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Bill of Particulars Keystone Freight Corp Vs Pilot Flying J
Bill of Particulars Keystone Freight Corp Vs Pilot Flying J
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3. Elements of Claim
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The United States District Court of the Southern District of Alabama has already ruled in the case of
Wright Transportation v. Pilot that the claim of unjust enrichment is a valid cause of action against
the individual defendants. The Southern District Court of Alabama dismissed the case against Pilot
Flying J as the plaintiff in Wright did not plead unjust enrichment in the alternative and alleged an
express contract. The case law establishes that where there is an express contract, a claim for
unjust enrichment must fail as a matter of law. NRT/KFC pleads unjust enrichment against Pilot
Travel Centers LLC in the alternative.
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17. Hazelwood personally profited from the fraud in the form of increased
commissions and corporate profits.
18. Hazelwood further benefitted from the ancillary purchase made by
NRT/KFC employees while at travel centers to purchase fuel.
19. The purchases by NRT/KFC would not have been made but for the
fraudulent rebate scheme.
20. Each of the defendants participated in the solicitation of NRT/KFC
regarding the purchase of diesel fuel and each of the defendants
received the benefit from the retention of monies due and owing to
NRT/KFC.
21. Each of the defendants benefited from and were enriched as a result
of their wrongful conduct.
22. Each of the defendants obtained financial gain through corrupt
means, that being the participating in the defrauding of NRT/KFC and
the making of false, misleading, fraudulent, misstatements, with the
knowledge that said statements were false, fraudulent and misleading.
23. The retention of that benefit is unjust as part of fraudulent scheme.
24. Plaintiffs expected remuneration from the defendants at the time it
performed its obligation, that being purchasing fuel, and the failure of
remuneration enriched the defendants through increased profits,
bonuses and salary.
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3. Elements of Claim
Conversion under New Jersey law is defined as the exercise of any act of
dominion in denial of anothers title to chattels, or inconsistent with such title.
Marsellis-Warner Corp. v. Rabens, 51 F.Supp. 2d 508, 525 (D.N.J. 1999); Mueller v.
Technical Device Corp., 8 N.J. 201, 207 (1951).
Accordingly, the elements of common law conversion under New Jersey law
are (1) the existence of property and (2) the right to immediate possession thereof
belonging to the plaintiff and (3) the wrongful interference with that right by a
defendant. Marsellis-Warner Corp. v. Rabens, 51 F.Supp. 2d 508, 525 (D.N.J. 1999);
Corestar International PTE, Ltd. v. L.P.B. Commcn., 513 F.Supp. 2d 107, 127 (D.N.J.
2007).
Under New Jersey law, the exercise of dominion and control over money
received fraudulently constitutes conversion unless a defendant was unaware of
the fraud and received the money in exchange for fair value. Chicago Title Ins. Co.
v. Ellis, 409 N.J. Super. 444 (App. Div. 2009).
4. The Elements of the Underlying Claim
1. Each of the defendants exercised dominion and control over the
property of plaintiffs, that being a rebate that was due and owing to
NRT/KFC.
2. Plaintiffs were entitled to immediate possession of the payment under
the terms of the agreement with Pilot.
3. Defendants wrongfully interfered with NRT/KFCs right to the rebate by
willfully, fraudulently, and intentionally manipulating the rebate
amount and representing to the plaintiffs that the rebate being
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
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2010; May 21, 2010; June 11, 2010; July 22, 2010; August 20, 2010;
September 17, 2010; October 18, 2010; November 16, 2010;
December 13, 2010; January 12, 2011; February 14, 2011; March
17, 2011; April 15, 2011; May 13 2011; June 19, 2011; July 15, 2011;
August 12, 2011; September 14, 2011; October 14, 2011;
November 9, 2011; December 9, 2011; January 13, 2012; February
15, 2012; March 14, 2012; April 12, 2012; May 16, 2012; June 13,
2012; July 16, 2012; August 15, 2012; September 12, 2012; October
12, 2012; November 9, 2012; December 12, 2012; January 11,
2013; February 13, 2012; March 13, 2013; and April 19, 2013.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
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17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
Wombold, Prins and Mann knew that Pilot had shorted NRT/KFC
in November of 2009 and were covering their tracks in
accordance with the Pilot procedure by claiming the shortages,
and reductions which were intentional were to be called a
mistake.
23.
24.
25.
26.
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to
27.
28.
29.
30.
Hite was aware of the fact that the statements being made by
him were material misrepresentations of a presently existing fact
and past fact in that he was aware of the fact that NRT/KFC was
being defrauded by the Pilot rebate fraud scheme.
31.
Hite was aware of the falsity of same and intended that NRT/KFC
rely upon same.
32.
33.
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35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
Holden and Borden knew that said rebates were false and
misleading and that the statements and rebate checks did not
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accurately reflect the proper amount of the rebate due and owing
to NRT/KFC.
40.
