FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, TRIBUNAL de PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA de FAJ ARDO, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO and SOCIAL INTEREST GROWTH ASSOCIATES CORPORATION,
Defendants.
CIVIL NO.:
RE: DECLARATORY J UDGMENT AND INJ UNCTIVE RELIEF
COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY JUDGMENT AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
COMES NOW, Plaintiff, DORAL BANK (hereinafter "DORAL"), by and through its undersigned counsel to file this, its Complaint for Declaratory J udgment and Injunctive Relief against Defendants, FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (hereinafter FDIC), TRIBUNAL de PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA de FAJ ARDO (hereinafter COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE), ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO (hereinafter EQB) and SOCIAL INTEREST GROWTH ASSOCIATES CORPORATION (hereinafter SIGA), and alleges as follows: PARTIES 1. DORAL is a federally insured banking institution duly organized and authorized to do business in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. DORALs principal place of business is in San J uan, Puerto Rico. Case 3:14-cv-01570-PAD Document 1 Filed 07/22/14 Page 1 of 15
2 2. The FDIC is an independent agency of the United States created by the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (hereinafter FDIC ACT), 12 U.S.C. 1811 et seq., and related laws and regulations. The FDIC insures the deposits of all banking and savings associations which are entitled to the benefits of insurance under Chapter 16 of Title 12 of the United States Code. The FDIC insures the deposits of DORAL. 3. The COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE is the lower level court within the J udicial Branch of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, created by Act No. 201 of August 22, 2003, as amended, which is composed of two hundred and fifty three (253) superior judges and eighty five (85) municipal judges with courthouses located in various regions within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, including in the Municipality of Fajardo. The Honorable Isabel Lpez, Superior J udge, in the Court of First Instance of Fajardo, issued an order, without jurisdiction and in violation of 12 U.S.C.A. 1818(i), which affects the enforcement of a prior FDIC Consent Order which is at issue in this action. 4. The EQB is an agency of the government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It is charged with the obligation and authority to protect and conserve the environment of Puerto Rico. The EQB has petitioned the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE to sanction DORAL for its failure to comply with the order of J udge Lpez which compels DORAL to violate the terms of the prior FDIC Consent Order which is at issue in this action. 5. SIGA is a corporation duly organized and authorized to conduct business under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. SIGAs principal place of business is San J uan, Puerto Rico. SIGA is the owner of real property on which an abandoned wastewater treatment facility, serving only adjacent land owners, is located. DORAL is Case 3:14-cv-01570-PAD Document 1 Filed 07/22/14 Page 2 of 15
3 the owner and holder of a mortgage on the real property. SIGA contends that it is the responsibility of DORAL, as mortgagee, to rehabilitate and operate the wastewater treatment facility owned by SIGA for the benefit of SIGA. The COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE has entered a permanent mandatory injunction compelling DORAL to do so. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 6. J urisdiction is proper in this Court pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1819 (b)(2), 1331 and 28 U.S.C. 1345 because this action arises under the FDIC Act 12 U.S.C. 1811, et seq. In addition, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1819(b)(2), with certain exceptions not applicable to the instant case, all civil lawsuits in which the FDIC, in any capacity, is a party are deemed to arise under the laws of the United States. 7. Venue is proper in this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1391(e) because a substantial part of the events, acts or omissions giving rise to the need for a declaration of rights and permanent injunction occurred in this District and a defendant is an agency of the United States. STATEMENT OF CLAIM FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF 8. This is an action brought by DORAL for declaratory relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C.A. 2201 to declare the rights, obligations, status and legal relations of DORAL, the FDIC, the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE, the EQB and SIGA under an FDIC Consent Order; the J udgment of the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE; Law No. 9 of J une 18, 1970, as amended in 2004; and, the mortgage provided to DORAL by SIGA. 9. In 2005, Doral granted certain credit facilities to SIGA collateralized by, among other things, mortgages on certain real estate owned by SIGA. SIGA defaulted under its obligations under the credit facilities and DORAL filed suit for collection of the Case 3:14-cv-01570-PAD Document 1 Filed 07/22/14 Page 3 of 15
