Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
BURGOS:
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED TO PLEAD TO THE
ENCLOSED NEW MATTER WITHIN TWENTY (20)
DAYS FROM SERVICE HEREOF OR A DEFAULT
JUDGMENT WILL BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU.
Filed and Attested by
PROTHONOTARY
09 JAN 2013 12:55 pm
A. STAMATO
MANUEL J. BURGOS,
Plaintiff,
v.
MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP,
et al.,
Defendants.
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLPS VERIFIED ANSWER & NEW MATTER
Defendant Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (Morgan Lewis), by and through
undersigned counsel, hereby Answers the Complaint of Plaintiff Manuel Burgos (Burgos or
Plaintiff), and together raises New Matter thereto, as follows:
ANSWER1
1.
Complaint. To the contrary, upon information and belief, the Philadelphia District Attorneys
office (the District Attorneys office or the Commonwealth) independently made the
decision to reopen its investigation and ultimately to recharge Burgos.
2.
Complaint. To the contrary, upon information and belief, Philabundance, after conducting a
reasonable investigation, determined that Burgos had made inappropriate charges using a
donated Sunoco fuel card and reported the matter to the Philadelphia Police Department.
3.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that Burgos was incarcerated for less than three months after the Honorable
Georganne V. Daher found that probable cause existed to believe that Burgos stole money from
Philabundance. Specifically, the Court stated:
SO, THIS GUY[, i.e., Plaintiff,] LUCKS UP. HE STOLE MONEY FROM
PHILABUNDANCE, BUT WE CAN ONLY PROVE HE STOLE BETWEEN
THREE AND FIVE [HUNDRED DOLLARS]. . . . WE CAN GO WITH THAT.
WE GOT HIM FOR SOMETHING.
N.T. 1/19/2011, pp. 37-38. By way of further answer, upon information and belief, Burgos was
ordered held on $2,500 bail, and spent that time in jail because he did not post, nor did anyone on
his behalf post, a $250.00 bond and $10.00 processing fee. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining
allegations contained in Paragraph 3 of the Complaint.
4.
Denied. Morgan Lewis denies that it learned anything about Mr. Bustos during
the time that Manuel Burgos was in jail. Morgan Lewis admits only that, during discovery in
1
Morgan Lewis has no duty to respond to any contention presented by the headings of Plaintiffs
Complaint. Such headings inaccurately state the facts of this case and will not be duplicated
within the instant Answer.
the still-pending lawsuit Burgos filed after his incarceration (the 2011 Lawsuit), it learned that
Leonardo Bustos had made inappropriate charges on a Philabundance credit card, and that Mr.
Bustos admitted to making and reimbursed Philabundance for those charges. Morgan Lewis
denies the remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 4 of the Complaint.
5.
Complaint, including the allegations of footnote 1 to the Complaint. To the contrary, upon
information and belief, Philabundance, after a reasonable investigation, determined that Burgos
had made inappropriate charges using a donated Sunoco fuel card and reported the matter to the
Philadelphia Police Department.
6.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only that Burgos filed suit
against Philabundance and Chaundra Loesch in June 2011. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining
allegations contained in Paragraph 6 of the Complaint. To the contrary, upon information and
belief, Philabundance, after conducting a reasonable investigation, determined that Burgos had
made inappropriate charges using a donated Sunoco fuel card and reported the matter to the
Philadelphia Police Department.
7.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only that it has
represented Philabundance and Chaundra Loesch in the 2011 Lawsuit and that Mr. Robinson,
Mr. Vonsover, Mr. Hayne, and Mr. Brigham have entered their appearances in that case.
Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 7 of the Complaint.
8.
Complaint, including the allegations contained in footnote 2 to the Complaint. To the contrary,
upon information and belief, the District Attorneys office independently made the decision to
reopen its investigation and ultimately to recharge Burgos.
9.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis denies that it caused any charges
to be brought against Burgos and denies that any charges which the District Attorneys office
independently decided to bring were a sham. Morgan Lewis admits only that a preliminary
hearing was held on November 26, 2012, regarding the refiled criminal charges against Burgos.
Morgan Lewis lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the
remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 9 of the Complaint, and therefore, those allegations
are denied.
10.
