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ORIGINAL
REESE RICHMAN LLPMichael R. Reese (Stale Bar No. 206773)[email protected]
Kim E. [email protected]
875 Avenueof the Americas, 18* FloorNew York. New York 10001Telephone: (212) 643-0500Facsimile: (212)253-4272
^
FILEDLos Angeles Superior Court
OCT 28 2011
>£ c#
Attorneys for Plaintiffand theProposed Class
John A. ClarkeBy
SHA
ut've Officer/Clerk.Deputy
'ESLEY
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Case No. BC4/^45 I
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KIRA LEWIS, on behalf of herself and all otherssimilarly situated,
Plaintiff,CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT ANA, «
o -Im a:
S2IT) "s, I~ D
vs.
GENERAL MILLS. INC.,
Defendant.
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Plaintiff Kira Lewis ("Plaintiff'), on behalfof herself and all others similarlysituated, andby
and through her undersigned counsel, alleges the following based upon her own personalknowledge
and the investigation of her counsel. Plaintiff believesthat substantial evidentiary support willexist
for the allegations set forth herein after a reasonable opportunity for discovery.
NATURE OF THE ACTION
1. This is a proposed class action against General Mills, Inc. ("General Mills" or
"Defendant")for misleadingconsumersabout thenatureof the ingredientsof itscereal products sold
under the Kix brand name, namelyOriginal Kix Crispy Corn Puffs and Honey Kix Crispy Corn
Puffs ("Kix", "Product", or "Products").
2. During a period of time at some point from October 26, 2005, to the present (the
"Class Period"), Defendant engaged in a widespread marketing campaign to mislead consumers
about the natureof the ingredientsin Kix. Specifically, Defendant madethe misleading statements
that itsProducts are "made withAllNaturalCorn" or are"madewith AllNaturalCorn& Honey."
Defendant was thereby able to command a premium price by deceiving consumers about the
attributes of itsProducts anddistinguishing theProducts from similarcereals. Forexample, a recent
studyfound thatOriginalKixCrispy ComPuffswas36%more expensive perouncethananorganic
alternative. Nature's Path unsweetened organic com puffs. Cornucopia Institute, CerealCrimes:
How"Natural" ClaimsDeceiveConsumers and Undermine theOrganic Label- ALook Down the
Cereal and Granola Aisle (2011), available at http://www.cornucopia.ore/20n/10/natural-vs-
organic-cereal/. Defendant was motivated to mislead consumers for no other reason than to take
away market share fromcompeting products, therebyincreasing its own profits.
3. Defendant conveyed this message through a significant marketing and advertising
campaign ontheKix packaging, website, and advertisements. Forexample, General Mills places the
label "madewith AllNaturalCom"on itsOriginal Kix CrispyCom Puffscerealand thelabel "made
with All Natural Com & Honey" on its Honey Kix Crispy Com Puffs cereal. The Kix Product
packaging also includes thesentence: "Madewithsimple, gcod-for-you ingredients likeall-natural
wholegrain corn, KIX®cereal is a tasty way to kickoff a great day."
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4. The representation that Kix is "made with All Natural Com" or is "made with All
Natural Com & Honey" is central to the marketing of the Products, and is displayed, along with the
phrase"KidTested, Mother Approved®," prominently on theProduct labels, the Kix website, and
all Kix advertisements.
5. A 2010 poll by the Hartman Group found that a majority of consumers erroneously
believed the term "natural" implied absenceof genetically modified organisms ("GMOs"). The
Hartman Group, Beyond Organic and Natural (2010) (as quoted in Canada Organic Trade
Association, Consumer Confusion About theDifference: "Natural" and "Organic" Product Claims
(August 2010)). Similarly, two polls from 2009and2010showed a majority of consumers saidthe
"natural" label was either "important"or "very important." Context Marketing, Beyond Organic:
How Evolving Consumer Concerns Influence Food Purchases (2009), available at www.
contextmarketing.com.
6. Furthermore,Defendant's Kix packaging and marketing targetschildren withvarious
promotional gimmicks, such as: 1) the phrase "Kid-Tested, Mother Approved®", 2) the phrase
"great Kix taste = happy kids", 3) Box Tops for Education®, and 4) a "Message to Moms"
accompanied by a cartoon child's face.
7. Unfortunately for consumers and their children, Kix is not "made with All Natural
Cora." Rather, thecom isderivedfromunnatural genetically modifiedplants. Recent GMOtesting
of Kix shows that Kix containsGMOcorn. Cornucopia Institute, Cereal Crimes: How "Natural"
Claims Deceive Consumers and Undermine the Organic Label - A Look Down the Cereal and
Cranota Aisle (2011),available at httd://www.cornucopia.ore/2011/10/natural-vs-organic-cereal/.
8. Further testing by an independent lab hired by Plaintiffs counsel has confirmedthat
Kix contains GMO com.
9. Monsanto Company, an agricultural company that pioneered GMO seeds, defines
GMO on its website as organisms with their "genetic makeup altered to exhibit traits that are not
naturally theirs. In general genes are taken (copied) from one organism that shows a desired trait
and transferred into the genetic code of another organism." See
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http.7/www.monsanto.com/newsview5/Pages/gtossarv.aspx#p (last visited October 28, 2011)
(emphasis added). Therefore, "unnatural" is the defining characteristic of GMO foods.
10. Because of this, Defendant's claim that Kix is "made with All Natural Com" or is
"madewith All Natural Cora& Honey"is false, misleading, anddesigned to deceive consumers into
purchasing its Products. Plaintiffbrings this action to stop Defendant's misleading practice.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
11. This Complaint is filed, andtheseproceedings are instituted,pursuant to California
BusinessandProfessions Code §§ 17203 and 17535, to recoverdamages and to obtain otherrelief
that Plaintiff and the class have sustained as a result of violations by Defendant of California
Business and Professions Code §§ 17200 et seq. and 17500 et seq., as well asConsumers Legal
Remedies Act - CaL Civ. Code § 1750 et seq. (under which only injunctive reliefis sought at this
point).
12. Venue as to Defendant is properin this Court pursuant to California Code of Civil
Procedure § 395. Substantial acts in furtherance of the alleged improper conductoccurred within
this jurisdiction. Plaintiff resides within this jurisdiction and bought Defendant's Products within
this jurisdiction.
13. No portionof this Complaint is brought pursuant to federal law.
14. The claims ofeach memberofthe Classdo not exceed seventy-five thousanddollars
($75,000) exclusive of interest and costs.
