City of N.Y. v. FedEx Ground Package Sys., Inc. (351 F. Supp. 3d 456, 2018)

United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois 2018-10-05

Commerce and Trade Crimes and Criminal Procedure Judiciary and Judicial Procedure

Citations

Full opinion text

Ramos, D.J.:

Before the Court are cross motions for partial summary judgment. Plaintiffs, the City of New York and the People of the State of New York, move for summary judgment for (1) liability under the Contraband Cigarette Trafficking Act ("CCTA"), 18 U.S.C. § 2341 - 46 ; (2) liability under the 2006 Assurance of Compliance ("AOC") entered into by the State of New York and FedEx Ground; (3) liability for conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO"), 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) ; and (4) a determination of the proper formula for calculating damages under the CCTA in this case. Defendant FedEx Ground ("FedEx") moves for summary judgment against Plaintiffs on (1) its statute of limitations defense against Plaintiffs' CCTA, RICO, and AOC claims; (2) its equitable estoppel defense, as to all claims relating to Shinnecock Smoke Shop; (3) its liability for substantive RICO and RICO conspiracy offenses, 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c) - (d) ; and (4) its liability for all claims relating to Two Pine Enterprises ("Two Pine").

For the reasons set forth below, Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment is GRANTED and FedEx's motion for summary judgment is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.

I. BACKGROUND

Defendant FedEx Ground is a major common carrier with operations in the State of New York and the City of New York. Plaintiffs bring this action against FedEx for knowingly shipping massive quantities of untaxed cigarettes on behalf of unauthorized cigarette dealers. By doing so, Plaintiffs allege, FedEx violated federal and state law and deprived them of millions of dollars in tax revenue. To provide the necessary context for this opinion, the Court sets forth the factual and procedural background of the case.

A. Regulatory Background and Plaintiffs' Relationship with FedEx

Plaintiffs each impose an excise tax on the sale of cigarettes. N.Y. Tax Law § 471 ; New York City, N.Y., Code ("Ad. Code") § 11-1302. All cigarettes possessed for sale or use in the State of New York or the City of New York must be taxed. N.Y. Tax Law § 471 ; Ad. Code § 11-1302. The "use" of cigarettes in the State or City entails the "exercise of any right or power, actual or constructive, and shall include but is not limited to the receipt, storage or any keeping or retention for any length of time, but shall not include possession for sale." N.Y. Tax Law § 471-a ; Ad. Code § 11-1301. The State and City excise taxes are pre-paid by licensed cigarette stamping agents through their purchases of tax stamps, which they must then affix to every pack of cigarettes sold. N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 20, § 74.3. New York State mandates that stamping agents serve as the only entry point for cigarettes into New York's steam of commerce. Oneida Nation of N.Y. v. Cuomo , 645 F.3d 154, 158 (2d Cir. 2011). By law, stamping agents are required to incorporate the amount of the tax into the price of the cigarettes, thereby ultimately passing the tax along to the consumer. See N.Y. Tax Law § 471(2). The pack stamp evidences that the appropriate tax has been paid. See N.Y. Tax Law §§ 471, 473 ; Ad. Code §§ 11-1302, 11-1304.

There are 10 packs of cigarettes in every carton. At all times relevant to the case, the New York City excise tax was $1.50 per pack or $15.00 per carton. The New York state excise tax has changed over the years. Prior to June 3, 2008, the state excise tax was $1.50 per pack or $15.00 per carton. On June 3, 2008, the state excise tax was increased to $2.75 per pack or $27.50 per carton. On July 1, 2010, the state excise tax was again increased to $4.35 per pack or $43.50 per carton. Presently, the State and the City have the second highest combined state-and-local cigarette excise tax rate at $58.60 per carton. Def.'s 56.1(b) Supplemental Statement of Facts ¶ 6.

Plaintiffs are well aware of the black market for untaxed cigarettes in New York, whereby cigarette retailers sell their product directly to consumers, bypassing the stamping agents and thereby not paying the applicable taxes. Plaintiffs routinely prosecute cases involving the distribution of untaxed cigarettes. See, e.g., State v. United Parcel Serv., Inc. , 253 F.Supp.3d 583 (S.D.N.Y. 2017) ; City of New York v. Gordon , 1 F.Supp.3d 94 (S.D.N.Y. 2013) ; City of New York v. Golden Feather Smoke Shop, Inc. , 2013 WL 3187049 (E.D.N.Y. June 20, 2013).

Plaintiffs have also worked together with common carriers to stop cigarette trafficking. In 2004, the New York Attorney General investigated FedEx and other common carriers, including UPS, for violating federal and state laws relating to the unlawful delivery of cigarettes, including New York Public Health Law ("N.Y. P.H.L.") § 1399-ll. On August 13, 2004, the AG caused subpoenas to be served on FedEx pursuant to New York Executive Law ("N.Y. Exec. L.") § 63(12). Attached to the subpoenas was a "Schedule C," which identified names of shippers that sell and ship cigarettes in the course of their business. AOC ¶ 7; Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 13. Among other shippers, Schedule C identified "Shinnecock Tobacco," "Shinnecock Indian," "Cigarettes Direct 2 U," and "Danny's Tobacco" as cigarette shippers. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 14.

On February 13, 2006, FedEx entered into an Assurance of Compliance ("AOC") with the Attorney General in which it agreed, inter alia , to comply with N.Y. P.H.L. § 1399-ll, terminate relationships with shippers that unlawfully attempted to use FedEx to ship cigarettes to residential addresses, and report those shippers to the AG's office. See generally AOC. The AOC also required FedEx to "revise any and all internal policies ... to ensure they are consistent with the terms of this Assurance of Compliance," Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 29, and notify the AG if FedEx found that one of its customers had attempted to ship cigarettes more than once, see AOC ¶ 17. FedEx agreed that it would pay a $1,000 penalty for every violation of the AOC. See AOC ¶ 23.

In 2008, FedEx implemented an "Improper Shipping Form" ("ISF") procedure. Def's. 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 64. The ISF procedure required FedEx employees to complete a standardized form when they identified a package that was not in compliance with the company's rules and regulations concerning what items may be shipped and how they may be shipped. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 65. At first, the ISF form was dubbed the "Alcohol Shippers' Violation Form." As the name would suggest, the Alcohol Shippers' Violation Form did not contemplate the recording of tobacco shipments. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 64. A "tobacco" button was added to the form no later than March 2010. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 66.

