Hughes v. Abell

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
GEORGE R. HUGHES,
Plaintiff,
v. Civil Action No. 09-0220 (JDB)
VINCENT ABELL, et al.,
Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff George R. Hughes brings this action against Vincent Abell, Calvin Baltimore,
Modern Management Company, and Wells Fargo Bank. His claims relate to two transactions
involving Hughes' residence, a property in Washington, DC, which Hughes purchased in 1997.
In 2004, Hughes transferred title to the property to Abell in a transaction also involving
Baltimore and Modern Management. Then, in 2006, Hughes nonetheless entered into a
mortgage transaction with Wells Fargo, not disclosing to Wells Fargo that he had previously
transferred title to the property.
With respect to Abell, Baltimore, and Modern Management, Hughes brings claims for
violations of the D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act ("CPPA"), the Truth in Lending Act
("TILA") and the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act ("HOEPA"), a claim for common
law fraud, and a claim for an equitable mortgage. With respect to Wells Fargo, Hughes alleges
violations of the CPPA. Hughes maintains that he is the rightful owner of the residence and he
seeks to quiet title with respect to both Abell and Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo asserts
counterclaims against Hughes for equitable subrogation, equitable lien, unjust enrichment, fraud,
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and breach of contract, and against Abell for fraud, quiet title, equitable subrogation, and unjust
enrichment. Abell asserts a crossclaim for quiet title against Wells Fargo.
Now before the Court are Wells Fargo's motion for summary judgment on its claims
against the other parties and Abell's renewed motion for summary judgment on Hughes’ claims
against Abell and Modern Management. Although the numerous claims in this case belie easy
description, Wells Fargo’s primary contention is that the evidence in the record shows that
Hughes was aware that Abell claimed ownership of the residence at the time that Hughes entered
into the transaction with Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo argues that Hughes’ knowledge should bar
any recovery against Wells Fargo and also warrants judgment in Wells Fargo’s favor on its
claims. Abell, for his part, moves out of disagreement with this Court’s prior decision rejecting
his argument that Hughes’ claims are barred by the statute of limitations.
For the reasons discussed below, the Court will grant Wells Fargo’s motion in part and
deny it in part. As described below, the Court has reached two primary conclusions at this stage
of the proceedings. With respect to Wells Fargo’s claims, the Court concludes that Hughes
committed fraud against Wells Fargo. Nonetheless, the Court rejects Wells Fargo’s assertion
that Hughes’ conduct bars his recovery under the CPPA. This claim will be permitted to
proceed, but in more limited form than as alleged by Hughes’ complaint.
There are many other issues in this case, some of which can also be resolved now based
on the fraud determination. Others are also largely decided by the fraud decision, but technically
cannot be resolved until the resolution of the CPPA claim or the resolution of the dispute
between Hughes and Abell about the prior transaction. Many of these issues will nonetheless fall
easily into place once the other claims in the case are resolved.
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Accordingly, the Court will grant Wells Fargo’s motion with respect to the fraud claim,
as well as with respect to some, but not all, of Wells Fargo’s other claims. For the reasons
discussed below, the Court will also deny Abell’s motion.
I. Background
a. Facts
Hughes purchased 5236 5th Street, NW, Washington, DC ("the Property") in November
1997. Am. Compl. [Docket Entry 53] ¶¶ 4, 9. He took out two mortgages against the Property
in order to pay for it, the larger of the two from Chase Manhattan Bank. Id. ¶¶ 10, 12. After
Hughes became delinquent on the larger loan in 2004, Chase Manhattan notified him that it
would foreclose. Id. ¶¶ 13, 14. Hughes needed to pay arrears in the amount of $16,485.51, plus
costs and fees, to prevent the auction of his home in September 2004. Id. ¶ 4. Prior to
foreclosure, Calvin Baltimore, working with Abell and Modern Management, solicited Hughes's
business and represented that he would help Hughes remain in his home. Id. ¶¶ 15–17, 24.
Hughes signed a series of documents, the effect of which was to transfer title to the property to
Abell, who then rented it back to Hughes. Id. ¶¶ 20, 25. Hughes alleges that he understood the
transaction "as a way to retain ownership of his home." Id. ¶ 24.
The only papers Baltimore provided Hughes at the end of the transaction were a lease
agreement and an option agreement. Id. ¶ 21. Baltimore told Hughes that he would provide him
with copies of the other papers, but never did, despite Hughes's repeated attempts to contact
Baltimore and obtain copies. Id. The lease agreement provided that Hughes would pay
$1034.76 per month, which Hughes alleges that he believed would "cover his mortgage as well
as the loan." Id. ¶ 20. Attached to the lease was an "Option Agreement" that provided that
Hughes could purchase his home for $75,000.00 within the next year. Id. ¶ 22. Baltimore
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explained that Modern Management would help Hughes refinance the loan at the end of the year.
Id. ¶ 20. Hughes also received $10,000.00 up front as part of this transaction. Id. Assuming
Hughes borrowed $30,000 under this loan — the $10,000 payment and approximately $20,000 to
cover arrears — the annual percentage rate would have been 122.57%, based on twelve monthly
payments of $1034.76 and a final payment of $75,000. Id. ¶ 23. At the time of this transaction in
September 2004, the property was worth $147,060, according to D.C. property tax assessment
records. Id. ¶ 24.
Around August 2006, Hughes received notice from Chase Manhattan that it had changed
his contact information to that of the offices of Modern Management. Id. ¶ 29. He also received
notice from Modern Management that he was behind in his payments. Id. ¶ 30. Hughes
approached defendant Wells Fargo to seek refinancing of his Chase Manhattan mortgage. Id. ¶¶
31, 32. With respect to his transaction with Abell, Hughes told Wells Fargo, orally and in
writing, "that he had previously borrowed money (from Calvin Baltimore) to stop a foreclosure
against the Property." Id. ¶ 34. Wells Fargo tried unsuccessfully to reach Baltimore and did not
find any recordation of Hughes' transaction with Abell upon inquiring at the Recorder of Deeds.
Id. Wells Fargo suggested to Hughes that he discuss his transaction with Baltimore with a
lawyer, and Hughes spoke with the law firm of Weinstock, Friedman, and Friedman, P.A. See
Decl. of George Hughes [Docket Entry 115-2] ¶¶ 18, 21-22.
Wells Fargo offered to refinance Hughes' Chase Manhattan mortgage so long as Hughes
consolidated his second mortgage and other nonmortgage debts, which together totaled
$33,517.03, into his agreement with Wells Fargo. Id. ¶¶ 33, 36. Hughes would also receive
$61,080.22 up front at closing. Id. ¶ 36. The statute of limitations had passed for some of these
nonmortgage debts. Id. ¶ 35. Hughes's outstanding balance on his Chase Manhattan mortgage
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was $87,775.43, so that after consolidation Wells Fargo was proposing to make a loan with a
38% increase over the value of Hughes's prior mortgage debt. Id. ¶ 36. Hughes was to pay
$1,604.18 per month for this loan; his previous monthly payment to Chase Manhattan was $815
per month. Id. ¶¶ 11, 42. This payment amounted to approximately 46% of Hughes's monthly
income of $3,511.83. Id. ¶ 38. Hughes reported this income to Wells Fargo and made no
representations about whether it would increase or decrease in the future. Id. The application
that Wells Fargo prepared for his loan indicates that Hughes had monthly income of $3,783.33
per month. Id. ¶ 37.
Wells Fargo reserved the right to increase the loan's initial interest rate of 7.875% up to a
limit of 13.875% after the first two years of the loan. Id. ¶ 41. Wells Fargo's representative told
Hughes that "he did not need to worry about the loan being an adjustable-rate mortgage, because
he should be able to refinance the loan before the rate changed," which Hughes has not been able
to do. Id. ¶ 43-44. Hughes accepted these terms and closed the loan on September 22, 2006. Id.
¶ 40. Hughes paid $10,127.32 in closing costs. Id. ¶ 46. Prior to the commencement of the
transaction between Hughes and Wells Fargo on September 22, and unbeknownst to either party,
on September 15, 2006, Abell recorded a deed transferring title of the property from Hughes to
Abell. Id. ¶ 47.
b. Present Suit
Hughes brought the present action on January 15, 2009 in the Superior Court of the
District of Columbia. Wells Fargo removed the case to this Court on January 29, 2009. Hughes
asserts the following claims against Abell, Baltimore, and Modern Management: violations of
the CPPA (Count I), creation of an equitable mortgage (Count II), violations of TILA and
HOEPA (Count III), common law fraud (Count IV), and usury (Count VIII). Am. Compl. ¶¶
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50–79, 95-98. Against Wells Fargo, Hughes asserts violations of the CPPA (Count V) and
common law negligence (Count VII). Id. ¶¶ 80–84, 90-94. Count VI seeks to quiet title against
both Wells Fargo and Abell. Id. ¶¶ 85–89. Abell filed counterclaims against Hughes for quiet
title, rent or possession, unjust enrichment, and fraud. Countercl. [Docket Entry 70] ¶¶ 43-69.
