Opinion
2:21-cv-01964-WBS-CKD
09-12-2022
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. EDWARD T. KENNEDY, Defendant.
ORDER & FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS (ECF NOS. 13, 18)
CAROLYN K. DELANEY UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Before the court is a motion by the United States (“plaintiff' or “the government”) for default judgment against defendant Edward T. Kennedy, who is representing himself in this action. (ECF No. 13.) Although defendant has appeared in this action, he failed to file an opposition to the motion despite an extension of time, and the motion was submitted without oral argument pursuant to Local Rule 230(g). (ECF No. 15.) For the following reasons, the court recommends that plaintiff's motion for default judgment be GRANTED.
Because defendant is self-represented, the case is referred to the undersigned pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and Local Rule 302(c)(21). (See ECF No. 7.) Also pending is the government's request for a status conference or hearing on the motion for default judgment. (ECF No. 18.) Because the undersigned recommends granting the motion for default judgment, no hearing is necessary, and that request is denied as moot.
I. BACKGROUND
Plaintiff initiated this action in October 2021, seeking to nullify a UCC Financing Statement (a purported lien) filed with the California Secretary of State by defendant against the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and to enjoin defendant's future filing of similar documents against United States employees. (ECF No. 1.) On December 9, 2021, defendant was personally served with a copy of the complaint and summons. (ECF No. 5.) In December 2021, defendant filed two notices objecting to suit in general and purporting to show his superior claims to all property of the United States. (ECF Nos. 6, 8.) Defendant did not substantively respond to the complaint, and on March 7, 2022, at plaintiff's request, the Clerk of Court entered his default. (ECF Nos. 10-12.) On March 29, 2022, plaintiff filed the instant motion for default judgment. (ECF No. 13.) Defendant did not respond to the motion, so the court vacated the hearing and gave defendant an additional opportunity to oppose. (ECF No. 15.) On May 9, 2022, defendant responded by filing a copy of the order vacating the hearing, on top of which was handwritten “Refused. Returned to sender.” (ECF No. 17.) On August 31, 2022, plaintiff filed a request for status conference or hearing, requesting a ruling on the present motion and notifying the court that since the motion's filing defendant on July 6, 2022, filed another UCC Financing Statement against the IRS Commissioner. (ECF Nos. 18, 18.1.)
On June 23, 2022, defendant also filed a UCC Financing Statement with the California Secretary of State naming as purported debtors the Clerk of this Court, the undersigned, the District Judge assigned to this case, and the United States Attorney General. Like the financing statements filed against the IRS Commissioner, defendant lists the residential addresses of each purported debtor; and plaintiff mailed a copy of the UCC Financing Statement to the home addresses of at least the undersigned and the Clerk of Court. These mailings were reported to the United States Marshal. Upon careful consideration, the undersigned concludes that recusal is not warranted based on the receipt of these sham financing statements against the court. Defendant files similar sham liens against every federal officer or employee connected with the IRS collection efforts against him, and the court will not allow defendant to obstruct the resolution of this case by filing sham documents against each judicial officer assigned to the case. See United States v. Sierra Pac. Indus., 759 F.Supp.2d 1198, 1200-01 (E.D. Cal. 2010) (judges “must not simply recuse out of an abundance of caution when the facts do not warrant recusal. Rather, there is an equally compelling obligation not to recuse where recusal in not appropriate.”).
Plaintiff alleges that on September 1, 2021, defendant filed with the California Secretary of State a UCC Financing Statement naming as a purported “Debtor” Charles Rettig, who has been the IRS Commissioner since November 2018. (Compl. ¶¶ 6, 8; ECF No. 1.1 at 1-2, UCC Financing Statement, Filing No. U210080802220.) Defendant listed Commissioner Rettig's residential address on the Financing Statement and also mailed a copy of the Financing Statement to Rettig's residence. (Compl. ¶¶ 10-12.) Commissioner Rettig is not personally acquainted with defendant and has not had any contact or relationship with him; he does not owe money to defendant; and he has not entered any contract, security agreement, or personal transaction with defendant. (Id. ¶¶ 12-13.)