4 monies owed and to foreclose on the mortgages that served as collateral in Civil Case No. NCSI2008-00976, Commonwealth of Puerto Ricos Court of First Instance, Fajardo Part. DORAL obtained a J udgment in its favor against SIGA. One of the mortgages which served as collateral for the credit facilities is located on real estate where SIGA operated a wastewater treatment plant (hereinafter PROPERTY). The PROPERTY was undeveloped except for the wastewater treatment plant, which SIGA had previously constructed to service homes located on an adjacent property. A true and correct copy of DORALS mortgage on the PROPERTY is attached hereto and fully incorporated herein as DORALS Exhibit A. 10. DORAL did not foreclose its mortgage on the PROPERTY and SIGA has failed to pay DORAL the monies owed pursuant to the local courts J udgment. 11. As a result of the default, the SIGA loan, is more than ninety days delinquent and is uncollected. 12. Upon or immediately after SIGAs default, SIGA abandoned the PROPERTY and failed to maintain or continue operation of the wastewater treatment plant. The unattended plant began to release untreated sewage water onto the PROPERTY which then flowed onto adjacent land, where SIGA had previously developed a housing project whose units were sold to third parties. 13. In February 2011, in order to protect and preserve its mortgage interest in the PROPERTY, DORAL commenced an action in the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE to require SIGA to return the wastewater treatment plant to an operational condition and to halt any further spillage of sewage water or other contaminants onto the PROPERTY in Civil Case No. NSCI2011-00115, before the Commonwealth of Puerto Ricos Court of Case 3:14-cv-01570-PAD Document 1 Filed 07/22/14 Page 4 of 15
5 First Instance, Fajardo Part. A true and correct copy of the aforementioned Complaint is attached hereto and is fully incorporated herein as DORALs Exhibit B. 14. As a result of DORALs action to compel SIGA to remedy the environmental damage being caused by the abandoned wastewater treatment plant, the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE entered a J udgment on April 19, 2012, ordering SIGA to rehabilitate and commence operation of the wastewater treatment plant. 15. However, the courts J udgment also contained an alternate provision to the effect that if SIGA failed to comply, the court could order DORAL to advance funds to satisfy SIGAs financial responsibility to repair and operate the plant. The courts order provided that the advancing of such funds would be considered an additional indebtedness from SIGA to DORAL. A true and correct copy of the aforementioned J udgment issued by the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE on April 2012 is attached hereto and fully incorporated herein as DORALs Exhibit C. 16. On or about August 8, 2012, following DORALs vigorous objections to FDIC allegations concerning DORALS financial condition, the FDIC issued a Consent Order more particularly described as: In the Matter of Doral Bank San J uan, Puerto Rico, (Insured State Non-Member Bank); FDIC 12-134b (hereinafter CONSENT ORDER)., which, inter alia, required that: (e) The Bank shall not extend, directly or indirectly, any additional credit to, or for the benefit of, any borrower whose loan or other credit is more than 90 days delinquent or has been classified as Substandard, Doubtful, or listed for Special Mention in the current Report of Examination or any future report of examination, and is uncollected, unless the Board, or designated committee thereof, provides, in writing, a detailed explanation of why the extension is in the best interest of the Bank. Prior to extending additional credit pursuant to this subparagraph, whether in the form of a renewal, extension, or further advance of funds, such additional credit shall be approved by the Board, who shall determine that: Case 3:14-cv-01570-PAD Document 1 Filed 07/22/14 Page 5 of 15
6
(i) the failure of the Bank to extend such credit would be detrimental to the best interests of the Bank, with a written explanation of why the failure to extend such credit would be detrimental;
(ii) the extension of such credit would improve the Banks position, with a written explanatory statement of how and why the Banks position would improve; and
(iii) an appropriate workout plan has been developed and will be implemented in conjunction with the additional credit to be extended.
