Opinion
Case No. 2:11-cv-01017-JCM-CWH
03-11-2016
GLEN ALEXANDER BASS, Plaintiff, v. JAMES HARRIS, et al., Defendants.
ORDER
This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff Glen Alexander Bass's ("plaintiff") motion for judgment debtor exam (doc. # 84), filed March 10, 2016. Having secured a judgment in his favor for $108,469.82, plaintiff requests an order requiring Defendant Titan International USA, Inc. ("defendant") to: (1) designate a person most knowledgeable to appear and be examined under oath regarding defendant's property and assets, and (2) produce several categories of documents to plaintiff's counsel at the examination.
Rule 69 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure ("FRCP") provides that "proceedings supplementary to and in aid of judgment or execution-must accord with the procedure of the state where the court is located." See Fed. R. Civ. P. 69(a)(1). Rule 69 further provides that "[i]n aid of judgment or execution, the judgment creditor or a successor in interest whose interest appears of record may obtain discovery from any person-including the judgment debtor-as provided in these rules or by the procedure of the state where the court is located." Fed. R. Civ. P. 69(a)(2). The scope of post-judgment discovery is broad and the judgment-creditor is permitted to make a broad inquiry to discover any hidden or concealed assets of a judgment-debtor. 1st Technology, LLC v. Rational Enterprises, Ltda, No. 2:06CV-01110-RLH-GWF, 2007 WL 5596692, at *4 (D. Nev. Nov. 13, 2007). Rule 69 permits a judgment creditor to obtain post-judgment discovery pursuant to the procedures set forth in the FRCP or state law. Id. Under Nevada law:
A judgment creditor, at any time after the judgment is entered, is entitled to an order from the court requiring the judgment debtor to appear and answer upon oath or affirmation concerning his or her property, before:Nevada Revised Statutes ("NRS") 21.270(1).
(a) The judge or a master appointed by the judge; or
(b) An attorney representing the judgment creditor,
at a time and place specified in the order. No judgment debtor may be required to appear outside the county in which the judgment debtor resides.
The requested judgment-debtor exam is authorized under the aforementioned law. The undersigned expresses no view regarding the various categories of documents plaintiff requests that the judgment debtor bring to the examination, except to say that such requests must conform to the Federal Rules or "the procedure of the state where the court is located." Fed. R. Civ. P. 69(a)(2); see also Alcalde v. NAC Real Estate Investments & Assignments, Inc., 580 F. Supp. 2d 969, 971 (C.D. Cal. 2008) ("The judgment creditor may also propound discovery to the judgment debtor, including requests for production and/or inspection of documents.").
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff's motion for a judgment debtor exam (doc. # 84) is granted.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that defendant shall produce a person most knowledgeable to appear and be examined on March 31, 2016 at 3:00 P.M. at the offices of Callister & Associates, 823 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Suite 330, Las Vegas, NV 89101, to then and there answer questions under oath regarding defendant's assets and means of paying the judgment in this matter, and for such other proceedings as may occur consistent with proceedings supplementary to execution.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that defendant shall refrain from effectuating any transfer of, or interference with, any of its property that is not exempt from execution.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this order shall be personally served upon defendant at least fourteen (14) calendar days before the hearing scheduled herein and proof of service filed with the Court. Failure to appear may subject defendant to sanctions for contempt of court.
DATED: March 11, 2016
/s/ _________
C.W. Hoffman, Jr.
United States Magistrate Judge