Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-00403/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-00403-4/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 151
Nature of Suit: Overpayments under the Medicare Act
Cause of Action: 42:1395 HHS: Adverse Reimbursement Review

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McGREGOR W. SCOTT

United States Attorney

BRIAN W. ENOS

Assistant U.S. Attorney

United States Courthouse

2500 Tulare St., Ste. 4401

Fresno, California 93721

Telephone: (559) 497-4058

Facsimile: (559) 497-4099

Attorneys for: Defendant United States Department of Health and

Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

PEREZ, WILLIAMS & MEDINA, )

A Law Partnership, )

)

Plaintiff, )

)

v. )

)

MARIA ISABEL MARTINEZ, )

FRANCISCO MARTINEZ, SAINT ) 

AGNES HOSPITAL, CBCA HEALTH )

INSURANCE MEDI-CAL, )

HUGHES/LAWSON PHYSICAL ) 

THERAPY), UNITED STATES )

DEPARTMENT ) 

OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, )

CENTERS for MEDICARE & )

MEDICAID SERVICES and DOES 2 )

through 25, )

)

Defendants. )

)

 )

Case No. 01:05-CV-00403 DLB

STIPULATION AND ORDER RE:

DISBURSEMENT OF INTERPLED FUNDS

The parties, by and through their undersigned counsel,

stipulate as follows:

WHEREAS, plaintiff Perez, Williams & Medina filed a “First

Amended Complaint in Interpleader” with the Fresno County

Superior Court on December 30, 2003, Case No. 03 CE CG 04607 DSB

(“the State Court Action”), after first depositing $15,000 in

Case 1:05-cv-00403-DLB Document 30 Filed 05/03/06 Page 1 of 14
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interpled funds regarding this dispute with the Fresno County

Superior Court Clerk;

WHEREAS, defendant Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of the

United States Department of Health and Human Services removed

this action to federal court on or about March 25, 2005; and 

WHEREAS, the parties entered into a Settlement Agreement and

General Release (“Agreement and Release”) of this action on or

about May 1, 2006, resulting in the complete resolution of this

dispute; 

THE PARTIES STIPULATE and respectfully request this Court to

direct the Clerk of the Fresno County Superior Court, by way of

formal order, to disburse the interpled funds as set forth in

paragraphs 3.1(b) through 3.1(d) of the Agreement and Release. 

The parties attach a true and correct executed copy of the

Agreement and Release to this Stipulation as Exhibit “A”.

Respectfully submitted,

DATED: April 17, 2006 PEREZ, WILLIAMS & MEDINA

A Law Partnership 

/s/Robert Gray Williams_

ROBERT GRAY WILLIAMS, ESQ.

Attorney for Plaintiffs

DATED: April 28, 2006 S.A. HANSEN & ASSOCIATES

A Professional Law Corporation 

/s/Stephen A. Hansen____

STEPHEN A. HANSEN, ESQ.

Attorneys for

Defendant St. Agnes Hospital

Case 1:05-cv-00403-DLB Document 30 Filed 05/03/06 Page 2 of 14
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DATED: April 28, 2006 McGREGOR W. SCOTT, ESQ.

United States Attorney

/s/Brian W. Enos_________

BRIAN W. ENOS, ESQ. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney

Attorneys for Defendant U.S. 

Dept. of Health & Human 

Services, Centers for Medicare 

& Medicaid Services

DATED: April 25, 2006 JEFFREY D. CLASON, ESQ.

Central California Legal Services

/s/Jeffrey D. Clason____

JEFFREY D. CLASON, ESQ.

Attorneys or FRANCISCO MARTINEZ and

MARIA ISABEL MARTINEZ, Defendants 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Date: May 2, 2006 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

 U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:05-cv-00403-DLB Document 30 Filed 05/03/06 Page 3 of 14
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE 

1.0 PARTIES 

The parties to this Settlement Agreement and General Release 

("AGREEMENT AND RELEASE") comprise plaintiffs PEREZ, WILLIAMS & 

MEDINA, A Law Partnership ("LAW FIRM") , defendants FRANCISCO 

MARTINEZ and MARIA ISABEL MARTINEZ ("MARTINEZ"), defendant ST. 