Abell also filed a crossclaim to quiet title against Wells Fargo. Cross-cl. [Docket Entry 70]
("Abell Cross-cl. Against Wells Fargo") ¶¶ 74-75. Wells Fargo filed crossclaims against Abell
for fraud (Count I), quiet title (Count II), equitable subrogation (Count III), and unjust
enrichment (Count IV). Cross-cl. [Docket Entry 12] ("Wells Fargo Cross-cls. Against Abell") ¶¶
6-33. Wells Fargo also asserts the following counterclaims against Hughes: equitable
subrogation (Count I), equitable lien (Count II), unjust enrichment (Count III), fraud (Count IV),
and breach of contract (Count V). Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.'s Am. Answer and Countercls. to Pl.
George R. Hughes' Compl. [Docket Entry 30] ("Wells Fargo Countercls. Against Hughes").
This Court previously ruled, in July 2009, on Wells Fargo's motion to dismiss Hughes's
original complaint. Hughes v. Abell, 634 F. Supp. 2d 110 (D.D.C. 2009). The Court ruled that
Hughes had alleged facts sufficient to state an unconscionability claim under the CPPA, and that
Hughes's quiet title count also survived. Wells Fargo's motion to dismiss was, however, granted
in part, because Hughes failed adequately to allege misrepresentation under the CPPA. Wells
Fargo then filed an answer to Hughes' complaint and then an amended answer, which contained
Wells Fargo's counterclaims against Hughes. Hughes was granted leave to file an amended
complaint with restated allegations of misrepresentations under the CPPA in May 2010. Wells
Fargo filed a motion to dismiss this amended complaint and Abell filed a motion for summary
judgment on some, but not all, of the claims against him. After the filing of these motions and
during the course of ongoing discovery, the Court was informed of a privilege dispute arising
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from a subpoena directed to the Weinstock firm by Wells Fargo. After considering argument
from the parties and reviewing relevant documents in camera, the Court ruled that the content of
communications between Hughes and staff of the law firm was protected by the attorney-client
privilege.
In November 2010, the Court ruled on Wells Fargo's motion to dismiss and Abell's
motion for summary judgment. Hughes v. Abell, 794 F. Supp. 2d 1 (D.D.C. 2010). The Court
denied Wells Fargo's motion in its entirety, granted Abell's motion with respect to the usury
claim, and denied Abell's motion with respect to the remaining claims. Id. at 15. Wells Fargo
then filed an answer to the amended complaint.
Wells Fargo filed the present motion for summary judgment in April 2011. In January
2012, the Court ordered supplemental briefing on whether a declaration by Hughes that was
attached to Hughes’ opposition to Wells Fargo’s motion waived the attorney-client privilege with
respect to the content of his communications with the Weinstock firm. A hearing on the motion
for summary judgment, as well as the privilege issue, was held on February 24, 2012. The Court
then ruled that Hughes’ declaration did waive the attorney-client privilege with respect to his
communications with the firm in the time period surrounding his transaction with Wells Fargo.
The Court subsequently released a partially redacted version of a document produced by the
Weinstock firm that had previously been provided to the Court for in camera review. The
document, entitled “Redacted Intake Notes Summary,” described communications between
Hughes and Weinstock firm staff. The Court ordered Wells Fargo to refile its motion for
summary judgment with a supplemental memorandum addressing the significance, if any, of the
released document. On March 23, 2012, Hughes stipulated to the dismissal of his negligence
claim (Count VII) against Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo then refiled its motion for summary
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judgment with a supplemental memorandum addressing the significance of the released
documents. On April 20, 2012, Abell filed a renewed motion for summary judgment on all the
remaining counts that Hughes alleges against Abell and Modern Management. The motions are
now ripe for decision by the Court.
II. Summary Judgment Standard
Summary judgment is appropriate when the pleadings and the evidence demonstrate that
"there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a
matter of law." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(2). The party seeking summary judgment bears the initial
responsibility of demonstrating the absence of a genuine dispute of material fact. See Celotex
Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986). The moving party may successfully support its
motion by identifying those portions of "the pleadings, the discovery and disclosure materials on
file, and any affidavits" which it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material
fact. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(2); see Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323.
In determining whether there exists a genuine issue of material fact sufficient to preclude
summary judgment, the court must regard the non-movant's statements as true and accept all
evidence and make all inferences in the non-movant's favor. See Anderson v. Liberty Lobby,
Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 255 (1986). A non-moving party, however, must establish more than the
"mere existence of a scintilla of evidence" in support of its position. Id. at 252. By pointing to
the absence of evidence proffered by the non-moving party, a moving party may succeed on
summary judgment. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322. "If the evidence is merely colorable, or is not
significantly probative, summary judgment may be granted." Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249-50(citations omitted). Summary judgment is appropriate if the non-movant fails to offer "evidence
on which the jury could reasonably find for the [non-movant]." Id. at 252.
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III. Discussion
a. Hughes' Claims Against Wells Fargo
Hughes has two remaining claims against Wells Fargo. First, he alleges that Wells Fargo
violated the CPPA by providing him financing on unconscionable terms and misrepresenting
material facts about the transaction. Second, Hughes seeks to quiet title on the Property on the
ground that Wells Fargo obtained its security interest in the Property in violation of the CPPA.
i. Hughes' Claim Under the CPPA
Hughes asserts that Wells Fargo's financing practices are unconscionable within the
meaning of D.C. Code § 28-3904(r). Am. Compl. ¶¶ 80–83. The CPPA applies to real estate
finance transactions like the one in this case. DeBerry v. First Gov't Mortgage & Investors
Corp., 743 A.2d 699, 703 (D.C. 1999). Whether a practice is unconscionable under this
provision is determined by weighing several factors, including "knowledge by the person at the
time credit sales are consummated that there was no reasonable probability of payment in full of
the obligation by the consumer," "knowledge by the person at the time of the sale or lease of the
inability of the consumer to receive substantial benefits from the property or services sold or
leased," and "that the person has knowingly taken advantage of the inability of the consumer
reasonably to protect his interests." D.C. Code § 28-3904(r)(1), (2), (5).
Hughes supports his claim that Wells Fargo provided him financing on which "there was
no reasonable probability of payment in full," id. § 28-3904(r)(1), with allegations that the
financing requires payment of an excessive share of his income. Hughes alleges that his monthly
payment to Wells Fargo amounts to approximately 46% of his monthly income. Am. Compl. ¶
38. He further alleges that although the interest rate at the time was the minimum allowed by
Wells Fargo's terms, that rate may increase in the future. Id. ¶ 42. Because Hughes made no
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representation about whether his present income would remain constant or increase, that —
coupled with the adjustable rate — could result in future monthly payments of more than half of
his income. Id. ¶ 37.
Hughes next alleges that Wells Fargo's terms are unconscionable under D.C. Code § 28-
3904(r)(2) because Wells Fargo knew that he would be unable "to receive substantial benefits"
from Wells Fargo's terms. Through the refinancing, Hughes received $61,080.22 upon closing
and consolidated $33,517.03 in other debt. Am. Compl. ¶¶ 35, 36. Notwithstanding these
apparent benefits, Hughes contends that the refinancing also doubled his monthly mortgage
payment and paid off debt on which the statute of limitations had run. Id. ¶¶ 35, 42.
Finally, Hughes alleges that Wells Fargo has "knowingly taken advantage of the inability
of the consumer reasonably to protect his interests." D.C. Code § 28-3904(r)(5). He asserts that
a representative from a settlement company retained by Wells Fargo had Hughes "sign a stack of
papers" but only gave Hughes "unsigned copies" and that "no notary was present." Am. Compl.
¶ 40.
The Court has previously concluded that, in consideration of these three factors under
section 28-3904(r), Hughes stated a claim of unconscionability under the CPPA. Hughes, 794 F.
Supp. 2d at 9. The Court determined that "[a]t minimum, Hughes sufficiently alleges that, under
the first factor, 'there was no reasonable probability of payment in full.'" Id.Hughes also alleges a second violation of the CPPA, claiming that Wells Fargo
"misrepresent[ed] material facts when such failure tended to mislead." Am. Compl. ¶ 84. The
CPPA prohibits "misrepresent[ations] as to a material fact which has a tendency to mislead."
D.C. Code § 28-3904(e). Hughes asserts that a Wells Fargo representative told him not to worry
about the loan being an adjustable rate mortgage, because he should be able to refinance the loan
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before the rate changed in two years. Am. Compl. ¶ 43. Hughes alleges that he has not been able
to refinance the Wells Fargo loan. Id. ¶ 44. The Court previously concluded that "Wells Fargo's
alleged representation . . . may have misled Hughes regarding the potential costs and risks
involved in his transaction with Wells Fargo." Hughes, 794 F. Supp. 2d at 9.
ii. Wells Fargo's Argument for Summary Judgment on CPPA Claim
Wells Fargo argues that, contrary to Hughes' allegations, the terms of the loan are not
unconscionable. First, Wells Fargo indicates that Hughes' contention that the loan had "an
interest rate that would range between 7.875% and 13.875%," Am. Compl. ¶ 42, is factually
incorrect. Wells Fargo's Mem. in Supp. of its Mot. for Summ. J. [Docket Entry 132-1] ("Wells
Fargo Mem.") at 11-12. Although the initial interest rate was 7.875% and the rate was
adjustable, the rate could vary both downward and upward; indeed, in 2009-2010, the rate
adjusted as low as 5.625%. Id. Wells Fargo seems to suggest that it could not have had
"knowledge . . . that there was no reasonable probability of payment in full," D.C. Code § 28-
3904(r)(1), by Hughes because the required loan payments could have decreased. Furthermore,
Wells Fargo contends that Hughes' allegation that he did not "receive substantial benefits," D.C.