PARTIES
15. Plaintiff Kira Lewis is acitizen ofCaliforniabecause Plaintiff isdomiciled inEncino,
California, and hasno intention ofchanging her domicile. Plaintiff Lewis bought an 8.7oz. boxof
Kix cerealon or about August 19,2011 for$3.29 at a Ralphs store on Ventura Boulevard in Encino,
CA. PlaintiffLewis relieduponthe statement thatthe produa was"Made With All Natural Com" in
deciding to purchasethe Product. Had Plaintiffknown atthe time that the Product was not, in fact,
made with "All Natural Com", but instead, made withGMOs, shewould not have purchased the
product
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16. Defendant Genera! Mills is a Delaware corporation with its principal place of
business in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It markets and distributes Kix.
SUBSTANTIVE ALLEGATIONS
17. GMOs have created controversy around theworld duetoconcerns about food safety,
the effect on natural ecosystems, gene flow into non-GM crops, and other issues. One consumer
response has been to purchase products represented as"natural" rather than food products that are
derived from GMOs.
18. Aproduct that isderived from GMOs isunnatural bydefinition. Monsanto Company
definesGMOon its websiteasorganismswiththeir"genetic makeup altered to exhibit traitsthat
are not naturally theirs. In general, genes are taken (copied) from one organism that shows a
desired trait and transferred into the genetic code of another organism." See
http.7/www.monsanto.com/newsviews/Pages/plossarv.aspx#g (last visited October 28, 2011)
(emphasis added).
19. Furthermore, the World Health Organizationdefines GMOs as"organisms inwhich
the genetic material (DNA) has beenaltered in a way that does not occur naturally... It allows
selected individualgenes to betransferred fromone organism intoanother, alsobetween non-related
species." See http://www.who.int/foodsafetv/pufalications/biotech/20questions/en/ (last visited
October 28, 2011) (emphasis added).
20. Based on the definitions above and the public understanding, an important
characteristic of a product derived from GMOs is that it is unnatural.
21. Defendant has engaged in a widespread marketing and advertising campaign to
portray its Products as being "made with All Natural Cora" or "made with All Natural Com &
Honey."
22. Defendant engaged inthis misleading and deceptive campaign to charge a
premium and take away market share from other similar products. Arecent study compared the
prices of Original Kix Crispy Com Puffsand an organic alternative. Nature's Path unsweetened
organic com puffs. The Kix cereal was 36% more expensive per ounce than theNature's Path
cereal. Cornucopia Institute, Cereal Crimes: How "Natural" Claims Deceive Consumers and
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Undermine the Organic Label - A Look Down the Cereal and Granola Aisle (2011),available at
http://www.comucopia.org/2011/10/natural-vs-organic-ccreaI/.
23. Defendant sells two types ofKix cereal under the General Mills label that are widely
consumed by bothchildren andadults. Original Kix Crispy Com Puffs is sold with a label on the
front of the box that states prominently "made with All Natural Com." The Original Kix Crispy
CornPuffs cerealboxdisplays the"made with All Natural Com" label in a bright green color. The
box, byvirtue ofthecombination of this label with the phrase "KidTested, Mother Approved®"and
the image of the cereal made in the shape of com, is designed to evoke wholesomeness and
healthiness. Similarly, HoneyKixCrispyCom Puffs is sold with a labelon the frontof theboxthat
states prominently "made with All Natural Com & Honey." The Honey Kix Crispy Com Puffs
cereal box displays the "made with All Natural Cora & Honey" label in bright while and yellow.
The box, by virtue of the combination of this label with the phrase "Kid Tested, Mother
Approved®", is designed to evoke wholesomeness and health.
24. Defendant also advertises Kixas being"made with All Natural Corn" or "made with
AllNatural Cora & Honey" on its website andinprint. Forexample, the Kix website describes its
cereal as follows: (1) "Original Kix stays true to the 70-year-old recipe of wholesome grains like all-
natural whole grain corn"; (2)"Honey Kix contains the wholesome goodness ofOriginal Kix with a
touch of all-natural honey straight from the hive."
25. InSeptember 2010, General Mills issued apress release that claimed the following:
With the same great taste kids have loved for more than 70
years, Kix introduces a new look for Original Kix andHoney
Kix. Now with only eight ingredients - each of them all-
natural - the "Kid-TestedMother-Approved®" cerealhasno
artificial colors, no artificial flavors, or no artificial
preservatives. Kix has whole grain com and is an excellent
source of iron and a good source of calcium, fiber, and
vitamins C and D.
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General Mills, News release, Survey reveals cereal tops the list of preferred ways to serve a
quickand nutritious breakfast(2010), available at
http://www-Bftn^lmills.com/en/Media/NewsReleases/Librarv/20iO/September/Kix.aspx
(emphasis added).
26. Furthermore, Defendant targets children with various promotional gimmicks. For
instance, the phrase "Kid-Tested, Mother Approved®" appears prominently on the packaging. The
phrase "great Kix taste=happykids"alsoappears onthe packaging. The BoxTops for Education®
promotion is described in the following manner:
We know that a goodeducation for yourkids is just as important to
you asgoodnutrition. That's why KIX is proud to support BoxTops
for Education®. Visit boxtops4education.com to learn how you can
use box tops to earnmoney for your kids' schools, and help support
all the great local programs that nurture eageryoung minds.
27. Finally, the packaging includes a "Message to Moms" accompanied by a cartoon
child's face, which says:
Since we made our first batch ofcrispycom puffs in 1937, KIX® has
been dedicated to helping kids get a bright start to their day. Our
promise issimple: we'Ualways give you acereal thatprovides good
nutrition your kids needand great taste your kids love.
28. Supporting themisleading anddeceptivenature of the Defendant's claims about Kix,
a study conducted by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University found that
specific nutrition-related health claims on cereal boxesresult in parents believing those products to
be healthier than other children's cereals. Such claims also lead to greater willingness in parents to
buythose cereals for their children. See http://opac.vale,edu/news/article.aspx?id=8782(last visited
October 4, 2011).
29. Asstated herein, such statements and the wide-spread marketing campaign portraying
the Products as being "made with AllNatural Com" or"made with All Natural Cora &Honey" are
misleading and deceptive because the Products are derived from unnatural GMOs.
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30. Based on Plaintiffs counsel's research, however, the truth is that
unfortunately forconsumers and theirchildren, Kix is not "made with All NaturalCom" or "made
with All Natural Cora &Honey" because il is made up ofunnatural, genetically modified crops.