AGNES HOSPITAL ("ST. AGNES") and defendant MICHAEL 0. LEAVITT, 

SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

("SECRETARY") , collectively referred to as "RELEASING PARTIES" .I 

2.0 RECITALS 

This AGREEMENT AND RELEASE is made with reference to the 

following facts: 

2.1 Certain disputes and controversies have arisen between 

parties to this AGREEMENT AND RELEASE. These disputes and 

controversies arose as a result of a dispute over payment of 

$15,000.00 in settlement proceeds the LAW FIRM obtained pursuant 

to representing MARTINEZ in a prior lawsuit. These proceeds were 

deposited by the LAW FIRM to the Fresno County Superior Court 

upon the commencement of their interpleader action, whose 

operative pleading was filed with the Fresno County Superior 

Court on or about December 30, 2003. This interpleader action 

was removed to the United States District Court, Eastern District 

The RELEASING PARTIES recognize that former defendants CBCA Health 

Insurance Medi-Cal and Hughes/Lawson Physical Therapy ("DEFAULTED DEFENDANTS") 

are no longer parties to this action. The Court entered a default judgment 

against each of the DEFAULTED DEFENDANTS on March 23, 2006. As such, neither 

of the DEFAULTED DEFENDANTS are parties to this AGREEMENT AND RELEASE. 

1 EXHIBIT "A 

Case 1:05-cv-00403-DLB Document 30 Filed 05/03/06 Page 4 of 14
of California by the SECRETARY on or about March 25, 2005, and 

captioned as follows: 

PEREZ, WILLIAMS & MEDINA, A Law Partnership v. MARIA ISABEL 

MARTINEZ, et al., Case No. 1:05-cv-00403 DLB ("the PEREZ, 

WILLIAMS & MEDINA lawsuit"). 

2.2 The RELEASING PARTIES intend this AGREEMENT AND RELEASE 

to settle and dispose of, fully and completely, any and all 

claims, demands, and causes of action whether known or unknown, 

suspected or unsuspected, heretofore or hereafter arising out of, 

connected with, or incidental to the PEREZ, WILLIAMS & MEDINA 

lawsuit up to the date all of the parties sign this AGREEMENT AND 

RELEASE, and it is further the intention of the parties that the 

AGREEMENT AND RELEASE shall be binding upon any and all former, 

present or future assignees, parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, 

divisions, insurance carriers, subdivisions, holdings, assets, 

officers, directors, shareholders, general partners, limited 

partners, successors, agents, employees and attorneys of the 

parties, and each of them. 

2.3 The RELEASING PARTIES acknowledge and agree that they 

are entering into this AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, and settling the 

PEREZ, WILLIAMS & MEDINA lawsuit, in an effort to avoid the 

expense and inconvenience of litigation, and that the 

consideration which each is giving the other does not constitute 

and shall not be construed as an admission, acknowledgment or 

representation concerning any liability. 

Case 1:05-cv-00403-DLB Document 30 Filed 05/03/06 Page 5 of 14
3.0 AGREEMENT 

3.1 In consideration for the promises, warranties, and 

releases contained in this AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, the parties 

agree as follows: 

3.1 (a) Upon execution of this AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, 

the RELEASING PARTIES agree to promptly execute and file a 

Stipulation requesting the Court to direct, by way of formal 

order, the Clerk of the Fresno County Superior Court to disburse 

the $15,000 in settlement proceeds as set forth in paragraphs 

3.l(b) through 3.l(d) of this AGREEMENT AND RELEASE. 

3.1 (b) The Fresno County Superior Court, as holder 

of the above-referenced interpled funds, will disburse the sum of 

three thousand, seven hundred and ninety-nine and 07/100 Dollars 

($3,799.07) to the SECRETARY, as the full and final settlement of 

the SECRETARY'S claim. This disbursement shall be made payable 

to: "MEDICARE - U.S. DEPT. OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES" and 

delivered to Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian W. Enos, located at 

2500 Tulare St., Suite 4-401, Fresno, Ca 93721, for ultimate 

delivery to the SECRETARY. The Fresno County Superior Court is 

asked to specifically identify on the check that payment is being 

made on the behalf of "MARIA ISABEL MARTINEZ, 558-78-5139A, Date 

of Loss: 1-14-2000." Mr. Enos will forward the check to the 

Secretary. 

3.l(c) The Fresno County Superior Court, as holder 

of the above-referenced interpled funds, will disburse the sum of 

two thousand eighty nine and 69/100 Dollars to the ST. AGNES, as 

Case 1:05-cv-00403-DLB Document 30 Filed 05/03/06 Page 6 of 14
the full and final settlement of ST. AGNES'S claim. This 

disbursement shall be made payable to: "ST. AGNES HOSPITAL" and 

delivered to Stephen A. Hansen, Esq. of S.A. Hansen & Associates, 

located at 6700 N. First St., Ste. 138, Fresno, Ca 93710 for 

ultimate delivery to ST. AGNES. The Fresno County Superior Court 

is asked to specifically identify on the check that payment is 

being made pursuant to the RELEASING PARTIES settling the abovecaptioned lawsuit. 

