The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
ORLANDO DIVISION
ISRAEL OTERO and PURA
RODRIGUEZ,
Plaintiffs,
v. Case No: 6:21-cv-118-PGB-DCI
NEWREZ, LLC, BANK OF NEW
YORK MELLON, TROMBERG
MORRIS & POULIN PLLC,
ANDREA R. TROMBERG, BOB
P. LEBLANC, LISA T. MUNYON,
CHAD K. ALVARO, RICHARD
B. ORFINGER, JAY B. COHEN,
FREDERIC RAND WALLIS and
VINCENT FALCONE, III ,
Defendants.
/
ORDER
This cause is before the Court on the following filings:
1. Motion to Dismiss Amended Complaint by Andrea Tromberg and
Tromberg Morris & Poulin PLLC (the “Law Firm”) (Doc. 51);
2. Motion to Dismiss Amended Complaint by the Bank of New York
Mellon (“BONYM”) and NewRez LLC, d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage
Servicing (“Shellpoint”) (Doc. 52);
3. Motion to Dismiss by Judicial Defendants (Doc. 66);
4. Plaintiffs’ Responses in Opposition (Docs. 62, 64, 74); and
5. The Mandate of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals (Doc. 80).
I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Plaintiffs, who are proceeding pro se, initially filed a complaint with this
Court against a mortgage company, a bank, a law firm, an attorney, and six Florida
state court judges (collectively, the “Defendants”) on January 25, 2021. (Doc. 1
(the “complaint”)). On May 4, 2021, the Court sua sponte dismissed the
complaint as an impermissible shotgun pleading; the Court gave the Plaintiffs
leave to file an amended complaint. (Doc. 39). On May 24, 2021, Plaintiffs filed an
amended complaint naming each of the Defendants and one additional Florida
state court judge. (Doc. 46 (the “amended complaint”)). Plaintiffs allege five (5)
causes of action against the Defendants in various combinations: Count I (Fraud),
Count II (FDCPA), Count III (§ 1983 Due Process) (Judicial Defendants), Count IV
(§ 1983 Access to Courts) (subset of Judicial Defendants), and Count V (Intentional
Infliction of Emotional Distress) (everyone). (Id.).
Faced with renewed litigation initiated by the Plaintiffs in federal court, the
Defendants filed their respective motions to dismiss. (Docs. 51, 52, 66). The
Magistrate Judge considered the motions to dismiss filed by the non-judicial
defendants and recommended dismissal of the Plaintiffs’ claims as barred by the
Rooker-Feldman doctrine. (Doc. 65). The Judicial Defendants submitted their
motion to dismiss after the Report and Recommendation was entered; the
Plaintiffs responded, and the undersigned adopted the Magistrate’s
recommendation and dismissed the case. (Doc. 76). On appeal, the Eleventh
Circuit correctly found the Magistrate Judge and this Court incorrectly applied the
Rooker-Feldman doctrine as it was construed before the Court’s decision in Behr
v. Campbell, 8 F.4th 1206, 1209–10 (11th Cir. 2021). (Doc. 79, p. 5). That is, this
Court erred by not employing Rooker-Feldman on a claim-by-claim basis instead
of the expansive approach rejected in Behr. (Id. at p. 6). The Circuit Court found
none of the Plaintiffs’ claims are barred by the Rooker-Feldman doctrine because
they seek damages for issues collateral to the final judgment of foreclosure. (Id.).
Accordingly, the Rooker-Feldman doctrine will not be addressed in this Order.
The Eleventh Circuit also found this Court erred by dismissing the fraud
claims without prejudice. (Id. at p. 3). As the Circuit noted, “[a]n action for fraud
must be brought within four years under Florida law. Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(j).” (Id.).
The Circuit found “the amended complaint makes clear that, in 2014, Appellants
knew of the alleged fraud concerning Rodriquez’s absence at a hearing and were
aware that [BONYM] was named trustee in the state foreclosure action.” (Id.).
Since it was apparent from the face of the complaint that the statute of limitations
bars the fraud claim, the Circuit Court found this Court erred by not dismissing
that claim with prejudice. (Id. at pp. 3–4). The Eleventh Circuit vacated the Court’s
Order and remanded with instructions for the Court to consider the Defendants’
remaining arguments. (Id. at p. 8).
