64 So. 3d 779

BLPR, INC. v. NATIONAL GAMING, INC.

No. 2010 CA 1221.

Court of Appeal of Louisiana, First Circuit.

April 6, 2011.

*780Erik L. Burns, Denham Springs, LA, for Plaintiff/Appellant BLPR, Inc.

Michael T. Tusa, Jr., Mandeville, LA, Philip Bohrer, Baton Rouge, LA, for Defendant/Appellee National Gaming, Inc.

Before PARRO, GUIDRY, and HUGHES, JJ.

HUGHES, J.

12This is an appeal from a district court’s summary judgment dismissing an action for contractual commissions allegedly owed on the placement of video poker devices at a truck stop. For the reasons that follow, we reverse and remand.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

In October of 1993, Gil Lerma, who would later become one of the shareholders of BLPR, Inc. (“BLPR”), entered into an “Independent Associate Contract” with Louisiana Gaming Management, Inc. *781(“Louisiana Gaming”), the company assets of which would later be acquired by National Gaming, Inc. (“National Gaming”). Mr. Lerma’s contract provided to him a ten percent commission on net revenue received by Louisiana Gaming on each video draw poker device placed in a licensed establishment through his efforts. Mr. Lerma was successful in placing Louisiana Gaming’s video draw poker devices at a Quality Inn Truck Stop (now known as the Econo Lodge Lucky Bayou Truck Stop (“ELLB Truck Stop”)), located in Chal-mette, Louisiana, in March of 1994. The ELLB Truck Stop contract, dated March 18, 1994, was for an initial ten year term, with optional additional five year renewal periods.1

hAlso, in March of 1994, Mr. Lerma formed the BLPR corporation, with himself, Richard L. Barrios, Jr.,2 Guy *782Palermo, and Richard E. Redd3 as shareholders. The stated purpose of the corporation was to promote the business of and obtain contracts for Louisiana Gaming for the operation of video poker establishments. At the same time, Mr. Lerma executed an 14assignment of rights in favor of BLPR of “any revenues owed to him as a consequence of any agreement by him to act as an associate or master associate or in any capacity with [Louisiana Gaming].” Payments were satisfactorily made to BLPR by Louisiana Gaming under the contract, although the parties later agreed that only a five percent commission would be paid due to the financial difficulties of Louisiana Gaming. Subsequently, in approximately May of 2000, Louisiana Gaming filed for bankruptcy protection in the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (Case Number 99-15405), and the ELLB Truck Stop contract was acquired in that proceeding, along with other assets, by National Gaming. Thereafter, in August of 2000, National Gaming ceased paying commissions to BLPR, ostensibly because it determined that in order to be entitled to collect the commission on the ELLB Truck Stop contract, BLPR was required to meet the suitability requirements of LSA-R.S. 27:S10(D), which requires certain persons, in addition to license holders, to establish to the satisfaction of the “division”4 that they are “suitable” *783to be allowed to participate in the video draw poker gaming industry. These persons include, in summary: persons controlling more than a five percent ownership, income, or profit interest in an entity which has or applies for a license; persons who receive more than five percent revenue interest in the form of a commission, finder’s fee, loan prepayment, or any other business expense related to the gaming operation; or persons who have the ability to exercise a significant influence over the activities of a licensee.

No further commission payments were made to BLPR, which filed the instant suit on January 27, 2004, against National Gaming, seeking to recover the commission payments allegedly owed, along with other economic damages sustained. National Gaming asserted numerous defenses to the action, and subsequently filed a motion for summary judgment, contending that BLPR was ineligible to receive the monies it requested because “(a) it has failed to meet the gaming suitability requirements of [LSA-] R.S. 27:310; , and (b) some of its principals, and/or others required by law, have failed to apply for or meet gaming suitability requirements as required by [LSA-] R.S. 27:310, by order of the Bankruptcy Court[,] and by the [Louisiana] Gaming Control Board” (“LGCB”).