Over the years, the IRS has issued statutory notices to defendant concerning his outstanding tax liabilities for 2001, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. (Id. ¶ 17.) On March 17, 2021, before filing the subject UCC Financing Statement, defendant wrote to Commissioner Rettig and other government officials, advancing frivolous arguments against IRS collection efforts. (Id.; see ECF No. 1.1 at 5-13.) On March 28, 2021, defendant also wrote to the United States Tax Court, making frivolous allegations that he is not a United States citizen and providing “notice” to court officers and employees of liability for acts against him. (Id. ¶ 18; see ECF No. 1.1 at 16-17.) Commissioner Rettig is aware that defendant is engaged in a dispute with the IRS, but he has had “no involvement in any capacity in that dispute.” (Id. ¶ 15.)
IRS Revenue Office Bruce Kreutzer is assigned to collect defendant's outstanding tax liabilities. (Id. ¶ 19.) In connection with collection efforts, on May 3, 2021, Officer Kreutzer filed a Notice of Federal Tax Lien against defendant in Pennsylvania, where defendant resides. (Id.) On May 26, 2021 and then again on August 18, 2021, defendant sent letters to Officer Kreutzer's residential address, threatening that “Commercial Liens [were] Forthcoming” against him for purported debts of tens of millions of dollars for alleged violations related to the Federal Tax Lien. (Id. ¶¶ 20-21; see ECF No. 1.1 at 23-30.) Like Commissioner Rettig, Officer Kreutzer is not personally acquainted with defendant, does not owe him money, and has not engaged in any personal transaction with him; Officer Kreutzer has had no contact or relationship with defendant outside of his duties as an IRS Revenue Officer. (Id. ¶¶ 22-23.)
Plaintiff claims that defendant filed the UCC Financing Statement and sent it to Rettig's personal residence in retaliation for the IRS's official collection actions against defendant, with the intent to interfere with the enforcement of internal revenue laws. (Id. ¶¶ 25-26.) Plaintiff similarly claims that defendant's threats to file other purported liens are also intended to interfere with enforcement of internal revenue laws and to intimidate and harass federal employees in their personal lives. (Id. ¶ 29.)
The complaint requests (A) a declaration that the subject UCC Financing Statement is null and void and thus be expunged, (B) leave to file any order or judgment obtained in this case with the relevant public records offices where the UCC Financing Statement and similar documents may have been filed by defendant, and (C) a permanent injunction prohibiting defendant and his agents “from filing, or attempting to file, any document or instrument, which (1) purports to create a nonconsensual lien against the property of any federal officer or employee, or which (2) contains any personal information (such as the social security number or the residence address) of any federal officer or employee[.]” (Compl. at 5.)
The government seeks these same terms of judgment in the present motion for default judgment. (ECF No. 13.1 at 11-12.)
II. LEGAL STANDARD
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55, default may be entered against a party against whom a judgment for affirmative relief is sought who fails to plead or otherwise defend against the action. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 55(a). However, “[a] defendant's default does not automatically entitle the plaintiff to a court-ordered judgment.” PepsiCo, Inc. v. Cal. Sec. Cans, 238 F.Supp.2d 1172, 1174 (C.D. Cal. 2002) (citing Draper v. Coombs, 792 F.2d 915, 924-25 (9th Cir. 1986)). Instead, the decision to grant or deny an application for default judgment lies within the district court's sound discretion. Aldabe v. Aldabe, 616 F.2d 1089, 1092 (9th Cir. 1980). In making this determination, the court considers the following factors:
(1) the possibility of prejudice to the plaintiff, (2) the merits of plaintiff's substantive claim, (3) the sufficiency of the complaint, ////
(4) the sum of money at stake in the action[,] (5) the possibility of a dispute concerning material facts[,] (6) whether the default was due to excusable neglect, and (7) the strong policy underlying the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure favoring decisions on the merits.Eitel v. McCool, 782 F.2d 1470, 1471-72 (9th Cir. 1986). Default judgments are ordinarily disfavored. Id. at 1472.
