Opinion ID: 1994775
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Hunter's Abuse-of-Process Claim.

Text: To prevail on an abuse-of-process claim Hunter must prove, among other things, the DMMHA used the legal process in an improper or unauthorized manner. See Wilson v. Hayes, 464 N.W.2d 250, 266 (Iowa 1990) (noting the plaintiff must prove three elements to recover on an abuse-of-process claim). Hunter attempts to do so by emphasizing the DMMHA's failure to comply with the holdings of the district court in the FED actions that required the DMMHA to include a notice to cure in its notice of termination. We, however, have already concluded these holdings were not res judicata and the DMMHA did not have to provide the notice to cure under these circumstances. Therefore, Hunter's claim does not support this element of abuse of process. In addition, even if the DMMHA was required to provide the notice to cure, Hunter must prove that the [DMMHA] used the legal process primarily for an impermissible or illegal motive. Id. Hunter sought to establish a primary impermissible or illegal motive by evidence that the DMMHA filed the second FED action without providing a notice to cure after the district court ruled a notice to cure was required and by evidence the DMMHA lobbied for legislation during the pendency of the proceedings to eliminate any notice-to-cure requirement. We conclude this evidence is insufficient to support the legal requirement that the DMMHA use the FED process primarily for an improper or illegal purpose. Without more, a legal dispute over the correct procedure to follow in pursuing an FED action does little to establish an improper motive in using the legal system. Even though the DMMHA was aware of the ruling by the district court that it was required to include the notice to cure when it sent the second notice of termination, the DMMHA relied on a different statutory provision for terminating the lease. Compare Iowa Code § 562A.34(2) (landlord may terminate month-to-month tenancy by giving thirty days' written notice) with Iowa Code § 562A.34(3) (landlord may bring action for possession if tenant remains in possession after expiration of the lease term). Therefore, the DMMHA did not act with disregard for the district court's decision by replicating its prior action. Similarly, a desire to lobby for a legislative change or clarification in the legal requirements to use the court system does not establish a primary illegal motive for using the legal system. As a result, we find the district court properly granted the DMMHA's motion for summary judgment regarding Hunter's abuse-of-process claim.