Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_17-cv-05554/USCOURTS-cand-4_17-cv-05554-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 375
Nature of Suit: False Claims Act
Cause of Action: 31:3729 False Claims Act

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ELLEN HARDIN,

Plaintiff,

v.

MENDOCINO COAST DISTRICT 

HOSPITAL, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 17-cv-05554-JST 

*SEALED*

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE RE: 

SEALING

Plaintiff Ellen Hardin filed this case on September 25, 2017, and filed a first amended 

complaint (“FAC”) on October 4, 2017. ECF Nos. 1, 10. Summonses issued on October 18, 

2017. ECF Nos. 11-14. No proofs of service have been filed, and no Defendants have made an 

appearance.

The FAC includes a federal False Claims Act cause of action under 31 U.S.C. § 3730. 

ECF No. 10 ¶¶ 85-98. However, the statute provides that actions “shall be brought in the name of 

the Government.” 31 U.S.C. § 3730(b)(1). In addition:

A copy of the complaint and written disclosure of substantially all 

material evidence and information the person possesses shall be 

served on the Government pursuant to Rule [4(i)] of the Federal 

Rules of Civil Procedure. The complaint shall be filed in camera, 

shall remain under seal for at least 60 days, and shall not be served 

on the defendant until the court so orders. The Government may 

elect to intervene and proceed with the action within 60 days after it 

receives both the complaint and the material evidence and 

information. 

31 U.S.C. § 3730(b)(2) (footnote omitted).

The Court has sealed this case pursuant to these statutory requirements. It is hereby 

ordered that:

1. On or before November 22, 2017, Hardin shall (a) serve a copy of the FAC and this 

Case 4:17-cv-05554-JST Document 15 Filed 11/14/17 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

order on the Government and (b) file a proof of service.

2. On or before December 4, 2017, Hardin shall file a written response showing cause why 

this case should or should not remain under seal.

3. If the Government wishes to be heard on this question, it shall file a written response by 

the same date.

4. Hardin shall not serve any Defendant until further order of the Court.

5. This case will remain under seal until further order of the Court.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 13, 2017

______________________________________

JON S. TIGAR

United States District Judge

Case 4:17-cv-05554-JST Document 15 Filed 11/14/17 Page 2 of 2