Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-00162/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-00162-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 791
Nature of Suit: Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
Cause of Action: 29:1132 E.R.I.S.A.-Employee Benefits

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

HERMAN MILLER INC. RETIREMENT

INCOME PLAN, No. 2:07-cv-00162-MCE-GGH

Plaintiff,

v. ORDER

RAQUEL S. MAGALLON, also

known as RAQUEL S. MORA, 

a individual and ANA C.

GOMEZ, also known as ANA

MAGALLON, an individual,

Defendants.

----oo0oo----

On January 5, 2007, Plaintiff filed the present interpleader

action in order to obtain judicial determination on the

entitlement to retirement benefits payable to its deceased former

employee, Juan Magallon. Both Raquel S. Magallon and Ana C.

Gomez claim to have been married to Mr. Magallon and have both

claimed entitlement to said benefits following his death. 

Plaintiff accordingly filed this action to resolve their

competing claims.

Case 2:07-cv-00162-MCE -GGH Document 26 Filed 03/17/10 Page 1 of 4
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The docket for this action reflects, at Docket Nos. 5 and 6,

that both Raquel S. Magallon and Ana C. Gomez signed Waivers of

Service after the lawsuit was filed representing that they would

file either an answer or a motion under Federal Rule of Civil

Procedure 12(b)(6) not later than 60 days after January 29, 2007. 

Although the Waiver provides an admonition that judgment may be

rendered against them in the absence of such a filing, neither

Magallon or Gomez have filed either an answer other responsive

pleading to this lawsuit. While an attorney purporting to

represent Ana C. Gomez participated in the filing of a Joint

Status Report filed on September 10, 2007 (Docket No. 8), no

formal appearance has ever been made on Ms. Gomez’ behalf. No

appearance of any kind has been entered with respect to Raquel S.

Magallon, although the Joint Status Report does mention contact

she made with one of the parties. Moreover, the proof of service

for the Joint Status Report reflects that a copy was sent to her

at an address in San Fernando, California.

In the meantime, Plaintiff successfully moved for discharge

from this action after representing that it would apportion the

retirement benefits as directed by the Court. Plaintiff was

dismissed by Memorandum and Order dated July 2, 2008, leaving it

to the Court to adjudicate the competing interests of Defendant

to the Herman Miller retirement benefits.

By Order filed July 27, 2009, this Court vacated the thenpending November 12, 2009 on grounds that neither Defendant was

properly before the Court.

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Case 2:07-cv-00162-MCE -GGH Document 26 Filed 03/17/10 Page 2 of 4
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Ana C. Gomez was served with a copy of the Court’s July 27, 1

2009 order through the attorney who participated in the

preparation of the Joint Status Report on her behalf, Merlyn

Hernandez. The Clerk served Raquel S. Magallon at her last known

address, 1057 N. Huntington St., San Fernando, CA 91340.

Although the Order went on to indicate that an OSC in that 2

regard would be scheduled for September 10, 2009, the Docket in

this matter indicates that no OSC was in fact set.

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It ordered both Raquel S. Magallon and Ana C. Gomez to respond 1

to this interpleader proceeding within twenty (20) days after

July 27, 2009, and indicated that an Order to Show Cause as to

why the matter should not be dismissed would be scheduled if no

appearance had been made within that period.2

To date, no appearance has been made by either Defendant in

the more than seven months that has transpired since July 27,

2009. An Order to Show Cause as to why this matter should not be

dismissed is accordingly set for April 8, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in

Courtroom No. 7. Failure to appear at this hearing will be

deemed good cause for the Court to dismiss this action in its

entirety without any further notice and/or hearing(s). 

The Clerk of Court is hereby directed to serve a copy of

this Order on Ana C. Gomez, again through the attorney who

participated in the preparation of the Joint Status Report on her

behalf, Merlyn Hernandez. In addition, the Clerk shall also

serve Raquel S. Magallon at 1057 N. Huntington St., San Fernando,

CA 91340.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

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Dated: March 16, 2010

_____________________________

MORRISON C. ENGLAND, JR.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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