3.1 (d) The Fresno County Superior Court, as holder 

of the above-referenced interpled funds, will disburse the sum of 

the balance of the interpled funds, or (nine thousand one hundred 

eleven and 24/100 Dollars ($9,111.24) to MARTINEZ, as the full 

and final settlement of MARTINEZf s claim. This disbursement 

shall be made payable to: "MARIA ISABEL MARTINEZ" and delivered 

to Jeffrey Clason, Esq., located at Central California Legal 

Services, Inc., 1999 Tuolumne St., Ste. 700, Fresno, Ca 93721 for 

ultimate delivery to MARTINEZ. The Fresno County Superior Court 

is asked to specifically identify on the check that payment is 

being made pursuant to the RELEASING PARTIES settling the abovecaptioned lawsuit. 

3.1 (e) The LAW FIRM, MARTINEZ, ST. AGNES and the 

SECRETARY agree to stipulate to a dismissal of the PEREZ, 

WILLIAMS, & MEDINA lawsuit in exchange for the mutual releases 

agreed to herein, and said stipulation and ultimate dismissal 

shall be filed with the Court within ten (10) business days of 

the complete execution of the AGREEMENT AND RELEASE by all 

parties. 

Case 1:05-cv-00403-DLB Document 30 Filed 05/03/06 Page 7 of 14
4.0 RELEASES 

4.1 The RELEASING PARTIES hereby releases and forever 

discharges each other releasing party and their former, present 

and future parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, 

insurance carriers, subdivisions, holdings, assets, officers, 

directors, shareholders, general partners, limited partners, 

successors, agents, employees, and attorneys, of and from any and 

all claims, demands, damages, debts, liabilities, accounts, 

obligations, costs, expenses, actions, and causes of action of 

every kind whatsoever, whether now known or unknown, suspected or 

unsuspected, which the releasing parties have, own or hold, or at 

any time heretofore ever had, owned or held arising out of, 

connected with, or incidental to all dealings, up to the date 

these parties sign this AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, between the 

parties referred to in this AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, including but 

not limited to, the matters asserted in, or relating to, the 

PEREZ, WILLIAMS, & MEDINA lawsuit . 

5.0 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 

The parties to this AGREEMENT AND RELEASE represent, 

varrant, and agree as follows: 

5.1 ENTIRE AGREEMENT 

This AGREEMENT AND RELEASE is the entire agreement between 

2nd among the parties and supersedes all prior and 

zontemporaneous agreements or understandings of the parties. Any 

2mendment to this AGREEMENT AND RELEASE shall not be valid or 

Case 1:05-cv-00403-DLB Document 30 Filed 05/03/06 Page 8 of 14
binding unless in writing, executed by each of the parties 

hereto. 

5.2 SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST 

This AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, including the releases herein 

contained, shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each 

of the parties hereto and each of their successors-in-interest, 

including heirs and assigns. 

5.3 APPLICABLE LAW 

All questions with respect to the construction of this 

AGREEMENT AND RELEASE and the rights and liabilities of the 

parties hereto shall be governed by the applicable Federal laws. 

5.4 AUTHORITY 

Each signatory to this AGREEMENT AND RELEASE warrants that 

it has full authority to reach this agreement with regard to all 

3f the claims, both general and specific, stated herein. 

5.5 COUNTERPARTS 

This AGREEMENT AND RELEASE may be executed in counterparts, 

2ach of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which taken 

together shall constitute one and the same AGREEMENT AND RELEASE. 

rhe parties hereto, and each of them, express and understand and 

3gree and warrant and represent to each other that the terms and 

zonditions of this AGREEMENT AND RELEASE shall not be effective 

to release any party hereto from any and all of the matters 

referred to in this AGREEMENT AND RELEASE unless and until such 

Case 1:05-cv-00403-DLB Document 30 Filed 05/03/06 Page 9 of 14
particular party executes a counterpart of this AGREEMENT AND 

RELEASE. 

EXPENSES 

Each party hereto shall bear its own costs, attorney's fees 

and expenses in connection with the PEREZ, WILLIAMS, & MEDINA 

lawsuit, this AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, and all matters and claims 

pertaining thereto. 

