Opinion
2:90-cv-0520 KJM DB P
09-13-2021
RALPH COLEMAN, et al., Plaintiffs, v. GAVIN NEWSOM, et al., Defendants.
ORDER
On December 11, 1995, the court entered an order referring this matter to a Special Master and directing that the Special Master's fees and expenses be borne by the defendants as part of the costs of this action. A significant amount of work remains to be done by the Special Master and additional funds are required to pay his fees and expenses.
The court must take all steps necessary to ensure timely payment of the Special Master's fees and expenses. Beginning in February 2020, the court increased the required deposits in light of the increase in both the Special Master's workload and his staff. See ECF Nos. 6455, 6703, 6784. Exigent circumstances presented by the novel coronavirus pandemic and ongoing outstanding remedial issues require an additional deposit of funds within the next thirty days.
The uncertainties regarding the remedial path of this action in view of the issues that remain outstanding, including the series of settlement conferences beginning this month, as well as the ongoing impacts of the novel coronavirus pandemic require a substantial increase in the deposit required by this order.
Accordingly, good cause appearing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Within thirty days from the date of this order, defendants shall deposit with the Clerk of the Court a one hundred and thirty-ninth interim payment of costs in the amount of $3,000,000.00, which amount shall be invested in the interest-bearing account previously opened for this action; and
2. The Clerk of the Court is directed to serve a copy of this order on the Financial Department of this Court.