Following a hearing on the motion for summary judgment, the district court rendered judgment in favor of National Gaming, granting the motion and dismissing BLPR’s action. In its oral reasons for judgment, the district court stated that “the Court ... is firmly of the opinion that if five percent is met, they’re obligated to meet suitability requirements in accordance with statutory interpretation inasmuch as gaming is a business that is effective [sic] with the public good. It’s got to be strictly controlled.” This appeal followed.

On appeal, BLPR asserts that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment in favor of National Gaming, as material facts remain in dispute. BLPR further assigns as error the consideration by the district court of evidence submitted relative to the administrative suitability investigation conducted by the Video Gaming Division of the Office of State Police |fi(“VGD/OSP”) as to BLPR, contending that such a reconsideration of those issues by the district court was violative of the separation of powers doctrine, as well as exceeded the district court’s original subject matter jurisdiction (asserting that review of the administrative findings would constitute an exercise of appellate jurisdiction).

LAW AND ANALYSIS

Motion for Summary Judgment

The summary judgment procedure is designed to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action, except those disallowed by LSA-C.C.P. art. 969; the procedure is favored and shall be construed to accomplish these ends. LSA-C.C.P. art. 966(A)(2). Summary judgment shall be rendered in favor of the mover if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to material fact and that mover is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. LSA-C.C.P. art. 966(B).

Appellate courts review summary judgments de novo under the same criteria that govern a district court’s consideration of whether summary judgment is appropriate. Samaha v. Rau, 2007-1726, pp. 3-4 (La.2/26/08), 977 So.2d 880, 882; Allen v. State ex rel. Ernest N. Morial-New Or*784leans Exhibition Hall Authority, 2002-1072, p. 5 (La.4/9/03), 842 So.2d 373, 377; Boudreaux v. Vankerkhove, 2007-2555, p. 5 (La.App. 1 Cir. 8/11/08), 993 So.2d 725, 729-30.

In ruling on a motion for summary judgment, the judge’s role is not to evaluate the weight of the evidence or to determine the truth of the matter, but instead to determine whether there is a genuine issue of triable fact. All 17doubts should be resolved in the non-moving party’s favor. Hines v. Garrett, 2004-0806, p. 1 (La.6/25/04), 876 So.2d 764, 765.

A fact is material if it potentially insures or precludes recovery, affects a litigant’s ultimate success, or determines the outcome of the legal dispute. A genuine issue is one as to which reasonable persons could disagree; if reasonable persons could reach only one conclusion, there is no need for trial on that issue and summary judgment is appropriate. Id., 2004-0806 at p. 1, 876 So.2d at 765-66.

On motion for summary judgment, the burden of proof remains with the movant. However, if the moving party will not bear the burden of proof on the issue at trial and points out that there is an absence of factual support for one or more elements essential to the adverse party’s claim, action, or defense, then the non-moving party must produce factual support sufficient to establish that he will be able to satisfy his evidentiary burden of proof at trial. If the opponent of the motion fails to do so, there is no genuine issue of material fact and summary judgment will be granted. See LSA-C.C.P. art. 966(C)(2).

When a motion for summary judgment is made and supported as provided in LSA-C.C.P. art. 967, an adverse party may not rest on the mere allegations or denials of his pleadings, but his response, by affidavits or as otherwise provided in LSA-C.C.P. art. 967, must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. If he does not so respond, summary judgment, if appropriate, shall be rendered against him. LSA-C.C.P. art. 967(B). See also Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University v. Louisiana Agricultural Finance Authority, 2007-0107, p. 9 (La.App. 1 Cir. 2/8/08), 984 So.2d 72, 79-80; Cressionnie v. Intrepid, Inc., 2003-1714, p. 3 (La.App. 1 Cir. 5/14/04), 879 So.2d 736, 738.