In early 2013, FedEx and the City of New York entered into negotiations over FedEx's alleged shipments of cigarettes on behalf of a Louisville, KY business, Cigarettes Direct To You ("CD2U"). Pls.' 56.1(b) Responses ¶¶ 35, 37. An agreement was signed by both parties and became effective on March 15, 2013. Pls.' 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 36. Under the agreement, FedEx paid the City $2.4 million in exchange for a waiver of claims by the City concerning alleged deliveries of cigarettes on behalf of CD2U. Pls.' 56.1(b) Responses ¶¶ 37, 40. Both parties acknowledged that the agreement did not "constitute an admission of guilt, liability, or wrongdoing by FedEx Ground," and it would not be admissible in any litigation between the City of New York and FedEx Ground. Pls.' 56.1(b) Responses ¶¶ 43, 44. While the agreement was specific to CD2U, the language in the agreement was more expansive as concerns FedEx. Specifically, in the agreement, the City represented that it "has no information that suggests that FedEx Ground has delivered or transported unstamped cigarettes to New York City residents or into the geographic boundaries of New York City." Pls.' 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 41.

B. The Cigarette Selling Enterprises

This case is a consolidated case comprised of two formerly separate cases, FedEx I and FedEx II . Though the cases were consolidated, see Doc. 580, the complaints were not. The two operative complaints are the FedEx I Amended Complaint and the FedEx II Second Amended Complaint. Between the two operative complaints, Plaintiffs allege that FedEx knowingly shipped unstamped cigarettes on behalf of seven entities in total. These shippers are Shinnecock Smoke Shop, Native Made Tobacco ("Native Made"), FOW Enterprises ("FOW"), CD2U, Shinnecock Indian Outpost, Your Kentucky Tobacco Resource Center LLC ("YKTR"), and Two Pine Enterprises ("Two Pine"). The Court summarizes key undisputed facts regarding each shipper below.

1. Shinnecock Smoke Shop

Shinnecock Smoke Shop is located on the Shinnecock Native American reservation in Southampton, New York. In 2005, Jeffrey Lerman, an independent contractor who picks up and delivers packages for FedEx, started picking up packages at Shinnecock Smoke Shop five days a week. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 118. Raychel Favaloro was an account executive for FedEx who handled the Shinnecock Smoke Shop account at or around that time. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 116. While making pickups for Shinnecock Smoke Shop, Lerman saw individuals putting cigarettes in boxes, which were then sealed, affixed with shipping labels, and stacked for him to deliver. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 119. On February 21, 2007, another account for Shinnecock Smoke Shop was opened. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 192.

On January 4th and 5th, 2012, FedEx investigated whether Shinnecock Smoke Shop was shipping cigarettes by intercepting some of its packages and revealing their contents. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 204; Pls.' Ex. 123. The interception revealed that 63 packages shipped by Shinnecock Smoke Shop contained unstamped cigarettes. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 204. As a result, on January 12, 2012, FedEx terminated Shinnecock Smoke Shop's account. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 204. However, FedEx did not inform the New York Attorney General of the termination until six months later, on June 13, 2012. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 206.

2. Native Made

Native Made was a business located in Palm Springs, CA. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 123. FedEx opened an account for Native Made in 2005. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 123. Next year, in July 2006, FedEx Account Executive Jason Lozano entered a call note in FedEx's database that stated that Native Made shipped tobacco with FedEx. See Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 207.

Katherine Venturi became an account executive in 2008. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 209. Venturi knew that Native Made sold tobacco and saw a lot of cigarettes displayed in the Native Made store. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶¶ 210-11.

In February 2011, Native Made became subject to a Stipulated Judgment and Permanent Injunction as a result of a suit brought against it by the California Attorney General for violating federal and state law by shipping untaxed cigarettes. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 213.

In May 2012, FedEx terminated Native Made for shipping cigarettes directly to consumers. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 220. FedEx notified the AG of the termination a month later, on June 13, 2012. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 221.

3. FOW

FedEx opened an account for Fow Enterprises, a business located at 615 N. Main Street, Elizabethtown, KY, on June 19, 2000. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 104. FOW owned a convenience store called "Danny's Tobacco." Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 103. Customers of FOW placed orders for cigarettes, tobacco products, and non-tobacco products over the phone, through the mail, and through its website, dannystobacco.com. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 106. None of the cigarettes shipped by Danny's Tobacco bore New York State or New York City tax stamps. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 107.

From 2002 to 2006, FedEx picked up packages for FOW at Danny's Tobacco convenience store. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 108. After 2006, FedEx made pickups at a separate warehouse. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 108.

Christopher Gallant became the FedEx Account Executive for FOW in 2005. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 112. Gallant visited the store at least fifty times and met with Kevin Fow, the store manager and co-owner. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 112. There was cigarette advertising on the walls in the store. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 110. In 2008, Gallant transitioned the FOW account to Heath Harlem. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 183. On September 5, 2008, FedEx sent a warning letter to FOW regarding an improper shipment. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 187.

In April 2010, Brian Broderick became the account executive for FOW. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 188. Broderick authored a transition memo in January 2011, in which he told his manager, Grant Kuhn, that FOW shipped cigarettes to residences. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 190.

4. CD2U

CD2U was a Kentucky corporation. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 82. In 2003, a FedEx account executive, Teresa Knight, submitted a pricing proposal for CD2U. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 82. At that time, CD2U was located at 922 Ulrich Avenue, Louisville, KY 10219. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 82. In the proposal, Knight wrote that CD2U "currently ships cigarettes direct to peoples' homes thus the name," describing the product shipped by CD2U as "cigarettes." Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 86. By 2006, CD2U was shipping with FedEx Ground. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 82. At that time, Deborah Schmidt was the account executive for CD2U. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 126. Schmidt did not ask Israel Chavez, the owner of CD2U, see Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 126, whether CD2U had a license to deal in cigarettes. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 128. As early as July 2006, CD2U's account with FedEx was classified as a "Home Delivery" account. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 131. On or about March 2007, CD2U moved 6212 Strawberry Lane, Louisville KY. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 133. At that time, the account was transitioned to Brian Broderick. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 133.

In November 2008, Renee Thomas took over from Broderick as Account Executive of CD2U. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 137. Thomas visited CD2U's facility over twenty times, and met Chavez personally multiple times. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 137. Thomas knew that CD2U's business involved shipping cigarettes directly to people's homes. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 138.

On December 9, 2009, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ("ATF") executed search warrants and consent searches in twelve locations associated with CD2U's operations, including at the Louisville address where FedEx made pickups for CD2U. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 153. In the search, ATF seized unstamped cigarettes, other tobacco products, and computers that held CD2U's sales data, including the contents of its shipments to New York State and City residents. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 155. FedEx never notified the Attorney General that ATF had shut down CD2U. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 156. On June 28, 2010, ATF sent a letter to multiple states, including New York, informing them of CD2U's illegal cigarette sales. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 254.

On December 27, 2010, ATF sent a follow-up letter to the states enclosing a disc containing data created with information recovered from CD2U's computers. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 255. The disc contained information for CD2U's customers in New York State, but did not identify the common carrier used by CD2U. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 256.

