Opinion
21-CV-1581 (OTW)
02-08-2022
42 WEST LLC, Plaintiff, v. ALEXANDER S. GOULD, Defendant.
ORDER
ONA T. WANG, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE:
As early as November 1, 2021, Plaintiff had represented that the parties had reached a settlement in principle, but identified certain concerns with finalizing the settlement. (ECF 28). The Court held numerous status calls to ensure that the settlement could be swiftly consummated before the end of 2021, and pro se Defendant made certain confidential representations to the Court regarding settlement, as well as on-the-record statements indicating that settlement was imminent on November 29, 2021. (ECF 35). It is now February 2022, and the Court is concerned that pro se Defendant is not taking his litigation obligations seriously (see ECF 35, 37, 39), and that his prior representations to the Court were not truthful and/or in good faith.
Accordingly, the telephonic status conference set for today is ADJOURNED. The Court will hold an in-person status conference on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. EST in Courtroom 20D, 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10010. If Defendant has retained counsel, such counsel must file a notice of appearance before the conference; otherwise, counsel will 1 not be permitted to speak at the conference. In person attendance at the conference by Defendant or counsel admitted in this District is mandatory; failure to comply with this Order may result in sanctions, including a finding of default and/or contempt of court, pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 16(f), 37(b)(2)(A)(ii)-(vii), 18 U.S.C. § 401, and/or the Court's inherent authority.
Plaintiff shall promptly serve a copy of this Order on Defendant and file proof of service by February 9, 2022.
SO ORDERED. 2