Testing by an independent lab hired by plaintiffs counsel hasconfirmed that Kix contains GMO
com.
CLASS ALLEGATIONS
31. Plaintiffbringsthisactionpursuant to § 382ofthe CaliforniaCodeofCivilProcedure
and § 1781 of the California Civil Code, on behalf of:
All consumers who purchased Defendant's Kix Original Crispy Cora Puffs cereal productand/or Kix Honey Crispy Cora Puffs cereal product, bearing the "made with All NaturalCorn" or"made with All Natural Corn &Honey" label, during theperiod October 26,2005,to present (the"Class"). Excluded from theClass are officers anddirectors of theDefendant,membersofthe immediate families of theofficers and directors of the Defendant, and theirlegal representatives, heirs, successors, orassigns and anyentityin which theyhave orhavehad a controlling interest.
32. At this time, Plaintiffdocs not know the exact numberof Classmembers: however,
given thenature of theclaims and thenumber of retail stores selling Defendant's Produas, Plaintiff
believes that Class members are so numerous that joinder of all members of the Class is
impracticable.
33. There is a well-defined community of interest in the questions of law and fact
involved in this case. Questions of law and fact common to the members of the Class which
predominate over questions which may affect individual Class members include:
a. Whether Defendant labeled, marketed, advertised, and/or sold the
Products to Plaintiff and those similarly situated using false,
misleading, and/or deceptive statements or representations,
including statements or representations concerning the ingredients
and qualities of its Products;
b. Whether Defendant omittedand/or misrepresented material facts in
connection with the sales of its Products;
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c. Whether Defendant participated in and pursued the common course
of conduct complained of herein;
d. Whether Defendant's labeling, marketing, advertising, and/or
selling of its Products as being "made with All Natural Corn" or
"made with All Natural Corn & Honey" constitutes an unfair or
deceptive consumer sales practice; and
e. Whether Defendant wasunjustly enriched.
34. Plaintiffs claims are typical of those of theClass because Plaintiff, like all members
of theClass, purchased Defendant's Products bearing the •'made withAll Natural Corn" or"made
with AH Natural Cora & Honey" label at a premium price in a typical consumer setting and
sustained damages from Defendant's wrongful conduct.
35. Plaintiffwill fairly and adequately protect the interests of theClass and has retained
counsel that is experienced in litigating complex class actions. Plaintiff has no interests which
conflict with those of the Class.
36. A class action is superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient
adjudicationof this controversy.
37. The prerequisites tomaintaining aclass action for injunctive or equitable relief are
met as Defendant has acted or refused to act on grounds generally applicable to the Class, thereby
making appropriate final injunctive orequitable relief with respect to the Class as a whole.
38. The prosecution of separate actions bymembers of the Class would create arisk of
establishing inconsistent rulings and/or incompatible standards of conduct for Defendant. For
example, one court might enjoin Defendant from performing the challenged acts, whereas another
might not. Additionally, individual actions may bedispositive of the interests of the Class even
though certain Class membersare not parties to suchactions.
39. Defendant's conduct is generally applicable to the Class as a whole and Plaintiff
seeks, inter alia, equitable remedies with respect to the Class as a whole. As such. Defendant's
systematic policies and practices make declaratory relief with respect to the Class as a whole
appropriate.
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CAUSES OF ACTION
FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
(California's Business and Professions Code § 17200 et seq. -
Unlawful Business Acts and Practices)
40. Plaintiff repeats each and every allegation contained in the paragraphs above and
incorporates such allegations by reference herein.
41. Defendant designed the false, misleading, and deceptive "made with All Natural
Com" label and marketing materials with intent tosell, distribute, and increase the consumption of
its Products.
42. Defendant designed thefalse, misleading, anddeceptive "made with AllNatural Com
&Honey" label andmarketing materials with intent tosell, distribute, and increase theconsumption
of its Products.
43. Defendant's violations constitute unlawful business actsandpractices, which caused
PlaintiffandClass members to suffer pecuniary loss. Specifically, Defendant's false, deceptive, and
misleading "made with AllNatural Com" label and"made with All Natural Cora& Honey" label
caused consumers to purchase Defendant's Products and to pay a premium for those Products,
believing theywerenotmade using genetically modified organisms andthat,therefore, theProducts
were superior to other cereals when, in fact, Defendant's Products were made with GMOs and were
not superior to other cereals on that basis.
44. In this regard, Defendant's manufacturing, marketing, advertising, packaging,
labeling, distributing, and selling ofthe Products violate California's Business and Professions Code
§ 17200 et seq. by virtue of violating the Consumers Legal Remedy Act, California Civil Code
§ 1150 et seq. ("CLRA").
45. The business acts and practices alleged above are unlawful under California's
Business and Professions Code § 17200 also by virtue ofviolating § 17500 etseq., which forbids
untrueadvertisingand misleading advertising.
46. As aresult ofthe business acts and practices described above, Plaintiffand the Class,
pursuant to Business and Professions Code § 17203, are entitled to an order enjoining such future
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conduct on the part ofthe Defendant and such other orders and judgments which may be necessary
to disgorge Defendant's ill-gotten gains and to restore to any person in interest any money, such as
the approximately 36% premium, paid for the Products as a result of the wrongful conduct of
Defendant.
47. The above-described unlawful business acts and practices ofDefendant present a
threat andreasonable likelihood ofdeception to Plaintiffandmembers of theClassinthat Defendant
has systematically perpetrated and continues to perpetrate such acts or practices upon members of
the Class by means of misleading manufacturing, marketing, advertising, packaging, labeling,
distributing, and selling of its Products.
48. THEREFORE,Plaintiffprays for relief as set forth below.
SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION
(California's Business and Professions Code § 17200 etseq. -
Unfair Business Acts and Practices)
49. Plaintiff repeats each and every allegation contained in the paragraphs above and
incorporates such allegations by reference herein.
50. Such acts of Defendant, as described above, constitute unfair business acts and
practices.
51. Plaintiff and other members of the Class who purchased Defendant's Products
suffered a substantial injury by virtue of buying a product they would not have purchased absent
Defendant's unfair marketing, advertising, packaging, and labeling or by paying for the unfairly
marketed, advertised, packaged, and labeled Products.
