The opinion of the court was delivered by: ALESIA
This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff's motion to dismiss Defendants' counterclaim for lack of jurisdiction pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1). For the reasons discussed hereafter, Plaintiff's motion is granted.
Plaintiff Angel Keegan was employed at Defendant Bloomingdale's Inc. ("Bloomingdale's") as the "At Your Service" manager from November 1993 to December 1994. While an employee, Keegan was provided health insurance as a beneficiary under a group health plan sponsored by Bloomingdale's and administered by Defendant Federated Department Stores Inc. ("Federated"). After Keegan's employment ceased, Federated -- perhaps because Bloomingdale's failed to notify it of Keegan's termination -- failed to extend to Keegan her right of continuing coverage under the applicable group plan. Consequently, Keegan brought this suit, claiming that Bloomingdale's and/or Federated violated the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), 29 U.S.C. § 1161 - 1169.
Bloomingdale's filed a counterclaim. Keegan's salary was comprised of a managerial fee and a draw against commissions, which was computed based on a percentage of her monthly net sales. Keegan, however, was not entitled to take a commission on merchandise sold, but later returned. Apparently, Keegan manipulated the system to hide sales she drew a commission on which were subsequently returned. As a result, Keegan was overpaid approximately $ 14,000.
After discovering Keegan's "thievery," Bloomingdale's entered into an agreement with Keegan whereby Keegan agreed to reimburse Bloomingdale's $ 14,000. Two weeks later, Keegan resigned. Keegan has not repaid any portion of the overpayment.
Consequently, Bloomingdale's filed a two-count counterclaim for (1) breach of contract and (2) conversion. Bloomingdale's alleges jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a)--the "supplemental jurisdiction" statute.
Keegan filed a motion to dismiss the counterclaim on the ground that supplemental jurisdiction was lacking.
The Court agrees with Keegan.
The Court concludes that the requisite nexus between the COBRA claim and the breach of contract and conversion counterclaim is lacking. The Court is mindful that "a loose factual connection between the claims" is enough to satisfy § 1367(a), see Channell v. Citicorp Nat'l Serv., Inc., 89 F.3d 379, 385 (7th Cir. 1996); but here, there is really no factual connection underlying the claims.
Indeed, the factual basis for Keegan's COBRA claim is that she was not notified of her right to continuing coverage following her resignation with Bloomingdale's. The factual basis underlying Bloomingdale's counterclaim is that Keegan "stole" from it (conversion) and neglected to reimburse it pursuant to a signed agreement (breach of contract). There is no factual connection underlying the claim and counterclaim. Or, utilizing the pertinent language, the COBRA claim and the breach of contract and conversion counterclaim do not derive from a common nucleus of operative fact. Stated in yet another way, ...