A true and correct copy of the CONSENT ORDER is attached hereto and is fully incorporated herein as DORALs Exhibit D. 17. The CONSENT ORDER prohibited DORAL from directly or indirectly extending any further credit to or for the benefit of SIGA. 18. Soon after the entry of the J udgment of the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE, SIGA claimed to be without funds to place the wastewater treatment plant back into service for operation. Instead, SIGA urged and the court ordered DORAL to employ a receiver, rehabilitate and operate the plant for SIGAs benefit for an indefinite amount of time. A true and correct copy of the courts Order of December 2012 requiring DORAL to assume the financial responsibility to repair and operate SIGAs wastewater treatment plant is attached hereto and fully incorporated herein as DORALs Exhibit E. 19. Due to SIGAs neglect and abandonment of its wastewater treatment plant, the facility has fallen into such a state of disrepair that hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars will now be required to restore the plant to a fully functional condition and, thereafter, operate the plant in compliance with the applicable Puerto Rico environmental regulations. 20. DORAL objected but was unsuccessful in its efforts to obtain relief from Case 3:14-cv-01570-PAD Document 1 Filed 07/22/14 Page 6 of 15
7 the J udgment and subsequent Order of the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE imposing the substantial financial burden of the repair and indefinite operation of the wastewater plant for the benefit of SIGA. 21. In March, 2014, the EQB sought to intervene in the action pending before the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE for the purpose of obtaining court sanctions against DORAL for DORALs failure to assume financial responsibility for the operation of the wastewater treatment plant. 22. The EQB undertook its actions in a wrongful attempt to avoid and place upon DORAL the EQBs obligations under Law No. 9 of J une 18, 1970, as amended in 2004, to collect and properly dispose of the waste from the adjacent landowners which was being directed to the non-operational wastewater treatment plant located on the PROPERTY. 23. At the EQBs request, in May 2014, the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE entered an order that DORAL would be subject to a daily penalty of $1,000.00, for each day DORAL was found to be in noncompliance of the order to assume the financial obligation to rebuild and operate SIGAs wastewater treatment plant. 24. As a result of the foregoing, an immediate, real, substantial and continuing controversy of a justiciable nature exists between DORAL, the FDIC, the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE, the EQB and SIGA concerning DORALs ability to advance substantial funds on behalf of SIGA; the statutory environmental protection duties and responsibilities of the EQB; and the mortgagor/mortgagee relationship between SIGA and DORAL. 25. The controversy is of sufficient immediacy and reality to justify the Case 3:14-cv-01570-PAD Document 1 Filed 07/22/14 Page 7 of 15
8 issuance of a declaratory judgment. 26. The issuance of declaratory relief by this Court will terminate most or all of the existing controversy between the parties as it pertains to the CONSENT ORDER; the J udgment and further orders of the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE; the statutory obligations of the EQB to ensure that the waste of the adjacent property owners is properly processed and not discharged untreated on the PROPERTY and adjacent land; and, DORALs obligations, if any, as mortgagee. 27. The declaratory relief sought herein will serve an immediate and useful purpose in settling the legal relations of the parties to this action who have adverse legal interests. 28. Each Defendant is a party necessary or proper for obtaining complete adjudication of this controversy concerning the respective rights and duties of the parties hereto. 29. A practical need exists for resolution of the dispute concerning the status, rights and obligations of the parties hereto. 30. The declaratory judgment sought herein will afford the parties relief from the uncertainty, insecurity and controversy giving rise to this proceeding.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, DORAL seeks a Declaratory J udgment and any appropriate ancillary relief against the FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, the TRIBUNAL de PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA de FAJ ARDO, the ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO Case 3:14-cv-01570-PAD Document 1 Filed 07/22/14 Page 8 of 15
9 RICO and SOCIAL INTEREST GROWTH ASSOCIATES CORPORATION: a. Declaring and adjudicating the respective rights and obligations, if any, between DORAL, the FDIC, the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE, the EQB and SIGA under the CONSENT ORDER; b. Declaring and adjudicating the respective rights and obligations, if any, between DORAL, the FDIC, the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE, the EQB and SIGA under the J udgment and further orders of the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE which required DORAL to advance funds for the benefit of SIGA; c. Declaring and adjudicating the respective rights and obligations, if any, between DORAL, the FDIC, the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE, the EQB and SIGA under Law No. 9 of J une 18, 1970, as amended in 2004, for the EQB to undertake the collection and processing of the waste of the residents living adjacent to the PROPERTY whose sewage is spilling onto the PROPERTY on account of SIGAs abandonment of its wastewater treatment plant; d. Declaring and adjudicating the respective rights and obligations, if any, between DORAL, the FDIC, the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE, the EQB and SIGA as a consequence of the mortgagor/mortgagee relationship between SIGA and DORAL; and, e. Awarding DORAL its reasonable attorneys fees, as appropriate, as well as its taxable costs and such other and further relief as this Court may deem just and proper. STATEMENT OF CLAIM FOR PERMANENT INJUNCTION 31. DORAL realleges, reavers and incorporates herein as if fully set forth, its Case 3:14-cv-01570-PAD Document 1 Filed 07/22/14 Page 9 of 15