As a general rule, once default is entered, well-pleaded factual allegations in the operative complaint are taken as true, except for those allegations relating to damages. TeleVideo Sys., Inc. v. Heidenthal, 826 F.2d 915, 917-18 (9th Cir. 1987) (per curiam) (citing Geddes v. United Fin. Group, 559 F.2d 557, 560 (9th Cir. 1977) (per curiam)); accord Fair Housing of Marin v. Combs, 285 F.3d 899, 906 (9th Cir. 2002). In addition, although well-pleaded allegations in the complaint are admitted by a defendant's failure to respond, “necessary facts not contained in the pleadings, and claims which are legally insufficient, are not established by default.” Cripps v. Life Ins. Co. of N. Am., 980 F.2d 1261, 1267 (9th Cir. 1992) (citing Danning v. Lavine, 572 F.2d 1386, 1388 (9th Cir. 1978)); accord DIRECTV, Inc. v. Hoa Huynh, 503 F.3d 847, 854 (9th Cir. 2007) (stating that a defendant does not admit facts that are not well-pled or conclusions of law); Abney v. Alameida, 334 F.Supp.2d 1221, 1235 (S.D. Cal. 2004) (“[A] default judgment may not be entered on a legally insufficient claim.”).
III. DISCUSSION
A. Jurisdiction & Venue
The court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to both 28 U.S.C. § 1345, as this is a civil action filed by the United States, and 28 U.S.C. § 7402(a), as this action seeks to aid in the enforcement of internal revenue laws. See United States v. Morris, No. 2:10-CV-00614-FCD-KJM, 2010 WL 5136180, at *2 (E.D. Cal. Dec. 10, 2010).
The government's motion fails to address the other jurisdictional question of personal jurisdiction, which is called into question by virtue of defendant's residence in Pennsylvania. (Compl. ¶ 5.) However, the undersigned finds that the court possesses specific personal jurisdiction over defendant because he purposefully availed himself of the lien recording mechanisms in the State of California. “Where, as here, no federal statute authorizes personal jurisdiction, the district court applies the law of the state in which the court sits.” CollegeSource, Inc. v. AcademyOne, Inc., 653 F.3d 1066, 1073 (9th Cir. 2011). “California's long-arm statute, Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 410.10, “is coextensive with federal due process requirements, so the jurisdictional analyses under state law and federal due process are the same.” Id. (cleaned up). A district court has specific personal jurisdiction when: (1) the nonresident defendant “purposefully avails” himself of the privilege of conducting activities in the forum state or “purposefully direct[s]” his activities to the forum state; (2) the claim “arises out of or relates to the defendant's forum-related activities”; and (3) exercising jurisdiction is consistent with “fair play and substantial justice.” Schwarzenegger v. Fred Martin Motor Co., 374 F.3d 797, 802 (9th Cir. 2004).
The undersigned finds that specific jurisdiction exists over defendant. First, defendant purposefully availed himself of the privilege of conducting activities in California by filing a UCC Financing Statement with the California Secretary of State regarding the property of IRS Commissioner Rettig, listing a California mailing address for the Commissioner (along with a Washington, D.C. residential address). (Compl. ¶ 10; ECF No. 1.1 at 1.) Second, the government's complaint, which seeks in part to nullify this UCC Financing Statement and to enjoin defendant from filing similar baseless liens, arises out of and relates to his forum-related activities. Finally, the exercise of specific jurisdiction in this action is reasonable, as defendant chose to file the UCC Financing Statement with the State of California. Thus, the elements of specific personal jurisdiction are met. See United States v. Hollingshead, No. 2:06-CV-00421-GEB-DAD, 2006 WL 1791680, at *3 (E.D. Cal. June 27, 2006) (finding specific personal jurisdiction over Arizona resident who filed baseless UCC Financing Statement against IRS Commissioner), report and recommendation adopted, 2006 WL 2355505 (E.D. Cal. Aug. 14, 2006).