II. DISCUSSION
To understand the claims raised by the Plaintiffs, one must possess a
working knowledge of the foreclosure action commenced in state court which
predates this federal case. Plaintiffs were sued in state court for failing to pay their
mortgage, and a final judgment of foreclosure was eventually entered against
Plaintiffs. (Doc. 51, pp. 2–3 (citing Orange County Circuit Court Case No. 2014-
CA-1836)). Plaintiffs moved to vacate the judgment in state court (which motion
was denied); moved for rehearing on the denial (which motion was denied); and
appealed the denial of the motion for rehearing (which appeal was dismissed). (Id.
at pp. 3–4). After that appeal was dismissed, Plaintiffs moved to cancel a scheduled
foreclosure sale (which motion was denied) and appealed the denial of the motion
to cancel (which appeal was dismissed). (Id. at p. 4). Plaintiffs then filed a second
motion to vacate the judgment (which motion was denied) and appealed the denial
of the second motion (which denial was affirmed on appeal). (Id. at pp. 4–5).1
Additionally, the Fifth DCA issued an order to show cause why Plaintiffs
should not be prohibited from filing any appeal, petition, pleading, or motion
pertaining to the final judgment, unless reviewed and signed by an attorney
licensed to practice in the State of Florida. (Id. at p. 4). After considering Plaintiffs’
response, the Fifth DCA found that Plaintiffs failed to show cause why sanctions
should not be imposed and subsequently barred Plaintiffs from further pro se
filings in the appellate court. (Id. at pp. 4–5). Plaintiffs petitioned the Florida
Supreme Court to review the Fifth DCA’s decision dismissing the appeal; the
1 Plaintiff Pura Rodriguez also filed a Suggestion of Bankruptcy the day after the state court
conducted a hearing and found the Plaintiffs had failed to establish a prima facie showing of
fraud by BONYM. (Doc. 52-1, Ex. B). The bankruptcy case was also dismissed. Id. Ms.
Rodriguez filed a second suggestion of bankruptcy on April 7, 2016 in yet another attempt to
frustrate the foreclosure sale. Id. The Plaintiffs’ various procedural maneuvers successfully
delayed the sale of the foreclosed property for five (5) years. (Doc. 52, pp. 3–11). As the Fifth
District Court of Appeal noted, the Plaintiffs’ tactics constituted an abuse of the judicial
process.
Florida Supreme Court declined to accept jurisdiction. (See id. at p. 5). Finally,
Plaintiffs filed a separate lawsuit seeking to set aside the final judgment of
foreclosure. (Id. (citing Orange County Circuit Case No. 2020-CA-001526-O)).
That lawsuit has since been dismissed. See Orange County Circuit Case No. 2020-
CA-001526-O.
The Court will now address each cause of action asserted by the Plaintiffs
and each Motion to Dismiss, as directed by the Circuit Court.
1. Count I (Fraud)
The Plaintiffs allege Defendants BONYM, Shellpoint, Andrea Tromberg, and
Tromberg Morris & Poulin PLLC committed fraudulent misrepresentation during
the state foreclosure action by suing on behalf of a non-existent plaintiff. (Doc. 46,
p. 27). The Plaintiffs incorporate paragraphs 20 through 33 to support this claim.
(Id.). As the Eleventh Circuit observed, “[a]n action for fraud must be brought
within four years under Florida law. Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(j).” (Doc. 79, p. 3). “The
clock on the statute of limitations for a fraud claim begins to run when ‘the facts
giving rise to the cause of action were discovered or should have been discovered
with the exercise of due diligence.’” (Id. (quoting Fla. Stat. § 95.031(2)(a))). And
so, “a district court may dismiss a complaint under Rule 12(b)(6) as time-barred
only if it is apparent from the face of the complaint the applicable statute of
limitations bars the claim.” (Id. (citing United States v. Henco Holding Corp., 985
F.3d 1290, 1296 (11th Cir. 2021))).