Code § 28-3904(r)(2), from the loan is unsupportable from the record. Wells Fargo notes that
the loan was applied to satisfy two outstanding mortgages on the property as well as more than
$15,000 in other outstanding debts and that Hughes received an immediate payout of more than
$60,000. Wells Fargo Mem. at 12-13. Wells Fargo observes that Hughes stated at his deposition
that he benefitted from the loan by receiving cash and having Wells Fargo become his mortgage
holder. Id. at 13; see id. Ex. 12. Relatedly, Wells Fargo maintains that Hughes cannot establish
that he suffered injury-in-fact from Wells Fargo's conduct because he benefitted from the loan,
including by the loan's decreasing interest rate. Wells Fargo's Supplemental Mem. in Supp. of its
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Mot. for Summ. J. [Docket Entry 134] ("Wells Fargo Suppl. Mem.") at 6-8. Additionally, Wells
Fargo argues that there is no evidence that Hughes had an "inability . . . reasonably to protect his
interests by reasons of age, physical or mental infirmities, ignorance, illiteracy, or inability to
understand the language of the agreement, or similar factors." D.C. Code § 28-3904(r)(5).
Wells Fargo notes that Hughes is literate and educated and testified at his deposition that he
understood the details of the loan. Wells Fargo Mem. at 15-17; see id. Ex. 12.
With respect to the allegation that Wells Fargo misrepresented material facts about the
loan, Wells Fargo disputes that its agent made the relevant statement and argues that even if the
statement was made, it was neither material nor a representation of fact. Wells Fargo contends
that the alleged statement — that Hughes should have been able to refinance the loan within two
years, before the interest rate adjusted — cannot be considered a representation of material fact
because it was a prediction about a future event. Wells Fargo Mem. at 17-18. Wells Fargo
argues further that the alleged statement was not material because the record indicates that
Hughes has not attempted to refinance the loan. Id. at 18-19.
Finally, Wells Fargo contends that Hughes concealed material facts about the previous
transaction on the Property (with Abell, Baltimore, and Modern Management) when entering
into the transaction with Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo Suppl. Mem. at 7-8. Wells Fargo argues on
the basis of this alleged concealment both that Hughes cannot show Wells Fargo caused any
harm to him — because it would not have entered into the loan if it had known the true
circumstances — and that Hughes should not be allowed to recover under the CPPA due to his
unclean hands. Id.iii. Analysis of CPPA Claim
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As indicated at the motion to dismiss stage, see Hughes, 794 F. Supp. 2d at 8, Hughes'
claim is analogous to other CPPA claims that have been sustained in this Circuit, most notably in
Williams v. First Government Mortgage & Investors Corp., 225 F.3d 738 (D.C. Cir. 2000).
There, the D.C. Circuit upheld a jury verdict finding that the defendant had knowledge that there
was no reasonable probability of payment on a refinanced mortgage requiring 57% of the
plaintiff's monthly income. See 225 F.3d at 744; see also Johnson v. Long Beach Mortgage
Loan Trust 2001-4, 451 F. Supp. 2d 16 (D.D.C. 2006) (declining to dismiss a complaint under
section 28-3904(r)(1) alleging that loan payments would require more than half of the plaintiff's
income). Williams's "disposable income" (after accounting for $100 per month in health
insurance) was no more than $1,200 a month and the monthly payment on his loan was $686,
leaving "little more than $500 each month to buy necessities for himself and his dependents."
225 F.3d at 743-44. The D.C. Circuit therefore found that "a reasonable jury could conclude that
[the bank] made the loan to Williams knowing 'there was no reasonable probability of payment
in full of the obligation.'" Id. at 744 (quoting D.C. Code § 28-3904(r)(1)). The court also noted
that Williams had only a sixth-grade education, limited literacy, and an inability to understand
basic mathematics. Id. at 744-45. The court therefore found that a reasonable jury "could
conclude that Williams was unable fully to understand the transaction" and that the bank
knowingly took advantage of his inability reasonably to protect his interests. Id. at 744 (quoting
D.C. Code § 28-3904(r)(5)).
Although the current facts are somewhat more favorable to Wells Fargo than were those
in Williams, the Court finds that there is a genuine issue of material fact as to whether the
Hughes-Wells Fargo transaction was unconscionable. A reasonable jury could conclude that
Wells Fargo knew that there was no reasonable probability of payment on the loan. To be sure,
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considering all the evidence in the record, especially Hughes' deposition testimony, the Court
concludes that it would not be possible for a finder-of-fact to reasonably conclude either that
Hughes did not receive a substantial benefit from the loan or that Hughes did not understand the
transaction. But as the Court has noted previously, "[t]he five factors by which the CPPA
defines unconscionability are disjunctive and non-exhaustive." Hughes, 794 F. Supp. 2d at 9.
According to the amended complaint, at the initial interest rate of 7.875%, Hughes was to
pay $1,604.18 per month for this loan, amounting to approximately 46% of his monthly income
of $3,511.83; indeed, Wells Fargo's underwriting documentation indicated that Hughes would be
paying 53.69% of his gross monthly income. Am. Compl. ¶ 38. Hughes now indicates that, by
his calculation (based on documents reviewed by Wells Fargo prior to the transaction), his net
income was only $2093.89, making the loan payments 77% of his net income. Pl.'s Mem. of P.
& A. in Opp'n to Def. Wells Fargo's Mot. for Summ. J. [Docket Entry 115] ("Hughes Opp'n") at
14. Putting aside the adjustable rate for a moment, the loan here required payment of more than
the approximately half of "disposable income" noted in Williams — and payment of an amount
that was substantially higher than the previous mortgage payments that Wells Fargo knew
Hughes was having trouble making. It is true that here Hughes received a substantial initial
lump sum payment which, if spent wisely, could have been used to service the loan or pay other
costs going forward. Yet it is difficult to see why Wells Fargo and Hughes would have
structured the loan in this manner if anyone expected Hughes to use the lump sum for later
mortgage payments. If this money was intended to be used for ongoing periodic payments, why
pay substantial interest to receive the money as a lump sum?
As for the fact that this was an adjustable rate mortgage, it is hard to say that this aspect
of the loan unequivocally favors either side, though the fact somewhat hurts Wells Fargo's case
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for summary judgment. Under the CPPA, the question is whether Wells Fargo knew there was
no reasonable probability of repayment at the time it made the loan. For all Wells Fargo knew,
the interest rate could have gone up (as it initially did) or down (as it later did). The Court has no
basis for knowing if one contingency was more likely than the other. But given the
precariousness of Hughes' financial situation, the fact that the loan payments could have gone up
substantially should have been cause for concern. Although the required payments could have
also decreased, it cannot be reasonable for a lender to rest hope of repayment on the contingency
that interest rates happen to fall. In other words, the volatility in the loan's interest rate hurts
Wells Fargo's case because it added an element of chance to an already questionable situation.
In the Court's view, then, a reasonable jury could conclude that Wells Fargo had
knowledge at the time of the transaction "that there was no reasonable probability of payment in
full of the obligation by the consumer." The mortgage was for approximately half of Hughes'
gross monthly income and certainly more than half of his net income, that income was not
extremely large, Hughes had trouble making even smaller payments in the past, and the
mortgage's interest rate could increase at any time. The fact that Hughes received a large one-
time pay-out helps Wells Fargo's case, but whether it helps enough is a question of fact for a
jury.
The Court is also not persuaded by Wells Fargo's argument that Hughes' CPPA claim
must fail given his misconduct in entering into the transaction, either because his conduct
undermines any injury-in-fact or because of the doctrine of unclean hands. With respect to
injury-in-fact, Wells Fargo confuses facts that may diminish or even eliminate Hughes' ability to
recover on his claim with facts suggesting Hughes has no standing to bring the claim in the first
place. As Wells Fargo accurately notes, in Grayson v. AT&T Corp., 15 A.3d 219, 246-47 (D.C.
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2011), the D.C. Court of Appeals concluded that a plaintiff had no standing to bring a CPPA
claim because he could show no injury-in-fact. But that plaintiff in Grayson did not claim to
have been personally injured by the defendant; rather, he "rest[ed] his claim entirely 'on the legal
rights or interests of third parties,'" and was "in no different a position to bring this claim than
any other unaffected third party." Id. at 246-47 (quoting Warth v. Seldin, 422 U.S. 490, 499
(1975)). Here, by contrast, Hughes and Wells Fargo entered into a transaction in which Hughes
claims that Wells Fargo injured him. That alleged injury gives Hughes standing, in a very direct
way, to bring his claim. Wells Fargo presents a colorable argument that Hughes was not, in fact,
injured by Wells Fargo in the transaction, but that is relevant to Hughes' ultimate success on the
merits of his CPPA claim, not to whether Hughes has standing to bring a claim about the
transaction, and is, in any case, a contested issue of fact for the jury.
Regarding Wells Fargo's contention that Hughes' "unclean hands" should bar his
recovery, the Court finds that such a defense is simply unavailable under the CPPA. The Court
has previously noted that "the defense of unclean hands does not fit comfortably with alleged
violations of CPPA, which is a broad remedial statute intended to 'assure that a just mechanism
exists to remedy all improper trade practices.'" Hughes, 794 F. Supp. 2d at 11 (quoting DeBarry
v. First Gov't Mortg. & Investors Corp., 743 A.2d 699, 700 (D.C. 1999)). Further consideration
confirms the Court's earlier conclusion that a claim under the CPPA cannot be barred by the
plaintiff's own misconduct.
Wells Fargo confirmed at the hearing before the Court that it is not aware of a single case
in which a defense of unclean hands was accepted under the CPPA or a similar state statute.
Hughes notes that in Davis v. Wholesale Motors, Inc., 949 P.2d 1026, 1038-39 (Haw. Ct. App.
1998), the court concluded that such a defense was not available to a claim brought under the
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comparable Hawaii statute, HRS § 480. Davis noted that the Hawaii statute intended to follow
comparable provisions of federal antitrust law, including providing for treble damages to
encourage enforcement, and relied on Perma Life Mufflers, Inc. v. Int'l Parts Corp., 392 U.S.
134, 139 (1968). The Supreme Court concluded there that "[t]he plaintiff who reaps the reward
of treble damages may be no less morally reprehensible than the defendant, but the law
encourages his suit to further the overriding public policy in favor of competition." Perma Life,
392 U.S. at 139.
The Court finds this reasoning persuasive with respect to the CPPA as well. The purpose
of the CPPA, as stated in the statute’s text, is to "(1) assure that a just mechanism exists to
remedy all improper trade practices and deter the continuing use of such practices; (2) promote,
through effective enforcement, fair business practices throughout the community; and (3)
educate consumers to demand high standards and seek proper redress of grievances." D.C. Code
§ 28-3901(b). The statute is therefore intended to promote fair business practices in the
community at large, not just to resolve individual disputes between consumers and businesses.
Accordingly, the CPPA expressly indicates that conduct may constitute a violation "whether or
not any consumer is in fact misled, deceived or damaged thereby," D.C. Code § 28-3904, and
provides for the recovery of treble damages, D.C. Code § 28-3905(k)(1)(A). Hence, as with
federal antitrust law, the statute operates through private enforcement via suits by affected
consumers, but the statute is concerned with the deterrence effect on the general business
community as well as with making individual consumers whole. That is why the statute allows
for plaintiffs to recover treble damages and defines violations to include instances in which a
consumer is not “in fact misled, deceived, or damaged.” D.C. Code § 28-3904. Similarly, the
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fact that an individual plaintiff may have engaged in inequitable conduct is not particularly
relevant to the desired outcome of deterring unlawful behavior in the business community.
Hence, the doctrine of unclean hands should not bar Hughes' claims under the CPPA. As
discussed below, he did indeed make material misrepresentations to Wells Fargo when entering
into the mortgage transaction. Even so, it may still be the case that the transaction that Wells
Fargo thought it was entering into was unconscionable on the terms of the contract as Wells
Fargo understood them. In other words, it is no defense for Wells Fargo to argue that it tried to
enter into a possibly unconscionable contract, but was prevented from doing so by Hughes’
fraud. It is consistent both with the statute and with equity for Wells Fargo to be held to account
for this behavior if it was, in fact, unlawful.
On the other hand, with respect to the misrepresentation of material fact claim under the
CPPA, the Court now finds that Hughes' claim cannot be sustained. The basis for Hughes'
misrepresentation claim is that Wells Fargo's representative told him that "he did not need to
worry about the loan being an adjustable-rate mortgage, because he should be able to refinance
the loan before the rate changed," Am. Compl. ¶¶ 43-44. The CPPA prohibits
"misrepresent[ations] as to a material fact which has a tendency to mislead." D.C. Code § 28-
3904(e). As a preliminary matter, Wells Fargo's statement was a suggestion about something
that Hughes would be able to do in the future, rather than a statement about a "fact" in a literal
sense. See Howard v. Riggs National Bank, 432 A.2d 701, 706 (D.C. 1981) ("Opinions or
predictions of future events do not constitute representations of material fact upon which a
plaintiff successfully may place dispositive reliance.") To be sure, Hughes' ability to refinance
the loan was at least arguably in Wells Fargo's control, since Wells Fargo had the ability to
renegotiate the loan's terms at a future date. Strictly speaking, however, if Hughes had been
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misled by Wells Fargo's statement about something Wells Fargo then failed to do in the future,
Hughes would be detrimentally relying on an implicit promise by Wells Fargo, rather than a
misrepresentation of a fact (i.e., a statement that was false at the time). See id. In any case, the
distinction is not of much consequence here, since Hughes has never indicated that he actually
tried to refinance the loan. The statement was therefore not a misrepresentation because it might
actually have been accurate. There is no indication that Wells Fargo made the statement without
intending it to be true; on the contrary, deposition testimony from Wells Fargo's representative
suggests that it was Wells Fargo's standard practice to make loans of this sort with the intention
of refinancing. See Hughes Opp'n Ex. 48. Hence, even if a statement about a future event that
did not occur could be construed as a misrepresentation of fact, Hughes has presented no
evidence that such a misrepresentation was actually made in this instance.
In sum, Hughes' claim under the CPPA may proceed, but in more limited form than
alleged in the complaint. Hughes' CPPA unconscionability claim may proceed on the ground
that Wells Fargo had knowledge that there was no reasonable probability of payment in full of
the obligation by Hughes. But Hughes has presented insufficient evidence for a jury to
reasonably conclude either that he did not understand the nature of the transaction with Wells
Fargo or that he received no substantial benefit from the loan. Hughes has also presented
insufficient evidence, as a matter of law, that Wells Fargo made a material misrepresentation of
fact to Hughes in the transaction, and hence that CPPA claim must be dismissed.
iv. Hughes' Quiet Title Claim
Hughes seeks to quiet title against Wells Fargo on the ground that Wells Fargo obtained
its security interest in the Property through unconscionable terms. Am. Compl. ¶ 84. As the
Court noted previously, the quiet title count depends upon the outcome of the CPPA count.
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Hughes, 794 F. Supp. 2d at 9. Civil remedies available under the CPPA include "any [] relief
which the court deems proper," which may include rescission. D.C. Code § 28-3905(k)(1)(F).
In addition, the Court's equitable powers allow it to quiet title in favor of Hughes if Wells Fargo's
actions warrant that remedy. Hence, it would be premature to dismiss Hughes's quiet title count
while his CPPA unconscionability claim remains pending. See, e.g., Armenian Genocide
Museum and Mem'l, Inc. v. Cafesjian Family Found., Inc., 595 F. Supp. 2d 110, 119 (D.D.C.
2009) ("[I]t is premature to consider dismissal of [a quiet title count], which may or may not
constitute an appropriate remedy depending on the evidence yet to be adduced in this case.")
b. Wells Fargo's Counterclaims Against Hughes
Wells Fargo asserts five counterclaims against Hughes. First, Wells Fargo claims that,
under the doctrine of equitable subrogation, its lien should be subrogated to those of the prior
secured creditors whose debts were satisfied by Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo Countercls. Against
Hughes ¶¶ 8-14. Second, Wells Fargo contends that it is entitled to an equitable lien on the
property for the full amount of its loan to Hughes. Id. ¶¶ 15-17. Third, Wells Fargo argues that
Hughes was unjustly enriched at its expense. Id. ¶¶ 18-24. Fourth, Wells Fargo maintains that
Hughes committed fraud against it by concealing material facts about his transaction with Abell.
Id. ¶¶ 25-30. Fifth, Wells Fargo contends that Hughes is in breach of his mortgage contract with
Wells Fargo. Id. ¶¶ 25-30.
The Court will consider each of Wells Fargo's counterclaims. The Court notes at the
outset, in all candor, that Wells Fargo's counterclaims against both Hughes and Abell are
difficult to resolve prior to resolution of the dispute involving the earlier transaction between
Hughes and Abell. Hence, the Court is unable to presently resolve all of the matters that
ultimately might warrant judgment in Wells Fargo's favor.
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i. Hughes' Argument that Wells Fargo Abandoned its Counterclaims
As a preliminary matter, Hughes argues that Wells Fargo's counterclaims are not properly
before the Court. Hughes accurately points out that Wells Fargo's counterclaims were included
in the same document as its amended answer to Hughes' original complaint. Hughes Opp'n at
38. Hughes then filed an amended complaint, and Wells Fargo filed an answer to the amended
complaint that did not include any counterclaims. Hughes argues that this superseding pleading
nullifies the earlier document containing the counterclaims.
The Court finds that Wells Fargo's later filing did not abandon its counterclaims. To be
sure, Hughes' argument has some force. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 7 states that "[o]nly
these pleadings are allowed" and then sets forth a list of pleadings that does not include
counterclaims. Rule 13 requires that a counterclaim be set forth in a pleading. It would be
reasonable to conclude from these two rules that a counterclaim is not a distinct pleading, but
rather must be included as part of another pleading, such as an answer. And it is certainly true
that "[o]nce an amended pleading is interposed, the original pleading no longer performs any
function in the case." 6 Charles A. Wright, et al., Fed. Prac. & Proc. Civ. § 1476 (3d ed.).
Accordingly, it is reasonable for Hughes to assert that when Wells Fargo replaced its answer
with an answer that did not contain counterclaims, the pleading that was before the Court (the
new answer) did not contain counterclaims.
Nonetheless, in the Court's view, this conclusion would put form over substance. An
answer and a counterclaim, even if contained in the same document, serve different functions;
the counterclaim shares more with a complaint, setting out claims against the other party, than it
does with the answer. See Dunkin Donuts, Inc. v. Romanias, 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 28405, at
*5-6 (W.D. Pa. May 29, 2002). It was therefore reasonable for Wells Fargo to view the answer
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and the counterclaims as separate pleadings. That Wells Fargo intended the counterclaim as
separate is confirmed by the fact that Wells Fargo did not continue the answer's paragraph
numbering in the counterclaim. It is not especially intuitive that a counterclaim is part of the
pleading to which it is attached, nor is it obvious that counterclaims must be re-pled when an
answer with counterclaims attached is superseded. And Hughes does not indicate that he was
actually under the impression that Wells Fargo had dropped its counterclaims and then took
action accordingly, or that he is otherwise prejudiced in any way. Hence, Wells Fargo should
not be penalized for failing to restate the counterclaims when it superseded its answer.
ii. Fraud Claim
The Court begins with Wells Fargo's fraud claim because resolution of the fraud claim
affects resolution of the other issues. Wells Fargo alleges that Hughes knowingly misrepresented
that he owned the Property when he applied in 2006 for a "refinance" loan with Wells Fargo and
that Wells Fargo relied upon his misrepresentation in evaluating and approving his loan
application. Wells Fargo Countercls. Against Hughes ¶¶ 26-28. Wells Fargo argues that the
record clearly and convincingly establishes that, prior to closing on the Wells Fargo transaction,
Hughes was aware that he had sold his home, but failed to disclose this fact to Wells Fargo.
Wells Fargo Mem. at 32-33. Wells Fargo contends that, prior to commencing the transaction,
Hughes told Wells Fargo only that "a loan shark loaned [him] some money" to prevent
foreclosure, and that Hughes further misrepresented to Wells Fargo that he possessed no other
documents or information concerning his transaction with Abell, when in fact he possessed
copies of the lease and option agreements. Id. Wells Fargo seeks judgment against Hughes in
the full amount of the principal of the loan, $192,500, as well as punitive damages and fees and
costs. Wells Fargo Countercls. Against Hughes ¶ 30. The principal of the loan was
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approximately equal (though slightly greater) than the amount Wells Fargo paid out — the sum
of the amount of the two prior liens on the property, which Wells Fargo paid off (approximately
$105,000 in total), more than $16,000 in Hughes' unsecured debt, which Wells Fargo paid off,
and the more than $60,000 lump sum that was disbursed to Hughes immediately. Counterclaim
¶¶ 29-30. Wells Fargo contends further that the document describing Hughes' contact with the
Weinstock firm — the redacted document that the Court initially found protected by the
attorney-client privilege, but later released to the parties when Hughes waived the privilege —
indicates that "Hughes well understood that someone else was claiming ownership of the
Property and that the Lease Agreement and Option Agreement were not only relevant, but
integral" to the claim of ownership. Wells Fargo Suppl. Mem. at 10-12.
The parties agree that the essential elements of common law fraud are: (1) a false
representation, (2) in reference to a material fact, (3) made with knowledge of its falsity, (4) with
intent to deceive, and (5) on which reliance is placed. Virginia Acad. of Clinical Psychologists
v. Group Hospitalization & Med. Servs., Inc., 878 A.2d 1226, 1233 (D.C. 2005); D'Ambrosio v.
Colonnade Council of Unit Owners, 717 A.2d 356, 360-61 (D.C. 1998). Fraud must be
established by clear and convincing evidence. Virginia Acad., 878 A.2d at 1233.
Hughes argues that he neither knew that he had transferred title to his home nor intended
to defraud Wells Fargo. He notes that the essence of his complaint against Abell, Modern
Management, and Baltimore is that these defendants defrauded him out of title to his home.
Hughes Opp'n at 42-43. Hughes also notes that he voluntarily disclosed his transaction with
Abell to Wells Fargo and then, at Wells Fargo's suggestion, wrote a letter to Wells Fargo
documenting the transaction and contacted the Weinstock firm in order to better understand the
nature of the transaction. Id. at 43. Hughes contends that these actions both belie that he
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intended to defraud Wells Fargo and confirm that he did not know that he had transferred title to
his home. Id. at 43-44. Hughes argues that the document from the Weinstock firm "indicates
confusion, not fraud." Hughes Suppl. Mem. at 12-13.
Having reviewed the relevant documents and deposition testimony, the Court concludes
that Wells Fargo has presented clear and convincing evidence that Hughes committed fraud
against Wells Fargo and that no jury could reasonably find otherwise. The record contains
abundant evidence that Hughes understood, when he entered into the transaction with Wells
Fargo, that Abell at a minimum purported to have gained ownership of the Property. Because
Hughes understood this information, the only conclusion that can reasonably be drawn from
Hughes' repeated statements to Wells Fargo only that he had borrowed money to prevent
foreclosure is that Hughes intended to deceive Wells Fargo. And since it is impossible to
believe that Wells Fargo would have proceeded with a "mortgage" transaction if it had known
that someone else was purporting to own the Property, Hughes' intentional misrepresentation to
Wells Fargo was material to the transaction.
With respect to Hughes' understanding of his transaction with Abell, there are several
documents in the record about which there is no dispute with respect to authenticity. The
documentation accompanying the Hughes-Abell transaction includes a document bearing the title
"AGREEMENT TO SELL REAL ESTATE," which both Hughes (as seller) and Abell (as
purchaser) signed. See Wells Fargo Mem. Ex. 3. In addition to a significant amount of printed
text, this document contains handwritten text just above the signature line that states that "the
property is transfer[red] as is," "the purchaser will lease to seller for one year," "the purchaser
will transfer back to seller within one year for $175,000," and that "if the seller is 2 consecutive
payments late the buy back is null & void." Id. The documentation further includes a "Lease
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Agreement" and an "Option Agreement," both signed by Hughes, which refer to Hughes in many
places as "Tenant" and Modern Management as "Landlord." See id. Exs. 4, 5. Accompanying
this documentation is a note, in Hughes' handwriting, that states: "My home, located at 5236 5th
Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20011-4043, is in foreclosure. I sold my home, leased it back for
one (1) year and allowed to repurchase my home during this year. This allowed my family and I
to stay in our home and an opportunity to buy it." Id. Ex. 6. The note is then signed by Hughes.
Id. The record also contains various receipts, apparently provided to Hughes by Modern
Management, that refer to "rent" paid by Hughes for the 2005-2006 time period. Id. Ex. 10.
Hughes has stated that he received copies only of the lease and option agreements, not the
other documentation of his transaction with Abell, and that he believed his transaction with Abell
was to obtain a loan. See Hughes Opp'n at 42-43; Am. Compl. ¶¶ 20-21. In Hughes' deposition,
he testified that he "didn't read through [the sale] agreement" but instead "went mainly by verbal
[statements] for what I was being explained by Calvin Baltimore and he seemed to be in a hurry
so I trusted what I heard." Hughes Opp'n Ex. 49. Hughes further testified that he understood
that he "was being loaned money in order to enable [him] to stay in the home" and that "the loan
was to be repaid, the monthly payments, that included mortgage payments to Chase." Id. Hughes
also testified that he did not read the documents that he signed and that he did not receive a copy
of the documents. Id.
The document from the Weinstock firm is entitled “Redacted Intake Notes Summary.”
Wells Fargo Suppl. Mem. Ex. S-1. The document appears to be a log of Hughes’ interactions
with the Weinstock firm and contains two unredacted entries. The first entry, dated September 7,
2006 – approximately two weeks before the completion of the Hughes-Wells Fargo transaction –
states:
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Mbr made a loan from the O/P because he was about to lose the property. Now
Mbr is in better shape and can afford to pay his own mortgage (Chase
Mortgage)[.] O/P is stating he cannot break contract with him because he owns
the property from the lease he signed with him for the loan. Mbr states he r’cvd
about $60,000 but O/P is telling him he has to pay back $190,000 for the loan.
Mbr wanted to refinance with Wells Fargo and that how he found out that the O/P
owns his house. Mbr states he isn’t on the deed but does have a lease.
The second entry, dated October 23, 2006, states:
Mbr went over the whole story with me. Mbr says that he did refi the house but
that O/P still says that he owes them $$. He apparently signed some docs back
then that he does not have copies of. My guess is that one was a Promissory
Note. There was no lien on the property. He does have a tenant/LL agreement
that he will rent the property back from the O/P.. ????. That was going to pay the
mortgage but now Mbr refi’d the house and he still has to pay the lease and the
mortgage. Mbr then adv that there is a lease purchase option attached to the doc..
?? So . . what docs did he sign then, ??? Mbr will fax in docs and I will do a
demand ltr to the O/P to ask for all docs rel to the transaction to see what is going
on here.
Wells Fargo argues that the Intake Notes “further establish that Hughes committed fraud
against Wells Fargo by failing to disclose material facts to Wells Fargo, which if disclosed would
have resulted in cancellation of the loan.” Wells Fargo Suppl. Mem. at 4. Hughes contends,
however, that the notes only indicate Hughes’ confusion about the prior transaction. Pl.'s
Supplemental Mem. of P. & A. in Opp'n to Def. Wells Fargo's Mot. for Summ. J. [Docket Entry
139] ("Hughes Suppl. Mem.") at 2-5, 11-14. 1
1
Hughes further argues that the Intake notes are inadmissible because they are unreliable and represent multiple
levels of hearsay. Hughes Suppl. Mem. at 14-16. Neither of these arguments has merit. Hughes contends that the
notes are unreliable because they reflect confusion and contain inconsistent statements. Id. at 14-15. But the
inconsistencies in the notes can be taken into account in assessing their probative value. There is no reason why the
confusion reflected in the notes need bar their inadmissibility altogether. Hughes further contends that the notes
“present multiple levels of hearsay, as they purport to reflect the out of court statements of three different declarants:
the intake screening person, Mr. Hughes, and O/P.” Id. at 15-16. But Hughes himself seems to recognize that the
hearsay of whomever wrote the notes is admissible under the business records exception. Id. at 15. And Hughes’
own statements about the transaction are not hearsay at all, as they are not being admitted for their truth — that what
Hughes said was true or that “O/P” actually said those things — but rather as evidence of what Hughes thought
about the transaction when he spoke to Weinstock. For example, even if Hughes were incorrect in his representation
that “he isn’t on the deed but does have a lease,” that would nonetheless be probative of what Hughes thought at that
time about whether he was on the deed.
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There is not any significant dispute regarding what information Hughes conveyed to
Wells Fargo about his transaction with Abell. Hughes' amended complaint in this case indicates
that he told Wells Fargo that he borrowed money to stop foreclosure — not that he sold his home
or even that anyone else was asserting ownership of the Property. Am. Compl. ¶ 34. The letter
Hughes wrote to Wells Fargo prior to the completion of the "refinancing" transaction accordingly
states that Hughes "borrowed money to bring [his] property out of foreclosure and current, and
ha[s] remained current to date." Wells Fargo Mem. Ex. 28. Hughes does not indicate that he
ever stated anything else to Wells Fargo.
Upon consideration of the record, the Court concludes that a jury applying the clear and
convincing standard of evidence could reasonably conclude only that Hughes committed fraud
against Wells Fargo. In light of the written documentation in the record, the Court finds that a
finder-of-fact could not reasonably find Hughes' claims and accompanying testimony credible.
The documents consummating the Hughes-Abell matter are extremely clear about the fact that
the transaction was a sale of Hughes' home, and this fact is repeated in several instances. Still, it
might perhaps be conceivable that Hughes did not actually read these documents before signing
them. But there simply is no explanation for how a note describing the transaction in detail —
including the words "I sold my home" — could be handwritten and signed by Hughes without
Hughes at least comprehending how the other parties understood the transaction. Even if
Hughes did not himself have a copy of this documentation, he did have a copy of the "lease" and
"option" agreements (each of which made clear that Abell now purported to own the property)
and he received "rental receipts" for approximately the next two years. Considering the
handwritten note and these documents, which were, in fact, in Hughes' possession, it is simply
not credible for Hughes to maintain that he did not understand the transaction initially or that he
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did not receive any written documents clearing up his misimpression. Furthermore, although
Hughes may now dispute how the Weinstock document should be interpreted, he cannot deny
that the document reveals, at the very least, that he knew Abell was claiming that he owned the
Property at the time of the transaction with Wells Fargo. And it is also clear that Hughes told a
different, more complete version of the facts to Weinstock than to Wells Fargo. Hence, the
document from the Weinstock firm further confirms that Hughes knew that Abell was asserting
ownership and yet he made no mention of that key fact to Wells Fargo.
The Court need not resolve the dispute about the transaction between Hughes and Abell
— that is, whether Abell did, indeed, become the owner of the Property in that transaction — in
order to conclude that Hughes misrepresented the facts, that the misrepresentation was material,
or that Wells Fargo relied on the misrepresentation. Wells Fargo has shown that Hughes
knowingly made a representation that he knew to be false — that he previously had merely
entered into a loan, rather than a transaction in which someone purported to gain ownership of
the Property. No reasonable jury could conclude otherwise under the clear and convincing
evidence standard. Whatever the resolution of the Hughes-Abell dispute, then, it cannot
seriously be disputed that Wells Fargo would never have entered into the transaction with
Hughes had Hughes honestly disclosed that he had entered into a transaction with another party
through which that party claimed to have purchased the Property. Hughes' strongest
counterargument is that, due to his purported confusion about the transaction, Hughes had no
intent to deceive Wells Fargo, but rather simply did not understand what information Wells
Fargo would deem relevant to the transaction. Intent is typically a difficult element to prove,
requiring as it does the judging of not only a person's actions but his motivations. But it is
simply not credible that Hughes completed the transaction with Wells Fargo without
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understanding the significance of someone else claiming ownership of the Property. No jury
could reasonably conclude that Hughes made the misrepresentations with anything other than the
intent to deceive Wells Fargo. Since a jury could not reasonably conclude other than that Wells
Fargo has established a claim of fraud against Hughes by clear and convincing evidence, the
Court will grant summary judgment for Wells Fargo on this claim. The Court notes that it is not
presently reaching a determination as to the damages Wells Fargo is entitled to on this
counterclaim.
iii. Equitable Subrogation Claim
Wells Fargo argues that it "is entitled to be equitably subrogated to the lien position and
extent of the prior liens and deeds of trust" on the Property. Wells Fargo Countercls. Against
Hughes ¶ 14. Wells Fargo currently holds a note (mortgage) secured by a deed to the property.
Id. ¶ 10. However, both Hughes and Abell contend that Wells Fargo's mortgage deed is invalid.
Hughes contends that his transaction with Wells Fargo violated the CPPA, and Abell contends
that Hughes did not own the property when he purported to enter into the transaction with Wells
Fargo. Wells Fargo notes that its funds were used to pay off two prior liens on the Property, one
held by Chase Home Finance in the amount of $87,745.13 and one held by Independence
Financial Corporation in the amount of $16,755.03. Id. ¶ 13; Wells Fargo Mem. at 30. Wells
Fargo thus argues that, to the extent its deed of trust is ruled void, it is entitled to be equitably
subrogated — that is, to "step into the shoes" — of the prior liens on the property that were paid
off using its funds. Wells Fargo Countercls. Against Hughes ¶ 14. As a practical matter, this
would mean that Wells Fargo would receive a lien on the property in the amount of $104,500.46,
the sum of the amounts of the two previously-existing liens. Wells Fargo Mem. at 30. Wells
Fargo's crossclaim against Abell seeks equitable subrogation against Abell on the same logic if
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Abell is ultimately found to be the owner of the Property. Wells Fargo Cross-cls. Against Abell
¶¶ 21-27.
Abell’s written briefing contends that Wells Fargo is not entitled to equitable subrogation
because Wells Fargo had notice of the defects in the Property's title when it commenced the
transaction with Hughes. Def. Vincent Abell's Opp'n to Wells Fargo's Mot. for Summ. J.
[Docket Entry 140] at 6. However, at the motions hearing before the Court on February 24,
2012, Abell indicated that he did not object to Wells Fargo's equitable subrogation claim
because, assuming that he owns the property, he should not receive a windfall of the prior liens
being paid off at Wells Fargo's expense. Hughes, however, does object to Wells Fargo's
equitable subrogation claim. He argues that it is premature for Wells Fargo to seek equitable
subrogation before the Court has even made a determination as to the validity of Wells Fargo's
mortgage deed. Hughes Opp'n at 40. Hughes contends further that equitable relief would be
inappropriate because Wells Fargo allegedly violated the CPPA in making the mortgage, and a
party is not entitled to equity if he has himself behaved wrongfully. Id. at 40-41.
The Court is not inclined to accept Hughes' argument with respect to the alleged CPPA
violation. Hughes is essentially making the same argument that he urged the Court to reject with
respect to his own CPPA claim, namely that unclean hands bars recovery. To be sure, there may
be a distinction between asserting that unclean hands bars an equitable remedy such as
subrogation and claiming that inequitable conduct bars recovery under a statute such as the
CPPA. Nonetheless, having allowed Hughes to proceed on his CPPA claim despite his conduct,
and considering the nature of that conduct, the Court is not inclined to bar Wells Fargo from
receiving equitable subrogation of its loan, regardless of how the CPPA claim is ultimately
resolved. Prior to the events of this case, the Property was encumbered by two liens. Wells
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Fargo paid off those loans because, due to Hughes' fraud, it did not know that Abell was
claiming ownership of the Property. Even if Hughes were to prevail on a parallel (and therefore
informally "offsetting") CPPA claim, there is simply no reason why the Property's current owner
should take the Property unencumbered when Wells Fargo paid off the existing liens under
fraudulent circumstances. The Court believes that it is appropriate for Wells Fargo to have a lien
on the Property in the amount of the two previously-existing liens that Wells Fargo satisfied,
regardless of whether Abell or Hughes owns the Property and regardless of whether Hughes
prevails on his CPPA claim.
Hughes is on somewhat firmer ground when he argues that it may be premature for the
Court to grant equitable subrogation to Wells Fargo before it is determined whether Wells
Fargo's mortgage deed is valid. If Hughes prevails in his assertion of title over Abell, and if the
CPPA claim does not ultimately require rescission of the Wells Fargo-Hughes transaction (either
because the claim is unsuccessful or because that is not the appropriate remedy), Wells Fargo
may well possess a valid mortgage on the property, making equitable subrogation unnecessary.
Furthermore, even if the Wells Fargo-Hughes transaction is unwound, making equitable
subrogation necessary, which of Wells Fargo's equitable subrogation claims should be granted
(the one against Hughes or the one against Abell) will depend on the outcome of the Hughes-
Abell dispute.
Under these circumstances, the Court is inclined to grant both of Wells Fargo's equitable
subrogation claims with recognition that this issue cannot be resolved definitively separate from
Hughes' ongoing claims against Wells Fargo and Abell. Wells Fargo's motion for summary
judgment will therefore be granted both as to Hughes and as to Abell, with the acknowledgment
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that final judgment in this case with respect to equitable subrogation will ultimately need to
account for the resolution of the other disputes, consistent with this Opinion.
iv. Equitable Lien and Unjust Enrichment Claims
Wells Fargo contends that it should receive an equitable lien on the Property. Wells
Fargo claims that "it would be improper and inequitable for Mr. Hughes to obtain a windfall by
receiving an unencumbered interest in the Property or a priority interest in the Property" and that,
therefore, "[s]hould Wells Fargo's lien be deemed void, then equity and the ends of justice
require that the Court declare that Wells Fargo has an equitable lien securing its loan." Wells
Fargo Countercls. Against Hughes ¶¶ 16-17. Hughes argues that Wells Fargo's violation of the
CPPA should act as a bar to this equitable relief. Hughes Opp'n at 41.
Even if Wells Fargo is not barred from seeking an equitable lien, considering the
outcomes that now seem possible in this case, it is unclear to the Court how such a lien would
make sense. "Liens, whether equitable or legal, are merely a means to the end of satisfying a
claim for the recovery of money." Dep't of Army v. Blue Fox, Inc., 525 U.S. 255, 262 (1999). If
Abell, rather than Hughes, is ultimately found to own the Property, Hughes' mortgage deed is
probably invalid, since Abell was not a party to the transaction with Wells Fargo. Under those
circumstances, it is not clear why Wells Fargo would be entitled to an equitable lien as a claim
against Hughes on a property that Hughes does not actually own. If, on the other hand, the
dispute between Hughes and Abell results in Hughes' ownership of the Property, then it is also
not clear why an equitable lien would be appropriate. An equitable lien would not be necessary,
of course, if Wells Fargo's mortgage deed is valid. And if the Wells Fargo-Hughes transaction
violated the CPPA and the mortgage deed was deemed invalid on that ground, it is difficult to
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see why a lien should be placed on the property to replace a transaction that was deemed
unlawful.
Given this apparent uncertainty, the Court will now deny Wells Fargo's motion for
summary judgment on this count. If Wells Fargo can articulate a coherent rationale in support of
an equitable lien at a later date, the Court will reconsider the issue at that juncture.
v. Unjust Enrichment and Breach of Contract Claims
Wells Fargo claims that Hughes would be unjustly enriched to the extent that he is
successful in any claim that Wells Fargo’s mortgage deed is invalid. Wells Fargo Countercls.
Against Hughes ¶ 23. Wells Fargo notes that it paid off the liens on the Property, as well as
Hughes’ unsecured debts, and seeks judgment for the sum total amount of this debt —
$121,292.46, plus interest. Id. ¶¶ 19-24. Wells Fargo also asserts a claim for breach of contract,
on the theory that if the mortgage note is in fact valid, Hughes is in default for the principal
amount of $188,952.96, plus interest, fees, and costs. Id. ¶¶ 31-37.
There can be no claim for unjust enrichment when an express contract exists between
parties. See Schiff v. AARP, 697 A.2d 1193, 1194 (D.C. 1997). Wells Fargo’s claims for unjust
enrichment and breach of contract are therefore mutually exclusive; it cannot prevail on both
claims. Furthermore, both because Abell may actually own the Property and because rescission
is a remedy available under the CPPA, it is still not clear whether Wells Fargo has a valid
mortgage with Hughes. On the other hand, given Hughes’ conduct here, it would be inequitable
for Hughes to have his debts paid off by Wells Fargo at no cost to him, even if Hughes has a
parallel claim under the CPPA based on Wells Fargo’s conduct. Under these circumstances, the
Court feels it is most appropriate to grant Wells Fargo’s motion for summary judgment on the
unjust enrichment claim, again with the understanding that final judgment in this case will
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ultimately need to account for whether Wells Fargo has a valid contract with Hughes that makes
this remedy inappropriate. 2 But since the breach of contract claim is also tied up in Hughes’
dispute with Abell, the Court will deny summary judgment on Wells Fargo’s breach of contract
claim. Resolution of this count must wait for another day.
c. Wells Fargo's Crossclaims Against Abell and Abell's Crossclaim Against Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo asserts four crossclaims against Abell, who in turn asserts one crossclaim
against Wells Fargo. First, Wells Fargo alleges that Abell defrauded Wells Fargo by
intentionally failing to inform it that he held the deed to the Property and failing to record his
deed for almost two years. Wells Fargo Cross-cls. Against Abell ¶¶ 6-15. Second, Wells Fargo
seeks to quiet title against Abell on the ground that Abell obtained his deed from Hughes by
improper means. Id. ¶¶ 16-20. Third, as noted above, Wells Fargo claims that, under the
doctrine of equitable subrogation, its lien should be subrogated to those of the prior secured
creditors whose debts were satisfied by Wells Fargo. Id. ¶¶ 21-27. Fourth, Wells Fargo
contends that Abell has been unjustly enriched because Wells Fargo paid off the loans
encumbering the Property. Id. ¶¶ 28-33. In turn, Abell’s crossclaim against Wells Fargo seeks
to quiet title on the ground that Abell's deed was recorded first in time to Wells Fargo’s mortgage
deed. Abell Cross-cl. Against Wells Fargo ¶¶ 74-75.
i. Fraud Claim
Wells Fargo alleges that Abell defrauded Wells Fargo by failing to inform it that he had a
deed to the Property when he knew that Hughes was representing himself to be the owner of the
Property. Wells Fargo Cross-cls. Against Abell ¶¶ 9-11. Wells Fargo also alleges that Abell
intentionally failed to record his deed for almost two years so that Wells Fargo would believe
2
If the Court ultimately concludes that there is a contract between Wells Fargo and Hughes, then under Schiff the
judgment for unjust enrichment will have to be vacated.
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Hughes was the record owner of the property. Id. ¶ 11. Wells Fargo seeks a judgment against
Abell in the amount of the principal of its loan to Hughes, $192,500, plus interest, punitive
damages, and fees and costs. Id. 15. Abell responds that he was unaware that Hughes and Wells
Fargo were entering into a “refinancing” transaction, but rather thought that Hughes was seeking
a loan in order to exercise the “option” agreement between Hughes and Abell.
Defendant/Counter-Pl./Cross-Pl. Vincent Abell's Mem. of P. & A. in Opp'n to Wells Fargo Bank,
N.A.'s Mot. for Summ. J. [Docket Entry 116] ("Abell Opp'n") at 3, 6. Abell further claims to
have attempted to notify Wells Fargo of his claim of ownership of the Property by contacting the
company that he believed was serving as title agent to the transaction. Id. at 3, 6-7. Abell
informed the Court at the motions hearing that the company has since gone out of business.