On April 21, 2011, the City of New York filed suit against Chavez and other defendants under the CCTA and RICO, seeking to recover for CD2U's sale of untaxed cigarettes to New York City residents. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 258. A few days later, the City of New York notified the State that it had learned that CD2U had used FedEx Ground, among other common carriers, to ship its packages. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 259. The City of New York was granted summary judgment against Chavez for violations of the CCTA in May 2013. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 261. In a separate criminal case, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky prosecuted Chavez. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 260. Chavez was ultimately convicted of conspiracy and other offenses in connection with CD2U's sale of untaxed cigarettes. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 260.

5. Shinnecock Indian Outpost

Shinnecock Indian Outpost is on the Shinnecock Native American Reservation, located at 42 Montauk Highway, Southampton, NY. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 194. In or around 2008, Lerman started picking up packages for Shinnecock Indian Outpost in addition to Shinnecock Smoke Shop. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 194. Within months, Lerman knew that Shinnecock Indian Outpost was shipping cigarettes. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 195. He had seen Shinnecock Indian Outpost employees preparing packages of cigarettes to give to him. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 195.

6. YKTR

YKTR was a Kentucky business located at 314 Ferry St., Russell, KY. See Pls.' Ex. 51, 18:21-22, Martin Tr.; see also Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 92. John Maddux owned YKTR. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 97. Dan Skelley became the FedEx account executive for YKTR in 2005. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 95. Skelley came to learn that YKTR shipped cigarettes to residences. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 96. FedEx kept a "close eye" on YKTR, but not because it thought YKTR was shipping cigarettes. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 157. Rather, FedEx did so because YKTR was a large customer of FedEx, and FedEx wanted to avoid losing YKTR to its primary competitor, UPS. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 157.

On August 6, 2008, FedEx's Administrative Quality Manager for the New England Region, Virginia Richardson, identified YKTR in an email to numerous colleagues as a source of "illegal cigarette shipments." Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 165. Richardson's email was then forwarded to Kevin Garrison, Operations Manager at the Ashland, KY terminal through which YKTR packages passed. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶¶ 100, 166-67.

After the ATF raided CD2U, Skelley documented in his December 2009 call notes that YKTR was "still in biz, ATF has not done anything[.]" Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 170. By July 2010, FedEx stopped making deliveries for YKTR. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 171.

In December 2013, ATF executed search warrants at YKTR's 314 Ferry Street offices. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 262. ATF seized computers containing YKTR's point of sales database. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 263. ATF provided copies of some of the seized evidence to the State, including evidence that YKTR packages delivered to New York State were shipped by FedEx. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 264-65.

FedEx formally terminated YKTR as an account on July 2, 2014. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶¶ 171-72. On November 13, 2014, Maddux and others were charged by indictment in connection to their operation of YKTR. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 267. They were ultimately convicted. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 268.

7. Two Pine

Two Pine's account with FedEx was associated in FedEx's systems with the address P.O. Box 149, Clarence, NY. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses to Pls.' Supplemental Statement of Facts ¶ 42. Deloris Uebelhoer was listed by FedEx as the primary contact for Two Pine. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses to Pls.' Supplemental Statement of Facts ¶ 43. FedEx provided delivery services to Two Pine from approximately April 25, 2014, until February 11, 2015. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses to Pls.' Supplemental Statement of Facts ¶ 47. During this time period, FedEx shipped approximately 2,520 packages for Two Pine. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses to Pls.' Supplemental Statement of Facts ¶ 48.

On December 15, 2014, the City of New York provided FedEx Ground's sister company, FedEx Freight, with a list of entities that it believed shipped cigarettes within or into New York State. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses to Pls.' Supplemental Statement of Facts ¶ 57. The list included Two Pine and described its location as 7238 Meadville Road and P.O. Box 149, both of which were associated in FedEx Ground's systems with the Two Pine account. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses to Pls.' Supplemental Statement of Facts ¶ 58. FedEx Ground terminated the Two Pine account on February 10, 2015. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses to Pls.' Supplemental Statement of Facts ¶ 65. FedEx Ground informed the City and the State of Two Pine's termination on March 6, 2015. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses to Pls.' Supplemental Statement of Facts ¶ 66.

C. Procedural History

The Court herein only addresses key proceedings necessary to understanding the context of this opinion.

The City of New York filed its first lawsuit against FedEx Ground on December 30, 2013. Doc. 1. This suit is now known as FedEx I . The original complaint in FedEx I named "Federal Express Corp." as a co-defendant of FedEx Ground and made allegations specific to one shipping entity, Shinnecock Smoke Shop, a cigarette shipper located on the Shinnecock Reservation in New York. See Doc. 1 ¶¶ 2, 30-37. The original complaint sought injunctive relief, damages, and penalties under the CCTA and the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act, 15 U.S.C. § 375 et seq. ("PACT"), treble damages and attorney's fees under RICO, an injunction and penalties under N.Y. P.H.L. § 1399-ll, and abatement of a public nuisance. The City dismissed the action against Federal Express Corp. pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(1) on February 14, 2011. Doc. 6. On March 30, 2014, the City amended its complaint to add the State of New York as a plaintiff and also a cause of action for breach of the AOC negotiated between the State of New York and FedEx. See Doc. 13 ¶¶ 20, 40-45, 46-50, 51-58, 59-63. The amended complaint also added allegations and claims against FedEx relating to three other shippers: CD2U, Native Made, and FOW. Doc. 13 ¶¶ 40-45, 46-50, 51-58. This amended complaint is now one of the two operative complaints in this case. On March 9, 2015, the Court dismissed Plaintiffs' N.Y. P.H.L. § 1399-ll and public nuisance claims. See City of New York v. FedEx Ground Package Sys. , 91 F.Supp.3d 512, 529-30 (S.D.N.Y. 2015). Plaintiffs later conceded their PACT claims. See Doc. 103 at 3 n.1.

Plaintiffs filed another lawsuit against FedEx on November 12, 2014. See FedEx II Doc. 1. This case is now known as FedEx II . The original complaint in FedEx II , as in FedEx I , charged FedEx with illegally shipping cigarettes on behalf of its customers. See generally FedEx II Doc. 1. It did not specify for which customers FedEx shipped cigarettes. Its claims included all the claims involved in FedEx I . Plaintiffs amended their FedEx II complaint for the first time on May 8, 2015. See FedEx II Doc. 23. In their first amended complaint, Plaintiffs specifically named 21 additional shippers. See FedEx II Doc. 23 ¶ 63. They also included a claim for relief under N.Y. Exec. L. § 63(12) for the violation of N.Y. P.H.L. § 1399-ll, a claim not present in FedEx I. See FedEx II Doc. 23 ¶¶ 92-100. Plaintiffs withdrew their PACT claims in this amended complaint, as they did in FedEx I. See FedEx II Doc. 23 ¶ 1.