52. There is no benefit to consumers or competition from deceptively marketing,
advertising, packaging, and labeling cereaL Indeed, the harm to consumers and competition is
substantial
53. Plaintiffand othermembers of theClass whopurchased Defendant's Products had no
way ofreasonably knowing that the Produa they bought was not as marketed, advertised, packaged,
and labeled. Thus, they could not have reasonably avoided the injury each of them suffered.
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54. The gravity of the consequences of Defendant's condua as described above
outweighs any justification, motive, or reason therefor, particularly considering the available legal
alternatives which exist in the marketplace, and is immoral, unethical, unscrupulous, offends
established public policy, or is substantially injurious to Plaintiff andother members of theClass.
55. Asa resultof the business aas andpracticesdescribedabove,Plaintiffand theClass,
pursuant to Business and Professions Code § 17203, areentitled to anorderenjoining such future
conduct onthepart of Defendant and such other orders and judgments which may be necessary to
disgorge Defendant's ill-gotten gains and torestore toany person ininterest anymoney, such asthe
approximately 36%premium, paidfor theProducts asa result of thewrongful conduaofDefendant.
56. THEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for relief as set forth below.
THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION
(California's Business and Professions Code § 17200 et seq. -
Fraudulent Business Acts and Practices)
57. Plaintiff repeats each and every allegation contained in the paragraphs above and
incorporates such allegations by reference herein.
58. Such acts ofDefendant, asdescribed above, constitute fraudulent business practices
under California's Business and Professions Code § 17200 et seq.
59. As more folly described above, Defendant's misleading marketing, advertising,
packaging, and labelingof the Produas islikelytodeceivereasonable consumers. Indeed, Plaintiff
and other members of the Class were unquestionably deceived regarding the characteristics of
Defendant's Produas,asDefendant's marketing, advertising, packaging, and labeling ofits Produas
misrepresents and/oromitsthetruenatureandqualityof Defendant'sProducts. Saidactsconstitute
fraudulent business acts and practices.
60. This fraud and deception caused Plaintiffand members ofthe Class to purchase more
ofDefendant's Produas than they would have ortopay more than they would have for the Produrts
had theyknow theProduas1 truenature or quality.
61. As aresult ofthe business acts and practices described above, Plaintiffand the Class,
pursuant to Business and Professions Code § 17203, are entitled to an order enjoining such future
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conduct on the part ofDefendant and such other orders and judgments which may be necessary to
disgorge Defendant's ill-gotten gains and to restore to any person in interest any money, such as the
approximately 36% premium, paid for the Products as aresult ofthe wrongful conduaofDefendant.
62. THEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for reliefas set forth below.
FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(California's Business and Professions Code § 17500 etseq. -
Misleading and Deceptive Advertising)
63. Plaintiff repeats each and every allegation contained in the paragraphs above and
incorporates such allegations by reference herein.
64. Plaintiff asserts this cause of artion for violations of California's Business and
Professions Code § 17500 et seq. for misleading and deceptive advertising against Defendant.
65. At all material times, Defendant engaged in ascheme ofoffering its Products for sale
to Plaintiff and other members of the Class by way of, inter alia, commercial marketing and
advertising, produa packaging and labeling, and other promotional materials. These materials
misrepresented and/or omitted thetruenature and quality of theProduas, Said advertisements and
inducements were made within the State ofCalifornia and throughout the United States and come
wiihin the definition ofadvertising as contained in Business and Professions Code § \1500 et seq.,in
that such promotional materials were intended as inducements to purchase the Produas, are
statements disseminated by the Defendant to Plaintiff and the Class, and were intended to reach
Plaintiff and members of the Class. Defendant knew, or in theexercise of reasonable care should
have known, that these statements were misleading anddeceptive.
66. Infurtherance ofsaid plan and scheme, Defendant has prepared and distributed within
the Stale ofCalifornia and throughout the United States - via commercial marketing and advertising,
produa packaging and labeling, and other promotional materials - statements that misleadingly and
deceptively represent the true nature and quality of Defendant's Produas. Consumers, including
Plaintiff, necessarily and reasonably relied on these materials, believing the Produas were made
without the use ofgenetically modified organisms, and were therefore superior to other products,
when in fact the Products were made using genetically modified organisms, and were therefore not
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superior to other produas on that basis. Consumers, including Plaintiffand the Class, were among
the intended targets of such representations.
67. The above acts of Defendant, in disseminating said misleading and deceptive
statements to consumers, including Plaintiff and members of the Class, were and are likely to
deceive reasonable consumers, including Plaintiffand other members ofthe Class, by obfuscating
the true nature and quality ofthe Products, all in violation ofthe "misleading prong" ofBusiness and
Professions Code § 17500.
68. As a result of the above violations of the "misleading prong" of Business and
Professions Code § 17500 et seq., Defendant has been unjustly enriched atthe expense ofPlaintiff
and the other members of theClass. Plaintiff and the Class, pursuant to Business and Professions
Code § 17535, are entitled to an order ofthis Court enjoining such future condua on the part of
Defendant and such otherorders and judgments which may be necessary to disgorge Defendant's ill-
gotten gains and restore to any person in interest any money, such as the approximately 36%
premium, paid for the Products asa result of the wrongful conduct of Defendant.
69. THEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for relief as srt forth below.
FIFTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(California's Business andProfessions Code f 17500 etseq. -
Untrue Advertising)
70. Plaintiff repeats each and every allegation contained in the paragraphs above and
incorporates suchallegations by reference herein.
71. Plaintiff asserts this cause of action for violations of California's Business and
Professions Code § 17500 etseq. for untrue advertising against Defendant.
72. At all material times, Defendant has engaged in aschemeofoffering the Products for
sale to Plaintiff and other members of the Class by way of, inter alia, commercial marketing and
advertising, produa packaging and labeling, and other promotional materials. These materials
misrepresented and/or omitted the true nature and quality ofthe Products. Said advertisements and
inducements were made within the State ofCalifornia and throughout the United Slates and come
within the definitionofadvertising as contained in Business and Professions Code§17500 et seq. in
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that such promotional materials were intended as inducements to purchase the Products, are
Statements disseminated by the Defendant to Plaintiff and the Class, and were intended to reach
Plaintiff and members of the Class. Defendant knew, or in the exercise of reasonable care should
have known, that these statements were untrue.
73. in furtherance of said plan and scheme, Defendant has prepared and distributed within
theState ofCalifornia and throughout theUnited States - viacommercial marketing and advertising,
produa packaging and labeling, andotherpromotional materials - statementsthat falsely advertise
the Products as being "made withAll Natural Cora" or"made with All Natural Corn &Honey" and
as therefore beingsuperior toother cereals. Consumers, including Plaintiff and theClass, are among
the intended targets of suchrepresentations andwouldreasonably bedeceived by suchpromotional
materials.
