Opinion
Civil Action No. 3:12-CV-4377-M
12-30-2015
LAWRENCE M. SMITH, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ex rel Plaintiffs, v. DEION L. SANDERS, Individually, ET AL., Defendants.
Referred to U.S. Magistrate Judge
FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATION
Pursuant to the standing order of reference dated June 8, 2015 (doc. 126), this case was referred for pretrial management, including the determination of non-dispositive motions and issuance of findings of fact and recommendations on dispositive motions. Before the Court are the Plaintiffs' Motion[s] for Default Judgment, filed April 6, 2015 (doc. 111), and April 7, 2015 (doc. 116). Based on the relevant filings and applicable law, the motions should be DENIED.
I. BACKGROUND
On October 31, 2012, Lawrence Smith (Plaintiff), on behalf of the United States of America, filed suit against several defendants, including Jennifer Young and Remond Elder (Defendants), for violations of the False Claims Act, 21 U.S.C.A. §§ 3729-3730 (the Act). (See doc. 2.) He alleges that all the defendants "committed several acts and omissions that contributed to and resulted in the making of false and fraudulent statements and claims to obtain federal grant funds" through the National School Lunch Program (the School Lunch Program) and Summer Food Service Program (the Summer Food Program). (doc. 89 at 10-12.) Plaintiff seeks a civil penalty of not less than $5,500 and not more than $11,000 for each of the 111 alleged violations of the Act, plus three times the at least $202,716.51 in damages that the United States allegedly sustained because of the defendants' actions. (See docs. 89, 111, 116.) At $5,500 times 111 violations plus three times the alleged damages, the total amount of damages requested exceeds $1,218,649.53. Two motions to dismiss for failure to state a claim have been granted, (see docs. 61, 64, 134, 135), and a recommendation that a third motion be granted is currently pending (see doc. 139).
Plaintiff also brought claims for violations of the Act against several defendants in a related action entitled and styled Smith et. al. v. Wallace et. al., 3:13-CV-3106-M (the Related Action). (See doc. 2, Related Action). The Related Action was consolidated with this action on May 27, 2015. (doc. 122; Related Action, doc. 46.)
According to Plaintiff, the School Lunch Program and Summer Food Program are federally mandated and funded, and they are administered by the State of Texas through its Department of Agriculture. (doc. 89 at 10-12.)
On January 8, 2014, Plaintiff filed a first amended complaint that did not name Defendants, and they were terminated as parties to the action. (doc. 13.) On March 2, 2015, Plaintiff filed a third amended complaint that again named Defendants as parties to the action. (doc. 89.) The Clerk of Court issued a summons for Defendants on March 3, 2015. (doc. 91.) On March 22, 2015, Plaintiff filed a proof of service attesting to service of the summons and complaint on Defendant Young by private process server on March 4, 2015. (See doc. 102.) On March 27, 2015, Plaintiff filed a proof of service attesting to service of the summons and complaint by private process server on Defendant Elder on March 11, 2015. (See doc. 105.)
On March 31, 2015, Plaintiff requested entry of default against Defendant Young, the Clerk of Court entered a default against her on that same date. (docs. 106, 107.) Plaintiff requested entry of default against Defendant Elder, and the Clerk of Court entered a default against him on April 6, 2016. (docs. 113, 114.) Plaintiff subsequently moved for default judgment against Defendants (docs. 111, 116), and neither has responded.
II. DEFAULT JUDGMENT
Plaintiffs move for default judgment under Fed. R. Civ. P. 55. (See doc. 84.)
Rule 55 sets forth the conditions under which default may be entered against a party, as well as the procedure to seek the entry of default judgment. There is a three-step process for securing a default judgment. See New York Life Ins. Co. v. Brown, 84 F.3d 137, 141 (5th Cir. 1996). First, a default occurs when a party "has failed to plead or otherwise defend" against an action. FED. R. CIV. P. 55(a). Next, an entry of default must be entered by the clerk when the default is established "by affidavit or otherwise." See id.; NewYork Life Ins. Co., 84 F.3d at 141. Third, a party may apply to the clerk or the court for a default judgment after an entry of default. FED. R. CIV. P. 55(b); New York Life Ins. Co., 84 F.3d at 141.
Here, because Defendants have failed to plead or otherwise defend, and Plaintiff has obtained an entry of default from the Court Clerk, the first two requisites for a default judgment have been met. Remaining for determination is whether entry of a default judgment is appropriate.
