Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-02771/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-02771-4/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 480
Nature of Suit: Consumer Credit
Cause of Action: 15:1692 Fair Debt Collection Act

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

PATRICK AYMAR, 

 Plaintiff, 

v. 

PAUL STASSINOS, et al., 

 Defendants. 

______________________________

KEVIN ROSE, MELINDA ROSE, 

 Plaintiffs, 

v. 

PAUL STASSINOS, et al., 

 Defendants. 

______________________________

IAN CHAMBERS, 

 Plaintiff, 

v. 

PAUL STASSINOS, et al., 

 Defendants. 

______________________________

SHERELLE MELTON, 

 Plaintiff, 

v. 

PAUL STASSINOS, et al., 

 Defendants. 

______________________________/

No. 2:07-cv-02561-JAM-GGH 

No. 2:07-cv-02771-JAM-GGH 

No. 2:07-cv-02798-JAM-GGH 

No. 2:07-cv-02799-JAM-GGH 

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE REGARDING 

DISMISSAL OF CLAIMS

 Patrick Aymar, Kevin Rose, Melinda Rose, Ian Chambers, 

Sherelle Melton each brought a claim against Paul Stassinos, et 

al., alleging violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices 

Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1692, et seq. (“FDCPA”), invasion of privacy, 

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Case 2:07-cv-02771-JAM -GGH Document 40 Filed 08/05/08 Page 1 of 3
tort in se, criminal conduct, intentional infliction of 

emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional, 

negligence, and negligent hiring, retention, training, and 

supervision. For the reasons stated below, the Court orders 

Plaintiffs to show cause why their claims for tort in se and 

criminal conduct should not be dismissed. 

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OPINION 

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) permits a 

complaint to be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon 

which relief can be granted. “Dismissal is proper under Rule 

12(b)(6) if it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove 

no set of facts to support his claims.” Manshardt v. Fed. 

Judicial Qualifications Comm., 408 F.3d 1154, 1156 (9th Cir. 

2005). The Ninth Circuit has stated: 

A trial court may act on its own initiative to note the 

inadequacy of a complaint and dismiss it for failure to 

state a claim, but the court must give notice of its sua 

sponte intention to invoke Rule 12(b)(6) and afford 

plaintiffs an opportunity to at least submit a written 

memorandum in opposition to such motion. 

 

Wong v. Bell, 642 F.2d 359, 361-362 (9th Cir. 1981) (internal 

citations omitted). 

 Each Plaintiff brings a claim for tort in se, alleging that 

Defendants violated 15 U.S.C. §§ 1692, et seq. Tort in se, or 

tort in essence, allows a party to sue under a statute that does 

not provide a civil remedy so long as the party bringing the 

suit is in the group for whose benefit the statute was enacted. 

See S. Bay Bldg. v. Riviera Lend-Lease, 72 Cal.App.4th 1111, 

1123 (1999); see also Restat 2d of Torts, § 874A. However, 

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because 15 U.S.C. § 1692k provides a civil remedy, these 

Plaintiffs may not also bring claims for tort in se. 

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 Plaintiffs also bring claims for criminal conduct under 

California Penal Code §§ 653m, 519, and 524. Plaintiffs do not 

allege any basis for bringing a claim under criminal statutes. 

In fact, no private right of action has been recognized for 

these sections of the California Penal Code. See Wolk v. Green, 

516 F.Supp.2d 1121, 1129 (N.D. Cal. 2007) (“Plaintiff does not 

provide any authority for her bringing a private extortion 

claim.”). Because Plaintiffs have provided no authority for 

their right to bring a private extortion suit under criminal 

law, Plaintiffs do not state claims for criminal conduct. 

ORDER 

 For the reasons stated above, Plaintiffs are ordered to 

submit further briefing, not to exceed five (5) pages, showing 

cause why their claims for tort in se and criminal violations 

should not be dismissed. Plaintiffs briefs should be filed no 

later than 5:00 pm on August 15, 2008. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Date: August 4, 2008 

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