Full opinion text
MEMORANDUM & ORDER MARGO K. BRODIE, United States District Judge: Plaintiff Jacqueline Aguirre brings the above-captioned action against Defendants Best Care Agency, Inc. (“Best Care”), Dorothy De Castro and Perlita Jordan, alleging (1) forced labor in violation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (“TVPRA”), 18 U.S.C. § 1589 and § 1595; (2) trafficking with respect to involuntary servitude and forced labor in violation of TVPRA, 18 U.S.C. § 1590 and § 1595; (3) fraudulent inducement; and (4) negligent misrepresentation. Defendants counterclaimed for defamation. Plaintiff has moved for summary judgment on her four claims and Defendants’ counterclaim. Defendants have moved for judgment on the pleadings as to De Castro and Jordan. For the reasons set forth below, Plaintiffs motion for summary judgment as to Plaintiffs claims is denied but granted as to Defendants’ counterclaim. Defendants’ motion for judgment on the pleadings is denied. I. Background Plaintiff was born in the Philippines and lived there from 1964 to 2000. (Pl. Dep. 8:6-10, 22-25.) Plaintiff obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in the Philippines. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 2; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 2.) On March 26, 2000, Plaintiff entered the United States on a tourist visa. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 1; Defs. 56.1 ¶1; Pl. Dep. 8:20-21, 16:18-24.) Plaintiff visited an employment agency and met De Castro and Jordan, who represented themselves as the owners of Best Care, a nursing employment agency. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 3; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 3.) According to Plaintiff, De Castro and Jordan “agreed to offer Plaintiff employment and H-1B immigration sponsorship so that Plaintiff could help them in the day-to-day operations of their nursing employment agency, more specifically on the accounting side of Best Care’s business operations.” (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 4; see Pl. Dep. 31:8-33:4, 39:5-11, 54:7-9, 73:14-18.) De Castro and Jordan admit that they “agreed to help” Plaintiff with her H-1B visa but claim that they hired Plaintiff to perform “secretarial[-]related matters.” (Defs. 56.1 ¶ 4.) a. H-1B Visa and Application Procedure An H-1B visa is a temporary worker visa available to those who work in a specialty occupation. See 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(l)(ii)(B). An H-1B visa grants a “nonimmigrant alien” admission to the United States for an initial period of no more than three years. 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(9)(iii)(A)(l). The visa may be extended for a period of three years, but an individual may not remain in the United States on an H-1B visa for more than a total of six years, unless the alien has an approved or pending labor certification application for at least one year. 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(15)(ii)(B)(l); American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000, Pub.L. No. 106-313, § 106(a), 114 Stat 1251, 1254-55 (2000); Adusumelli v. Steiner, 740 F.Supp.2d 582, 586 (S.D.N.Y. 2010), affd, sub nom. Dandamudi v. Tisch, 686 F.3d 66 (2d Cir.2012). In order for an employee to obtain an H-1B visa, an employer must file a labor condition application with the United States Department of Labor (“Labor Department”) and have it certified by the Labor Department. 20 C.F.R. § 655.700(b). After obtaining Labor Department certification of a labor condition application, the employer may submit a nonimmigrant visa petition with the labor condition certification application to the United States Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) and request an H-1B visa classification for the nonimmigrant worker. Id. If DHS approves the H-1B visa classification, the nonimmigrant worker may apply for an H-1B visa abroad, or, if the nonimmigrant is already in the United States, for a change of visa status. Id. An individual may apply for a green card or “legal permanent resident” status, while working in the United States with an H-1B visa. See Adusumelli, 740 F.Supp.2d at 586-87 n. 3 (explaining why individuals “may maintain their temporary status while simultaneously manifesting an intent to remain in the country permanently by applying to become” legal permanent residents). If an H-1B immigrant’s maximum period of stay expires while she is waiting for a green card determination, permission to work is extended until the green card determination is made, even though the maximum term of the H-1B visa has expired. See 8 C.F.R. § 274a.l2(c)(9); see also Adusumelli, 740 F.Supp.2d at 586-87. b. Plaintiffs H-1B Employment Applications In early February 2001, Neil A. Weinrib was retained to prepare the H-1B visa petition for Plaintiff. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 5; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 5.) On February 5, 2001, De Castro signed a labor condition application and a nonimmigrant visa petition on behalf of Plaintiff. (Pl. 56.1 ¶¶ 6-7; Defs. 56.1 ¶¶ 6-7; see Pl. Ex. 19.) In the labor condition application, Best Care proposed to hire Plaintiff as an accounting consultant for at least $19 per hour. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 6; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 6; Pl. Ex. 19.) In the nonimmigrant visa petition, Best Care proposed to hire Plaintiff as an accounting consultant for 18 hours each week at $18,700 each year. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 7; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 7; Pl. Ex. 19.) According to Defendants, De Castro was told to sign the petition documents and did so after Plaintiff and Weinrib forwarded the documents to her. (Defs. 56.1 ¶ 6.) Defendants claim Best Care “signed documents calling Plaintiff an ‘accounting consultant’ for immigration purposes at Plaintiffs request.” (Defs. 56.1 ¶ 7.) In April 2001, Legacy INS approved Plaintiffs petition for an H-1B visa for the period of April 26, 2001 to March 15, 2004. (PL 56.1 ¶ 8; Def. 56.1 ¶ 8; Pl. Ex. 22.) According to Plaintiff, after the H-1B visa approval, “De Castro and Jordan required Plaintiff to perform, not only accounting-related responsibilities, but mostly other office-related operational responsibilities in connection with Best Care’s staffing business.” (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 9.) Defendants, “[k]nowing that Plaintiff would become unlawfully present in the United States if they withdrew the H1B petition,” took advantage of their sponsorship of her “by paying her less than what they promised the U.S. Department of Labor and Legacy INS, and made her perform office functions not related to her [accounting [consultant position.” (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 10.) Plaintiff felt that if she did not operate “the way [Defendants] want[ed her] to function, they [would] withdraw [her] sponsorship,” and she would lose her status and be deported. (Pl. Dep. 66:3-6; 71:12-16.) Plaintiff was initially paid $8 per hour and required to work 40 hours each week. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 10.) She was not happy with her initial wages, but accepted the position with Best Care because they offered to sponsor her to obtain her H-1B visa. (Pl. Mem. 3; Pl. Dep. 44:24-45:18.) Plaintiff did not initially object to her rate of pay, but after the H-1B visa was approved, she objected to both De Castro and Jordan. (Pl. Dep. 45:19-46:21.) In addition to objecting to her inadequate pay, Plaintiff also objected to her supplemental office duties. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 11.) De Castro and Jordan responded by offering to sponsor Plaintiff for her green card, and told her that she would receive the wage set forth in her immigration documents as soon as she received her green card. (Pl. Mem. 3; Pl. 56.1 ¶ 12; Pl. Decl. ¶ 14.) De Castro and Jordan “told her that if she did not like the work-pay arrangement, they could simply discontinue or withdraw their H1B sponsorship.” (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 12.) Fearing the withdrawal by Defendants of the nonimmigrant visa petition, Plaintiff “felt compelled to agree to Defendants’ proposals, and continued to work for them at a much lesser compensation rate than required by law.” (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 13.) According to Defendants, Plaintiff was hired to perform secretarial related tasks, which she performed throughout her employment, for a standard 40-hour workweek. (Defs. 56.1 ¶¶ 4, 9, 10.) At Plaintiffs request, they signed immigration documents referring to her as an “accounting consultant” for immigration purposes. (Defs. 56.1 ¶ 7.) In addition, Plaintiff “insisted” that they not pay her the wage set forth in the immigration documents. (Defs. 56.1 ¶ 11.) Moreover, Defendants never threatened to discontinue Plaintiffs immigration sponsorship. (Defs. 56.1 ¶¶ 11-12, 69.) “No one from Best Care Agency, Inc. had ever threatened to call the authorities on Plaintiff, and it was Plaintiff, herself, who wanted to say that she was being [paid] the proffered wage when she clearly never expected to be.” (Defs. 56.1 ¶ 13.) In then-signed declarations, De Castro and Jordan stated that they “never threatened to stop Best Care’s petition on behalf of Plaintiff if she did not continue to work at her current salary” and “[t]here was no scheme to have Plaintiff continue working for Best Care at a lower salary [than] what she believed she was entitled to.” (De Castrro Decl. ¶ 19; Jordan Decl. ¶ 21.) In March 2004, De Castro signed the necessary documents prepared by Weinrib on Plaintiffs behalf to obtain an extension of the 11-1B visa. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 15; Defs. 56.1¶ 15.) The documents were submitted to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”), and the 11-1B visa was extended for the period of April 2004 to March 15, 2007. (Pl. 56.1 ¶¶ 14-15, 17; Defs. 56.1 ¶¶ 14-15, 17.) Plaintiff claims that by signing these documents, Best Care, through De Castro, “certified to the USCIS that it was extending Plaintiffs nonimmigrant working status as it needed her services as an [a]ccounting [c]onsultant,” and proposed to pay Plaintiff a salary of $400 for a 20-hour workweek, or $20 for each hour worked. (PL 56.1 ¶ 16.) Defendants assert that Best Care “continued to allow Plaintiff to indicate that she was an [accounting [consultant, and was being paid accordingly, at Plaintiffs own request.” (Defs. 56.1 ¶ 16.) De Castro admitted that she signed Plaintiffs immigration documents under penalty of perjury that the information was true and correct, and that the immigration documents listed higher rates of pay than Plaintiffs actual rates of pay and stated that Plaintiff was offered the position of “accounting consultant.” (De Castro Dep. 145:10-154:23.) De Castro claims that Plaintiff specifically told her that the hourly wage listed on the visa application “was merely a number to put on the form and that she did not expect this amount to be paid to her.” (De Castro Deck ¶ 13.) “Best Care continued the sponsorship at Plaintiffs request because they felt bad for Plaintiff and her current immigration situation.” (De Castro Deck ¶ 14.) On February 27, 2007, De Castro signed the necessary immigration documents to request a second extension of Plaintiffs H-1B visa, indicating that Best Care was paying Plaintiff the standard wage for an accounting consultant. (PI. 56.1 ¶ 25; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 25.) In April 2007, USCIS approved the extension of Plaintiffs H-1B visa for the period of March 2007 to April 25, 2008. (Ph 56 ¶26; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 26.) c. Plaintiffs Green Card Application Process On August 22, 2001, Defendants submitted an application to the Labor Department for an alien employment certification on behalf of Plaintiff. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 14; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 14.) This was the first step in Plaintiffs green card application process. (PI. 56.1 ¶ 14.) Plaintiff continued working for Best Care under her H-1B visa, which was valid until March 2004, and subsequently extended for the period of April 2004 to March 15, 2007, and then for one additional year from March 2007 to April 25, 2008. (Pl. 56.1 ¶¶ 14-17, 26; Defs. 56.1 ¶ ¶ 14-17, 26; PI. Ex. 22.) In June 2006, the Labor Department required Best Care to confirm whether it was still interested in processing Plaintiffs alien employment certification. (PI. 56.1 ¶ 18; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 18.) According to Plaintiff, during that same month, De Castro and Jordan discussed with Plaintiff possibly withdrawing her alien certification application, as well as their sponsorships of her H-1B visa, if they did not “receive Plaintiffs assurance that she would continue working for them until two years after she receives her green card approval.” (PI. 56.1 ¶ 19.) During this discussion, Plaintiff inquired of De Castro and Jordan whether Best Care had the financial capability to pay her the wage represented in her immigration documents until the approval of her green card application, and “reminded them that they were not paying her the prevailing wage pursuant to the attestations and promises they submitted to the Labor Department and to Legacy INS [and/or] USCIS.” (PI. 56.1 ¶20.) Jordan assured Plaintiff that they were financially capable of sponsoring her. She told Plaintiff “our company earned around one million last year. And we have been earning more than a million for several years now. Of course, Best Care has the financial capability to sponsor your green card application.” (PI. 56.1 ¶ 21.) Plaintiff claims that De Castro told her: There is no reason for you to worry. We have sponsored you for your [H-1B] status, and we will extend your status again next year. You will eventually be paid the offered wage when you get your green card approved. And that will definitely happen because we have the financial capability to pay your wages. We just want you to assure us that you would continue working for us for two more years after you get your green card approved. Otherwise, if you cannot assure us, we will just withdraw your green card application. And perhaps even your [H-1B] status. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 22.) Plaintiff asserts that as a result of these representations, among others, she “was forced by the circumstances to assure De Castro and Jordan that she would work for them until two years after she receives her green card approval.” (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 23.) De Castro then notified the Labor Department that Best Care was interested in continuing the alien certification application on Plaintiffs behalf. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 24.) According to Defendants, neither De Castro nor Jordan ever threatened to withdraw Plaintiffs application unless she promised to remain working at Best Care for two years after receiving her green card. (Defs. 56.1 ¶ 19.) Nor did they ever tell Plaintiff she would be paid the wage represented in the immigration documents upon receipt of her green card. (Defs. 56.1 ¶ 23.) De Castro and Jordan believed Best Care had the financial capacity to sponsor Plaintiff and did notify the Labor Department that they would continue to sponsor Plaintiff. (Defs. 56.1 ¶¶ 23-24; Pl. Ex. 24.) On July 19, 2007, the Labor Department approved Best Care’s alien employment certification on behalf of Plaintiff for the position of accounting consultant at $29.26 per hour. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 27; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 27; Pl. Ex. 23.) In August 2007, De Castro advised Plaintiff that her alien employment certification was approved and that the next step in the green card process was to file an immigrant work petition with USCIS. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 28; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 28.) Plaintiff claims that at this meeting, she complained about her salary and told Defendants that she needed to be paid at least the prevailing wage rate in accordance with the information in her immigration documents. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 29; Pl. Dep. 90:14-16; Aguirre Decl. ¶ 31.) Plaintiff suggested to De Castro and Jordan that she was contemplating seeking other employers who would be willing to sponsor her for further extensions of her H-1B visa, and who would likely pay her the prevailing wage. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 30; Pl. Decl. ¶ 32.) According to Plaintiff, De Castro told her that even if she could find another employer to sponsor her to further extend her H-1B visa, any application would be denied, as Plaintiff had already been on H-1B status for more than six years. (Pl. 56.1¶ 30; Aguirre Decl. ¶ 33.) Plaintiff asserts that De Castro and Jordan knew that if she was to leave their employment, she would lose her H-1B visa and have to leave the United States or risk staying illegally. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 32; Aguirre Decl. ¶ 34.) De Castro and Jordan told her she would be paid the wage offered in her immigration documents once she received her green card, and that she would certainly get her green card application approved as Best Care had the financial capacity to .pay the wage set forth in her immigration documents. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 33; Aguirre Decl. ¶ 35.) Plaintiff claims that, relying on these representations and fearing deportation, she notified Weinrib to proceed in preparing the immigrant work petition and “acquiesced begrudgingly to receive actual wages that were far below the prevailing wage rates for her offered position.” (Pl. 56.1 ¶¶ 34-35; see also Pl. Decl. ¶ 36-37.) According to De Castro and Jordan, they never threatened to stop processing Plaintiffs green card petition. (Defs. 56.1 ¶ 19.) Best Care, “[bjeing somewhat ignorant to the process, ... believed that it had the financial capability to sponsor Plaintiff after she requested that they do so.” (De Castro Decl. ¶¶ 19, 21; Jordan Decl. ¶¶ 21, 23.) “Best Care agreed to assist Plaintiff in her visa process to the best of their ability” and assisted her “out of kindness and sincerity in an effort for Plaintiff to obtain permanent lawful status in the United States.” (De Castro Decl. ¶20; Jordan Decl. ¶ 22.) Defendants insist that Plaintiff accepted the secretarial position at Best Care for the purposes of gaining immigration benefits and that Plaintiff was the one to suggest that Defendants submit immigration documents that stated she was earning a different wage than she was. (Defs. 56.1 ¶ 35.) On August 15, 2007, Defendants submitted the immigrant work petition on Plaintiffs behalf to USCIS. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 36; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 36.) Plaintiff then filed her application for adjustment of status to permanent residence with USCIS. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 37; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 37.) On or about February 25, 2009, USCIS requested additional information from Best Care regarding its ability to pay Plaintiff the wage represented in the immigration 'documents. (Pl. 56.1¶ 38; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 38.) Defendants submitted several financial documents to USCIS, including Defendant Best Care’s federal tax returns and corporate bank statements. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 39; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 39.) On April 14, 2009, USCIS denied Plaintiffs immigrant work petition. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 40; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 40.) USCIS determined that Best Care did not have the financial capacity to pay the wage represented in the immigration and labor documents. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 40; Defs. 56.1 1140; see also Pl. Ex. 27.) USCIS noted that Best Care incurred net losses of $155,306 in 2006 and $527 in 2007. , (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 41; see also Pl. Ex. 27.) After USCIS' denied Plaintiffs immigrant work petition, De Castro and Jordan notified Weinrib that they were not appealing the decision. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 42; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 42.) Weinrib sent a draft letter to be signed by Best Care’s accountant about the financial ability of Best Care. (Defs. 56.1 ¶ 42; Defs. Ex. 9.) Best Care and its accountant determined that the draft letter contained misinformation regarding Best Care’s finances, and Best Care’s.accountant declined to sign the draft letter. (Defs. 56.1 ¶ 42.) Best Care decided it could no longer assist Plaintiff in pursuing her green card. (Id.) Weinrib asked Defendants to reconsider, but Defendants chose not to appeal the USCIS decision. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 43). Defendants claim “they did not want to submit factual misstatements about Best Care’s financial ability to the U.S. government.” (Defs. 56.1 ¶ 43.) d. The Denial of Plaintiffs Adjustment of Status Application and DHS’s Actions As a result of the denial of her immigrant work petition, Plaintiffs adjustment of status application was denied. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 44; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 44; Pl. Ex. 29.) On or about July 6, 2009, following the denial of her adjustment of status application, Plaintiff left her employment at Best Care. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 45; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 45.) DHS thereafter served Plaintiff with a Notice to Appear in Immigration Court, effectively commencing removal proceedings against Plaintiff. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 46; Defs. 56.1 1146.) According to Plaintiff, during the entire time that she worked for Defendants, she was forced to work for them and to receive compensation that was significantly less than the prevailing wage rates. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 47.) Plaintiff claims that, to her detriment, De Castro and Jordan concealed material facts regarding the true financial health of Best Care. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 48.) Even though she was Defendants’ accounting consultant, she never got to see Best Care’s true financial health, as she was not privy to Best Care’s bank records and did not participate in the preparation of its budget, financial statements or income tax returns. (Id.) Plaintiff was tasked with preparing certain billing invoices and maintaining the employees’ time sheets and schedules, but Defendants used an external accountant/auditor to take care of their financial statements and income tax documents. (Id.) Plaintiff argues that Defendants’ concealment of Best Care’s financial health prevented Plaintiff from discovering that Best Care had been operating at net losses for years 2003, 2006 and 2007, and did not have sufficient net income to cover Plaintiffs wage for years 2002, 2004 and 2005, as they promised to do in the immigration documents. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 49.) This misrepresentation caused Plaintiff to believe that Best Care had the financial capability to sponsor her as an immigrant worker through the immigration process, and in reliance on this misrepresentation, she continued to work for Best Care at less than the prevailing wage rate for her position. (Pl. 56.1 ¶¶ 49-50.) Had she known about the misrepresentations and omissions, she never would have allowed Best Care to sponsor her and would have ceased working for them. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 51.) According to Defendants, Plaintiff was never forced to work for Best Care, but did so in order to further her own desire to become a legal resident. (Defs. 56.1 ¶ 47.) De Castro and Jordan never concealed material facts as to Best Care’s financial ability to sponsor Plaintiff, but were simply unaware that their financials would pose a problem for Plaintiffs application. (Defs. 56.1 ¶ 48.) They did not know what income was required in order to sponsor Plaintiff to obtain her green card. (Defs. 56.1 ¶¶ 52-57.) Plaintiff was hired to perform secretarial work at Best Care. (Id.) She was never hired to be an accounting consultant because Best Care employed an accountant to handle its financial matters. (Id.) Plaintiff knew she would be working as, and receiving the salary of, a secretary, while stating on her immigration documents that she was working as, and receiving the salary of, an accounting consultant. (Defs. 56.1 ¶¶ 49-51.) Plaintiff continued to work for Best Care because she wanted Best Care to sponsor her to obtain her green card. (Defs. 56.1 ¶¶ 49-50.) e. Plaintiffs Interview by the Filipino Reporter In September 2009, after Plaintiff left Best Care and received the Notice to Appear from DHS, Plaintiff approached the Filipino Reporter, a newspaper in Manhattan, and informed them of her immigration situation. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 59; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 59.) After contacting De Castro for a response, the Filipino Reporter published an article about Plaintiffs immigration situation (“September 2009 Filipino Reporter Article”). (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 60; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 60; Pl. Ex. 5.) In the article, Plaintiff blamed Best Care for her predicament, and stated that De Castro told her that “they did not comply with the USCIS request for fear that the Internal Revenue Service would go after them.” (Pl. Ex. 5.) Plaintiff also alleged that, under a labor condition agreement signed by De Castro, she was to be paid the prevailing wage but was not. (Id.) f. Subsequent Media Reports In November 2009, the Filipino Reporter published a second article about Plaintiffs upcoming December 2009 removal hearing before the Immigration Judge (“November 2009 Filipino Reporter Article”). (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 61; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 61.) On December 20, 2010, Plaintiff commenced this action against Defendants. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 62; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 62.) On December 22, 2010, a news article about Plaintiffs Complaint against Defendants alleging human trafficking was published in the Courthouse News Service. (“December 22, 2010 Courthouse News Article”). (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 63; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 63; Pl. Ex. 6.) The article contains many quotes from the Complaint. (Pl. Ex. 6.) According to Plaintiff, she did not give any interviews or statements to either the Courthouse News Service or to the Filipino Reporter about the filing of the Complaint, and she was never interviewed by the Filipino Reporter after the September 2009 interview. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 65.) Defendants claim that the story Plaintiff told in her September 2009 interview was re-published in these subsequent articles and Plaintiff is responsible for these republications. (Def. Mem. 11-13; see Am. Answer with Am. Counterclaim ¶ 9-19.) g. Press Conference Attended by Plaintiff In January 2011, Plaintiff appeared at a press conference held by a Filipino-American migrants’ support group where she spoke about the allegations in her Complaint. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 66; Defs. 56.1 ¶ 66.) According to Plaintiff, she spoke “fairly and truthfully” about the allegations in her Complaint and the only media person who covered the press conference and asked questions was Don Tagala of ABS-CBN, the Filipino Channel, and Balitang America. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 66; see also Pl. Dep. 133:17-134:7.) Defendants claim that Plaintiff spoke “inaccurately and maliciously as against defendants and the allegations in her Complaint.” (Defs. 56.1 ¶ 66.) h. Published Articles About the Lawsuit In January 2011, several news sources published articles about Plaintiffs lawsuit. On January 5, 2011, an article was published by Don Tagala in Balitang America, discussing two human trafficking lawsuits filed by Filipino women, one by Plaintiff and the other by Leticia Moratal (“January 5, 2011 Balitang America Article”). (Pl. Ex. 7.) The article states that Plaintiff “filed a lawsuit ... against Best Care Agency and its owners Dorothy de Castro and Perlita Jordan for subjecting her to human trafficking.” (Id.) The article notes that Plaintiff “claims they made a false promise of sponsoring her [to obtain a] green card and making her work more hours with less pay,” and that “they intimidated her with threats of deportation to keep her silent about the abuses.” (Id.) On January 6, 2011, this article was republished in the Global Filipino News portion of the ABS-CBN News website under a different title (“January 6, 2011 Global Filipino Article”). (Pl. Ex. 8.) It was also republished on January 7, 2011 on the “No to Trafficking” website under the same title as the January 6, 2011 Global Filipino Article (“January 7, 2011 No to Trafficking Article”). (Pl. Ex. 10.) On January 7, 2011, Joseph Lariosa published an article on the Mabuhay Radio website about the lawsuits filed by Plaintiff and Moratal (“January 7, 2011 Mabuhay Radio Article”). (Pl. Ex. 9.) The article largely reproduces a news release posted on the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (“NAFCON”) website on January 6, 2011, and included quotes from Lorena Sanchez of the KABALIKAT Domestic Workers’ Support Network, a member organization of NAFCON based in New York and from Plaintiffs attorney (“January 6, 2011 NAFCON News Release”). News Release, Filr-Am Alliance Demands Justice for Moratal and Aguirre, Filipina Victims of Labor Trafficking in New York, NAFCON (Jan. 6, 2011), http://nafconusa. org/2011/01/. On January 11, 2011, the January 6, 2011 NAFCON News Release was published on the Filipino Express website (“January 11, 2011 Filipino Express Article”). (Pl. Ex. 11.) The January 7, 2011 Mabuhay Radio article was republished on the Philippines Today website on January 14, 2011 (“January 14 Philippines Today Article”). (Pl. Ex. 12.) On January 15, 2011, a third article was published in the online edition of the Filipino Reporter about Plaintiffs lawsuit (“January 15, 2011 Filipino Reporter Article”). (Pl. Ex. 13.) The article clearly indicates that it is based on Plaintiffs lawsuit. (Id. (stating “[i]n her lawsuit” and “the suit says”).) The article directly quotes from the Complaint, stating that Plaintiff claimed that Best Care “promised but failed to sponsor her green card application, effectively enslaving her, paying her far less than promised for long hours of work, and keeping her in ‘silence, fear and obedience through the defendants’ constant veiled threats and intimidat[ion] that she might be deported.’ ” (Id.; see also Compl. ¶ 69.) The article also states that the author attempted to contact De Castro and Jordan, but that Jordan declined to comment and De Castro was unavailable. (Pl. Ex. 13.) The article refers to a previous article about the Moratal lawsuit and notes that Plaintiff is represented by the same lawyer as Moratal. (Id.) On January 21, 2011, Don Tagala published another article in Balitang America (“January 21 Balitang America Article”). (Pl. Ex. 14.) The article states that the Filipino-Ameriean Foundation for Immigration and Employment Advocacy is assisting Plaintiff with her lawsuit and describes her allegations. (Id.) It quotes Plaintiffs counsel as stating that De Castro and Jordan knew they did not have the financial capacity to sponsor Plaintiff but misrepresented their financial capacity to Plaintiff, who became a “one woman office staffing agency for them.” (Id.) It also states that Balitang America repeatedly called Best Care to obtain its response to Plaintiffs allegations, but that De Castro and Jordan had not yet responded. (Id.) This article was republished on PinoyOFW.com the next day (“January 22, 2011 Pinoy-OFW.com Article”). (Pl. Ex. 15.) On January 22, 2011, Jerrie Abella published an article on the GMA News website about the Aguirre and Moratal lawsuits (“January 22, 2011 GMA News Article”). (Pl. Ex. 16.) The article states that Plaintiff and Moratal sought the help of a Filipino migrants’ organization in New York in order to sue their former employers, whom they accused of human trafficking. (Id.) It further states that Plaintiff and Moratal “recounted their ordeal” at a press conference in which NAFCON “vowed to assist [them] in their legal battle.” (Id.) The article describes the allegations in the two lawsuits and NAFCON’s anti-trafficking campaign. (Id.) Defendants claim that “the words so spoken by Plaintiff were and still are false and defamatory, were and still are known by Plaintiff to be false and defamatory, and were and still are spoken willfully and maliciously with the intent to damage the Defendants’ good name, reputation, and credit as a health care staffing agency.” (Am. Answer with Am. Counterclaim ¶ 20.) Defendants maintain that Plaintiff “knew and still knows that the statements she gave and continues to give, alleging that Defendants are engaged in the business of ‘human trafficking’ are false.” (Am. Answer with Am. Counterclaim ¶ 25.) II. Discussion a. Standard of Review i. Summary Judgment Summary judgment is proper only when, construing the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-movant, “there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a); see also Kwong v. Bloomberg, 728 F.3d 160, 164-65 (2d Cir.2013); Redd v. N.Y. Div. of Parole, 678 F.3d 166, 174 (2d Cir.2012). The role of the court is not “to weigh the evidence and determine the truth of the matter but to determine whether there is a genuine issue for trial.” Cioffi v. Averill Park Cent. Sell. Disk Bd. of Educ., 444 F.3d 158, 162 (2d Cir.2006) (quoting Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 249, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986)). A genuine issue of fact exists when there is sufficient “evidence on which the jury could reasonably find for the [non-moving party].” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252, 106 S.Ct. 2505. The “mere existence of a scintilla of evidence” is not sufficient to defeat summary judgment; “there must be evidence on which the jury could reasonably find for the [non-moving party].” Id. The court’s function is to decide “whether, after resolving all ambiguities and drawing all inferences in favor of the non-moving party, a rational juror could find in favor of that party.” Pinto v. Allstate Ins. Co., 221 F.3d 394, 398 (2d Cir.2000). ii. Judgment on the Pleadings Under Rule 12(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a party may move for judgment on the pleadings “[a]fter the pleadings are closed” but “early enough not to delay trial.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(c); Wright v. Monroe Cmty. Hosp., 493 Fed.Appx. 233, 234 (2d Cir.2012); In re Bakery & Confectionery Union & Indus. Int’l Pension Fund Pension Plan, 865 F.Supp.2d 469, 471 (S.D.N.Y.2012). “The standard for addressing a Rule 12(c) motion for judgment on the pleadings is the same as that for a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim.” Cleveland v. Caplaw Enters., 448 F.3d 518, 520 (2d Cir.2006); see also Hayden v. Paterson, 594 F.3d 150, 160 (2d Cir.2010). “In a challenge under Rule 12(c), the Court must accept as true the non-movant’s allegations and draw all reasonable inferences in the nonmovant’s favor.” In re Bakery & Confectionery Union & Indus. Int’l Pension Fund Pension Plan, 865 F.Supp.2d at 471 (citing Cleveland, 448 F.3d at 521; Sheppard v. Beerman, 18 F.3d 147, 150 (2d Cir.1994)). However, the court need not accord “a legal conclusion couched as a factual allegation” the same presumption of truthfulness. N.J. Carpenters Health Fund v. Royal Bank of Scotland Grp., PLC, 709 F.3d 109, 120 (2d Cir.2013); see also Goodman v. Merrill Lynch & Co., 716 F.Supp.2d 253, 258-59 (S.D.N.Y.2010) (holding that, in assessing a motion for judgment on the pleadings, “a court need not accord ‘[l]egal conclusions, deductions or opinions couched as factual allegations ... a presumption of truthfulness.’” (quoting In re NYSE Specialists Sec. Litig., 503 F.3d 89, 95 (2d Cir.2007))). b. Plaintiffs Motion for Summary Judgment i. TVPRA Forced Labor “The Trafficking Victims Protection Act was enacted in 2000, and the amendment creating its civil cause of action (part of the TVPRA), codified at 18 U.S.C. § 1595, was enacted only in December of 2003 and amended in December of 2008.” Velez v. Sanchez, 693 F.3d 308, 324 (2d Cir.2012) (citing Pub.L. No. 108-193, § 4(a)(4), 117 Stat. at 2877; Pub.L. No. 110-457, § 221, 122 Stat. 5044, 5067 (2008)). Civil liability for forced labor under 18 U.S.C. § 1589 requires a finding by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant “knowingly provide[d] or obtained] the labor or service of a person” through one of the following prohibited means: (1) by means of force, threats of force, physical restraint, or threats of physical restraint to that person or another person; (2) by means of serious harm or threats of serious harm to that person or another person; (3) by means of the abuse or threatened abuse of law or legal process; or (4) by means of any scheme, plan, or pattern intended to cause the person to believe that, if that person did not perform such labor or services, that person or another person would suffer serious harm or physical restraint. 18 U.S.C. § 1589(a); see also United States v. Sabhnani, 599 F.3d 215, 241-44 (2nd Cir.2010); Shukla v. Sharma, No. 07-CV-2972, 2012 WL 481796, at *2 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 14, 2012), appeal dismissed (2d Cir. June 1, 2012). “Serious harm” includes “threats of any consequences, whether physical or non-physical, that are sufficient under all of the surrounding circumstances to compel or coerce a reasonable person in the same situation to provide or to continue providing labor or services.” Shukla, 2012 WL 481796, at *2 (quoting United States v. Bradley, 390 F.3d 145, 151 (1st Cir.2004), vacated on sentencing grounds, 545 U.S. 1101, 125 S.Ct. 2543, 162 L.Ed.2d 271 (2005)); see also 18 U.S.C. § 1589, as amended by Pub.L. 110-457, Title II, § 222(b)(3), Dec. 23, 2008, 122 Stat. 5068 (codifying existing case law). “Abuse of the law or legal process” is the “use of threats of legal action, whether administrative, civil, or criminal, in any manner or for any purpose for which the law was not designed in order to coerce someone into working against that person’s will.” Shukla, 2012 WL 481796, at *2 (citing United States v. Garcia, No. 02-CR-110S-01, 2003 WL 22956917, at *4-5 (W.D.N.Y. Dec. 2, 2003)); see also 18 U.S.C. § 1589, as amended by Pub.L. 110-457, Title II, § 222(b)(3), Dec. 23, 2008, 122 