The Circuit Court found, and this Court agrees, the amended complaint
establishes the Plaintiffs knew of the alleged fraud as early as February 20, 2014.
(Id.; see also Doc. 46, ¶ 20). That is, the Plaintiffs allege BONYM made a fraudulent
representation at the September 10, 2014 hearing. (Doc. 46, ¶ 21). And the
Plaintiffs claim Attorney Tromberg, and her firm, colluded with BONYM from the
beginning. (Id. ¶ 22). Accordingly, the Plaintiffs’ fraud claim (Count I) is barred by
the statute of limitations and is dismissed with prejudice.
2. Count II (FDCPA)
The Plaintiffs assert that Defendants Andrea Tromberg, Tromberg Morris &
Poulin PLLC, and Shellpoint violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
(“FDCPA”). (Id. at p. 28). The Plaintiffs rely on paragraphs 24 through 33 to
support this claim. (Id.). Under the FDCPA, a plaintiff must commence suit “within
one year from the date on which the violation occurs.” Marfut v. Gardens of Gulf
Cov Poa, Inc., No. 2:17-CV-595-FTM-38CM, 2018 WL 1806587, at *2 (M.D. Fla.
Apr. 17, 2018). In response, the Defendants argue the FDCPA claim is barred by
the statute of limitations. (Doc. 51, p. 12; Doc. 52, pp. 20–21).
The amended complaint alleges that Andrea Tromberg sat “at the top of the
collection law firm hierarchy, [and] on January 2014, she submitted for recording
the December 10, 2013 fraudulent Assignment of Mortgage” at the core of the
foreclosure proceeding. (Doc. 46, ¶ 24). The Plaintiffs further plead that “[o]n
February 20, 2014, under Tromberg’s supervision, attorney Maya Rubinov filed
the (void at initio) complaint of foreclosure in the name of the non-existent trust.”
(Id. ¶ 26). Finally, the Plaintiffs claim Defendant Shellpoint violated the FDCPA in
a letter dated January 21, 2016, regarding the mortgage loan default. (Id. ¶ 30).
Even employing the latter date of January 21, 2016, the Plaintiffs had to commence
the FDCPA action no later than January 22, 2017. For these reasons, the FDCPA
claim asserted in Count II is barred by the statute of limitations and is dismissed
with prejudice.
3. Count III (§ 1983 Due Process)
Next the Plaintiffs allege Judges LeBlanc, Orfinger, Cohen, Wallis, Munyon,
Alvaro, and Falcone (the “Judicial Defendants”) violated 42 U.S.C. § 1983 by
tolerating the fraud perpetrated by the other Defendants, allowing the foreclosure
to proceed in the name of a non-existent plaintiff, and entering final judgment
without Plaintiff Rodriguez’s knowledge and consent. (Id. at pp. 28–29). The
Plaintiffs rely on the factual allegations found in paragraphs 34 through 59 of the
amended complaint. (Id. ¶ 66).
The Judicial Defendants assert absolute and qualified immunity as a bar to
the Plaintiffs’ claims. (Doc. 66, pp. 7–12). “Judges are entitled to absolute judicial
immunity from damages for those acts taken while they are acting in their judicial
capacity unless they acted in the ‘clear absence of all jurisdiction.’” Williams v.
Alabama, 425 F. App’x 824, 826 (11th Cir. 2011) (quoting Bolin v. Story, 225 F.3d
1234, 1239 (11th Cir. 2000)). “Absolute judicial immunity ‘applies even when the
judge’s acts are in error, malicious, or were in excess of his or her jurisdiction.’” Id.
(quoting Bolin, 225 F.3d at 1234). The test for determining whether a judge’s action
was made while “acting in his [or her] judicial capacity” depends on these factors:
(1) [whether] the act complained of constituted a
normal judicial function;
(2) [whether] the events occurred in the judge’s
chambers or in open court;
(3) [whether] the controversy involved a case pending
before the judge; and
(4) [whether] the confrontation arose immediately out
of a visit to the judge in his judicial capacity.
Id. (quoting Sibley v. Lando, 437 F.3d 1067, 1070 (11th Cir. 2005). “[T]he
district court may dismiss a claim based on absolute judicial immunity if it
represents an ‘obvious bar’ based on the allegations in the complaint.”2 Id.