Complaint. Morgan Lewis admits only that, during Burgoss November 26, 2012, preliminary
hearing, Judge Paula A. Patrick found that Chaundra Loesch was not the appropriate custodian of
records for Philabundances Sunoco fuel card statements and then rescheduled the hearing to a
later date. Morgan Lewis lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the
truth of the allegations of what Judge Patrick believed or recognized or when she formed those
beliefs, and therefore those allegations are denied.
11.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only that Judge Patrick
rescheduled Burgoss November 26, 2012, preliminary hearing to December 5, 2012. Morgan
Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 11 of the Complaint. Morgan
Lewis did not institute criminal proceedings against Burgos, nor did it create any evidence.
Upon information and belief, the District Attorneys office independently made the decision to
reopen its investigation and ultimately to recharge Burgos.
12.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only that, on December
18, 2012, Judge Patrick denied the Commonwealths motion to refile the previously dismissed
criminal charges against Plaintiff. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in
Paragraph 12 of the Complaint. To the contrary, Morgan Lewis did not attempt to persuade the
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas that evidence existed to prosecute Burgos. Upon
information and belief, the District Attorneys office independently made the decision to reopen
its investigation and ultimately to recharge Burgos.
13.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only that Mr. Brigham
attended the November 26 and December 18, 2012 hearings regarding the criminal charges
which the Commonwealth filed against Burgos. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations
contained in Paragraph 13 of the Complaint.
14.
Complaint. To the contrary, upon information and belief, the District Attorneys office
independently made the decision to reopen its investigation and ultimately to recharge Burgos.
15.
Complaint. To the contrary, upon information and belief, the District Attorneys office
independently made the decision to reopen its investigation and ultimately to recharge Burgos.
16.
as to the truth of the allegations regarding Plaintiffs motive in bringing this lawsuit and,
therefore, those allegations are denied. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations
contained in Paragraph 16 of the Complaint.
17.
as to the truth of the allegations contained in Paragraph 17 of the Complaint and, therefore, those
allegations are denied.
18.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only that it is a law firm
with offices at 1701 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, that it employs Brandon J. Brigham
and Amir J. Vonsover, and that Azeez Hayne and Blair J. Robinson are partners in the law firm.
The remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 18 of the Complaint are denied.
19.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that Philabundance is a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation with offices located at
3616 South Galloway Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining
allegations contained in Paragraph 19 of the Complaint.
20.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that Chaundra Loesch is a Philabundance employee who works at 3616 South
Galloway Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148 and is a resident of New Jersey. Morgan Lewis denies
the remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 20 of the Complaint.
21.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that William J. Clark is the President and Executive Director of Philabundance, which
is a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation with offices located at 3616 South Galloway Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19148. Morgan Lewis lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of the allegations concerning Mr. Clarks state of residence and, therefore,
those allegations are denied. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in
Paragraph 21 of the Complaint.
22.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that Melanie S. Jumonville is the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
of Philabundance. Morgan Lewis lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as
to the truth of the allegations concerning Ms. Jumonvilles state of residence and, therefore,
those allegations are denied. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in
Paragraph 22.
23.
conclusions of law to which no responsive pleading is required and are thus deemed denied.
24.
conclusions of law to which no responsive pleading is required and are thus deemed denied.
25.
conclusions of law to which no responsive pleading is required and are thus deemed denied.
26.
conclusions of law to which no responsive pleading is required and are thus deemed denied.
27.
conclusions of law to which no responsive pleading is required and are thus deemed denied.
28.
conclusions of law to which no responsive pleading is required and are thus deemed denied.
29.
Complaint.
30.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only that Burgos and an
individual who he falsely claimed was his wife filed suit against Philabundance and Chaundra
Loesch in June 2011. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 30
of the Complaint.
31.
the terms of which speak for themselves, and accordingly, Plaintiffs characterization thereof is
denied. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 31 of the
Complaint.
32.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that Burgos was offered a permanent position as a truck driver with Philabundance on
June 14, 2010, that Burgos accepted the offer, and that Philabundance terminated Burgos
employment on August 20, 2010. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in
Paragraph 32 of the Complaint. To the contrary, upon information and belief, the District
Attorneys office independently made the decision to reopen its investigation and ultimately to
recharge Burgos.
33.