"'Default judgments are a drastic remedy, not favored by the Federal Rules and resorted to by courts only in extreme situations.'" Lewis v. Lynn, 236 F.3d 766, 767 (5th Cir. 2001) (quoting Sun Bank of Ocala v. Pelican Homestead & Sav. Ass'n, 874 F.2d 274, 276 (5th Cir. 1989)). Moreover, "a party is not entitled to a default judgment as a matter of right, even where the defendant is technically in default." Id. (quoting Ganther v. Ingle, 75 F.3d 207, 212 (5th Cir. 1996) (per curiam)). Default judgment "should not be granted on the claim, without more, that the defendant had failed to meet a procedural time requirement." Mason & Hanger-Silas Mason Co., Inc. v. Metal Trades Council, 726 F.2d 166, 168 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam). The decision to enter a judgment by default is discretionary. Stelax Indus., Ltd. v. Donahue, No. 3:03-CV-923-M, 2004 WL 733844, at *11 (N.D. Tex. Mar. 25, 2004).
Courts consider numerous factors in deciding whether to grant a motion for default judgment. 10A CHARLES ALAN WRIGHT, ARTHUR R. MILLER, MARY KAY KANE & RICHARD L. MARCUS, FEDERAL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE § 2685 (3d ed. 1998). The applicable factors include: 1) the amount of money involved; 2) whether there are material issues of fact or issues of substantial public importance at stake; 3) whether the default is technical in nature; 4) the extent of prejudice to the plaintiff due to the delay; 5) whether the grounds for default are clearly established; 6) the harsh effect of a default judgment; 7) whether the default resulted from a good faith mistake or excusable neglect on the defendant's part; 8) whether the plaintiff's actions contributed to delay; and 9) whether the court would be obligated to set aside the default on motion by the defendant. Id.; see also Stelax Indus., Ltd., 2004 WL 733844, at *11(citing 10A WRIGHT, MILLER, KANE & MARCUS, FEDERAL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE § 2685).
Moreover, "[w]here one of multiple defendants is in default, as a general rule, a decree of default may be entered, but a judgment is withheld pending a decision on the merits as to the other defendants." Raleigh Cycle Co. of Am. v. Risha, No. H-84-522, 1987 WL 11889, at *1 (S.D. Tex. May 27, 1987) (citing Frow v. De La Vega, 82 U.S. (15 Wall.) 552, 554 (1872). In Frow, the Supreme Court stated that:
where a [complaint] makes a joint charge against several defendants, and one of them makes default, [a court] is simply to enter a default . . . and proceed with the cause upon the answers of the other defendants. The defaulting defendant has merely lost his standing in court. He will not be entitled to service of notices in the cause, nor to appear in it in any way. He can adduce no evidence, he cannot be heard at the final hearing. But if the suit should be decided against the
complainant on the merits, the bill will be dismissed as to all the defendants alike-the defaulter as well as the others. If it be decided in the complainant's favor, he will then be entitled to a final decree against all.82 U.S. (15 Wall.) at 554; see also Lewis, 236 F.3d at 768 (recognizing that when "a defending party establishes that plaintiff has no cause of action . . . this defense generally inures to the benefit of a defaulting defendant"); Grimball v. New Orleans City, No. 10-3657, 2012 WL 3027921, at *2 (E.D. La. July 24, 2012) (applying Frow to avoid the possibility of inconsistent judgments); American S. Ins. Co. v. Buckley, No. 1:09-CV-723, 2010 WL 5654105, at *3-5 (E.D. Tex. Dec. 28, 2010) (same), recommendation adopted by 2011 WL 288604 (Jan. 27, 2011). Even when defendants are similarly situated but not jointly liable, however, judgment should not be entered against a defaulting defendant if the other defendant prevails on the merits as a matter of sound policy. Gulf Coast Fans, Inc. v. Midwest Electronics, 740 F.2d 1499, 1512 (5th Cir. 1984) (citations omitted); see also Underwriters at Lloyds, Syndicate 4242 v. Turtle Creek P'ship, Ltd., No. 4:08-CV-3044, 2010 WL 5583118, at *3 (S.D. Tex. Feb. 26, 2010) (While Frow applies "when the liability is joint and several, it probably can be extended to situations in which several defendants have closely related defenses.") (quoting from 10A WRIGHT, MILLER, KANE & MARCUS, FEDERAL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE § 2690).