The Plaintiffs contend Judge LeBlanc deprived them of due process in
violation of § 1983 by denying their motion to vacate the judgment entered on
September 10, 2014. (Doc. 46, ¶ 36). The hearing before Judge LeBlanc occurred
on June 25, 2018, after the Fifth District Court of Appeal affirmed the lower court
and denied the Plaintiffs’ previous motion to vacate.3 (Id. ¶¶ 34–35). There is no
2 “To survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted
as true, to ‘state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662,
678 (2009) (quoting Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). “When there are
well-pleaded factual allegations, a court should assume their veracity and then determine
whether they plausibly give rise to an entitlement for relief.” Id. at 679. The mere pleading of
legal conclusions or elements is insufficient to state a claim for which relief can be granted;
plaintiffs must “plead[] factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference
that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Id. at 678. Attachments to a complaint
may be utilized in considering a motion to dismiss pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure
10(c). DiDomenico v. N.Y. Life Ins. Co., 837 F. Supp. 1203, 1205 (M.D. Fla. 1993).
3 A little context is important. By the time Judge LeBlanc ruled on the Plaintiffs’ second motion
to vacate the foreclosure order, the Fifth District Court of Appeal had twice denied Plaintiffs’
dispute that Judge LeBlanc’s ruling on Plaintiffs’ second motion to vacate was a
normal judicial function involving a controversy before the court. The Plaintiffs’
attempt, albeit frivolously, to circumvent absolute judicial immunity by
speculating that Judge LeBlanc “did not follow the law and deliberately
disregarded” evidence the foreclosure attorneys had committed extrinsic fraud.
(Doc. 46, p. 16). The Plaintiffs’ argument is, to put it gently, specious. Judge
LeBlanc dealt with the Plaintiffs in his judicial capacity, and the Plaintiffs dealt
with Judge LeBlanc in his judicial capacity. As such, Judge LeBlanc enjoys absolute
immunity. See Hyland v. Kolhage, 267 F. App’x 836, 840 (11th Cir. 2008). Even if
one were to assume Judge LeBlanc’s ruling was in error, was done maliciously, or
exceeded his authority (which is not the case), he still enjoys absolute immunity
from suit.
The Plaintiffs’ allegations against Judges Orfinger, Cohen, Wallis, Munyon,
Alvaro, and Falcone fare no better. As to Judges Orfinger, Cohen, and Wallis, the
Plaintiffs contend this panel of the Fifth District Court of Appeal violated their due
process rights by denying Plaintiffs’ appeal from their second motion to vacate.
(Doc. 46, ¶¶ 40–42). The Plaintiffs continue to press the argument, which was
rejected at the trial and appellate levels, that the foreclosure judgment was a
nullity. (Id.). Regardless, the issue before this Court is whether these judicial
officers enjoyed absolute immunity when they affirmed Judge LeBlanc’s denial of
appeal from various orders advancing the foreclosure sale. (Doc. 52, Exs. B, E, I). If ever a
legal challenge had been fully litigated, it was this one.
Plaintiffs’ second motion to vacate. The answer is simple: they did. The Judges
were acting in their judicial capacity, and they enjoy absolute immunity.
The same is true of the panel’s decision to issue an order to show cause why
Plaintiffs should not be prohibited from filing any appeal, petition, pleading, or
motion pertaining to the foreclosure judgment unless the paper is first reviewed
and signed by a licensed attorney. (Id. ¶¶ 42–43). This is known as a vexatious
litigant order and is commonly employed where a party is abusing the judicial
process. While the Plaintiffs frame the issuance of the show cause order and the
screening order as violating due process and access to the court, the issue is
whether these judicial officers enjoy absolute immunity in entering these orders in
the first instance. Again, the answer is simple: Judges Orfinger, Cohen, and Wallis
were acting in their capacity as judicial officers when they directed the Plaintiffs to
show cause why future pleadings should not be reviewed and signed by a licensed
attorney and then when they ultimately imposed that requirement. Hence, they
enjoy absolute immunity from suit.
