Trustees of the Detroit Carpenters Fringe Benefit Funds v. Nordstrom

901 F. Supp. 2d 934, 2012 WL 5352982, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 160021
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. Michigan
DecidedSeptember 27, 2012
DocketNo. 10-cv-14160
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 901 F. Supp. 2d 934 (Trustees of the Detroit Carpenters Fringe Benefit Funds v. Nordstrom) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. Michigan primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Trustees of the Detroit Carpenters Fringe Benefit Funds v. Nordstrom, 901 F. Supp. 2d 934, 2012 WL 5352982, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 160021 (E.D. Mich. 2012).

Opinion

OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, AND DENYING DEFENDANTS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

GERALD E. ROSEN, Chief Judge.

I. INTRODUCTION

This ERISA contribution action is presently before the Court on the parties’ cross-motions for summary judgment. The parties have stipulated to the pertinent facts and exhibits and response briefs have been filed. Having reviewed and considered the parties’ motions and responses and the entire record of this matter, the Court has concluded that oral argument is not necessary. Therefore, pursuant to Eastern District of Michigan Local Rule 7.1(f)(2), this matter will be decided on the briefs. This Opinion and Order sets forth the Court’s ruling.

II. PERTINENT FACTS

Michael A. Nordstrom was the sole owner and officer of the now defunct Eagle Construction Services, Inc. (“Eagle”). While the company was still operating, Nordstrom made the day-to-day decisions relating to which bills and creditors were to be paid and when they were paid.

[937]*937From April through August 2010, Eagle was engaged by Donald Borg Construction Co., Inc. (“Borg”) to perform construction work on two “Forever 21” stores in Southeast Michigan — one in Novi and the second at the Great Lakes Crossing mall in Auburn Hills. These two jobs were the only jobs Eagle was engaged in from February 2010 until Eagle ceased all operations in August 2010. Eagle received $467,481.00 from Borg for work on these two construction projects and all of the funds received were deposited in Eagle’s checking account.

Eagle used the monies it received from Borg for the work performed on the Forever 21 projects for the payment of labor, payroll taxes, union dues, materials, bonds, equipment rental, workers compensation insurance, general liability insurance, taxes, professional fees, rent and utilities. However, Eagle did not make any fringe benefit contributions on behalf of employees covered by the Agreement entered into by the Michigan Council of Carpenters (the “Union”) and Signatory Independent Contractors (the “CBA”) for the months of May and June 2010.

At the conclusion of the Borg projects, there was a balance of $19,733.43 in Eagle’s checking account.

The Detroit Carpenter Fringe Benefit Funds subsequently audited Eagle’s books and records for the period October 1, 2007 through December 31, 2010. The audit revealed unpaid fringe benefit contributions totaling $87,861.71. Nordstrom agrees that Eagle was bound by the CBA and that all of the individuals listed in the audit performed work covered by the CBA. He does not contest the accuracy of the audit.

The Plaintiff Funds now seek entry of summary judgment in its favor for the total amount of contributions owed by Eagle, plus interest, liquidated damages, attorneys’ fees and costs — an amount totaling $161,368,38. Further, inasmuch as Eagle has been dissolved, the Funds also seek an order holding Nordstrom personally liable for this amount because of his breach of his fiduciary duties under ERISA and the Michigan Builder’s Trust Fund Act, M.C.L. § 570.151 et seq.

Defendants'do not contest Eagle’s liability for the amounts due as reflected in the audit. However, Defendant Nordstrom argues that he cannot be held personally hable for the delinquent contributions because he claims he is not a fiduciary under ERISA. He further claims that he cannot be held personally liable under the Michigan Builder’s Trust Fund Act, either, because he used the Borg project funds solely for construction expenses. Accordingly, he seeks a summary judgment finding no personal liability on his part for the Eagle indebtedness.

III. DISCUSSION

A. APPLICABLE STANDARDS

Summary judgment is proper if the moving party “shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a). As the Supreme Court has explained, “the plain language of Rule 56[ ] mandates the entry of summary judgment, after adequate time for discovery and upon motion, against a party who fails 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.” Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 2552, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). In addition, where a moving party seeks an award of summary judgment in its favor on a claim or issue as to which it bears the burden of proof at trial, this party’s “showing must [938]*938be sufficient for the court to hold that no reasonable trier of fact could find other than for the moving party.” Calderone v. United States, 799 F.2d 254, 259 (6th Cir. 1986) (internal quotation marks, citation, and emphasis omitted).

In deciding a motion brought under Rule 56, the Court must view the evidence in a light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Pack v. Damon Corp., 434 F.3d 810, 813 (6th Cir.2006). Yet, the nonmoving party may not rely on mere allegations or denials, but must “cit[e] to particular parts of materials in the record” as establishing that one or more material facts are “genuinely disputed.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c)(1). Moreover, any supporting or opposing affidavits or declarations “must be made on personal knowledge, set out facts that would be admissible in evidence, and show that the affiant or declarant is competent to testify on the matters stated.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c)(4). Finally, “the mere existence of a scintilla of evidence that supports the nonmoving party’s claims is insufficient to defeat summary judgment.” Pack, 434 F.3d at 814 (alteration, internal quotation marks, and citation omitted). The Court will apply the foregoing standards in deciding the parties’ cross-motions for summary judgment in this case.

B. AMOUNT OWED TO THE PLAINTIFF FUNDS

As indicated, Defendants do not dispute that no contributions were made to the Plaintiff Funds in May or June 2010 and do not contest the accuracy of the Funds’ audit of Eagle books and records which revealed unpaid fringe benefit contributions totaling $87,861.71.

Section 502 of ERISA, 29 U.S.C. § 1132(g)(2), provides:

In any action under this subchapter by a fiduciary, for or on behalf of a plan, to enforce section 1145 of this title1 in which a judgment in favor of the plan is awarded, the court shall award the plan—
(A) the unpaid contributions.
(B) interest on the unpaid contributions.

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901 F. Supp. 2d 934, 2012 WL 5352982, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 160021, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/trustees-of-the-detroit-carpenters-fringe-benefit-funds-v-nordstrom-mied-2012.