Stat. 5068 (codifying existing case law). A scheme, plan or pattern violates § 1589 where it is intended to cause a person to believe that, if she did not perform such labor or services, she or another individual would suffer serious harm. See United States v. Calimlim, 538 F.3d 706, 713 (7th Cir.2008) (“The evidence showed that [the defendants] intentionally manipulated the situation so that [the individual] would feel compelled to remain.... Their vague warnings that someone might report [her] and their false statements that they were the only ones who lawfully could employ her could reasonably be viewed as a scheme to make her believe that she or her family would be harmed if she tried to leave.”); Nunag-Tanedo v. E. Baton Rouge Parish Sch. Bd., 790 F.Supp.2d 1134, 1144-46 (C.D.Cal.2011) (holding that the plaintiffs sufficiently alleged a § 1589 claim where plaintiffs alleged that defendants “intentionally manipulated the situation so that [p]laintiffs would feel compelled to remain and would obey all of [defendants’ demands”). Plaintiff alleges that Defendants subjected her to forced labor in violation of § 1589 by “knowingly obtaining] her services by means of the abuse of immigration law or abuse of the immigration sponsorship process, or by means of a scheme intended to cause her to believe that, if she did not perform or continue to performing her services,” she would lose their sponsorship and risk deportation. (PI. Mem. 6.) Plaintiff claims that “Defendants utilized both the H-1B sponsorship process and the green card sponsorship process” to force her to remain working for them, for less than the prevailing wage rates, by threatening to discontinue their sponsorship, which would have subjected her to deportation. (Id.) Plaintiff also claims that Defendants misused the green card sponsorship process by misrepresenting Best Care’s financial capacity to sponsor her. (Id. at 7-8.) The threat of deportation alone may support a claim for forced labor. Calimlim, 538 F.3d at 713; see also United States v. Kozminski, 487 U.S. 931, 948, 108 S.Ct. 2751, 101 L.Ed.2d 788 (1988) (“[Threatening ... an immigrant with deportation could constitute the threat of legal coercion that induces involuntary servitude, even though such threat made to an adult citizen of normal intelligence would be too implausible to produce involuntary servitude.”); Nunag-Tanedo, 790 F.Supp.2d at 1146 (finding that threats to, among other things, fire plaintiffs, sue them, allow their visas to expire, or deport them sufficiently stated a claim for forced labor); Garcia, 2003 WL 22956917, at *4 (holding that threatening deportation “clearly fall[s] within the concept and definition of ‘abuse of legal process’ since the alleged objective for [such conduct] was to intimidate and coerce [the plaintiffs] into ‘forced labor’ ” (citations omitted)). Drawing all inferences in favor of Defendants, the Court finds that there are disputed material issues of fact as to whether Defendants abused the law or legal process or engaged in a scheme to mislead Plaintiff. Plaintiff argues that Defendants’ actions evidence a violation of the law, however, a jury could reasonably conclude, based on the evidence, that Defendants did not abuse the immigration laws ■ or the green card process, but rather, that Defendants attempted to assist Plaintiff in obtaining a green card by falsely claiming that she was employed as their accounting consultant when in fact she was employed as a secretary. Best Care has presented the sworn declarations of both DeCastro and Jordon that Best Care hired Plaintiff for a position “mainly secretarial in nature,” and never agreed to hire Plaintiff to perform any accounting duties, as Best Care already employed a certified accountant. (De Castro Decl. ¶¶ 6, 9; Jordan Decl. ¶¶ 5, 7, 8.) Plaintiff admitted that De Castro told her in their initial meeting that she needed a secretary, (PI. Dep. 31:8-15), and Plaintiff admitted that she was not familiar with the financials of Best Care because she did not have access to Best Care’s bank records, did not participate in the preparation of its budgets, financial statements or income tax returns, all evidence from which a jury could reasonably conclude that Plaintiff was never hired to work as an accountant consultant and never worked as such, but instead was hired to work as a secretary, (PI. 56.1 ¶ 48). In addition, Plaintiff admits that no one forced her to'accept a position with Best Care and that she did so because they offered to sponsor her to obtain an H-1B visa. (PI. Dep. 41:24^12:7, 45:5-18.) There is evidence from which a jury could find, as Defendants argue, that it was Plaintiff and her attorney who drafted and filed the immigration documents claiming Plaintiff was an “[ajccountant [cjonsultant” and that Plaintiffs immigration documents did not reflect the actual wage she was paid or expected to be paid, but merely reflected an amount necessary for Plaintiff to obtain immigration approval, and Defendants signed the documents only because they wanted to help Plaintiff, even though they contained false information. (De Castro Decl. ¶¶ 11-14.) A jury could accept the assertions of De Castro and Jordan that they agreed to help Plaintiff “out of kindness,” in an effort to assist Plaintiff to obtain permanent lawful status in the United States. (De Castro Decl. ¶¶ 20-21; Jordan Decl. ¶¶ 22-23.) Plaintiffs email to Defendants, following the denial of her immigrant work petition, in which Plaintiff stated that she did not intend to actually accept the wage proposed in her immigration documents but needed that wage to be reflected in her papers, supports Defendants’ argument. (Defs. Ex. 1.) Plaintiffs disagreement over the meaning of this email is only an additional unresolved factual issue that must be decided by a jury. (PI. Reply 17-18) A jury could reasonably conclude that rather than support Plaintiffs claim that she was forced to work for Defendants and paid a wage below what they agreed to pay her, the email supports Defendants’ argument that Plaintiff agreed to work as a secretary for the wage she was paid, and Defendants agreed to sign her immigration documents falsely representing that she was employed as an accounting consultant at a different wage simply to assist Plaintiff obtain an H-1B visa, extensions of that visa and a green card. A jury could also find based on the testimony of DeCastro and Jordan that De Castro and Jordan never threatened to withdraw their sponsorship of Plaintiff and DeCastro and Jordan believed Best Care had the financial ability to sponsor Plaintiff for an H-1B visa and a green card because they were unaware of USCIS’s financial requirements necessary to sponsor Plaintiff and believed that having earned $1 million each year, they were financially capable of sponsoring Plaintiff. Defendants have presented sufficient evidence to raise a genuine issue of material fact as to whether Defendants knowingly obtained Plaintiffs services through the abuse of immigration laws, abuse of process or by means of a scheme. Plaintiffs motion for summary judgment as to this claim is denied. ii. TVRPA Trafficking with Respect to Involuntary Servitude and Forced Labor In her second cause of action, Plaintiff seeks damages pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1595 for Defendants’ alleged violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1590, trafficking with respect to peonage, slavery, involuntary servitude or forced labor. Section 1590 provides that anyone who “knowingly recruits, harbors, transports, provides, or obtains by any means, any person for labor or services in violation of’ the statutes prohibiting slavery, forced labor or involuntary servitude, is guilty of trafficking. 