Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_04-cv-05084/USCOURTS-cand-3_04-cv-05084-0/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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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KEN WALTERS, et al,

Plaintiffs,

v

WORLD SWEEPING, INC,

Defendant. /

No C-04-5084 VRW

ORDER

Plaintiffs, which are various employee trust funds and

their respective trustees, brought this ERISA action on December 1,

2004, alleging that defendant World Sweeping, Inc, violated a

collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”) and various trust

agreements (Doc ##19, Ex B; 22) by not paying fringe benefit

contributions to the trust funds and not submitting to an audit. 

Doc #1. Although served on December 15, 2004 (Doc #3), defendant

never filed an answer or responsive pleading. Upon plaintiffs’

motion, the clerk entered default on March 30, 2005. Doc #14.

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Case 3:04-cv-05084-VRW Document 30 Filed 01/06/06 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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Plaintiffs now move the court for default judgment. Doc

#17. Plaintiffs have requested that defendant pay $13,322.85 in

fringe benefit contributions and $783.00 in liquidated damages,

plus interest. Doc ##1, 17. Plaintiffs have also requested

$3,692.50 in attorneys’ fees and $234.50 in costs. Doc ##17-18. 

Moreover, plaintiffs seek to enjoin defendant to submit to an audit

of its books and records, as required under the CBA and trust

agreements, and to pay plaintiffs the amount due under the audit,

plus interest. Doc #17. Plaintiffs also seek to enjoin defendant

permanently to submit all monthly contribution reports and payments

required under the CBA and trust agreements. Id. Finally,

plaintiffs request an accounting between plaintiffs and defendant. 

Id.

Plaintiffs’ declarations and supporting exhibits (Doc

##12, 19, 22) demonstrate that they are entitled to default

judgment pursuant to FRCP 55(b) for their claims under 29 USC §§

1001, et seq. Plaintiffs also have provided sufficient evidence to

support their requests for attorneys’ fees and costs, both of which

appear to be reasonable. Doc #18. But aside from a self-serving

statement (Doc #19 at 4:3-4), plaintiffs have not provided any

evidence of the amount of fringe benefit contributions, liquidated

damages and interest that defendant owes plaintiffs. Hence, the

court has no basis to determine the amount of damages, if any, to

which plaintiffs are entitled.

Accordingly, the court: (1) GRANTS plaintiffs’ motion

for default judgment; (2) ORDERS defendant to pay plaintiffs

$3,692.50 in attorneys’ fees and $234.50 in costs; (3) ENJOINS

defendant to submit to an audit of its books and records, as

Case 3:04-cv-05084-VRW Document 30 Filed 01/06/06 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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required by the CBA and trust agreements, and to pay the amount due

under the audit, plus interest; (4) PERMANENTLY ENJOINS defendant

to submit all monthly contribution reports and payments required

under the CBA and trust agreements and (5) ORDERS defendant to

provide plaintiffs with an accounting of defendant’s transactions

with plaintiffs. Moreover, pursuant to 28 USC § 636(b)(1)(A) and

FRCP 72(a), IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this case be referred to the

chief magistrate judge or his designee to conduct such proceedings,

including evidentiary hearings, as necessary and appropriate to

determine the amount, if any, that defendant owes plaintiffs for

fringe benefit contributions, liquidated damages and interest.

The magistrate judge shall make a report and

recommendation concerning said amount within sixty days of the

entry of this order unless the time is extended upon application of

the magistrate judge. Counsel will be advised of the date, time

and place of appearance by notice from the assigned magistrate

judge.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

 

VAUGHN R WALKER

United States District Chief Judge

Case 3:04-cv-05084-VRW Document 30 Filed 01/06/06 Page 3 of 3