74. Theabove acts of Defendant indisseminating said untrue advertising throughout the
State ofCalifornia andthroughout the United States deceived Plaintiff and the other members ofthe
Class by obfuscating the nature and quality of Defendant's Produas, all in violation ofthe "untrue
prong" of Business and Professions Code § 17500.
75. As aresult oftheabove violations ofthe"untrue prong" of Business and Professions
Code § 17500et seq., Defendanthasbeenunjustly enrichedat the expense of Plaintiffandtheother
members of theClass. Plaintiff and theClass, pursuant to Business and Professions Code § 17535,
are entitled to an orderof this Court enjoining such future conducton the part of Defendant, and
such otherorders and judgments whichmaybe necessary to disgorge Defendant's ill-gotten gains
and restore to anyperson ininterest any money, such as theapproximately 36% premium, paid for
the Produas as a result of the wrongful conduct of Defendant.
76. THEREFORE, Plaintiffprays for relief as set forth below.
SKTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(California Consumers Legal Remedies Act - Cat Civ. Code fi 1750 et seq.)
(Injunctive Relief Only)
77. Plaintiff repeats each and everyallegation contained in the paragraphs above and
incorporates such allegations by reference herein.
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78. This cause ofaction is brought pursuant to the California Consumers Legal Remedies
Act, California Civil Code § 1750 et seq. ("CLRA"). This cause ofaction does not seek monetary
damages at thispoint but is limited solely toinjunctive relief. Plaintiff will amend this Class Action
Complaint toseek damages, in accordance with the CLRA, after providing Defendant with notice
pursuant to California Civil Code § 1782.
79. Defendant's actions, representations, and conduct have violated, and continue to
violate, the CLRA because they extend to transactions that are intended to result, or which have
resulted, in the sale of lease of goodsor services to consumers.
80. Plaintiff and other Class members arc "consumers" as that term is defined by the
CLRA in California Civil Code § 1761(d).
81. The Products that Plaintiffand other members oftheClasspurchased from Defendant
were "goods" within the meaning of California Civil Code § 1761(a).
82. Byengaging intheactions, misrepresentations, andmisconduct setforth in this Class
Action Complaint, Defendant has violated, and continues to violate, § 1770(a)(7) of the CLRA.
Specifically, in violation ofCalifornia Civil Code § 1770(a)(7), Defendant's acts and practices
constitute unfair methods ofcompetition and unfair or fraudulent acts or practices in that they
misrepresent the particular standard, quality, or grade of the goods.
83. Plaintiff requests that this Court enjoin Defendant from continuing to employ the
unlawful methods, a«s,and praaices alleged herein pursuant toCalifornia Civil Code §1780(a)(2).
IfDefendant is not restrained from engaging in these types ofpractices inthe future, Plaintiff and
other members of the Class will continue to suffer harm.
84. THEREFORE, Plaintiff praysfor reliefas set forth below.
SEVENTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(Breach of Express Warranty)
85. Plaintiff realleges and incorporate the above paragraphs of this Class Action
Complaint as if set forth herein.
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86. Defendant provided Plaintiff and other members of the Class with written express
warranties including, but not limited to, warranties that its Products were "made with All Natural
Cora" or "madewith All Natural Corn & Honey," as set forth above.
87. Defendant breached these warranties. This breach resulted in damages to Plaintiff
and other members of the Class, who overpaid for the Products, which were not "made with All
Natural Cora" or "made with All Natural Corn& Honey" in that they contained unnatural GMOs
and did not otherwise conform to Defendant's warranties.
88. Asa proximate result of the breach of warranties byDefendant, Plaintiff and Class
members have suffered damages in an amount to be determined at trial in that, among other things,
they purchased and paid for Products that did not conform to what was promised as promoted,
marketed, advertised, packaged and labeled by Defendant, and they were deprived ofthe benefit of
their bargain and spent money on Products that did not have any value or had less value than
warranted, or Produas thatthey would not have purchased andused had theyknown the truefacts
about them.
89. Therefore, Plaintiff prays for relief as set forth below.
EIGHTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(Breach of ImpliedWarranty of Merchantability)
90. Plaintiff realleges and incorporate the above paragraphs of this Class Action
Complaints as if set forth herein.
91. Plaintiff and other Class members purchased Defendant's Products, which were
promoted, marketed, advertised, packaged, and labeled as being"made with All Natural Com"or
"made with All Natural Com & Honey," as set forth above. Pursuant to these sales, Defendant
impliedly warranted that its Products would be merchantable and fit for the ordinary purposes for
which such goods are used and would conform to the promises or affirmations of fact made in the
Products' promotions, marketing, advertising, packaging, and labels. In doing so. Plaintiffand other
Class members relied on Defendant's representations that the Products had particular charaaeristics,
asset forth above,and,at or aboutthattime, Defendant soId the Products to Plaintiff andotherClass
members. By its representations regarding the reputable nature ofthe company and related entities,
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and by its promotion, marketing, advertising, packaging and labeling of the Produas, Defendant
warranted that the Produas were "made with All NaturalCora" or "made with All NaturalCom &
Honey" and had particular characteristics, as set forth above. Plaintiff and Class members bought
the Produas relyingon Defendant's representations that its Produas were "made with All Natural
Corn" or "made with All Natural Corn & Honey," when, in fact, the Products were unnatural
because they contained GMOs.
92. Defendant breached the warranty impliedat thetimeof sale in that Plaintiffand Class
members did not receive goods that were "made with AH NaturalCorn" or "made with All Natural
Com & Honey" as represented and thus, the goods were not merchantable as fit for the ordinary
purposes for which such goods are used oras promoted, marketed, advertised, packaged, labeled, or
sold.
93. As a proximate result of this breach of warranty by Defendant, Plaintiff and Class
members have suffered damages in an amount tobe determined attrial in that, among other things,
they purchased and paid for Products that did not conform to what was promised as promoted,
marketed, advertised, packaged, and labeled byDefendant, and they were deprived of thebenefit of
their bargain and spent money on Products that did not have any value or had less value than
warranted or Produas that they would not have purchased and used had they known thetrue facts
about them.
94. Therefore, Plaintiff prays for relief as set forth below.
NINTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(Breach of Implied Warrant of Fitness for Particular Purpose)
95. Plaintiff realleges and incorporate the above paragraphs of this Class Action
Complaint as if set forth herein.
96. Plaintiff and other Class members purchased Defendant's Products, which were
promoted, marketed, advertised, packaged, and labeled as being "made with All Natural Com"or
"made with All Natural Com &Honey." Pursuant to these sales and by their promotion, marketing,
advertising, packaging, and labeling, Defendant impliedly warranted that their Products were "made
with Ail Natural Cora" or"made with AllNatural Corn &Honey," as set forth above. Plaintiff and
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Class members bought the Products from Defendant relying on Defendant's skill and judgment in
furnishing suitable goods as well as its representation that its Produas were "made with All Natural
Com" or "made with All Natural Cora & Honey," as set forth above. However, Defendant's
Produas were not "made with AllNatural Corn" or "made with AllNatural Corn&Honey" inthat
they contained GMOs.
97. Defendant breached thewarranty implied at thetimeofsaleinthatPlaintiffand Class
members did not receive Produas that were "made with All Natural Com" or "made with All
Natural Corn &Honey" asrepresented, and thus the goods were not fit for thepurpose aspromoted,
marketed, advertised, packaged, labeled, or sold.
98. Asa resultof this breach of warrant byDefendant, PlaintiffandClassmembers have
suffered damages inanamount tobedetermined at trial inthat, among other things, they purchased
and paid forProduasthatdid notconform to what was promised aspromoted, marketed, advertised,
packaged, andlabeled byDefendant, and they were deprived of thebenefit of their bargain and spent
money on Produas that did nothave any value or had less value than warranted or products they
would not have purchased and used had they known the true facts about them.
99. Therefore, Plaintiffprays for relief as set forth below.
TENTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(Deceit and/or Misrepresentation)
100. Plaintiff realleges and incorporate the above paragraphs of this Class Action
Complaintas if set forth herein.
101. Defendant, through theirlabeling, advertising, andmarketing of the Products, makes
uniform representations and offers regarding the quality of the Products, as described above.
Defendant engaged in, andcontinues to engage in,such fraudulent, misrepresentative, false, and/or
deceptive actswith full knowledge that such aas were, and are, in fact, misrepresentative, false, or
deceptive.
102. Theaforementioned misrepresentations, deceptive, and/orfalse actsandomissions
concern material facts that are essential tothe analysis undertaken by Plaintiff, and those similarly
situated, in deciding whether to purchase Defendant's Produas.
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103. Plaintiff, and those similarly situated, would have aaed differently had they not been
misled - Le. they would not have paid moneyfor the Produas in the first place.
104. Defendant has a duty to correct the misinformation it disseminates through its
advertising of the Produas. By not informing Plaintiff, and those similarly situated, Defendant
breached this duty. Defendant alsogained financially from, andas a resultof, this breach.
105. By and through such deceit, misrepresentations, and/or omissions, Defendant
intended to inducePlaintiff, and those similarly situated, to alter their positionto their detriment.
106. Plaintiff, and those similarly situated, justifiably and reasonably relied onDefendant's
misrepresentations, and, as such, weredamaged by Defendant.
107. As a direct and proximate result of Defendant's deceit and/or misrepresentations,
Plaintiff, and those similarly situated, have suffered damages in anamount equal tothe amount they
paid for Defendant's Produas. The exact amount of this difference will beproven at trial.
108. Defendant acted with intent todefraud, orwith reckless or negligent disregard ofthe
rights of, Plaintiff and those similarly situated.
109. Plaintiff, and those similarly situated, are entitled to punitive damages.
110. Therefore, Plaintiff prays for relief as set forth below.
ELEVENTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(Unjust Enrichment)
111 Plaintiff realleges and incorporate the above paragraphs of this Class Action
Complaint as if set forth herein.
112. As a result of Defendant's deceptive, fraudulent, and misleading labeling,
advertising, marketing, and sales of the Products, Defendant was enriched, at the expense of
Plaintiff, and allothers similarly situated, through the paymentofthe purchase price for Defendant's
Products.
113. Under the circumstances, it would beagainst equity and good conscience topermit
Defendant to retain the ill-gotten benefits that it received from Plaintiff, and all others similarly
situated, in light ofthe fact that the Produas purchased by Plaintiff, and all others similarly situated,
were not what Defendant purported them to be. Thus, it would be unjust or inequitable for
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Defendant to retain the benefil without restitution toPlaintiff, and all others similarly situated, for
the monies paid to Defendant for such Produas.
114. Therefore, Plaintiff prays for relief as set forth below.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
THEREFORE, Plaintiff pray for judgment as follows:
A. Certification of the Class, certifying Plaintiff as representative of theClass, and
designating her counsel as counsel for the Class;
B. Adeclaration that Defendant has committed the violations alleged herein;
C. For restitutionand disgorgement pursuant to, without limitation,California's Business &
Professions Code §§ 17200 et seq. and 17500 etseq.;
D. For declaratory and injunctive reliefpursuant to, without umftation, Califoraia'sBusiness
& Professions Code §§ 17200 et seq. and 17500 etseq.;
E. Fordeclaratory and injunctive relief only pursuant toCalifornia Civil Code § 1780, as
Plaintiff through this Complaint at this point expressly does not seek any monetary type ofrelief
pursuant to the CLRA;
F. An award of compensatory damages, theamount of which is to be determined at trial;
G. For punitive damages;
H. For interest at the legal rate on the foregoing sums;
I. For costs of suit incurred; and
J. For such further relief as this Court may deem just and proper.
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JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
Plaintiff hereby demands a trial by jury.
Dated: Oaober 28, 2011 REESE RICHMAN LLP
Michael R. Reese
Kim E. Richman
875 Avenue of the Americas, 18* FloorNew York. New York 10001
Telephone: (212) 643-0500Facsimile: (212)253-4272
Attorneysfor Plaintiffand theProposed Class
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ORIGINAL
tATTOOCV ORnWVmnoUT ATTOWMYMm. «**rmn«». «f Mtaqt
REBSBRJCHMAN LLP.Michael R. Recae (SlateBarNo. 206773X KimB. Ricnmaij875 Avenue of IfaeAmericas. 18* FloorNew York. New York 10001
wwiift (212) 6433500 who, (212) 253-4272mtmww—* KIRA LEWIS
•iffpaowcowrroycMgoiBjoAcownroF LOS ANGELES
^^S 111 North Hill StreetorrAMDA'eeK Los Angeles, CA 90012
nmeoun-uwaxr£&W
piLEDU» Angeles Superior Court
OCT 28 2011
lohn A Clarke/By. U
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SLEYCASE NAME:
KIRA LEWIS v. GENERAL MILLS. INC.SHAI
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Cowmlnlnnf AooeaJiCIVtL CASE COVER 8HEET
SHORT Tm£
Kira Lewis v General Mills, Inc.
