Ms. Burgette has failed to
    demonstrate that she has standing to appeal these issues, and we dismiss the appeal with respect
    to her. See 
    id.
    III.
    ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I
    THE TRIAL COURT[’]S DECISION GRANTING [OCWEN’S] MOTION FOR
    SUMMARY JUDGMENT WAS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF
    THE EVIDENCE.
    {¶9}       Mr. Burgette argues in his first assignment of error that the trial court erred in
    granting summary judgment to Ocwen.
    {¶10} While Mr. Burgette alleges that the judgment was against the manifest weight of
    the evidence, this Court does not apply that standard in reviewing a trial court’s decision granting
    summary judgment.
    {¶11} An appellate court reviews an award of summary judgment de novo. Grafton v.
    Ohio Edison Co., 
    77 Ohio St.3d 102
    , 105 (1996). It applies the same standard as the trial court,
    viewing the facts of the case in the light most favorable to the non-moving party and resolving
    any doubt in favor of the non-moving party. Viock v. Stowe-Woodward Co., 
    13 Ohio App.3d 7
    ,
    12 (6th Dist.1983). Pursuant to Civ.R. 56(C), summary judgment is proper if:
    behalf of Mr. Burgette, while others purport to be filed on behalf of the “Defendants[.]” For
    example, the combined motion in opposition to Ocwen’s motion for summary judgment and
    motion to dismiss states that it is being brought by the “Defendants[.]” Nonetheless, the trial
    court apparently viewed that filing as being filed only on behalf of Mr. Burgette. As Ms.
    Burgette has not challenged that finding on appeal, we accept the trial court’s characterization
    for purposes of this appeal.
    5
    (1) No genuine issue as to any material fact remains to be litigated; (2) the
    moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law; and (3) it appears from
    the evidence that reasonable minds can come to but one conclusion, and viewing
    such evidence most strongly in the favor of the party against whom the motion for
    summary judgment is made, that conclusion is adverse to that party.
    Temple v. Wean United, Inc., 
    50 Ohio St.2d 317
    , 327 (1977). The moving party bears the initial
    burden of informing the trial court of the basis for the motion and pointing to parts of the record
    that show the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. Dresher v. Burt, 
    75 Ohio St.3d 280
    ,
    292-93 (1996). Once this burden is satisfied, the non-moving party bears the burden of offering
    specific facts to show a genuine issue for trial. Id. at 293; Civ.R. 56(E).
    {¶12} Below, and on appeal, Mr. Burgette asserted that Ocwen’s affidavit in support of
    its motion for summary judgment was insufficient to demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue
    of material fact. Specifically, Mr. Burgette challenges the failure of Mary Maguire, the affiant,
    to append any documentation in support of her assertion that Mr. Burgette was in default. He
    also argues that the affidavit does not fully explain the basis of her knowledge or identify with
    particularity the nature of the records on which she relied.
    {¶13} “[A] foreclosure requires a two[-]step process. The prerequisites for a party
    seeking to foreclose a mortgage are execution and delivery of the note and mortgage; valid
    recording of the mortgage; default; and establishing an amount due.” (Internal quotations and
    citations omitted.) Sovereign Bank, N.A. v. Singh, 9th Dist. Summit 27178, 
    2015-Ohio-3865
    , ¶
    9. “Once a court has determined that a default on an obligation secured by a mortgage has
    occurred, it must then consider the equities of the situation in order to decide if foreclosure is
    appropriate.” (Internal quotations and citation omitted.) 
    Id.
    {¶14} “[A]ffidavits submitted in support of or in opposition to motions for summary
    judgment ‘shall be made on personal knowledge, shall set forth such facts as would be
    6
    admissible in evidence, and shall show affirmatively that the affiant is competent to testify to the
    matters stated in the affidavit.’” Bank of Am., N.A. v. Loya, 9th Dist. Summit No. 26973, 2014-
    Ohio-2750, ¶ 12, quoting Maxum Indemnity Co. v. Selective Ins. Co. of S.C., 9th Dist. Wayne
    No. 11CA0015, 
    2012-Ohio-2115
    , ¶ 18, quoting Civ.R. 56(E).              “In addition, Civ.R. 56(E)
    provides that ‘[s]worn or certified copies of all papers or parts of papers referred to in an
    affidavit shall be attached to or served with the affidavit.’” Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust Co. v.