Turning to Plaintiffs’ § 1983 claim against Judge Munyon, they argue Judge
Munyon violated their constitutional rights when she did not allow the Plaintiffs
to again contest the foreclosure order following the unfavorable appellate
decisions. (Id. ¶¶ 46–48). Judge Munyon relied on the Fifth District Court of
Appeal’s Opinions which (a) affirmed for the second time the foreclosure order,
and (b) precluded the Plaintiffs from filing pleadings without a licensed attorney
having reviewed and signed them in advance. (Id.). Both of the Orders from the
Court of Appeal bind Judge Munyon, and yet the Plaintiffs’ incredibly argue the
Judge should have ignored the rule of law, overlooked binding precedent, and
allowed the Plaintiffs to continue their vendetta. (Id. ¶¶ 48–49). This is absurd.
Judge Munyon was acting in her judicial capacity, and she enjoys absolute
immunity from suit.
Finally, in February 2020 the Plaintiffs filed a new lawsuit in which they
challenged the foreclosure order from 2014. (Id. ¶ 50). The defense moved to
dismiss this lawsuit, and Judge Alvaro acting in his judicial capacity granted the
motion and dismissed the complaint without prejudice. (Id. ¶ 51). The Plaintiffs
added Andrea Tromberg and BONYM in the amended complaint, and BONYM and
Shellpoint moved to dismiss. (Id. ¶¶ 52–53). Judge Alvaro granted the motion to
dismiss the claims against BONYM and Shellpoint, which the Plaintiffs contend
was in error. (Id. ¶ 53). The Fifth District affirmed. (Id. ¶ 54). As discussed, a Judge
is not stripped of absolute immunity even assuming he or she acts in error.
Judge Falcone’s involvement is limited to ruling on a Motion to Dismiss filed
by Andrea Tromberg, which he granted due to the application of the litigation
privilege and because the 2020 lawsuit was an impermissible collateral attack on
the judgment of foreclosure. (Id. ¶ 56). The Plaintiffs appealed Judge Falcone’s
order to the Fifth District Court of Appeal, and the trial court’s ruling was affirmed.
Once again, it is clear Judge Falcone was acting within his judicial capacity when
he ruled on the motion to dismiss. The Plaintiffs operate under the mistaken
impression that an unfavorable ruling, even one entered in error or motivated by
malice, strips the judge of immunity. This is simply not the case, and the Plaintiffs
could have easily discovered this with minimal research.
For these reasons, Judges LeBlanc, Orfinger, Cohen, Wallis, Munyon,
Alvaro, and Falcone enjoy absolute immunity from suit, and Count III is dismissed
with prejudice.4
4. Count IV (§ 1983 Access to Courts)
The Plaintiffs also alleged that Judges Orfinger, Cohen, Wallis, Alvaro, and
Falcone violated § 1983 by denying them access to courts. (Id. ¶¶ 70–73). The
Plaintiffs rely upon the allegations in paragraphs 40 through 45 and 50 through
59. As to Judges Orfinger, Cohen, and Wallis, the Plaintiffs assert the Fifth District
Court of Appeal’s show cause order and the subsequent ruling requiring future
pleadings to be reviewed and signed by a licensed attorney violates their right to
access to courts. As for Judges Alvaro and Falcone, the Plaintiffs assert their orders
granting motions to dismiss the amended complaint in Case No. 2020-CA-1526
denied them access to courts.
“Access to the courts is clearly a constitutional right, grounded in the First
Amendment, the Article IV Privileges and Immunities Clause, the Fifth
4 The Court need not expend much time on the Judicial Defendants qualified immunity
argument. Qualified immunity protects governmental officials who perform discretionary
functions from liability provided their conduct violates no “clearly established statutory or
constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known.” Harlow v. Fitzgerald,
457 U.S. 335, 341 (1986). As discussed in connection with the Court’s analysis of absolute
immunity, the Judicial Defendants’ actions were clearly undertaken in the performance of
their duties and within the scope of their authority. Rich v. Dollar, 841 F.2d 1558, 1564 (11th
Cir. 1988) (citations omitted).