5.7 ATTORNEY'S FEES 

In the event any action, suit or other proceeding is 

commenced under or in connection with this AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, 

the prevailing party therein shall be entitled to recover, and 

the other party agrees to pay, the prevailing party's costs and 

expenses in connection therewith, including attorney's fees and 

costs actually incurred; provided, however, that the parties 

specifically acknowledge and agree that the provisions of this 

paragraph are not applicable to or binding upon the SECRETARY to 

the extent it contravenes Federal law, and that any such 

prevailing party's costs and expenses, including attorney's fees 

and costs as against the SECRETARY shall be paid only if, when 

and as applicable Federal law may permit. 

5.8 DRAFTER OF AGREEMENT AND RELEASE 

All parties participated in the drafting of this AGREEMENT 

4ND RELEASE. In addition, none of the parties hereto or the 

?arties' respective counsel shall be deemed the drafter of the 

Case 1:05-cv-00403-DLB Document 30 Filed 05/03/06 Page 10 of 14
04-1 7-06 02 : 10pm F rom-US ATTORNEY FRESNO CA 

AGREEMENT AND RELEASE in any litigation or other proceeding which 

hereafter may arise between or among them, or any of them. 

5.9 JURISDICTION 

1 The RELEASING PARTIES agree that the United States District 

Court, Eastern District of California shall retain jurisdiction 

over the enforcement of this AGREEMENT AND RELEASE. 

WHEREFORE, the parties have executed this AGREEMENT AND 

RELEASE, as of the date next to their signatures, and the same is 

approved as to form by their counsel. 

DATED: ~~ril/7, - 2006 PEREZ, WILLIAMS & MEDINA 

A Law Partnership 

ROBERT GRAY WILLIAMS, ESQ. 

Attorney for Plaintiffs 

DATED: April -, 2006 S.A. HANSEN & ASSOCIATES 

A Professional Law Corporation 

STEPHEN A. HANSEN, ESQ. 

Attorneys for 

Defendant St. Agnes Hospital 

Case 1:05-cv-00403-DLB Document 30 Filed 05/03/06 Page 11 of 14
/// 

/// 

I// 

DATED: April -, 2006 

DATED: ~prilyL, 2006 

DATED: April-, 2006 

PAGE 02/03 

PEREZ, WILLIAMS & MEDINA 

A Law partnership 

ROBERT GRAY WILLIAMS, ESQ. 

Attorney for Plaintiffs 

S.A. HANSEN & ASSOCIATES 

A Profesaional Tiaw Corporation 

~ttorneys for 

Defendant St. Agnes Hospital 

McGREWR W. SCOTT, ESQ. 

united States Attorney 

BRIAN W. ENOS, ESQ. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney 

Attorneys for Defendant U.S. 

Dept. of Health & Human 

Services, Centers for Medicare 

& Medicaid Services 

DATED: 24~~3.1 -, 2006 JElFFREY D. CIASON, ESQ. 

Central ~alifornia Legal Services 

JEFFREY D. CLASON, ESQ. 

Attorneys or FRANCISCO MARTINEZ and 

MARIA ISABEL MARTINEZ, Defendants 

Case 1:05-cv-00403-DLB Document 30 Filed 05/03/06 Page 12 of 14
DATED: April ~s, 2006 

DATED: April - , 2006 

McGREGOR W. SCOTT, ESQ. 

United States Attorney 

&I& ~.~Snus 

BRIAN W. ENOS, ESQ. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney 

Attorneys for Defendant U.S. 

Dept. of Health & Human 

Services, Centers for Medicare 

& Medicaid Services 

JEFFREY D. CLASON, ESQ. 

Central California Legal Services 

JEFFREY D. CLASON, ESQ. 

Attorneys or FRANCISCO MARTINEZ and 

MARIA ISABEL MARTINEZ, Defendants 

Case 1:05-cv-00403-DLB Document 30 Filed 05/03/06 Page 13 of 14
DATED: April - , 2006 McGREGOR W. SCOTT, ESQ. 

United States Attorney 

BRIAN W. ENOS, ESQ. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney 

Attorneys for Defendant U.S. 

Dept. of Health & Human 

Services, Centers for Medicare 

& Medicaid Services 

- 

DATED: April 2, 2006 JEFFREY D. CLASON, ESQ. 

Central California Legal Services 

b$ 

J FF Y D. CLASON. ESQ. 

or FRANCISCO MARTINEZ and 

MARTINEZ, Defendants 

Case 1:05-cv-00403-DLB Document 30 Filed 05/03/06 Page 14 of 14