    Dvorak, 9th Dist. Summit No. 27120, 
    2014-Ohio-4652
    , ¶ 10. “Generally, ‘a mere assertion of
    personal knowledge satisfies the personal knowledge requirement of Civ.R. 56(E) if the nature of
    the facts in the affidavit combined with the identity of the affiant creates a reasonable inference
    that the affiant has personal knowledge of the facts in the affidavit.’” Loya at ¶ 12, quoting Bank
    One, N.A. v. Lytle, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 04CA008463, 
    2004-Ohio-6547
    , ¶ 13. “If particular
    averments contained in an affidavit suggest that it is unlikely that the affiant has personal
    knowledge of those facts, [however,] then * * * something more than a conclusory averment that
    the affiant has knowledge of the facts [is] required.” Loya at ¶ 12, quoting Bank One v. Swartz,
    9th Dist. Lorain No. 03CA008308, 
    2004-Ohio-1986
    , ¶ 14. “This Court ‘cannot infer personal
    knowledge from the averment of personal knowledge alone.’” Loya at ¶ 12, quoting Maxum
    Indemnity Co. at ¶ 22.
    {¶15} Ms. Maguire averred that she had “personal knowledge of the facts and matters
    stated [in the affidavit]” and was the “Contract Management Coordinator” for Ocwen. She
    stated that, “[i]n the regular performance of [her] job functions, [she] ha[s] access to and [is]
    familiar with the business records [(“the Records”)] relating to the servicing of the mortgage loan
    at issue[.]”   She asserted that “[t]he records were made at or near the time by, or from
    information transmitted from, a person with knowledge of the Transactions.” Additionally, she
    7
    indicated that she “ha[s] personal knowledge of the manner in which the Records are created,
    and [she] ha[s] reviewed and relied upon the Records in executing [the] Affidavit.” Ms. Maguire
    did not further clarify her job duties or explain in what capacity she relies upon the records.
    {¶16} Ms. Maguire averred that, “[a]ccording to the Records, [Mr. Burgette’s] last
    payment received was applied to the September 1, 2011 payment, and [Mr. Burgette] is therefore
    in default by failing to tender the required monthly payments when due. All sums due and owing
    pursuant to the terms of the promissory note and mortgage have been accelerated.” Ms. Maguire
    also indicated that, “[a]ccording to the Records, as a result of the default on the Loan and the
    acceleration of the debt, there is due on the Loan a principal balance of $69,923.41, together with
    interest[.]” No documents evidencing the default accompanied the motion for summary judgment
    or were attached to her affidavit.
    {¶17} Even assuming that Ms. Maguire’s affidavit established her personal knowledge
    of Ocwen’s business records, she acknowledged that her knowledge was based upon her review
    of those records in making the affidavit. Moreover, the averments at issue in her affidavit are
    prefaced by the phrase “[a]ccording to the Records[.]” Therefore, “while Ms. [Maguire] averred
    that Mr. [Burgette] failed to make payments as required by the terms of the note and mortgage,
    she failed to append any documentation in support of that averment. Thus, * * * [h]aving
    reviewed the business records attached to Ms. [Maguire’s] affidavit, we cannot conclude that a
    review of the records would have allowed her to attest to the fact[s] relevant to Mr. [Burgette’s]
    default.” U.S. Bank, N.A. v. Greenless, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 14CA010618, 
    2015-Ohio-356
    , ¶ 13.
    While this Court did not reverse on this issue in Greenless, it declined to do so only because Mr.
    Greenless failed to raise that issue. See 
    id.
     As this issue was raised in the instant case below and
    on appeal, we conclude that, because Ms. Maguire did not attach the relevant documents upon
    8
    which she relied in making her affidavit in violation of Civ.R. 56(E), and because the affidavit
    evidences that her knowledge with respect to those facts was derived from Ocwen’s business
    records, her affidavit did not satisfy Ocwen’s burden of establishing the absence of a genuine
    issue of fact with respect to Mr. Burgette’s default. See Dvorak, 
    2014-Ohio-4652
    , at ¶ 13.