18 U.S.C. § 1590(a); see also Shukla, 2012 WL 481796, at *5. Plaintiff claims that “Defendants knowingly obtained Plaintiffs services as an Accounting Consultant for almost nine years under circumstances that clearly fall under involuntary servitude or forced labor,” because Plaintiff “felt compelled and had to work for Defendants so that she would not become unlawfully present and be subjected to deportation proceedings.” (PI. Mem. at 11.) As an initial matter, Plaintiff cannot maintain a § 1590 claim based on her initial recruitment, as she was hired prior to December 19, 2003. In addition, as discussed above, Defendants have presented sufficient evidence to raise a genuine issue of material fact as to whether or not Defendants knowingly subjected Plaintiff to forced labor. See supra Part Il.b.l. Moreover, Plaintiff has not articulated how or why her circumstances satisfy the definition of involuntary servitude. See Kozminski, 487 U.S. at 952, 108 S.Ct. 2751 (narrowly interpreting “involuntary servitude” under 18 U.S.C. § 1584 as “a condition of servitude in which the victim is forced to work for the defendant by the use or threat of physical restraint or physical injury, or by the use or threat of coercion through law or the legal process”); McGarry v. Pollito, 687 F.3d 505, 511 (2d Cir.2012) (discussing Kozminski). More importantly, however, Plaintiff has failed to demonstrate or explain how Defendants recruited, harbored, provided or obtained her services, a necessary element to prove trafficking under this statute. See Samirah v. Sabhnani, 772 F.Supp.2d 437, 447 (E.D.N.Y.2011). Without this element, Plaintiffs trafficking claim under this statute is nothing more than her forced labor claim restated. See Shuvalova v. Cunningham, No. 10-CV-02159, 2010 WL 5387770, at *4 (N.D.Cal. Dec. 22, 2010) (holding that plaintiffs failed to state a distinct claim for trafficking, as opposed to forced labor, where the only allegations regarding defendants’ conduct prior to plaintiffs’ arrival at the property were that one defendant “promised to take care of [plaintiffs] in a loving home” (internal quotation marks omitted)). Plaintiffs motion for summary judgment as to this claim is denied. iii. Fraudulent Inducement “Under New York law, for a plaintiff to prevail on a claim of fraud, [a plaintiff] must prove five elements by clear and convincing evidence: (1) a material misrepresentation or omission of fact, (2) made with knowledge of its falsity, (3) with an intent to defraud, and (4) reasonable reliance on the part of the plaintiff, (5) that causes damage to the plaintiff.” Gladstone Bus. Loan, LLC v. Randa Corp., No. 09-CV-4225, 2009 WL 2524608, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 17, 2009) (quoting Schlaifer Nance & Co. v. Estate of Andy Warhol, 119 F.3d 91, 98 (2d Cir.1997)); see also Merrill Lynch & Co. v. Allegheny Energy, Inc., 500 F.3d 171, 181 (2d Cir.2007) (stating that under New York law, a plaintiff making a fraudulent inducement claim “must show by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant knowingly or recklessly misrepresented a material fact, intending to induce the plaintiffs reliance, and that the plaintiff relied on the misrepresentation and suffered damages as a result”); Wilson v. Thom Energy, LLC, 787 F.Supp.2d 286, 294 (S.D.N.Y.2011) (listing the elements for fraudulent inducement, which “is a particular species of fraud”); Eurycleia Partners, LP v. Seward & Kissel, LLP, 12 N.Y.3d 553, 559, 883 N.Y.S.2d 147, 910 N.E.2d 976 (2009) (“The elements of a cause of action for fraud require a material misrepresentation of a fact, knowledge of its falsity, an intent to induce reliance, justifiable reliance by the plaintiff and damages.”). Plaintiff claims that Defendants fraudulently induced her to continue working for them at wages lower than the prevailing wage rates by misrepresenting that Best Care had the financial ability to sponsor her to obtain a green card. (PI. Mem. 11.) Plaintiff claims that Defendants assured her Best Care was financially capable of sponsoring her, knew that Best Care could not pay her the salary offered in her immigration documents, intended for her to continue working for an inadequate salary, and she relied on these assurances to her detriment. (PL Mem. 11-13.) As discussed below, there are genuine issues of material fact which preclude a finding of fraudulent misrepresentation. 1. Material Misrepresentation “As the New York Court of Appeals has cautioned, ‘[t]he elements of fraud are narrowly defined,’ and ‘[n]ot every misrepresentation or omission rises to the level of fraud.’ ” Herzfeld v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 354 Fed.Appx. 488, 489 (2d Cir.2009) (quoting Gaidon v. Guardian Life Ins. Co. of Am., 94 N.Y.2d 330, 349-50, 704 N.Y.S.2d 177, 725 N.E.2d 598 (1999)); see Gaidon, 94 N.Y.2d at 348, 704 N.Y.S.2d 177, 725 N.E.2d 598 (“A practice may carry the capacity to mislead or deceive a reasonable person but not be fraudulent.”); see also Waldman v. New Chapter, Inc., 714 F.Supp.2d 398, 406 n. 9 (E.D.N.Y.2010) (“New York law recognizes that a statement can be materially misleading without being a material misrepresentation.” (citing Gaidon, 94 N.Y.2d at 344-350, 704 N.Y.S.2d 177, 725 N.E.2d 598)). “A fraud claim must be based on the ‘representation of a material existing fact.’ ” Herzfeld, 354 Fed.Appx. at 489 (quoting N.Y. Univ. v. Continental Ins. Co., 87 N.Y.2d 308, 318, 639 N.Y.S.2d 283, 662 N.E.2d 763 (1995)). Materiality refers to statements that are sufficiently important or relevant to influence the plaintiffs decision. See Mar-Cone Appliance Parts Co. v. Mangan, 879 F.Supp.2d 344, 382 (W.D.N.Y.2012) (“A misrepresentation of fact is material if, in the context of the information known to the recipient, the correctness of the alleged fact would have made a difference to the recipient in deciding upon future action.”); Syncora Guarantee Inc. v. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., 36 Misc.3d 328, 935 N.Y.S.2d 858, 868 (Sup.Ct.2012) (stating that a New York common law claim for fraud requires that a misrepresentation that “induces a party to take action”); see also DNJ Logistic Grp., Inc. v. DHL Exp. (USA), Inc., 727 F.Supp.2d 160, 169 (E.D.N.Y.2010) (finding that a misrepresentation of fact was adequately alleged in support of fraudulent inducement claim as it was a question of fact as to whether the alleged misrepresentations induced the plaintiff to enter the contract); cf. Litwin v. Blackstone Group, L.P., 634 F.3d 706, 716-17 (2d Cir. 2011) (holding, in securities context, that in order to establish a “material misrepresentation,” a plaintiff must offer sufficient evidence of “a statement or omission that a reasonable investor would have considered significant in making investment decisions”); Monter v. Gonzales, 430 F.3d 546, 557 (2d Cir.2005) (defining, in immigration context, a material misrepresentation as one that “was predictably capable of affecting, i.e., had a natural tendency to affect, the official decision” (quoting Kungys v. United States, 485 U.S. 759, 771, 108 S.Ct. 1537, 99 L.Ed.2d 839 (1988))); Gaidon, 94 N.Y.2d at 348, 704 N.Y.S.2d 177, 725 N.E.2d 598 (“To state a claim for fraudulent inducement in an insurance context, plaintiffs must allege a ‘misrepresentation or material omission’ by defendants that induced plaintiffs to purchase the policies, as well as scienter, reliance and injury.”). Misrepresentations that are “so trifling as to be legally inconsequential” are not actionable representations of fact that can support a fraud claim, Gaidon, 94 N.Y.2d at 349-50, 704 N.Y.S.2d 177, 725 N.E.2d 598, nor are statements that are “mere ‘puffery’ or are opinions as to future events,” Fitzgerald v. Chase Home Fin., LLC, No. 10-CV-4148, 2011 WL 9195046, at *5 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 28, 2011) (quoting Cohen v. Koenig, 25 F.3d 1168, 1172 (2d Cir.1994)). According to Plaintiff, Defendants misrepresented their financial ability to sponsor her to obtain her green card. “[Ejvery time [she] inquired if Best Care indeed had [the] financial capability to sponsor her, [Defendants] told her she did not have to worry” as Best Care had the financial capability to sponsor her. (PI. Mem. 12-13.) In June 2006, she asked De Castro and Jordan whether Best Care “had the financial capability to pay her the offered wage until the approval of her green card application,” and Jordan replied, “You know, our company earned around one million last year. And we have been earning more than a million for several years now. Of course, Best Care has the financial capability to sponsor your green card application.” (PI. 56.1 ¶¶ 20, 21.) De Castro also assured Plaintiff that they could financially sponsor her when De Castro stated: There is no reason for you to worry. We have sponsored you for your [H-1B] status, and we will extend your status again next year. You will eventually be paid the offered wage when you get your green card approved. And that will definitely happen because we have the financial capability to pay your wages. (PL 56.1 ¶ 22.) Plaintiff claims that these assurances and others by Defendants which continued “until their immigration petition was denied by the USCIS in April 2009,” (PL Mem. 12), were material misrepresentations that she relied on and which caused her injuries. If Plaintiffs allegations are true, then these statements constitute material misrepresentations of fact. False statements regarding Best Care’s ability to sponsor Plaintiff for her green card are material, as it is not disputed that Best Care’s ability to sponsor Plaintiff was central to her decision to begin working and to continue working for Defendants. However, Defendants dispute Plaintiffs allegation that they made affirmative representations regarding their financial capacity to sponsor her green card application. (Def. 56.1 ¶¶ 33-34.) De Castro testified during her deposition that Best Care’s financial capability to sponsor an immigrant worker was never discussed. (De Castro Dep. 225:11-18.) It is for the jury to decide whether they believe Plaintiffs testimony regarding statements purportedly made by De Castro and Jordan or the testimony of De Castro and Jordan. See Fincher v. Depository Trust & Clearing Corp., 604 F.3d 712, 725 (2d Cir.2010) (“[T]he assessment of a witness’s credibility is a function reserved for the jury.”). There is a genuine issue of'material fact as to whether Defendants made materially false representations to Plaintiff regarding their financial capacity to sponsor her for her green card. 2. Defendants’ Knowledge In order to prevail on a claim for fraudulent inducement, a plaintiff must show that the defendant had knowledge of the falsity of the representation at the time the representation was made. See Petrello v. White, 344 Fed.Appx. 651, 652 (2d Cir.2009) (stating that a fraud in the inducement claim requires that the material misrepresentations be false and known to be false by the defendant); Wilson v. Thom Energy, LEG, 787 F.Supp.2d 286, 294 (S.D.N.Y.2011) (denying plaintiffs summary judgment on their fraudulent inducement claim where a trier of fact could reasonably conclude that defendants did not make the representations with “actual knowledge of their falsity or reckless indifference to the truth”); Neri v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., No. 98-CV-371, 2000 WL 33911224, *9 (N.D.N.Y. Sept. 28, 2000) (explaining that in order to support a fraud claim, the plaintiffs must show that the defendants knew that the alleged misrepresentations “were false at the time they were made”); Centro Empresarial Cempresa S.A. v. Am. Móvil, S.A.B. de C.V., 17 N.Y.3d 269, 276, 929 N.Y.S.2d 3, 952 N.E.2d 995 (2011) (stating that in order to show fraudulent inducement, the plaintiff must establish “knowledge by the party who made the representation that it was false when made”). “[E]rrors or simple oversight on defendant’s part ... do not give rise to an inference of fraudulent intent.” Platinum Partners Value Arbitrage Fund LP v. Kroll Assocs., 102 A.D.3d 483, 957 N.Y.S.2d 336, 337 (2013). Plaintiff relies on Best Care’s tax returns to argue that Defendants knew that they did not have the financial capability to sponsor Plaintiff, but “lied” to Plaintiff in order “to ensure that Plaintiff would agree to continue working for them” at wagers lower than the wages “required” by law. (PI. Mem. 13.) According to the tax returns, Best Care generated approximately $1 million each year in gross receipts but operated at a net loss in 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008, and operated at a net gain of less than $51,000 in 2002, 2004 and 2005. (PL Exs. 27-38; De Castro Dep. 192:24-201:22.) Based on the evidence, assuming that a jury were to find that Defendants made statements to Plaintiff about their financial capacity to sponsor Plaintiff, a jury could find that Defendants believed that Best Care had the financial capacity to sponsor Plaintiff and did not know that they did not have the capacity to do so until they were notified by USCIS. Both De Castro and Jordan maintain that they believed that Best Care had the financial capacity to sponsor Plaintiff for her green card. (De Castro Deel. ¶ 21; Jordan Deck ¶ 23.) Best Care obtained Plaintiffs H-1B visa and two extensions, and complied with the government’s request for more information. (De Castro Deck ¶ 22.) There is also evidence that Best Care had successfully sponsored others in obtaining their green card in the past. (De Castro Dep. 159:12-160:2.) When DeCastro and Jordan allegedly told Plaintiff they were financially capable of sponsoring her, they pointed to their gross yearly income of over $1 million. (See PI. Exs. 27-38.) A jury could reasonably find that because Best Care had successfully sponsored green card holders in the past, successfully obtained an H-1B visa for Plaintiff and two extensions during the course of her employment, and earned a gross yearly income of over $1 million, DeCastro and Jordan believed they could financially sponsor Plaintiff and did not know they needed to have a net gain in their yearly income in order to be able to sponsor Plaintiff until they received the denial letter from USCIS and, therefore, Defendants did not know that they were not financially capable as required by USCIS to sponsor Plaintiff for her green card when they told Plaintiff otherwise. 3. Defendants’ Intent ’ A plaintiff must also establish that defendant made the false material misrepresentation with the intent to deceive. See, e.g., Johnson v. Nextel Commc’ns, Inc., 660 F.8d 131, 143 (2d Cir.2011) (listing “an intent to deceive” as an element of a fraudulent inducement claim); Allianz Risk Transfer v. Paramount Pictures Corp., No. 08-CV-10420, 2010 WL 1253957, at *9 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 31, 2010) (“To state a claim for common law fraud in New York, a plaintiff must show a material representation or omission of fact, made with[, among other things,] scienter or an intent to defraud.... ”); Friedman v. Anderson, 23 A.D.3d 163, 803 N.Y.S.2d 514, 517 (2005) (“A fraud claim is not actionable without evidence that the misrepresentations were made with the intent to deceive.” (citing Handel v. Bruder, 209 A.D.2d 282, 618 N.Y.S.2d 356 (1994))). A plaintiff may establish scienter by either showing that “defendants had both motive and opportunity to commit fraud” or by showing “evidence of conscious misbehavior or recklessness.” Inter-Local Pension Fund GCC/IBT v. Gen. Elec. Co., 445 Fed. Appx. 368, 369 (2d Cir.2011) (discussing scienter in the context of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934); King Cnty., Wash. v. IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG, 916 F.Supp.2d 442, 447 (S.D.N.Y.2013) (“The standard for evaluating whether plaintiffs have presented sufficient evidence of scienter is the same