Free Reply to Response to Motion - District Court of California - California

Case 3:07-cv-02226-DMS-AJB

Document 20-5

Filed 01/17/2008

Page 1 of 8

ChadAustin, Esq. SBN 235457 3129India Street SanDiego,California92109 (61 Telephone: 9) 297-8888 (619) 295-1401 F-acsimile: Attomey for Plaintiff,JAMES M. KINDER

UNITEDSTATESDISTRICTCOT]RT SOUTHERN DISTRICTOF CALIFORNIA
l0 tl
l2

JAMES M. KINDER. Plaintiff,
VS.

C a s e o . : 0 7 C V 2 2 2 6I ) M S ( A . f ) N B COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGE,S, INCLUDING PUNITIVE DAMAGES, I N T E R E S TA N D A T T O R N E Y ' S F I i E S . AND FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF Violationsof Telephone Consumer ProtcctionAct of l99l Violationsof California Civil Code I 1770 (a) (22) (A) Trespass Chattel to Unfair Business Practices

l3 t4
l5 l6

t7 l8 t9

HARRAH'S BN'fERTAINMENI',Inc.: I IARRAH'S OPERATINGCOMPANY, Inc.; HARRAH'S MARKETING SERVICES CORPORA'fION; HARRAH'S LICENSB COMPANY. LLC; FIARRAH'SI-AUGHLIN. Inc.; HBR REALTY COMPANY, Inc. and DOES 1 throush100.inclusive. Defendants.

COMESNOW PlaintilfJAMES M. KINDER (hereinafier rcl-errcd as "l)laintill") who allcgcs to
2l

as follows:
22

J U R I S D I C T I O NA N D V E N U E
L-)

l
25

Although Plaintiffcommenced actionin the SanDiego Superior Court on this

2,2007,Defendant removed this courton November 21.2007.pursuant 28 |.J.S.C. to October to f o . $ $ 1 3 3 2a n d 1 4 4 1 ( b ) P l a i n t i f f r e s e r v e s t h e r i g h itltc a M o t i o n f o r R e r n a n d a t a l a t e r d a t c .
27 28

DMS(AJB 07cv 2226

Case 3:07-cv-02226-DMS-AJB

Document 20-5

Filed 01/17/2008

Page 2 of 8

1 2 3
4

PARTIES 2. Plaintiffis, andat all times herein mentioned a resident theCounty San was. of of

Diego,State California. of

5 o 7 8 9 l0 ll
l a

3.

Defendants, eachof them,are,and at all timeshereinmentioned and werc.

business organizations doing business the lbrm of unlawlul lelemarketing the Counly of in in SanDiego, Stateof Californiato SanDiego residents. includinglrlaintill.

4.

One of the 7 unlawfulprerecorded telemarketing callsmadcto I'laintill-s number

assigned a pagingservice, to whichwas madeon December 2003at l0:19 a.m..stated 9. that it was madeon behalfof "Harrah'sRinconCasino." 'l-hat casinois locatcdin Vallcy Centcr,San

DiegoCounty,Califbrnia.On information beliel.I']laintill'alleges tlie Ilarrah'sRincon and that Casinois ownedby the Rinconbandof Mission Indiansand opcratcd onc or ntoreol'scveral by Harrah's entities, including not necessarily but limitedto Def-cndant I IARRAII'S ENTERTAINMENT,Inc. (a Delaware corporation). Defbndant IIARITAII'S OPljltA'l'lNC; COMPANY, Inc. (a Delaware corporation), Delendant I{ARRA}l"S MARKITI'IN(l SIIItVIC'liS (a CORPORATION Nevada corporation) Defcndant and t{AItl{AII'S LIt'}:NSll COMI'nNY, LI-C (a Nevadalimited liability company).

t-)

l4 l5 l6 t7 I8 l9 20 2l 22 23 24 25 to 27 28

5.

Defendant HARRAH'S LAUGHLIN, lnc. (a Nevadacorporalion) owns

"Harrah'sLaughlinCasino." Two (2) of the unlawful prerecorded telemarketing calls complained in this actionwerecallsto Plaintifl's numberassigned a pagingservice of to promotingthe Hanah's LaughlinCasinoin Laughlin.Nevada.

6.

Defendant HARRAH'S OPERATING COMPANY. Inc. owns "Harrah's [,as

prerecorded calls of Vegas Casino."Two (2) of theunlawful telemarketing complained in this

) _

r)MS(A.rB 07cv 2226

Case 3:07-cv-02226-DMS-AJB

Document 20-5

Filed 01/17/2008

Page 3 of 8

1
I

action were calls to Plaintiff s numberassigned a paging servicepromoting the Harrah's Las to VegasCasinoin Las Vegas,Nevada.

3 4 5

7.