[^Because it is the applicable substantive law that determines materiality, whether a particular fact in dispute is material can be seen only in light of the substantive law applicable to the case. Richard v. Hall, 2003-1488, p. 5 (La.4/23/04), 874 So.2d 131, 137; Dyess v. American National Property and Casualty Company, 2003-1971, p. 4 (La.App. 1 Cir. 6/25/04), 886 So.2d 448, 451, writ denied, 2004-1858 (La.10/29/04), 885 So.2d 592; Cressionnie v. Intrepid, Inc., 2003-1714 at p. 3, 879 So.2d at 738-39.

Video Draw Poker Devices Control Law

The applicable law in this case is provided by the Louisiana Gaming Control Law, LSA-R.S. 27:1, et seq., and the Video Draw Poker Devices Control Law, LSA-R.S. 27:301, et seq. Louisiana Revised Statute 27:309(B)5 makes it a crime for *785any person6 to operate a video draw poker device without the license required by LSA-R.S. 27:301, et seq. The primary licensing requirements for a video draw poker device owner, operator, or distributor are set forth in LSA-R.S. 27:306 and LSA-R.S. 27:310 et seq.

In this case, National Gaming was required to be licensed as the owner, operator, or distributor of the video poker devices located at the ELLB Truck Stop. As stated in the case cited to this court by National Gaming, Gaming Venture, Inc. v. Tastee Restaurant Corporation, 2008-310 (La.App. 5 Cir. 9/30/08), 996 So.2d 515, writ denied, 2008-2590 (La. |g1/9/09), 998 So.2d 723, licensing, along with the accompanying requisite contract and suitability reviews by the VGD/OSP, are prerequisites to beginning the operation of video poker machines, pursuant to LSA-R.S. 27:306 and La. Admin. Code, Title 42, Part XI, § 2411. See Gaming Venture, Inc. v. Tastee Restaurant Corporation, 2008-310 at p. 4, 996 So.2d at 517.7 Further, LSA-R.S. 27:306(A)(7)(a) specifically states, in pertinent part, that “[a]ny person applying for a truck stop facility license must meet all requirements provided by this Chapter prior to licensing.” Louisiana Revised Statute 27:311(E) also provides that “[n]o license shall be issued by the division except upon receipt of a sworn application and a finding by the division that the applicant, the application, and all persons described in R.S. 27:310 meet the requirements of that Section.” Even though it *786was not asserted in this case that BLPR was required to obtain a license, other gaming participants may be required to submit to a suitability review, in accordance with LSA-R.S. 27:310(D), and, if so required, “shall |inmeet all suitability requirements and qualifications for licensees,” as stated therein.

In its motion for summary judgment, National Gaming asserted that BLPR was required to submit to an administrative suitability review, pursuant to: LSA-R.S. 27:310(D), administrative regulations, and the Bankruptcy Court’s order. We will review each of these asserted authorities. LSA-R.S. 27:310(D)

In addition to licensees,8 Louisiana law has required since July 1, 1994 that “[e]very person ... who receives more than five percent revenue interest in the form of a commission ... related to the gaming operation ... shall meet all suitability requirements and qualifications for licensees.”9 See LSA-R.S. 27:310(D) and its precursor, former LSA-R.S. 33:4862.10(D) (as amended by 1994 La. Acts, 3d Ex. Sess., No. 13, § 1, effective July 1, 1994) (emphasis added). National Gaming contends that BLPR was required to meet suitability requirements on the basis of this provision.

However, in the instant case, it was not established that BLPR was receiving more than a five percent revenue interest in the ELLB Truck Stop contract. Although BLPR’s original contract with Louisiana Gaming | n provided for a ten percent commission, BLPR had verbally agreed with Louisiana Gaming to take only a five percent commission. The date on which this agreement was made was not conclusively established in the record, though it was before Louisiana Gaming went bankrupt. The parties do not appear to dispute that National Gaming was also paying only a five percent commission to BLPR before the payment of commissions was discontinued in August of 2000. Thus, the record presented on appeal does not establish that BLPR was receiving more than five percent, in order to trigger the LSA-R.S. 27:310(D) mandate10 for a suitability de*787termination as to BLPR.11