ORIGINAL
CASE NUMBER
CIVIL CASE COVER SHEET ADDENDUM AND STATEMENT OF LOCATION{CERTIFICATE OF GROUNDS FOR ASSIGNMENT TO COURTHOUSE LOCATION!
| This form Is required pursuant to LASC Local Rule 2.0 In all new crvll case Bungs In the Los Angeles Superior CourtItem I. Check the types of hearing and fill in the estimated lengthof hearing expected for this case:
JURY TRIAL? 0 0>YES CLASS ACTION? liJYES LIMITEDCASE? • YES TIME ESTIMATED FOR TRIAL 2 • HOURS/a DAYS
Item II. Select thecorrect district and courthouse location (4 steps- If you checked 'Limited Case*, skip to Item III, Pg. 4):Step 1: After first completing the Civil Case Cover Sheet Form, find the main civil case cover sheet heading for your case inthe left margin below, and, totheright in Column A, theCivil Case Cover Sheet casetype you selected.Step 2: Checkam Superior Court typeof action in Column B below which bestdescribes the nature of thiscase.Step 3: In Column C,circle the reason for the court location choice that applies to the type ofaction you have checked.For any exception to the court location, see Los Angeles Superior Court Local Rule 2.0.
Step
Sr-
o
S<
IS•2. 3
•I£ Sa Px iSo
»iI*II??
*!z a
Applicable Reasons for ChoosingCourthouse Location (see ColumnC below)Ctast Action* mutt be filed hi the County Courthouse, Central DistrictMaybe Hied InCentral(Othercounty, or no Bodilyinjury/Property Damme).Location where causa of action arete.Locationwhere bodilyInjury, death or damage occurred.Location where performance reqiired or defendant resides.
6. Location ol property or permanently garaged vehicle.7. Location wherepetitioner reskta.a. UJcaUwiwrwmlnoeferxJantAesrxrKientfLJKtloravvtrtlv.9. Location whereone ormore of(he parties reside.10. Location of Labor Commissioner Office.
4: Fill In the Information requestedon page 4 in Item Hi; completeHern IV. sign the declaration
CMI Caae Cover SheetCategory No.
Auto(2Z)
Urinsured Motorist (48)
Asbestos (04)
Product Liability(24)
Medical Malpractice (46)
OtherPersonal Injury
Property DamageWrongful Death
(23)
Business Tort (07)
CMI Rights (08)
Defamation (13)
Fraud (18)
Type of ActionB
(Check only ©no)
D A7100 Motor Verdde • Personal Injury/Property OamageAttongtul Death
Q A7110 Personal lr\|ury/Propeity DamagerVVronglul Death - Uninsured Motorist
D A6070 Asbestos Property Damage
D A7221 Asbestos - Personal InJuryrVvrcngful Death
D A7280 Product Liability (not asbestos or toxlerenvtiuiiiiiemsO
O A7210 Medkal MaJpractioi - Physicians &SurgeonsD A7240 Other Profe«iorialHeanh Care Malpractice
D A7250 Premises Uabinty (e.g., slip and fall)O A7230 intentional Bodily Injury/Property DarnarjeA/vronglut oeath (e.g.,
assautt, vandalism, etc)
Q A727Q tr*srtlcir^lrfflU^ri<rfErr«aoria! Distress
D A7220 OtTawPersortf Injury/Property OarmajeAMer^rM Death
Z ABQ29 Other ComrrwrrJalrBuslneas Tort (not fraud/breach ofcontract)
• A6005 CM Rlghts/DisouTdnatlon
D A8010 Detematicfl (lisnderrubel)
D A6013 Fraud (nocontract)
cApplicable I
See Step 3 Above
V.2.,4.
1..2..4.
1.. 2., 3.4,8.
1..2..4.
1..2..4.
1..2..4.
1..2..4,
1..2..3.
1..2..4.
fa*1, 2.. 3.
1..2..3.
1,2.. 3.
IS LACTV109 (Rev. 01/07)
LASC Approved 03-04
CIVIL CASE COVER SHEET ADDENDUMAND STATEMENT OF LOCATION
LASC, rule 2.0
Page 1 of 4
CO
aa ~> 30
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a
tc
C•a
&
*
*
I
SHORT TTTLa
Kira Lewis v General Mllla, Inc.
CASENUUBER
ACfvil Cass CevorSheet Category No.
BType of Action
(Check onty one)
CApplicable Reasons-See Step 3 Above
Professional
Negligence
(25)
D A6017 Legal Malpractice
D A60SO Other Professional Malpractice (not medical orlegal)
1..2..3.
1..2..3.
Other (35) D A6025 Other Non-Personal Injury/Property Damage tort 2.,3.
WrongfulTermination(38)
D A6037 VVrongful Termination 1..2..3.
Other Employment(15)
D A6024 Other Emptoyment Complaint Case
0 A8109 Labor Commissioner Appeal*
1..2..3.
10.
Breach of Contract/Warranty
(08)(not insurance)
D A6004 Breach of RarrtaVLease Contract (not Unlawful Detainer orwrongful eviction)
D AOOOB rjorrtraetWarTanty Breach -Seller PlalrrUH (notraud/neglrganee)
D A6019 Negligent Breech ofContract/Warranty (nofraud)
D A6028 Other Breech ofContraet/VvarrBrty (not fraud ornegligence)
2.. 5.
2., 5.
1..2.. 5.
t.,2.,6.
Collections(03)
Q A6002 ColtectioniCase-Seller Plaintiff
O AB012 Other Promtesory MoterCoDecUona Case
2., S.. 8.
2..S.
Insurance Coverage(18)
0 AB015 Insurance Coverage (net complex) 1 , 2, 5 8.
Ottor Contract(37)
D AS009 Contractual Fraud
0 A6031 TortiousInterference
D AS027 Other Corrrraa Dtspute(n« bnjachrtnsurarwe/treud/negjr^
V.2., 3., 5.
1..2..3..8.
EminentDomain/Inverse
Condemnation (14)
D A7300 Eminent Domain/Condemnation Number of oarcels 2.
Vvrongful Eviction(33)
• A6023 Vvrongful Eviction Case 2., 6.
