Diane Gonzalez v. FCA US LLC

I. BACKGROUND

On February 25, 2020, Plaintiffs filed their complaint against Defendant FCA and Defendant AutoNation Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Valencia (“Defendant AutoNation’) in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles. (Dkt. No. 1-2.) On April 2, 2020, Defendant FCA removed Plaintiffs’ suit to this Court. (Dkt. No. 1). In their notice of removal, Defendant FCA argued that removal was

CV-90 (12/02) CIVIL MINUTES — GENERAL Initials of Deputy Clerk CB

proper because the only non-diverse defendant, Defendant AutoNation, was fraudulently joined. (Id.) Plaintiffs’ complaint alleges one cause of action for negligent repair against Defendant AutoNation. (Dkt. No. 1-2 ¶ 164–68.)

Plaintiffs now move to remand this action on the ground that Defendant AutoNation was not fraudulently joined, thus eliminating complete diversity among the parties. (See Dkt. No. 13.) Plaintiffs also move to remand on the ground that the amount in controversy requirement is not met. (Id.)

II. LEGAL STANDARD

A. Removal Jurisdiction

28 U.S.C. § 1441(a) (“Section 1441”) provides that a civil action may be removed to the district court where…