Current Cases
Benson v. JPMorgan Chase
We have filed an action in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on behalf of victims of a $150 million Ponzi scheme involving thousands of defrauded investors who were promised safe, high yield certificates of deposit. The scheme, centered in Napa, California, was the brainchild of William Wise, who has a long record of securities violations. The defendant in the case is JP Morgan Chase Bank (as successor in interest to WAMU), the bank that facilitated the operation of his scheme.
Wise used two branches of WAMU located in Napa, California to deposit, transfer, and wire throughout the world the money earned from his illicit activities. Eventually, as Wise’s account grew, WAMU’s branch manager in Napa suggested he obtain a remote deposit facility (often referred to as a reverse ATM). Before that device was provided, WAMU was required to audit Wise. WAMU also suggested Wise obtain software offered to the bank’s larger clients to direct and manage a high volume of wire transfers. This tool again required a WAMU audit. This second audit was run from WAMU’s treasury department in Seattle, Washington. WAMU allegedly learned of Wise’s illicit scheme through two audits by two different departments. Despite this bird’s eye view, the bank allowed Wise’s activities to remain unchecked. WAMU’s alleged complicity in the scheme resulted in the defrauding of millions of dollars from thousands of investors.
The Complaint was upheld by Judge Edward Chen of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. However, JP Morgan Chase successfully argued that plaintiffs must exhaust their administrative remedies before filing an action in federal court. The Court agreed, but we have appealed that ruling, and the case is currently in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
RootZoo Inc. v. Facebook Inc.
We are challenging the efficacy of Facebook’s pay-per-click advertising program. The complaint alleges that Facebook’s systems (including filtering tools) are inadequate and allow phantom and fraudulent clicks to falsely run up advertisers’ bills. For example, a user may click 5 or 6 times on an advertisement in hopes of opening it quickly. Companies like Yahoo or Google would have systems in-place to detect each click coming from the same ISP address and only charge for (1) legitimate attempt to view the ad being broadcast. Facebook, as alleged in the Complaint is unable to filter out the 5 or 6 unsuccessful efforts and charges the advertiser instead, We are representing RootZoo Inc. along with a class of advertisers who have used Facebook’s pay-per-click advertising system. Our complaint was filed in July in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
The case is currently in the discovery phase.
Luppino v. Mercedes
We are co-counsel in a putative class action in the Federal District Court in New Jersey on behalf of all owners of Mercedes vehicles equipped with AMG or non-AMG 17”, 18”, or 19” wheels. The Complaint alleges that the wheels are defectively designed and manufactured and cannot withstand the demands of even ordinary driving. The wheels crack, bend, and dent causing consumers to spend thousands of dollars on replacements.
This case is currently in the pre-trial discovery phase.
Tatum v. New Chrysler
We are lead counsel in a class action suit against New Chrysler Group for its defective design of the braking system in its 2009 and 2010 Dodge Journey vehicles. Our clients, along with thousands of others, have been forced to replace their brake pads every 12,000-15,000 miles. Our investigation suggests that the pads are undersized and incapable of providing reliable resistance to stop the nearly two-ton Journey. As a result, the brake pads wear far quicker than usual. For many class members, this rapid wear has led to rotor problems which significantly increase the cost of their brake repair.
We are currently awaiting a decision on Chrysler’s Motion to Dismiss and Motion to Transfer.
Collins vs. Bank of America et al.
We are representing defrauded investors in a $400 million dollar Ponzi scheme resulting from an online web surfing program called ADSURF. The case is filed in Federal District Court for the District of Columbia. We have alleged that Bank of America employees including a Branch Manager who worked directly for the organizers of the fraud, and a Regional Vice President had actual knowledge of the fraud, provided widespread substantial assistance to the scheme by providing an array of critical services. Based on the Bank’s essential role, we are seeking to hold them liable for some or all of the lost funds as an aider and abetter. Andrew Bowdoin, the mastermind of the fraud, was recently indicted by federal authorities.
The case is currently stayed pending the outcome of all criminal proceedings.
Sullivan vs. Bank of America (Agape)
We are part of a team representing a nationwide class of defrauded investors in a $400 million dollar Ponzi Scheme perpetrated by Nicholas Cosmo through an entity he controlled called Agape. Our case alleges that Bank of America provided substantial assistance to the organizers of the scheme and thereby “aided and abetted” the fraud in connection with the scheme. The case was filed in March of 2009 in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
The case was dismissed in June, 2011 but we have appealed to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
Doll v. Ford Motor Company
We are representing a class of Ford Freestar owners whose vehicles’ transmissions suddenly fail resulting in a complete inability to accelerate or maintain speed. Our complaint alleges a defect in the transmission and torque converter which causes the vehicle to completely lose power – even when driving at highway speeds. Class members have been forced to stop on the sides of interstates, at intersections, or other dangerous locations and wait for help.
The complaint was filed in US District Court for the District of Maryland.