The Court finds that too many material facts are in dispute for summary judgment to be
granted in Wells Fargo’s favor on the fraud count. It is certainly suspicious that Abell, after
nearly two years, suddenly chose to record his deed to the Property one week before the Wells
Fargo-Hughes transaction. But Wells Fargo has not put forward concrete evidence that Abell
knew the nature of its developing transaction with Hughes. Abell’s claims that he thought the
transaction was, in fact, merely a loan and that he tried to notify a title company of his purported
ownership are plausible, albeit questionable given the suspicious timing of his recording of his
deed and the convenient fact that the company that he claims to have notified is no longer in
operation. Hence, Wells Fargo’s motion for summary judgment will be denied on this count.
ii. Quiet Title Claims
Wells Fargo seeks to quiet title against Abell on the ground that Abell improperly
procured the deed from Hughes. Wells Fargo Cross-cls. Against Abell ¶¶ 16-20. In turn, Abell
also seeks to quiet title against Wells Fargo on the ground that Abell's deed was recorded first in
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time and is superior in title to the Wells Fargo deed of trust. Abell Cross-cl. Against Wells Fargo
¶¶ 74-75. These quiet title counts depend on the outcome of the Hughes-Abell dispute, which is
not the subject of Wells Fargo's motion for summary judgment. Wells Fargo may be entitled to a
quiet title judgment against Abell, but that determination must await a finding that Abell
improperly obtained the deed from Hughes. Hence, it would be premature to grant either Wells
Fargo’s or Abell's quiet title counts.
iii. Equitable Subrogation Claim
As discussed above, Wells Fargo claims that it would be inequitable for Abell to obtain a
windfall from Wells Fargo paying off the two liens previously encumbering the property. Wells
Fargo Cross-cls. Against Abell ¶¶ 21-27. As indicated above, at the motions hearing before the
Court, Abell indicated that he acquiesces to Wells Fargo’s equitable subrogation claim because
he does not believe he is entitled to a windfall from Wells Fargo paying off the liens on the
Property.
The Court agrees that Wells Fargo’s claim of equitable subrogation should be granted,
with the acknowledgment that final judgment in this case with respect to equitable subrogation
will ultimately need to account for the resolution of the other disputes in the case, including
disposition of the ownership of the Property. The Court notes that while the text of Wells
Fargo’s crossclaim implies that the lien on the Property should be in the full amount of Wells
Fargo’s mortgage agreement with Hughes, Wells Fargo’s briefing seems to suggest that the lien
should be in the lesser amount of the encumbrances that Wells Fargo paid off (about $104,500).
Compare Wells Fargo Cross-cls. Against Abell ¶ 27 with Wells Fargo Mem. at 39. The amount
of Wells Fargo’s lien on the Property can be resolved at a later date based on the resolution of
the other disputes.
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iv. Unjust Enrichment Claim
Wells Fargo alleges that Abell’s failure to record his deed and “complicity in Hughes’
misrepresentation of ownership of the Property” led to Wells Fargo satisfying the liens on the
Property. Wells Fargo Cross-cls. Against Abell ¶¶ 28- 33; see Wells Fargo Mem. at 39-40.
Wells Fargo therefore seeks a judgment against Hughes for unjust enrichment in the amount of
the liens that it paid off. The Court agrees that Wells Fargo should receive compensation from
Abell for paying off the liens on the Property if Abell is ultimately found to be the owner of the
Property. However, the Court believes it is more appropriate that Wells Fargo receive a
judgment in the form of a lien on the Property, which can be paid off by Abell as a mortgage
would, than a judgment in this amount against Abell. Hence, the granting of Wells Fargo’s
equitable subrogation claim with respect to Abell makes this unjust enrichment claim
unnecessary. The Court will therefore deny Wells Fargo’s motion for summary judgment with
respect to the unjust enrichment claim against Abell.
d. Abell’s Renewed Motion for Summary Judgment
On April 20, 2012, Abell filed a renewed motion for summary judgment on all the
remaining counts that Hughes alleges against Abell and Modern Management, arguing that the
statute of limitations bars these claims. Mem. of P. & A. in Supp. of Vincent Abell and Modern
Mgmt. Co.'s (Renewed) Mot. for Summ. J. [Docket Entry 137] ("Abell Mem."). Abell
acknowledges that the Court previously rejected this argument, concluding that Hughes’
allegations that defendants had concealed material terms of the transaction either obscured when
Hughes’ claims accrued or raised the possibility of equitable tolling of the statue of limitations.
Hughes, 794 F. Supp. 2d at 12-13. Abell states that he “respectfully disagrees” with these
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conclusions. Abell Mem. at 2-3. Hence, his motion is really a motion for reconsideration of the
Court’s previous decision.
Although there is no Federal Rule of Civil Procedure that expressly addresses motions for
reconsideration, see Lance v. United Mine Workers of Am. 1974 Pension Trust, 400 F. Supp. 2d
29, 31 (D.D.C. 2005), because the Court's opinion did not fully adjudicate all the claims in the
case, Abell's motion is properly characterized as a motion pursuant to Rule 54(b), see Fed. R.
Civ. P. 54(b) (where court resolves "fewer than all the claims," it may revise "its opinion at any
time before the entry of a judgment adjudicating all the claims and all the parties' rights and
liabilities"). "The Court has broad discretion to hear a motion for reconsideration brought under
Rule 54(b)," Isse v. Am. Univ., 544 F. Supp. 2d 25, 29 (D.D.C. 2008), and reconsideration is
appropriate "as justice requires," Cobell v. Norton, 355 F. Supp. 2d 531, 540 (D.D.C. 2005).
"Considerations a court may take into account under the 'as justice requires' standard include
whether the court 'patently' misunderstood the parties, made a decision beyond the adversarial
issues presented, made an error in failing to consider controlling decisions or data, or whether a
controlling or significant change in the law has occurred." Williams v. Johanns, 555 F. Supp. 2d
162, 164 (D.D.C. 2008). Review under Rule 54(b) "amounts to determining, within the Court's
discretion, whether reconsideration is necessary under the relevant circumstances." Cobell, 355
F. Supp. 2d at 540.
The essence of Abell’s argument at this stage is that a reasonable person in Hughes’
position would have been put on “inquiry notice” that Abell and Modern Management concealed
material facts about the transaction. Abell Mem. at 8-15. Abell contends that even if Hughes
believed, on the basis of Abell and Modern Management’s alleged misrepresentations, that the
transaction was a loan, not a sale, the other facts — such as the handwritten note in Hughes’
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handwriting indicating that he “sold my home” — should have put him on notice that what had
been represented was not quite right. Id. at 7-12. Abell maintains that a reasonable person under
these circumstances was under an obligation to investigate further. Id. at 12-13.
The Court will deny Abell’s motion. As a preliminary matter, the Court notes that the
motion was filed well over a year after the Court’s November 2010 decision and well after the
deadlines for filing dispositive motions in this case. Abell does not rely on any new facts in
expressing his disagreement with the Court’s prior decision. Although the Court may, consistent
with Rule 54(b), revise its opinion at any time prior to judgment on all claims in the case,
fairness to the other parties suggests that the Court’s prior decision should not be revisited so late
in the day unless it was truly erroneous. And here the Court believes its original decision was
correct. As indicated above, the Court believes that Hughes was at least aware that Abell was
asserting ownership over the Property at the time of Hughes’ transaction with Wells Fargo.
Nonetheless, the Court notes that Hughes’ claims against Abell, Modern Management, and
Baltimore are not limited to injury from misrepresentations regarding who would own the
Property after the transaction, but also include, for example, the allegation that there was a gross
disparity between the price of the property or services sold and the value of the property or
services sold. See, e.g., Am. Compl. ¶¶ 50-55. Misrepresentations made to Hughes by Abell or
Modern Management may have concealed essential details of the transaction from Hughes that
could be vital to his assertion of these claims. Dismissal of Hughes’ claims on the basis of the
statute of limitations would therefore be inappropriate on the basis of the record at this time.
IV. Conclusion
For the reasons described above, Wells Fargo’s motion will be granted in part and denied
in part. Wells Fargo’s motion will be denied with respect to Hughes’ remaining claims against
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Wells Fargo. With respect to Wells Fargo’s counterclaims against Hughes, Wells Fargo’s
motion will be granted with respect to the equitable subrogation claim (Count I), denied with
respect to the equitable lien claim (Count II), granted with respect to the unjust enrichment claim
(Count III), granted with respect to the fraud claim (Count IV), and denied with respect to the
breach of contract claim (Count V). With respect to Wells Fargo’s crossclaims against Abell,
Wells Fargo’s motion will be denied with respect to the fraud claim (Count I), denied with
respect to the quiet title claim (Count II), granted with respect to the equitable subrogation claim
(Count III), and denied with respect to the unjust enrichment claim (Count IV). With respect to
Abell’s crossclaim for quiet title against Wells Fargo, Wells Fargo’s motion will be denied.
Abell’s renewed motion for summary judgment will be denied in its entirety. A separate order
has been issued on this date.
/s/
JOHN D. BATES
United States District Judge
Dated: June 7, 2012
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