This is by no means a simple open-shut issue, however, and the government is cautioned not to overlook the question of personal jurisdiction in future similar actions-especially those in which the subjects of the false liens or threatened false liens are not alleged to reside in the forum state. United States v. Morris, No. 2:10-CV-00614-FCD-KJM, 2010 WL 5136180, at *3 (E.D. Cal. Dec. 10, 2010) (finding specific personal jurisdiction over defendant who filed false UCC Financing Statement “against a federal employee with a California address, causing harm likely to be suffered in California”), report and recommendation adopted, 2011 WL 43579 (E.D. Cal. Jan. 6, 2011). Commissioner Rettig is alleged to reside in Washington, D.C., and although Revenue Officer Kreutzer's residence is not alleged, his declaration states that his duty post is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Compl. ¶¶ 10-11; ECF No. 13.3 ¶ 1.)
The other component of personal jurisdiction, valid service of process, is also met here. As reflected in the docketed proof of service and in a declaration in support of this motion, a professional process server personally served defendant at his residence on December 9, 2021. (ECF No. 5; ECF No. 10.1 ¶ 2.) A few days later, defendant mailed the process server an “invoice” related to the case, confirming that defendant received actual notice of this suit. (ECF Nos. 10.1 ¶ 3 & 10.2 at 3, listing the instant case number in the heading.) Further confirmation of defendant's awareness of this suit is found in his repeated filings of notices objecting to suit in general. (ECF Nos. 6, 8.) Accordingly, service of process was properly effectuated, and the court should therefore exercise personal jurisdiction over defendant.
Likewise, venue is proper in this district because the California Secretary of State's office lies within the Eastern District of California, and defendant filed the subject UCC Financing Statement with that office, giving rise to this suit. See 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(2) (venue proper in “judicial district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred”).
B. Appropriateness of the Entry of Default Judgment Under the Eitel Factors
The undersigned finds that the weight of the Eitel factors entitles plaintiff to default judgment on all claims asserted.
1. Plaintiff is prejudiced by defendant's non-responsiveness.
The first Eitel factor considers whether plaintiff would suffer prejudice if default judgment is not entered, and such potential prejudice to plaintiff militates in favor of granting a default judgment. See PepsiCo, Inc., 238 F.Supp.2d at 1177. Absent entry of default judgment, defendant's false UCC Financing Statement will continue hanging over the IRS Commissioner, causing substantial and immediate injury such as potential damage to his credit ratings, clouding of title to property he owns, and distracting from his ability to perform his official duties. Likewise, absent entry of default judgment, defendant's threats to file similar false liens against Revenue Officer Kreutzer will continue to cause him distress and anxiety about the possible negative impact on his credit record and ability to obtain credit. (See ECF No. 13.3 ¶ 5.) Finally, without default judgment, the government would be without sufficient recourse, at least through a civil proceeding, to stop defendant from continuing to file and threaten to file false liens in hindrance of the IRS's collection efforts. Accordingly, the first Eitel factor favors the entry of a default judgment.
2. Plaintiff's substantive claims are meritorious and sufficiently pleaded in the FAC.
The court considers the second and third factors-the merits of plaintiff's substantive claims and the sufficiency of the complaint-together due to the relatedness of the two inquiries. The court must consider whether the allegations in the complaint are sufficient to state a claim for relief. See Danning, 572 F.2d at 1388; PepsiCo, Inc., 238 F.Supp.2d at 1175. Here, the complaint asserts a single cause of action to nullify and enjoin defendant's filing of past and future false liens on the property of any federal officer or employee. (Compl. at 4-5.) Although the complaint does not clearly state the statutory basis for the claim, the government argues in support of this motion that 26 U.S.C. § 7402 authorizes nullifying the false lien and enjoining future liens. (Compl. ¶ 2, asserting jurisdiction under § 7402; see ECF No. 13.1 at 6-8.)
