Opinion
5:10-CV-596 (NAM/ATB).
July 5, 2011
Sugarman Law Firm LLP, Paul V. Mullin, Esq., of counsel, Syracuse, New York, Attorney for Plaintiff.
Goldberg Segalla LLP, Molly M. Ryan, Esq., of counsel, Syracuse, New York, and Keaton Associates, PC, James M. Joyce, Esq., of counsel, Palatine, Illinois, Attorneys for Intervenor Plaintiff.
Empire Fresh Cuts, LLC, Oswego, New York, Defendant.
James R. Zappala, Cato, New York, Defendant.
Samuel A. Zappala, Oswego, New York, Defendant.
MEMORANDUM-DECISION AND ORDER
Plaintiff moves (Dkt. No. 34) for default judgment in this action based on the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act ("PACA"), 7 U.S.C. §§ 499a et seq. The Court has set forth the background of the case in its previous decisions in this matter (Dkt. Nos. 21, 28) and does not repeat it here. In support of its motion for judgment, plaintiff relies on previously-submitted affidavits from plaintiff's managing member Bernard Desch setting forth the history of the transactions, the efforts to collect the funds, and the actions of Samuel Zappala and James Zappala as licensed PACA representatives on behalf of defendants. Between July 1, 2009 and August 1, 2009, plaintiff sold and shipped to defendants perishable agricultural commodities in a series of transactions. On or about the date of each transaction, plaintiff forwarded an invoice setting forth the amount due, containing the appropriate PACA language, and requiring payment within 21 days of receipt of the goods. Defendants have failed to pay the sums due, which total $228,606.85. At no time have defendants disputed the amount due or their default in payment.
On November 3, 2010, plaintiff obtained an entry of default from the Clerk of the Northern District of New York (Dkt. No. 29). Plaintiff has adduced competent evidence demonstrating its entitlement to recover $228,606.85 plus costs, plus interest from September 1, 2009. This award of judgment to plaintiff does not dispose of the claim of the intervenor plaintiff.
It is therefore
ORDERED that plaintiff's motion (Dkt. No. 34) for default judgment is granted; and it is further
ORDERED that plaintiff recover judgment against defendants for $228,606.85 plus costs, plus interest from September 1, 2009.
IT IS SO ORDERED.