Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_05-cv-04532/USCOURTS-cand-5_05-cv-04532-11/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 470
Nature of Suit: Civil (Rico)
Cause of Action: 18:1964 Racketeering (RICO) Act

---

United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

Stacy James, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

 v.

Ignatius A. Piazza, et al.,

Defendants. /

NO. C 05-04532 JW 

ORDER APPOINTING SPECIAL

MASTER

On March 19, 2007, the Court conducted a hearing regarding final approval of settlement in

this action. Based on discussions at the hearing, the Court found, and the parties agreed, that a

Special Master should be appointed to assist the Court with its assessment of the proposed

settlement. Accordingly, the Court notifies the parties of its appointment of George C. Fisher, 2600

El Camino Real, Suite 410, Palo Alto, California 94306, (650) 424-0821, as a Special Master.

A. Scope of Appointment

1) Mr. Fisher will advise the Court with respect to the pending proposed settlement

between the parties. 

2) Irrespective of the settlement, Mr. Fisher shall also advise the Court regarding the

financial status of the property and the nature and extent of all memberships which

affect the financial status of the property.

3) Mr. Fisher will prepare a report and recommendation to the Court summarizing the

terms of any proposed settlement, with attention to: a) the consideration offered to the

class for its release of claims, b) the security provided to ensure fulfillment of any

Case 5:05-cv-04532-JW Document 112 Filed 03/21/07 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 2

ongoing obligations, and c) whether differences between the current settlement and

the version preliminarily approved by the Court require re-notification of the class,

along with any other issues that Mr. Fisher believes should be brought to the Court's

attention. The Court will conduct a follow up meeting with the Special Master upon

receipt of the report. 

B. Fees

The parties are directed to pay the reasonable fees charged by Mr. Fisher for his service as a

Special Master to the Court in this case. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, fees shall be

distributed equally between the parties. All matters pertaining to the fees of Mr. Fisher are referred

to the assigned Magistrate Judge.

C. Schedule

1) The parties shall contact Mr. Fisher within ten (10) days from the date of this Order

to set a meet and confer date.

2) Mr. Fisher shall lodge his report with the Court within forty-five (45) days from the

date of this Order.

3) To complete the appointment, Mr. Fisher shall file the affidavit required by FEDERAL

RULE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 53(b)(3) within five (5) days of this Order.

Dated: March 21, 2007 

JAMES WARE

United States District Judge

Case 5:05-cv-04532-JW Document 112 Filed 03/21/07 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT COPIES OF THIS ORDER HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO:

Christopher Clyde Walton chris.walton@greerlaw.biz

Curtis Keith Greer greerkeith@aol.com

J. Mark Thacker jthacker@ropers.com

Richard M. Williams rwilliams@ropers.com

Steven John Roberts steve.roberts@greerlaw.biz

Dated: March 21, 2007 Richard W. Wieking, Clerk

By: /s/ JW Chambers 

Elizabeth Garcia

Courtroom Deputy

Case 5:05-cv-04532-JW Document 112 Filed 03/21/07 Page 3 of 3