Under 26 U.S.C. § 7402(a), “[t]he district courts of the United States at the instance of the United States shall have such jurisdiction to make and issue in civil actions, writs and orders of injunction . . ., and such other orders and processes, and to render such judgments and decrees as may be necessary or appropriate for the enforcement of the internal revenue laws.” The Ninth Circuit has expressly held that “section 7402(a) empowers the district court to void common-law liens imposed by taxpayers on the property of government officials assigned to collect delinquent taxes.” Ryan v. Bilby, 764 F.2d 1325, 1327 (9th Cir. 1985); accord Cook v. Peter Kiewit Sons Co., 775 F.2d 1030, 1035 (9th Cir. 1985).
“Courts in this circuit have routinely granted declaratory relief to expunge sham items filed against government officials.” United States v. Halajian, No. 1:13-cv-0468-AWI-SKO, 2013 WL 5954806, at *4 (E.D. Cal. Nov. 6, 2013). See, e.g., United States v. Agra, No. 2:13-CV-1662-GEB-DAD, 2014 WL 1671592, at *4-5 (E.D. Cal. Apr. 28, 2014) (recommending nullification of sham UCC Financing Statements); United States v. Kadosh, No. CV-13-1133-EFS, 2014 WL 840777, at *2 (E.D. Cal. Mar. 4, 2014) (“[T]he Court declares the false UCC-1 as null, void, and of no legal effect and directs that it should be expunged.”); United States v. Weldom, No. 1:13-cv-1138-LJO-SAB, 2013 WL 5877306, at *4 (E.D. Cal. Oct.30, 2013) (recommending that Financing Statement be declared null, void and of no legal effect); United States v. Brekke, No. CIV 2:12-cv-0722-WBS-JFM, 2012 WL 2450718, at *5 (E.D. Cal. June 26, 2012) (same); United States v. Merritt, No. 2:11-cv-1136-JAM-KJN, 2011 WL 5026074, at *8 (E.D. Cal. Oct. 21, 2011) (same); United States v. Edwards, 2008 WL 1925243, at *3-5 (voiding sham UCC Financing Statements filed by taxpayer, and permanently enjoining taxpayer from filing any document or instrument purporting to create non-consensual liens or encumbrances against employees of the United States). Therefore, § 7402 authorizes this court to declare the instant financing statement null and void, and the court should do so.
Under applicable California law, a lien is created by a contract between the parties or by operation of law. Cal. Civ. Code § 2881. “A UCC Financing Statement may be filed, for example, to perfect a security interest created by a security agreement.” Merritt, 2011 WL 5026074, at *4. “In the absence of a valid security agreement,” however, “a financing statement does not create an enforceable security interest.” In re Wes Dor, Inc., 996 F.2d 237, 239 n.2 (10th Cir. 1993).
Here, the well-pleaded allegations of the complaint and the declaration of Commissioner Rettig demonstrate that defendant's purported lien against the Commissioner has no basis in law or fact. The Commissioner is not personally acquainted with defendant and has not had any contact or relationship with him. (Compl. ¶ 12; ECF No. 13.2, Rettig Decl., ¶ 3.) Critically, the Commissioner has not entered into “any contract, security agreements, or personal transaction with [defendant] and does not owe money to [him].” (Compl. ¶ 13; Rettig Decl. ¶ 3.) Thus, the UCC Financing Statement filed September 1, 2021 is not premised on any legitimate debt or law. Rather, as alleged by plaintiff, defendant filed the UCC Financing Statement to harass Commissioner Rettig in retaliation for the IRS's attempts to collect defendant's outstanding federal tax liability. (Compl. ¶¶ 15, 27.) Accordingly, plaintiff has pled a sufficient basis for relief under 26 U.S.C. § 7402(a). Therefore, the second and third Eitel factors favor the entry of a default judgment on this claim.
3. The amount of damages.
The fourth Eitel factor for determining whether to enter default judgment is the sum of money at stake. Here, plaintiff is not seeking monetary damages against defendant, but rather declaratory and injunctive relief. Therefore this factor weighs in favor of granting default judgment.
4. The material facts are not in dispute.
Because the court may assume the truth of well-pleaded facts in the complaint (except as to damages) following the clerk's entry of default, there is no likelihood that any genuine issue of material fact exists. See, e.g., Elektra Entm't Group Inc. v. Crawford, 226 F.R.D. 388, 393 (C.D. Cal. 2005) (“Because all allegations in a well-pleaded complaint are taken as true after the court clerk enters default judgment, there is no likelihood that any genuine issue of material fact exists.”); accord Philip Morris, 219 F.R.D. at 500; PepsiCo, Inc., 238 F.Supp.2d at 1177. As such, the fifth Eitel factor favors a default judgment.
5. No excusable neglect.
Here, there is no indication in the record that defendant's default was due to excusable neglect. See Pepsi Co, Inc., 238 F.Supp.2d at 1177. Defendant was personally served with the summons and complaint. (See ECF Nos. 5, 10.1 ¶ 2.) Defendant responded by filing two notices objecting to suit and purporting to show his superior claims to all property of the United States. (See ECF Nos. 6, 8 at 1, stating “I am the secured priority creditor. The United States of America . . . owe me everything nunc pro tunc.”) When defendant failed to file any timely opposition to the instant motion, the court issued an order providing one additional opportunity to respond, and that order was served on defendant both by the court and by plaintiff. (Dkt. Entry 4/18/2022; ECF Nos. 15, 16.) Defendant responded by filing a copy of that order on top of which was handwritten “Refused. Returned to sender.” (ECF No. 17.) Therefore, defendant's failure to respond with any substantive argument clearly is due to his intentional refusal-not due to excusable neglect. Accordingly, this Eitel factor favors the entry of a default judgment.
6. Other factors outweigh the policy favoring disposition on the merits.
“Cases should be decided upon their merits whenever reasonably possible.” Eitel, 782 F.2d at 1472. However, district courts conclude with regularity that this policy, standing alone, is not dispositive, especially where a defendant fails to defend an action. PepsiCo, Inc., 238 F.Supp.2d at 1177; see, e.g., Craigslist, Inc. v. Naturemarket, Inc., 694 F.Supp.2d 1039, 1061 (N.D. Cal. 2010). Here, although the undersigned acknowledges the policy in favor of decisions on the merits-and consistent with existing policy would prefer this case be resolved on the merits-that policy does not, by itself, preclude the entry of default judgment.
In sum, after considering and weighing all the Eitel factors, the court concludes that plaintiff is entitled to a default judgment against defendant, and recommends a default judgment be entered.
C. Terms of the Judgment to be Entered
After determining that a party is entitled to entry of default judgment, the court must determine the terms of the judgment to be entered. Plaintiff seeks both declaratory relief and injunctive relief pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 7402(a).
1. Declaratory Relief
In regards to the declaratory relief sought, plaintiff has plainly substantiated that it is entitled to a declaration that the UCC Financing Statement, Filing Number U210080802220, filed against Commissioner Rettig is null and void. That purported lien has no basis in law or fact and is thus without legal effect. Accordingly, the undersigned recommends that such declaratory relief be granted.
1. Permanent Injunction
In addition, the government seeks an order permanently enjoining defendant and his agents “from filing, or attempting to file, any document or instrument, which (1) purports to create a nonconsensual lien against the property of any federal officer or employee, or which (2) contains any personal information (such as the social security number or the residence address) of any federal officer or employee.” (ECF No. 13.1 at 12; see Compl. at 5.) ////
Section 7402(a) authorizes the issuance of such injunctive relief “as may be necessary or appropriate for the enforcement of the internal revenue laws.” Id. “[T]here need not be a showing that a party has violated a particular Internal Revenue Code section in order for an injunction to issue [under § 7402(a)]. The language of § 7402(a) encompasses a broad range of powers necessary to compel compliance with the tax laws.” Edwards, 2008 WL 1925243, at *3-5 (quoting United States v. Ernst & Whinney, 735 F.2d 1296, 1300 (11th Cir. 1984)).
To obtain a permanent injunction, a plaintiff “must demonstrate: (1) that it has suffered an irreparable injury; (2) that remedies available at law, such as monetary damages, are inadequate to compensate for that injury; (3) that, considering the balance of hardships between the plaintiff and defendant, a remedy in equity is warranted; and (4) that the public interest would not be disserved by a permanent injunction.” eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, L.L.C., 547 U.S. 388, 391 (2006). Additionally, of course, “[a]ctual success on the merits of a claim is required for a permanent injunction.” Avery Dennison Corp. v. Sumpton, 189 F.3d 868, 881 (9th Cir. 1999).
Because the Ninth Circuit has not squarely held that a plaintiff must only meet the statutory standard set forth in § 7402(a) to merit injunctive relief, as opposed to also establishing the traditional equitable factors for an injunction, the undersigned applies the equitable factors in an abundance of caution because in any event all factors are met here. C.f., Antoninetti v. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., 643 F.3d 1165, 1175 (9th Cir. 2010) (“[T]he standard requirements for equitable relief need not be satisfied when an injunction is sought to prevent the violation of a federal statute which specifically provides for injunctive relief.”); United States v. Estate Pres. Servs., 202 F.3d 1093, 1098 (9th Cir. 2000) (finding, with regard to analogous statute 26 U.S.C. § 7408, that the “traditional requirements for equitable relief need not be satisfied since [the statute] expressly authorizes the issuance of an injunction”).
Taking each portion of the government's requested injunctive relief in turn, the first form of relief is certainly justified: defendant should be permanently enjoined from filing or attempting to file any document which purports to create a nonconsensual lien against the property of any federal officer or employee. As explained above (assuming these findings and recommendations are adopted), plaintiff has prevailed on the merits of its claim under § 7402(a). Plaintiff likewise has shown that it has and will continue to suffer irreparable injury absent an injunction. Defendant's sham UCC Financing Statements will continue to hang over the IRS Commissioner, causing substantial and immediate injury such as potential damage to his credit ratings, clouding of title to property he owns, and distracting from his ability to perform his official duties. See Edwards, 2008 WL 1925243, at *4 (finding that defendant's filing of frivolous UCC Financing Statements caused irreparable harm); United States v. Van Dyke, 568 F.Supp. 820, 822 (D. Or. 1983) (defendant's actions “in filing these lawsuits and documents, impose irreparable harm upon the employees of the federal government with whom these tax protestors quarrel”).
Similarly, defendant's threatened filing of frivolous nonconsensual liens against Revenue Officer Kreutzer irreparably harms plaintiff's tax collection efforts by harassing and distracting an IRS officer in retaliation for carrying out his official duties. Defendant's filing of a second sham UCC Financing Statement against the Commissioner-and additional sham financing statements against other federal officials-during the pendency of the government's motion further confirms that an injunction is needed to prevent ongoing harassment of federal officials by defendant.
Next, traditional remedies at law are inadequate in this case. Monetary damages will not stop defendant from continuing his pattern of harassing federal officials through the filing or threatened filing of baseless purported liens on their property. The balance of the equities also strongly favors issuing this first portion of the requested injunction. The harm to plaintiff is great; whereas, defendant will suffer no prejudice or hardship from being prevented from filing frivolous purported liens with no legal contractual basis because he was never entitled to record or enforce such liens in the first place.
