Court Opinion

ID: 2717147
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-11 19:06:29.474568+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:39:12.845096
License: Public Domain

[Cite as U.S. Bank, N.A. v. Marino, 2014-Ohio-3453.]

                                       COURT OF APPEALS
                                   DELAWARE COUNTY, OHIO
                                   FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

U.S. BANK, N.A., as Trustee for                           JUDGES:
WFASC 2005-AR2                                            Hon. William B. Hoffman, P. J.
                                                          Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J.
        Plaintiff-Appellee                                Hon. John W. Wise, J.

-vs-                                                      Case No. 12 CAE 09 0065

MICHAEL D. MARINO, et al.

        Defendants-Appellants                             OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                               Civil Appeal from the Court of Common
                                                       Pleas, Case No. 10 CV E 05 0824

JUDGMENT:                                              Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                                August 8, 2014

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellee                                 For Defendant-Appellant

SCOTT A. KING                                          GRACE DOBERDRUK
THOMPSON HINE                                          DOBERDRUK & HARSHMAN
10050 Innovation Drive, Suite 400                      4600 Prospect Avenue
Miamisburg, Ohio 45401                                 Cleveland, Ohio 44103

TERRANCE A. MEBANE
THOMPSON HINE
41 South High Street, Suite 1700
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Delaware County, Case No. 12 CAE 09 0065                                                2

Wise, J.

       {¶1}   Defendant-Appellant Michael D, Marino appeals the April 8, 2013,

decision of the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County, Ohio, denying his Civ.R.

60(B) motion to vacate judgment of foreclosure in favor of Plaintiff-Appellee U.S. Bank,

N.A.

                          STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE

       {¶2}   This case arose from a residential foreclosure action. The relevant facts

and procedural history are as follows:

       {¶3}   On November 19, 2004, Defendant-Appellant Michael Marino executed a

promissory note ("Note"), in favor of M/I Financial Corporation ("M/I"), payment of which

was secured by a mortgage ("Mortgage") against the Property, executed by both

Appellant Marino and his wife, Elizabeth Markusic. The mortgagee under the Mortgage

was Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems ("MERS"), as nominee for M/I and its

successors and assigns.

       {¶4}   The Note and Mortgage cross-reference each other. The Note states in

Section 10, entitled Uniform Secured Note:

       {¶5}   "In addition to the protections given to the Note Holder under this Note, a

Mortgage Deed of Trust, or Security Deed (the 'Security Instrument'), dated the same

day as this Note, protects the Note Holder from possible losses which might result if I do

not keep the promises which I make in this Note. That Security Instrument describes

how and under what conditions I may be required to make immediate payment in full of

all amounts I owe under the Note."

       {¶6}   The Mortgage states:
Delaware County, Case No. 12 CAE 09 0065                                             3

      {¶7}   "This Security Instrument secures to Lender: (i) the repayment of the

Loan, and all renewals, extensions and modifications of the Note; and (ii) the

performance of Borrower's conveyance under the Security Instrument and the Note. For

this purpose, Borrower does hereby mortgage, grant and convey to Lender the following

described property."

      {¶8}   On May 27, 2010, U.S. Bank, National Association, as Trustee for WFASC

2005-AR2 ("U.S. Bank") filed a Complaint against Michael D. Marino ("Marino") and

Elizabeth A. Markusic ("Markusic") in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas to

recover the balance due under a promissory note and foreclose a mortgage against

2623 Open Bay Court, Galena, Ohio 43021. In said Complaint, U.S. Bank alleged that it

was the "holder" of the Note. A copy of the Note was attached to the Complaint and

bore the endorsement from M/I to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. ("Wells Fargo"), but no

endorsement to U.S. Bank.

      {¶9}   On June 2, 2010, Appellant Marino was served by certified mail with

summons and the Complaint. Appellant did not file an answer.

      {¶10} On July 2, 2010, U.S. Bank filed a Notice of Filing of Allonge. The Allonge

identifies the Note by date, maker, original payee and original principal balance. The

Allonge was executed by Herman Kennerty as Vice President of Loan Documentation of

Wells Fargo, and assigned the Note to U.S. Bank. The copy of the Note attached to the

Notice has four hole punch marks at the top, while the Allonge only has two.

      {¶11} On July 2, 2010, U.S. Bank also filed a Notice of Filing of Assignment of

the Mortgage. The notice of Assignment of Mortgage was executed by Mr. Kennerty as
Delaware County, Case No. 12 CAE 09 0065                                                4

"Assistant Secretary" for MERS. The Assignment states that it was transferring both the

Mortgage and "all sums of money due and to become due thereon."

      {¶12} On July 2, 2010, U.S. Bank moved for default judgment. The Motion's

certificate of service page shows that it was served on Appellant. Appellant did not

oppose the Motion.

      {¶13} On July 7, 2010, the trial court issued a Scheduling Entry, and on August

9, 2010, a Judgment Entry granting U.S. Bank additional time to comply with the

Scheduling Entry, both of which were served on Appellant.

      {¶14} On September 1, 2010, the trial court granted default judgment and issued

its decree in foreclosure, both of which were served on Appellant.

      {¶15} On September 3, 2010, the Clerk of Courts sent notice of the final order to

Appellant. Appellant did not appeal.

      {¶16} On November 5, 2010, Appellant filed a Rule 60(B) Motion for Relief From

Judgment.

      {¶17} On December 3, 2010, U.S. Bank filed a Memorandum Contra to that

Motion.

      {¶18} On January 15, 2011, Marino's wife, Elizabeth Markusic, filed a

bankruptcy petition in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Case No.

2:11-bk-20325.

      {¶19} On January 31, 2011, U.S. Bank filed a motion for relief from the

automatic stay imposed by the bankruptcy action, and attached to that Motion a copy of

the Note. A copy of the Allonge was not included.
Delaware County, Case No. 12 CAE 09 0065                                              5

      {¶20} On February 9, 2011, attorney John Sherrod was substituted as

Appellant’s counsel, and on February 14, 2011, requested that the 60(B) Motion be held

in abeyance pending resolution of Markusic's bankruptcy action.

      {¶21} On March 2, 2011, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of

Ohio terminated the automatic stay.

      {¶22} On February 28, 2011, Appellant filed a second Civ.R. 60(B) motion which

was accompanied by an Affidavit signed by Appellant. The second motion argued that

the Allonge and the Assignment were fraudulent because they were supposedly

executed by a "robo-signer," and that U.S. Bank lacked standing because the

Assignment was not executed until after it filed the Complaint. The second motion did

not mention any purported defect with the copy of the Note filed in the bankruptcy

action. Appellant’s Affidavit stated that he never received a copy of the motion for

default judgment, but did not argue that this was a basis to vacate the foreclosure

judgment.

      {¶23} On May 17, 2011, U.S. Bank gave notice that the automatic stay imposed

by the bankruptcy action had been terminated and filed its Memorandum Contra.

      {¶24} On June 18, 2011, Appellant filed a Motion to Stay Proceedings pending

the Ohio Supreme Court's resolution of a certified conflict in U.S. Bank, NA. v. Duvall,

Cuyahoga App. No. 94174, 2010-Ohio-6478, dismissed as moot 129 Ohio St.3d 1479,

2011-Ohio-4751, 953 N.E.2d 844.

      {¶25} On July 12, 2011, U.S Bank filed its Memorandum in Opposition to that

Motion.
Delaware County, Case No. 12 CAE 09 0065                                                  6

       {¶26} On October 24, 2011, the trial court rejected Appellant's arguments and

denied the Motion to Stay pending Duvall.

       {¶27} On November 21, 2011, Appellant filed an appeal.

       {¶28} On December 22, 2011, Appellant filed his brief, arguing that U.S. Bank

misrepresented itself as the "holder" of the Note when it filed the Complaint, and that

the Trial Court abused its discretion by not holding a hearing before it ruled on the

Second Motion. The two assignments raised by Appellant in that appeal were:

       {¶29} “I. It was an abuse of discretion not to vacate the judgment under Civil

Rule 60(b)(5) when Plaintiff-Appellee falsely filed a complaint stating it was the holder of

the note.

       {¶30} “II. It was an abuse of discretion for the trial court to deny Appellant

Michael Marino's 60(b) motion to vacate without holding a hearing.”

       {¶31} By Opinion and Entry filed March 30, 2012, this Court rejected both

arguments and affirmed the trial court's decision in its entirety. U.S. Bank, N.A. v.

Michael Marino, 5th Dist. Delaware App. No. 2011CAE11 0108, 2012-0hio-1487. This

Court found that U.S. Bank "provided evidence it was the current holder and owner of

the mortgage, which is sufficient under Deutsche Bank National Trust Company v.

Pagani, 5th Dist. No. 09CA000013, 2009-0hio- 5665." Id. at 17. This Court also found

that Appellant’s "arguments regarding standing do not challenge the merits of the case.

Appellant does not allege he actually was not in default nor does he articulate any

defense to the foreclosure action." Id. at 21.

       {¶32} On June 1, 2012, Appellant filed a 60(B)(4) Motion to Vacate the

Judgment of Foreclosure, arguing that the foreclosure judgment should be vacated
Delaware County, Case No. 12 CAE 09 0065                                              7

because U.S. Bank allegedly lacked standing when it filed the Complaint and because

the copy of the Note which U.S. Bank submitted in Appellant’s wife's bankruptcy was

not accompanied with a copy of the Allonge.

        {¶33} Simultaneously with the third motion, Appellant also filed a fourth motion

captioned Common Law Motion to Vacate the Judgment of Foreclosure asserting that

the trial court lacked personal jurisdiction over Appellant because he did not receive

notice of U.S. Bank's motion for default judgment.

        {¶34} On August 28, 2012, the Court overruled the third and fourth motions.

        {¶35} On September 14, 2012, Appellant filed a notice of appeal.

        {¶36} On October 22, 2012, Appellant filed a bankruptcy petition in the U.S.

District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Case No. 2:12-bk-59071.

        {¶37} On February 26, 2013, U.S. Bank gave notice that the automatic stay

imposed by Appellant’s bankruptcy had terminated because he failed to file the

necessary documents.

        {¶38} On February 26, 2013, the trial court issued an Entry reactivating the

case.

        {¶39} On April 1, 2013, Appellant filed his Brief.

        {¶40} Appellants now appeal, assigning the following Assignments of Error.

                                  ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

        {¶41} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY DENYING

MICHAEL MARINO'S MOTION TO VACATE UNDER CIVIL RULE 60(B)(4) WITHOUT

A HEARING IN LIGHT OF THE ALLEGATION THAT THE SUBJECT NOTE WITH A
Delaware County, Case No. 12 CAE 09 0065                                                8

DIFFERENT INDORSEMENT AND NO ALLONGE WAS FILED AS AN EXHIBIT IN

APPELLANT'S WIFE'S BANKRUPTCY CASE SUBSEQUENT TO JUDGMENT.

       {¶42} “II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY DENYING APPELLANT'S COMMON

LAW MOTION TO VACATE WHEN THE COURT LACKED JURISDICTION TO ENTER

A JUDGMENT.”

                                              I., II.

       {¶43} In his First Assignment of Error, Appellant argues that the trial court erred

denying his Civ.R. 60(B) motion without a hearing. In his Second Assignment of Error,

Appellant argues the trial court erred in denying his common law motion to vacate.

More specifically, Appellant maintains that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to enter a

judgment in this matter. We disagree.

       {¶44} In this case, we need not review whether the trial court abused its

discretion in denying Appellant’s motions to vacate. Res judicata bars our consideration

of his assigned errors.

       {¶45} Res judicata prevents repeated attacks on a final judgment and applies to

all issues that were or might have been litigated. Bank of New York v. Jackson, 8th Dist.

Cuyahoga No. 99874, 2013–Ohio–5133, citing Rogers v. Whitehall, 25 Ohio St.3d 67,

494 N.E.2d 1387 (1986). “Principles of res judicata prevent relief on successive, similar

motions raising issues which were or could have been raised originally.” Coulson v.

Coulson, 5 Ohio St.3d 12, 13, 448 N.E.2d 809 (1983). See Brick Processors, Inc. v.

Culbertson, 2 Ohio App.3d 478, 442 N.E.2d 1313 (5th Dist.1981), paragraph one of the

syllabus.
Delaware County, Case No. 12 CAE 09 0065                                                     9

       {¶46} Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Perkins, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 13AP–318,

2014-Ohio-1459, presents a fact pattern similar to this case. In Perkins, the property

owner, like Appellant in the instant case, failed to file a direct appeal after the trial court

granted judgment in favor of the bank. Instead, Perkins filed multiple motions for relief

from judgment pursuant to Civ.R. 60(B). Each time the trial court denied these motions,

Perkins appealed the denial. In his third appeal, Perkins argued that the trial court

erroneously denied his motion where the bank's lack of standing equated to a lack of

subject matter jurisdiction. Perkins had made this same argument in his second Civ.R.

60(B) motion, which also had been denied by the trial court. Perkins, like Appellant

herein, cited Fed. Home Loan Mtge. Corp. v. Schwartzwald, 134 Ohio St.3d 13, 2012–

Ohio–5017, 979 N.E.2d 1214, to support his argument that in a foreclosure action

where the bank lacks standing, the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction and any

judgment rendered by the court is void. The Tenth District, however, rejected this

argument and affirmed the decision of the trial court holding that Perkins's reliance on

Schwartzwald was misplaced. The court stated:

       {¶47} “Schwartzwald does not stand for the proposition that a court of common

pleas lacks subject-matter jurisdiction over a foreclosure action where the plaintiff lacks

standing at the time the complaint is filed. * * * “[a] lack of standing does not deprive a

court of subject-matter jurisdiction” in a mortgage foreclosure action.” (Citation omitted.)

Id. at 12.

       {¶48} The Perkins court went on to state that even if there was a defect in the

bank's standing, this would only result in the court's judgment being voidable, not void.

Id. at 13. A voidable judgment may not be “collaterally, repeatedly, and duplicatively
Delaware County, Case No. 12 CAE 09 0065                                                10

attacked without limitation” and “Schwartzwald does not prohibit application of the

doctrine of res judicata.” Id.

       {¶49} Upon review, we find this case analogous to Perkins. Here, these issues

were previously litigated to a determination, which became the law of the case when it

was left unchallenged. Any issues relating to the bank's standing to file the complaint

did not deprive the court of subject matter jurisdiction and res judicata bars these claims

where these issues were previously litigated in this Court and no appeal to the Ohio

Supreme Court was taken therefrom.

       {¶50} To allow Appellant to again argue the same issues as those in the

decisions determining standing, from which no appeal was taken is an attempted end

run around codified procedures designed for the efficient administration of cases and

casts doubt on the validity of the judgment.

       {¶51} Appellant’s First and Second Assignments of Error are overruled.

       {¶52} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of

Delaware County, Ohio, is affirmed.

By: Wise, J.
Hoffman, P. J., and
Farmer, J., concur.

JWW/d 0730
Delaware County, Case No. 12 CAE 09 0065   11