Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_09-cv-03212/USCOURTS-cand-3_09-cv-03212-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 791
Nature of Suit: Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
Cause of Action: 29:1001 E.R.I.S.A.: Employee Retirement

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JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO STIPULATION 

Case No.: C09-3212 MHP 

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Muriel B. Kaplan, Esq. (SBN 124607) 

Michele R. Stafford, Esq. (SBN 172509) 

SALTZMAN & JOHNSON LAW CORPORATION 

44 Montgomery Street, Suite 2110 

San Francisco, CA 94104 

(415) 882-7900 

(415) 882-9287 – Facsimile 

mkaplan@sjlawcorp.com

mstafford@sjlawcorp.com

Attorneys for Plaintiffs 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

BAY AREA PAINTERS AND TAPERS 

PENSION TRUST FUND, et al., 

 

 Plaintiffs, 

 

 v. 

 

CRYSTAL NICOLE THOMAS, individually and 

dba CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL PAINTING, 

 

 Defendant. 

Case No.: C09-3212 MHP 

JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO 

STIPULATION 

IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by and between the parties hereto, that Judgment may be 

entered in the within action in favor of the Plaintiffs BAY AREA PAINTERS AND TAPERS 

PENSION TRUST FUND, et al. (collectively “Plaintiffs” or “Trust Funds”) and against 

Defendant CRYSTAL NICOLE THOMAS, individually and doing business as CALIFORNIA 

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING, or successor entities; (“Defendant”), as follows: 

1. Defendant entered into a valid Collective Bargaining Agreement with the 

District Council 16 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (hereinafter 

"Bargaining Agreement"). This Bargaining Agreement has continued in full force and effect to 

the present time. 

 2. Defendant has become indebted to the Trust Funds as follows: 

Case 3:09-cv-03212-MHP Document 18 Filed 05/12/10 Page 1 of 7
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JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO STIPULATION 

Case No.: C09-3212 MHP 

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November 2009 Contributions $4,253.75 

20% Liquidated Damages $850.75 

5% Interest (through 4/12/10) $59.44 

$5,163.94

December 2009 Contributions $4,108.50 

20% Liquidated Damages $821.70 

5% Interest (through 4/12/10) $39.96 

$4,970.16

January 2010 Contributions $4,250.00 

20% Liquidated Damages $850.00 

5% Interest (through 4/12/10) $25.03 

$5,125.03

February 2010 Contributions $8,351.25 

20% Liquidated Damages $1,670.25 

5% Interest (through 4/12/10) $13.73 

$10,035.23

SUB-TOTAL $25,294.36

Attorneys’ Fees (12/16/08 – 4/8/10) $5,251.00

Costs (12/16/08 – 10/29/09) $626.92

April 5, 2010 Payment ($5,200.00)

TOTAL $25,972.28 

 3. Defendant shall pay the amount of $25,972.28, representing all above amounts, as 

follows: 

 (a) On or before April 20th, 2010, and no later than the 20th day of each month 

thereafter for a period of twelve (12) months, through and including March 20, 2011, Defendant 

shall pay to Plaintiffs the amount of $2,194.00; 

 (b) These payments may be made by joint check to Defendant and Plaintiffs’ 

Trust Funds, and if so, shall be endorsed prior to submission; 

 (c) Defendant shall have the right to increase the monthly payments at any 

time, without penalty; 

 (d) Payments shall be applied first to unpaid interest and then to unpaid 

principal. The unpaid principal balance shall bear interest at the rate of 5% per annum in 

accordance with Plaintiffs’ Trust Agreements; 

Case 3:09-cv-03212-MHP Document 18 Filed 05/12/10 Page 2 of 7
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JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO STIPULATION 

Case No.: C09-3212 MHP 

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 (e) Payments shall be made payable to the “Bay Area Painters and Tapers 

Trust Funds” and delivered to Michele R. Stafford at Saltzman & Johnson Law Corporation, 44 

Montgomery Street, Suite 2110, San Francisco, California 94104, to be received on or before 

the 20th day of each month, or to such other address as may be specified by Plaintiffs. 

 4. An audit of Defendant’s records has occurred in this matter, but the report has not 

been completed to date. The completed report, in draft form, will be sent to Defendant for review. 