Finally, there is a strong public interest in enjoining defendant from harassing IRS employees and other federal officials involved with enforcing internal revenue laws, given that tax collection is for the benefit of the public at large and the public also has an interest in reducing the extra expenditure of public funds on curtailing and remedying harassment like this. Accordingly, the court should issue a permanent injunction prohibiting defendant and his agents from filing or attempting to file any document which purports to create a nonconsensual lien against the property of any federal officer or employee.
However, the second form of requested injunctive relief is not justified on this record. The government secondarily asks that defendant be permanently enjoined from “filing, or attempting to file, any document or instrument which . . . contains any personal information (such as the social security number or the residence address) of any federal officer or employee.” (ECF No. 13.1 at 12; see Compl. at 5.) This proposed injunction reaches beyond the scope of the facts presented in the complaint and is too broad and vague for the undersigned to recommend its issuance.
To the extent the request is based on defendant's inclusion of the Commissioner's home address on the UCC Financing Statements, that conduct is already covered in the first portion of the injunction, which the undersigned recommends issuing to enjoin the filing of sham liens against federal officials. To the extent the request is based on defendant's inclusion of Revenue Officer Kreutzer's home address on the threatening letters sent in May and August 2021, there is no indication that defendant “filed” those letters anywhere; he is merely alleged to have mailed them to Officer Kreutzer's residence. Further, the request to enjoin all filings containing “any personal information (such as the social security number or the residence address)” of federal officials is extremely broad. The half-hearted attempt to confine the bounds of “personal information” to social security numbers or residential addresses falls flat. One can easily imagine a scenario where defendant or his agents might legitimately seek to “file” a document that lists a federal employee's home address-for instance, filing a complaint or proof of service in court, perhaps. And while it is more difficult to imagine a legitimate context for publicly displaying another individual's social security number, the complaint includes no mention of any misconduct involving dissemination of a social security number in this case. Therefore, the undersigned does not recommend issuing the second portion of the requested injunctive relief. See United States v. Uptergrove, No. 1:10-CV-01598-RMW, 2012 WL 639482, at *7 (E.D. Cal. Feb. 24, 2012) (granting default judgment and issuing permanent injunction against filing baseless nonconsensual liens, but declining to award broader injunctive relief that would have impermissibly enjoined defendant's filing of “pleadings involving future events or conduct not arising from the facts alleged in the complaint”)
RECOMMENDATIONS
For the foregoing reasons, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that:
1. Plaintiff's motion for default judgment (ECF No. 13) be GRANTED;
2. Judgement be entered in favor of the United States and against defendant Edward T. Kennedy;
3. The UCC Financing Statement, Filing Number U210080802220, filed on September 1, 2021 with the California Secretary of State, be declared null, void, and of no legal effect, and that California Secretary of State be directed to expunge and remove the record of this filing from the public record;
4. The United States be permitted to file any order or judgment obtained in the present case with the California Secretary of State and in the public records of any other jurisdiction where documents identical or similar to the above UCC Financing Statement may have been filed by defendant Edward T. Kennedy;
5. Defendant Edward T. Kennedy, his agents, employees, and all others in active concert or participation with him be permanently enjoined from filing, or attempting to file, any document or instrument, which purports to create a nonconsensual lien against the property of any federal officer or employee; and
6. The Clerk of Court be directed to close this case.
These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Within fourteen (14) days after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned “Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations.” Any reply to the objections shall be served on all parties and filed with the court within fourteen (14) days after service of the objections. The parties are advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court's order. Turner v. Duncan, 158 F.3d 449, 455 (9th Cir. 1998); Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153, 1156-57 (9th Cir. 1991).
ORDER
In light of the above findings and recommendations, the government's request for a status conference or hearing on the motion for default judgment (ECF No. 18) is DENIED as moot.