On March 31, 2016, the Court dismissed Plaintiffs' § 63(12) and § 1399-ll claims with leave to replead. See City of New York v. FedEx Ground Package Sys., Inc. , 175 F.Supp.3d 351, 363-64 (S.D.N.Y. 2016). Consequently, Plaintiffs filed their second amended complaint on April 14, 2016, repleading their § 63(12) and § 1399-ll claims. FedEx II Doc. 74. The repleaded claims survived Plaintiffs' motion to dismiss. See City of New York v. FedEx Ground Package Sys., Inc. , 2017 WL 740067 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 21, 2017). The second amended complaint is the other of the two operative complaints in this case.

On April 15, 2016, the Court consolidated FedEx I and FedEx II pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 42(a). See Doc. 184. The complaints themselves were not consolidated. On January 31, 2018, Plaintiffs moved to file an amended complaint for the consolidated case. Doc. 414. The Court denied Plaintiffs' motion. Doc. 580.

Discovery ended in early 2018. On May 17, 2018, Plaintiffs moved for partial summary judgment. Doc. 460. On May 23, 2018, FedEx cross-moved for partial summary judgment based on its affirmative defenses and on Plaintiffs' RICO claims and all claims relating to Two Pine. Doc. 466; Doc. 467. On June 20, 2018, FedEx filed its opposition to Plaintiffs' motion for partial summary judgment. Doc. 488. The same day, Plaintiffs filed their opposition to FedEx's motion. Doc. 489; Doc. 493. The parties filed their reply briefs on July 11, 2018. Doc. 507; Doc. 508; Doc. 512.

The trial is currently scheduled to begin on October 16, 2018. The parties filed their joint pretrial statement on September 7, 2018. Doc. 533. Pending before the Court, in addition to the motions decided in this opinion, are several other motions: (1) Plaintiffs' motions in limine to exclude the expert reports and testimony of FedEx witnesses Michael J. Moore, Scott Drenkard, and Patrick Fleenor, see Doc. 472; Doc. 477; (2) FedEx's motion in limine to exclude the expert reports and testimony of Laura Stamm, Sonia Angell, and Rebecca Williams, see Doc. 480; (3) Plaintiffs' and FedEx's motions for oral argument, see Doc. 454; Doc. 513; Doc. 519; Doc. 521; (4) various pretrial motions in limine to exclude certain evidence from being brought at trial. The Court will decide these motions in the coming days.

II. LEGAL STANDARD

Summary judgment is only appropriate where the "materials in the record, including depositions, documents, electronically stored information, affidavits or declarations, stipulations (including those made for purposes of the motion only), admissions, interrogatory answers, [and] other materials" show "that 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)-(c). "An issue of fact is 'genuine' if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the non-moving party." Senno v. Elmsford Union Free Sch. Dist. , 812 F.Supp.2d 454, 467 (S.D.N.Y. 2011) (citing SCR Joint Venture L.P. v. Warshawsky, 559 F.3d 133, 137 (2d Cir. 2009) ). A fact is "material" if it might affect the outcome of the litigation under the governing law. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby , 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986).

The party moving for summary judgment is first responsible for demonstrating the absence of any genuine issue of material fact. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett , 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986) ; see also Atl. Mut. Ins. Co. v. CSX Lines, L.L.C. , 432 F.3d 428, 433 (2d Cir. 2005). If the moving party meets its burden, "the nonmoving party must come forward with admissible evidence sufficient to raise a genuine issue of fact for trial in order to avoid summary judgment." Saenger v. Montefiore Medical Center , 706 F.Supp.2d 494, 504 (S.D.N.Y. 2010) (quoting Jaramillo v. Weyerhaeuser Co. , 536 F.3d 140, 145 (2d Cir. 2008) ).

In deciding a motion for summary judgment, the Court must " 'construe the facts in the light most favorable to the non-moving party and must resolve all ambiguities and draw all reasonable inferences against the movant.' " Brod v. Omya, Inc. , 653 F.3d 156, 164 (2d Cir. 2011) (quoting Williams v. R.H. Donnelley, Corp., 368 F.3d 123, 126 (2d Cir. 2004) ). A motion for summary judgment cannot, however, be defeated on the basis of conclusory assertions, speculation, or unsupported alternative explanations of facts. Major League Baseball Props., Inc. v. Salvino, Inc. , 542 F.3d 290, 310 (2d Cir. 2008) ; see also Senno , 812 F.Supp.2d at 467 (citing Scotto v. Almenas, 143 F.3d 105, 114 (2d Cir. 1998) ). The non-moving party must do more than show that there is "some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts." McClellan v. Smith , 439 F.3d 137, 144 (2d Cir. 2006) (quoting Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp. , 475 U.S. 574, 586, 106 S.Ct. 1348, 89 L.Ed.2d 538 (1986) ). To defeat a motion for summary judgment, "the non-moving party must set forth significant, probative evidence on which a reasonable fact-finder could decide in its favor." Senno , 812 F.Supp.2d at 467-68 (citing Anderson , 477 U.S. at 256-57, 106 S.Ct. 2505 ).

III. DISCUSSION

A. CCTA

The CCTA provides that "[i]t shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to ship, transport, receive, possess, sell, distribute, or purchase contraband cigarettes...." 18 U.S.C. § 2342(a). The CCTA defines "contraband cigarettes" as:

a quantity in excess of 10,000 cigarettes, which bear no evidence of the payment of applicable State or local cigarette taxes in the State or locality where such cigarettes are found, if the State or local government requires a stamp ... and which are in the possession of any person other than ... (B) a common or contract carrier transporting the cigarettes involved under a proper bill of lading or freight bill....

18 U.S.C. § 2341(2). Thus, proof of a CCTA violation requires showing that a party (1) knowingly shipped, transported, received, or possessed (2) more than 10,000 cigarettes (3) that did not bear State or City tax stamps (4) under circumstances where the law required the cigarettes to bear such stamps. City of New York v. Gordon , 155 F.Supp.3d 411, 420 (S.D.N.Y. 2015) (citing City of New York v. Lasership, Inc. , 33 F.Supp.3d 303, 312 (S.D.N.Y. 2014) ). A plaintiff can meet its burden of proof with respect to the 10,000 cigarette threshold by aggregating cigarettes across shipments. New York v. United Parcel Serv., Inc. , 131 F.Supp.3d 132, 139 (S.D.N.Y. 2015).

Plaintiffs move for summary judgment on FedEx's liability under the CCTA. Plaintiffs contend that FedEx violated the CCTA by knowingly transporting over 10,000 unstamped cigarettes. FedEx opposes the motion, contending that Plaintiffs have failed to show an absence of a genuine dispute of material fact that FedEx knowingly shipped over 10,000 cigarettes. Additionally, FedEx seeks summary judgment as to its affirmative defense of statute of limitations, arguing that Plaintiffs' CCTA claim is wholly or partially time barred for certain shippers.

For the reasons discussed below, the Court grants summary judgment to Plaintiffs on FedEx's liability for violating the CCTA, and grants partial summary judgment to FedEx on its statute of limitations defense.