Defendant HRR REALTY COMPANY. Inc. (a Ncvadacorporalion) owns

"Harrah'sCouncilBluffs Casino." Onc (1) of the unlawfulprerecordcd telemarketing calls
6 7 8
o

complained in this actionwas a call to Plaintilf s numberassigncd a pagingscrvicc of to promotingthe Harrah'sCouncilBluffs Casinoin CouncilBluff's.Iowa.

l0
l l

8.

One (1) of the unlawfulprerecorded telemarketing callscomplained in this of

l2

actionwas a call promoting Harrah's the Metropolis Casino Mctropolis. in Illinois. Plaintilf

on I r 3 alleges informationand belicf that Defendant IBI{ ItIiALTY (IOMI)ANY. Inc. owns the
t4
t) l6

Harrah's Metropolis Casino.

9.
t l

On informationand belief Plaintill'alleges that Def-endant I IARRAII'S ,

t8
l9 20 2l 22
!J

I-ICENSECOMPANY, LLC is responsible somemannerfor all or at leastsomeof the in unlawfulprerecorded telemarketing callscomplained in this action. of

10.

Plaintiff is unaware the true namesand capacities of ol'delbndants suedhereinas

DOES 1 through 100,inclusive, and therefore suesthesedefendants suchllctitious names. by Plaintiff will amendthis complaintto allegetheir true names whcn ascertained. and capacities

24 25
zo

Plaintiffis informedand believes fictitiouslynamcd andthereon alleges that eacho1'the is in hcrcinallcgedand that Plaintiffs defendants responsible somemannerfor the occurrences as caused their conducl. by damages hereinallegedwereproximately

27 28

07 CV 2226DMS (AJB

Case 3:07-cv-02226-DMS-AJB

Document 20-5

Filed 01/17/2008

Page 4 of 8

I

1l.

At all times hereinmentionedeachdefendant was the partner.agentand

2
J

employee eachco-defendant of hereinand was at all timesactingwithin the scopeof such partnership, agencyand employment and eachdefendant ratifiedthe conductof eachcodefendant herein.

A

6 7 E
9

FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION Consumer Protection of 19911 Act [Violationof Telephone

12. reference.

paragraphs throughI I abovcand incorporales Plaintiff realleges I thcm l'rerein by

l0 ll l2 t3
l A

13.

PlaintilTis bringing provisions this aclionpursuanl tl.rc to ol-thc'l'elcphonc

Consumer Protection of 1991(47 U.S.C.$227and47 C.l;.R.$64.1200 "'l'ClPA"). Act

14.

b S u b d i v i s i o(n ) ( 1 ) ( A ) ( i i i ) o 1 ' S e c t i o2 2 7o f n

'l'itlc 4 7 o l ' t h cI J n i t c d t a l c s S

l5 t6
l 1 t t

Codemakesit unlawful for any person ''Makc any call (otherthana call nradclbr cmcrgency to purposes madewith the prior express or consent o1'the calledparly) usingany automatic telephone dialing systemor an artificialor prerecorded voice...to any telephone numberassigned to a pagingservice, specialized mobile radio service. otherradiocommoncarrierservice, or or any servicefor which the calledparty is charged thc call." for

t8 l9 20 2l 22
!-)

15.

Defendants havebeencalling Plaintiff s numberassigned a pagingservice. to

usingan automatic voice.without telephone dialing systemor an anillcial or prerecorded pcriod of the last4 permission, at least7 occasions Plaintiff s express on duringthe statutory years,pursuant 28 U.S.C.Q 1658. Thesecallsare only the callsknown to PlaintifTatthis time to and Plaintiff states informationand belief, without yet having the aid of full discovery,that it on havemademany more violativecallsto Plaintiff-snumber is quite likely that Defendants purpose,nor were assigned a paging service. Thesecalls were not madefor any emergency to

L+

25 26 27 28

07 CV 2226DMS (AJB

Case 3:07-cv-02226-DMS-AJB

Document 20-5

Filed 01/17/2008

Page 5 of 8

I 2 3
n

thesecallsexemptundersubdivision of section64.1200of title 47 of the Codeof Federal (c) Resulations.

16.

(bX3) of section Subdivision 227 of title 47 of the United States Codepermitsa

privateright of actionin statecourtfor violationsof 47 U.S.C \227 (b) (l ) (A) (iii). Plaintiff .
6 7 8 9 l0 ll t2 l3 t4 l5 l6 t7 l8 l9 20 2l 22
l-t

may obtainrelief in the form of iniunctiverelief, or Plaintiff mav recover$500.00lbr each violation,or both. lf the courtfinds that def-endants' violationswere willful or knowing.it may, in its discretion,awardup to threetimes that amount.

SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION of Civil Codeg 1770(a) (22) (A)l [Violation(s) California

17. reference.

Plaintiff realleges paragraphs throughl6 aboveand incorporates I thcm

18.

