Maria Elena Velez Guerra v. Crescent Hotels and Resort, LLC

I.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Plaintiff Maria Elena Velez-Guerra filed a Complaint against Defendant Crescent Hotels & Resorts, LLC on May 4, 2020 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, raising employment retaliation and disability discrimination claims under state law. [Doc. # 1-2.] Defendant filed an Answer in state court on July 29, 2020 and removed the action to this Court the next day, asserting diversity jurisdiction. Answer [Doc. # 1-3]; Notice of Removal [Doc. # 1].

Plaintiff filed the instant Motion to Remand (“MTR”) on September 9, 2020. Plaintiff argues that the Court should remand the case because Defendant has not established that there is at least $75,000 in controversy in this action. MTR [Doc. # 10]. The MTR is fully briefed. Opp. [Doc. # 14]; Reply [Doc. # 16]. For the following reasons, the Court DENIES the MTR.

II.

LEGAL STANDARD

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. section 1332(a), a district court shall have jurisdiction over a civil action where the amount in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs, and there is complete diversity of citizenship between the parties. Under 28 U.S.C. section 1441(a), an action may…