Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_07-cv-02865/USCOURTS-cand-3_07-cv-02865-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 891
Nature of Suit: Agricultural Acts
Cause of Action: 07:499 Agricultural Commodities Act

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STIPULATION – C-07-02865-EDL 1 

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LAW OFFICES 

RYNN & JANOWSKY 

4100 NEWPORT PLACE DRIVE 

SUITE 700 

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92660-2423 

(949) 752-2911 

FAX (949) 752-0953

BART M. BOTTA, State Bar No. 167051 

MARION I. QUESENBERY, State Bar No. 072308 

RYNN & JANOWSKY, LLP 

4100 Newport Place Drive, Suite 700 

Newport Beach, CA 92660-2423 

Telephone: (949) 752-2911 

bart@rjlaw.com 

Attorneys for Plaintiff BROERS FARMS, INC. 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA – SAN FRANCISCO DIVISION 

BROERS FARMS, INC., a Washington 

corporation, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

HOWLER PRODUCTS, a California 

corporation; CIAO BELLA GELATO 

CO., INC., a New Jersey Corporation; 

DOUGLAS IAN STEWART, an 

individual, 

Defendants. 

CASE NO. C-07-02865-EDL 

STIPULATION FOR ENTRY OF 

JUDGMENT AGAINST 

DEFENDANT DOUGLAS IAN 

STEWART; [PROPOSED] ORDER 

THEREON 

 

CIAO BELLA GELATO CO., INC., a 

New Jersey corporation, 

 CrossClaimant, 

v. 

HOWLER PRODUCTS, INC., a 

California corporation; and DOUGLAS 

IAN STEWART, an individual, 

 CrossDefendants. 

Case 3:07-cv-02865-EDL Document 30 Filed 01/04/08 Page 1 of 13
STIPULATION – C-07-02865-EDL 2 

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LAW OFFICES 

RYNN & JANOWSKY 

4100 NEWPORT PLACE DRIVE 

SUITE 700 

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92660-2423 

(949) 752-2911 

FAX (949) 752-0953

Plaintiff BROERS FARMS, INC. (“Broers”), Defendant DOUGLAS IAN 

STEWART (“Stewart”), and Defendants and Cross-Claimant CIAO BELLA GELATO 

CO., INC. (“Ciao”), hereby stipulate as follows: 

WHEREAS, Broers alleges that between on or about June 3, 2003 through 

October 15, 2003, in a series of transactions, it sold and shipped perishable agricultural 

commodities to Defendants HOWLER PRODUCTS (“Howler”) and Stewart, at said 

Defendants’ request, for which said Defendants agreed to pay Broers in amounts at least 

as great as the sum of $15,070.05 plus finance charges at the rate of 1.5% per month 

pursuant to the written invoices. 

WHEREAS, Broers alleges that in addition to Howler and Stewart being liable for 

said debt, Ciao is also liable based on alter ego theory and the assertion that Ciao may 

have received assets subject to Broers’ purported trust claim under the Perishable 

Agricultural Commodities Act, 7 U.S.C. §499e, et seq. (“PACA”). 

WHEREAS, Ciao denies that it is liable, but asserts that even if it were to be found 

liable, Stewart and/or Howler would be obligated to indemnify Ciao for any such 

liability. 

WHEREAS, Stewart and Broers wish to compromise and resolve this matter by 

agreement and stipulation for entry of judgment whereby Stewart shall pay to Broers the 

agreed upon total amount of $14,994.66, via installment payments in the amounts and at 

the times stated below. 

WHEREAS, in exchange for Stewart’s promises to make payments as set forth 

herein and for Broers’ agreement to stipulate to entry of judgment under the terms stated 

herein, Broers agrees to forebear from further prosecuting this lawsuit against all 

Defendants, and Broers further agrees to dismiss the present lawsuit as set forth below, 

without prejudice as to Stewart and Howler to reopen in the event of Stewart’s default 

under the terms of this Stipulations as set forth herein.

Case 3:07-cv-02865-EDL Document 30 Filed 01/04/08 Page 2 of 13
STIPULATION – C-07-02865-EDL 3 

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LAW OFFICES 

RYNN & JANOWSKY 

4100 NEWPORT PLACE DRIVE 

SUITE 700 

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92660-2423 

(949) 752-2911 

FAX (949) 752-0953

 NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereby 

stipulate as follows: 

1. Each of the above recitals is hereby incorporated herein as though fully set 

forth. 

2. Upon execution of this Stipulation, Broers shall dismiss this action against 

Ciao with prejudice, and Ciao and Broers shall enter into a mutual general release of all 

claims. 

3. Broers alleges that Defendant Howler purchased perishable agricultural 

commodities from June 3, 2003 through October 15, 2003, in a series of transactions, for 

which said Defendant agreed to pay Broers in amounts at least as great as the sum of 

$15,070.05 plus finance charges at the rate of 1.5% per month pursuant to the written 

invoices, which currently total in excess of $10,000, and that these amounts remain past 

due and immediately payable from Howler and Stewart to Broers. 

4. Defendant Stewart agrees to pay Broers, and Broers agrees to accept total 

combined payment of $14,994.66 as payment in full of all monies owed by Defendants 

Howler, Stewart, and/or Ciao to Plaintiff Broers for the transactions which are the subject 

of this lawsuit. 

5. The balance due to Plaintiff as set forth above shall be paid as follows: 

The balance due shall be paid by six (6) equal monthly payments in the amount of two 

thousand, four hundred ninety-nine dollars and eleven cents ($2,499.11), starting on 

December 15, 2007 and continuing on the 15th of each month thereafter for a total of six 

(6) consecutive months (i.e., December 15, 2007, January 15, 2008, February 15, 2008, 

March 15, 2008, April 15, 2008, and May 15, 2008). The total amount to be paid through 

this entire repayment period shall be $14,994.66, and Defendant Stewart may prepay all 

or any additional portion of the amount due hereunder without penalty. 

6. All payments described in paragraph 5 above, shall be made by cash, 

money order, or check, made payable to “Rynn & Janowsky Client Trust Account” and 

delivered to the following address for receipt in such office by 5:00 p.m. on the dates 

Case 3:07-cv-02865-EDL Document 30 Filed 01/04/08 Page 3 of 13
STIPULATION – C-07-02865-EDL 4 

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LAW OFFICES 

RYNN & JANOWSKY 

4100 NEWPORT PLACE DRIVE 

SUITE 700 

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92660-2423 

(949) 752-2911 

FAX (949) 752-0953

designated hereinabove. The payments are to be received at the following address: Bart 

M. Botta, Rynn & Janowsky, 4100 Newport Place Drive, Suite 700, Newport Beach, CA 

92660. In the event the 15th day of any of the months when a payment is due is a 

Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, the monthly payment will be due on the next 

business day after said Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday. 

7. In the event that Defendant Stewart fails to remit any payment when due 

hereunder, Plaintiff shall give notice to Defendant Stewart that such performance is 

delinquent. Notice of said delinquency will be deemed given by Plaintiff to Defendant 

Stewart upon providing written notice via e-mail to Stewart at doug@breggo.com, or at 

any other e-mail address or facsimile number as Stewart may notify Plaintiff’s attorney in 

writing. In the event the above-listed e-mail and/or fax number is not working when 

Plaintiff attempts to give notice and Defendant Stewart has failed to notify Plaintiff’s 

attorney of another e-mail or number, the notice requirements hereunder shall be 

satisfied. Defendant Stewart shall then have five (5) business days from such notification 

within which to cure said delinquency by providing payment for receipt by Plaintiff of 

the full amount then past due under the terms of this Stipulation. In the event Defendant 

Stewart fails to cure said delinquency within this five (5) business day period, Defendant 

Stewart shall be in default of this stipulation. 

8. Upon Stewart’s default of this Stipulation, Plaintiff shall be entitled to 

immediately obtain a judgment, on an ex parte basis, without any additional notice to 

Defendant Stewart, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California 

against Defendant Stewart. Said judgment shall be in the full principal amount due as 

alleged herein plus all accrued finance charges under the invoices, and costs and fees as 

set forth herein, less any payments received prior to default. Defendant Stewart agrees 

that said judgment may be based solely on this stipulation for entry of judgment and the 

declaration of Plaintiff’s attorney confirming that Defendant Stewart has defaulted on the 

terms of this Stipulation and has failed to cure said default in the manner and at the times 

set forth herein. 

Case 3:07-cv-02865-EDL Document 30 Filed 01/04/08 Page 4 of 13
STIPULATION – C-07-02865-EDL 5 

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LAW OFFICES 

RYNN & JANOWSKY 

4100 NEWPORT PLACE DRIVE 

SUITE 700 

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92660-2423 

(949) 752-2911 

FAX (949) 752-0953

9. So long as Defendant Stewart makes all payments in the manner and at the 

times specified herein, Plaintiff agrees to forbear from enforcing its PACA trust rights or 

further prosecuting this lawsuit against any of the Defendant herein. 

10. Nothing in this Stipulation shall be deemed to be a waiver of any rights 

Plaintiff may have under the PACA, including, but not limited to, its PACA trust rights. 

11. This Stipulation may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall 

together be construed as a single original document. A fully executed copy of this 

Stipulation, including facsimile signatures, may be used in lieu of the original for all 

purposes. 

12. In the event any provision of this Stipulation is deemed to be invalid or 

void by any court of competent jurisdiction, all other provisions contained herein shall 

remain in full force and effect. 

13. This Stipulation shall be interpreted, and the rights and liabilities of the 

parties hereto determined, in accordance with the laws of the State of California. 

14. Defendant Stewart acknowledges that by signing this Stipulation, he is 

giving up his right to a jury trial in connection with the allegations contained in Plaintiff’s 

complaint filed herein and any subsequent complaint which may be filed by Plaintiff to 

enforce either this Stipulation or any other rights which are the subject of this Stipulation. 

15. Defendants acknowledge being given the opportunity to discuss this 

Stipulation with their own attorney and have availed themselves of that opportunity to the 

extent they wish to do so. 

16. The parties further agree that during the repayment period as provided for 

herein, this lawsuit shall be dismissed in its entirety with prejudice as to Ciao, and 

without prejudice as to the other defendants to reopen in order to enter judgment should 

Defendant Stewart default under the terms of this Stipulation. 

17. All persons who sign this agreement on behalf of a corporation represent 

and warrant that such persons have the authority to execute this stipulation on behalf of 

the corporation and that by doing so has bound the corporation to the terms of the 

Case 3:07-cv-02865-EDL Document 30 Filed 01/04/08 Page 5 of 13
STIPULATION – C-07-02865-EDL 6 

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LAW OFFICES 

RYNN & JANOWSKY 

4100 NEWPORT PLACE DRIVE 

SUITE 700 

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92660-2423 

(949) 752-2911 

FAX (949) 752-0953

stipulation. Said persons also represent that additional steps necessary to bind the 

corporation shall be promptly taken if necessary. 

18. The parties agree that the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of 

California shall nevertheless retain exclusive jurisdiction over the parties and subject 

matter herein to reinstate said action in order to enforce or interpret the provisions of this 

Stipulation and/or to enter judgment in the event Defendant Stewart defaults under the 

terms of this Stipulation. 

IT IS SO STIPULATED: 

DATED: December ____, 2007 DOUGLAS IAN STEWART 

 By: __________________________________ 

DOUGLAS IAN STEWART, Individually 

DATED: December ____, 2007 BROERS FARMS, INC. 

 By: ______________________________ 

 Name: ________________________ 

 Title: _________________________ 

DATED: December ____, 2007 CIAO BELLA GELATO CO., INC. 

 By: ______________________________ 

 Name: ________________________ 

 Title: _________________________ 

Case 3:07-cv-02865-EDL Document 30 Filed 01/04/08 Page 6 of 13
STIPULATION – C-07-02865-EDL 7 

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LAW OFFICES 

RYNN & JANOWSKY 

4100 NEWPORT PLACE DRIVE 

SUITE 700 

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92660-2423 

(949) 752-2911 

FAX (949) 752-0953

[SIGNATURES CONTINUED] 

Approved as to form and content. 

DATED: December ____, 2007 RYNN & JANOWSKY, LLP 

 By: ______________________________ 

BART M. BOTTA, Attorneys for BROERS 

FARMS, INC.

 

DATED: December ____, 2007 LAW OFFICE OF JOHN R. CAPRON 

 By: ______________________________ 

JOHN R. CAPRON, Attorneys for CIAO 

BELLA GELATO CO., INC. 

Case 3:07-cv-02865-EDL Document 30 Filed 01/04/08 Page 7 of 13
STIPULATION – C-07-02865-EDL 8 

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LAW OFFICES 

RYNN & JANOWSKY 

4100 NEWPORT PLACE DRIVE 

SUITE 700 

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92660-2423 

(949) 752-2911 

FAX (949) 752-0953

 

ORDER

 Having read the above Stipulation for entry of judgment and good cause appearing 

therefor, 

 IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that said Stipulation be filed and that this lawsuit be 

dismissed in its entirety with prejudice as to Defendant Ciao Bella Gelato Co., Inc., and 

without prejudice as to all other defendants, subject to further notification by Plaintiff’s 

counsel requesting entry of judgment against Defendant Douglas Ian Stewart in the event 

of said Defendant’s default under said Stipulation. 

SO ORDERED. 

DATED:___________ ______________________________ 

 ELIZABETH D. LAPORTE 

 United States Magistrate Judge 

January 4, 2008

U

NITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

IT IS SO ORDERED

Judge Elizabeth D. Laporte

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