1. Statute of Limitations

Plaintiffs and FedEx disagree over what statute of limitations applies to the CCTA and when the CCTA claim accrued. The Court addresses each of these issues in turn.

a. Applicable Limitations Period

FedEx argues that the four-year statute of limitations of 28 U.S.C. § 1658(a) governs Plaintiffs' CCTA claim. Plaintiffs argue that while the four-year statute of limitations of 28 U.S.C. § 1658(a) governs their CCTA claim for money damages, the five-year statute of limitations of 28 U.S.C. § 2462 governs their CCTA claim for penalties. The Court agrees with FedEx. The applicable statute of limitations for Plaintiffs' CCTA claim, no matter the relief sought, is four years under 28 U.S.C. § 1658(a). Section 2462 applies only to actions on behalf of the United States and qui tam actions. See Bertha Building Corp. v. National Theatres Corp. , 269 F.2d 785, 788-89 (2d. Cir. 1959).

Plaintiffs and FedEx also disagree over when the statute of limitations was tolled for the CCTA claim as it relates to each shipper. Plaintiffs argue that their CCTA claim with respect to each of the shippers named in FedEx I and FedEx II relates back to December 30, 2013, the date that they filed the first complaint in this consolidated action, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15(c). FedEx argues relation back is unwarranted.

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15(c) provides that "[a]n amendment of a pleading relates back to the date of the original pleading when ... the claim or defense asserted in the amended pleading arose out of the conduct, transaction, or occurrence set forth or attempted to be set forth in the original pleading." The purpose of Rule 15"is to provide maximum opportunity for each claim to be decided on its merits rather than on procedural technicalities." 6 C. Wright & A. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure, § 1471, at 359 (1971). To this end, Rule 15(c) is to be liberally construed. Siegel v. Converters Transp., Inc. , 714 F.2d 213, 216 (2d Cir. 1983). The "central inquiry is whether adequate notice of the matters raised in the amended pleading has been given to the opposing party within the statute of limitations by the general fact situation alleged in the original pleading." Stevelman v. Alias Research Inc. , 174 F.3d 79, 86-87 (2d Cir. 1999) (internal quotation marks omitted).

The Court agrees with Plaintiffs that amended pleadings naming new shippers in each of FedEx I and FedEx II do relate back, but only to the date of the original complaint in the case in which they are named. Thus, the Court finds that for the shippers subsequently named in FedEx I , the CCTA claim relates back to December 30, 2013. And for those shippers subsequently named in FedEx II , the CCTA claim relates back to November 12, 2014. The original FedEx I complaint gave FedEx adequate notice that Plaintiffs would seek to sue it for cigarette shipments on behalf of other shippers. Though it only names Shinnecock Smoke Shop, the complaint states in the claim for relief that FedEx seeks relief for "other delivery sellers whose identity is not known to the City at this time." FedEx I Compl. ¶ 98. The Court also notes that amendments naming new shippers to Plaintiffs' CCTA claim do not add a new cause of action. Instead, the amendments make the allegations more precise by adding additional shippers; the amendments do not change the core of FedEx's conduct-shipping untaxed cigarettes. See Siegel , 714 F.2d at 216. Courts have applied Rule 15(c) particularly liberally in this context. See id.

The amended FedEx II pleadings identifying Two Pine, Shinnecock Indian Outpost, and YKTR cannot relate back to the filing of the original complaint in FedEx I , however. Instead, that amendment relates back to November 12, 2014, when the first FedEx II complaint was filed. This is so because Rule 15 only empowers this Court to allow amendments to a pleading to relate back to the original pleading in that case. It does not enable pleadings in new cases to relate back to events in other, separately filed cases. Thus, the amended complaint identifying Two Pine, Shinnecock Indian Outpost, and YKTR can only relate back to the date of the original FedEx II complaint.

For the reasons just articulated, the applicable statute of limitations for Plaintiffs' CCTA claim is four years, 28 U.S.C. § 1658(a), and the statute of limitations was tolled on December 30, 2013 for the CCTA claim as it relates to the FedEx I shippers, and on November 12, 2014 for the CCTA claim as it relates to the FedEx II shippers. Thus, the limitations period started on December 30, 2009 for Shinnecock Smoke Shop, CD2U, FOW, and Native Made, and on November 12, 2010 for Two Pine, Shinnecock Indian Outpost, and YKTR.

b. Accrual

In addition to disputing the limitations period, Plaintiffs and FedEx dispute when the CCTA claim accrued. FedEx argues that Plaintiffs' CCTA claim accrued when they had a complete and present cause of action. Plaintiffs argue that the discovery rule applies, so that their claim accrued when they discovered it existed or with due diligence should have known it existed, see Merck & Co. v. Reynolds , 559 U.S. 633, 646, 130 S.Ct. 1784, 176 L.Ed.2d 582 (2010). The Court agrees with FedEx; as articulated previously, in City of New York v. FedEx Ground Package Sys. Inc. , 91 F.Supp.3d 512, 522 (S.D.N.Y. 2015), the discovery rule does not apply to the CCTA claim.

The standard rule is that a claim accrues when the plaintiff has a complete and present cause of action. Wallace v. Kato , 549 U.S. 384, 388, 127 S.Ct. 1091, 166 L.Ed.2d 973 (2007). As the Supreme Court has noted, the lower federal courts have applied a discovery accrual rule when a statute is silent on the issue, but it has disclaimed that position as its own. TRW Inc. v. Andrews , 534 U.S. 19, 27, 122 S.Ct. 441, 151 L.Ed.2d 339 (2001). The Supreme Court has, on the other hand, made clear that where the statute uses the discovery rule for a subset of cases, courts should not make the discovery rule applicable to the general whole. Id. at 23, 122 S.Ct. 441. In TRW , the Supreme Court refused to infer that a general discovery rule applied to the statute of limitations of Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) claims, given that the FCRA expressly provided that the discovery rule would apply only to those FCRA claims involving the willful misrepresentation of information that the Act required to be disclosed. See id. at 28-29, 122 S.Ct. 441.

The principles of statutory interpretation that guided the Supreme Court in TRW guide the Court here. Section 1658(b) provides that a subset of cases identified therein are subject to the discovery rule-those that sound in "fraud, deceit, manipulation, or contrivance in contravention of a regulatory requirement concerning the securities laws." The Court thus will not infer that the discovery rule applies to claims subject to § 1658 claims generally.