Other Real Property(28)
D A8018 Mortgage Foreclosure
D A8032 QuMTtrJe
• AB060 Other Real Property (not eminent domain, landlord/tenant rorecioiure)
2., 8.
2.. 6.
Z..6.
Unlawful Detainer-Commercial (31)
• A6021 UrUawfulDetalner-Comrriercial (not drugs orwronr^ eviction) 2.. 6.
Unlawful Detainer-
Residential (32) 0 A6020 Uniewful Detainer-Residential (not drugs or wrongful eviction) 2., 8.
Unlawful Deutner-
Drugs (38)D A6022 Unlawful Detainer-Drugs 2., 8.
Asset Forfeiture(05) D A8108 Asset ForfeitureCase 2.8.
Peblion re Arbitration
(11)D A8115 FvtrtlontoCompel/ConllnTirvacatsArrjrtration 2.. 5.
..1
12
IS
LACIV 109 (Rev. 01/07)
LASC Approved 03-04
CIVIL CASE COVER SHEET ADDENDUMAND STATEMENT OF LOCATION
LASC, rule 2.0
Page 2 of 4
SHORT TITLE;
Kira Lewis v General Hi 11a, Inc.
CASS NUMBER
IJ
I
•a•n
"8a
= 5E E
!?£ 2iS "5
?IJS c5 dSo.a5
0
CMI Case Cover SheetCategory No.
Writ of Mandate
(02)
Other Judicial Review(38)
Antitrust/TradeRegulation (03)
Construction Defect (10)
Claims Involving MastTort (40)
Securities Litigation (28)
Toxic TortEnvironmental (30)
insurance CoverageClaims from Complex
Case (41)
Enforcementof Judgment
(20)
RICO (27)
Other Complaints(Mot Specified Above)
(42)
PartnershipCorporationOovernance(21)
Other Petitions(Not Specified Above)
(43)
8.9
O
is LACIV109 (Rev. 01/07)
LASC Approved 03-04
BType of Action
(Check only one)
D A8151 WrH - Administrative Mandamus
D A8152 Writ - Mandamus onUnvtad Court CaseMatter
• A8153 WW- OtherLimited Court Case Review
D A61S0 OtherVVrit /Judicial Review
• AS003 Antitrust/Trade Regulation
D A6007 Construction delect
D A6006 Claims Involving Mass Ton
• A8035 Securities Litigation Case
D A8036 ToxicTort/Envlronmertol
D A8014 Insurance Coverage/Subrogation (complex case only)
• A8141 Sister State Judgment
D A8160 Abstract ofJudgment
• A8107 Confession ofJudgment (non-domesoc relations)O A6140 Administrative Agency Award (not unpaid taxes)D A6114 PeUHon/CertNlcale for Entry ofJudgment on Unpaid Tax• A8112 Other Enforcement ofJudgment Case
D A8033 Racketeering (RtCO) Case
D AB030 Declaratory Relief Only
O A8040 Injunctive Relief Only (not dorneatfc/herassment)D A8011 ClrwrCCfrrmerciaiCorrcilaim(^sa(tiorMorl/n(xi-coin^D ABOOO C4hBrCMComr^airt(non^orf/non-comptex)
D A6113 Partnership arxl Corporate Governenee Case
D AS121 CM) Harassment
Q AB123 Workplace Harassment
D A8124 Eldar/Dependent Adult Abuse CaseD A6190 ElectionContest
D A6110 Petition for Change of Name
n AB170 Petition for Relief from Late Clafrn Law
D A6100 Other Civil Petition
CIVIL CASE COVER SHEET ADDENDUMAND STATEMENT OF LOCATION
Applicable Reason* •See Step 3 Above
i.e.
2
2.
2., 8.
1., 2„ 8.
1..2., 3,
1.2.. 6.
1..2..8.
1.. 2.3.. 8.
1..2..5..8.
2., 8.
2.,8,
2..e.
2.. 8.
2.. 8.
2., 8., 9.
V, 2., 8.
1..2..8.
2., 8.
1.. 2.. 8.
1., 2., 8.
2., 8.
2. 3., g.
2.. 3.. 9.
2., 3., 9.
2.
2.. 7.
2.. 3., 4.. 8.
2., 9.
LASC, rule 2.0
Page 3 of 4
O
ISI*
SHORT TTTLE
Kira Lewis v General Hills, inc.CASE NUMBER
Item ill. Statement ofLocation: Enter theaddress oftheaccident, party's residence or place ofbusiness, performance, orother circumstance Indicated in Item II., Step 3on Page 1. as the proper reason for tiling in the court location you selected.
BBl.i
REASON: CHECK THE NUMBER UNDER COLUMN C
WHICH APPLIES IN THIS CASE
1. D2. 03. 04. D5. D6. D7. D8. D9. D10.
ADDRESS
Ib35*4 GeUw^-fWnUeCITY:
Encino
STATE
CA
2PC00&
qmsy
Item IV. Declaration of Assignment Idedans under penalty ofperjury under the laws ofthe State ofCalifornia that the foregoing istrue and correct and that theatrove-erttrded matter isproperly filed tor assignment to the Central civil wealraurthrjuM in thec«"eral District ofthe Los Angeles Superior Court (Code Civ. Proc, §392 etseq., and LASC Local Rule 2.0,subds. (b), (c) and (d)).
Dated: 10/28/2011
PLEASE HAVE THE TOLLOWJNO ITEMS COMPLETED AND READY TO BEFILED IN ORDER TOPROPERLY COMMENCE YOUR NEW COURT CASE:
1. Original Complaint or Petition.
2. If filing a Complaint, a completed Summons form for issuance bythe Cleric
3. Civil Case Cover Sheet form CM-010.
4. Complete Addendum to CMI Case Cover Sheet form LACIV109 (Rev. 01/07), LASC Approved 03-04.5. Payment in full of the filing fee, unless fees have been waived.
6. Signed order appointing theGuardian ad Litem, JC form FL-935. ifthe plaintiff or petitioner Is a minorunder18 yearsof age, or if required by Court.
7. Additional copies ofdocuments tobeconformed bythe Clerk. Copies ofthecover sheet and this addendummust beserved along with thesummons and complaint, orother initiating pleading in the case.
LACIV 108 (Rev. 01/07)
LASC Approved 03-04CIVIL CASE COVER SHEET ADDENDUM
AND STATEMENT OF LOCATIONLASC, rule 2 0
Page 4 of 4