Administrative Requirements

National Gaming further contends that a suitability determination was required to be made as to BLPR under the authority of La. Admin. Code, Title 42, Part XI, § 2411(H)(3), stating: “If requested, every person who is party to any video gaming contract with an applicant for a video gaming license, or a licensee of the division, shall provide the division with any and 11?all information requested by the division that is necessary for a determination of suitability.” (Emphasis added.) A March 27, 1997 letter from the chairman of the LGCB, directed to renewal applicants, also declared that included within the persons required to submit to a suitability determination was “anyone who receives a percentage of the gaming revenue and their spouses.” (Emphasis added.) Further, a copy of the LGCB application instructions was filed into the record and states that the term “person required to meet suitability” includes “any person who receives or may receive a percentage of the gaming revenue from the applicant; ... [a]lso spouses of any person who receives or may receive a percentage of the gaming revenue from the applicant.”12 (Emphasis added.) In conjunction with its motion for summary judgment, National Gaming filed into the record a copy of an August 8, 2000 letter from Trooper Kirk A. Pierce of the VGD/OSP, requesting, in connection with National Gaming’s purchase of the Louisiana Gaming assets, suitability applications from National Gaming’s associates “receiving video poker revenue,” and specifically naming, in addition to others, BLPR. National Gaming asserts that “BLPR was never found suitable by the [LGCB].”13 (Underscoring original.)

*788Our review of the record reveals a question of fact as to whether BLPR was, in fact, found suitable by the VGD/OSP. BLPR filed its application for suitability on December 13, 2001. Excerpts from the | ^deposition and written report of Trooper Pierce, the investigating agent for the VGD/OSP, were filed into the record. Following his investigation and the settlement agreement between BLPR and the Redd parties, Trooper Pierce stated that, pursuant to the law and regulations governing video draw poker (specifically LSA-R.S. 27:310), he “found nothing to preclude anyone associated with BLPR to receive commission,” though he could not say whether a letter to that effect, as to BLPR, had been issued.14 Trooper Pierce also indicated that the investigation concerning BLPR was unique, in that BLPR was not applying for a license; he stated that licensees always receive written notification of the results of an investigation. Trooper Pierce further indicated that, because BLPR was not seeking a license and its case only involved third party revenue (i.e., commissions), he was not sure whether the investigation results had been issued in writing. Trooper Pierce also stated that he had never encountered this type situation before. However, Trooper Pierce related that the Attorney General’s office became involved in reviewing the BLPR documents and ascertaining whether the April 17, 2003 settlement agreement reached between BLPR and the Redd parties (whereby the Redd parties divested themselves of any interests/rights in BLPR), would result in BLPR meeting suitability requirements. Trooper Pierce stated that when a corporation under review has a shareholder who presents suitability issues, the corporation is given the opportunity to rectify the situation. Trooper Pierce further stated that it is sometimes possible for a corporation to remove the party with questionable suitability (i.e., by purchasing stock, | uchanging officers, etc.), and after approval by the Attorney General’s office, an investigation may be satisfactorily finalized in that way. Trooper Pierce indicated that this was the procedure utilized in the BLPR case. The deposition testimony of Trooper Pierce and accompanying documentation, taken as a whole, indicates that BLPR was found suitable. No evidence was presented to the contrary.

Moreover, we find no merit in the assertion that the cited administrative rules, regulations, and or actions validly require a suitability review as to BLPR, because such a requirement would exceed the legislatively-established parameters for suitability. The regulations promulgated by an agency may not exceed the authorization delegated by the Legislature. State v. Alfonso, 99-1546, pp. 8-9 (La.11/23/99), *789753 So.2d 156, 162; Farmer’s Seafood Company v. State Through the Department of Public Safety, 2010-1746, p. 14 (La.App. 1 Cir. 2/14/11), 56 So.3d 1263, 1272; Piazza’s Seafood World, LLC v. Odom, 2007-2191, p. 12 (La.App. 1 Cir. 12/28/08), 6 So.3d 820, 828. See also LSA-R.S. 49:963.15 An agency exercising delegated authority is not free to pursue any and all ends, but can assert authority only over those ends that are connected with the task delegated by the legislative body. The open-ended discretion to choose ends is the essence of legislative power; it is this power that the legislative body possesses, but its agents lack. State v. Alfonso, 99-1546 at p. 9, 753 So.2d at 162.