Additionally, the reasoning of Gabelli v. S.E.C. , 568 U.S. 442, 133 S.Ct. 1216, 185 L.Ed.2d 297 (2013), forecloses applying the discovery rule here. In Gabelli , the Court held that the discovery rule does not apply in government enforcement actions for civil penalties. Id. at 450, 133 S.Ct. 1216. Plaintiffs argue that the discovery rule should nonetheless apply to their CCTA claim insofar as it seeks damages. The holding of Gabelli does not, strictly speaking, foreclose applying the discovery rule in such a circumstance. But the reasoning of Gabelli suggests that the discovery rule is inapposite in government enforcement actions no matter the relief sought. Unlike the typical private party, the Court explained, a central mission of the Securities and Exchange Commission is to "investigat[e] potential violations of the federal securities laws," id. at 451, 133 S.Ct. 1216 (alteration in original). When the government sues a private entity seeking both civil penalties and damages, it is still carrying out the same affirmative investigative responsibilities that it carries out when it brings enforcement actions purely for civil penalties. That is the case here, where Plaintiffs are government entities suing FedEx for the purpose of protecting public health and also for lost tax revenues. Accordingly, Plaintiffs' CCTA claim accrued when they had a complete and present cause of action, as this Court has previously held, see FedEx , 91 F.Supp.3d at 522.

This leaves the question of when Plaintiffs possessed a complete and present cause of action. Under the common law, Plaintiffs had a complete cause of action under the CCTA when all the elements of a violation were met. See Caronia v. Philip Morris USA, Inc. , 2010 WL 520558, at *3 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 11, 2010), aff'd , 715 F.3d 417 (2d Cir. 2013) (recognizing that under the "common-law accrual method, ... accrual occurs when the claim becomes enforceable, i.e., when all elements of the tort can be truthfully alleged in a complaint" (citations and internal quotation marks omitted) ). In light of the CCTA's quantity requirement, that means Plaintiffs had a cause of action under the CCTA when FedEx knowingly delivered its 10,001st unstamped cigarette. According to Plaintiffs' data, discussed in Part III.A.2 below, FedEx shipped its 10,001st cigarette prior to the beginning of the limitations period. As this Court has previously held, however, that does not mean Plaintiffs' CCTA claim is outside the limitations period. See City of New York v. FedEx Ground Package Sys. Inc. , 175 F.Supp.3d 351, 368-69 (S.D.N.Y. 2016). Any group of knowing shipments totaling over 10,000 unstamped cigarettes amounts to a CCTA violation giving rise to a cause of action. If Plaintiffs shipped tens of thousands of cigarettes over many years, they violated the CCTA multiple times during those years. So long as FedEx knowingly shipped over 10,000 unstamped cigarettes during the limitations period, Plaintiffs' CCTA claim accrued within the limitations period and is timely.

Under the limitations periods and accrual method set forth above, Plaintiffs' CCTA claim is wholly time barred as it relates to CD2U and YKTR. Where a plaintiff's claim is based on a series of discrete acts that are in and of themselves unlawful, such acts "are not actionable if time barred, even when they are related to acts alleged in timely filed charges." National R.R. Passenger Corp. v. Morgan , 536 U.S. 101, 113, 122 S.Ct. 2061, 153 L.Ed.2d 106 (2002). Each shipment of unstamped cigarettes was a discrete, unlawful act. Plaintiffs cannot hold FedEx liable based on shipments made prior to each shipper's respective limitations periods. It is undisputed that the last shipment FedEx made for CD2U occurred on December 10, 2009, before the December 30, 2009 limitations period start date for FedEx I. See Pls.' 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 24(c). Similarly, the last shipment FedEx made for YKTR that allegedly contained cigarettes occurred on July 15, 2010, see Pls.' 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 24(e), which is before the November 12, 2010 limitations period start date for FedEx II . The statute of limitations thus bars Plaintiffs' CCTA claim for all shipments by CD2U and YKTR. Accordingly, FedEx's motion on the statute of limitations as it relates to the CCTA claims regarding CD2U and YKTR is granted.

For the same reason, Plaintiffs' CCTA claim as it relates to Shinnecock Smoke Shop, Native Made, and Shinnecock Indian Outpost is partially time barred. Plaintiffs cannot seek to hold FedEx liable based on shipments those shippers made prior to their respective limitations periods.

2. Over 10,000 Cigarettes

Plaintiffs seek summary judgment as to FedEx's liability under the CCTA. FedEx opposes, arguing that a genuine issue of material fact exists as to (1) whether FedEx shipped over 10,000 unstamped cigarettes within the limitations period, and (2) whether it did so knowingly. The Court addresses whether FedEx shipped over 10,000 unstamped cigarettes first.

For the five shippers that remain, the record shows that no genuine issue of material fact exists as to whether FedEx shipped over 10,000 cigarettes for the shippers involved. FedEx's invoices show that it made altogether thousands of deliveries to New York addresses on behalf of Shinnecock Smoke Shop, Shinnecock Indian Outpost, Two Pine, FOW, and Native Made from 2007 until well into the limitations periods. See Pls.' Ex. 158 at 8. Specifically, the invoices show that FedEx made 16,820 shipments for Shinnecock Smoke Shop from October 1, 2007 to February 6, 2012; 4,435 shipments for Shinnecock Indian Outpost from July 26, 2010 to July 9, 2012; 766 shipments for Two Pine from April 29, 2014 to February 24, 2015; 602 shipments for FOW from June 27, 2008 to December 28, 2011; and 449 shipments for Native Made from January 5, 2007 to May 18, 2012.

Other evidence makes clear that many of these shipments included untaxed cigarettes. For example, on September 12, 2008, an inspection of a damaged package from Shinnecock Smoke Shop revealed that it contained cigarette cartons. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 197. In March 2010, FedEx received a claim for five cartons of cigarettes, at prices inconsistent with taxation, shipped by Shinnecock Smoke Shop to a New York address. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶¶ 199-201. During the same year, FedEx received five more claims from Shinnecock Smoke Shop and two additional damaged package reports, all of which indicated that the packages shipped contained cigarettes. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 202. On January 4-5, 2012, FedEx intercepted and opened packages from Shinnecock Smoke Shop, revealing that 63 packages contained unstamped cigarettes. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 204. And from February 2011 to April 2012, FedEx issued ten ISF's to Native Made for improper tobacco shipments; at least half of the forms specified that the packages contained cigarettes. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 214. Given the quantity of shipments FedEx made, no genuine dispute exists that FedEx shipped over 10,000 cigarettes for the shippers involved within the applicable limitations periods.

FedEx disputes the relevance of ISFs and damaged package reports showing that the contents included cigarettes because those cigarettes never actually made it to a New York address. FedEx misunderstands the purpose of the evidence. Plaintiffs do not present direct evidence that 10,000 cigarettes were delivered to New York addresses, but they do not have to. Rather, the ISFs and damaged package reports allow the reasonable inference that the contents of the unopened and un-intercepted packages shipped by FedEx were unstamped cigarettes. Given the scale of the unopened and un-intercepted packages shipped, Plaintiffs argue, no genuine dispute exists that FedEx shipped over 10,000 cigarettes. The Court agrees with Plaintiffs' assessment.

3. Knowingly Shipped or Distributed

FedEx argues that even if it did ship over 10,000 cigarettes within the limitations period, a genuine issue of material fact exists as to whether it did so knowingly.

The Court finds that the admissible evidence compels the inference that FedEx knew that it was shipping unstamped cigarettes.

