Date: 04-15-2003

Case Style: Carla L. Robey-Harcourt v. Bencorp Financial Company, Inc., Caszey Bennet, P.K. Smith, and Karlos Lesure

Case Number: 02-6259

Judge: O'Brien

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

Plaintiff's Attorney:

Carla L. Robey-Harcourt, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Defendant's Attorney:

Melvin C. Hall and Gisele K. Perryman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Description:

Ms. Carla L. Robey-Harcourt entered a mortgage brokerage business contract with BenCorp Financial Company Inc. ("BenCorp"). In the contract, BenCorp agreed to "exert its best efforts to obtain a bona fide mortgage loan commitment" and "assembl[e] information, compil[e] file, and complet[e] credit application for borrower(s)." The contract specifically stated BenCorp could not make loans or guarantee the acceptance of a loan. After failing to receive the loan she desired, Ms. Robey-Harcourt filed a complaint in the Western District of Oklahoma against BenCorp alleging, among other claims, a violation of the federal Truth in Lending Act ("the Act" or "TILA"), 15 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq. On November 9, 2001, the court dismissed all claims except her TILA claim and state law claims of fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud. On July 12, 2002, the district court granted BenCorp's Motion for Summary Judgment because it was not a creditor and thus could not be held accountable under the Act. The court declined to exercise jurisdiction over the remaining state-law claims and dismissed them without prejudice. She appeals, asserting the district court erred in (1) granting BenCorp summary judgment, and (2) ignoring Oklahoma's exemption under Regulation Z,(1) 12 C.F.R. § 226.29 (2002). We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and affirm based on the district court's well-reasoned order. See Robey-Harcourt v. BenCorp Fin. Co., Inc., 212 F. Supp. 2d 1332 (W.D.Okla. 2002).

DISCUSSION

We review the district court's grant of summary judgment de novo, applying the same legal standard used by the district court. Summary judgment is appropriate "if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law."

Simms v. Okla. ex rel. Dep't of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Servs., 165 F.3d 1321, 1326 (10th Cir. 1999), cert. denied, 528 U.S. 815 (1999) (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)).

Ms. Robey-Harcourt asserts summary judgment was inappropriate because issues of material fact exist. She points to deposition testimony of Ms. Cindy Barrett, a deputy administrator for Oklahoma's Department of Consumer Credit, who stated her belief that BenCorp was not in compliance with Regulation Z. But compliance with Regulation Z begs the question, which is whether TILA applies to BenCorp. BenCorp is licensed as a mortgage broker and TILA applies to "creditors." Thus, TILA applies to BenCorp only if it is a "creditor" as defined under the TILA and Regulation Z definitions.(2) BenCorp is not a creditor under these definitions, and thus TILA is inapplicable.

Ms. Robey-Harcourt next argues the district court improperly weighed evidence in granting summary judgment. BenCorp provided affidavits and other evidence that it does not regularly extend credit, and has not done so in the past two years. Ms. Robey-Harcourt did not refute BenCorp's assertions, and the opinions expressed in Ms. Barrett's deposition testimony are irrelevant. Since none of Ms. Robey-Harcourt's evidence was relevant to the determination of whether BenCorp was a creditor, it could not be a material fact affecting the district court's decision.

Ms. Robey-Harcourt also claims the district court erred by relying on an unpublished opinion in granting summary judgment. The district court properly applied the statutes and regulations. The fact it mentioned, after announcing its holding, an unpublished case with a similar holding is immaterial.

Finally, Ms. Robey-Harcourt argues Oklahoma's exemption under Regulation Z was applicable and the district court erred in failing to apply Oklahoma law.(3) This argument is unavailing for three reasons. First, she did not raise this argument below, and we will not consider a new theory on appeal, even one "that falls under the same general category as an argument presented at trial or . . . a theory that was discussed in a vague and ambiguous way . . ." Bancamerica Commercial Corp. v. Mosher Steel of Kansas, Inc., 100 F.3d 792, 798-99 (10th Cir. 1996) (quotations and citation omitted). Second, she fails to provide legal authority for her assertion that Oklahoma law, rather than federal law, should apply in this case. Parties must support their arguments with legal authority. Phillips v. Calhoun, 956 F.2d 949, 953-54 (10th Cir. 1992); United States v. Almaraz, 306 F.3d 1031, 1041 (10th Cir. 2002), cert. denied _____ U.S. _____, 123 S.Ct. 1372 (2003). Her perfunctory argument that failed to develop the issue is insufficient to invoke appellate review. Murrell v. Shalala, 43 F.3d 1388, 1389 n.2 (10th Cir. 1994). Finally, she does not explain how the Oklahoma exemption differs in any significant way from federal law.

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Click on the case caption above for the full text of the Court's opinion

Outcome: Accordingly, the summary judgment in favor of BenCorp is AFFIRMED.

Plaintiff's Experts: Unavailable

Defendant's Experts: Unavailable

Comments: Reported by Kathryn Burgy