Evans v. American Credit Systems, Inc.

222 F.R.D. 388, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10633, 2004 WL 1427047
CourtDistrict Court, D. Nebraska
DecidedJune 10, 2004
DocketNo. 8:02 CV 472
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 222 F.R.D. 388 (Evans v. American Credit Systems, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Nebraska primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Evans v. American Credit Systems, Inc., 222 F.R.D. 388, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10633, 2004 WL 1427047 (D. Neb. 2004).

Opinion

ORDER

BATAILLON, District Judge.

This matter is before the Court on defendant American Credit Systems, Inc.’s objection, Filing No. 201, to the certification of the class and subclasses as set forth in the May 19, 2004, report and recommendation of the magistrate. Filing No. 196. Defendant objects arguing that the time periods for the classes are not sufficiently definite and further argues that the plaintiffs in subclass (d) are not representative of the class. I have carefully reviewed the record, and specifically the report and recommendation of the magistrate, as well as the brief and objections submitted by the defendant and relevant case law. I conclude that the magistrate is correct in his findings and conclusions.

THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED THAT:

1. The magistrate’s report and recommendation, Filing No. 196, is adopted in its entirety; and
2. The objections to the report and recommendation, Filing No. 201, are overruled.

[390]*390REPORT and RECOMMENDATION

THALKEN, United States Magistrate Judge.

This matter is before the court on the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification (Filing No. 58). The plaintiffs seek to certify a class of: (i) all persons with addresses in the State of Nebraska (ii) to whom letters in the form of Exhibits B, C, D and/or E (attached to the complaint) (iii) were sent by any of the defendants (iv) in an attempt to collect a debt (v) which, according to the nature of the creditor or the debt, or the records of the creditor or defendants, was incurred for personal, family, or household purposes (vi) which letters were not returned undelivered by the U.S. Post Office. Further, the plaintiffs seek to divide the class into subclasses for each of the four form letters and a subclass for those from whom interest or other charges were illegally collected. For the reasons set forth below, the undersigned magistrate judge will recommend the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification be granted.

On January 15, 2004, the court held a hearing on the plaintiffs’ motion. At the hearing, Randolph Bragg and Pamela Carr represented the plaintiffs and Cheryl Mullin represented the defendant American Credit Systems, Inc. (ACS). Ms. Mullin’s motion to withdraw as counsel for the individual defendants, Cathy Schneeberger and Elias Robert Ruiz, was granted. The individual defendants were allowed until January 30, 2004, to submit any additional evidence or briefing. A transcript of the hearing was filed on February 5, 2004(TR.). See Filing No. 177.

The plaintiffs filed a brief (Filing No. 59), an index of evidence (Filing No. 60) a reply brief (Filing No. 111) and an amended index of evidence (Filing No. 112) in support of their motion. During the hearing the plaintiffs submitted a supplemental index of evidence, which was received without objection (Exhibit 1). The defendants filed a brief (Filing No. 88) an index of evidence (Filing No. 89) and a supplemental brief (Filing No. 167 attachment) in opposition to the motion to certify a class. The defendants presented no additional evidence during or after the hearing.

INTRODUCTION

The plaintiffs bring their class action lawsuit on behalf of themselves and all other Nebraska consumers to challenge certain collection practices used by the defendants, ACS d/b/a Legal Administrative Services and d/b/a National Audit Services, ACS’s employee Cathy Schneeberger1 a/k/a Liz Baxter, and ACS’s employee Elias Robert Ruiz a/k/a Man Roberts. This case principally concerns several claims under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), 15 U.S.C. §§ 1692a et seq.

The defendants were attempting to collect debt the named plaintiffs allegedly owed Montessori Educational Centers, Inc. (Montessori). The plaintiffs challenge the practice of ACS attempting to collect unauthorized charges, including “collection charges,” interest, and attorney fees, where the underlying agreement does not expressly provide for such charges and where, according to the plaintiffs, such charges are not permitted by law. Additionally, the plaintiffs challenge the contents of certain language contained in a series of standard collection letters sent by the defendants to the plaintiffs, designated as Exhibits B, C, D and E. In these collection letters, ACS does not use its corporate name; the letters are signed by a person who claims to be part of the “litigation department”; and the letters threaten litigation. The plaintiffs claim these and other actions violate the FDCPA. Additionally, the plaintiffs allege the defendants’ actions violate the Nebraska Consumer Protection Act (NCPA), Neb.Rev. Stat. §§ 59-1.601 et seq. and the Nebraska Deceptive Trade Practices Act (NDTPA), Neb.Rev.Stat. §§ 87-306 et seq.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

For purposes of the motion for class certification, the court will rely on those facts relied on by the district court in ruling on summary judgment issues and additional [391]*391facts elicited at the class certification hearing.

1. ACS is a corporation with its principal office in California. ACS does business as Legal Administrative Services and as National Audit Services.

2. Cathy Schneenberger a/k/a Liz Baxter is or was an employee of ACS.

3. Scheenberger is not an attorney at law.

4. Elias Robert Ruiz a/k/a Alan Roberts is or was an employee of ACS.

5. ACS regularly attempts to collect debts alleged to be due another using the names Legal Administrative Services and National Audit Services.

6. On January 16, 2002, Schneenberger telephoned the plaintiff Monroe Evans. On January 22, 2002, ACS sent Exhibit A to the plaintiffs Monroe Evans and Joan Yates Evans and stated in handwriting: “Please send payment within 10 days to add. listed above to prevent further litigation.” Exhibit A was signed by Liz Baxter.

7. Exhibit B was sent or prepared by ACS on March 22, 2002 to the plaintiffs. Exhibit B was initialed “L.B.” and contained the typewritten name “Liz Baxter, Litigation Department.” Exhibit B contained the statements: “If you fail to respond, I will without necessity, process this matter for proceedings for the full amount due plus interest, attorney fees, court costs____Since Legal Administrative Services is an assignee for collection, it is prohibited from pursuing this case in Small Claims Court, as such you will be liable for costs, interest and attorney fees, (if applicable), in the event Legal Administrative Services has to litigate this matter within the Limited Civil of the Superior Court. This will be the last letter you receive from us.”

8. Exhibit C was sent or prepared by ACS to the plaintiffs on April 19, 2002. Exhibit C contained the typewritten name “Liz Baxter, Litigation Department.” Exhibit C was nearly identical to Exhibit B.

9. Exhibit D was sent or prepared by Defendant ACS to the plaintiffs on May 7, 2002.

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Bluebook (online)
222 F.R.D. 388, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10633, 2004 WL 1427047, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/evans-v-american-credit-systems-inc-ned-2004.