"A person acts 'knowingly' if he acts intentionally, voluntarily, and deliberately and not because of a mistake or accident, mere negligence, or other innocent reason." United States v. Ferrarini , 219 F.3d 145, 155 (2d Cir. 2000) (describing this as a "standard" definition of "knowingly"); see also United States v. Kelly , 147 F.3d 172, 177 (2d Cir. 1998). Willful blindness, where defendants "deliberately shield[ ] themselves from clear evidence of critical facts that are strongly suggested by the circumstances," amounts to actual knowledge in the criminal context and some civil contexts. Glob.-Tech Appliances, Inc. v. SEB S.A. , 563 U.S. 754, 766, 131 S.Ct. 2060, 179 L.Ed.2d 1167 (2011).

It is beyond doubt that certain FedEx employees knew that FedEx was shipping unstamped cigarettes. That knowledge may be imputed to FedEx. Corporate defendants can only act through their employees and agents. See Suez Equity Investors, L.P. v. Toronto-Dominion Bank , 250 F.3d 87, 101 (2d Cir. 2001). When someone is employed to perform certain duties for his or her employer and acquires knowledge material to those duties, the employee's knowledge is imputed to the principal. See Apollo Fuel Oil v. United States , 195 F.3d 74, 76 (2d Cir. 1999). Corporations can thus "be guilty of 'knowing' or 'willful' violations of regulatory statutes through the doctrine of respondeat superior." United States v. A & P Trucking Co. , 358 U.S. 121, 125, 79 S.Ct. 203, 3 L.Ed.2d 165 (1958). In order for respondeat superior to apply, however, the employee's knowing acts must have been "in furtherance of the employer's business and within the scope of employment." N.X. v. Cabrini Med. Ctr. , 97 N.Y.2d 247, 739 N.Y.S.2d 348, 765 N.E.2d 844, 847 (2002). An act is within the scope of employment if it is performed while the employee is engaged generally in the business of the employer, or if his or her act may be reasonably said to be necessary or incidental to such employment. Harisch v. Goldberg , 2016 WL 1181711, at *14 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 25, 2016). This is the case even if the knowledge of the employee performing the act is never communicated to his or her superior. New York Univ. v. First Fin. Ins. Co. , 322 F.3d 750, 753 n.2 (2d Cir. 2003) (quoting Center v. Hampton Affiliates , 66 N.Y.2d 782, 784, 497 N.Y.S.2d 898, 488 N.E.2d 828 (1985) ). "[A] corporation may be charged with the collective knowledge of its employees[.]" First Equity Corp. of Fla. v. Standard & Poor's Corp. , 690 F.Supp. 256, 260 (S.D.N.Y. 1988), aff'd , 869 F.2d 175 (2d Cir. 1989). Clearly, the FedEx employees discussed below, who witnessed first-hand cigarettes being packaged and learned of the ISF forms indicating that packages contained cigarettes, did so as part of their jobs with FedEx. Their knowledge thus suffices to conclude that FedEx had the requisite knowledge.

As an initial matter, the Court finds that insofar as FedEx knew it was shipping cigarettes, it also knew it was shipping unstamped cigarettes. FedEx does not dispute that none of the shippers involved were state-licensed cigarette stamping agents during the relevant timeframe and thus could not be a point of entry for cigarettes shipped into New York. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 4. "[A] corporate defendant is deemed to have had knowledge of a regulatory violation if the means were present by which the company could have detected the infractions." State v. United Parcel Serv., Inc. , 253 F.Supp.3d 583, 671 (S.D.N.Y. 2017) (citing United States v. T. I. M. E.-D. C., Inc. , 381 F.Supp. 730, 739 (W.D. Va. 1974) ). FedEx also does not dispute that it made no attempt to determine whether Shinnecock Smoke Shop, CD2U, FOW Enterprises, and Native Made Tobacco were licensed to receive cigarettes or not, Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 5, even though it certainly had the means to.

No genuine dispute of material fact exists that FedEx knowingly shipped over 10,000 cigarettes during the limitations period. FedEx certainly knew, for instance, that Shinnecock Smoke Shop shipped cigarettes. In March 2007, FedEx employees documented in two damaged package reports that Shinnecock Smoke Shop had attempted to send Seneca and Bel-Air brand cigarettes to New York City addresses. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 193. In September 2008, FedEx employees documented in a damaged package report submitted for a Shinnecock Smoke Shop shipment to a New York address that the package contained cigarettes. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶¶ 197-98. And as mentioned above, Shinnecock Smoke Shop filed a lost shipment claim for five cartons of cigarettes destined for a New York address in March 2010, see Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 199. FedEx also knew that Native Made shipped unstamped cigarettes. Between February 2011 and April 2012, FedEx issued ten ISF's to Native Made for shipping tobacco; half of the ISF's mention cigarettes. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 214. Though none of these ISF's regarded shipments to New York, the ISF's nonetheless put FedEx on notice that Native Made shipped cigarettes. In February 2011, Native Made became subject to a Stipulated Judgment and Permanent Injunction upon a lawsuit filed by the California Attorney General for violating the CCTA by shipping untaxed cigarettes. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 213. However, no evidence exists that FedEx took any action to stop Native Made from shipping cigarettes until May 2012, when it terminated Native Made as an account for shipping cigarettes directly to consumers. Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 220.

FedEx employees knew that FOW shipped untaxed cigarettes. In 2003, the City of New York informed FedEx that FedEx shipped eight cartons of cigarettes to a residential address in New York City on behalf of "Dannystobacco.com," based out of "615 N. Main Street, Elizabethtown, KY 42701." See Pls. Ex. 11 at 1. This address matched that of a FedEx account at the time, "Fow Enterprises." See Def's. 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 104. From 2002 until 2006, FedEx picked up packages for FOW at the "Danny's Tobacco" convenience store located at 615 N. Main Street, Elizabethtown, KY. See Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 108. After 2006, FedEx picked up FOW's packages at a warehouse instead. See Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 108.

In February 2007, a Service Manager for FedEx Home Delivery in Michigan notified FedEx's Regional Operations Engineering manager that a shipper, "FOW Enterprises Inc. (FEI), Elizbethowne [sic ] KY" was shipping cigarettes into Michigan. See Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 173. The Service Manager had found sixteen cartons of cigarettes, which amounts to 3200 cigarettes, in a single package from FOW. See Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 173. A month later, someone from the FedEx Sales Department told a Senior Security Specialist at FedEx that cigarette cartons had been stolen from packages shipped by "Danny Fow at Fow Enterprises, 615 Main Street, Elizabethtown, KY." See Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 174. The packages were to be delivered to an address in Westchester, IL. See Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 174. Christopher Gallant, the Account Executive for FOW at the time, see Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 112, was informed of the thefts. See Pls.' Ex. 100. After FedEx was informed of the cigarette thefts, it went on to make four additional shipments to the same Westchester, IL address. See Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 180.