Compare Mori Seiki USA, Inc. v. McIntyre, No. 3:06-CV-2344-B, 2008 WL 577274, at *2 (N.D. Tex. Mar. 4, 2008) (granting default judgment in a case involving joint and several liability based on a finding that there was no risk of inconsistent judgments)
In this case, Plaintiff sues under the False Claims Act and requests a civil penalty of not less than $5,5000 for each of the 111 alleged violations, plus three times the at least $202,716.51 in damages that the United States allegedly sustained because of Defendants' actions, for a total award exceeding $1,218,649.53. (See docs. 89, 111, 116.) Based on this amount, the first factor weighs against entry of a default judgment. See Rolle v. Law Office of Samuel Streeter, PLLC, No. CIV 08-274-TUC-CKJ, 2010 WL 729022, *6 (D. Ariz. Mar. 2, 2010) ("If the sum of money at stake is completely disproportionate or inappropriate, default judgment is disfavored."); Lott v. Indian Harbor Marine, Inc., No. 96-2480, 1997 WL 325368 (E.D. La. June 11, 1997) (denying motion for default judgment in part because the damages sought exceeded $500,000). Because the damages claimed by Plaintiff are unliquidated, assessing an appropriate damage award with reasonable certainty would also be difficult at this stage of the case, especially where the motions fail to specify what portion of the violations or damages are allegedly attributable to Defendants. See Bullock v. Abbott & Ross Credit Services, L.L.C., No. A-09-CV-413 LY, 2009 WL 4598330, at *2 (W.D. Tex. Dec. 3, 2009) (Mag.) (noting that in default judgment context, plaintiff must still prove damages with "reasonable certainty").
Other factors likewise favor denial. With regard to the second factor, there are no material issues of fact or issues of substantial public importance at stake where Plaintiff's claims against other defendants based on the same allegations have either been dismissed for failure to state a claim or are facing a recommendation of dismissal. See Shaunfield v. Paramount Recovery Sys., 3:12-CV-4686-M, 2014 WL 4814827, at *4 (N.D. Tex. Sept. 29, 2014). Despite default, it would be "incongruous and unfair" to allow other defendants to prevail against Plaintiff while entering judgment in his favor against Defendants on the same issues under the same allegations. See Lewis, 236 F.3d at 768; Gulf Coast Fans, Inc., 740 F.2d at 1512. Entry of default judgment against Defendants could result in the "inconsistent and incongruent situation against which the Frow decision warns." American S. Ins. Co., 2010 WL 5654105, at *4; see also Lohri v. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., No. 4:12cv568, 2013 WL 308893, at *1-2 (E.D. Tex. Jan. 25, 2013). As for the fourth factor, there appears to be little or no prejudice to Plaintiff if the motion is denied, since the case is still in the relatively early stages of litigation. Stelax Indus., Ltd., 2004 WL 733844, at *11-12. Under the sixth factor, default judgment appears especially harsh in light of the substantial damages request.
In view of these considerations and the strong policy in favor of decisions on the merits, default judgment is unwarranted at this stage of the proceedings. Stelax Indus., Ltd., 2004 WL 733844, at *11. Plaintiff's motions for default judgment should be denied.
The remaining factors either favor Plaintiff or are neutral in effect because there is no evidence on those points. --------
III. RECOMMENDATION
The motions for default judgment should be DENIED without prejudice to Plaintiff's right to reassert them at a later date to be determined by the Court.
SO RECOMMENDED, this 30th day of December, 2015.
/s/_________
IRMA CARRILLO RAMIREZ
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SERVICE AND
NOTICE OF RIGHT TO APPEAL/OBJECT
A copy of these findings, conclusions and recommendation shall be served on all parties in the manner provided by law. Any party who objects to any part of these findings, conclusions and recommendation must file specific written objections within 14 days after being served with a copy. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b). In order to be specific, an objection must identify the specific finding or recommendation to which objection is made, state the basis for the objection, and specify the place in the magistrate judge's findings, conclusions and recommendation where the disputed determination is found. An objection that merely incorporates by reference or refers to the briefing before the magistrate judge is not specific. Failure to file specific written objections will bar the aggrieved party from appealing the factual findings and legal conclusions of the magistrate judge that are accepted or adopted by the district court, except upon grounds of plain error. See Douglass v. United Servs. Automobile Ass'n, 79 F.3d 1415, 1417 (5th Cir. 1996).
/s/_________
IRMA CARRILLO RAMIREZ
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE