Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01323/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01323-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 470
Nature of Suit: Civil (Rico)
Cause of Action: 18:1962 Racketeering (RICO) Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CIVIL MINUTES - GENERAL

Case No. CV 15-4149 FMO (JPRx) Date June 9, 2015

Title Committee to Protect Our Agricultural Water, et al. v. Occidental Oil and

Gas Corporation, et al.

Present: The Honorable Fernando M. Olguin, United States District Judge

Vanessa Figueroa None None

Deputy Clerk Court Reporter / Recorder Tape No.

Attorney Present for Plaintiff(s): Attorney Present for Defendant(s):

None Present None Present

Proceedings: (In Chambers) Order to Show Cause Re: Venue 

On June 3, 2015, Committee to Protect Our Agricultural Water and Mike Hopkins

(“plaintiffs”) filed a Complaint (“Complaint”) in this court against Occidental Oil and Gas

Corporation (“Occidental”), Western States Petroleum Association (“WSPA”); California

Independent Petroleum Association (“CIPA”); Chevron, U.S.A., Inc. (“Chevron”); California Division

of Oil, Gas, & Geothermal Resources (“DOGGR”); Edmund G. Brown (“Governor Brown”);

Timothy R. Kustic (“Mr. Kustic”); March Nechodom (“Mr. Nechodom”); and Lorelei H. Oviatt (“Ms.

Oviatt”) (collectively, “defendants”). Subject matter jurisdiction is based on federal question

jurisdiction, as plaintiff asserts claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations

Act (“RICO”), 18 U.S.C. §§ 1962 et seq. & 1964 and The Civil Rights Act of 1871, 42 U.S.C. §

1983. (See Complaint at ¶¶ 217-240)

The federal venue statute requires that a civil action, other than one based on diversity

jurisdiction, be brought only in “(1) a judicial district where any defendant resides, if all defendants

reside in the same State, (2) a judicial district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions

giving rise to the claim occurred, or a substantial part of property that is the subject of the action

is situated, or (3) a judicial district in which any defendant may be found if there is no district in

which the action may otherwise be brought.” 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b).

According to plaintiffs’ complaint, Occidental formerly resided in Los Angeles (see

Complaint at ¶ 63), WSPA and CIPA reside in Sacramento (see id. at ¶¶ 64-65), and Chevron

resides in San Ramon (see id. at ¶ 66). Plaintiffs do not allege the residences of DOGGR,

Governor Brown, Mr. Nechodom, Mr. Kustic, or Ms. Oviatt. (See, generally, id.). Accordingly, IT

IS ORDERED that:

1. No later than June 16, 2015, plaintiffs shall file a First Amended Complaint setting forth

the citizenship and residence of defendants DOGGR, Governor Brown, Mr. Nechodom, Mr. Kustic

and Ms. Oviatt and all other defendants named in the First Amended Complaint. Failure to file the

First Amended Complaint by the deadline referenced above shall be deemed as consent to the

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Case 1:15-cv-01323-DAD-JLT Document 7 Filed 06/09/15 Page 1 of 2
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CIVIL MINUTES - GENERAL

Case No. CV 15-4149 FMO (JPRx) Date June 9, 2015

Title Committee to Protect Our Agricultural Water, et al. v. Occidental Oil and

Gas Corporation, et al.

transfer of the action to the Eastern District of California. 

2. A copy of all papers filed with the court shall be delivered to the drop box outside

chambers at Suite 520, Spring Street Courthouse, 312 North Spring Street, no later than 12:00

noon the following business day. All chambers copies shall comply fully with the document

formatting requirements of Local Rule 11-3, including the “backing” requirements of Local Rule

11-3.5. Counsel may be subject to sanctions for failure to deliver a mandatory chambers copy in

full compliance with this Order and Local Rule 11-3. 

00 : 00

Initials of Preparer vdr

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