Defendant will be provided with ten (10) days in which to review the audit, and provide evidence 

to contest the findings in the event that Defendant does not agree with the total found due. 

Once the report is finalized, in the event that amounts are found due, all such amounts will 

become part of this Judgment. In the event that this occurs, Defendant has the right to request that 

the term of the payment plan be extended until all amounts are paid in full. 

 5. Beginning with contributions due for hours worked by Defendant’s employees 

during the month of March 2010, to be postmarked no later than April 15, 2010 and delinquent if 

not received by April 30, 2010, and for every month thereafter, Defendant shall remain current 

in reporting and payment of any contributions due to Plaintiffs under the current Collective 

Bargaining Agreement and under all subsequent Collective Bargaining Agreements, if any, and 

the Declarations of Trust as amended. Defendant shall fax a copy of the contribution report 

for each month, together with a copy of that payment check, to Michele R. Stafford at 415-

882-9287, prior to sending the payment to the Trust Fund office. To the extent that 

Defendant is working on a Public Works job, or any other job for which Certified Payroll 

Reports are required, copies of said Reports will be faxed to Michele R. Stafford, 

concurrently with their submission to the general contractor, owner or other reporting 

agency. 

 6. Failure by Defendant to remain current in reporting or payment of contributions 

shall constitute a default of the obligations under this agreement. Any such unpaid or late paid 

contributions, together with 20% liquidated damages and 5% per annum interest accrued on 

contributions, shall be added to and become a part of this Judgment and subject to the terms 

Case 3:09-cv-03212-MHP Document 18 Filed 05/12/10 Page 3 of 7
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JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO STIPULATION 

Case No.: C09-3212 MHP 

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herein. Plaintiffs reserve all rights available under the applicable Bargaining Agreement and 

Declarations of Trust of the Trust Funds for collection of current and future contributions, and for 

any additional past contributions not included herein as may be determined by Plaintiffs, pursuant 

to employee timecards or paystubs, by audit, or other means, and the provisions of this agreement 

are in addition thereto. Defendant specifically waives the defense of the doctrine res judicata as to 

any such additional amounts determined as due. 

 7. Defendant shall make full disclosure of all jobs on which they are working by 

providing Plaintiffs with an ongoing and updated list of jobs including, but not limited to, name 

and address of job, general contractor, certified payroll if a public works job, and period. 

Defendant shall fax said updated list each month together with the contribution report (as 

required by this Stipulation) to Michele R. Stafford at 415-882-9287. This requirement 

remains in full force and effect regardless of whether or not Defendant has ongoing work. In this 

event, Defendant shall submit a statement stating that there are no current jobs. 

 8. Crystal Nicole Thomas acknowledges that she is the Sole Owner of CALIFORNIA 

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING, and that she specifically consents to the Court’s jurisdiction as 

well as the use of a Magistrate Judge for all proceedings herein. Ms. Thomas also confirms that 

she is personally guaranteeing the amounts due pursuant to the terms of this Stipulation and 

further acknowledges that all affiliates, related entities and successors in interest to CALIFORNIA 

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING and/or any subsequent entity wherein Ms. Thomas is a principal 

shall also be bound by the terms of this Stipulation as Guarantors, and also consents to this Court’s 

jurisdiction as well as the use of a Magistrate Judge. 

 9. In the event that any check is not timely submitted or submitted by Defendant but 

fails to clear the bank, or is unable to be negotiated for any reason for which Defendant is 

responsible, this shall be considered to be a default on the Judgment entered. If Defendant fails to 

submit its contribution reports, certified payroll reports (if any) and job lists or fails to comply 

with any of the terms of the Stipulation herein, this too shall constitute a default. 

Case 3:09-cv-03212-MHP Document 18 Filed 05/12/10 Page 4 of 7
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JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO STIPULATION 

Case No.: C09-3212 MHP 

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If a default occurs, Plaintiffs shall make a written demand, sent via email and/or facsimile 

to Defendant to cure said default. Default will only be cured by the issuance of a replacement, 

cashier’s check if the default is caused by a failed check, or at the request of Plaintiffs, to be 

delivered to Saltzman and Johnson Law Corporation within seven (7) days of the date of the 

notice from Plaintiffs. If Defendant elects to cure said default, and Plaintiffs elect to accept future 

payments, all such payments shall be made by cashier’s check if the default is caused by a failed 

check or upon request by Plaintiffs. 