    {¶18} While Mr. Burgette has raised several other issues that he asserts demonstrate that
    the trial court erred in granting summary judgment, the majority of those he did not raise below
    in his brief in opposition, and as we have already determined summary judgment was not
    appropriate, we need not address them at this time.
    {¶19} Mr. Burgette’s first assignment of error is sustained.
    ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II
    THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING [MR. BURGETTE’S] MOTION
    TO DISMISS PURSUANT TO RES JUDICATA[.]
    {¶20} Mr. Burgette argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion to dismiss as
    Ocwen’s claims were barred by res judicata.
    {¶21} Mr. Burgette asserted below that Ocwen sought “foreclosure on the same note and
    mortgage as were the subject of two prior actions, each having been dismissed pursuant to
    [Civ.R.] 41[(A)](1)(a)[,]” and thus, argued that “the instant action [was] barred by res judicata.”
    Therefore, Mr. Burgette maintained that the trial court lacked jurisdiction. Ocwen responded
    that res judicata did not bar the action and also asserted that Mr. Burgette was barred from
    raising affirmative defenses as he failed to answer the amended complaint.
    {¶22} The trial court denied Mr. Burgette’s motion, concluding that the two cases to
    which Mr. Burgette pointed as being prior dismissals could not be considered as prior dismissals
    for purposes of the double-dismissal rule because they involved a loan other than the one at
    issue. The trial court did not address whether Mr. Burgette’s failure to assert the defense of res
    9
    judicata in an answer to the amended complaint forfeited his ability to raise the issue; because
    resolution of that issue would not affect the outcome of this appeal, we will likewise refrain from
    addressing the issue.
    {¶23} There is no argument, nor does the record support, that the complaint alone, or its
    attachments, would authorize the trial court to dismiss the action based upon res judicata.
    Further, the attachments to the motion to dismiss do not support Mr. Burgette’s argument either.
    Mr. Burgette asserted that Ocwen sought “to foreclos[e] on the same note and mortgage as were
    the subject of two prior actions[,]” and thus res judicata applied based upon U.S. Bank Natl.
    Assn. v. Gullotta, 
    120 Ohio St.3d 399
    , 
    2008-Ohio-6268
    . However, the attachments to the motion
    do not evidence the same. The attachments do not include the note or mortgage at issue in the
    prior cases. Additionally, Ocwen was not listed as a party in either of the attached complaints
    and the loans at issue in the attached complaints originated well before the note and mortgage at
    issue in this case were signed. Mr. Burgette failed to establish that Ocwen previously twice
    dismissed the same claims via Civ.R. 41(A)(1)(a). See Gullotta at ¶ 25. Further, Mr. Burgette
    did not direct the trial court or this Court to any authority that would sanction the use of res
    judicata in light of these facts. See App.R. 16(A)(7). Mr. Burgette did not demonstrate that res
    judicata applied to bar Ocwen’s action.
    {¶24} Mr. Burgette’s second assignment of error is overruled.
    III.
    {¶25} The appeal is dismissed with respect to Ms. Burgette.           Mr. Burgette’s first
    assignment of error is sustained, and his second assignment of error is overruled. The judgment
    of the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed in part, and reversed in part, and the
    matter is remanded for proceedings consistent with this opinion.
    10
    Appeal dismissed in part,
    judgment affirmed in part,
    reversed in part,
    and cause remanded.
    There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
    We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common
    Pleas, County of Lorain, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy of
    this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
    Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of
    judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the
    period for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is
    instructed to mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the
    mailing in the docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.
    Costs taxed equally to both parties.
    CARLA MOORE
    FOR THE COURT
    WHITMORE, J.
    HENSAL, J.
    CONCUR.
    APPEARANCES:
    ROBERT CABRERA, Attorney at Law, for Appellants.
    KIMBERLY Y. SMITH RIVERA, Attorney at Law, for Appellee.