Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_18-cv-00043/USCOURTS-cand-3_18-cv-00043-22/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 15:0045 Federal Trade Commission Act

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LEGALFORCE RAPC WORLDWIDE 

P.C.,

Plaintiff,

v.

CHRIS DEMASSA,

Defendant.

Case No. 18-cv-00043-MMC (TSH)

ORDER RE: RENEWED MOTION TO 

RESCIND SANCTIONS

Re: Dkt. No. 153

On October 22, 2019, the Court granted Plaintiff LegalForce RAPC Worldwide, P.C.’s 

motion for sanctions pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37(b) after Defendant Chris 

DeMassa failed to comply with two orders compelling him to produce financial records to 

LegalForce’s outside counsel. ECF No. 132. The Court ordered DeMassa to pay LegalForce’s 

fees and costs in the amount of $2,000 and, until DeMassa complied with his discovery 

obligations, fined him a daily sanction in the amount of $100. As part of its order, the Court 

granted DeMassa permission to move to vacate the $100 daily sanction once he complied in full 

with his discovery obligations.

On November 1, 2019, DeMassa filed a “Request to Rescind $2,000 Sanction,” stating he 

“performed to [the Court’s] order in full.” ECF No. 136. On December 6, 2019, the Court denied 

DeMassa’s motion on two grounds. ECF No. 149. First, the Court noted it did not grant DeMassa 

permission to move to vacate the $2,000 sanction; it only granted permission as to the $100 daily 

sanction. Further, the Court imposed the $2,000 sanction because LegalForce had to file multiple 

motions for sanctions. Regardless of whether DeMassa complied with his discovery obligations,

such compliance would have no effect on the amount LegalForce was forced to spend on those 

motions. Second, to the extent DeMassa sought to vacate the $100 daily sanction, the Court found 

Case 3:18-cv-00043-MMC Document 159 Filed 01/06/20 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

there was no indication he produced the underlying financial information for his 2019 financials as 

ordered.

On December 16, 2019, DeMassa filed a renewed motion to rescind sanctions. ECF No. 

153. DeMassa states he has now sent “all the underlying financial information for 2019.” In its 

response, LegalForce states it “is willing to consider the documents it’s [sic] outside counsel 

received from Demassa on December 17, 2019 as finally meeting Demassa’s obligation to provide 

the underlying financial information for his 2019 financials as ordered.” ECF No. 155. As 

LegalForce agrees DeMassa has now complied with the Court’s order to produce his financial 

information, the Court VACATES the $100 daily sanction. LegalForce requests the $100 daily 

sanction apply up until December 17, 2019. However, given DeMassa’s pro se status and his 

statements regarding the financial effect of such sanctions on his business, the Court declines 

LegalForce’s request and vacates the daily sanction in full.

As to the $2,000 sanction, for the same reasons stated in its December 6 Order, the Court 

DENIES DeMassa’s motion. DeMassa shall pay LegalForce the $2,000 sanction by February 3, 

2020. No further motions to rescind shall be considered.

As part of his request, DeMassa also addresses the merits of LegalForce’s case, arguing it 

“is using the Court against all [its] competitors to do what [it] cannot do fairly in the marketplace -

compete fairly, compete competently.” Such arguments regarding the merits of this case are not 

properly before the undersigned and must be addressed to the presiding judge.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 6, 2020

THOMAS S. HIXSON

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 3:18-cv-00043-MMC Document 159 Filed 01/06/20 Page 2 of 2