Milbourne v. JRK Residential America, LLC

92 F. Supp. 3d 425, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 29905, 2015 WL 1120284
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. Virginia
DecidedMarch 11, 2015
DocketCivil Action No. 3:12cv861
StatusPublished
Cited by12 cases

This text of 92 F. Supp. 3d 425 (Milbourne v. JRK Residential America, LLC) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. Virginia primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Milbourne v. JRK Residential America, LLC, 92 F. Supp. 3d 425, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 29905, 2015 WL 1120284 (E.D. Va. 2015).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

ROBERT E. PAYNE, Senior District Judge.

This matter is before the Court on the DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT (Docket No. 47), the Plaintiffs response (Docket No. 53) and the reply (Docket No. 57). For the reasons set forth below, the motion will be denied.

[427]*427FACTUAL BACKGROUND

Derrick A. Milbourne (“Milbourne”) filed a complaint on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated that alleged that Defendant JRK Residential America, Inc. (“JRK”) violated two sections of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”). Milbourne applied for and conditionally received a job with JRK after completing application paperwork that permitted JRK to obtain a consumer report on Milbourne. Docket No. 1 at 1. After JRK obtained Milbourne’s consumer report, it rescinded its offer to hire Milbourne. Id. In this action, Milbourne alleges that JRK did not comply with the FCRA’s requirements “in that JRK did not provide [Milbourne] a copy of the report that was used as a basis for rescinding the offer of employment; that JRK did not provide him with the notice it was required to give before requesting the report; and that JRK did not provide him with a description of his rights under the FCRA.” Docket No. 19 at 1-2.

PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

The procedural background of this case through April 7, 2014 is extensively set forth in the Court’s Memorandum Opinion denying Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction. Docket No. 19, at 3-5. Thereafter, the Court certified two classes, the “Impermissible Use Class” (alleging a violation of 15 U.S'.C. § 1681b(b)(2)(A) 1) and the “Adverse Action Class” (alleging a violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1681b(b)(3)(A)2). Both classes were certified based on a 2 year statute of limitations. Docket No. 55.

DISCUSSION

Summary judgment is proper when there is no genuine issue as to any material fact in the case such that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). Once the moving party properly files and supports its motion for summary judgment, the opposing party must show that a genuine issue of fact exists. See Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586-87, 106 S.Ct. 1348, 89 L.Ed.2d 538 (1986).

A material fact is the existence or nonexistence of which could lead a jury to different resolutions of the case. See Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc. 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). A genuine issue of material fact only exists when the opposing party has presented sufficient evidence upon which a reasonable jury could return a verdict in its favor. Id. This means that “summary judgment is only appropriate when, after discovery, the non-moving party has failed to make a ‘showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party’s case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial.’ ” BM v. Chesterfield County School Dist., [428]*4282010 WL 1445661 at *1 (E.D.Va.2010) (quoting Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986)). In considering motions for summary judgment, the court must consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. Smith v. Virginia Commonwealth Univ., 84 F.3d 672, 675 (4th Cir.1996).

JRK moves for summary judgment on four issues. First, it argues that' “the claims of the ‘Impermissible Use Class’ fail because JRK’s authorization forms complied with both the letter and spirit of the FCRA.” Docket No. 48 at 1. Second, it argues that, even if its authorization forms did not comply with the FCRA, “there is no triable issues that JRK acted ‘willfully.’ ” Id. at 2. Third, it argues that “[t]he Adverse Action claim ... fails because the class members have no private right of action under [the] FCRA provision” at issue. Id. Finally, it argues that “plaintiffs have ... failed- to show willfulness” in conjunction with the Adverse Action Class as well. Id. These arguments will be addressed in turn.

I. JRK’s Disclosure Form’s FCRA Compliance

15 U.S.C. § 1681b(b)(2)(A) requires that, “[e]xcept as provided in subparagraph (B) [dealing with applications for employment by mail, telephone, or computer], a person may not procure a consumer report, or cause a consumer report to be procured, for employment purposes, with respect to any consumer, unless: (i) a clear and conspicuous disclosure has been made in writing to the consumer at any time before the report is procured or caused to be procured, in a document that consists solely of the disclosure, that a consumer report may be obtained for employment purposes; and (ii) the consumer has authorized in writing (which authorization may be made on the documents referred to in clause (i)) the procurement of the report by that person.” (emphasis added).

When Milbourne applied for a position with JRK, he signed a document that read, in part: [429]*429Docket No. 49-2 at 2 (emphasis added). Milbourne alleges that the release language (underlined above) violates § 1681b(b)(2)(A)’s “solely of the disclosure” requirement and thus violates the FCRA. JRK claims that its form is compliant with the FCRA and for that reason seeks summary judgment.

[428]*428I certify that the information contained herein is true and understand that any falsification will result in the rejection of my application or termination of my employment. I also understand that the requested information is for the sole purpose of conducting a background investigation which may include a check of my identity, work and credit history, driving records, and any criminal history which may be in the files of any state or local criminal agency ... 3
I hereby authorize this company, its corporate affiliates, its employees, its authorized agents, and representatives ... to verify all information contained in this form or in my application and to inquire into any character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and mode of living ... I hereby release this company, its corporate affiliates, its employees, its authorized agents and representatives and all others involved in this background investigation from any liability in connection with any information they .give or gather and any decisions made concerning my employment based on such information. I understand that any offer of employment I may receive is contingent upon the successful completion of the background investigation. I further understand that I have a right, under Section 606(B) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, to make a written request to this company within a reasonable period of time for a complete and accurate disclosure of the nature and scope of the investigation requested.4

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
92 F. Supp. 3d 425, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 29905, 2015 WL 1120284, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/milbourne-v-jrk-residential-america-llc-vaed-2015.