Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-00282/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-00282-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 31:3729 False Claims Act

---

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

1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 

ex rel. BEVERLY ENGLUND,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-04-0282-LKK-JFM

vs.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY,

Defendant. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff’s motions to compel compliance with subpoenas duces tecum came on

regularly for hearing February 16, 2006. Brian Taugher and Jenny Teaford appeared for plaintiff.

Theodore Garelis appeared for the nonparty state agencies. Peter E. Davids appeared for

defendant. Upon review of the motion and the documents in support and opposition, upon

hearing the arguments of counsel and good cause appearing therefor, THE COURT FINDS AS

FOLLOWS:

These motions were previously heard on January 19, 2005, at which time counsel

were informed that the motions to compel would be granted subject to a protective order, but

counsel were directed to meet and confer on the particulars of a protective order. In addition, as

to the issue of electronic discovery, counsel were directed to confer concerning the design and

parameters of the electronic data search and to file a status report by close of business February 3,

2006.

Case 2:04-cv-00282-LKK -JFM Document 108 Filed 02/22/06 Page 1 of 3
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

2

Initially, the court notes there was no formal appearance by counsel for defendant

Los Angeles County at the January 19, 2006 hearing and defendant Los Angeles County did not

file a timely opposition to the motion to compel production of documents or the motion to

compel responses to requests for admissions. In addition, the joint discovery statements filed

prior to the hearing addressed only the interests of nonparties California Department of Health

Services and the California Medical Assistance Commission. Thus, it appears that counsel have

resolved the motions as to defendant Los Angeles County.

Insofar as the December 22, 2005 motions to compel compliance with subpoenas

duces tecum issued to the California Department of Health Services and the California Medical

Assistance Commission, those motions will be granted subject to a protective order restricting

the use of the documents produced to use in this litigation. This protective order will apply only 

to documents which plaintiff did not have in her possession prior to production by the submitting

party. 

With regard to production of e-mail and other electronically stored documents, it

became clear at the hearing that the California Department of Health Services used the

negotiation time extended to them to elaborate the burden they claimed was involved in the

production sought by plaintiff. The California Department of Health Services used the time for

conferring extended by the court to embroider their claims of complexity, volume, and privilege

instead of using the time figuring out how to get the job done. Stripped of partisan hyperbole the

actual work to be done is not difficult or burdensome. The objections of The California

Department of Health Services are overruled and the claims of privilege are denied. The

California Department of Health Services shall copy the e-mails for the designated employees to

compact disks or similar electronic media and shall deliver the disks or other electronic media to

plaintiff’s counsel within fifteen days from the date of this order. The material so produced shall

be used by plaintiff solely for the purposes of this litigation. Plaintiff shall reimburse the

California Department of Health Services for the retail cost of the disks.

Case 2:04-cv-00282-LKK -JFM Document 108 Filed 02/22/06 Page 2 of 3
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

3

Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s December 22, 2005 motions to compel compliance with subpoenas

duces tecum (docket nos. 70 & 71) are granted. Within thirty days from the date of this order,

the California Department of Health Services and the California Medical Assistance Commission

shall produce any paper documents responsive to the subpoenas duces tecum. All documents

produced are subject to a protective order and shall be used only in connection with the conduct

of this litigation. This protective order shall not apply to documents which plaintiff had in her

possession prior to production pursuant to this order.

2. The California Department of Health Services shall copy the e-mails for the

designated employees to compact disks or other appropriate electronic media and shall deliver

the disks or other electronic media to plaintiff’s counsel within fifteen days from the date of this

order. The material so produced shall be used by plaintiff solely for the purposes of this

litigation. Plaintiff shall reimburse the California Department of Health Services for the retail

cost of the disks.

DATED: February 21, 2006.

1; englund.po3

Case 2:04-cv-00282-LKK -JFM Document 108 Filed 02/22/06 Page 3 of 3