Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-01243/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-01243-8/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

PATRICK LORENZ,

Plaintiff,

v.

MOVEY, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No.: 1:23-cv-01243-KES-SKO

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE IN WRITING 

WHY SANCTIONS SHOULD NOT BE 

IMPOSED FOR DEFENDANTS’ FAILURE 

TO OBEY COURT ORDERS

Plaintiff Patrick Lorenz is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights 

action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

I. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On May 29, 2024, this Court issued its Order Referring Case to Post-Screening ADR and 

Staying Case for 90 Days. (See Doc. 24.) The parties were ordered to file notice indicating their 

agreement to proceed to an early settlement conference or their belief that settlement is not 

productive within 45 days of the date of the order. (Id. at 2.) 

On July 9, 2024, Defendants timely filed their notice, indicating the belief an early 

settlement conference would be productive and a willingness to engage in an early settlement 

conference in this matter. (Doc. 26.)

When Plaintiff failed to file a timely notice, the Court issued its Order to Show Cause 

(OSC) on July 17, 2024, directing Plaintiff to respond in writing why the action should not be 

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dismissed for his failure to obey Court orders. (Doc. 27.) On August 5, 2024, Plaintiff responded 

to the OSC and filed his notice regarding an early settlement conference, indicating his

willingness to participate. (Docs. 28 & 29.) 

On August 7, 2024, the Court issued its Order Discharging Order to Show Cause. (Doc. 

30.) That same order directed defense counsel to contact the Court to schedule a settlement 

conference. (Id. at 2.) 

II. DISCUSSION

The Local Rules, corresponding with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11, provide, 

“[f]ailure of counsel or of a party to comply with these Rules or with any order of the Court may 

be grounds for the imposition by the Court of any and all sanctions authorized by statute or Rule 

or within the inherent power of the Court.” Local Rule 110. 

In its order referring this matter for early ADR proceedings, the Court directed defense 

counsel to contact Courtroom Deputy Wendy Kusamura within 60 days of the date of the order 

“assuming the parties agree to proceed to an early settlement conference.” (See Doc. 24 at 2.) A 

delay then ensued due to Plaintiff’s failure to file a timely notice indicating whether he wished to 

participate in an early settlement conference. (See Doc. 27.) Despite the delay, following receipt 

of Plaintiff’s notice indicating his willingness to participate, the Court’s August 7, 2024, order 

provided as follows: “Counsel for Defendants SHALL contact Courtroom Deputy Wendy 

Kusamura at wkusamura@caed.uscourts.gov to schedule a settlement conference within seven 

(7) days of the date of this order.” (Id. at 2, emphasis in original.) 

Although more than seven days have passed, defense counsel has not yet contacted Ms. 

Kusamura to arrange for a settlement conference in this matter. 

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III. CONCLUSION AND ORDER

Accordingly, Court ORDERS Defendants to show cause in writing, within 7 days of the 

date of service of this order, why sanctions should not be imposed for their failure to comply with 

the Local Rules and this Court’s August 7, 2024, order. Alternatively, within that same time, 

Defendants may contact Ms. Kusamura to schedule a settlement conference in this action. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 21, 2024 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto .

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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