Amendment, and/or the Fourteenth Amendment.” Chappell v. Rich, 340 F.3d
1279, 1283 (11th Cir. 2003) (citing Christopher v. Harbury, 536 U.S. 403, 415 n.12
(2002)). Here, the Plaintiffs have failed to plead, nor are they capable of pleading,
denial of access to the courts. As relates to Judges Orfinger, Cohen, and Wallis, a
screening order imposed upon vexatious litigants—which the Plaintiffs most surely
are—does not deny access to the court. It merely requires future legal pleadings to
be reviewed and signed by a licensed attorney. To the extent a screening order
imposes an additional burden on the Plaintiffs, this is a quandary of their own
making. It is literally difficult to fathom litigants who have more boldly and
profusely abused the judicial system than Plaintiffs Otero and Rodriguez. Courts
have the right to manage their dockets, and this includes ordering vexatious
litigants to be supervised by a licensed attorney to prevent future waste of limited
judicial resources. More important, as discussed with Count III, Judges Orfinger,
Cohen, and Wallis enjoy absolute immunity for their actions, and a lawsuit for the
alleged violation of § 1983 is barred. The same is true for Judges Alvaro and
Falcone whose orders granting motions to dismiss do not deny the Plaintiffs access
to the courts. To hold otherwise would create a constitutional violation anytime a
judge rules against a party. Judges Alvaro and Falcone are immune from suit since
they were acting in their judicial capacity.
For these reasons, Count IV is dismissed with prejudice.
5. Count V (Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress)
The Plaintiffs allege that BONYM, Shellpoint, Andrea Tromberg, Tromberg
Morris & Poulin PLLC, and Judges LeBlanc, Orfinger, Cohen, Wallis, Munyon,
Alvaro, and Falcone are all liable for intentional infliction of emotional distress,
citing paragraphs 20 through 59 of the amended complaint. (Doc. 46, ¶¶ 74–76).
As a preliminary matter, a four-year statute of limitations applies to this claim.
King v. Bencie, 806 F. App’x 873, 876 (11th Cir. 2020).
a. BONYM, Shellpoint, Andrea Tromberg, & Law Firm
(Statute of Limitations)
BONYM, Shellpoint, Andrea Tromberg, and Tromberg Morris & Poulin
PLLC obtained the foreclosure order on September 10, 2014.5 (Doc. 52, ¶ 2, Ex. A).
Every motion and appeal following the foreclosure judgment was initiated by the
Plaintiffs and is predicated on the Plaintiffs’ assertion that the foreclosure
judgment was obtained by fraud. The alleged infliction of emotional harm,
therefore, has its genesis in the Defendants’ success in obtaining the foreclosure
judgment. “In Florida, a cause of action accrues ‘when the last element constituting
the cause of action occurs.’” Spadaro v. City of Miramar, 855 F. Supp. 2d 1317,
1329 (S.D. Fla. 2012) (quoting Fla. Stat. § 95.031(1)). There is an exception to this
bright-line rule. The delayed discovery doctrine generally applies in cases involving
fraud and extends the start date for the statute of limitations to when the plaintiff
5 Construing the amended complaint liberally, the only factual allegations pertaining to
BONYM, Shellpoint, Ms. Tromberg, and the Law Firm are found in paragraphs 20 through
33.
either knows or reasonably should know of the tortious act giving rise to the cause
of action. Id. (citing Patten v. Winderman, 965 So. 2d 1222, 1224 (Fla. 4th DCA
2007)). Even if one were to use the date the Plaintiffs sued for “legal malpractice
and breach of fiduciary duty” as the operative date, the statute of limitations began
running on September 8, 2016. (Doc. 46, ¶ 21). The complaint was not filed until
January 25, 2021, over four years after the last element constituting the cause of
action accrued, and this claim is precluded by the statute of limitations.6
As for the Judicial Defendants, the amended complaint fails to allege a
cognizable cause of action. Under Florida law, a claim for intentional infliction of
emotional distress requires the Plaintiffs to plead the following: (1) the Defendants
conduct was intentional or reckless; (2) the conduct was outrageous, meaning it
goes beyond all bounds of decency; (3) the conduct caused emotional distress; and
(4) the emotional distress was severe. See Garcia v. Carnival Corp., 838 F. Supp.