Denied. Upon information and belief, Morgan Lewis denies the allegations
Denied. Upon information and belief, Morgan Lewis denies the allegations
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that prior to Philabundances hire of Yadira Rosa, Leonardo Bustos, Philabundances
former Director of Logistics, oversaw the reconciliation of the Sunoco statements with
Philabundances usage of fuel for its fleet of vehicles and that Ms. Rosa assumed this
responsibility in July 2010. The remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 35 of the
Complaint are denied.
36.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that, in July 2010, Yadira Rosa began reconciling the credit card statements
Philabundance received from Sunoco with the fuel receipts submitted by Philabundance
employees. The remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 36 of the Complaint are denied.
37.
Admitted. Morgan Lewis admits, upon information and belief, the allegations
38.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that Ms. Rosa informed Mr. Bustos that some of the charges on Philabundances July
2010 Sunoco statement appeared suspicious. The remaining allegations contained in Paragraph
38 of the Complaint are denied.
39.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that Mr. Bustos informed Burgos of Philabundances reasonable belief that Burgos
had inappropriately used Philabundances Sunoco fuel cards. Morgan Lewis denies the
remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 39 of the Complaint.
40.
Denied. Morgan Lewis denies that it participated in any malicious scheme and
further denies that it withh[eld] critical information from anyone in association with this case.
Morgan Lewis further denies that it fabricat[ed] claims against Plaintiff or induce[d] the
Philadelphia District Attorneys office to prosecute Plaintiff. The District Attorneys office
independently made both the decision to initially charge and the decision to recharge Burgos
after further investigation. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in
Paragraph 40 of the Complaint.
41.
Denied. Morgan Lewis denies, upon information and belief, the allegations
Denied. Morgan Lewis denies, upon information and belief, the allegations
Denied. Morgan Lewis denies, upon information and belief, the allegations
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that Ms. Loesch and Mr. Bustos performed a reasonable investigation into the
improper use of Philabundances Sunoco fuel cards, identified Burgos as the culprit, and then
reported their findings to their superiors at Philabundance. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining
allegations contained in Paragraph 44 of the Complaint.
45.
Denied as stated. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information and belief, that
Ms. Loesch and Mr. Bustos performed an investigation into the improper use of Philabundances
Sunoco fuel cards, identified Burgos as the person responsible for the improper use of the fuel
card that was assigned to the Philabundance vehicle which he most frequently drove, and then
reported their findings to their superiors at Philabundance. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining
allegations contained in Paragraph 45 of the Complaint.
46.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that Ms. Jumonville did not conduct an independent investigation and instead relied
upon the investigation conducted by her subordinates. Morgan Lewis denies that the conclusions
reached from that investigation were unsupported. Morgan Lewis lacks knowledge or
information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations regarding Mr. Clarks
actions and, therefore, those allegations are denied. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining
allegations contained in Paragraph 46 of the Complaint.
47.
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in Paragraph 47 of the
Complaint regarding the motivations and thought processes of Mr. Clark and Ms. Jumonville
and, therefore, those allegations are denied. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information and
belief, that Philabundance decided to terminate Burgos employment and subsequently contacted
law enforcement to report his inappropriate use of the Sunoco fuel card. To the extent that the
allegations contained in Paragraph 47 purport to refer to written documents, the terms of such
10
documents speak for themselves, and Plaintiffs characterization thereof is accordingly denied.
Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 47.
48.
documents, the terms of which speak for themselves, and Plaintiffs characterization thereof is
accordingly denied. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 48.
49.
Denied. Upon information and belief, Morgan Lewis denies the allegations
Complaint.
51.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that Philabundance terminated Mr. Bustos employment on or around November 12,
2010. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 51 of the
Complaint.
52.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that Philabundance terminated Mr. Bustos employment on or about November 12,
2010. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 52 of the
Complaint.
53.
Complaint.
54.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that Burgoss preliminary hearing was initially listed for December 17, 2010 before
Judge Georganne V. Daher, at which time it was rescheduled for January 19, 2011. Morgan
Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 54 of the Complaint.
11
55.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that a preliminary hearing was held before Judge Daher on January 19, 2011, and that,
at that hearing, the Commonwealth presented testimony from Ms. Loesch. Morgan Lewis denies
the remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 55 of the Complaint.
56.
Complaint.
57.
Complaint.
58.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that Burgos spent less than three months in jail. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining
allegations contained in Paragraph 58 of the Complaint.
59.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only, upon information
and belief, that Judge Teresa Carr Deni dismissed the charges against Burgos. Morgan Lewis
denies the remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 59 of the Complaint.
60.
Complaint.
61.
Complaint.
62.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only that the 2011
Lawsuit was initially placed in the September 2012 trial pool, then later moved to the November
2012 trial pool and then moved to the December 2012 trial pool. Morgan Lewis denies the
remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 62 of the Complaint.
12
63.
Complaint. To the contrary, upon information and belief, the District Attorneys office
independently made the decision to reopen its investigation and ultimately to recharge Burgos.
64.
Complaint. To the contrary, the District Attorneys office requested copies of the documents
exchanged and transcripts of depositions taken in the 2011 Lawsuit and, in response, the District
Attorneys office was provided with: (1) all of the documents the defendants in the 2011 Lawsuit
produced in that case except those marked confidential under a protective order, (2) all of the
deposition transcripts from the 2011 Lawsuit, (3) the parties summary judgment briefing from
the 2011 Lawsuit, and (4) an index describing the documents marked confidential that were
not produced to the District Attorneys office.
65.
as to the truth of allegations concerning whether the District Attorneys office ascertained that
the documents at issue contained any additional information supporting that offices independent
decision to refile charges against Burgos. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations
contained in paragraph 65.
66.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only that Ms. Loesch, at
the request of the Philadelphia District Attorneys office, appeared as a witness for the
Commonwealth at a preliminary hearing held on November 26, 2012. Morgan Lewis denies the
remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 66 of the Complaint.
67.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only that Judge Paula A.
Patrick found during the November 26, 2012 preliminary hearing that Chaundra Loesch was not
the appropriate custodian of records for Philabundances Sunoco fuel card statements and then
13
rescheduled the preliminary hearing to a later date. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining
allegations contained in Paragraph 67 of the Complaint.
68.
Complaint. To the contrary, the Commonwealth had the sole responsibility for presenting
evidence against Burgos during all of the criminal hearings.
69.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only that, on or around
December 18, 2012, Ms. Loesch testified as a witness for the Commonwealth and that, during
cross examination, Burgos defense counsel presented her with testimony from her deposition in
the 2011 Lawsuit wherein she testified that Mr. Bustos was in charge of the Sunoco fuel cards in
the summer of 2010. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 69
of the Complaint.
70.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only that, on December
18, 2012, Judge Paula A. Patrick denied the Philadelphia District Attorneys motion to refile the
criminal charges against Plaintiff. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in
Paragraph 70 of the Complaint.
71.
Complaint.
72.
Complaint.
73.
Complaint.
COUNT I
74.
75.
Complaint.
76.
Complaint.
77.
Complaint.
78.
Complaint.
79.
Complaint.
WHEREFORE, Morgan Lewis respectfully requests that this Court enter judgment in its
favor, and against Plaintiff, together with costs, attorneys fees, and any other relief that this
Court deems just and proper.
COUNT II
80.
Complaint.
82.
Complaint.
83.
Complaint.
84.
Complaint.
15
85.
Complaint.
86.
Complaint.
87.
Complaint.
88.
Complaint.
89.
Complaint.
90.
Complaint.
91.
Complaint.
92.
Complaint.
93.
Complaint.
94.
Complaint.
WHEREFORE, Morgan Lewis respectfully requests that this Court enter judgment in its
favor, and against Plaintiff, together with costs, attorneys fees, and any other relief that this
Court deems just and proper.
16
COUNT III
95.
Complaint.
97.
Complaint.
98.
Complaint.
99.
Complaint.
100.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only that, on December
18, 2012, Judge Patrick denied the Philadelphia District Attorneys motion to refile the criminal
charges against Plaintiff. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in Paragraph
100 of the Complaint.
101.
Admitted in part; denied in part. Morgan Lewis admits only that, on December
18, 2012, Judge Patrick denied the Philadelphia District Attorneys motion to refile the criminal
charges against Plaintiff. Morgan Lewis denies the remaining allegations contained in Paragraph
101 of the Complaint.
102.
Denied. Morgan Lewis denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 102 of the
Complaint.
103.
Denied. Morgan Lewis denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 103 of the
Complaint.
17
104.
Denied. Morgan Lewis denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 104 of the
Complaint.
WHEREFORE, Morgan Lewis respectfully requests that this Court enter judgment in its
favor, and against Plaintiff, together with costs, attorneys fees, and any other relief that this
Court deems just and proper.
COUNT IV
105.
Denied. Morgan Lewis denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 106 of the
Complaint.
107.
Denied. Morgan Lewis denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 107 of the
Complaint.
108.
Denied. Morgan Lewis denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 108 of the
Complaint.
109.
Denied. Morgan Lewis denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 109 of the
Complaint.
110.
Denied. Morgan Lewis denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 110 of the
Complaint.
111.
Denied. Morgan Lewis denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 111 of the
Complaint.
112.
Denied. Morgan Lewis denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 112 of the
Complaint.
18
WHEREFORE, Morgan Lewis respectfully requests that this Court enter judgment in its
favor, and against Plaintiff, together with costs, attorneys fees, and any other relief that this
Court deems just and proper.
NEW MATTER
113.
conducting a reasonable investigation determined that Burgos had made inappropriate charges
using a donated Sunoco fuel card and subsequently reported the matter to the Philadelphia Police
Department.
115.
Upon information and belief, on November 13, 2010, the Philadelphia District
Attorneys office independently decided to charge Burgos with three counts of theft and one
count of access device fraud as a result of its own conclusion that Burgos had stolen fuel from
Philabundance.
116.
Upon information and belief, on January 19, 2011, the Honorable Georganne V.
Daher held that the Commonwealth presented evidence sufficient to support a prima facie case
of theft against Burgos. A true and correct copy of the Notes of Testimony from the January 19,
2011, hearing is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
117.
THE COURT:
19
118.
According to Judge Daher, while the exact value of fuel was an issue, sufficient
evidence existed to support the conclusion that Burgos stole at least some fuel from
Philabundance.
119.
During a hearing held on March 14, 2011, the Honorable Teresa Carr Deni
dismissed the charges against Burgos for lack of prosecution. A true and correct copy of the
Notes of Testimony from Plaintiffs March 14, 2011, hearing is attached hereto as Exhibit B.
120.
Judge Deni dismissed the charges not because the Commonwealth failed to prove
Burgoss guilt, but instead because of what she perceived as the prosecutors lack of zeal in
moving the case forward in a timely fashion.
121.
Indeed, the Commonwealth was not even afforded the opportunity to present any
evidence at the March 14, 2011, hearing. Instead, it appears to have been caught off guard by the
Courts conversion of what was originally a joint request for a continuance into a discharge for
lack of prosecution.3
122.
During the March 14, 2011, hearing, Burgoss defense counsel stated that Judge
DeLeon4 found at most there was maybe $120 worth of potential connection to my client. N.T.
3/14/11, p. 4.
123.
Even with that admission, counsels description of the prior proceeding was
misinformed, as the judge at that proceeding actually found that the Commonwealth submitted
See N.T., 3/14/11, pp. 2-5 (the Court initially stated that the case was listed as a joint request
for a continuance but was then convinced by defense counsel to dismiss the case for lack of
prosecution, despite the fact that the Commonwealth had earlier sent its witnesses home
with the expectation that the case would get a future date).
The assertion that Judge DeLeon presided over the January 19, 2011, hearing is contradicted by
the Notes of Testimony for that proceeding, which indicate that Judge Daher was the
presiding officer.
20
evidence sufficient to prove a prima facie case that Burgos STOLE BETWEEN THREE AND
FIVE [HUNDRED DOLLARS] worth of fuel from Philabundance. N.T. 1/19/2011, pp. 37-38.
124.
On June 10, 2011, Burgos, through his attorney James E. Beasley, Jr., Esquire,
commenced a civil lawsuit against Philabundance and Chaundra Loesch in the Philadelphia
Court of Common Pleas.
125.
On September 19, 2011, Plaintiff filed a Complaint in the 2011 Lawsuit (the
2011 Complaint).
126.
On October 7, 2011, Morgan Lewis attorneys filed an Answer and New Matter in
the 2011 Lawsuit, asserting that neither Philabundance nor Ms. Loesch were liable for the torts
described in the 2011 Complaint. The facts set forth in that document were verified by
Philabundances Senior Manager of Human Resources.
127.
Upon information and belief, unauthorized purchases were made on the Sunoco
fuel card which was typically associated with the Philabundance vehicle most frequently
assigned to Burgos.
128.
Upon information and belief, Burgos signed documents indicating that he drove
that same vehicle on the days before and/or after the unauthorized purchases were made.
129.
Upon information and belief, Burgos failed to come to work on a day when
Upon information and belief, Burgos failed to come to work on a day when
Upon information and belief, Burgos used the fuel card to make an authorized
purchase within hours of the time at which an unauthorized purchase was made.
132.
21
133.
Burgos has been convicted of possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine.
134.
135.
136.
137.
Burgos has been incarcerated for at least eight years as a result of his felony
heroin.
convictions.
138.
Burgos has been arrested on at least eight different occasions, for these and other
Burgoss former Philabundance coworkers reported that Burgos had stolen and
Burgos has a reputation as a high-stakes poker player and was reported to have
Burgos admitted to taking trips to Atlantic City to play poker, on which trips he
would be in the direct vicinity of a location where improper fuel purchases had been made.
142.
Burgos, to support a claim for loss of consortium in the 2011 Lawsuit, falsely
claimed that an individual named Tina Marie Miller was his wife.
143.
Court records report Burgos as having four aliases Lopez Burgos, Ramon
discovered, inter alia, the facts described in paragraphs 127-143, which facts support the
conclusion that it was reasonable to suspect Burgos of the fuel theft.
22
145.
Upon information and belief, at some point after the March 14, 2011, dismissal of
the criminal charges against Burgos, the District Attorneys office independently began to
investigate the possibility of refiling said charges.
146.
By way of letter dated August 28, 2012, the District Attorneys office wrote
Morgan Lewis to request any and all paperwork and documentation [it] may have regarding
Burgoss previously dismissed criminal case. A true and correct copy of the Commonwealths
letter is attached hereto as Exhibit C.
147.
On August 31, 2012, Morgan Lewis responded to the Commonwealth, noting that
it reviewed the August 28, 2012, letter with Philabundance and Ms. Loesch, who were willing to
cooperate with the Commonwealths request. A true and correct copy of Morgan Lewiss
August 31, 2012, letter is attached hereto as Exhibit D (enclosures omitted).
148.
Along with its August 31, 2012, letter, a Morgan Lewis attorney sent the District
Attorneys office copies of materials from the [2011 Lawsuit], explicitly noting that he was not
including materials that were privileged or subject to the protective order that governs th[at]
case.
149.
This transcript, which was provided by Morgan Lewis to the District Attorneys
office, reveals the facts underlying Plaintiffs theory that it was Mr. Bustos, and not Plaintiff,
who was responsible for the fuel theft at issue.
151.
Morgan Lewis also provided the District Attorneys office with copies of
Plaintiffs filings in opposition to Philabundances motion for summary judgment in the 2011
Lawsuit.
23
152.
Such filings discuss in great detail the rationale underlying Plaintiffs contention
The Commonwealth decided to refile the charges against Burgos despite being in
possession of materials which fully explained why Plaintiff feels he was falsely accused.
155.
156.
Upon information and belief, the District Attorneys office independently made
On December 20, 2012, Burgos filed the instant lawsuit, frivolously alleging that
Morgan Lewis was in some way responsible for the Commonwealths independent decision to
refile the criminal charges against Burgos.
158.
Contrary to Plaintiffs claims, Morgan Lewis was in no way responsible for the
Plaintiffs Complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.
161.
Morgan Lewis did not act tortiously in connection with its defense of
163.
Any damages which may have been suffered by Plaintiff were a result of or were
Plaintiff cannot recover due to his own unclean hands and bad faith conduct.
24
165.
Any damages suffered by Plaintiff were not caused by the conduct of Morgan
166.
167.
Plaintiffs claims are barred by the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions.
168.
Morgan Lewis was privileged in its conduct and communications to the District
Lewis.
Attorneys office.
169.
170.
Morgan Lewis acted in good faith at all times relevant to the instant matter.
171.
As discovery in the instant matter is ongoing, Morgan Lewis reserves the right to
25
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Andrew J. Belli, hereby certify that, on January 9, 2013, I caused a true and correct
copy of Defendant Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLPs Answer and New Matter to Plaintiff
Manuel J. Burgoss Complaint to be served upon the following:
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Exhibit C
To:
Sincerely,
/S/
Caroline Keating McGlynn
Chief, South Bureau
Philadelphia District Attorneys Office
(215) 686-8934
Exhibit D