Opinion
CV-07-366-PHX-JAT.
February 3, 2009
ORDER
Plaintiff has filed a Motion to Strike Answer, for Entry of Default Against Defendant Robert J. Locke, and For an Order to Show Cause Why a Default Judgment Should not be Entered Against Defendants (Doc. #42). The Court now rules on the Motion.
Plaintiff has moved pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37(d) to strike Defendant Robert J. Locke's Answer for failure to appear at his deposition, failure to answer discovery requests, and general failure to communicate with Plaintiff's counsel. Since his counsel left the case, Mr. Locke has not responded to any of Plaintiff's inquiries. Nor did Mr. Locke submit his portion of the Proposed Final Pretrial Order as required by this Court. Because of Mr. Locke's failure to participate in the litigation, Plaintiff has asked for an entry of default against him.
The Clerk entered default against Mrs. Locke on September 17, 2007. She has never appeared in this action.
Mr. Locke has failed to appear or otherwise defend himself in this case for months, including not appearing for his scheduled deposition without any explanation. He has also disobeyed a Court order to participate in the filing of a Proposed Final Pretrial Order. The Court therefore will strike his Answer at Docket Number 7 and direct the Clerk to enter default against him.
Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED GRANTING Plaintiff's Motion to Strike Answer, for Entry of Default Against Defendant Robert J. Locke, and For an Order to Show Cause Why a Default Judgment Should not be Entered Against Defendants (Doc. #42).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED striking Defendant Robert J. Locke's Answer (Doc. #7).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court shall enter Default against Defendant Robert J. Locke.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 15 days of receiving this Order, Plaintiff shall file a properly-supported Rule 55(b) motion for default judgment against both Defendants. The motion shall include a proposed amount of damages; and Plaintiff shall attach to the motion a Proposed Form of Default Judgment.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the parties shall appear before this Court at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2009 for a hearing. At the hearing, Defendants shall appear and show cause why Default Judgment should not be entered against them and/or to dispute the amount of damages claimed by Plaintiff. Plaintiff shall present evidence to support his requested damages.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED vacating the Final Pretrial Conference currently set for February 17, 2009.