10 prior allegations found and contained in paragraphs one through twenty-three above. 32. DORAL seeks a permanent injunction forever staying the enforcement of the J udgment and further related orders of the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE. 33. If permanent injunctive relief is not granted, DORAL will suffer irreparable injury. 34. If DORAL fails to comply with the Judgment and related further orders of the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE, it will suffer steep monetary sanctions and the possibility of being found in contempt of the court. 35. Alternatively, if DORAL complies with the J udgment and orders of the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE, it will be required to pay a continuing civil money penalty levied by the FDIC for breaching the CONSENT ORDER. 36. The FDIC ACT provides tiered penalties that range from $5,000 up to $1,000,000.00 per day for each day a bank violates a provision of a Consent Order and, further the FDIC has authority to revoke a non-compliant banks status as an insured depository institution. Here, such a penalty would be fatal to DORALs operation as a financial institution. 37. The FDIC's authority to impose civil monetary penalties on institution- affiliated parties of up to $1,000,000 per day arises from three statutory provisions. 38. The provisions differentiate the FDIC's ability to impose sanctions based on the level of culpability properly attributed to the offending party. Unquestionably, under 12 U.S.C. 1818(i), the FDIC is empowered to impose monetary penalties generally. 39. Regardless of which course of action it follows, DORAL will either face Case 3:14-cv-01570-PAD Document 1 Filed 07/22/14 Page 10 of 15
11 severe monetary penalties and possible contempt of court or fines of a crippling magnitude and the devastating loss of its status as an insured depository institution. 40. DORAL has been placed between the proverbial rock and a hard place as no matter which order it complies with, it will necessarily breach the other and be sanctioned. 41. On the other hand, there would be no harm done if this Court stays the order of the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE as the status quo that has been in effect for at least two years would remain. 42. DORAL does not question that there exists a strong public policy to avoid environmental hazards and contamination in Puerto Rico; nor does DORAL question the legitimate interest of the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE in solving an emergency situation that is creating an environmental hazard on the PROPERTY. 43. However, DORAL does question the basis cited by the COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE for identifying DORAL, as a purported deep pocket, and ordering it to take measures and spend substantial resources in the operation of another partys wastewater treatment plant simply because it occupies the status of a mortgage holder. 44. There exists a strong public interest in allowing financial institutions to comply with regulatory requirements and FDIC orders entered to ensure that they adhere to sound banking practices, avoid violations of the law and maintain adequate asset quality, capital, earnings and liquidity. 45. Under 12 U.S.C. 1818 (2000), if, in the FDIC's opinion, an insured depository institution or any of its directors has engaged in unsafe or unsound business practices or has violated ... a law, rule, or regulation, or any condition imposed ... by the Case 3:14-cv-01570-PAD Document 1 Filed 07/22/14 Page 11 of 15
12 [FDIC] ..., the [FDIC] may ... issue and serve upon ... such party a notice of charges ... constituting the alleged violation. 12 U.S.C. 1818(b)(1). 46. The FDIC is authorized to issue a temporary cease and desist (asset freeze) order pending completion of the hearing if the alleged violation is likely to cause insolvency or significant dissipation of assets ... or to weaken the condition of the ... institution or otherwise prejudice the interests of its depositors .... 12 U.S.C. 1818(c)(1). 47. DORAL submits that an advancement of the public interest clearly favors compliance with the CONSENT ORDER. The publics interest in promoting and safeguarding sound banking practices is even stronger where, as here, a governmental agency, the EQB, has been created and expressly provided with the resources to assume control and operation of neglected and abandoned wastewater treatment facilities such as that owned by SIGA. 48. It was the EQB who granted the original permit for SIGAs operation of the wastewater treatment plant and allowed SIGA to continue in possession and control of the plant while it slowly fell into disrepair in clear violation of the applicable legal and regulatory requirements. 49. Moreover, the EQB has a statutory mandate to implement Puerto Ricos environmental public policy. It is the government entity responsible to oversee compliance with the islands environmental laws and regulations. 12 L.P.R.A. 1120. Addressing with its resources environmental liabilities such as that created by SIGA is the very reason for the existence of the EQB.
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13 PRAYER FOR RELIEF WHEREFORE, DORAL seeks a permanent injunction ordering the permanent stay of the J udgment and further related orders of the TRIBUNAL de PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA de FAJ ARDO which affect the enforcement of the CONSENT ORDER or in any way, directly or indirectly, increase the indebtedness of the SOCIAL INTEREST GROWTH ASSOCIATES CORPORATION to DORAL BANK. In San J uan, Puerto Rico this 22 nd day of J uly, 2014.
GURLEY VITALE Attorneys for Doral Bank P.O. Box 8387, San J uan, PR 00910-0387 Phone (941) 365-4501/(787) 522-0525 Fax (941) 365-2916/(787) 522-0524
/s/ Alfredo Fernndez-Martnez Alfredo Fernndez-Martnez, Of Counsel USDC Bar. No. 210511 Primary: afernandez@GurleyVitale.com
/s/ David E. Gurley David E. Gurley USDC Bar No. 221202 Primary: dgurley@GurleyVitale.com Secondary: eservice@GurleyVitale.com
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