Denning v. Mankin Law Group, P.A., No. 8:21-cv-2882-MSS-MRM, Doc. 46 (M.D. Fla. Nov. 15, 2022)
If Mankin Law Group, P.A. attempted to collect a debt from you between December 4, 2019 and September 21, 2022, you may benefit from the settlement of this class action lawsuit.
This case is titled Douglas Denning v. Mankin Law Group, P.A., Case No. 8:21-cv-2822-MSS-MRM (M.D. Fla.).
Mr. Denning sued Mankin Law Group, P.A. (“Defendant”) alleging that the firm attempted to collect improper debts on behalf of Countryside North Community Association, Inc., in violation of federal and state law. Specifically, Mr. Denning alleged that Defendant and the community association were not entitled to collect annual assessments of $125 for 2019, 2020, or 2021 because such assessments exceeded allowable limits and thus were unenforceable. Over 200 class members received similar letters from Defendant. Defendant denies Plaintiff’s allegations and denies that it did anything wrong.
A settlement will result in payments to those class members who received the subject collection letters, as well as a change in Defendant’s collection practices moving forward. First, Defendant will create a fund of $15,000.00 (the “Class Fund”) to fully settle and release the claims of all consumers from whom Defendant, between December 4, 2019 and September 21, 2022, attempted to collect consumer debts on behalf of Countryside North Community Association, Inc. This Class Fund will be used to pay pro-rata settlement awards of at least $57.03 to all class members.
Second, Defendant also will create a separate fund of $8,800 (the “Subclass Fund”) to fully settle and release the claims of those class members who made payments to Defendant in response to the subject collection letters, and who thus suffered potential out-of-pocket losses. The Subclass Fund will be used to pay pro-rata settlement awards of at least $60.00 to all subclass members who made payments to Defendant. Accordingly, each subclass member who received a letter from Defendant and made a payment to Defendant in response to that letter will receive a total of at least $117.03 under the settlement.
Defendant separately will pay statutory damages to the named plaintiff, class counsel’s attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses, as well as the costs of notice and administration of the settlement.
The Court granted preliminary approval to the settlement on November 15, 2022 and will hold a final fairness hearing on March 22, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. Class members are not required to attend this hearing. If the Court approves the settlement following the March 22, 2023 hearing, class member payments will be mailed within 60 days after such approval.
For additional information, please contact Jesse Johnson at jjohnson@gdrlawfirm.com.