In 2008, the year after Gallant was informed that cigarette cartons were found and stolen from packages sent by FOW, Gallant told the new Account Executive, Heath Harlem, that he "felt" that FOW shipped cigarettes. See Pls.' Ex. 2, Harlem Tr. at 176:7-8. Harlem would later come to believe that himself. In April 2010, when Harlem transferred the FOW account to new Account Executive Brian Broderick, Harlem wrote to Broderick that Kevin Fow "[s]hips cigarettes out of his convenience store." See Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 188; Pls.' Ex. 105. And in a January 2011 transition memo to his manager, Grant Kuhn, Broderick in turn stated that FOW "ship[s] cigarettes to residences off of their website and their catalog," warning Kuhn that "[t]his business could go away due to legal issues etc." See Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 190; Pls.' Ex. 107 at 1.

The quantum of evidence provided with respect to Shinnecock Indian Outpost and Two Pine is admittedly less. Jeffrey Lerman, who picked up packages from Shinnecock Indian Outpost, did so as an employee of a trucking company he owned, not FedEx Ground itself. See Def.'s 56.1(b) Supplemental Statement of Facts ¶¶ 189-90. Lerman was thus an independent contractor for FedEx Ground. See Def.'s 56.1(b) Supplemental Statement of Facts ¶ 189. Though some independent contractors are agents of their contracting partners, see Restatement (Third) of Agency § 1.01 cmt. c (2006) ("[T]he common term 'independent contractor' is equivocal in meaning and confusing in usage because some termed independent contractors are agents while others are nonagent service providers"), it is unclear at this stage of the litigation whether Lerman and FedEx Ground's relationship amounted to an agency relationship. The Court thus cannot impute Lerman's knowledge to FedEx at this time. Further, the extent of Lerman's knowledge that Shinnecock Indian Outpost was shipping unstamped cigarettes is also a matter of dispute. Lerman knew Shinnecock Indian Outpost shipped cigarettes because he saw employees putting packages of cigarettes together for him to load on his truck. See Def.'s 56.1(b) Responses ¶ 195. Lerman disputes that he knew the cigarettes were untaxed, however. See Def.'s 56.1(b) Supplemental Statement of Facts ¶ 192.

As for Two Pine, the evidence of knowing shipments is similarly lacking. In fact, FedEx has moved for summary judgment on all claims related to Two Pine. Regardless of how conclusive the evidence of FedEx's knowledge as to Shinnecock Indian Outpost and Two Pine is, however, there is enough evidence showing that FedEx knowingly shipped cumulatively over 10,000 cigarettes for the other shippers.

FedEx does present some evidence showing that some of its employees did not know FedEx was shipping unstamped cigarettes. For example, Shinnecock Smoke Shop employees told Account Executive Raychel Favaloro that they shipped novelty items, not cigarettes. See Def.'s 56.1(b) Supplemental Statement of Facts ¶ 185-86. But evidence that the shippers lied to certain FedEx employees about the contents of their packages does not show that FedEx lacked knowledge. In any event, Plaintiffs do not need to show that every FedEx employee knew that FedEx was shipping unstamped cigarettes before knowledge can be imputed to it. Plaintiffs have shown that no genuine dispute exists that some FedEx employees knew, yet continued to engage in business as usual, such that over 10,000 cigarettes were knowingly shipped.

No genuine dispute of material fact exists that FedEx knowingly shipped over 10,000 unstamped cigarettes within the limitations period. The Court grants judgment as a matter of law for Plaintiffs on FedEx's liability for violating the CCTA.

4. Proper measure of CCTA damages

Plaintiffs argue that, as a matter of law, the proper method of calculating the money damages owed is the amount of cigarette cartons FedEx shipped multiplied by the applicable State and City tax rate at the time of shipment. FedEx challenges Plaintiffs' proposed formula on the ground that genuine disputes of material fact exist as to whether such shipments caused Plaintiffs any damages. The Court agrees with Plaintiffs.

The CCTA authorizes states to recover "civil penalties, money damages, and injunctive or other equitable relief." 18 U.S.C. § 2346(b)(2). In addition to civil penalties, Plaintiffs seek to recover money damages from FedEx. The calculation of the amount of damages is a factual determination, but the formula used in making that calculation is a question of law for the Court. Vermont Microsystems, Inc. v. Autodesk, Inc. , 138 F.3d 449, 452 (2d Cir. 1998) (citing United States ex rel. N. Maltese and Sons, Inc. v. Juno Constr. Corp. , 759 F.2d 253, 255 (2d Cir. 1985) ). Plaintiffs are seeking money damages in the form a lost tax revenue, a form of compensatory damages. Compensatory damages "are the damages awarded to a person as compensation, indemnity, or restitution for the harm sustained by him." Restatement (Second) of Torts § 903 (1979). They are "intended to redress the concrete loss that the plaintiff has suffered by reason of the defendant's wrongful conduct." Cooper Indus., Inc. v. Leatherman Tool Grp., Inc. , 532 U.S. 424, 432, 121 S.Ct. 1678, 149 L.Ed.2d 674 (2001). However, the defendant is not responsible for the "remote consequences" of its actions. Southern Pac. Co. v. Darnell-Taenzer Lumber Co. , 245 U.S. 531, 533, 38 S.Ct. 186, 62 L.Ed. 451 (1918). "The general tendency of the law, in regard to damages at least, is not to go beyond the first step." Id.

As discussed in part II, cigarettes are subject to the State tax upon their entry into the State and the City tax upon their entry into the City. Cigarettes in "use" must be stamped, N.Y. Tax Law § 471 ; Ad. Code § 11-1302, and the cigarettes FedEx shipped were in "use" by FedEx because FedEx was transporting them, see N.Y. Tax Law § 471-a ; Ad. Code § 11-1301. Both the State and the City were thus deprived of tax revenue to which they were entitled the moment FedEx knowingly transported the cigarettes into their jurisdictions untaxed. See City of New York v. Golden Feather Smoke Shop, Inc. , 2013 WL 3187049, at *33 (E.D.N.Y. June 20, 2013) ; City of New York v. Milhelm Attea & Bros. , 2012 WL 3579568, at *14 (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 17, 2012). Because each cigarette carton FedEx shipped this way deprived the State and City of the tax they were entitled to receive had FedEx complied with the law, Plaintiffs suffered damages in the amount of the applicable tax rate on each carton shipped. See Golden Feather , 2013 WL 3187049 at *33.

According to FedEx, Plaintiffs' formula fails to show how FedEx caused Plaintiffs' damages. Under a damages formula that includes causation, FedEx argues, Plaintiffs' damages are only the tax revenues Plaintiffs lost from the smokers it shipped to who would have otherwise paid for taxed cigarettes. Since some of these smokers would have substituted to illegal cigarettes from other sources or non-cigarette alternatives if FedEx had not shipped to them, not all of the cigarettes FedEx shipped would have been replaced by taxed cigarettes. Plaintiffs' damages are thus significantly less than the amount of app