41.
42.
From at least July of 2012, on the above dates Kevin Hite caused,
directed, participated and otherwise instructed that fraudulent
rebate checks be sent to NRT/KFC in New Jersey knowing that said
checks were fraudulent, false and misleading.
43.
Hite knew that the checks were false and misleading and
intended that the plaintiffs, NRT/KFC, rely upon same.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
Prins and Wombold knew that the rebate statements and checks
being sent to NRT/KFC were false and misleading and intended
that NRT/KFC rely upon same. NRT/KFC reasonably relied upon
said statements provided by defendant Prins and Wombold and
were damaged as a result of same.
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E. COUNT V
49.
50.
Mann knew that the statements and the checks were false and
intended that the plaintiffs, NRT/KFC, rely upon same.
51.
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statutes or regulations define specific conduct prohibited by law. See New Jersey
Model Jury Charge 4.43.
An affirmative act under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act is a physical act
but also includes any steps taken by a person to advance a plan or design or
accomplish the purpose. An omission is neglecting to perform what the law
quires.
The New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act defines an unconscionable commercial
practice as an activity that is basically unfair or unjust which materially departs
from the standards of good faith, honesty in fact and fair dealing with the public
market place. DErcole Sales, Inc. v. Fruehauf Corp., 206 N.J. Super. 11, 29 (App. Div.
1985). An unconscionable act requires that there be factual dishonesty and a lack
of fair dealing. Deception is conduct or advertisement which is misleading to the
average consumer to the extent that it is capable of, and likely to mislead an
average consumer. It does not matter that at a later time it could have been
explained to a more knowledgeable and inquisitive consumer. It does not matter
whether the conduct or advertisement actually mislead the plaintiff. The fact that
defendant had acted in good faith is irrelevant under the New Jersey Consumer
Fraud Act and it is the capacity to mislead that is important. See New Jersey Model
Jury Charge 4.43.
Fraud under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act is the perversion of truth,
a misstatement or falsehood communicated to another creating the possibility that
the other person will be cheated. The New Jersey Supreme Court required the
Consumer Fraud Act requirement that knowledge and intent be shown is limited to
claims of concealment, suppression or omission of material fact.
Under the Consumer Fraud Act, a person includes not only a human being
but his/her legal representative and a partnership, corporation, company, trust,
business entity, association as well as his/her agent, employee, sales person,
partner, officer, director, member, stockholder, associate, trustee or beneficiary of
a trust.
Under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, it is not necessary that a person
actually mislead or deceive another by their conduct. It is not necessary for the
plaintiffs to show that the defendant intended that his/her conduct deceived. It is
only required that there be an affirmative act that had the potential to mislead or
deceive when it was performed. It is the capacity to mislead that is the prime
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ingredient of the affirmative Consumer Fraud Act. Settlement of the New Jersey
Consumer Act and the Consumer Fraud Act does not require a showing of intent.
See New Jersey Model Jury Charge 4.43.
Under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, claims for unfair practices are
not required to meet the heightened pleading standard and neither fraud nor
mistake is an element of unfair conduct. A-1 Advance Moving & Storage v.
Norvergence, Inc., 424 B.R. 663 (D.N.J. 2010). Claims for unfair practices under the
New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act are to be reviewed under Rule 8(a) and not Rule
9(b). Id., citing, Windy City Metal v. CIT, 537 F.3d 663 (7th Cir. 2005).
Elements of a claim under the NJCFA
The plaintiffs, in order to establish a claim under the New Jersey Consumer
Fraud Act, need only establish (1) that the defendant engaged in an unlawful
practice, (2) an ascertainable loss and (3) a causal connection between the two. Cox
v. Sears Roebuck & Co., 138 N.J. 17, 22 (1994).
4. The Elements of the Underlying Claim
1.
2.
3.
4.
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5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
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10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
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Pilot and the individual defendants on the dates set forth above
in advertising, offering for sale and the sale of fuel to the
plaintiff violated the New Jersey Advertising Regulations by
engaging in conduct including but not limited to advertising and
representing to NRT/KFC that the fuel rebate would be based
upon actual cost of fuel to Pilot.).
2.
3.
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4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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2.
3.
4.
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2010; August 20, 2010; September 17, 2010; October 18, 2010;
November 16, 2010; December 13, 2010; January 12, 2011;
February 14, 2011; March 17, 2011; April 15, 2011; May 13 2011;
June 19, 2011; July 15, 2011; August 12, 2011; September 14, 2011;
October 14, 2011; November 9, 2011; December 9, 2011; January
13, 2012; February 15, 2012; March 14, 2012; April 12, 2012; May
16, 2012; June 13, 2012; July 16, 2012; August 15, 2012; September
12, 2012; October 12, 2012; November 9, 2012; December 12,
2012; January 11, 2013; February 13, 2012; March 13, 2013; and
April 19, 2013 fraudulent rebate checks from Pilots headquarters
located at 5508 Lonas Drive Knoxville, TN to plaintiffs offices
located in New Jersey.