10. In the event the default is not cured, all amounts remaining due hereunder, as well 

as any additional amounts due pursuant to the terms herein, shall be due and payable on demand 

by Plaintiffs as follows: 

 (a) The entire amount of $25,972.28 plus interest, reduced by principal 

payments received by Plaintiffs, but increased by any unpaid contributions then due, plus 20% 

liquidated damages and 5% per annum interest thereon, shall be immediately due, together with 

any additional attorneys’ fees and costs and other amounts due herein; 

 (b) A writ of execution may be obtained against Defendant without further 

notice, in the amount of the unpaid balance, plus any additional amounts under the terms herein, 

upon declaration of a duly authorized representative of the Plaintiffs setting forth any payment 

theretofore made by or on behalf of Defendant and the balance due and owing as of the date of 

default. Defendant specifically consents to the authority of a Magistrate Judge for all proceedings, 

including, but not limited to, Plaintiffs’ obtaining a writ of execution; 

 (c) Defendant waives notice of entry of judgment and expressly waives all 

rights to stay of execution and appeal. The declaration or affidavit of a duly authorized 

representative of Plaintiffs as to the balance due and owing as of the date of default shall be 

sufficient to secure the issuance of a writ of execution; 

 (d) Defendant shall pay all additional costs and attorneys' fees incurred by 

Plaintiffs in connection with collection and allocation of the amounts owed by Defendant to 

Plaintiffs under this Stipulation, regardless of whether or not there is a default herein. 

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JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO STIPULATION 

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 11. Any failure on the part of the Plaintiffs to take any action against Defendant as 

provided herein in the event of any breach of the provisions of this Stipulation shall not be deemed 

a waiver of any subsequent breach by the Defendant of any provisions herein. 

 12. In the event of the filing of a bankruptcy petition by Defendant, the parties agree 

that any payments made by Defendant pursuant to the terms of this judgment, shall be deemed to 

have been made in the ordinary course of business as provided under 11 U.S.C. Section 547(c)(2) 

and shall not be claimed by Defendant as a preference under 11 U.S.C. Section 547 or otherwise. 

Defendant nevertheless represents that no bankruptcy filing is anticipated. 

13. Should any provision of this Stipulation be declared or determined by any court of 

competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, the legality, validity, and 

enforceability of the remaining parts, terms or provisions shall not be affected thereby and said 

illegal, unenforceable or invalid part, term, or provision shall be deemed not to be part of this 

Stipulation. 

14. This Stipulation is limited to the agreement between the parties with respect to the 

delinquent contributions and related sums enumerated herein, owed by Defendant to the Plaintiffs. 

This Stipulation does not in any manner relate to withdrawal liability claims, if any. Defendant 

acknowledges that the Plaintiffs expressly reserve their right to pursue withdrawal liability claims, 

if any, against Defendant as provided by the Plaintiffs’ Plan Documents, Trust Agreements 

incorporated into their Collective Bargaining Agreement, and the law. 

 15. This Stipulation may be executed in any number of counterparts and by facsimile, 

each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute the same instrument. 

16. The parties agree that the Court shall retain jurisdiction of this matter until this 

Judgment is satisfied. 

/ / / 

/ / / 

/ / / 

/ / / 

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JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO STIPULATION 

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17. All parties represent and warrant that they have had the opportunity to be or have 

been represented by counsel of their own choosing in connection with entering this Stipulation 

under the terms and conditions set forth herein, and that they enter into this Stipulation voluntarily. 

Dated: May 8, 2010 CRYSTAL NICOLE THOMAS, individually 

and dba CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL 

PAINTING 

By: ________________/s/__________________ 

Crystal Nicole Thomas 

Dated: May 11, 2010 

By:

SALTZMAN & JOHNSON 

LAW CORPORATION 

________________/s/__________________ 

Michele R. Stafford 

Attorneys for Plaintiffs 

 

IT IS SO ORDERED 

Dated: _________________, 2010 _______________________________________ 

 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT JUDGE 

May 12

U

NITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

IT IS SO ORDERED

Judge Marilyn H. Patel

Case 3:09-cv-03212-MHP Document 18 Filed 05/12/10 Page 7 of 7