California Civil CodeS 1770(a) (22) (A) requires all rccordcd that mcssagcs

disseminated within the statebe introduced a live. naturalvoicc giving the nameo1-the by entity calling,the nameof the entity beingrepresented, address phonenumberlbr that entity.and an or askingpermission play thc recording.Defendants' to illcgal prerecordcd tclcmarkcting callsto Plaintiff failed to comply with this requirement.

19.

As a proximate resultof def-endants' violationof ClivilClode section1770,

plaintiff has sufferedand continues suffer damages an amountnot yet ascefiained, be to in to proven attrral.

.A

25

20.

futureconduct Civil Codesection1780(a) (2) providesfor an injunctionagainst

in violationof Civil Codesection1770.
27 28

DMS( AJ B 07cv 2226

Case 3:07-cv-02226-DMS-AJB

Document 20-5

Filed 01/17/2008

Page 6 of 8

I

21.

Civil Codesection1780(a) (4) providesfor an awardof punitivedamages fbr

2 3 4 5
o

violationsof Civil Codesection1770.

22.

Civil Codesection1780(d) providesfor an awardof attorneys leesfbr plaintiffs

harmed CaliforniaCivil Code g 1770(a) (22) (A) violations. by

7 8 9 l0 ll t2

THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION to [Trespass Chattel]

.,|. LJ

Plaintiff realleges paragraphs through22 above 1 and incorporates them hereinby

reference.

24.

The conduct def-endants by complained herein. of namelycallingPlaintill-s

numberassigned a pagingservice, to usingan arliflcial or prcrccorded voice,withoul I'laintilf s
l4 l5 l6 t7 t8 l9 20 2l 22
/.J

permission, express constitutes electronic an trespass chattcl. to

25.

At no time did Plaintifl'consent this tresnass. 1o

26.

As a proximate resultof these intrusions. Plaintill-sulfered in damage an amclunl

accordingto proof.

27.

In makingthe illegalcallsdescribed were gLrilty oppression above.del-endants of

and malice,in that defendants madesaidcallswith the inlentto vc.x. injure.or annoyPlaintill'or with a willful and conscious disregard Plaintiffs rights.Plaintilf thcrclbrcsccksan awardof of punitive damages.

1A

25 26 2'7 28

- 6 -

07 cv 2226DMS(AJB

Case 3:07-cv-02226-DMS-AJB

Document 20-5

Filed 01/17/2008

Page 7 of 8

I 2 3
A

FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION in Practiccs] [Engaging Unfair Business

28.
reference.

Plaintiff realleges paragraphs through 27 aboveand incorporates I them hereinby

5 o 7 8 9 l0
l l

29.

Because Defendants' unlawful prerecorded telemarketing callsviolatedI'ederal

and Californiastatutes, they areunlawful business practiccs within thc meaningof seclion17200 of the Business and Prof-essions Code.

30.

Section 17203 the Business Professions of and Codcenlitles Plaintill-to an

injunctionenjoiningdefendants from engaging unlair or unlawfulbusiness in practiccs.

l2 l3 t4 l5 t6 t7 l8 l9 20 2l 22
z-)
1A

WHEREFOREPlaintiffpraysfor judgmentagainst dcf-cndants. cachof thcm. as and follows:

On the FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION: 1. 2. For an awardof $500.00 eachviolationof'47 tl.S.C. \227', for For an awardof $1.500.00 eachsuchviolationfound1ohavebeenwillful: for

On the SECONDCAUSE OF ACTION: 3. 4. For compensatory damages according proof; to For preliminaryand permanent injunctions. enjoiningDef'endants. eacho1' and them,from engaging activity in violationof CaliforniaCivil Code $ l7l0 (a) in

(22)(^);
5. 6.
For punitive damages; For attorneysfees:

25
zo

27 28

-'7 -

07 cv 2226DMS (AJB

Case 3:07-cv-02226-DMS-AJB

Document 20-5

Filed 01/17/2008

Page 8 of 8

I

On the THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION: 7. 8. For compensatory damages according proof; to For punitivedamages;

2 3
A

5
o

On the FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION: 9. For preliminaryand permanent injunctions, enioiningDefendants. eachof and them,from engaging unfair or unlawful business in practices pursuant section to 17203of the Business and Profbssions Code:

7 8 9 10 ll t2 l3 t4 l5 l6 l7

On ALL CAUSESOF ACTION: 10. I 1. 12. For attorney's feespursuant CaliforniaCodeol-Civil Procedurc to $ F'orcostsof suit hereinincurred; and For suchfurtherrelief as thc Court deems propcr.

DATED:

, 2009
/s/ ChadAustin LlhadAustrn,Attorneytor l'lain1ill. .lAMIrSM. KINDtll{

r8
l9 20 2l 22
L-)

24 25 26 27 28

- R -

07 cv 2226DMS (AJB