5.
6.
Thus, plaintiff has alleged the time, place and content of the
fraudulent statements. Bender v. Southland Corp., 749 F2d
1105, 1216 (6th Cir. 1984).
7.
8.
9.
10.
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2.
3.
4.
5.
This common plan was targeted towards the plaintiff and other
similarly situation plaintiffs in this multi-district litigation.
Common Purpose
1.
2.
3.
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2.
3.
In 2008, the year that Pilots fraudulent activities took off, Pilot
joined as a financial partner Propeller Corp.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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9.
Course of Conduct
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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9.
10.
11.
12.
Damages
1.
Plaintiffs, NRT and KFC, have specifically been damaged not only
by the failure to receive upon the agreed upon rebates but
further were damaged by being deprived the opportunity to
negotiate with other fuel providers.
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2.
3.
4.
5.
Plaintiff could have obtained a letter price for diesel fuel than
they purchased and were deprived of the rights to do so based
upon the fraudulent conduct of the defendants.
2.
3.
4.
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2.
3.
4.
5.
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2.
3.
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4.
The defendant Pilot breached its duty of good faith and fair
dealings in defrauding the plaintiffs in this matter.
2.
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3.
Pilots actions were done with bad motive and intention and
engaged in deception in the performance of the contract by the
aforementioned acts.
4.
Pilot, and its employees, taught its sales force how to defraud
the plaintiffs in this matter.
5.
2.
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3.
4.
2.
Each and every defendant had knowledge of the acts and that
they knowingly and substantially participated in the
wrongdoing.
3.
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4.
5.
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To state a claim under New Jersey Civil RICO, a plaintiff must establish five
elements. That being, (1) the existence of an enterprise, (2) that the enterprise
engaged in or its activities affected trade or commerce, (3) the defendant was
employed by or associated with the enterprise, (4) that he or she participated in the
conduct of the affairs of the enterprise, and (5) that he or she participated through
a pattern of racketeering activity. State v. Ball 141 N.J. 142 (1995); Prudential Ins.
Co. of America v. Goldman Sachs & CO., 213 U.S. Lexis 50788 2013 W.L. 1431680
(D.N.J. April 9, 2013).
Unlike the federal RICO statute, New Jerseys RICO statute does not require
separate and distinct entities in order to establish an enterprise. New Jersey
broadly construes the enterprise element unlike the federal statutory
counterpart. Maxim Sewage Corp. v. Monmouth Ridings, 273 N. J. Super. 84, 95 (S.
Ct. 1993) (New Jersey RICO defines person more broadly than the federal statute).
The New Jersey Supreme Court has held that enterprise element will be
satisfied if there exists a group of people, no matter how loosely associated, whose
existence or association provides or implements the common purpose of
committing two or more predicated acts. Ball v. Ball, 141 N.J. 160 (1995).
The element is also satisfied if the enterprise is no more than the sum of the
racketeering acts. Id. In New Jersey an enterprise does not have to be an
organization whose purpose is greater than the predicated acts nor does it have to
evidence any definable structure. Id. See also, Prudential Ins. Co. of America v.
Goldman Sachs & CO., 213 U.S. Lexis 50788 2013 W.L. 1431680 (D.N.J. April 9, 2013).
Further, unlike the federal RICO statute, NJ RICO does not require
operational management and participation is defined as acting purposefully or
knowingly in the affairs of the enterprise. Szelc v. Stanger No. 08, 4782, 2011 U. S.
Dist. Lexis 41827 (D. N. J. 2011)
4. Elements of Underlying Claim
1.
The elements of the underlying claim are set forth above in the
Federal RICO statute.
2.
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3.
Unlike the federal RICO statute which case law holds that
employees in a corporation and its employees cannot constitute
an enterprise, under the New Jersey RICO statute the
requirement of a separate and distinct legal entity is not
required. An enterprise exists if there is a group of people, no
matter how loosely associated, whose existence or association
provides or implements the common purpose of committing
two or more predicated acts. Prudential Ins. Co. of America v.
Goldman Sachs & CO., 213 U.S. Lexis 50788 2013 W.L. 1431680
(D.N.J. April 9, 2013)
4.
5.
6.
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7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
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15.
16.
17.
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Case: 2:14-cv-00069-ART Doc #: 80-1 Filed: 11/14/14 Page: 1 of 2 - Page ID#: 1779
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Case: 2:14-cv-00069-ART Doc #: 80-1 Filed: 11/14/14 Page: 2 of 2 - Page ID#: 1780
I, Timothy K. Saia, Esq., certify that on the 14th day of November, 2014, have
filed the foregoing Bill of Particulars with the Clerk of the Court for the United
States District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, via ECF, and that same has been
filed and served in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
By:
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/s/Timothy K. Saia
TIMOTHY K. SAIA