2d 1334, 1339 (S.D. Fla. 2012). Setting aside absolute judicial immunity and
qualified immunity, both of which apply to the Judicial Defendants for the reasons
6 Moreover, the Plaintiffs fail to state a cause of action. Obtaining a judgment of foreclosure
which is affirmed on appeal at least twice does not rise to the level of intentional, or reckless,
conduct that was so outrageous as to go beyond all bounds of decency and to be regarded as
atrocious and utterly intolerable in a civilized community, nor have the Plaintiffs adequately
pled severe emotional distress. See Williams v. City of Minneola, 619 So. 2d 983, 986 (Fla.
5th DCA 1993).
Finally, as to Andrea Tromberg and Tromberg Morris & Poulin PLLC, Florida’s litigation
privilege affords them absolute immunity for acts occurring during judicial proceedings as
was the case here. Jackson v. BellSouth Telecomm., 372 F.3d 1250, 1274 (11th Cir. 2004). The
Plaintiffs’ remedy was direct appeal, which they availed themselves of repeatedly. Gaisser v.
Portfolio Recovery Assocs., LLC, 571 F. Supp. 2d 1273, 1280 (S.D. Fla. 2008). Suit is barred
as to these Defendants under the litigation privilege, as well as the statute of limitations.
articulated supra, the amended complaint does not allege conduct that “was
outrageous; that is, as to go beyond all bounds of decency and to be regarded as
atrocious and utterly intolerable in a civilized community.” Id. At best, the
Plaintiffs allege the Judicial Defendants erred in denying Plaintiffs’ motion to
vacate the foreclosure judgment and/or in affirming on appeal adverse decisions
regarding the foreclosure. Such actions fall within the heartland of judicial conduct
and clearly are not “outrageous.” Case in point: the actions undertaken by the
Judicial Defendants are protected by absolute judicial immunity and qualified
immunity. Such conduct cannot be both protected judicial conduct and
outrageous. There are simply no conceivable circumstances under which the
Plaintiffs can replead to state a cognizable cause of action.7
For these reasons, Count V is dismissed with prejudice.
III. CONCLUSION
It is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED:
1. The Motion to Dismiss Amended Complaint by Andrea Tromberg and
Tromberg Morris & Poulin PLLC (Doc. 51) is GRANTED;
2. The Motion to Dismiss Amended Complaint by the Bank of New York
Mellon (“BONYM”) and NewRez LLC, d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage
Servicing (“Shellpoint”) (Doc. 52) is GRANTED;
7 The Court also notes the Plaintiffs failed to comply with Florida Statute § 768.28(6) because
they did not serve written pre-suit notice on the Florida Department of Financial Services and
on the responsible agency. See Levine v. Dade Cty. Sch. Bd., 442 So. 2d 201, 213 (Fla. 1983).
3. The Motion to Dismiss by Judicial Defendants (Doc. 66) is
GRANTED;
4. The Amended Complaint (Doc. 46) is DISMISSED WITH
PREJUDICE;
5. The Court will reserve jurisdiction to entertain motions by the
Defendants for an award of reasonable attorney’s fees;8 and
6. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to close the file.
DONE AND ORDERED in Orlando, Florida on January 27, 2023.
ce /
PAUL G.
UNITED STATES*DISTRICT JUDGE
Copies furnished to:
Counsel of Record
Unrepresented Parties
8 The Court finds there was a complete absence of a justiciable issue of either law or fact raised
by the Plaintiffs in the amended complaint. Accordingly, the Court is exercising its discretion
to award reasonable attorney’s fees in favor of the Defendants and against the Plaintiffs. See
McMahan v. Toto, 256 F.3d 1120, 1129 (11th Cir. 2001). The Plaintiffs have engaged in an
extensive and intentional pattern of bad-faith litigation. They have been undeterred by judicial
rulings, and such outrageous and abusive litigation tactics are not tolerated in federal court.
Should the Defendants seek an award of attorney's fees, the motion and accompanying
support shall be filed within ten (10) days of this Order.