Briefing Schedules for Verizon's Renewed Motions to Compel Arbitration Due July 31

The parties in two related class actions against Verizon agreed further conferral should enable them to stipulate to the facts necessary for the court to resolve their disputes over whether the matters should go forward in arbitration or in court, said Stephen DeNittis of DeNittis Osefchen, lead attorney in both cases, in a Friday letter (see [3:23-cv-01138]) to U.S. District Judge Zahid Qurashi for New Jersey. Citing the court’s June 2 order denying Verizon’s motion to compel arbitration without prejudice in Corsi v. Cellco Partnership, DeNittis said the parties also agreed Verizon will withdraw, without prejudice, its pending motion to compel arbitration in the Allen v. Cellco Partnership case. The parties plan to file the stipulations before July 31, plus proposed briefing schedules for Verizon’s renewed motions to compel arbitration. The parties agreed Verizon’s obligation to answer or move substantively against the Allen and Corsi complaints will be deferred until after the court decides on Verizon’s renewed motions to compel arbitration in both cases. Qurashi signed an order Monday approving the schedule. Plaintiffs in the class actions allege Verizon engaged in a “bait and switch” scheme, advertising a lower price for wireless services before they signed up but then assessing an additional and previously undisclosed “administrative charge” on their monthly bills. The consumers further claim Verizon lied to them by calling the fee a surcharge to reimburse Verizon for the costs of government charges billed to Verizon, when the fee isn’t “in any way related to any government fee or charge.”