With respect to this case, we conclude that although the legislature has delegated the power of investigation, as well as other powers, to the LGCB 11sand the VGD/OSP (including authority to promulgate rules and regulations in furtherance of that power), pursuant to LSA-R.S. 27:15, 27:20, 27:24, 27:308, and 27:313, neither the LGCB nor the VGD/OSP should be allowed to enlarge the scope of this investigatory power to instances not statutorily authorized. To the extent the cited administrative rules and/or regulations and other administrative actions seek to legislate, prescribe, or expand those instances in which a non-licensee is required to meet suitability, in addition to those set forth by the legislature in LSA-R.S. 27:310(D), we conclude that these administrative directives do not create any suitability requirement beyond that contained in LSA-R.S. 27:310.

Bankruptcy Court Order

National Gaming asserts in brief to this court that the Bankruptcy Court “specifically ordered associates of [Louisiana Gaming] and anyone receiving commissions from gaming revenues to apply to meet suitability.” We disagree.

The order of the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana stated, in pertinent part, as follows:

Pursuant to Sections 365(a) and 1123(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, all executory contracts between Debtor [Louisiana Gaming Management, Inc.] and any person or enti[t]y shall be assumed by the Debtor under this Plan and assigned to the Purchase[r],[16] except: (1) Associate Contracts between the Debtor and persons or entities determined to be unsuitable by the LGCB; ....
* * *
The Associate Contracts shall be assumed in accordance with the Plan and the May 25, 2000 National Gaming offer in that the commission paid on the assumed Associate Contracts shall be the lesser of the contract rate or twenty [percent] (20%) of the net gaming revenue (as that term is defined in the associate contracts).
h fiFinally, all location agreements of the Debtor, including those specifically listed on Exhibit “B” to the Plan are expressly assumed and assigned to Purchaser and Purchaser shall have all of the Debtor’s rights, title, and interest under those contracts.

*790(Emphasis added.) National Gaming asserts that the phrase in this order stating, “except ... Associate Contracts between the Debtor and persons or entities determined to be unsuitable by the LGCB” constitutes an affirmative directive to all persons or entities having associate contracts with Louisiana Gaming, being transferred to National Gaming, to apply for and obtain a declaration of suitability. On the contrary, the language at issue was obviously meant to declare only that if, in the normal course of its business and pursuant to the application of Louisiana law, the LGCB determined any of the referenced persons or entities to be “unsuitable,” the contracts of those persons/entities were not required to be assumed by National Gaming. We find no merit in National Gaming’s argument on this issue.

Having rejected all of National Gaming’s asserted bases for contending BLPR was required to obtain a favorable suitability determination, but failed to do so, we conclude National Gaming was not entitled to summary judgment in its favor. Having decided the appeal on these grounds, we find it unnecessary to address the remaining assignments of error asserted by BLPR.

CONCLUSION

For the reasons assigned herein, the judgment of the district court, rendering summary judgment in favor of National Gaming, Inc. and dismissing the claims of BLPR, Inc., is hereby reversed, and the matter is remanded for further proceedings in accordance with the foregoing. All costs of this appeal are to be borne by National Gaming, Inc.

REVERSED AND REMANDED.

BLPR, Inc. v. National Gaming, Inc.
64 So. 3d 779

Case Details

Name
BLPR, Inc. v. National Gaming, Inc.
Decision Date
Apr 6, 2011
Citations

64 So. 3d 779

Jurisdiction
Louisiana

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